Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part B

Wife of the Five Pandavas is the one story that stood out to me the most. The Pandava brothers went towards their mother, Kunti, to tell her that had a marvelous gift. Kunti told her sons to share the gift, as they become a foundation of brotherhood. Yudhishthira, one of the brothers, told their mother that the gift was Princess Draupadi. Arjuna had won her at the "auction" of sorts for wives (might I add, I find great offense to this). Kunti becomes a little upset at the idea of this and the fatal consequences that may follow. Arjuna then said how he had won the princess and so she was destined to be his bride. They begin to bicker a little and decide that Drupada should have the final say in who Princess Draupadi should marry. Every Pandava desired to have her as bride though. King Drupada was sad his daughter had been sent away and sent his son away in disguise to see what was happening with his daughter. When Drupada's son returned with what had just happened, the king was happy that the brothers were kshatriyas and not the brahmins. Drupada sent word to the Pandavas that there would be a wedding feast, so the Pandavas went. The brothers tell Drupada that Arjuna had won Draupadi. Drupada visibly ecstatic. Drupada invited the Pandavas to stay at the palace for a couple of days so the brothers did. The oldest brother and Drupada decided that a great rishi should be invited to way in on the decision of who Drupadi should be the bride of, so Vyasa came. Vyasa told them that Draupadi was the re-incarnation of a woman who had prayed five times for a husband. So Draupadi was destined to marry all five of the brothers, as these brothers were all incarnations of Indra. Drupada gave permission for his daughter to marry all the brothers, so all the brothers wed Draupadi. Drupada gave the Pandavas many gifts and this was the end.

Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie


(Pandavas: wikipedia)