01.185
Pancharatra: Brahmana visits Pandavas, followed by a messenger.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having heard thus, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the prince and chief of the Somakas, with a delighted appearance, reported to his father the event of how Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) was taken.
Who is that young man with long red eyes, clad in black antelope skin, whose form is like a god? Who has strung the greatest bow and brought down the target to the earth?
He, unattached and swift, surrounded and honored by the foremost Brāhmaṇas, proceeded like Indra among the sons of Diti, honored by all the gods and sages.
Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), having taken and donned the deerskin, approached Bhīma (the Nāga) just as a delighted serpent-wife approaches her mate; when the kings, unable to bear (the insult), became enraged and rushed at him there.
Then, another king, mounting a great tree, shook the assembly of kings in his anger, just as Death would among living beings.
O king, those two foremost men, having taken Kṛṣṇā, departed from the city to the hall of Bhārgava's rites, shining like the moon and the sun, while the kings looked on.
There, seated like the flame of fire, I conjecture that she is their mother. Indeed, by such excellent men, three in number and resembling fire, seated in form.
Then, having saluted her feet, those two said, "Let Kṛṣṇā be saluted." Standing right there, after informing Kṛṣṇā, the foremost women went out to seek alms.
But Kṛṣṇā, having received alms from them, made an offering to the Brāhmaṇas as well. After serving food to the old woman and to those best of men, she herself also ate.
All the kings had fallen asleep; but Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) served as their foot-rest. Their bed was on the earth, furnished with excellent coverings of darbha grass and deerskin.
They, like roaring dark clouds, began to narrate varied stories. Those stories are not suitable for Vaiśyas and Śūdras, nor are they told by heroes of the twice-born.
O king, without doubt, those foremost among warriors describe the battle just as it happened. Our hope is clearly fulfilled, for we hear that the sons of Pṛthā have been released from the burning by fire.
Just as a target is struck and the bow is strung by that, so too by force; and just as they speak with each other, the sons of Pṛthā, being hidden, certainly move about.
Then King Drupada, delighted, sent his priest there. Addressing them, he said, "I recognize you; are you well, O great-souled sons of Pāṇḍu?"
The priest, having received the king's words, went and praised them, then conveyed the king's entire message to them in proper sequence, as one who knows the order.
Your lord of the earth, King Drupada of the Pāñcālas, who is worthy of the best, desires to know. Having seen this piercer of the target, he perceives no end to his joy.
Then, proceed in order to the families of the kinsmen; place your feet on the heads of the enemies. Gladden the heart of this king of the Pāñcālas along with his followers.
Pāṇḍu, the king, was indeed a dear friend and equal to King Drupada. This is his wish: "May this daughter of mine become the daughter-in-law of the Kaurava."
This is also the wish of King Drupada; in his heart always are those of blameless limbs. That Arjuna, broad and long-armed, may by righteousness win my daughter—thus (is his thought).
The king, seeing the humble priest standing there, instructed Bhīma, who was nearby, "Give him water for the feet and the offering as is proper."
The honored priest of King Drupada was to be offered even greater worship; Bhima likewise did so, O king, and having accepted that worship, returned it.
Yudhishthira addressed the comfortably-seated priest, saying, "The king of Panchala gave his daughter in accordance with his own understanding of dharma and as per her wish."
The fee was appointed by King Drupada; she was thus followed by this hero. No distinction was made there among castes, nor in livelihood, nor in family, nor in lineage.
Indeed, with the bow strung and the target pierced and released, Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) was thus won here by this great-souled one in the midst of the assembly of kings.
In this situation, the Saumaki king today does not deserve to grieve for unhappiness. And the wish that King Drupada has will also be fulfilled for the king.
The king's daughter is truly unattainable; O Brāhmaṇa, I think this is right. That bow cannot be strung by one of weak strength, nor can the target be brought down by one unskilled in weapons or of inferior birth.
Therefore, the king of the Pāñcālas should not cause his daughter suffering today for this reason; nor is it right for any man on earth to inflict such a downfall in any other way.
As Yudhiṣṭhira was thus speaking, another man came quickly from near the king of the Pāñcālas. There, a second man arrived, intending to announce that the prepared food was ready here.
