by Kotru, Umesh
“Which invitation are you talking about?” asked Shakuni in excitement. “Mamaji, king Drupada is organising a Svayamvara for his daughter Panchali in a fortnight from today. An invitation to the Svayamvara from the Panchala king was received yesterday. Maharaj, wanted to consult me, as also Pitamaha, Kaka Vidura and Guru Dronacharya, to take a decision in the matter. Maharaj wanted only me, Duhshasana and our other brothers to attend, as advised by Guru Dronacharya and Pitamaha. I insisted that Karna too should go. After a heated discussion, I could manage to make the others agree about Karna’s participation,” replied Duryodhana.
“This is great news. Panchala is a powerful empire and the bond of matrimonial relationship between Panchala and Hastinapura will help you a great deal in future” said a beaming Shakuni. “Yes Mamaji, I completely agree, but there is more to it than a simple Svayamvara.” “What is it brother?” mumbled Duhshasana. “Don’t get too excited yet, we still have a fortnight to go for the Svayamvara, my friend,” teased Karna. “Do I stand a chance in front of you and the big brother, anyway,” retorted Duhshasana in matching banter.
“The Panchala king has set a curious test for qualifying in the Svayamvara. Only the one who successfully hits the eye of a revolving fish overhead with an arrow by just looking at it’s reflection in the water below will pass the test and become eligible for marrying Panchali,” said Duryodhana.
“That again should not be a problem,” observed Shakuni; “Surely Angaraj can easily pass this test. Are you worried because the test puts you at a disadvantage against your dear friend?” taunted Shakuni. “Mamaji, please stop pulling the legs of my friend. I am sure he too is capable of passing the test” said Karna. “It would have helped if our friend, Ashvatthama too could have joined the Svayamvara, as the test would not pose any big challenge to him either,” added Karna. “But being a Brahmin, he may not be an ideal match for a Kshatriya princess; besides Guru Dronacharya will never allow Ashvatthama to attend the Svayamvara of king Drupada’s daughter for obvious reasons,” said Duryodhana, while casting a glance at Ashvatthama and winking at him with a mischievous smile.
“I can understand about Ashvatthama not being too keen, being a Brahmin; although there is no technical bar for a Brahmin hero to participate in a Svayamvara challenge. But apart from that, is there any specific reason for Guruji’s objection?” asked Karna. “Well, that is a long story. Which I would suggest Ashvatthama himself narrates,” replied Duryodhana.
“Friends”, began Ashvatthama, “The end of this long story is already known to you as the same concerns your Guru Dakshina, involving capture of King Drupada, the endeavour in which you had failed and the Pandavas succeeded. But since all of you, particularly Angaraj here, are curious, let me give you the background of the grudge against king Drupada which my father has been nursing most of his life.
It all began in the Gurukula of my grandfather Maharishi Bharadvaja, where my father and Drupada, then the young prince of Panchala, happened to be fellow students and close friends. Being an ascetic, my grandfather did not own any wealth and also refused to accept any gifts. Baba therefore lived the life of a poor Brahmin. In the course of those days of friendship in the Ashram, Drupada had promised Baba that he would fulfill all of his material needs once he ascended the throne of Panchala. After the death of his father, King Prishata, Drupada succeeded to the throne of Panchala, while Baba continued to live in poverty.”
After a brief pause Ashvatthama continued, “It was during those days Baba came to know about the great Brahmin hero Parashurama’s resolve to give away all his wealth. Hearing this, Baba approached Parashurama to obtain some part of the wealth. Parashurama informed Baba that unfortunately, he had already given away his entire wealth and was only left with his weapons and the knowledge of using those weapons. Baba requested Parashurama to accept him as his disciple and teach him the art of using weapons. Parashurama had no hesitation in acceding to this request. He gave Baba the knowledge about use of various weapons which included the most potent of all weapons, the Brahma Astra. But for all his proficiency in the art of war, Baba and my mother continued to live in poverty even after I was born. Mother would often urge Baba to approach his friend king Drupada for assistance which, given his self-respecting nature, he steadfastly refused. One day Baba saw that whenever I cried for milk mother would give me a mixture of flour and water as a substitute. This shocking incident broke Baba’s inner resistance against approaching his friend for assistance. As a result, he finally decided to invoke the promise given to him by his friend Drupada. He immediately left home to meet his friend, but was shocked when the latter refused to even recognise him. Drupada insulted Baba in front of his courtiers, saying that a poor Brahmin cannot be a friend of a mighty King. Baba returned home a dejected man and the snub he received from Drupada kept haunting him from then on. He resolved to take revenge against his ungrateful friend by devising some means of humiliating Drupada while continuing his struggle against poverty.
