The Kings Fail to Win Draupadé 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
The five Päëòava brothers, tigers of men, then set out to see Draupadé and the divine festival. Traveling with their mother, they met on the road many brähmaëas who were also going to that festival with their followers. The brähmaëas said to the Päëòavas, who were disguised as celibate brahminical students, «Fellow brähmaëas, where are you headed and from where are you coming?» 
Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja replied: 
O saintly ones who have seen the Lord, be informed that we brothers have come from Ekacakrä and are traveling with our mother. 
The brähmaëas said: 
You should all go at once to the palace of King Drupada, in the land of Päïcäla. A grand svayaàvara is going to take place there, and the king will be giving away a fortune in charity. We ourselves areögoing there, making our way in one large group. There will be a most glorious and amazing festival there. 
The daughter of the great soul Drupada arose from a sacred altar, and her eyes are just like lotus petals. She is a young and very delicate lady, lovely to see, and intelligent also. She is the sister of Dhåñöadyumna, the fiery foe of Droëa born with armor, sword, arrows, and bow. He has powerful arms and took birth from a blazing fire of sacrifice. He glows like fire. 
His sister is called Draupadé, and there is not a single flaw in the figure of that thin-waisted girl. The natural fragrance of her body is just like a blue lotus, and the aroma spreads for miles. The daughter of King Drupada is eagerly preparing for her svayaàvara, and we are going there to see her at her divine festival. Kings and princes will be arriving there, great souls fixed in their vows, clean in their habits. and most generous to the brähmaëas, for all of them have studied the Vedas under their learned priests. Young and handsome rulers from many countries will come together, great chariot fighters who have mastered their weapons. 
Hoping for the blessing of victory, the monarchs who come there will distribute to everyone who comes all varieties of gifts, including valuable stones and coins, as well as cows and food grains. After we have received all that charity, seen the svayaàvara, and experienced the festival, we shall then go as we please. 
Actors, bards, dancers, reciters of legends and history, and powerful wrestlers will all come there from different countries. Thus when you have seen and participated in the wondrous event and received charity, you great souls will return with us from whence you came. And who knows, when Draupadé Kåñëä sees all you handsome boys standing there, as good-looking as gods, she might just choose one of you as her husband! This attractive brother of yours is very handsome, and his arms are huge. If he wrestles there, he could win a big prize! 
Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja said: 
Yes, sir, we shall go with all of you to see that most prominent and divine festival, wherein the young princess will choose her prince. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
My dear Janamejaya, when the Päëòavas were thus invited by the brähmaëas, they set out with them toward the kingdom of Päïcäla, ruled by King Drupada. On the way, O king, the Päëòavas met that great and pure soul untouched by sin, Dvaipäyana Vyäsa. Having properly honored him and been encouraged and comforted by him, they spoke for some time, and then with his permission they went on their way to the kingdom of Drupada. 
The great warriors traveled at their leisure and set up camp wherever they encountered lovely lakes and forests. They took time to study Vedic literature and to maintain strict cleanliness, and thus their minds were gentle and their speech kind and pleasant. Eventually those Kuru princes reached the land of the Päïcälas. 
After they had seen the city and the king's palace, the Päëòavas made their residence in the house of a potter and fully adopted the activities of the brähmaëas, collecting alms for their sustenance. So well did they play the part that the local people had not an inkling that those great heroes had arrived in their city. 
Now, it had always been the desire of King Drupada to give his daughter to Arjuna, but he did not reveal his wish. In his attempt to seek out the sons of Kunté, O Janamejaya, the Päïcäla king had arranged for a tough and unyielding bow and an artificial device suspended in the air, and within that contrivance the king placed a golden target. 
King Drupada said: 
Whoever can string this bow and with the bow and these arrows shoot through the hanging device and pierce the target wins my daughter's hand. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
King Drupada had this message announced all around, [knowing that only Arjuna could pass the test]. Hearing the monarch's challenge, O Bhärata, all the kings of the world eagerly assembled in Drupada's city. The holy sages also came, eager to see the svayaàvara, and all the Kuru princes, headed by Duryodhana with his close friend Karëa, arrived there to try for Draupadé's hand. 
Exalted brähmaëas arrived from many countries, and the great soul Drupada welcomed and honored them as he did the contingents of monarchs. The local crowds roared like the tossing sea as the visiting kings reached the fine city and settled in for the affair. 
Northeast of the town, on a flat and sanctified stretch of land, a beautiful stadium shone with much splendor, boasting luxurious viewing stands on all sides. A colorful canopy was stretched across the entire arena; a protective wall and moat encircled it. It was adorned with tall arched gateways, hundreds of musical instruments filled the air with sound, priceless aloe perfumes scented the atmosphere, sandalwood water was sprinkled about, and colorful garlands of flowers added bright beauty to the scene. 
