Kunti told Draupadi how to distribute food to the Pandavas: 3 portions of food – one for the gods, the other for the dependents and the third for the family, the big part of Bhima

Story – There is an anecdote related to Kunti and Draupadi. There was a hut of Pandavas in the middle of a forest. One day Kunti was preparing food and Draupadi was helping her in this work. Draupadi was the new daughter-in-law at that time.

When the food was ready, Kunti said to Draupadi, ‘We should distribute this food and I will tell you how to distribute it. This meal has to be taken in three parts. The first part is to be offered to the deities and brahmins. The second part is to reach out to those around us and who depend on us. Take out half of the third part on one side and the remaining half is to be divided into 6 parts.

Draupadi said, ‘I do not understand this.’

Kunti said, ‘I will explain now.’ He did two parts of the third part and kept one part apart from them and then did 6 parts of the second part.

Kunti said, ‘These 6 parts are for Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, for me and you and the bigger one half belongs to Bhima. Bhima needs more in terms of food. Half of the entire family is taken out for Bhima. I distribute food like this and from now on you should also distribute food like this every day.

Lessons – This story of Kunti and Draupadi is teaching us that distribution of food is also very important. Whatever food we bring home by working hard, that food is shared by the family as well as those who do not get food. The employees working in the house should also get food. Every member of the family should get food according to his hunger. Proper distribution of food is necessary for the welfare of the family and society.