After a while, our bad days came to an end when Baba was appointed as the tutor of Puru princes (here Ashvatthama looking towards Duryodhana and Duhshasana), by Pitamaha Bhishma. After the training was complete, Baba decided that the time for seeking his revenge from King Drupada had finally arrived. Baba called together his disciples and told them to attack the kingdom of Panchala. He wanted them to bring King Drupada as a prisoner to his presence as gurudakshina. As all of you are aware, the mission was accomplished by Arjuna and Bhima after the failure of the Kauravas.” At this somewhat blunt statement of fact, Ashvatthama could see some red faces around him. He however did not pay any heed and continued with his story. He said, “After giving the prisoner a bit of his mind, Baba deprived him of half his kingdom as punishment and set him free. Thus Baba succeeded in taking his revenge.
“Even though he was released by Baba and allowed to retain half of his kingdom, King Drupada felt highly insulted and resolved to seek his revenge. He started roaming around his kingdom seeking ways to fulfill his desire. Wandering along the banks of the Yamuna and the Ganga, king Drupada once came upon a sacred ashram of Brahmins. He met an illustrious sage belonging to the line of the great Rishi Kashyapa. Drupada served the Brahmin with great reverence. After a year went by the Brahmin, feeling pleased with the services rendered by Drupada, told him to ask for a boon. King Drupada with folded hands thanked the Brahmin and expressed his desire to seek revenge from Baba. The Brahmin conducted a Yajna for him, which resulted in the king obtaining a son who could fulfill his desire of killing Baba. The child came to be known as Dhrishtadyumna. Through the same Yajna he also got a daughter who came to be called ‘Krishnaa’, for her dark complexion and also ‘Panchali’, for being the daughter of the Panchala King. It is the same Panchali whose, Svayamvara you are going to attend. I hope now you can understand the whole background behind my non-participation in that event”, concluded Ashvatthama.
“Thank you Ashvatthama, and forgive me for bringing back your bitter memories from the past,” said Karna.” Turning to others he continued, “Friends, let us then start our preparations to visit Panchala for the Svayamvara.” The next day, Duryodhana, Karna and Duhshasana started their preparations for the trip in right earnest. Karna would reflect upon the task of hitting the target set for the test during his daily practice sessions. All of them would tease one another during their meetings, while exchanging notes about the preparation for the trip. In the mean time, Karna also received an invitation for the Svayamvara in the capacity of the King of Anga Desha. On the stipulated day, the three of them arrived in Panchala, accompanied by a band of trusted soldiers, selected for the purpose. Several other kings and princes from various lands arrived in Panchala to participate in the Svayamvara.
When the stage was perfectly set for the Svayamvara to start, Dhrishtadyumna, taking hold of his sister’s arm, led her into the concourse made for the ceremony. Addressing the gathering in a high-pitched voice, he informed all those desiring to participate in the Svayamvara ab
out the condition to qualify, which was to pass the test prescribed by Drupada. He drew the attention of all towards the centre of the arena, where the model of a fish was attached to a rotating shaft hanging from the top. A container brimming with water was placed on the ground below the shaft. A great bow, with its string removed and with five arrows, was placed on a pedestal near the container. Each participant would get five chances to hit the target (eye of the fish). After stringing the bow the target was to be hit by looking at its reflection in the water below. Dhrishtadyumna also gave Panchali a brief introduction about the many kings and princes who had gathered there with the desire to take her as their wife.
Separate seating arrangements were made for the members of royal household of Panchala, the nobility of the kingdom of Panchala, the participants, Brahmins and general public, who had gathered in large numbers to witness the event. One by one, scores of kings and princes approached the centre of the arena where the bow was placed in order to try their luck. However, let alone stringing the bow, many of them could not even move it. When almost everyone, including Duryodhana, could not succeed, Karna stood up and proceeded towards the centre of the arena. Beholding the imposing personality of Karna, a murmur of anticipation rose among the participants and the spectators. Everyone started speculating that he might be the hero who could achieve what all others had failed to do so far.
