The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 171

Section CLXXI. *( Chaitra-rathā Parva Continued. )* Vaisampayana continued, "Then Kunti spoke unto Bhima-sena and Arjuna and the twins regarding the journey to Panchala. They all said, 'So be it.' Then, O king, Kunti with her sons saluted the Brahmana (in whose house they had dwelt) and set out for the delightful town of the illustrious Drupada." Vaisampayana said, "While the illustrious Pandavas had been living disguised in the abode of the Brahmana, there came Vyasa the son of Satyavati to see them. Then those oppressors of all foes, beholding him coming, rose up and stepped towards to receive him. Saluting him reverentially, and worshipping him also, the Pandavas stood in silence with joined hands. Thus worshipped by them the Muni became gratified. He then asked them to be seated and cheerfully addressing them said, 'Ye slayers of all foes, are ye living in the path of virtue and according to the *Shastras*? Do ye worship the Brahmanas? Ye are not, I hope, deficient in paying homage unto those that deserve your homage?' The illustrious Rishi, after this, spoke many words of virtuous import, and after discoursing upon many topics of great interest, addressing them said, 'An illustrious Rishi, living in a certain hermittage, had a daughter of slender waist, fair hips, fine eyebrows, and possessing every accomplishment. As a consequence of her own acts (of a past life) the fair maid became very unfortunate. And though chaste and beautiful the damsel obtained not a husband. With a sorrowful heart she thereupon began to practise ascetic penances with the object of obtaining a husband. She soon gratified by her severe asceticism the god Sankara (Mahadeva). And the possessor of six attributes becoming propitious unto her said unto that illustrious damsel,—Ask thou the boon thou desirest! Blest be thou! I am Sankara prepared to give thee what thou wilt ask!—Desirous of benefiting herself, the maiden repeatedly said unto the supreme lord,—O give me a husband endued with every accomplishment.—Then Isana (Mahadeva) the foremost of all speakers replied unto her, saying,—O blessed one, thou shalt have five husbands from among the Bharata princes.—Thus told, the maiden said unto the god who had given her that boon,—O lord, I desire to have one only husband, by thy grace!—The god then addressed her again and said these excellent words:—Thou hast, O girl, said full five times,—*Give me (a) husband.* Thou shalt, therefore, in another life have five husbands—Ye princes of the Bharata line, that damsel, of celestial beauty hath been born in the race of Drupada. The faultless Krishnā of Prishata's line hath been appointed to be the wife of ye all! Ye mighty ones, go therefore to the capital of the Panchalas and dwell ye there! There is no doubt that having obtained her as wife ye shall be very happy.'" Vaisampayana continued, "Having said so unto the Pandavas, the illustrious and blessed grandfather then bade them farewell. The great ascetic then left them, going to the place whence he came." Thus ends the hundred and seventy-first Section in the Chitra-ratha of the Adi Parva.