Draupadi's Five Husbands

"Gatekeeper, I want to meet the king. Go at once and get the king's permission. Go."

"As you command, Prince."

Soon Drishtadyumna was brought inside.

"Come, come, Drishtadumna. Come inside," said King Drupada anxiously. "My Krishna, where has my Krishna gone, son? She has not been dishonored, has she? Tell me, has she become the wife of a man from a noble family? Krishna is my very dear daughter. Speak, speak, son, speak. I want to hear everything from your mouth and be at peace."

Drishtadyumna bowed and answered gently, "Your Majesty, please, please be calm. Krishna is happy. She is among five shining heroes like flames of fire, and one woman bright like the sun. She is serving them with a content heart. But, Your Majesty, from their conduct and manners, none of them seemed like ordinary Brahmins. I have heard that the five Pandavas escaped alive from the house of lac. Now they are said to be moving through different cities in disguise like wandering travelers. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I think your hope has now been fulfilled. Except Arjuna, no one else seems capable of hitting such a difficult target."

Drupada trembled with joy.

"Your Majesty, is that what you are saying, son? Are you saying that my Krishna, my Krishna has become the queen of the Pandavas? Tomorrow morning the royal priest will go to that potter's house. He will ask the identity of that great hero who hit the target. Do you know, son, Pandu, Pandu was my dear friend. If my Krishna becomes the glory of his line, then no one in this world will be happier than I am."

At King Drupada's request, the royal priest of Panchala went to the potter's house. After learning who he was, Yudhishthira ordered Bhima to welcome the priest with respect and offering of water. When proper honor had been given, the priest said, "King Drupada wishes that his Panchali may become the daughter-in-law of his dear friend Pandu. Arjuna should marry her according to dharma."

Yudhishthira reassured the priest and said, "King Drupada truly walks on the path of dharma. That is why the condition he set at his daughter's swayamvara could not be fulfilled by anyone unknown. You may know that the king's wish has been fulfilled. Soon he himself will see everything with his own eyes. O royal priest, please go to the king and tell him these words of mine."

Before long, another message came.

"Elder brother, a royal messenger is waiting at the door and wishes to meet you."

"Very well, bring him inside."

"As you command."

The messenger entered and bowed low. "Please accept my respect. I am the messenger of the King of Panchala. The king wishes to give his daughter in formal marriage, and he also wishes to feed the groom's family on this occasion. Fine food has been prepared at the royal palace. He has sent royal chariots decorated with golden lotus designs to bring you with honor. King Drupada has invited the princess and all the groom's party to come at once to the royal court."

Yudhishthira replied, "Very well, I accept the king's invitation. The royal priest will go first. Following his way, our mother and Panchali will go. Then we five brothers will go together. You, you arrange that, messenger."

"As you command. I will arrange everything exactly as you have said."

When the royal priest returned and gave his report, Drupada became very busy. Arrangements were made in every way to receive the groom's party with honor.

When Kunti, Panchali, and the five Pandavas, still in disguise, arrived at the palace gate, Drishtadyumna himself came forward to welcome them. Kunti went into the inner chambers with Panchali and with Nakula and Sahadeva. Meanwhile, King Drupada honored Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna with fine clothes, food, drink, and excellent seats.

Then the King of Panchala arranged many kinds of gifts for those great heroes. There were farm products, many things fit for games and pleasure, holy fruits, flowers, garlands, hides, cows, ropes, and all such things. There were also very fine armor, chariots, golden ornaments set with jewels, and many kinds of weapons.

But the three brothers ignored the other gifts. They went and stood before the store of weapons.

Seeing this, King Drupada, his ministers, and all the relatives became full of joy. No one doubted any longer that they were Kshatriyas.

Now Drupada wished to give Panchali in marriage before the sacred fire. So he asked Yudhishthira about their family line.

In a calm and steady voice, Yudhishthira said, "Do not be anxious, O King. Your hope has been fulfilled. We are the sons of the noble Pandu. I am Yudhishthira. This great hero with a body like a mountain is Bhima. The one who won Panchali by hitting the target in the swayamvara hall is the third Pandava, Arjuna. Nakula and Sahadeva are in the inner chambers with our mother Kunti. Your fortunate daughter has gone from one Kshatriya family into another Kshatriya family. She has not been dishonored."