Karna gracefully approached the centre of the arena. He carefully observed the target and made mental notes about the angle at which he would need to take his aim. He then lifted the bow and strung it with absolute ease. Taking one of the arrows, he placed it on the string of the bow. But as he was about to take aim at the target, Panchali stood up from her seat and pointing a finger towards Karna shouted, “I shall not accept a Suta as my husband”. This stunned Karna and stopped him from proceeding further. Feeling a sense of deep anguish, he cast a dejected look towards the sky where the sun was almost at its zenith. Karna threw away the bow and the arrows in disgust, while a confused murmur rose among the crowd once again. He slowly returned to his seat and sat beside Duryodhana, who tried to console him with a few words of encouragement. Karna was however lost in his thoughts, wondering how long he would have to carry the burden of being humiliated and thwarted from achieving his full potential on account of being a Suta.
Thereafter, one by one all the remaining kings and princes present in the arena attempted the test, but all failed. This development made King Drupada worry about the outcome of the Svayamvara. He felt sad that nobody could pass the test devised by him, which could result in his beloved daughter remaining un-married. His thought process transported him to the day when he was taken prisoner by Arjuna. He remembered Arjuna’s valour during that encounter; that very memory was indeed the basis for designing the test with a degree of difficulty that would only be amenable to the skill of a great archer like Arjuna. He had held a secret desire to marry his daughter to Arjuna, and now felt distraught, having since been informed that the Pandavas had perished in the fire at Varanavata. He sighed deeply and wished Arjuna had been alive to win his daughter’s hand in marriage.
It was at this juncture that a young Brahmin, seated in the section reserved for the Brahmins, got up and started approaching the arena where the bow and arrows were placed. His gestures very much resembled those of Karna earlier. Walking round the bow he lifted it and strung it up. He hit the target in the first attempt and caused the fish to fall down on the ground. A loud uproar rose all around and the crowds started cheering the young Brahmin.
The noise brought king Drupada out of his abstraction and he got up to embrace the Brahmin. All the monarchs who were present at the Svayamvara became angry at how the king could ignore all of them and marry his daughter to a Brahmin. All of them, therefore, resolved to attack Drupada and slay him there and then. Drupada, seeing all the Kshatriyas rushing towards him in anger wielding bows and arrows, sought the protection of the Brahmins. Immediately another Brahmin with a huge build sprung from his seat and joined the young Brahmin to confront the attackers. Karna was at the head of the assailants. Seeing Karna rushing towards him, the young Brahmin picked up the same bow with which he had hit the target and pierced him with sharp arrows. Recoiling in pain, Karna realised that he was not facing an ordinary Brahmin; he now proceeded with greater caution than before. Both Karna and the Brahmin thereafter engaged in a ferocious duel. Impressed with the capability of the Brahmin at wielding the bow and arrows, Karna asked him to reveal his real identity. Karna declared that none other than Indra, Parashurama or Arjuna was capable of facing him on the battlefield. The Brahmin replied that he was none of them and by the grace of his great teacher had become accomplished in the use of divine weapons. Hearing this from him, Karna, not intending to cause any harm to a Brahmin, desisted from continuing the fight. Meanwhile on another part of the field the other Brahmin, the hefty one who had come forward to assist his companion, vanquished all the attackers who had to flee for their lives.
Shri Krishna was also present at the time of the Svayamvara. With his great power of observation, he could make out that the two Brahmins were none other than the sons of Kunti. He was convinced that the Brahmin who had hit the mark was Arjuna himself and felt delighted about it, as he too desired that Panchali should marry his friend Arjuna. Shri Krishna, in his majestic voice, now addressed the assembled monarchs, saying that as the Brahmin was the only one who could fulfill the condition for the Svayamvara, he was eligible to marry Panchali. He politely induced them to abandon the fight and stop any further violence. In this way order was finally restored. The two Brahmins, joined by another three members from the same group together with Panchali, returned to their residence.
