01.175
Core: Pandavas join the group of Brahmana's travelling, wishing to attend Drupada's swayamwara.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then the five Pāṇḍava brothers, tigers among men, went to see Draupadī and the divine festival.
The princes, tigers among men, departed with their mother. On the road, they saw many Brāhmaṇas going in groups.
The Brāhmaṇas, O king, said to the Pāṇḍavas, who were celibate students: "Where are you going, or from where have you come?"
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Devadarśin, you should know that the many uterine brothers of Cakrā who have arrived are those who live together with their mother.
The brāhmaṇas said.
Let him go today itself to the palace of Drupada, king of the Pāñcālas. There will be a grand svayaṃvara, a ceremony of great wealth.
We have set out together as one caravan; we too are travellers here. There, indeed, a very great and wondrous festival will take place.
The daughter of Yajñasena, Drupada's great-souled child, was born from the center of the altar, her eyes resembling lotus petals.
She was beautiful, flawless in form, delicate and noble-minded, the sister of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the illustrious enemy of Droṇa.
He who is born, armored and bearing a sword, equipped with arrows and a bow, mighty-armed, in the well-kindled fire, having the radiance of fire.
His sister Draupadī, who had flawless limbs and a slender waist, possessed a fragrance like that of a blue lotus, which could be sensed from a krośa away.
We are going to see her, the daughter of Yajñasena, for whom the time for the svayaṃvara has been fixed, and also to witness that divine great festival.
Kings, princes, sacrificers who give abundant gifts, those devoted to self-study, pure and great-souled, steadfast in their vows.
Young and handsome kings, great chariot-warriors trained in weapons, assembled from various regions, will approach.
There, the kings will give various gifts for the sake of victory—wealth, cows, and all kinds of food and enjoyments.
After accepting everything and witnessing the svayamvara, and after enjoying the festival, we shall depart as we wish.
Actors, bards, dancers, charioteers, panegyrists, wrestlers, and mighty men from various regions will gather together.
Thus, after satisfying your curiosity, seeing and receiving (what you wish), you great souls will return together with us again.
And after observing all of you, who are present and godlike in appearance, Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) should select any one suitable husband.
This brother of yours, who is prosperous, handsome, and mighty-armed, may, by fighting with allies, win much wealth.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O noble one, let us all go together with you to witness the divine festival, that is the maiden's svayaṃvara (self-choice ceremony).
