Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Epified, Part D

Drupad organizes a grand Swayamvar for his daughter, Draupadi, meant so that Draupadi would be married to whoever wins her hand. The Pandavas attended the Swayamvar disguised as Brahmins. The challenge was: "Watch the reflection of a revolving fish in a bowl of oil and shoot an arrow to penetrate the fish's eye." Most princes who attended the Swayamvar could not even lift the bow as it was too heavy let alone complete the challenge. However, Arjuna surprisingly did, and he even succeeded in completing the challenge.

Karna too attended the Swayamvar. However, when it became his turn to attempt the challenge, Draupadi stood up. Karna was the son of a charioteer, and thus, even though he was the king of Anga, most thought he was not of noble birth (he was - he's the son of Queen Kunti and the Sun-God). Draupadi made sure Karna knew this, telling him he would never be worthy enough to marry a princess. Krishna too was present, though he did not attempt the challenge. In the end, Arjuna won the hand of Draupadi.

The Pandavas left with Draupadi for home. Upon arrival, Kunti thought they brought food so she told them they must share whatever they brought equally amongst them. Kunti realized her mistake but decided to not take back her words. Thus, even though the other four Pandavas felt it would be unfair to Arjuna to marry Draupadi as well. However, a nearby sage stopped by and informed them that Draupadi had prayed to have five husbands in a previous life, thus she was destined to have them now. So, the five Pandavas agreed to marry Draupadi each

Draupadi's brother informed their father that Draupadi had married all five Pandavas and that they were not Brahmins like they originally thought. The Kauravas were not happy and sought advice from Bhishma, who suggested they give the Pandavas a certain part of the kingdom. It's weird, but apparently, that was the best course of action even though they were angry. The Pandavas were given Khandavaprasth.

The kingdom the Pandavas were granted, Khandavaprasth, was a wasteland cursed by Indra. Krishna helped the Pandavas by calling to their aid a divine architect. The Pandavas also encountered Agni, the Vedic god of fire, who demanded they burn the forest down to sate his hunger. The Pandavas realized this would be beneficial to them, so they did so. From the burned land, they erected the grand city of Indraprastha

Narad told the Pandavas a story of two brothers who fell in love with the same woman. Their love turned into jealousy between them and led them to kill each other in a duel. So, Narad suggested to them that, starting with Yudhishthir, Draupadi is the wife exclusively to one Pandava for an entire year at a time, and it cycles between them. If anyone violates this pact, they must go into exile for 12 years. The arrangement worked well for a while until one day Arjuna walked in on Yudhishthir...

Arjun heard the cries of a Brahmin whose cows were stolen from his home. However, Arjuna's weapons were in Yudhishthir's chambers, so to get them would mean he would be exiled for 12 years. Arjuna entered his chamber and took his weapons, knowing the consequences, and then aided the Brahmin. So, Arjuna, upon returning, set out in his exile as per the arrangement.

Draupadi and her five husbands. Source: Wikimedia

Epics of India