The palatial pavilions on all sides of the stadium were of excellent construction and stood so high that they seemed to scrape the heavens like the peak of Mount Kailäsa. They were covered in golden trellises and inlaid gorgeously with gems. Access to the upper stands was gradual and easy, and there were large seats and other furnishings completely upholstered with material not to be found in ordinary villages, for the fabrics and carpets were as white as swans and scented with the finest aloe, perfuming the air for miles. There were a hundred wide and unobstructed gateways, furnished with exquisite seats and sofas that were fashioned with varieties of valuable metals, as are the peaks of the Himälayas. All the kings, splendidly dressed, took their seats on the various levels of the pavilion, competing with one another for position and prestige. 
The citizens of the town and country saw that those mighty warriors were lionlike monarchs, ferocious in battle, but exceedingly kind to those who sought their shelter. Indeed, they were loved by all their countrymen for their good and pious deeds, and those fortunate kings, tastefully scented with black aloe cologne, were devoted to the brähmaëas and ruled their lands with saintly guidance. The citizens sought the satisfaction of seeing the chaste Princess Draupadé, and so they took their seats in the opulent viewing areas. 
The Päëòavas took their seats with the brähmaëas and beheld the unparalleled opulence of the Päïcäla king. The gathering continued to grow for many days, O king, and it was magnificent. Jewels were freely given in charity, and professional actors and dancers performed. 
O best of the Bhäratas, a large and beautiful gathering was present when, on the sixteenth day, it was time for Draupadé to appear. Her body freshly bathed and adorned with all the finest jewelry, she took in her hands the hero's cup, golden and exquisitely wrought, and descended into the arena. At that moment, the royal priest of the Päïcälas, a pure brähmaëa learned in mantra, spread the sacred grass and fed the fire of sacrifice with oblations of clear butter. All was done precisely by the ancient rule. 
Having sated the fire of rite and the holy brähmaëas, and having invoked blessings on the assembly, the royal priest then signaled for all the musicians to cease. When not a sound could be heard, O king, Dhåñöadyumna went to the center of the arena, and in a voice as deep and grave as thunder rumbling in the clouds, he pronounced these graceful and meaningful words: 
«May all the kings hear me now! This is the bow, these are the arrows, and there is the target. With only five arrows at your disposal, you mustösend a shaft throughöthe opening in that mechanical device and strike the target. 
«Of the man endowed with noble lineage, beauty, and strength who carries out this most difficult task, my sister Kåñëä shall today become the wife, and I speak the truth.» 
Having spoken thus to the kings, the son of Drupada then turned to Draupadé and began to recite to her, so that all could hear, the name, lineage, and deeds of each of the assembled monarchs. 
Prince Dhåñöadyumna said: 
The one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra are celebrated as leaders of the warrior race, for they are powerful and heroic. Assembled here today are Duryodhana, Durviñaha, Durmukha, Duñpradharñana, Viviàçati, and Vikarëa; Saha, Duùçäsana, Sama, Yuyutsu, Vätavega, and Bhémavegadhara; Ugräyudha, Baläké, Kanakäyus, Virocana, Sukuëòala, Citrasena, Suvarcä, Kanakadhvaja, Nandaka, Bähuçälé, Kuëòaja, and Vikaöa. All these and many other sons of Dhåtaräñöra have come here with Karëa, seeking your hand. 
All the sons of the Gändhära king have gathered here, and their names are Çakuni, Bala, Våñaka, and Båhadbala. Asvatthämä and Bhoja are distinguished among all who wield weapons, and these two great souls, beautifully dressed, have come here because of you. 
Båhanta and Maëimat, powerful Daëòadhära, Sahadeva, Jayatsena, and Meghasandhi of Magadha; Viräöa with his two sons, Çankha and Uttara; Värdhakñemi, Suvarcä, and King Senäbindu; Abhibhü with his splendid son Sudämä, Sumitra, Sukumära, Våka, and Satyadhåti; Süryadhvaja, Rocamäna, Néla, and Citräyudha; Aàçumän, Cekitäna, mighty Çrenimän, fiery Candrasena, son of Samudrasena; Jalasandha and the father and son named Sudaëòa and Daëòa; Pauëòraka, who claims to be Väsudeva; heroic Bhagadatta, Kaliìga, Tämralipta, and the ruler of Pattana; the great car-warrior Çalya, king of the Madras, with his sons: the champion Rukmäìgada and Rukmaratha–all these have come. 
