The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 186

Section CLXXXVI. ( Svayamvara Parva. )

Vaisampayana said, "Then those tigers among men—those brothers—the five Pandavas, set out for Panchala to behold that country and Draupadi and the festivities (in view of her marriage). And those tigers among men—those oppressors of all enemies—in going along, with their mother, saw on the way numerous Brahmanas proceeding together. And those Brahmanas who were all Brahmacharins beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them, 'Where do ye go? Whence also are ye come?' And Yudhish-thira replied unto them, saying, 'Ye bulls among Brahmanas, know ye that we are uterine brothers proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekchakrā.' The Brahmanas then said, 'Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in the country of the Panchalas! A great Svayamvara takes place there, on which a large sum of money will be spent. We also are proceeding thither. Let us go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place (in Drupada's abode). The illustrious Yajna-sena, otherwise called Drupada, hath a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes like lotus leaves and features that are faultless, endued with youth and intelligence, she is extremely beautiful. And the slender-waisted Draupadi of every feature perfectly faultless, and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto that of the blue lotus for full two miles around, is the sister of the strong-armed Dhrishta-dyumna gifted with great prowess—the (would-be) slayer of Drona—who was born with natural mail and sword and bow and arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto a second fire. And that daughter of Yajna-sena will elect a husband from among the invited princes. And we are repairing thither to behold her and the festivities on the occasion, like unto the festivities of heaven. And to that Svayamvara will come from various lands kings and prices who are performers of sacrifices in which the presents to the Brahmanas are large; who are devoted to study, are holy, illustrious, and of rigid vows; who are young and handsome; and who are mighty charioteers and accomplished in arms. And desirous of winning the maiden, those monarchs will all give away much wealth and kine and food and other articles of enjoyment. And taking all that they will give away, and beholding the Svayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we shall go whithersoever we like. And there will also come unto that Svayamvara, from various countries, actors, and bards singing the panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of Puranas, and heralds, and powerful athletes. And beholding all these sights and taking what will be given away, ye illustrious ones, ye will return with us. Ye are all handsome and like unto the celestials! Beholding ye, Krishnā may, by chance, choose some one amongst ye superior to the rest. This thy brother of mighty arms, and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in (athletic) encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth!'

"Hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhish-thira replied, 'Ye Brahmanas, we all will go with ye to behold that maiden's Svayamvara—that excellent jubilee.'"

Thus ends the hundred and eighty-sixth Section in the Svayamvara of the Adi Parva.