45. Karna and Bhishma speak their minds

Hearing Duryodhana’s words, Karna said, “Duryodhana, I don’t think that any of your methods will succeed. Earlier, you have tried such methods and failed. The Pandavas were young and inexperienced at that time. Now they have been hardened by age and experience. 

"You failed in your efforts to kill them when they were living near you. They are now living at a distance. I think they can’t be hurt by any of the means suggested by you.  

"Fate seems to be on their side. They are desirous of regaining their kingdom. They can’t be disunited by any of the methods suggested by you. Nor can Draupadi be alienated from them. She chose the Pandavas as her husbands when they were in adversity. Will she leave them now, when they are in prosperity? Drupada is honest and virtuous, He is not greedy. Even if we offer him our entire kingdom, he won’t abandon the Pandavas.

“Bharata acquired the whole earth through his prowess alone. Indra  gained the three worlds by prowess alone. Prowess is always hailed by the Kshatriyas. So, without losing time, let us fight Drupada using the power of our army and crush him. We can then bring the Pandavas here as prisoners. I don’t see any other means by which we may accomplish our end.”

Hearing the words of Karna, Dhritarashtra applauded him and said, “Oh, son of Suta, you are gifted with both wisdom and valor. So, your words favoring the use of prowess suit you well. However, you two take the counsel of Bhishma, Drona and Vidura and adopt a course that will benefit us.”

Dhiritarashtra then summoned his ministers and took their counsel.

Asked by Dhritarashtra to give his opinion, Bhishma said, "O, Dhritarashtra, I can never support a quarrel with the Pandavas. You are to me as Pandu was to me. In the same way, the sons of Pandu are as dear to me as your sons are. I should protect them as much as I should protect your sons. So, I suggest that you enter into a treaty with the Pandavas, by giving them half of the kingdom.

“Duryodhana, just as you consider this kingdom as your paternal property, the Pandavas also look upon it as their paternal possession. If you think that you have lawfully come into possession of the kingdom, the Pandavas lawfully came into possession of the kingdom, even before you did. So, give  them half of the kingdom. It will be beneficial to all. If you act otherwise, evil will befall all of us. You will be covered with dishonor. 

"Duryodhana, strive to maintain your good name. A good name is the source of one's strength. It is said that one whose reputation is gone, lives in vain. A person lives only as long as his good name lasts and dies when he loses his good name. 

"Follow the practice that is worthy of the Kuru race. We are fortunate that the Pandavas and Kunti have not perished. We are fortunate that the wretch Purochana had perished without accomplishing his goal.

"From the time I heard of Kunti’s death, I was not able to meet any living creature. The world, on hearing of the death of Kunti and the Pandavas, did not regard Purochana as much guilty as it regarded you. Therefore, Pandava’s escape from the fire will do away with your evil reputation. 

"The Pandavas are virtuous.Their rightful share in the kingdom is being wrongfully denied to them. If you want to act rightly, if you want to do what is agreeable to me, give half the kingdom to the Pandavas.”

Previous: Duryodhana's ideas to weaken the Pandavas

44. Duryodhana's ideas to weaken the Pandavas

The news that Draupadi was united in marriage with the sons of Pandu was carried to all the kings who attended the Swayamvara of Draupadi  

It was also conveyed to them that the hero who bent the bow and shot the mark to win the hands of Draupadi was Arjuna and that the person who dashed Salya, the king of Madra, to the ground and terrified others by uprooting a tree was Bhima. 

Since the kings had learnt earlier that the Pandavas, along with her mother Kunti, were burnt to death in the fire that engulfed the house of lac, they considered Pandavas to be of men who had come back from the region of the dead. Having come to know of the cruel scheme contrived by Purochana, they said, “Shame on Bhishma, shame on Dhritarashtra and shame on the Kuru race!”