Somadatta the Kauravya and his three heroic mahäratha sons, Bhüri, Bhüriçravä, and Çala, have also come; and there are Sudakñiëa, Kämboja, and Dådhadhanvä the Kaurava; Båhadbala, Suñeëa, and Çibi Auçénara; Saìkarñaëa, Väsudeva, and Sämba, the powerful son of Rukminé; Cärudeñëa, Säraëa, Gada, Akrüra, Sätyaké, and the very strong Uddhava; Kåtavarmä (the son of Hådika), Påthu, and Vipåthu; Viòüratha, Kaìka, Saméka, and Säramejaya; heroic Vätapati and Jhillé; the courageous Piëòäraka and Uçénara. All these are celebrated warriors of the Våñëi clan. 
There are also Bhagératha, the great warrior, and the Saindhava king, Jayadratha; Bähléka and the Çrutäyus, who are all mahärathas; Ulüka, King Kaitava, and Citräìgada with Çubhäìgada; the very determined king of the Vatsas and the king of Kosala. 
These and many other kings from many countries, all celebrated rulers in this world, have all come here seeking your hand, fair woman. These mighty men will try to pierce a most difficult target for your sake, and should one of them find the mark, good woman, you should then choose him to be your husband. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Bedecked with jewels and earrings, those young kings now came together, challenging one another, each convinced that power and skill in weapons rested with him, each highly enlivened with worldly pride. [Thus when they heard the words of Dhåñöadyumna,] they all proudly sprang to their feet, [each claiming that he would meet the challenge]. 
Their pride was great, for each king possessed beauty, valor, lineage, virtue, and youth, and by the maddening force of this pride they became as mad as the mighty elephants of the Himälayas. They challenged and stared at one another, their strong bodies bristling with determination. «Draupadé is meant for me!» they boasted, suddenly rising from their seats. 
Those warriors assembled in the great arena sought to win the hand of Drupada's daughter, just as the hosts of gods had once assembled to win the hand of Umä, born of the mountain king. All the kings' limbs were harassed by the arrows of Cupid, for their hearts had already gone to Draupadé Kåñëä. Because of Draupadé they now went down to the center of the arena, and even kings who had been dear friends now treated each other as hostile rivals. 
At that moment, the hosts of gods arrived in their airships. Rudras, Ädityas, Vasus, the twin Açvins, all the Sädhyas, and the Marutas–all arrived, led by Yamaräja, the lord of justice, and Kuvera, head of the celestial treasury. 
Then came the Daityas, the great birds and serpents, godly sages, Guhyakas, Cäraëas, Viçvävasu, Närada and Parvata, and the chief Gandharvas with their Apsarä mates. 
Present there were Lord Balaräma and Lord Kåñëa, and the leading men of the Våñëi and Andhaka dynasties. The great personalities of the Yadu dynasty, ready to execute Lord Kåñëa's command, carefully glanced around the arena. Lord Kåñëa Himself, the Yadu hero, then noticed five men dressed as renunciants and covered with ashes as if they were five sacrificial fires. The five looked as strong and alert as mighty red-spotted elephants in the season of their fury. Lord Kåñëa reflected deeply, [for He alone knew their identity,] and He quietly and discreetly indicated to Lord Balaräma, «There is Yudhiñöhira–and Bhéma and Arjuna and the heroic twins.» Lord Balaräma gazed upon them, and then with a joyful mind He glanced at Lord Kåñëa, who is known as Janärdana. 
There were many other kings, with their sons and grandsons, and all of them had lost their eyes, minds, and personalities to Draupadé. As they looked at her strolling about the arena, their faces blushed and they chewed on their lips, straining to do battle for her sake. And so it was with the three wide-armed sons of Påthä and the powerful, heroic twins. Their eyes fixed on Draupadé, all of them were struck by the arrows of Cupid. 
The sky above the arena was filled with godly sages, Gandharvas, celestial birds and serpents, Asuras, and mystic Siddhas. Divine scents wafted everywhere. Falling blossoms from divine garlands scattered and floated in the air. The great sounds of big drums sent forth deep thudding vibrations. And the sky was crowded with airplanes and alive with the sounds of flutes, véëäs, and cymbals. 
Then the hosts of kings came forward one by one, hoping to win Draupadé, but with all their strength they could not string the iron-stiff bow. Though they struggled with valor to bend it, the determined bow would recoil and throw the kings to the ground, where they lay miserably moving their limbs before all the crowd. Thus their proud demeanor was shattered. 
Breaking and crushing the bracelets and earrings of the monarchs, the determined bow cried out its sound, and a circle formed of suffering kings whose bold affection for Draupadé had shrunk. 
Then in that assembly of bewildered men, when all the kings had ceased their vows and cries, Arjuna, son of Kunté, came forward to string the bow and fit it with the arrow. 
Arjuna Wins Draupadé 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Thereupon, when all the kings had given up their attempt to string the bow, the wise Arjuna rose up from the midst of the brähmaëas. Seeing that Påtha's son, shining like the flag of Indra, had set out for the center of the arena, the leading brähmaëas cried out and shook their deerskins. Some were unhappy to see a brähmaëa going to compete with warriors, and others were filled with joy. 
