Draupadi's Swayamvar

King Drupada of Panchala wanted revenge for his defeat by Drona. He performed a great fire sacrifice. From its flames rose a radiant son, Dhrishtadyumna, and a daughter of great beauty. Because of her dark complexion she was named Krishna, and as Drupada's daughter she was called Draupadi. In his heart Drupada hoped she would marry Arjuna.

Drupada held a swayamvar for Draupadi. The test was hard: string an enormously heavy bow and shoot five arrows through the opening of a high, revolving device to hit the target. Popular tellings describe it as the eye of a spinning fish, to be struck by looking at its reflection in water below. Kings came from far and wide, but most could not even lift the bow.

Some versions say Karna rose and strung the bow, but Draupadi said she would not marry a charioteer's son, and Karna returned humiliated. Then from among the brahmins a young man rose: Arjuna in a brahmin's dress. In a moment he strung the bow and hit the mark. Draupadi stepped forward and placed the wedding garland around his neck.

The kings were furious that a brahmin should carry off a princess! A fight broke out. Arjuna with his bow and Bhima with an uprooted tree held them all back. Krishna, sitting in the assembly, recognised them and smiled. The two brothers brought Draupadi home and called out, 'Mother, look what we brought today!' From inside, without looking, Kunti said, 'Whatever you have brought, share it among all five of you.'

Coming out, Kunti saw Draupadi and grew worried. But a mother's word could not be made false. Then the sage Vyasa came and explained that in a past life Draupadi had asked Lord Shiva five times for a worthy husband, so Shiva had granted her five husbands. And so Draupadi married all five Pandavas. At this time Krishna met his aunt's sons for the first time, and their unbreakable friendship began.