The news reached Duryodhana when he was on the way to Hastinapura along with his brothers, his uncle Sakuni, Aswathama. Kripa and Karna. Duhsasana told his brother Duryodhana, "If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmin, he could not have succeeded in winning the hand of Draupadi. Whatever we do, it is the fate that decides the outcome. Oh, the Pandavas are still alive!”

Duryodhana and his brothers blamed Purochana for his carelessness in allowing the Pandavas to escape from the house of lac. They were also worried that the Pandavas had gained the support of Drupada, Drishtadyumna, Sikhandi and the other sons of Drupada. They returned to Hastinapura in a mood of despair.

Vidura  was elated by the news that the hand of Draupadi was won by the Pandavas. He also saw Duryodhana and his brothers entering the palace in a crestfallen state. 

Vidura went to Dhritarashtra and told him, “The Kurus are prospering by good luck!" 

While Vidura referred to the Pandavas as the Kurus, Dhritarashtra understood this as a reference to his own sons and assumed that Draupadi was won over by Duryodhana. He ordered a grand reception for Duryodhana and Draupadi. Vidura then clarified that it was the Pandavas who had won the hand of Draupadi.

Dhritarashtra said that the Pandavas were as dear to him as they were to Pandu. He also expressed his happiness over obtaining Drupada and his relatives as an ally.

Vidura said, “O king, let your understanding remain unchanged for a hundred years!'

Duryodhana, Karna and others entered Dhritarshtra's chamber just at that time.

After Vidura had left, Duryodhana told Dhritarashtra, “We didn’t want to express our feelings in the presence of Vidura. But your applauding the Pandavas amounts to your considering the property of your enemies as your own. This is not right. From now onwards, your actions should aim at weakening the Pandavas. The time has come for all of us to think and act together so that we, our children, our relatives and friends are not swallowed by the Pandavas."

'Dhritarashtra replied, “I will do what you want me to do. But I don’t want to give any indication of my thinking to Vidura. Now tell me what you have in your mind" 

Duryodhana said. “Using the services of some trusted and skilful Brahmins, we can bring about some dissension between the sons of Kunti and the sons of Madri. Or, by presenting a lot of wealth to Drupada and his sons, and all his ministers, we can make them abandon the cause of Yudhishthira. 

"Or, we can ask our spies to induce the Pandavas to settle in Drupada's country, by convincing them of the inconvenience of residing in Hastinapura. Or, we can create jealousy among the Pandavas on account of Draupadi. Or we can make Draupadi turn against her husbands, by inducing suspicions in her mind about her husbands.. 

"Since Bhima is the strongest of the brothers, we can plot to kill Bhima and thereby weaken the Pandavas. Without Bhima, Arjuna won’t be equal to even one fourth of Karna.

“Without Bhima, they won’t venture to recover their kingdom from us. If they become docile and obedient to us, we would repress them, following the dictates of political science, enunciated by Kanika.

“Or, we may tempt the Pandavas through some beautiful girls and alienate Draupadi from them. Or, we can send messengers to bring them here and when thy come here, we may get them killed. We should use one of these methods, which appeals to you as the most appropriate. We should act before their trust with Drupada is established. These are my ideas. What do you say, Karna?”

Next: Karna and Bhishma Speak their minds

Previous: Draupadi's Marriage

43. Draupadi's Marriage

After listening to Vyasa, Drupada said, “O, great Rishi. I cannot overlook what was ordained by the gods. I will go by your advice. Nothing in this world is a result of our own actions. When Draupadi had prayed to God to give her a husband, God, in response to her making the request five times, gave her five husbands. God knows what is right and what is wrong. Since this is God’s wish, no sin will attach to me. Let these five princes take the hand of Draupadi.

Vyasa told Yudhishtira,“Today is an auspicious day. The moon enters the constellation of Pushya. So take the hand of Draupada today before your brothers."

Drupada and his son made elaborate arrangements for the marriage. The king kept ready a large number of articles as gifts.

