To Win Draupadi

The Pandavas met some Brahmins who were on their way to attend the marriage of Draupadi. It was arranged as Swayamvara in which Draupadi could choose any prince among those assembled. Let us remember that king Drupada wanted her to marry Arjuna. Since he believed that Arjuna died in the fire at Varanavata he wanted to choose one as good as Aruna in archery. Hence, he put a tough test for all suitors to qualify.

The Brahmins were interested in watching the festivities, enjoying the grand feasts and receiving the usual gifts called Dakshina. They told the Pandavas of the beauty of Draupadi and how all who heard of her wanted to win her hand. All the kings of importance from far and near had arrived. They encouraged the Pandavas to join them and enjoy the fun. Accordingly, the Pandavas went with the group of Brahmins to Panchala.

They arrived in the capital city and looked for a place for Kunti to stay. They found a potter’s house suitable for the purpose. The five brothers, then, proceeded to the palace.

The Marriage assembly

The Pandavas soon arrived in the palace of king Drupada and found themselves in the assembly of marriage. Many famous kings from nearby lands had arrived hoping to win Draupadi. Seated among them were the Kaurava princes like Duryodhana in the company of Karna. Krishna, the Yadava prince, was present with his brother, Balarama. Let us recollect that Kunti was Krishna’s aunt through his father, Vasudeva.

He was also a close childhood friend of Arjuna. Krishna could easily spot the Pandavas, though they wee seated among the Brahmins and appeared like the others in the group. He pointed them out to his brother, Balarama, and the latter was delighted to learn that the Pandavas were alive.

Soon, Dhrishtadyumna brought his sister to the assembly and introduced her to the seated princes. He also briefed her of each assembled prince and his accomplishments.

Dhrishtadyumna, then, told the assembled princes all about the test that was for them to win to qualify for his sister’s hands.

The Test

The task for the princes was to try and hit a target with the bow and arrows, all specifially made for the purpose. The target was a vulture that was hung overhead in a cage that was made to revolve all the time. The bow was made for the purpose with heavy material. To lift the bow was itself a task even for highly accomplished archers. There were five arrows. The head of the vulture was to be brought down by dispatching all the five arrows one by one through the opening of the revolving cage.

The princes started vying with each other to grab the bow and arrows before others. Several princes, famous for their victories, tried and failed. Many could not even lift the bow. Others failed to tie the string after lifting the bow with difficulty. Those few who managed to dispatch the arrows missed the target miserably. Duryodhana was one among those who failed.
Karna waited patiently. When others failed he came forward. He picked the bow and tied the string with ease. He was about to launch the five arrows with full confidence. It was then that all heard the voice of Draupadi. The princess of Panchala spoke in no uncertain terms that she would not marry the son of a charioteer. Karna heard her too and returned to his seat hanging his head in shame.

The success

There was a lull in the hall after this and people started wondering whether the whole thing was a farce. Then, one youth among the Brahmins got up and approached the bow. He was none other than Arjuna who knew well what he was capable of. The first reaction was of surprise, both from the princes and the Brahmins. Then, the royals looked with irritation at the approaching youth. What business a Brahmin had in what was essentially the affair of kings.
Arjuna went around the bow with reverence and prayed to the direction (north east) to Lord Siva. He thought of Krishna, his friend and mentor, and picked up the bow. He tied the string and dispatched the five arrows in quick succession. The head of the vulture fell down on the ground in no time.

There was general applause from those assembled. But, the princes were highly enraged. Their anger was mostly turned against Drupada. They contended that the king of Panchala had dishonoured all the invited kings. They rose in revolt and raised a war cry against Drupada. Arjuna wasted no time to come to the defense of Drupada with support from Bheema.

Karna was the first to challenge Arjuna without realizing who his opponent was. The two fought fiercely with equal strength, but, Karna finally was defeated. He was surprised to get such an opponent from among the Brahmins and was all in praise for him. Bheema faced most other challenges, including that of Duryodhana. The two managed, after a prolonged fight, to win against the entire force of assembled princes.