Drupada's throat choked with emotion.

"Your Majesty, my, my throat cannot bring out any sound. How could I know that so much happiness, so much joy, was in my fate? What peace I have found today. Today is a very auspicious day. I wish to hold the formal marriage of Arjuna and Krishna today itself. Please give your permission."

But Yudhishthira said words that stunned the king.

"I too must marry her. But you may marry my daughter, or allow some other brother of your choice to marry her. All five of us brothers must marry your daughter, Your Majesty. Our mother has given this command. Whenever we receive some excellent gift, we five brothers accept it together. This is our rule. Your Majesty, it will not be different in the matter of marriage. I am still unmarried. Arjuna has won your daughter. Bhima has a child, it is true, but he has had no marriage according to dharma. Arrange Krishna's rightful marriages with us in order from the eldest to the youngest."

Drupada was troubled at once.

"Your Majesty, is that according to dharma? What are you saying, son of Dharma? This is a great wrong. One man may indeed have many wives, but how can one woman have many husbands? I have never heard such a thing. You are wiser than all of us in matters of dharma. Dharma himself is your father. How can you give such an unrighteous ruling? It is not right for you to do anything against custom and the Vedas."

Yudhishthira answered without fear. "I never commit adharma, Your Majesty. Words of adharma do not rise to my lips, nor do they enter my mind. What our mother has ordered us in this matter is for me the eternal dharma. This dharma is very subtle, Your Majesty. We are ordinary people. How can we understand its course? Therefore, it is our duty to follow the ancients. That is what I do. Everything I am saying to you now is about dharma. Do not be troubled. With a glad heart, arrange your daughter's marriage."

Still Drupada could not decide.

"Forgive me. Even now I cannot make any decision. Whatever you, Devi Kunti, and Drishtadyumna together think is right after reasoning, I will accept that. Drishta, go, son, and respectfully bring Devi Kunti here from the queen's chambers to this hall."

At that very moment a great sage arrived.

"Victory to the King of Panchala. Today is a day of joy. So I am quite surprised to see such a grave mood in this hall today."

"Maharshi Vyasa, my greetings," said Drupada, rising quickly. "Maharshi, I welcome you with all my heart. A great difficulty has arisen here over Panchali's marriage. We look to you alone to remove this difficulty."

Vyasa said, "I know everything, King Drupada. First I want to hear what each of you has to say about this matter. What do you say on this, O King of Panchala?"

Drupada folded his hands. "Maharshi, what goes against custom and the Vedas is, in my view, adharma. No righteous man, ancient or modern, would support one wife having many husbands. So I cannot decide anything in this matter, Maharshi."

"Hm. Drishtadyumna, do you wish to say something?"

Drishtadyumna bowed his head. "Lord, I cannot, cannot find any answer as to how a virtuous elder brother can unite with the younger brother's wife. It is true that dharma is very subtle, but none of us can fully support the matter that Krishna will become the wife of five husbands."

"Child Yudhishthira, now you speak."

Yudhishthira answered, "O best of sages, I never speak falsehood. No adharma ever enters my mind. Therefore, in the matter to which I agree, I cannot in any way think it to be adharma. You know of Jatila, the righteous woman of the Gautama line, Maharshi. She married seven sages. Many more such examples may be found in the ancient tales. The wise have said that whatever command comes from the elders is the chief dharma for human beings. Among elders, the mother is the highest teacher. Since she has commanded it, obeying that command alone is dharma for me."

Vyasa then turned to Kunti. "Blessed Kunti, do you also agree with Yudhishthira's words?"

Kunti said with great distress, "What Dharmaputra Yudhishthira said, I said those words, Maharshi. But at that time I knew nothing. Yet till today my words have never been false. In the end, will these words spoken unknowingly become false, Maharshi? No, no, I am terribly afraid of falsehood. Please, please show me the way to be freed from this fear, Maharshi."

