Month: May 2026

When Yudhishthira revealed that Draupadi would become the wife of all five Pandavas, Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna were shocked.

Drupada questioned how one woman could be married to five men and how such a marriage could be proper according to dharma. Dhrishtadyumna also questioned this proposal because it was against tradition.

Just as everyone was in a deep dilemma, one of the great sages, Veda Vyasa, arrived at the palace. Everyone honoured him and then put forth the situation of Draupadi.

Vyasa then explained that this marriage was destined and the birth of Draupadi was for a divine purpose. He later mentions that in Draupadi’s previous birth, she had performed severe penance to Lord Shiva for a husband possessing many great qualities and this led to her destiny of five husbands.

Vyasa explains that the Pandavas also possessed divine qualities and this marriage was not against dharma.

Hearing Vyasa’s words, Drupada finally accepted the marriage as Draupadi’s destiny.

After being invited by King Drupada, the Pandavas arrived at King Drupada’s palace along with their mother, Kunti, and Draupadi.. They were treated with great honour.

King Drupada observed the disguised Brahmanas, their appearance, confidence, discipline, and warrior-like qualities. Slowly, he became more and more convinced that they were the Pandavas, the princes of Hastinapur.

King Drupada asked them who they truly were and whether they were Brahmanas or Kshatriyas. Yudhishthira answered truthfully that they were the sons of Pandu and had survived the Lakshagriha fire.

Hearing the revelation, Drupada was overjoyed and the entire Kingdom of Panchala rejoiced since the Pandavas who were believed to be dead after the Lakshagriha fire were alive.

King Drupada began preparing for the marriage of his daughter, Draupadi, to Arjuna and that’s when Yudhishthira revealed that Draupadi would become the wife of all five Pandavas.

After seeing the unmatched strength and skills of the Brahmanas, the kings grew suspicious and slowly withdrew from the battle.

The battle eventually came to an end, and the disguised Pandavas were ready to leave the swayamvara hall.

The Pandavas, along with Draupadi, returned to the potter’s house where they had been staying in disguise with their mother, Kunti, in Kampilya.

Soon, they arrived at the potter’s house and happily called out to their mother, telling her to see what alms they had brought home.

Kunti assumed it was their usual daily alms and, not knowing that the alms they mentioned was a princess, she answered casually out of habit, “Share equally among yourselves whatever you have brought.”

When Kunti came outside and saw Draupadi standing before her, she realised what she had said unknowingly had placed her in deep trouble because her words could not easily be ignored. The Pandavas and Draupadi stood frozen and silent, uncertain about what should be done next.

As Draupadi put the garland around Arjuna’s neck, the kings and princes became furious as they felt insulted because a Brahmana had won Draupadi.

They argued that Draupadi must not be wedded to a Brahmana and that the swayamvara had dishonoured them. The angry kings prepared to attack. Bhima stepped forward and uprooted a huge tree.

Soon, a fight broke out in the swayamvara hall. Arjuna and Bhima fiercely fought many warriors.

While everyone gathered in the assembly fought, Krishna remained calm and observed silently, knowing the truth about the Pandavas.

Karna fought the disguised Arjuna briefly and during the battle, he became suspicious as the Brahmana had extraordinary skills in archery. He wondered if this could truly be an ordinary Brahmana.

The extraordinary skills of the Brahmanas made many in the assembly suspicious and became the first hint that the Pandavas were still alive.

The entire assembly looked at Arjuna stunned, as the greatest warriors of Aryavarta had struggled to lift the divine bow, yet a Brahmana lifted it with ease and began to string the bow.

Arjuna, calm and composed, slowly picked up the arrow and placed it on the bowstring. His gaze was fixed upon the reflection of the fish.

Looking at the reflection, Arjuna released the arrow. The arrow shot through the air piercing the eye of the moving fish with perfect precision.

The entire hall stood frozen in shock. The Brahmanas rejoiced, while the kings and princes stared in disbelief. The impossible challenge had finally been completed.

Krishna smiled knowingly, that the Brahmana was one of the greatest archer, Arjuna. Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna’s face was filled with relief and amazement.

Slowly, Draupadi approached Arjuna carrying the garland and she placed the garland around his neck, accepting him as the winner of the Swayamvara.

When everyone in the assembly, except Krishna, gave up and had lost their faith, among the gathered Brahmanas, one stood up.

The Brahmana was calm yet confident, which caught the attention of everyone. Some Brahmanas were supportive, while others feared that if this Brahmana failed, then the entire Brahmana community would be mocked.

