“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Then all the Pandavas, the great-famed king of
the Paanchaalas (Drupada) and all
others there present stood up and saluted with respect the Maharishi Krishna (Vyasa). The high-souled Rishi, saluting them in
return and enquiring after their welfare, sat down on a carpet of gold. Commanded
by Krishna (Maharishi Vyasa) of
immeasurable energy, those foremost of men all sat down on costly seats. O
monarch (Janamejaya), a little
after, the son of Prishata (King Drupada) in sweet accents asked the illustrious Rishi about the wedding of his
daughter (Draupadi). He said, ‘O
illustrious one (Maharishi Vyasa),
how can one woman become the wife of many men without being corrupted by sin? O,
tell me truly all about this.’
“Hearing these words Vyasa replied, ‘O king (Drupada), this practice being opposed to usage and
the Vedas, has become obsolete. I desire, however, to hear what the opinion of
each of you is upon this matter.’
“Hearing these words of the Rishi (Vyasa), (King) Drupada spoke
first, saying, ‘The practice is sinful in my opinion, being opposed to both
usage and the Vedas. O best of Brahmanas, nowhere I have seen many men having
one wife. The illustrious ones also of former ages never had such a usage among
them. The wise should never commit a sin. I, therefore, can never make up mind
to act in this way. This practice always appears to me to be of doubtful Dharma.’
“After Drupada had stoped, Dhrishtadyumna spoke, saying ‘O bull amongst
Brahmanas (Maharishi Vyasa), O you
of wealth of Tapas, O Brahmana, how can the elder brother, if he is of a good character,
approach the wife of his younger brother? The ways of Dharma are ever subtle (Sookshma
in Sanskrit), and, therefore, we know
them not. We cannot, therefore, say what is conformable to Dharma and what not.
We cannot do such a deed, therefore, with a safe conscience (sense of right
and wrong). Indeed, O Brahmana, I cannot
say, ‘Let Draupadi become the common wife of five brothers.’’
“Yudhishthira then spoke, saying, ‘My tongue never uttered an untruth
and my heart never inclines to what is sinful. When my heart approves of it, it
can never be sinful. I have heard in the Purana that a lady of name Jatila, the
foremost of all Dharmic women belonging to the race of Gautama had married Sapta
Rishis. So also a Rishi’s daughter, born of a tree, had in former times united
herself in marriage with ten brothers all bearing the same name of Prachetas
and who were all of souls made noble by Tapas. O foremost of all that are familiar
with the rules of Dharma (Maharishi Vyasa), it is said that obedience to superior is ever
meritorious. Amongst all superiors, it is well-known that the mother is
the foremost. She has commanded us to enjoy Draupadi as we do anything obtained
as alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit). It is
for this, O best of Brahmanas, that I regard the (proposed) act as Dharma.’
“Kunti then said, ‘The act is so as the Dharmic Yudhishthira has said.
O Brahmana, I greatly fear let my speech should become untrue. How shall I be
saved from untruth?’
“When they had all finished speaking, (Maharishi) Vyasa said, ‘O friendly one (Kunti), how shall you be saved from the
consequence of untruth? This is eternal (Sanaatana in Sanskrit) Dharma! O king of the Paanchaalas, I will
not discuss on this before you all. But you alone shall listen to me when I
disclose how this practice has been established and why it is to be regarded as
old and eternal. There is no doubt that what Yudhishthira has said is quite
conformable to Dharma.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then the illustrious (Rishi) Vyasa -- the Guru Dwaipaayana -- rose, and
taking hold of (King) Drupada’s hand
led him to a private apartment. The Pandavas, Kunti and Dhrishtadyumna of
Prishata’s race sat there, waiting for the return of Vyasa and Drupada.
Meanwhile, Dwaipaayana began his talks with illustrious monarch (Drupada) for explaining how the practice of
polyandry could not be regarded as sinful.’”
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