Vyasa spoke kindly to her. "Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, good lady. You will receive the release you seek. Even though this custom is not known in society, you have spoken no wrong. Your dharma is still unbroken, Kunti."

Then Drupada pleaded again, "Maharshi, please solve this difficulty. To whom shall I give Krishna in marriage?"

Vyasa answered, "O King of Panchala, what Yudhishthira has said is indeed the eternal dharma, though except for specially fit persons it is not proper for everyone to follow it. I want to tell you a deep and hidden truth, O King, but not before everyone. You alone shall hear my words."

"So it shall be, Maharshi. Please come to my resting chamber."

"Come, O King. While we remain in this chamber, let no one else come here."

"Certainly, Maharshi. No one else will come here. You may be at ease."

In the private chamber, Vyasa began to speak.

"Listen then. I will tell you an ancient tale. In ancient times, Jama was the priest of a great sacrifice of the gods. Since Jama was engaged in the sacrifice, death was not coming to living beings. Fearing disorder in creation, Indra, with some companions, was going to Brahma at that place of sacrifice.

"On the way, by the side of a river, he saw a wonderful sight. He saw a maiden standing in the water and weeping in a thousand streams, and each stream of her tears was turning into golden lotus leaves. When Indra asked that maiden who she was, that wonderfully beautiful woman led the lord of the gods to the peaks of the Himalayas.

"There, on a perfect seat upon the mountain top, sat a beautiful young man and young woman playing dice. They did not even turn to look at the king of the gods."

Vyasa then repeated the words spoken there, and Drupada listened in wonder.

"King Indra became terribly angry and shouted, 'How dare you! I am Indra, king of the gods, standing before you, and you ignore me!'"

"'O Indra, why are you so proud? Until my game of dice is over, stand there.'"

"'Young fool, you fail to honor Indra, king of the gods... there you will see, you will see with my eyes.'"

"'O maiden, bring that Indra to me by the hand. I will crush his pride.'"

Then came Indra's cry of helplessness:

"'What is this, what is this! Why have I become so weak as soon as that maiden touched my hand? What, what has happened to me? What has happened!'"

Then the young man revealed himself.

"'King Indra, you did not recognize me. Now see my true form.'"

Indra trembled and said, "'Maheshvara, Mahadeva, husband of Uma! Forgive me, forgive me, Lord. Forgive me. I, I have offended you, Lord. Forgive me. Please forgive me.'"

Mahadeva said, "'You must receive punishment for your offense. Come, come, into this cave. See with your own eyes who is here.'"

Indra looked and cried out, "'What is this! Here, here are four, four more Indras sitting here like me!'"

Mahadeva said, "'They too are proud like you. They are suffering the punishment of that pride. You too will stay here. All of you must die and then be born again.'"

Indra bowed and begged, "'Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me. I will do no sinful act again. I bow my head to your command. But, but instead of dying in my own body, I will create a man from my own seed and send him to die. I beg you strongly, please accept this small change, Lord. Accept this small change.'"

Then Mahadeva gave his decree.

"'So be it. These four Indras, and the fifth one born from your body, together five Indras, will take birth on earth as human beings. They will become famous in the world as men of endless strength, good conduct, and righteousness. Through Dharma, Vayu, Indra, and the two Ashwini Kumars you will gain human bodies. That wonderfully beautiful maiden in the form of Lakshmi whom you see there will be the wife of you all. In a former birth this maiden prayed to me five times for a husband full of every virtue. She is blessed by my boon.'"

Vyasa then looked at Drupada and said, "Those five Indras have now been born as the five Pandavas. That maiden in the form of Lakshmi is Krishna, born from the sacrifice. It was decided long ago that your Panchali would become the wife of these five husbands. I now give you divine sight, O King. See with your divine eyes where your daughter and the Pandavas have come from."

By the sage's grace, Drupada saw that divine truth. Overwhelmed, he cried out, "I am overwhelmed, Maharshi. I am overwhelmed. I have seen with my own eyes that divine shining Indra-splendor and Lakshmi herself in her glorious power. Your grace has no equal, Maharshi. My life, my life has become blessed. My family has become blessed."

