End of stay at Ekachakra

One day a Brahmin visited the Pandavas in their house at Ekachakra. He started telling them the stories of various places he visited during his travel. It was in that context the Pandavas heard about Drupada again.

Drupada’s resolve

The proud king of Panchala could not forget his humiliation at the hands of his Brahmin friend and foe, Drona. He resolved that he would take revenge at any cost. His plan was to perform sacrificial rites, called Yajnas, with the specific purpose of getting a son capable enough to face Drona. He approached many reputed Brahmins with this request. Most refused to accept the risky task. Finally, Drupada managed to get one renowned for his powers by offering enough rewards.

A great Yajna was conducted by the Brahmin on behalf of the king. It is said that a boy and a girl came out of the sacrificial fire on its conclusion . The name, Dhrishtadyumna , was given to the boy. The girl was given the name, Krishna, because of her dark complexion. She came to be known later as Draupadi or the daughter of king Drupada, and Panchali, being the princess of Panchala.

When it was time to teach warfare to his son, king Drupada could not think of anyone better than his arch rival, Drona. Accordingly, Dhrishtadyumna was sent to the Acharya , though with hesitation. Drona knew all about the birth of the young prince and what his ultimate mission was. Yet, he did not send him back. He was given the best possible lessons along with the Kauravas and Pandavas.

Drupada also remembered the extraordinary valour of Arjuna. It was his intention to marry his daughter to the young Pandava and win his friendship. Then he heard of their tragic death in their temporary palace at Varanavata. The next best that he could do for his daughter was to find the most able archer in the land or outside. Hence, when it was time for the marriage of his daughter king Drupada set up a very difficult test for the suitors of Draupadi’s hand.

The Pandavas heard from the wandering Brahmin all these stories and that the marriage of Draupadi was already been arranged. Kunti thought that they had spent enough time in the Brahmin’s house and that they should now move out. The royal wedding in the land of Panchalas was a welcome event for this purpose. Yudhishthira and his brothers were all in agreement.

Meeting with Vedavyasa

They met the sage, Vyasa on the way. Vedavyasa told them of the previous birth of Draupadi. He told the Pandavas that it was her destiny to marry them in this birth. This made their resolve to attend the marriage of Draupadi even stronger and they continued with their journey to the land of the Panchalas.

An encounter with Chitraratha

When they were about to cross river Ganga their way was blocked by a Gandharava by name Chitraratha. Gandharvas are celestial beings who have easy ways of living by singing , dancing and merry making. Arjuna ended up in having a dual with the Gandharva and the latter was defeated. Unlike in other cases the two became good friends. They exchanged knowledge on special weapons and told stories of themselves. It was from him that the Pandavas learnt about their lineage from the great king, Kuru (and how they became Kauravas).

Chitraratha, by telling the story of Samvarana, who was Kuru’s father and how he won over Tapati as wife with the help of his teacher Vasishtha, advised the Pandavas to find an eminent Brahmin as their teacher and priest. As suggested by him the Pandavas approached Dhaumya and got his acceptance as their chief priest. Then, they proceeded to the marriage of Draupadi.
With this “Chaitraratha Parvam” or “the Chapter of Chitraratha” ends.