{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreibx3yfghlyhrw3777gia4bz2hcn4iafmwaqn45udtbesnosdr2yre",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oqiaqcv4fci2tdoadzvntjii/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg55l5p32ne2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreig3rsbblqxgf5kxa7dgvzegjekxj6jphbdp7zm2gz7fmt2zylwpiu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 27272
  },
  "description": "Poem | Bonus | No Goddess Accepts Demotion",
  "path": "/draupadi-speaks-by-nehal-sharma/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T06:33:37.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.medusarising.org",
  "tags": [
    "Mythology Meets Reality",
    "Our Linktree of Socials and Connection",
    "@gorgons@medusarising.org"
  ],
  "textContent": "Draupadi Speaks | by Nehal Sharma\n\n0:00\n\n/105.002667\n\n1×\n\nI was born where fire knelt to pray,\nits tongues whispering my name.\nNo mother’s cry, no father’s claim,\nonly the hush before a flame.\n\nThey say I rose from ritual smoke,\na spark between the gods’ breath.\nI say I crawled out of their guilt,\nstill glowing from their debt.\n\nThey called me prize, they called me wife,\nrolled my name across a dice.\nFive faces, one destiny,\nwhat’s virtue but a game of price?\n\nWhen they dragged my silence by its hair,\nI did not plead, I did not weep.\nThe hall was tinder; I was air,\nI let the fire keep.\n\nThey thought shame would make me ash,\nbut I am the ember that survives.\nTouch me once, I brand your past;\ntouch me twice, I light your lives.\n\nDo not call me pure, do not call me sin,\nI am what begins when endings begin.\nWhen Agni breathes, remember this,\nhis oldest daughter still exists.\n\nI was not born of fire alone;\nFire was born of me.\nAnd every time the world burns wrong,\nI rise, silently, endlessly free.\n\n* * *\n\n**Nehal Sharma** is a writer and founder of the blog Mythology Meets Reality. Her work often explores how culture, emotion, and history shape contemporary womanhood. She has previously published with magazines like _Roi Fainéant_ and _The Chai Literary Magazine_ , and ranked 3rd globally in the Heartfulness Essay Competition. Writing is how she lives inside her own curiosity, turning observation into reflection and reflection into story.\n\nYou asked for it, we answered!!\n\nComments are open to all members.\nLet's discuss all the things!\n\n****Starting at $2 USD per month**** | Access to complete posts, Gorgon Posse videos, Commenting & conversation, External reading recommendations, & Special Event invitations.\n****First month always free****.\n\nUPGRADE\n\nFeminist algorithm needs you!\n\nWe are our only algorithm!\n****Do postmodern magic!****\nMore connection! More sharing!\n\n Our Linktree of Socials and Connection \n\n### Thank you for supporting this project.\nWe're honored to be in this work with you.\n\n\nReach out anytime for any reason: info@medusarising.org.\nFind us everywhere we are with the social web: @gorgons@medusarising.org.\n\n**( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆ ( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆ ( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆**",
  "title": "Draupadi Speaks | by Nehal Sharma",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-03T06:33:36.652Z"
}