Did Draupadi pay insurance premium?

This is a story from the Mahabharata ingrained in our ancient mythology nearly 5000 years ago.

Lord Krishna was wielding the Sudarshan Chakra and accidently hurt his finger. Draupadi (Daughter of Drupad & wife of 5 Pandavas) was nearby and saw Lord Krishna’s bleeding finger. She didn’t think twice and tore a small portion of her brand-new expensive saree and immediately tied the saree piece as a bandage on the wound of Lord Krishna’s finger.

Long after this incident, it was the dreadful day when Pandavas had lost to Kauravas while paying Chausar(game of dice). Pandavas had lost all assets, including the 5 brothers and then finally they lost their dear wife Draupadi also in a hand of gambling.

Dushashan (younger brother of Duryodhana) was given the task of calling Draupadi to the Hastinapur palace’s assembly hall. Dushashan dragged her to the assembly hall. He was instructed by Duryodhana to disrobe Draupadi (Cheer Haran)

Draupadi then prayed to Lord Krishna and seeked his help.

At this time Lord Krishna came to her rescue. Dushashan tried and tried, but the saree of Draupadi was endless. Lord Krishna helped her in this difficult situation. Krishna’s intervention prevented the ugly scenes and saved her honor. Lord Krishna returned the favor when Draupadi needed it the most.

Draupadi had paid the insurance premium by tearing her own saree and tying the wound of Lord Krishna. In current times a client pays the premium to an insurance company.

Lord Krishna (Sakha) is just like an insurance company: the protector.

When a client meets with a calamity or is in a problem beyond his control, then the insurance company steps in and supports the client in the difficult times.

The calamity could be a health emergency, damage to the factory due to an earthquake, or a ship sinking due to extreme weather or an early death of a young bread earner.

If premium is paid by client, then insurance company will stand by the client in times of difficulty or loss. This is the ethos of insurance. Client doesn’t know when he may need the support of insurance company as accidents don’t pre-announce their arrival. Client needs to be paying small portions of money as the premium to safeguard himself in times of emergency.

On a lighter note: Kauravas would have starved to death with only 9 subsidized LPG cylinders for 100 of them.

Author is Prabhat Vijh- Director & Principal Officer: iAND Insurance Broker Private Limited