Arjun and his four brothers were staying with a Brahmin
family as Brahmins after escaping from the House of wax built by Duryodhana to
kill them. While they were staying there King Dirubatha had announced the
Swayamvaram ( Selection of bridegroom by
the bride ) of his daughter Draupadi. Many Brahmins visited Panchalam, the
state of Dirupada, for the Swayamvaram to get alms and other benefits and see
the festivities. So the Pandavas also went to the Town to participate in the
Swayamvaram incognito even though it was for only Kshatriyas. They stayed in
the home of a Potter without identifying their whereabouts.
Dirubatha was once a friend of Dronachchariar when they
studied together under the same teacher and got a son and daughter to avenge
his defeat by Dronachchariar. He got his daughter and son by doing Penance to marry her to Arjuna and a
son for defeating and killing Dronachchariar. Dirubatha was worried about the
news of the Pandava’s accident at the House of wax and was happy to learn about
the rumour that they had escaped that fire. So he thought of conducting the
Swayamvaram where his daughter would
select her Husband from a group of kings present there.
The kings who participate in the Swyamvarm had to do a
contest to claim the hand of Draupadi . There was a bow made of steel. The contestant
had to fix an arrow to this bow and then aim at a gold fish which would be
rotating at the top. The arrow had to go through a hole and hit the golden
fish. The contestant should not see the fish directly but through the
reflection on water below the mechanism. So the person who hits the golden fish
could marry Draupadi.
There were many Princes and kings who came to attend the
Swyamvaram and participate in the contest. People also gathered to witness this
great contest. Drishtaththumnan, the son of Dirupatha came along with his
sister and sat in the Swayamvaram hall.
Every one of the Princes and Kings tried to lift and aim the
bow but could not succeed. This include famous and powerful kings such as Duryothana,
Sisubala, Salliyan, Jarasanthan etc. When karna came to contest people thought
he could win but the bow turned and hit him.
At that time a Brahmin youth got up and asked for permission
to contest. Many protested against his participation as the contest was for
only Kshatriyas. Drishtaththumnan told him that anybody from any caste could
contest and if he wins could claim the hand of his sister.
The Brahmin youth, who was Arjun in disguise took the bow,
prayed to Lord Krishna and took the arrow and took aim and shot the Golden fish
which got cut and fell down. Draupadi was all smiles and placed her wreath of
selection on the shoulder of Arjun.
The princes and kings shouted their protest against a
Brahmin winning and claiming the bride but Beem took a huge tree and came and
stood by his brother for his protection if the oppositionwent to attack Arjun
to take revenge.
Finally Beem and Arjun took Draupadi to their hut. Drishtaththumnan
just followed them to see who really they were. When Arjun and Beem reached
their hut Arjun told Kunti, his mother that he brought a beautiful Mango for
her. Kunti told him as “You were all brothers and for your safety and unity you should share the
mango among yourself.” Even though it was against convention, they accepted her
verdict and agreed to follow her command. Hearing all this by hiding Drishtaththumnan
went back and told his father about this incident and told him that he
suspected that the groom should be Arjun and the others the four Pandava brothers. Dirupada was happy to know
about Arjun becoming his son-in-law and he could avenge his insult with
Dronachchariar. So Dirupada sent his ministers and brought the Pandavas to his
palace and was assured of them being Pandavas which made him glad even though
the idea of five people marrying one girl repelled him. But Yudhistra told him
that to have them united and against split up it was essential they share a
common wife.
The Pandavas lived happily there for some years till they
went back.
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