Draupadai was given a bath, adorned with  many jewels and pearls and brought to the stage. Ministers,  friends and relatives of the king and citizens came in large numbers to witness the marriage. All were seated according to their ranks.

The nicely decorated palace looked like the sky adorned by stars.

The Pandavas, after taking bath, wearing nice costumes and ornaments and after performing their rites, entered the arena along with their priest Dhaumya, who had the splendor of fire.  

Dhaumya, after performing the rites, gave the hand of Draupadi in marriage to Yudhishtira. Each of the other four  brothers were given the hand of Draupadi in marriage on the next four days, one each on every succeeding day. 

Draupadi regained her virginity every day after a previous marriage.

King Drupada presented the Pandavas with valuable gifts. Including hundred chariots, hundred elephants, hundred young maids and huge wealth including costumes, ornaments and gold.

The Pandavas spent time happily in the Panchala kingdom, in the company of their beautiful wife.

King Drupada was relieved of all his misgivings about the marriage and was happy about his daughter marrying the Pandavas.

Kunti  was treated with great respect by the people in Drupada’s palace. When Draupadi paid obeisance to Kunti and sought her blessings, Kunti  wished her happiness and heroic children with long life.

After the Pandavas' marriage with Draupadi, Krishna sent them a large number of gifts including jewels, robes, blankets etc. Yudhishtira accepted these gifts with great with great joy.

After the Pandavas marriage with Draupadi, Krishna sent them a large number of gifts including jewels, robes, blankets etc. Yudhishtira accepted these gifts with great joy.

Previous: Drupada's Predicament

Next: Duryodhana's ideas to weaken the Pandavas

42. Drupada's Predicament

Drupada then asked Yudhishtira, addressing him as he would a Brahmin, “Are we to take you as Kshatriyas, Brahmins or Devas  roaming the earth disguised as Brahmins?”

Yudhishtira replied, “Be happy that your desire has been fulfilled. We are Kshatriyas. We are the sons of Pandu. I am Yudhishtira. The one who won your daughter is Arjuna. This is Bhima. The twins are Nakula and Sahadeva. Our mother Kunti is in the inner apartments with Draupadi. Your daughter, like a lotus, has just  been transferred from one lake to another."

Hearing these words, Drupada became so joyous that he became choked with emotion and couldn’t speak for a while.

He then asked Yudhishtira how the Pandavas escaped from the fire that took place in their abode at Varanavata.

Yudhishtira narrated their experience.

Drupada  became angry and censored Dritarashtra for his role in the affair. He assured Yudhishtira of his support to the Pandavas, vowing to restore the throne to Yudhishtira.

Drupada then told Yudhishtira, “Let Arjuna perform the rites and take the hand of Draupada today, which is an auspicious day.”

Yudhishtira replied, ”O, king! I also have to marry her.”

Drupada said,”If it pleases you, you may take the hand of my daughter. Or, you ask any of your brothers to marry her.”

Yudhishtira replied, “O, king! Your daughter will be the common wife of all the five of us. It has been so ordained by my mother. Your daughter was won by Arjuna, but we follow a rule of conduct that we enjoy equally whatever is obtained by any of us. We can’t abandon this rule. Draupadi will have to be the wedded wife of all the five of us.”

Drupada said, “O, scion of the Kuru race, the  practice of one man having several wives is prevalent. But one woman marrying many men is something unheard of. You cannot commit a sin prohibited both by practice and by the Vedas.”

Yudhishtira replied, ”O, monarch! Morality is subtle. My heart will never accept something sinful.  My mother commanded us to do this and my heart also accepted it. This is in conformity with virtue. You need not have any misgivings about this.”

Drupada said, “O, son of Kunti. Let this matter be discussed among  your mother Kunti, my son Drishtadyumna and yourself. Let me know of the outcome of your deliberation by tomorrow.”

When the three of them were discussing this issue, Vyasa came to that place in the course of his wanderings.

The great sage was received warmly and everyone paid obeisance to him.

