01.188
Pancharatra: Doubt regarding a woman marrying many.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then all the Pāṇḍavas and the illustrious son of Pāñcāla, upon seeing the noble-hearted Kṛṣṇa, rose to greet and honor him.
He greeted all of them, inquired about their well-being, and finally, the great-minded one sat down on the bright golden seat.
But all of them, having been permitted by Kṛṣṇa of immeasurable brilliance, the best among men sat down on the most excellent seats.
Then, after a moment, Pārṣata, having spoken sweet words, asked that great-souled lord of men about Draupadī.
How can one woman belong to many, and how can there not be a mixture of dharmas? O Lord, please explain all this to us exactly as it is.
Vyāsa said.
In this matter of dharma, which involves deception and is opposed to both worldly and Vedic norms, I wish to hear whatever opinion each person holds.
Drupada said.
This is unrighteous, in my view, and contrary to both worldly custom and the Veda. Indeed, O best of twice-born, one wife does not exist for many men.
This dharma has not been practiced by the great souls of the past. And even an eternal dharma should not be practiced in many different ways.
Therefore, I do not make such a decision towards action, for this appears to me as uncertain due to doubt in dharma.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna said.
O best of twice-born, O Brāhmaṇa, how should the elder brother of good conduct behave towards the wife of the younger brother, O possessor of austerity?
But because dharma is so subtle, we cannot know its true course in any way. It is not possible to definitively determine, 'this is adharma, this is dharma.'
O Brahman, I do not resolve to do this by those like me; therefore, let Kṛṣṇā be the chief wife of the five, in any way.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
My speech has not uttered falsehood, nor is my mind set on unrighteousness. Indeed, my mind is present here; this is by no means unrighteous.
It is said in the Purāṇa that Jaṭilā, also known as Gautamī, lived among the seven sages, the foremost upholders of righteousness.
O best among those who know dharma, the command of the teacher is considered dharma. Among all teachers, the mother is regarded as the highest guru.
She said, "Let it be eaten as a beggar would." Therefore, O best of the twice-born, I think this is righteousness.
Kunti said.
"It is so, as this dharma-abiding Yudhishthira has said. How can I be freed from my intense fear of untruth?"
Vyāsa said.
O blessed one, you will be freed from untruth; this is the eternal dharma. But I will not declare it to everyone—O Pāñcāla, listen to me yourself.
Just as this dharma is established and because it is eternal, as Kaunteya has said, so indeed is dharma—there is no doubt about it.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, the venerable Vyāsa, son of Dvaipayana, rose and, taking the king by the hand, entered the royal palace.
The Pāṇḍavas, Kuntī, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of Pṛṣata, all bewildered, were waiting there for those two.
Then Vyāsa narrated to the noble king how Dharma, for many, is the practice of having only one wife.
