Then those kings of
men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved
to go, accompanied by him, to the Swayamvara of the Princess of
Panchala.'"
SECTION CLXXXVI
(Swayamvara 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 Brahmacharis beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them, 'Where are ye
going to? Whence also are ye come?' And Yudhishthira 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 Ekachakra.'
The Brahmanas then said, 'Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in
the country of the Panchalas. A great Swayamvara takes place there, on
which a large sum of money will be spent. We also are proceeding thither.
Let us all go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place (in
Drupada's abode). The illustrious Yajnasena, otherwise called Drupada, had
a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes like
lotus-petals and of faultless features 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 two full miles around, is the sister of the
strong-armed Dhrishtadyumna 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 the second Fire.
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