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Library:Story of Draupadi
Vaiśampāyana said.
While the great-souled Pāṇḍavas were living in concealment, Vyāsa, the son of Satyavatī, came to visit them.
When they saw him arrive, the destroyers of foes went forth to meet him, bowed down, saluted him, and then stood with joined palms.
After permitting all those who were seated, the sage, gracious and honored by the Pārthas, affectionately spoke these words.
O scorcher of foes, always act according to dharma and śāstra. Let your worship of brāhmaṇas and those worthy of worship never be diminished.
Then, after uttering words full of righteousness and purpose, the venerable sage once again narrated these various stories.
In the forest of austerities, there was a certain daughter of the great sage, who had a slender waist, beautiful hips, lovely eyebrows, and was endowed with every virtue.
But by her own actions, she became unfortunate. Though she was a beautiful and virtuous maiden, she did not obtain a husband.
Then, desiring a husband and being unhappy, she undertook austerities. Thereafter, by her severe penance, she indeed pleased Śaṅkara (Śiva).
Pleased with her, the venerable one said to the ascetic woman: "Choose a boon; good fortune to you; I am the grantor of boons," O beautiful lady.
Then the lord spoke these beneficial words on her own behalf: "I wish for a husband endowed with all virtues," again and again.
Then Śaṅkara, the lord and best among speakers, replied to her, "O blessed one, you will have five husbands."
She replied, "Give me Śaṅkara as my only husband." Again, the god spoke these excellent words.
You have said 'Give me a husband' five times; therefore, I say again: for you who will go to another body, as spoken, so it shall be.
Kṛṣṇā, the faultless daughter of Pārṣata, born in the family of Drupada and possessing a divine form, has been appointed as your wife.
O mighty warriors, therefore enter the city of the Pāñcālas; once you reach it, you will surely be happy—there is no doubt about it.
Having thus spoken, the illustrious grandsire of the Pāṇḍavas, after addressing the sons of Pṛthā and Kuntī, the great ascetic departed.