Some of the sages who were considered to be experts, and who lived by their intelligence, said to each other, «When the kings of the earth, led by Karëa and Çalya, mighty monarchs renowned in all the world as masters of the military science, could not bend the bow, how is it that a mere brahminical student, frail and lacking stamina, with no training in weapons, will string the bow? We brähmaëas will be ridiculed by all the kings when this whimsical and thoughtless act comes to nothing. Either out of pride or impulsiveness or unsteadiness in his life as a religious student, he has gone out to string the bow. He must be stopped! For God's sake, don't let him go! 
«We shall not be made ridiculous in public so that we are no longer taken seriously. And we shall not risk a conflict with all the kings of the world.» 
But others disagreed. 
«This young man looks very good. He's built like the trunk of the king of elephants. His shoulders, thighs, and arms are bulging with muscles, and he seems as steady and hard to move as the Himälaya mountains. 
«It can be inferred from his bold confidence that this task is actually possible for him. He has power and great daring. A weak man could not go out there alone as he is doing. And after all, whether among the gods, human beings, or lower life, there is no task whatsoever that cannot be accomplished by the brähmaëas. Eating only water or living on air or collecting fruits in the forest, brähmaëas are fixed in their vows, and though apparently weak, by their spiritual power they are very strong. A brähmaëa should never be scorned, whether he is behaving properly or even if he has committed some fault, whether his work in this world is great or small, and whether it brings apparent joy or sorrow.» 
Coming to the center of the arena, Arjuna simply stood by the bow, as unmoving as a mountain. Then he respectfully circumambulated the bow, keeping it to his right, and bowed down, touching his head to the ground.Then the fiery warrior happily took it in his hands. 
In the wink of an eye, he fastened the cord, took the five arrows in his hands, and shot the target, which fell suddenly through the contraption onto the earth, pierced through by Arjuna's shafts. The heavens burst into sound, and a great roaring filled the stadium. The lord of heaven showered flowers on the head of Arjuna, the slayer of the wicked. Throughout the stadium people waved their cloths in jubilation, some cried out in wonder, and still others shouted their disapproval, while showers of flowers fell from the sky, covering the land with celestial blossoms. Hundred-piece bands broke into song, reciters began to recite, and bards and historical chroniclers at once began to praise the astonishing event with elegant voices and language. Seeing Arjuna's feat, Drupada, destroyer of the enemy, was well pleased, and he stood ready with his army to help Arjuna. 
As the great uproar continued unabated, the most virtuous Yudhiñöhira quickly returned to his residence with the twins, the finest of men. 
Seeing the target pierced, and observing that Arjuna shone with the brilliance of Indra, Draupadé took the white garland meant for the groom and went broadly smiling to the son of Kunté. As the brähmaëas praised and honored him–for he had performed an inconceivable deed–Arjuna took the woman he had won in the arena of heroes, and followed by his new wife he walked out of the stadium. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
When King Drupada desired to give his daughter to the great-spirited brähmaëa who had won her, there was fury among the assembled kings and they began to look at one another. «This king passes over all of us, treating the assembled warriors like straw in the gutter, and instead he wants to give Draupadé, the best of women, to a simple brähmaëa. Let us kill this wicked king who thinks so little of us. He shows by his qualities that he is not worthy of respect, or of the consideration offered to the elderly. Let us kill this evil-doer now, along with his son, for he is a hater of kings. First he calls all the rulers to his city and honors them and feeds them sumptuously, and finally he humiliates them. 
«Are we to believe that in this gathering of royalty, like unto a council of the gods, he has not found a single ruler of men to be worthy of his family? The sages have not the privilege of choosing a princess. The Vedas declare that a svayaàvara is for men of the royal order. On the other hand, if this fair maiden finds not a single one of us to be worthy of her, then, fellow kings, let us throw her into the fire and go back to our kingdoms. 
«Even though the brähmaëa has so displeased us out of immaturity or greed, in no way is he to be killed. Indeed, we rule our kingdoms, spend our wealth, raise our sons and grandsons, and live our very lives for the sake of the saintly brähmaëas. 
«Still, we must avoid the danger that henceforth kings are to be regularly insulted. We must protect the sacred principles of warriors so that other svayaàvaras do not end like this one.» 
Having thus spoken, those tigerlike kings, bristling with anger, bludgeons in hand, rushed upon Drupada to arrest him. Seeing the furious kings rushing to attack him with bows and arrows at the ready, Drupada fled in terror and sought shelter of the brähmaëas. The kings charged forward in pursuit like maddened elephants, but then the two greatly powerful sons of Päëòu, subduers of enemies, went forward against them. 