 Drupada asked Vyasa, “O, illustrious sage, please tell me whether one woman can marry five men without committing a sin?”

Vyasa replied, “This is opposed to the practice and to the Vedas. It has become obsolete. However,  before I give my opinion, I would like to know what each of you think about this.”

Drupada who spoke first, said, “Nowhere  have I seen  many men having one wife. I think this is sinful. The wise should never commit a sin. Therefore, I cannot make up my mind to accept this proposal.”

Dhrishtadyumna who spoke next, said, “Oh, great sage, how can the elder brother approach the wife of his younger brother? It is true that morality is subtle and we may not be able to say whether this is in conformity with morality. But I feel we can’t do this with a clear conscience. I cannot say that Draupadi can become the common wife of five brothers.”

It was Yudhishthira who spoke next. He said, “My tongue never utters an untruth, and my heart never inclines towards what is sinful. Therefore, when my heart accepts something, it can’t be sinful. I have heard that it has been mentioned in the puranas that a woman by name Jatila, the foremost of all virtuous women belonging to the race of Gotama, had married seven Rishis.

“In another instance, the daughter of an ascetic married ten brothers, all having the same name Prachetas. It is said that obeying the superiors is ever meritorious. Among all superiors, mother is the foremost. Since our mother commanded us all to enjoy Draupadi as we do anything obtained as alms, I consider this proposal virtuous.”

Finally, Kunti said “As the virtuous Yudhishtira said, this act is virtuous since otherwise my word would become untrue.”

Vyasa said, “Drupada, what Yudhishtira said is in conformity with virtue. This is an eternal virtue. I won’t talk about it in front of all these people, but I will tell you why this practice is acceptable.”

Vyasa then took Drupada aside to tell him how this practice was virtuous. Vyasa told Drupada that the Pandavas were five Indras born into the world due to a curse of Lord Siva and that Draupadi was also a celestial woman. That was why she was born in a sacrificial fire, he said.

Vyasa revealed that it was Lord Siva’s dictum that the celestial woman would be the common wife of the five Indras, when they were born in the world as human beings.

Vyasa also granted a divine vision to Drupada that enabled him to see the Pandavas and Draupadi in their celestial forms.

After seeing the five Pandavas and Draupadi  in their celestial forms, Drupada was convinced about the virtue of Draupadi becoming the common wife of the Pandavas.

Next: Draupadi's Marriage

Previous: Arrangements for the Marriage

41. Arrangements for the Marriage

Drishtadyuman narrated to his fathe,r the scenes he witnessed when he followed Draupadi and the “Brahmin” who won her hand in the Swayamvara. 

He confirmed to the king that it was indeed Arjuna who was disguised as the Brahmin that shot the target in the Swayamvara and became qualified to win the hands of the princess.

Drupada was elated on hearing this. However, he sent his priest to confirm that the five Brahmins were the Pandavas.

The priest went to the Pandavas and told them, “King Drupada had been a good friend of Pandu. He had all along cherished the idea of bestowing his daughter Draupadi upon Pandu as his daughter in law. He wants to ascertain the particulars of your family.”

Yudhishtira asked Bhima to wash the feet of the priest saying that being Drupada’s priest, he deserved great respect.  Accordingly, Bhima washed the priest’s feet. The priest was pleased.

Yudhishtira told the priest “Drupada, the king of Panchala gave away his daughter through a contest as per the practice of his order. This hero won the princess by winning the contest. Therefore, he has nothing new to say about his tribe, race or family. All the queries have been answered by this young man’s feat of shooting the target. The desire King Drupada had cherished all along for the princess will be accomplished.”

Even as Yudhishtira was saying this, a messenger from King Drupada came to that place and announced, “King Drupada has arranged for a good feast for the bridegroom’s party. Please come after finishing your rites. Draupadi’s marriage will take place there. Chariots adorned with golden lotuses which are suitable for kings have been arranged to take you to the king’s palace.”

