Questions About The Palace of Illusions

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Palace of Illusions, please sign up.

Answered Questions (11)

Did Panchaali really have interest in Karna and vice-versa? I have never heard of such thing anywhere else.

Mansi There are actually two ways of dealing with such curiosities.
One is by endlessly searching for facts trying to verify it and the problem with it is th…moreThere are actually two ways of dealing with such curiosities.
One is by endlessly searching for facts trying to verify it and the problem with it is that we’re still not sure whether Mahabharata, or even Ramayana, really did ‘take place’ or not but that’s a whole other debate.
The other way is to treat it like literature is supposed to be treated. These epics were woven to inculcate values that the society lacked and it got modified according the need (different regions had different problems) So across India, you’ll find many versions of Mahabharata. No one version is ‘correct’ and you’ll find that no two versions are similar. ‘The Palace of Illusions’ is Chitra Banerjee’s version of it and in it Draupadi fancied Karna.
It’s different from the original but that’s the charm of literature. Different people derive different meanings from the same poem. So you could have your own version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with a happy ending. Granted, it completely modifies the original but it saves you from the heartache the tragedy delivers. ;)(less)

flag

I'm halfway and loving it! But there seems to be one major plot hole, unless im very much mistaken. Draupadi's father seems to be planning the swayamvara such that only Arjuna can be hhis son-on-law. BUT at that moment in time, weren't the pandava and kunti thought to have died in a fire?

Ritika Goswami Initially they indeed thought that the Pandavas have died but the All Knowing Vasudev Shri Krishna indirectly let King Drupad know that they were aliv…moreInitially they indeed thought that the Pandavas have died but the All Knowing Vasudev Shri Krishna indirectly let King Drupad know that they were alive.(less)

flag

When Duryodhan accidentally falls in water while walking in the Palace of Illusions, as per this book it is Draupadi's maid making fun of Duryodhan and not Draupadi herself. Is this not factually incorrect?

avahardyam Yes. It is factually incorrect because noone makes fun saying "blind man's blind son", of दुर्योधन. Fact is when he fell भीमसेन and his younger brothe…moreYes. It is factually incorrect because noone makes fun saying "blind man's blind son", of दुर्योधन. Fact is when he fell भीमसेन and his younger brothers start laughing. No mention of द्रौपदी even being present in the scene. दुर्योधन in his anger later tells to धृतराष्ट्र that द्रौपदी was also laughing. One may see it as a lie but i think he was so much clouded by his anger that he believed this. Anyway no mention of "blind etc" has been made.(less)

flag

Do you have to know about Mahabharata before you read this?

Yogesh Wadhwa No, you can read the book even if you don't know about Mahabharata. Having read it before though helps understand the story from another point of view…moreNo, you can read the book even if you don't know about Mahabharata. Having read it before though helps understand the story from another point of view but it is an amazing irrespectively.

Hope you enjoy. Good luck!(less)

flag

I just finished reading this wonderful book.It was as though one of the finest ladies was speaking to me. Though I read the whole book, the reason for Draupadi's attraction towards Karna was not clear. Can anyone explain?