Vyasa smiled. "You have no more doubt now, O King? Then begin the arrangements for Draupadi's marriage with a joyful heart."

"By your grace I am now free from doubt. I will begin the arrangements for the auspicious ceremony at once."

Hearing the will of Mahadeva, Drupada gladly agreed. Great arrangements began for Draupadi's marriage. Many relatives of the king were invited, and a mighty festival spread through the whole city.

In the marriage pavilion, the sage Dhaumya came and sat in the priest's seat. After bathing and completing the auspicious rites, the five Pandavas came to the wedding hall beautifully dressed and marked with sandal paste.

Mantras were recited. Oblations were offered into the sacred fire.

Then Krishna's holy marriage with Yudhishthira was completed.

After that, one by one, she was married to the other brothers as well.

And I am Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. In this marriage I too had to play a special part. At the end of each marriage, it was I who had to restore Draupadi again to virginity and arrange her remarriage.

When the wedding ended, King Drupada gave countless gifts to the invited guests. As dowry for the Pandavas, the King of Panchala gave many ornaments, costly clothes, countless male and female servants, golden decorations, elephants like mountains, and one hundred fine chariots.

Meanwhile, in the inner chambers of the Panchala palace, the women saw Mother Kunti with their own eyes and were filled with wonder and praise. The chief queen, her companions, and her relatives praised Kunti's greatness and bowed to her, touching her feet. They became eager to serve and honor her.

Then the newly married and modest Draupadi came and touched Kunti's feet. Kunti blessed her daughter-in-law and said, "May you remain the jewel on your husbands' heads, daughter. May you be dear to your five husbands and mother of heroic sons. May your love and faithfulness toward your husbands remain unshaken. O virtuous one, may you live for a hundred years in great happiness, enjoying all the treasures of the earth, child. Be devoted to guests, holy men, Brahmins, and the people, daughter. May you never feel tired in serving the gods and guests."

After gaining the Pandavas as close family, Drupada no longer feared any enemy.

When Krishna and Balarama heard of the marriage, they sent many precious gifts, including pearls, from Dvaraka. Yudhishthira gladly accepted those gifts sent by Krishna.

At Drupada's request, the Pandavas, with their mother and wife, spent quite some time happily in the kingdom of Panchala.

All the kings who had been present at the swayamvara heard that the Pandavas had won Draupadi. They were very glad to know that Purochana's wicked plot had failed to harm them. Many began to condemn Dhritarashtra for the hateful conspiracy. Even the wise Bhishma could not escape their sharp words. People said everywhere, "If Bhishma himself was there, how could Dhritarashtra dare to make such a vile plot?"

Meanwhile, in Hastinapura, the same news reached Vidura. When he heard that the Pandavas had won Draupadi, he was filled with joy and hurried to the royal court of Dhritarashtra.

"Victory to the king."

"The great minister Vidura seems very happy today," said Dhritarashtra. "Is there some special news?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, there is indeed news. By great good fortune, the glory of the Kuru house has increased, O King."

Dhritarashtra, not understanding, exclaimed, "What are you saying, Vidura! What good fortune! Has my Duryodhana then won Draupadi? Ah, go, go, Vidura. Arrange to welcome Draupadi with full honor. Have ornaments made for Panchali such as no one in the three worlds has ever seen. Make arrangements to properly welcome King Drupada. Ah, my joy knows no bounds, Vidura."

Vidura answered carefully, "What news you have heard! Joy is indeed right, Your Majesty. The great hero Arjuna of the Kuru line hit the target in the swayamvara hall, and the marriage of Draupadi with the five Pandavas has been completed. By God's blessing and the good wishes of the elders, the Pandavas have escaped the danger at Varanavata and are now living in great happiness in the kingdom of Panchala, Your Majesty."

Dhritarashtra quickly controlled himself and said, "You have brought very joyful news, Vidura. I am greatly pleased to hear that the Pandavas are safe. The five Pandavas, including Yudhishthira, are as dear to me as the sons of my brother Pandu were. I am deeply pleased to hear that they have gained powerful allies."

Vidura said softly, "May good sense awaken in my evil-minded sons after hearing of this good fortune of the Pandavas."