The kings could tolerate no more. Weapons raised with armored hands, their only aim now to kill, they flew forward upon Arjuna and Bhémasena, the two sons of the old Kuru king. Bhéma, however, was a warrior of astonishing power and deeds, and with his great strength he struck with the shock of a thunderbolt. With his bare arms that unique fighter jerked a large tree out of the ground, and like a lordly elephant he clipped off its leaves [so that the foliage would not soften his blow]. Staying close to Arjuna and brandishing his new weapon in his long, wide arms, Bhéma, pain of his enemies, stood as if he were the fearsome lord of death wielding his death-dealing rod. 
Having first witnessed Arjuna's feat, which required more than human intelligence, and now the inconceivable prowess of Arjuna's brother Bhéma, Lord Kåñëa, known as Dämodara, turned and said to His fiercely potent brother, Balaräma, who was armed with His plow weapon, «My dear Saìkarñaëa. My brother, that one there who moves with the bearing of a maddened bull, who bent the mighty bow that stood as tall as a palm tree–he is Arjuna, as indisputably as I am all-pervading Väsudeva. And that one who immediately returned when the kings became wild and who so easily tore out a tree–he is Bhémasena, playing the part of a human being, for no man on earth has the power to do what he just did here. 
«That other one who left earlier, with large eyes like lotus petals and a more slender physique, with the gait of a great lion yet a humble demeanor, fair-skinned, and with a prominent and handsome nose that enhances his face–he, O infallible one, is surely the king of virtue, Yudhiñöhira. 
«Those twins who seem like two young gods of war I reckon to be the sons of the Açvin gods. I have heard that the sons of Päëòu and their mother Påthä were saved from the burning house of lac.» 
Trusting in the words of His younger brother Kåñëa, Lord Balaräma, whose complexion is as white as the purest cloud, said to Him, «I am so happy that by the grace of Providence Our father's sister Påthä and her sons, who are the best of the Kurus, have all been saved.» 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
The powerful brähmaëas, shaking their deerskins and water vessels, said to King Drupada, «You have nothing to fear! We shall fight the enemy!» 
When the sages spoke thus, Arjuna smiled and said to them, «Please, be spectators and stand to the side. Just as one can ward off poisonous snakes with mantras, so I shall stop these furious kñatriyas, dispersing them with hundreds of straight-shooting arrows.» 
Taking his prize bow, Arjuna stood with his brother Bhéma like an unmoving mountain, for he was a mahäratha. Like fearless bull elephants rushing against a hostile herd, the two courageous brothers flew at the angry warriors, headed by Karëa, who had now been roused to full fury. The monarchs and their men declared, «Even a brähmaëa may be killed in battle if he desires to fight. So says the law.» 
Karëa went after Arjuna with tremendous power, like a battle-hungry elephant fighting another bull for the sake of his mate. Çalya, the mighty lord of the Madras, attacked Bhémasena. Duryodhana and other kings battled the brähmaëas, but gently and without effort. 
Strongly bending his bow, Arjuna struck the attacking Karëa with three arrows. Rädheya [Karëa] was stunned by the force of the sharp, sizzling arrows and approached with much caution. As they furiously battled each other, the skill and speed of the two fighters was incomparable, and each fought hard for victory over the other. They addressed each other in words meaningful to heroes: «Just see how I countered your move!» and «See the strength of my arms!» 
Realizing that the power of Arjuna's bow-wielding arms was unmatched on earth, Karëa was prompted to fight with even greater fury. Counteracting the swift shafts fired off by Arjuna, he roared his battle sound, and his fellow warriors shouted with admiration. 
Karëa said: 
I am satisfied by your performance in battle, O brähmaëa chief. There is great prowess in your arms, and you have learned all the weapons. You do not become discouraged. O noble sage, are you Dhanur Veda himself, or perhaps even Lord Paraçuräma? Are you Lord Indra, or possibly the infallible Viñëu? To disguise yourself you have assumed the appearance of a brähmaëa, and using the might of your arms you now fight with me. Once I become angry, no one save Indra himself or the Päëòava Arjuna can fight me. 
Vaiçampäyana said: 
Hearing Karëa speak to him thus, Phalguna Arjuna replied, «I am not Dhanur Veda, O Karëa, nor am I the powerful Paraçuräma. Quite simply, I am the best of fighting brähmaëas and the most skillful in the use of weapons. By the instructions of my guru, I am expert in the Brahma weapon and in the device of Purandara Indra. I therefore stand here in battle to conquer you, O heroic warrior. Be resolved!» 
At these words Rädheya Karëa, the great chariot fighter, withdrew from the battle, having decided that the power of a brähmaëa could not be defeated. But at that very moment, O king, the two mighty warriors Çalya and Våkodara Bhéma began to fight one another, both of them maddened with strength and hungry for victory. Like huge, enraged bull elephants they taunted one another. With fist colliding against fist, knee smashing against knee, they dragged each other around the fighting ring. Then, in the midst of their battle, Bhéma seized Çalya in his arms, lifted him high, and slammed him against the ground. The brähmaëas broke into smiles. Having brought down powerful Çalya, the mighty Bhémasena, best among men, astonished everyone, for he did not strike and kill his foe. 
