Episode#20
They reached King Drupada's capital Panchala on the day when he was holding Swayamwara for Princess Draupadi. Among the kings invited were Duryodhana, his brothers, Karna, Vasudev Krishna with his elder brother Balarama and other Yadavas were present too! Vasudev Krishna and Balarama were the maternal cousins of Pandavas as Kunti was Vasudev's sister.
Drupada wanted to avenge Drona who had humiliated him by defeating him at the hands of his disciples a few years ago. He invoked Lord Shiva for a son who would kill Drona; performed yagna and the fire God blessed him with two children who emerged from the flames - one was Dhristhadyumna who would kill Drona and Draupadi who will marry in the Kuru family and divide them.
Amba who was bestowed a boon by Lord Shiva that she will be able to take her revenge on Bhisma in her next birth was now born as a daughter to King Drupada named Shikhandi (the Oracle said that later she would acquire the male body to transform in a hermaphrodite - the only condition whereby she could slay Bhisma). Thus each child was born with a purpose.
Drupada intended to marry her daughter to Arjuna, the master Archer but on hearing the news of Pandavas and their mother had died in the house of wax, he was left with no choice but to find another Archer equivalent to Arjuna.
Draupadi is supposedly the composite avatar of five goddesses Shyamala (wife of Dharma) Bharati (wife of Vayu) Shachi (wife of Indra) Usha (wife of Ashwins) and Parvati (wife of Shiva) and hence married their earthly counterparts in the form of five Pandavas. Draupadi was blessed with a boom from Lord Shiva that she would regain her virginity every morning after bath. Thus she had been blessed by unique blessings to remain virgin throughout her life.
The Pandavas, disguised as Brahmins, sat among with the other genuine Brahmins. The norm set for the groom was to win a difficult competition in the skill of archery.
Dhristhadyumna arrived on horseback while Draupadi arrived seated on an elephant, clad magnificently in shimmering silk holding the bridal Garland of vernal flowers in her hand. Dhristhadyumna stood beside his sister and read a Royal proclamation"My sister will marry the champion who hits the target" several princes tried to display their best skills - including Sishupala, Jarasandha but all failed! Duryodhana was present but he did not attempt as he had already proposed to Subhadra for marriage and still cherished the memories of few moments he had spend with Subhadra at the Yamuna river. He insisted Karna instead and when he rose from his seat, all applauded him since he alone had the potential prowess to hit the Matsya Yantra.
But Draupadi objected "I am not prepared to marry one who lacks pedigree, the son of sutaputra cannot contend for my hand in marriage" there was sudden pin drop silence in the audience, Karna walked back to his seat much insulted and humiliated and with much mortification with thousands of piercing eyes watching him.
A radiant young man stood up and asked "Are Brahmins allowed to participate?" Dhristhadyumna replied "Yes - you may try if you belong to Noble family". Arjuna walked up in the middle of the hall, picked up the bow, took five arrows, took his position and concentrating at the reflection of the fish in the water filled container - aimed a successful shot, the arrow pierced through the eye of the rotating fish above and the audience cheered unanimously.
Draupadi looked at her brother for his approval and walked slowly towards Arjuna and garlanded him with a shy smile. Several princes objected the participation of a Brahmin in the contest meant for Kshatriyas and even revolted by asking Draupadi to immolate herself on a pyre rather marrying a poor Brahmin, but rest of the Brahmin supported Arjuna and served as his armour by challenging the revolting Kshatriyas for a dual, however peace was restored due to the interventions of elders.
They took Draupadi home ceremoniously and informed Kunti that they had won the prize in the contest, at that moment she was offering prayers and without turning around and opening eyes, she advised them to share the prize amongst the five of them. It may be noted that history inadvertently repeated itself - both Kunti and Draupadi were destined to have five husbands! Now the question remains - why Draupadi did not object to marry all the five Pandavas and why Kunti did not reverse her blessings even after discovering the facts?
Later each of all the five Pandavas had another wife of his choice and she lived both polygamous and polyandry life as she had five husbands and all her husband's had another wife. This proves that society in those days accepted such relationship.
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