"May this equal vision remain with you always, Your Majesty," Vidura added.

But the same news, when it reached Duryodhana, pierced his heart like an arrow. It pierced also the hearts of Dushasana, Shakuni, and Karna. Duryodhana already carried the shame of not being able to lift the huge bow in the swayamvara hall, and this news was like pouring ghee into that fire.

He burst out in anger. "Even after all Purochana's efforts, how did the Pandavas stay alive? Then whose dead bodies were those of a woman and five sons in the house of lac? And why did Purochana himself burn to death? He was supposed to set the fire and escape. Whose burned bodies were those?"

Shakuni replied, "There is no use now, now in thinking about those things, Duryodhana. You should rather think about how the Pandavas escaped, who gave them this news, and who arranged the means for their escape. Purochana was supposed to be guarding the main door of the lac house. Then by what way did they come out? That is the greatest mystery, son. Even after searching carefully, I found no other path inside that house."

Duryodhana stared at him. "So you are saying that someone outside is helping the Pandavas? Someone is telling them about our plots?"

Shakuni said coldly, "I do not mean to say it, I am saying it. Otherwise how could they learn such a secret matter?"

Dushasana groaned, "Fate helps the Pandavas, uncle. We have tried so hard, using all human effort, to crush the Pandavas, but till now we have not been able to harm them at all. At that swayamvara in Panchala, Arjuna alone, dressed as a Brahmin, defeated all of us in battle. And all of us together, though such mighty warriors, could do nothing. That fate is a thousand times stronger than human effort, uncle. I curse our human effort."

At once Karna snapped, "Stop, Dushasana, stop. Do not speak such words again. Panchali herself insulted me by calling me the son of a charioteer, so even after I lifted the bow and set the string, I was forced to turn back halfway. What human effort are you insulting?"

Dushasana shot back, "But in open battle, could you defeat Arjuna in the form of a Brahmin, O king of Anga?"

Before their quarrel could grow, Shakuni said sharply, "You all be quiet. You will have plenty of time to quarrel among yourselves. Our enemies, the Pandavas, are no longer alone. They have gained a very powerful ally like Drupada. On top of that, they have the support of the Yadu line of Dvaraka. Have you even once thought how great the strength of the Pandavas now is?"

Duryodhana said, "You are speaking of Dvaraka, uncle? Balarama, bearer of the plough, is very fond of me."

"That may be so, son," Shakuni replied. "But perhaps you forget that Balarama does not control the army and friends of Dvaraka. That skill lies only in Krishna's hands. And Krishna is the greatest ally of the Pandavas. So with Krishna on one side and King Drupada of Panchala on the other, it will be very hard to harm the Pandavas."

Duryodhana's pride rose at once. "Perhaps you forget, uncle, that my name is Duryodhana. Duryodhana has never feared yakshas, rakshasas, gods, or gandharvas. Compared to them, the Pandavas are nothing. Fear is the dharma of the weak, not of Duryodhana."

Shakuni answered, "To understand the strength of enemies beforehand is not called fear, son. It is called caution. What I say is for your good. Do not see the whole world in the mirror of pride, Duryodhana. Before sharpening weapons, one must sharpen the mind."

Karna nodded. "Uncle is right, friend. If we do not know beforehand the strength and plans of the enemy side, it is very hard to defeat them. None of us is afraid, but caution is needed."

From the moment Duryodhana heard that the Pandavas had won Draupadi, his mind grew deeply restless. He could not bear even to look at Dushasana's tired and broken face. Then he heard that Dhritarashtra himself had praised the Pandavas. At once he could no longer hold himself back.

Fearing that Vidura's counsel might turn the king toward the Pandavas, Duryodhana went immediately with Karna to the king's private chamber. Dhritarashtra was alone there in his time of rest, and he was greatly surprised by their sudden entry without permission.

"Who is it? Who has entered this chamber during my time of rest without permission? Who is so bold?"

"Gatekeeper, greetings, father."

"Who, Duryodhana? Come, son, come. What is the reason for such a sudden visit?"

"My greetings, Your Majesty."