With Çalya now brought down and Karëa hesitant, the kñatriyas grew doubtful and surrounded Bhémasena and said, «These bull-like brähmaëas have done very well indeed! We should learn where they took birth and where they reside, for who has the power to oppose Karëa in battle if he is not Paraçuräma or Droëa or Kåpa, the son of Çaradvän? Who has the power to meet Duryodhana in battle but Kåñëa, the son of Devaké, or the fiery Phalguna Arjuna? Çalya, king of the Madras, is the strongest of men. Who could fight him but the heroic Lord Baladeva or the Päëòava Våkodara Bhéma? Let us forge a truce and so suspend fighting with these brähmaëas. After we discover who they are, we shall fight again later.» 
Carefully watching the activities of Bhéma, Çré Kåñëa believed that he and Arjuna were the sons of Kunté. He therefore convinced all the warriors that Draupadé had indeed been fairly won, and thus He restrained them from fighting on. The noble kings were experienced warriors, and on hearing Lord Kåñëa's remarks they desisted from battle and returned to their kingdoms in utter amazement. 
«The competition was dominated by brähmaëas. The princess of Päïcäla now lives with the brähmaëas, for they have chosen her.» Thus spoke the kings who had gathered for the festival as they journeyed to their homes. 
Meanwhile, surrounded by brähmaëas clad in deerskins, Bhémasena and Arjuna could hardly move. Those two heroes of mankind at last broke free of the pressing crowd, and while their enemies studied and stared at them, and as Draupadé faithfully followed them, they shone beautifully amid the tumultuous scene. 
The Päëòavas' mother knew only that her sons had gone out, as usual, to collect alms, and that they had not returned on time. She began to imagine all sorts of calamities that might have befallen them. «I pray that Dhåtaräñöra's sons have not discovered and killed them, for they are the best of the Kurus. 
«Could they have been waylaid by horrible Räkñasas, who possess mystical powers and never forgive an enemy? But the great soul Vyäsa declared that my sons would be victorious. Could his conclusion be in error?» 
Filled with affection for her sons, Påtha thus worried over them until late in the afternoon, when Jiñëu Arjuna returned. Like the bright sun surrounded by clouds, he came in with brähmaëas on all sides of him, and all of them kept the Absolute Truth before them. 
Kunté Accidentally Tells The Päëòavas to Share Draupadé 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Påthä's two exalted sons, who were the finest of men, went back to the potter's workshop with the greatest of joy, and finding Påthä home, they called to her, joking about Draupadé: «We brought alms!» 
Kunté was inside the shop, and without looking at her sons she called back, «All of you enjoy the alms together.» Later, when she saw they had brought a young girl, she cried out, «Oh, what a terrible thing I said!» Embarrassed and fearful of an irreligious act, Kunté took the very blissful Draupadé by the hand and went to see Yudhiñöhira and said, «Your two younger brothers delivered to me the young daughter of King Drupada, and being distracted, son, I said as usual, `All of you enjoy the alms together!' O best of the Kurus, how will my statement not prove false, [for I cannot lie]? Yet how will sin not overtake the king of Päïcäla's sinless daughter?» 
Yudhiñöhira, a king of tremendous ability, thought over the matter for some time, and then, trying his best to encourage Kunté, the courageous Kuru said to Dhanaïjaya Arjuna, «You have won Draupadé, O Päëòava, and it is you who will satisfy the princess. Now let the sacred fire be ignited. May the offerings be made, and you shall lawfully accept her hand.» 
Arjuna said: 
Do not bestow upon me an irreligious deed, my king. What you propose is not the virtue that people seek. You, as the eldest brother, will marry first, and then the mighty-armed Bhéma, of inconceivable works. I come next, after me comes Nakula, and finally Mädré's son Sahadeva will marry. Våkodara, the twins, this girl, and I, O king, are all your subordinates. It being thus, you must carefully consider the situation and then do what must be done to enhance our virtue and reputation. Your actions must also be pleasing to the king of Päïcäla. You may command us, for we are all prepared to obey you. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
All the Päëòavas then looked over at the glorious Draupadé, who stood before them, and they all sat staring at each other, holding her within their hearts. Each of the Päëòavas was a man of immeasurable vigor, and as they went on looking at the maiden Kåñëä, a deep love arose in their hearts and forcefully took hold of their eyes and ears and all of their senses. The creator of this world had personally designed the very attractive body of the Päïcäla princess, and all creatures were enchanted with her grace, for she was lovelier than other women. 