The Pandavas then sent away the priest and departed to the palace. While Kunti and Draupada ascended one chariot, the five Pandavas ascended another.

Briefed by the priest of the conversation he had with Yudhishtira, King Drupada, with a view to ascertaining the order to which the heroes belonged, kept a large number of articles required by each of the four orders for their wedding. He also kept fruits, garlands, carpets, seeds, agricultural implements, beautiful chariots and horses, bows, arrows and other missiles of high quality and value, darts, rockets, battle-axes and other weapons, beds, clothes and several other articles.

After the Pandavas arrived at the palace, Kunti, along with Draupadi retired to the inner apartments of the palace. The ladies present there worshipped Kunti with joy.

The Pandavas, each having the gait of a lion, wearing deer skins as his upper garment, with eyes resembling those of bulls, with broad shoulders and long arms looking like snakes were looking joyous and cheerful. The king’s son, ministers, friends and servants were also happy.

After the guests were seated on highly comfortable seats, the male and female servants brought them excellent food and drinks on gold and silver plates.

After ingesting the excellent food served, the Pandavas began to look at the articles displayed. Ignoring all other articles, they focused on the weapons.

Watching this, Drupada, his son, ministers and others felt reassured that the heroes were of royal blood and felt relieved and happy.

40. Yudhishtira's Decision

Kunti was anxiously awaiting the return of the Pandavas. She was speculating on various eventualities. She was worried whether her sons were recognized and killed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, whether they were killed by some demons or whether some other thing happened.

In the late afternoon, Arjuna, accompanied by his brothers and a number of Brahmins entered the hut. Even while entering the house, Kunti’s sons told Kunti in a loud voice that they they had brought the alms obtained by them. Kunti, who was inside the house, without looking at her sons or Draupadi said, "All of you enjoy what you have obtained.”

Presently, Kunti came out and saw Draupadi. Realizing that she had made a mistake, Kunti  exclaimed “Oh, what have I said!”. She asked Yudhishtira, "Tell me how what I said out of ignorance won’t become untrue, how sin won’t touch Draupadi and how she won’t become uneasy.”

Yudhishtira, after reflecting for a moment, told Arjuna “Draupadi was won over by you. It is only proper that you wed her.”

Arjuna replied, ”Don’t make me commit a sin. I should wed only after you and Bhima wed. Please guide us with your wisdom.”

All the five Pandavas looked at Draupadi and she also looked at them. Draupadi’s exquisite beauty stirred a desire in  their hearts and crushed their senses.

Yudhishthira understood what was  going on in the minds of everyone. Desiring to prevent a division among the brothers, he said “Draupadi will be the common wife of all of us.”

At that time, Krishna and Balarama entered the house. Yudhishtira asked in surprise, “Krishna! How were you able to trace us when we are in disguise?”

Krishna said “Fire will be known even if it is covered. Who, but the Pandavas, could exhibit such might? It is by sheer good fortune that you have escaped from the fire. Just as a fire in a cave will spread all around, may you all grow in prosperity.”

Krishna and Balarama then left the place lest other kings should follow them and recognize the Pandavas.

 Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince followed the Pandavas to their abode. He sent away his attendants who accompanied him and concealed himself in the Pandava’s  house.

In the evening, Bhima went out and returned with some food he received as alms. Kunti told Draupadi, “Take one portion from this, offer it to God and give it away to the Brahmins. Then feed those who have a desire to eat and our guests. Divide the rest of the food into two halves. Give one half to Bhima, who eats much. Divide the other half into six equal parts, four for these young men, one for myself and one for me.”

After they had taken their food, they all went to sleep. While the five Pandavas and Kunti  lay down with their heads towards the south, Draupadi lay down along their feet on a bed of Kusa grass laid by Sahadeva.

The Pandavas were conversing among themselves for a long time about weapons and wars.

Dhrishtadyumna was listening to the conversation. In the morning, he returned to his kingdom. 

