01.184
Pancharatra: Drustadyumna observes Pandavas.
Vaiśampāyana said.
But Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of the Pāñcāla king, followed behind the two sons of Kuru as they went to the residence of Bhārgava.
He, remaining unrecognized, surveyed the men all around and himself entered the hermitage, arriving at the abode of Bhārgava.
In the evening, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—the great-souled brothers—collected alms and offered them to Yudhishthira, remaining steadfast in spirit.
Then Kuntī, the generous one, at the right time said these words to Drupada's daughter: "Therefore, O auspicious one, take the first portion, make the offering, and give alms to the Brāhmaṇa."
Give food to those who desire it; to those people who are sheltered all around. Then, quickly divide the remainder, half for the four and for myself.
O auspicious one, give half to Bhīma; this young, dark-complexioned hero, who is strong and always eats much, has the form of an intoxicated bull.
The princess, joyful in appearance, without hesitation did exactly as was properly spoken; the virtuous woman acted, and all of them accepted the food.
But Sahadeva, the energetic son of Mādrī, made a bed on the ground with kusa grass. All the heroes spread out their own animal skins and slept on the earth.
Around Agastya’s seat, in all directions, the heads of the best of the Kurus were placed. Kuntī stood in front of them, and Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) was fallen to the side.
She lay on the ground with the sons of Pāṇḍu, using kuśa grass as a foot-rest. She felt no pain there, nor did she look down upon those foremost among the Kurus.
There, those heroes began to narrate; the stories were varied, about the commanders of armies; about divine weapons, chariots and elephants; swords, maces, and also battle-axes.
As those stories were being recited, the son of the king of the Pāñcālas at that time heard Kṛṣṇā, who was also seated there; and all those men saw as well.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the prince, after hearing all that had happened to them narrated at night, quickly went to King Drupada to report everything in full.
But the king of the Pāñcālas, looking dejected and unable to find the Pāṇḍavas, asked the noble Dhṛṣṭadyumna: "Where has Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) gone, and by whom has she been taken away?"
Has it not happened that a Śūdra, one of low birth, a Vaiśya, or a tax-payer has approached? Has my head not been touched by a foot? Has the garland not fallen in the cremation ground?
O son, is the best among men of the same caste, or even one of higher caste, present here? Has my left foot today been touched on the head by Kṛṣṇa?
Will I be able to perform the sacrifice with full confidence, having joined with Arjuna, the foremost among men? Tell me truly, O noble one, who today will be the victor of my daughter?
Are the sons of Vicitravīrya, the mighty Kuru, still bearing up today? And today, has the younger Pārtha (Arjuna) taken up the bow and struck the target?
