Arjuna

by Anuja Chandramouli

  Duryodhana could not bear to see the tremendous achievements of the Pandavas and their increasing popularity. The citizens felt that Yudhishthira should be crowned at once and the eldest Kaurava worried that if this came to pass, he and his brothers would be relegated to the status of poor relatives forever. The thought was so unpalatable that he went back to plotting against the Pandavas with a vengeance. Finally, he hit upon the perfect plan to destroy them. He called Purochana, a henchman of his, and commanded him to construct a wax palace made entirely of inflammable materials, at Varanavata. On its completion, he wheedled his father to command the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti, to go to Varanavata for some much-needed relaxation. Duryodhana then ordered Purochana to set fire to the wax palace at a suitable time and so hoped to send the Pandavas to a horrible death. But sagacious Vidura discovered the evil plot and he not only warned the Pandavas in time but helped them escape.

  After this nerve-wracking ordeal, Yudhishthira said to his brothers, ‘We were lucky to escape but it is only a matter of time before Duryodhana succeeds in dispatching us to Yama’s abode. We must be prudent now. Our uncle, Vidura, has suggested that we lie low for a period till the tide turns in our favour. I am inclined to agree with him. Let us remain hidden and wait out this period of grave adversity in our lives.’ As always, his brothers deferred to his wisdom and decided to disguise themselves as poor Brahmins.

  While the Pandavas were hiding at Ekachakra in a poor Brahmin’s house, they heard about the magnificent swayamvara King Drupada had arranged for his daughter. An itinerant Brahmin filled them in on the details surrounding the birth of the twins. The Pandavas listened spellbound as the Brahmin described Draupadi’s famed beauty to them. Strange longings rose unbidden in their hearts and they all spent a restless night dreaming about the lovely lady, who would soon be linked irrevocably to their destiny. In the morning, Kunti smiled knowingly and casually suggested that they make their way to the swayamvara. The Pandavas responded with alacrity and were soon on their way to the Kingdom of Panchala, where the grand event was to take place.

  En route to the Kingdom of Drupada, the Pandavas noticed that the blistering heat was taking its toll on their mother. They decided to rest in the shade and proceed by night, when it would be cooler.

  They commenced their journey after the sun had set and found themselves on the banks of the river Ganga, where the King of the Gandharvas was frolicking with his wives. He took umbrage at the brothers for disturbing his privacy and interrupting the revelry, saying, ‘The twilight hours belong to the Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Rakshasas. Mere mortals who go about their business under cover of darkness do so at their peril. Therefore be warned.’

  ‘Your words are arrogant as well as presumptuous and unbecoming of a demigod. Mother Ganga offers refuge to all in need, irrespective of the time of day. No one can claim exclusive rights to any of Brahma’s creations – be it light or darkness or the oceans or seas. To do so is foolhardy in the extreme!’ Arjuna responded at once to the challenge and veiled threat.

  ‘I am Angaraparna and this is my realm. While you are on my land, you are obliged to accept my word as law. Do not be a fool and incur my wrath. Leave my land at once before I decide to teach you a lesson in manners!’

  The Pandavas, led by Arjuna, would not be put off by mere threats and stood their ground. Angaraparna was amazed that mere mortals had dared to defy him, whom even the rakshasas treated with fear and respect. He could not forgive this slight and so readied his weapons. Arjuna responded in kind. The fight which followed was brief. Arjuna used his celestial weapons to inflict a crushing defeat on the Gandharva King. Grabbing him by his hair, he dragged him and threw him at Yudhishthira’s feet.

  Angaraparna’s wife, Kumbheenasi, approached Yudhishthira with folded hands and begged him to spare the life of her husband. The eldest Pandava, compassionate as always, ordered Arjuna to release his fallen opponent. The humbled King got to his feet and said, ‘It takes a great man to show mercy to one he has defeated in battle. I am honoured to make your acquaintance, O Arjuna, wielder of celestial weapons. As a token of my esteem, I shall impart to you the secret science of the Gandharvas, known as Chakshushi, which will enable you to perceive all that you wish to see in the three worlds and elevate you to the rank of a celestial entity. In addition, I will give you and your brothers a hundred of our special steeds. They appear at the will of the owner, can change their hues, know no fatigue, and are of unequalled speed.’

  Arjuna was touched at the generosity of the Gandharva but he could not help thinking that his deed did not merit such bounty. He gently turned down the gifts saying that as a mortal he was unworthy of them. But Angaraparna was determined to do him a good turn. Offering to receive the Agneya missile in return, he persuaded Arjuna to accept the horses. The Pandava and the King embraced one another and swore eternal friendship. Before leaving, the King advised the Pandavas to secure the services of a sage who would bless their ventures and protect their acquisitions. Sage Dhoumya was recommended for the job. The Pandavas thanked their new friend for his sound advice before proceeding on their way.