Slowly, the Brahmana stepped forward. Krishna quietly observed the scene, as he had recognised that the Brahmana was none other than the Pandava brother, Arjuna, who was one of the greatest archers.  

As Arjuna walked towards the Kindhura bow, the kings and princes mocked him because even the great warriors of Aryavarta had failed to complete the challenge.

While some Brahmanas blessed Arjuna, some remained anxious and uncertain. Bhima, however, watched his brother with confidence.

Arjuna walked around the divine bow, and, bowing his head, he silently offered prayers to Shiva, Vishnu, and his Guru, Dronacharya.

Then, in front of the entire assembly, Arjuna bent forward and effortlessly lifted the bow.

When Karna stepped forward, many believed that he could complete the challenge, and just then, Draupadi rose from her seat.

Draupadi, in a firm and unwavering voice, declared that she would not marry a Suta, the son of a charioteer. Her words echoed throughout the hall, and the entire assembly fell silent.

Karna, holding the bow froze and smiled, his smile filled with wounded pride, before slowly looking towards the sun and stepping away from the bow.

Duryodhana, angered and insulted, clenched his fists because his closest friend and ally was humiliated in front of everyone.

But before Duryodhana could speak, Karna raised his hand slightly and silently returned to his seat with dignity. King Drupada looked at the entire assembly with growing concern.

Amidst the growing tension in the hall, Krishna watched silently with a gentle smile, upon his eyes fixed upon a group of the warriors disguised among the Brahmanas.

Just then, from among the gathered Brahmanas, one stood up.

The swayamvara began, and Draupadi entered the hall, draped in fine silk and adorned with ornaments, holding a garland in her hands. The entire assembly fell silent as they were mesmerised by her beauty and radiance. Draupadi took her place beside her father, King Drupada.

The royal priest announced the challenge – the one who would lift the bow, string it, and shoot the eye of the moving fish by looking into its reflection would win Draupadi’s hand in marriage.

One by one, the kings and princes stepped forward and tried their luck, but they failed to complete the challenge. Jarasandha, known for his strength, failed to lift the bow, and the bow remained unmoved, making the task seem impossible.

Karna, the King of Anga, stepped forward, known for his unmatched skill in archery. He bowed his head before the divine Kindhura bow, bent forward, and effortlessly lifted the bow.

A murmur spread across the hall as Karna began to string the bow.

Just then, Draupadi rose from her seat.

Drupada, the King of Panchala, wanting a worthy match for his daughter Draupadi, also known as Panchali (the princess of Panchala), organized a grand Swayamvara in Kampilya, the capital city of Panchala. To win Draupadi’s hand, the suitor had to first string the mighty Kindhura bow, a divine weapon gifted to Drupada by the gods, and then shoot an arrow through the eye of a moving fish, while looking only at its reflection below. The Pandavas, disguised as Brahmanas and following the advice of Vyasa, set out for Kampilya to attend Draupadi’s Swayamvara.

After days of quiet travel, they arrived at the magnificent city, where the streets bustled with kings, princes, warriors, elephants, chariots, dancers, and grand decorations prepared for the occasion.

Kings and princes from across Aryavarta (ancient Bharat) had gathered for this auspicious event — including Karna, King of Anga; Shalya, King of Madra; Jarasandha, King of Magadha; Duryodhana, Prince of Hastinapura — and even the celestials watched Draupadi’s Swayamvara in disguise. Soon, the Swayamvara began.

After Bhima slew the monstrous Bakasura, peace returned to Ekachakra. The Pandavas still lived in disguise, away from Duryodhana and his spies.
One evening, Veda Vyasa arrived to meet them. He praised Bhima for slaying Bakasura and protecting Ekachakra’s people.
Later, Vyasa warned them to leave soon, as their identity might be revealed if they stayed longer. He advised the Pandavas to go to Panchala, where King Drupada had arranged the swayamvara of his daughter Draupadi, born of fire, radiant and unparalleled in beauty. Princes and warriors from Aryavarta were to gather there to seek her hand. Vyasa instructed them to travel in the disguise of Brahmanas.
He revealed that the events after the swayamvara would mark the beginning of a long and difficult path, where they would sacrifice many along with countless warriors.
Seeing Kunti worried, Vyasa assured her that her children were protected by the gods and Krishna would guide them.
Soon, Vyasa departed, and with his departure began the Pandavas’ journey to Panchala.