'"
SECTION CLXXXVII
(Swayamvara Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by the Brahmanas, the Pandavas, O
Janamejaya, proceeded towards the country of the southern Panchalas ruled
over by the king Drupada. And on their way those heroes beheld the
illustrious Dwaipayana--that Muni of pure soul, and perfectly sinless. And
duly saluting the Rishi and saluted by him, after their conversation was
over, commanded by him they proceeded to Drupada's abode. And those mighty
chariot-fighters proceeded by slow stages staying for some time within
those beautiful woods and by fine lakes that they beheld along their way.
Devoted to study, pure in their practices, amiable, and sweet-speeched,
the Pandavas at last entered the country of the Panchalas. And beholding
the capital, as also the fort, they took up their quarters in the house of
a potter. Adopting the Brahmanical profession, they began to lead an
eleemosynary life. And no men recognised those heroes during their stay in
Drupada's capital.
"Yajnasena always cherished the desire of bestowing his daughter on Kiriti
(Arjuna), the son of Pandu. But he never spoke of it to anybody. And, O
Janamejaya, the king of Panchala thinking of Arjuna caused a very stiff
bow to be made that was incapable of being bent by any except Arjuna.
Causing some machinery to be erected in the sky, the king set up a mark
attached to that machinery. And Drupada said, 'He that will string this
bow and with these well-adorned arrows shoot the mark above the machine
shall obtain my daughter.
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