“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Then the illustrious king of Paanchaala (Drupada), addressing prince Yudhishthira in the
form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully enquired of that illustrious son of
Kunti (Yudhishthira), saying, ‘Are
we to know you as Kshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as Devas who
disguising themselves as Brahmanas are travelling the earth and come here for
the hand of Krishna (Draupadi)? O
tell us truly, for we have great doubts! Shall we not be glad when our doubts
have been removed? O punisher of enemies, have the fates been favourable to us?
Tell us the truth willingly! Truth becomes monarchs
shine better than yagnas and dedications of tanks. Therefore, do not tell
us what is untrue. O you of the beauty of a Deva, O punisher of enemies,
hearing your reply I shall make arrangements for my daughter’s wedding
according to the varna to which you belong.’
“Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying ‘Be not
cheerless, O king (Drupada); let joy
fill your heart! The desire cherished by you has certainly been accomplished. O
king (Drupada), we are Kshatriyas and
sons of the illustrious Paandu. Know me to be the eldest of the son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) and these to be Bhima and Arjuna. By
these, O king, was your daughter won amid the assembly of monarchs. The twins (Nakula
and Sahadeva) and Kunti wait where
Krishna (Draupadi) is. O bull
amongst men (King Drupada), let
grief be driven from your heart, for we are Kshatriyas. Your daughter, O
monarch (Drupada), has like a lotus
been transferred only from one lake into another. O king, you are our respected
superior and chief refuge. I have told you the whole truth.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing those words, the king Drupada's
eyes rolled in ecstasy. Filled with delight the king could not, for some
moments answer Yudhishthira. Controlling his emotion with great effort, that punisher
of enemies (Drupada) at last replied
to Yudhishthira in proper words. The Dharmaraja (Drupada) enquired how the Pandavas had escaped from
the town of Vaaranaavata. The Pandavas told the monarch every particular in
detail of their escape from the burning palace of lac.
“Hearing everything that the son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) said, king Drupada criticised (King) Dhritarashtra, that ruler of men. The
monarch (Drupada) gave every
assurance to Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. That foremost of eloquent men (Drupada) then and there vowed to restore Yudhishthira
to his paternal throne.
“Then Kunti, Krishna (Draupadi),
Bhima, Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), commanded by the king (Yudhishthira), to reside there, treated by Yagnasena (Drupada) with due respect. Then king Drupada with
his sons, assured by all that had happened, approaching Yudhishthira, said, ‘O
You of mighty arms, let the Kuru prince Arjuna take with due rites, the hand
of my daughter on this auspicious day, and let him, therefore, perform the
usual initial rites of marriage.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Drupada, the Dharmaraja
Yudhishthira replied, saying, ‘O great king, I also shall have to marry.’
Hearing him, (King) Drupada said,
‘If it pleases your, you take the hand of my daughter yourself with due rites.
Or, give Krishna (Draupadi) in
marriage to whomsoever of your brothers you like.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Your daughter, O king, shall be the common wife of
us all! O monarch (Drupada), thus it
has been ordered by our mother. I am unmarried still, and Bhima also is so
among the Pandavas. This your jewel of a daughter has been won by Arjuna. This,
O king, is the rule with us; to ever enjoy equally a jewel that we may obtain.
O best of monarchs, that rule of conduct we cannot now abandon. Krishna (Draupadi), therefore, shall become the wedded wife
of us all. Let her take our hands, one after another before the fire.’
“Drupada answered, ‘O descendant of Kuru’s race (Yudhishthira), it has been directed that one man may
have many wives. But it has never been heard that one woman may have many
husbands! O son of Kunti, as you are pure and acquainted with the rules of Dharma,
it is your duty not to commit an act that is sinful and opposed both to usage
and the Vedas. Why, O prince (Yudhishthira), has your understanding become so?’
“Yudhishthira said in reply, ‘O monarch (Drupada), Dharma is subtle (Sookshma in
Sanskrit). We do not know its path. Let
us follow the way walked by the noble ones of former ages. My tongue never
uttered an untruth. My heart also never turns to what is sinful. My mother
commands so; and my heart also approves of it. Therefore, O king (Drupada), that is quite conformable to Dharma. Act
according to it, without any hesitation. Entertain no fear, O king, about this
matter.’
“Drupada said, ‘O son of Kunti, your mother, my son Dhrishtadyumna and yourself,
settle among yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the result of your discussion
and tomorrow I will do what is proper.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘O Bharata (Janamejaya), after this Yudhishthira, Kunti and
Dhrishtadyumna discussed upon this matter. Just at that time, however, Dwaipaayana
(Maharishi Vyasa), O monarch (Janamejaya), came there in course of his wanderings.’”
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