Bhima killed Dushasana and as promised to Draupadi smeared his face with Dushasana’s blood and then took it to Draupadi to braid her hair. Though some debate whether this actually happened or is it simply a popular version but the story carries an interesting symbol. Draupadi was an incarnation of Kali. Wars have been seen in ancient India as driven by Kali to hasten a long overdue change, a perspective very different from the modern outlook that characterises all wars as evil and all violence as bad.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
