Section CLXLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the illustrious king of Pancala, addressing prince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully enquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying,

'Are we to know you as Kshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as celestials who disguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the earth and come hither for the hand of Krishna?

O tell us truly, for we have great doubts! Shall we not be glad when our doubts have been removed?

O chastiser of enemies, have the fates been propitious unto us? Tell us the truth willingly! Truth becomes monarchs better than sacrifices and dedications of tanks. Therefore, tell us not what is untrue.

O you of the beauty of a celestial, O chastiser of foes, hearing your reply I shall make arrangements for my daughter’s wedding according to the order to which you belong.'

"Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying

'Be not cheerless, O king; let joy fill your heart! The desire cherished by you has certainly been accomplished. We are Kshatriyas, O king, and sons of the illustrious Pandu. Know me to be the eldest of the sons of Kunti and these to be Bhima and Arjuna.

By these, O king, was your daughter won amid the concourse of monarchs. The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Kunti wait where Krishna is. O bull amongst men, let grief be driven from your heart, for we are Kshatriyas. Your daughter, O monarch, has like a lotus been transferred only from one lake into another.

O king, you are our revered superior and chief refuge. I have told you the whole truth.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words, the king Drupada’s eyes rolled in ecstasy. And. filled with delight the king could not, for some moments answer Yudhishthira. Checking his emotion with great effort, that chastiser of foes at last replied unto Yudhishthira in proper words. The virtuous monarch enquired how the Pandavas had escaped from the town of Varanavata. The son of Pandu told the monarch every particular in detail of their escape from the burning palace of lac. Hearing everything that the son of Kunti said, king Drupada censured Dhritarashtra, that ruler of men. And the monarch gave every assurance unto Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. And that foremost of eloquent men then and there vowed to restore Yudhishthira to his paternal throne.

"Then Kunti and Krishna and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, commanded by the king, to reside there, treated by Yajnasena with due respect. Then king Drupada with his sons, assured by all that had happened, approaching Yudhishthira, said,

'O you of mighty arms, let the Kuru prince Arjuna take with due rites, the hand of my daughter on this auspicious day, and let him, therefore, perform the usual initiatory rites of marriage.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Drupada, the virtuous king Yudhishthira replied, saying,

'O great king, I also shall have to marry.'

Hearing him, Drupada said,

'If it pleases you, take you the hand of my daughter thyself with due rites. Or, give Krishna in marriage unto whomsoever of your brothers you likest.'

Yudhishthira said,

'Your daughter, O king, shall be the common wife of us all! Even thus it has been ordered, O monarch, by our mother. I am unmarried still, and Bhima also is so amongst the sons of Pandu. This your jewel of a daughter has been won by Arjuna. This, O king, is the rule with us; to ever enjoy equally a jewel that we may obtain.

O best of monarchs, that rule of conduct we cannot now abandon. Krishna, therefore, shall become the wedded wife of us all. Let her take our hands, one after another before the fire.'

'Drupada answered,

'O scion of Kuru’s race, it has been directed that one man may have many wives. But it has never been heard that one woman may have many husbands! O son of Kunti, as you are pure and acquainted with the rules of morality, it behoves you not to commit an act that is sinful and opposed both to usage and the Vedas.

Why, O prince, has your understanding become so?'

Yudhishthira said in reply,

'O monarch, morality is subtle. We do not know its course. Let us follow the way trodden by the illustrious ones of former ages. My tongue never uttered an untruth. My heart also never turns to what is sinful. My mother commands so; and my heart also approves of it.

Therefore, O king, that is quite conformable to virtue. Act according to it, without any scruples. Entertain no fear, O king, about this matter.'

"Drupada said,

'O son of Kunti your mother, and my son Dhrishtadyumna and thyself, settle amongst yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the result of your deliberations and tomorrow I will do what is proper.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, Kunti and Dhrishtadyumna discoursed upon this matter. Just at that time, however, the island-born (Vyasa), O monarch, came there in course of his wanderings.'"