"Radheya Karna, come, king of Anga, come. Both friends have come together at such an odd time. Is there some serious problem?"

Karna said, "The problem has not yet become serious, Your Majesty. But if you encourage it, it may surely become a heavy burden."

Dhritarashtra frowned. "O King, what impossible thing are you saying, son? What problem have I encouraged?"

Duryodhana answered at once, "You are helping the growth of the Pandavas' strength, Your Majesty. The Pandavas are our enemies. You are supporting the rise of the enemy. Thinking of the Pandavas, you are becoming careless toward your own duty as king. What kind of judgment is this, O King?"

Dhritarashtra said, "Son Duryodhana, the king before whom you stand is also your father. There can be no question of supporting any enemy instead of thinking of the good of my son, child. Why do you make such an accusation?"

"You praised the Pandavas before the great minister Vidura, Your Majesty. Is that not enough reason for this accusation?"

Dhritarashtra replied, "Child, you still have a little more to learn in statecraft. Vidura stands with the Pandavas. If I did not praise the Pandavas before him, suspicion might arise in his mind. But I do not want that. However, Vidura is not here now. Say without fear whatever you want to say to me about the Pandavas, son."

Duryodhana leaned forward and said, "The Pandavas escaped the house of lac at Varanavata by great fortune. But before their strength grows much more, they must be killed very soon. I have come to you, father, to discuss that. I have a few plans."

"Speak, son. Let me hear your methods."

Duryodhana began, "Father, the Pandavas must not be allowed to live in peace in any way. Wise Brahmins may be used to create division between Kunti and the sons of Madri. Or Bhima may be killed. Bhima is the real strength of the Pandavas. Because Bhima is there, Arjuna thinks little of all of us. Or we may give Drupada much wealth and jewels and arrange matters so that Draupadi will not let the Pandavas return to Hastinapura. Or we may plant anger in Draupadi's heart against her husbands. Or quarrels may arise among the Pandavas because of Draupadi. Of all these plans, whichever seems right to you, that is the one we shall follow."

Dhritarashtra turned to Karna. "Friend Karna, do you have any objection to this?"

Karna answered frankly, "No, friend, I cannot agree with this thinking of yours. You have tried such things many times before. You tried the same even when the Pandavas were mere children. But each time, by the power of fate, they were saved. It is impossible to create division among the Pandavas. King Drupada of Panchala is like a sage. He has no greed for wealth, gifts, or riches. So he cannot be won over. Besides, was it not Arjuna, in the form of a poor Brahmin, whom Krishna gave the great garland? Now that their true identity is known, how can anyone still hate them? No, friend, this will not work. Open Kshatriya battle is the best path. Before King Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna come to stand with the Pandavas along with the Panchala army, war should be declared against them. Remember, friend, even if Drupada can be stopped, Krishna is the hardest of all to stop."

Duryodhana said, "You worry without reason, friend. Krishna is now in Dvaraka. Why should he come to the kingdom of Panchala?"

Karna replied, "You do not truly know Krishna, friend. If even once doubt rises in his mind about Hastinapura, at once he will come and stand beside the Pandavas with the Yadava army. He will not hesitate even a little to give up comfort, wealth, and kingship in order to help the Pandavas. Once Krishna comes and stands with them, the Pandavas will become impossible to defeat in matters of strategy."

Dhritarashtra said, "Your arguments truly sound like those of a wise man, O king of Anga. Your foresight is also worthy of praise. Now tell me, what do you want to do?"

Karna bowed and said, "Your Majesty, before the Pandavas gather even greater strength, launch a surprise attack. Give permission to begin war against them, Your Majesty. If the great army of Hastinapura attacks them suddenly, the Pandavas will not have time to make themselves secure. In open battle we will be able to kill them. We should not delay any longer, Your Majesty."

But Dhritarashtra hesitated. "No, no, I cannot decide on war alone, king of Anga. In this matter it is my duty to consult Bhishma the elder, teacher Dronacharya, Vidura, and others. I will soon call a council. You also be present there."

