| Great Kings & Queens |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
YUDHISHTIRA |
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| Winning A Bride Wandering from one wood to another, they came to Ekachakrapura. There they found shelter in the house of a poor Brahmin. They were now forced to beg for their daily food. As days passed, a Brahmin traveler called at the house where the Pandavas were staying, and remained there as a guest. He gave the news that Drupada, the king of Panchala, was holding a swayamvara at which his daughter would choose her husband. The Pandavas went to the swayamvara in the guise of Brahmins. Kings of many states attended Draupadi's swayamvara. The Pandavas-in the guise of Brahmins - sat in the midst of Brahmins in the swayamvara hall. Any one who aspired to Draupadi's hand had to prove his skill in archery by hitting a fish-shaped target. None of the Kshathriyas (the warriors) was able to wield the bow. Arjuna walked ups to the bow, and hit the target. Draupadi garlanded Arjuna. The Pandavas returned home with Draupadi. They stood at the door and cried out - "Mother, we have brought our collection of alms." "Share it equally among you as usual," replied Kunthi from inside the house. The Pandavas stared at one another and began to laugh. Kunthi came out. And she was amazed to see that the alms they had brought were a young woman! Kunthi said in wonder, "What a thing did I say!" She then asked her sons, "Who is this girl? How does she happen to be with you?" Yudhishtira narrated to Kunthi the swayamvara episode. Kunthi:
My son, I thought you had brought rice as usual, and said those words. It is not proper,
it is adharma, for five of you to marry the same girl. Yudhishtira, you have to solve this
problem. |
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