Why Was Draupadi The First To Fall? Yudhishthira Said Her 3 Sins Were…

Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 10:58 IST

As Draupadi fell first and breathed her last, Yudhishthira, known for his wisdom and deep understanding of Dharma and Karma, explained to his brothers why she was the first to fall

When the Pandavas, along with Draupadi, began their final journey towards heaven by climbing the Himalayas, they believed they would reach their destination in their physical forms. However, one by one, they began to fall along the way. Draupadi was the first to stumble and die.

After ruling Hastinapur for many years following the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas saw signs that it was time to renounce their kingdom and pursue a spiritual path. The death of Lord Krishna deeply shook them, prompting Yudhishthira and his brothers, along with Draupadi, to head towards the Himalayas to begin their final ascent. But the path to heaven was far from easy.

As Draupadi fell first and breathed her last, Yudhishthira, known for his wisdom and deep understanding of Dharma and Karma, explained to his brothers why she was the first to fall. According to him, Draupadi had committed three major sins:

Draupadi’s Three Sins

Favouritism Towards Arjuna

Draupadi showed more love and affection towards Arjuna than her other husbands. As per Dharma, she was expected to treat all her husbands equally, but her attachment to Arjuna went beyond what was considered just. She was most upset when Arjuna married again, a reaction she did not have when the others remarried.

Pride In beauty And Intellect

Draupadi was proud of her beauty and intelligence, and this pride often manifested as arrogance. During her swayamvara, she insulted many kings, including Karna, whom she rejected by saying she would not marry a charioteer’s son. This act was seen as a reflection of her caste pride and vanity.

Insulting Duryodhana

Draupadi once insulted Duryodhana by calling him the “blind man’s son”. This remark hurt Duryodhana’s pride and sowed deep hatred in his heart, which later led to the exile of the Pandavas and eventually, the great war of Mahabharata.

While her faults were not excessive, her attachment, partiality, and pride were seen as obstacles to salvation. As a result, she could not reach heaven in her physical form.

The Fall Of The Pandavas

After Draupadi, Sahadev was the next to fall. When Bhima questioned why the humble and obedient Sahadev had fallen, Yudhishthira replied that Sahadev believed no one was more intelligent than him; a silent pride that counted as his fault.

Next to fall was Nakul. Yudhishthira explained that Nakul was proud of his looks and believed no one was more handsome than him, which became his downfall.

Then came Arjuna’s turn and a confused Bhima, asked why the valiant and truthful Arjuna had fallen. Yudhishthira explained that Arjuna was boastful, often claiming he could defeat all enemies in a single day, something he never accomplished. His arrogance and tendency to belittle other archers led to his fall.

Eventually, Bhima himself fell. He asked his elder brother what his fault had been. Yudhishthira told him that his excessive appetite and pride in his strength were his undoing.

Yudhishthira’s Final Test

Now only Yudhishthira remained, accompanied by a loyal dog who had walked beside them throughout the journey. At the end, Indra descended from heaven with a divine chariot, inviting Yudhishthira to ascend to heaven in his physical form.

However, Yudhishthira refused to leave without his brothers, Draupadi, and the dog. Indra assured him that his family had already reached heaven in spirit and urged him to come alone. Yudhishthira still insisted the dog accompany him. When Indra objected, Yudhishthira stood firm, saying it would be cruel to abandon a loyal companion.

In that moment, the dog transformed into Lord Dharma and praised his righteousness and compassion. Having passed every test of Dharma, Yudhishthira was taken to heaven alive, where his loved ones awaited him.

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