Yudhiñöhira understood that all the Päëòavas were absorbed in thinking of the lovely form of Draupadé, and he remembered well all that their grandfather Dvaipäyana Vyäsa had told them about their future marriage. The king then told his brothers, «To avoid the serious danger of division among us, pure-hearted Draupadé will be a wife to all of us.» 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
The Päëòavas pondered the instruction of their brother, Päëòu's eldest son. Deep within their minds they meditated on the ultimate purpose and meaning of his decision, and thus those most able warriors simply sat in silence. 
Meanwhile, the Våñëi hero Lord Kåñëa, surmising the identity of the Kuru heroes, went with Lord Balaräma to the potter's workshop to see those valiant men. 
Arriving there, Kåñëa and Balaräma saw Yudhiñöhira, of wide, long arms, as he sat free of hatred and surrounded by his brothers, who were as bright as fire. Approaching Yudhiñöhira, the most distinguished of religious men, Lord Kåñëa, known as Väsudeva, affectionately pressed the feet of the rightful Kuru king and said, «I am Kåñëa.» 
Çré Balaräma also touched Yudhiñöhira's feet, and the Kuru princes joyfully welcomed Kåñëa and Balaräma. The two Yadu leaders also touched the feet of Their aunt Kunté, the sister of Their father. King Yudhiñöhira, who saw no one as his enemy, then asked Lord Kåñëa about His well-being, and revealing their own state of affairs, he inquired, «Dear Kåñëa, we have all been living in disguise. How did You know who we are?» 
Lord Kåñëa smiled and replied, «Fire, even when covered, is detected, O king. Who but the noble sons of Päëòu, among all mankind, could perform such feats? Thank heaven all of you Päëòavas were saved from that fire, and thank heaven the sinful son of Dhåtaräñöra and his minister could not accomplish their plan. May you all be blessed so that even in hiding you grow and prosper, shining like a steadily burning fire. We will now go back to Our camp so that no one discovers who you are. 
Granted His leave by the eldest Päëòava, Çré Kåñëa, whose opulence is inexhaustible, departed quickly with His brother, Çré Baladeva. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana scontinued: 
Dhåñöadyumna, prince of Päïcäla, had followed Bhéma and Arjuna as they returned to the potter's shop, and hiding his men all around, he sat undetected near the workshop. 
When night fell, Bhéma, harasser of foes, Arjuna, and the mighty twins happily gave Yudhiñöhira the alms they had begged. Then at the proper time, generous Kunté said to Drupada's daughter, «Now, sweet girl, take the first portion of the collection and offer it to the Supreme Lord, and then give it in alms to a learned brähmaëa. And whoever in this neighborhood desires food, give some to them. Then quickly divide the remainder and keep half for the four brothers and me and you, and give the other half, good woman, to Bhéma. He's that son of mine who looks like a maddened bull. That swarthy young man is built very strongly and he's our hero, but he always eats a lot.» 
The joy in the heart of the princess made her beauty shine, and accepting Kunté's words without the slightest doubt, the saintly young bride did exactly as instructed. And they all took their food. 
Then Sahadeva, the expert son of Mädré, put down a ground covering of Kuça grass, and all the heroes spread out their deerskins on it and slept soundly on the earth. The men slept with their heads pointing toward the direction blessed by the sage Agastya. Kunté was in front of them and Draupadé was across from their feet. The princess lay on the earth with the sons of Päëòu, as if she were a pillow for their feet, but there was no unhappiness in her heart, nor did she think less of those princes, who were the foremost of the Kurus. 
As they lay there talks arose among them, and the mighty heroes began to tell wondrous stories of armies and governments, of divine weapons, chariots, and elephants, of swords, clubs, and deadly axes. And as they told their stories, the prince of Päïcäla heard them, and his men saw how their princess Kåñëä lay there without any of her usual comforts. 
Dhåñöadyumna, the king's son, was eager to tell his father Drupada in detail all that the Päëòavas and their women had said and done that night, and he hurried back to the palace. 
The king of Päïcäla looked worried and upset, for he did not know the identity of the Päëòavas, to whom he had given his beloved daughter. As soon as his son returned, the exalted monarch questioned him, «Where has my daughter Kåñëä gone, and who led her away? Is the princess now the property of a low-class man? Is she in the hands of an outcaste? Or does she now serve a tax-paying merchant? Is a foot now stuck on my head? Has the royal garland fallen on the polluted ground where bodies are burned? Or has it been placed on a man of distinguished, kingly rank, or was it one of still higher rank, a brähmaëa? Or is it, my son, that a lowly left foot has been thrust on my head by the man who carried away Kåñëä? 
«Or may I yet dream that the son of Päëòu lives, and that I am now united with the very best of men? Tell me in truth! Who is that man of great power who has now won the right to my daughter? 
