LORD KRISHNA IN MAHABHARATA

 58. LORD KRISHNA IN DRAUPADI'S SWAYAMVAR

There was a rumor that Pandavas and Mother Kunti were perished in the house of wax or Lakshagriha which was planned by Duryodhana to kill Them. This rumor was widespread and reached the ears of Drupada, the King of Panchala and the father of Princess Draupadi. King Drupada wanted to give his daughter to Arjuna but when he came to know that Pandavas and Kuntidevi were died in the house of shellac, he was so disappointed. Later, he came across a rumor that Pandavas and Kuntidevi were escaped from the deadly incident and lived in a forest secretly. But King Drupada had no idea of Pandava's whereabouts. He then thought that waiting for the arrival of Pandavas was not fruitful.  So, he discussed with Sikhandi and Dristadyumna on Draupadi's swayamvar. He had a hope that after hearing the news of Draupadi's swayamvar, there might be a possibility of Pandava's arrival. So, the necessary arrangements were made. It was the Swayamvar day. Princes and Kings from all the four directions namely Lord Shri Krishna, Lord Balaram, Prince Sishupala, Prince Karna, King Jarasandha, King Shalya and all Gauravas were invited to the Swayamvar. The entire arena was vibrated with people's cheering. Dristadyumna with horseback followed by Princess Draupadi with a flower garland in her hands  arrived the arena. As Princess Draupadi was so magnificent,  Princes in the arena didn't take off their eyes from seeing Her. She arrived there without seated on an elephant. Dristadyumna on seeing the people and all Princes uttered, "I offer My honorable respects to the people and all Princes! Here is the 'Matsyayantra', a mechanical mobile fish device. And here is the steel bow and fine arrows. Prince who aspire My sister must shoot five strings on the target that contains the Matsyayantra. I'm ready to give My sister to the strong Prince! It's My vow". When Pandavas came to know the Swayamvar of Princess Draupadi, They wished to take part in that. Knowing the sons' wish, Kuntidevi accepted Them to take part in the swayamvar. Many princes tried lifting the gigantic bow but they failed. Sishupala, Jarasandha, Shalya and Duryodhana were also failed. When Prince Karna entered the arena, everyone spoke to themselves that He might win the task. But everyone teased Prince Karna as He was born in a lower caste. Pandavas were lived as brahmanas in a town called Ekachakra secretly also arrived the Swayamvar. In the midst of audience, Arjuna who dressed up as a brahmana stood up and asked whether He could participate. Dristadyumna agreed and asked Him to take part. Arjuna thought of Lord Narayana and When He raised the strong Kindhura bow and shoot the five strings, the entire audience were astonished and cheered Him. Elated Princess Draupadi without speaking any word put the flower garland on Arjuna's neck. 

Lord Krishna in Draupadi's Swayamvar

    On Arjuna's victory, the Pandavas and other audience were so elated and cheered Him. Prince Yudhisthira, Nakula and Sahadeva decided to inform His victory to Mother Kuntidevi. Prince Bhima waited there in the arena in order to protect His brother. As expected by Bhima, the other Princes created a riot that brahmana has no rights to take part in the Swayamvar. They spoke as follows, "How come a brahmana marry Her? The rules and regulations of Swayamvar does not include a brahmana. Only a kshatriya is qualified to marry her. We should establish our Dharma". The Princes were become angry. At the time, Bhima went outside and uproot a large tree and plucked its leaves. He stood to the side of Arjuna lifting the large tree as He was lifting an ordinary stick. Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram were consoling the Princes and audience. Arjuna returned to His potter's house in Ekachakra with Draupadi. Dristadyumna also followed Pandavas' route. Dristadyumna then identified the brahmanas as Pandavas and Mother Kuntidevi and informed His father Drupada. 

Dristadyumna witnessed Pancha Pandavas
and Mother Kuntidevi

When King Drupada came to know that the brahmanas were Pandavas, He ordered Dristadyumna to call Them to his court. Pandavas introduced Themselves to King Drupada and told Him that all the five Pandavas wanted to marry Her daughter. On hearing this, King Drupada was very much disappointed and said, "O Yudhisthira! I thought You are the stringent follower of Dharma. But You come up with a wish that You all want to marry a single Princess. What wicked thing this is!". Yudhisthira replied, "O King, We are following Our Mother Kuntidevi's wish that if anything fortune occurs, we shall share among ourselves. We cannot break our Mother's promise". King Drupada agreed and said, " If that is Your weird wish, then it is fine". In order to take care of Pandavas and Mother Kuntidevi, Lord Krishna wanted to see Them personally. So He went Hasthinapur out of His affection to see Pancha Pandavas and His dear devotees. 

TO BE CONTINUED..

Lord Muraari's lotus feet!