These five Brahmins were in fact the five Pandava brothers who had disguised themselves as Brahmins. They had survived the fire at Varanavata, unknown to others, through the timely intervention of Vidura. The Pandavas and Kunti were staying in a village at a Brahmin’s house in the disguise of Brahmins to avoid detection, as per advice given by Vidura. The news about the Svayamvara was communicated to them by the sage Vyasa, who had encouraged them to participate in it. The Pandavas managed to remain un-detected even after the conclusion of the Svayamvara.
As soon as the five Brahmins along with Panchali reached their dwelling, the eldest Brahmin (who was none else but Yudhishthira), announced to Kunti that they had got a fabulous gift as alms. Since Kunti was inside the house and could not see what her son was talking about, she asked Yudhishthira to share the gift equally with his brothers. However the moment she saw Panchali, she realised her mistake. In order to obey the command of their mother, the Pandavas decided to take Panchali as their common wife. Panchali herself, although a bit taken aback by this unexpected development, maintained her poise and gracefully approached Kunti. She touched Kunti’s feet with reverence and sought her blessings. Kunti lifted Panchali up and blessed her with long life while taking her in a tight embrace.
In order to ascertain the real identity of the Brahmin who had won Draupadi’s hand in the Svayamvara, Dhrishtadyumna, accompanied by a few of his most trusted spies, had secretly followed the Brahmins. He kept close watch on their movements and carefully noted all that happened after the unknown Brahmins reached the place where they were staying. Dhrishtadyumna returned to his palace and conveyed in graphic detail every happening at the Brahmins’ residence to his father, King Drupada. By now it was clear that the Brahmins were none other than the Pandavas and the one who had hit the target was Arjuna himself. King Drupada was delighted at this, but he was also concerned about the turn of events after Pandavas had returned to their mother. He did not feel comfortable with the thought of his daughter having to share five brothers as husbands.
In order to deal with the matter, Drupada summoned his royal priest and requested him to visit the Pandavas. He instructed him to invite the Pandavas and Kunti to Panchala. The Royal Priest visited the residence of Pandavas and conveyed the message sent by Drupada, requesting them t
o accompany him back to King Drupada’s palace. The king had arranged a grand feast for them. Drupada welcomed his guests with due honour and took them inside their palace. After treating them with the choicest food available, he expressed his delight about the result of the Svayamvara. But he somehow concealed his discomfort about Panchali being shared by all the brothers as a common wife which was tormenting him from inside.
At about the same time, Maharishi Vyasa arrived at the palace of king Drupada to a great welcome befitting his stature. The king narrated the entire incident and his worry to Maharishi Vyasa and sought his advice in the matter. The Maharishi then took Drupada to a secluded chamber and narrated the following story to him.
Long time back a great Rishi had a very beautiful daughter, who as a consequence of her own karma in a past life could not obtain a husband. With a sorrowful heart she undertook severe penance with the object of gaining a husband. Soon gratified by her severe penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her to give her a boon. The girl in her excitement repeatedly requested the supreme lord for a husband who would be accomplished in everything. Mahadeva replied to her that she shall have five husbands from among the Bharata princes. The maiden became anxious and told Lord Mahadeva that she desired to have only one husband. He replied that since she had made her request five times she would have five husbands in another life. After recounting the story, Maharishi Vyasa informed Drupada that the same girl has been born as his daughter and as such, she was destined to marry the Pandavas. This relieved king Drupada of his anxiety and he made all arrangements to solemnise Panchali’s marriage with each of the Pandavas as per Vedic rites.
Chapter-9
The Game of Dice
While on their way back from Panchala after attending Druapadi’s Svayamvara without success, Duryodhana, Duhshasana and Karna discussed among themselves about the possible identity of the Brahmin who had succeeded in passing the test prescribed for the Svayamvara. In the mean time several other kings who also had failed the test, sent their spies all around to ascertain the real identity of the Brahmin youth. Soon it became obvious that the subject of their search was none other than Arjuna. This news spread like wild fire and reached Hastinapura as well. People also learnt about Draupadi’s polyandrous marriage with all the Pandavas. The news also meant that Kunti and the Pandavas had escaped the fire in Varanavata and survived. In his heart of hearts, Karna was relieved that the plot to kill the Pandavas, in which he had unwillingly participated, had come to nothing. The news also rekindled his desire to settle scores with Arjuna himself and thereby take revenge for the humiliation he had suffered in the tournament.
