SECTION 186
(Swayamvara Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Pandavas, set out for Panchala to behold
that country and Draupadi and the festivities in view of her marriage. And they
in going along with their mother saw on the way numerous Brahmanas proceeding
together. And those Brahmanas who were all Brahmacharis beholding the Pandavas,
asked them, 'Where are ye going to? Whence also are ye come?' And Yudhishthira replied
unto them, saying, 'Ye Brahmanas know ye that we are uterine brothers
proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekachakra.' The
Brahmanas then said, 'Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in the
country of the Panchalas. A great Swayamvara takes place there, on which a
large sum of money will be spent. We also
are proceeding thither. Let us all go together. Extraordinary
festivities will take place in Drupada's abode. Yajnasena, otherwise called
Drupada, had a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes
like lotus-petals and of faultless features endued with youth and intelligence,
she is extremely beautiful. And the slender-waisted Draupadi of every feature
perfectly faultless, and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto that of the
blue lotus for two full miles around, is the sister of the strong-armed
Dhrishtadyumna gifted with great prowess who was born with natural mail and
sword and bow and arrows from the blazing fire. And that daughter of Yajnasena
will select a husband from among the invited princes. And we are repairing
thither to behold her and the festivities on the occasion, like unto the
festivities of heaven. And to that Swayamvara will come from various lands
kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices in which the presents to the
Brahmanas are large: who are devoted to study, are holy, illustrious, and of
rigid vows; who are young and handsome. Desirous of winning the hand of the
maiden those monarchs will all give away much wealth and kine and food and
other articles of enjoyment. And taking all they will give away and witnessing
the Swayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we shall go wheresoever we like.
And there will also come unto that Swayamvara, from various countries, actors,
and bards singing the panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of
Puranas, and heralds, and powerful athletes. And beholding all these sights and
taking what will be given away to illustrious ones, ye will return with us. Ye
are all handsome and like unto the celestials! Beholding you, Krishna may, by
chance, choose some one amongst you superior to the rest. This thy brother of
mighty arms and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in athletic
encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth.'
"On hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhishthira
replied, 'Ye Brahmanas, we will all go with you to witness that maiden's Swayamvara--that
excellent jubilee.'"
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