Drupada who, for long, had nurtured the hope of getting his daughter married to Arjuna, was disappointed that Draupada was won by a Brahmin. As soon as Dhristadyumna came back, Drupada anxiously enquired him of Draupadi.

39. The Angry Monarchs

King Drupada expressed his intention to bestow his daughter on the Brahmin, who had hit the mark and won the contest. This enraged the kings who had come to the Swayamvara, hoping to win the hand of Draupati. They considered it an insult that the kings were bypassed and a Brahmin was chosen as the groom for Princess Draupadi.

They talked among themselves in the following lines.

“The Vedic declaration prescribes the Swayamvara only for the Kshatriyas. This wretched king has invited us for the Swayamvara and has insulted all of us. He doesn’t deserve our respect. We should kill him and his son.”

When some of the kings raised their weapons intending to attack and kill Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna, Bhima and Arjuna advanced towards them. This made the kings point  their weapons towards the duo.

Bhima uprooted a tree, divested it of its leaves by violently shaking the tree and stood before the kings like Yama standing with his mace. Arjuna also stood beside his brother, ready to use his bow.

Bhima and Arjuna assured Drupada “Don’t worry. We will fight your enemies.”

Krishna again pointed the brothers to Balarama and said "They are Bhima and Arjuna, as surely as I am Krishna. No one except Bhima can perform a feat like this."

Balarama replied “I am happy that the Pandavas and their mother Kunti, who is our father’s sister, have escaped death and are alive.”

The Brahmins present there came forward in support of Arjuna and offered to fight the kings. Arjuna smiled at them and said, “Stand aside and watch the fight as spectators. I will shower my arrows on these kings and subdue them the way one can bind the snakes through mantras."

The kings decided to confront Arjuna and Bhima intending to kill them though they were (believed to be) Brahmins, reasoning that killing a person who had entered a fight was not wrong. Karna was in the lead.

Karna sought out Arjuna, while King Salya of Madra (the maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva) sought out Bhima. Initially Karna fell down unconscious by the impact of Arjuna’s arrows. But he regained consciousness and resumed his fight. The two fought with each other fiercely.

Duryodhana and others turned to the Brahmins and had a skirmish with them.

At one stage Karna told Arjuna, “Oh Brahmin! Observing your energy and the weapons you use, I wonder whether you are the embodiment of the science of weapons. Are you  Balarama, Indra or Vishnu?”

Arjuna replied, “I am neither an embodiment of weapons nor any of the persons whose names you mentioned. I am a Brahmin who has learnt the skills of weapons from my preceptor. I am here to vanquish you.”

After some time, Karna stopped fighting realizing that he could not overcome the energy of the Brahmin.

The fight between Bhima and Salya went on as a fight  between two equally strong warriors. After a while, Bhima lifted up Salya and threw him down. However, he did it without causing him much injury or pain.

Karna and other kings were alarmed by Bhima’s feat. They exclaimed “These Brahmins are excellent warriors. Who but Balarama, Drona or Arjuna can fight Karna? Who can fight Duryodhana except Krishna or Kripa? And who can overpower Salya except Balarama or Bhima? “ 

Krishna addressed the kings and said “Draupadi has been justly acquired by these Brahmins” and advised them to abandon the fight.

The kings accepted the fact that Draupadi was won by a Brahmin and returned to their kingdoms.

The Pandavas were surrounded and cheered by the Brahmins who were proud of the feat of Bhima and Arjuna, whom they considered to be Brahmins like themselves.

Eventually, the Pandavas  left the arena taking Draupadi along with them. The Brahmins and Krishna followed them.

Meanwhile, Kunti began to worry about her sons having not returned home even after a long time. She began to harbor fears about various kinds of mishaps that might have befallen them. She even doubted whether Vyasa had misguided them by advising them to participate in Draupadi’s Swayamvara.

It was only in the late afternoon that Arjuna,  entered the house in the company of many Brahmins.

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