«Oh, Vicitravérya was such a hero for the Kurus! Can it be that sons in his line have prevailed? Can it be that the youngest son of Påthä grabbed that bow today and struck down the target?» 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Then Prince Dhåñöadyumna, the crown jewel of Päïcäla, enthusiastically related to his father what had happened and who had taken Draupadé. 
«It was that youth with large copper-colored eyes and deerskin dress, the one as handsome as the gods, who strung the finest bow and sent the target falling to the earth. And without becoming entangled he quickly left, all the while being praised on all sides by the finest brähmaëas. There he strode like thunder-wielding Indra, who is attended by all the gods and seers as he strides through the demon sons of Diti. 
«Draupadé held on to his trailing deerskin, and he looked like a mighty elephant followed by his jubilant mate. All the kings were livid with indignation, and they assailed him as he departed. But in the midst of those monarchs another man appeared, uprooted a large tree that stood firmly in the earth, and furiously drove off and chased those rows of kings just as Death pursues all that breathe. And as all the kings watched them, Your Highness, those two extraordinary men, shining like the sun and the moon, took our Kåñëä and departed, and they went outside the city to the workshop of a potter. 
«There I saw a woman sitting, and she resembled a fire's flame. I reason that she is their mother. Sitting near her were three powerful men who appeared to be of the same family, and they too shone like fire. 
«The two men arrived from the stadium, offered their respects at the woman's feet, and had Draupadé do the same. They immediately introduced Draupadé to the others, and then all the men went out to collect alms. As soon as they came back, Draupadé took the alms, made an offering to the Lord, and fed the brähmaëas. With the remainder, she waited upon the older woman and the heroic men, serving them their meal, and then she ate. Then every one of them went to sleep, and Draupadé lay at their feet like their foot-pillow. Their bed was made of fine deerskins spread over darbha grass, and somehow it seemed appropriate for the occasion. 
«They began to narrate stories with voices as deep and strong as doomsday clouds. And how they told those wonderful stories! These were not the stories that merchants and common laboring men would have to tell, nor would brähmaëas speak like those heroes. The way they talked about battle and war, they are undoubtedly prominent warriors, O king. 
«Clearly, our great hope will now be fulfilled, for we hear that Påthä's sons were saved from the fire! The forceful way he strung the bow and struck the target, and the way they all speak to each other–they are surely the Päëòavas moving about in disguise.» 
Thereupon King Drupada was overjoyed, and calling his royal priest, he sent this message, «We must know who you are, great souls–whether or not you are the sons of Päëòu.» 
Taking the king's words, the priest went and recited to the Päëòavas the king's complete message just as he had spoken it and in the proper sequence, for the messenger understood the importance of sequence. «Most worthy ones, King Drupada, lord of this land, desires to know you, for having seen how one of you struck down the target, the king now sees no end to his happiness. 
[!The king says,] `Please explain the lineage of your family and community. Place your foot on the heads of the envious and bring pleasure to this heart of mine and to the hearts of those who follow me, the king of Päïcäla.' 
«King Päëòu was a beloved friend of King Drupada's, and Drupada loved him like his very self. This was Drupada's desire: `If only my daughter could be the daughter-in-law of the Kaurava king!' O men of flawless form, this desire of King Drupada has ever stayed in his heart–`Arjuna, with his long, wide arms, should accept my daughter in sacred marriage!' This was Drupada's heart.» 
The priest spoke his message and stood humbly before them. Yudhiñöhira looked up at him and then ordered Bhéma, who stood close by, «We must honor this person with footbath and gifts. He is the royal priest of King Drupada, and he is to be offered the highest honors.» 
Bhéma did exactly that, O king, and the priest accepted the honors in a noble fashion. When the brähmaëa was seated at his leasure, Yudhiñöhira said to him, «The Päïcäla king has released his daughter in accordance with his religious duty and following his own desire. The heroic King Drupada designated this princess as a royal gift, and he has honored his word. There is no need here for an investigation into our social class, our means of livelihood, or our family or lineage. Because he strung the bow and pierced the target in the midst of the earthly kings, a great soul fairly won this girl Draupadé, and she was properly entrusted to him. 
«Things being what they are, the king of the Päïcälas should not lament and make himself miserable. You stated that King Drupada has long desired to marry his daughter to the son of Päëòu, and his majesty's wish shall certainly come to pass. Dear brähmaëa, such a beautiful princess was virtually unattainable. That bow could not have possibly been strung by a dull or weak man. Indeed, how could a man unschooled in weapons, or one of wretched birth, have struck down the target? Therefore, there is no reason for the Päïcäla king to grieve over his daughter. Nor is there any man on earth who can change the fact that the target was brought down.» 
As Yudhiñöhira was thus speaking, another messenger came running from the Päïcäla king and announced that the feast was ready.