At the call of King Dhritarashtra, a special council was held. At the center sat the wise Bhishma and Dronacharya. Vidura took the adviser's seat. Dhritarashtra also allowed Karna and Duryodhana to be present in the assembly.

There Dhritarashtra raised the matter of making a surprise attack on the Pandavas. He asked Bhishma for advice.

The moment Bhishma heard the proposal, he understood whose mind stood behind it. In a firm voice he said, "I have no wish at all to wage war against the sons of Pandu. To me, both the Kauravas and the Pandavas are of the same family. Just as Duryodhana thinks this kingdom is his father's property, the Pandavas think the same. Half this kingdom belongs to Duryodhana, and the other half belongs to Yudhishthira. Give the Pandavas their share. This is the dharma of the Kuru house. When I heard that Kunti and the Pandavas were alive by divine grace, the peace I felt cannot be described. After the burning of the lac house, I had no way to show my face in public because of shame. Remember, Duryodhana, for that event the people do not blame Purochana, they blame you. They criticize King Dhritarashtra as well. Therefore, it is not wise to increase the anger of the people."

Dhritarashtra then said, "Teacher Drona, do you also think the same?"

Drona replied, "Your Majesty, I think exactly what the noble Bhishma has said. Send people at once to the kingdom of Panchala to bring back the Pandavas. Your messenger should go there with the message that you and Duryodhana are greatly pleased at this marriage. Then send Dushasana and Vikarna there also to bring the Pandavas back to Hastinapura along with Kunti and Draupadi, Your Majesty. When the Pandavas come here, give them back half of their father's kingdom. And besides, it is true that I once had enmity with Drupada, but if Hastinapura can now gain the support of Panchala and the Yadavas, it will become unconquerable. That is my opinion."

Karna could not keep silent. He said bitterly, "Your Majesty, you heard everything with your own ears, did you not? Please do not take offense. The wise Bhishma and teacher Drona have long received wealth and honor from you, and yet when the time comes, they never say what is truly good for you. What could be more surprising than this? Judge for yourself who is good and who is not, Your Majesty. None of them wishes to keep your throne free of thorns."

Vidura answered sharply, "Karna, why do you go against what such wise and sage-like men are saying? If the advice of the great Bhishma is not followed, the Kuru line will soon be destroyed. King Dhritarashtra will then bear the blame for that terrible disaster. Is that what you want? Such childish rashness does not suit this learned council, Karna. Do not go beyond your limits."

Then Vidura turned to the king and said, "What your well-wishers are saying will bring good to you and to Hastinapura. They all want your good, Your Majesty. You will not be able to defeat the Pandavas by force. Can you alone harm those who are advised by Krishna himself, and aided by Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna, King Drupada of Panchala, and their allies? Think on this yourself, Your Majesty. Do not reject the words of the noble Bhishma and teacher Drona and instead accept the wicked minds of Shakuni, Karna, and Duryodhana, Your Majesty. This will bring harm to Hastinapura. They are unrighteous and without sense. Reject them completely, O King."

Karna flared up. "While living in my kingdom, standing before my father, you what—"

But Dhritarashtra interrupted him at once.

"Vidura, the revered teacher has spoken rightly. They are well-wishers of Hastinapura. Your words too are true, Vidura. By our great good fortune, Purochana's evil aim did not succeed. He himself met his end. By the blessings of our forefathers, the Pandavas have won Draupadi. Truly, both these pieces of news are deeply beneficial to me. The sons of my brother Pandu are equal to my own sons."

Vidura bowed. "Give your command, Your Majesty."

Dhritarashtra said, "Take abundant wealth, jewels, and other gifts, and go yourself as quickly as possible to the land of Panchala. Bring back the five Pandavas, along with Kunti and Draupadi, the Lakshmi of the Kuru line, to Hastinapura with honor."

Duryodhana cried out, "What order have you given, Your Majesty!"

But Dhritarashtra answered firmly, "What I say is right, son. In this lies the good of Hastinapura. I do not wish to make enemies of Panchala and the Yadavas. Try to understand the seriousness of the situation, Duryodhana. Use kingly wisdom. Let no one oppose my decision any more. Today's assembly is ended."

"Victory to the king."