  The five brothers, accompanied by their mother, reached the outskirts of Drupada’s Kingdom and sought hospitality in the humble abode of a potter (kumbhakara). It seemed that every high­born Kshatriya had turned up as the place was teeming with warriors and dignitaries from many Kingdoms, all of them dreamed of winning the hand of the incomparable Draupadi. Sages and Brahmins had also arrived in large numbers as the royals would be anxious to appear in the best light and would be munificent in distributing alms and gifts. The Pandavas walked into the huge, decorated area where the swayamvara was to be held and were lost in the teeming masses. They settled themselves as inconspicuously as possible in a corner with the Brahmins. Krishna, cousin of the Pandavas and incarnation of Lord Vishnu, alone noticed them and drew his brother Balarama’s attention to them.

  Drupada had always wanted to marry off Draupadi to Arjuna. He had been devastated when he heard of the death of the Pandavas at Varanavata. But later, persistent rumours had surfaced suggesting they had escaped. The King took heart from these rumours and deliberately designed a test for the suitors with Arjuna in mind, hoping to draw out the elusive Pandava.

  On the sixteenth day, Draupadi made her appearance, clothed in the finest apparel, bedecked with jewellery and holding a garland in her hands. The vast assemblage gazed at her in speechless wonder and adoration. Many were so smitten with desire for her that they were willing to do anything to possess her. Dhrishtadyumna led his sister to the stage and announced, ‘This is my sister, the Princess Draupadi. My father, King Drupada, will give her hand in marriage to the man who is noble by birth, distinguished in looks, blessed with innumerable skills, and who succeeds in passing the test specially designed for this purpose.’

  The Prince proceeded to give the details of the feat the suitors had to perform: ‘The target is a golden fish that hangs from yonder pole. Beneath it, there is a revolving mechanism with a hole in the centre. And at the bottom of the pole there is a vessel containing water. Contestants for my sister’s hand will have to string the special bow on the dais, and looking into the reflection of the fish in the water, shoot five arrows in rapid succession through the hole in the revolving mechanism and hit the eye of the fish. My sister will be given in marriage to the man who can perform this feat and to none other.’ So saying, he and Draupadi stepped back. The clash of symbols signalled the beginning of the contest.

  It was a daunting task and the assembled Princes shook their heads despondently. But the Princess looked so enchanting they hardened their resolve and prepared to try their hardest to achieve the seemingly impossible task. The greatest warriors went up to the dais one by one but none succeeded in even lifting the great bow. Duryodhana, Shisupula, Yuyutsu, Jayadratha, and Shalya, all tried their hand at the task but failed miserably and returned to their seats in shame.

  When it was Karna’s turn, the audience went still as he
was a famed archer trained by the great Parashurama himself. He picked up the bow, strung it with careless ease and took his aim. At that moment the clear, dulcet voice of the Princess called out, ‘I will never give myself to a suta’. A gasp rippled around the arena. Karna cast a withering glance at the sun, flung down the bow and walked away with his head held high.

  After that phenomenal archer returned to his seat, there were others who tried their luck but nobody even came close to him. The assembled warriors were disgruntled with their pathetic display and began complaining that the task was impossible. ‘At this rate the Princess will remain unmarried and a virgin for the rest of her life!’ they muttered in mutinous tones.

  At this juncture, a noble Brahmin rose and walked up to Dhrishtadyumna and asked: ‘Can a Brahmin try his hand at winning the Princess?’ Dhrishtadyumna replied, ‘It will be as I declared at the outset. My sister will wed the man who distinguished by birth, looks, and skill, succeeds in accomplishing the given task.’

  The congregation watched in amazement as an audacious Brahmin, stepped into the arena to try and beat the Kshatriyas at their own game. The disguised Arjuna picked up the bow, strung it, and proceeded to shoot five arrows straight into the eye of the fish. Thunderous applause broke out and even the celestial deities made their approbation known by showering flowers from above on the hero. Draupadi walked up to Arjuna and shyly placed the garland on his shoulders.

  The other suitors were stunned at the turn of events. Their thwarted desire turned to anger. They made their displeasure clear in strident tones, saying, ‘How dare Drupada give away his daughter to a Brahmin and a nobody at that? Only Kshatriyas are allowed to participate in such events. We must not allow this travesty to happen.’ Assenting cries greeted these words. Others piped in with, ‘We cannot kill the upstart of a Brahmin, but let us slay the King and his son and cast Draupadi into the flames.’ As things started to heat up, Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahadeva slipped out. Arjuna took up his bow and stood defiantly in challenge, shielding Draupadi from the impending attack. Bheema uprooted a tree and stood next to his brother, brandishing the tree as if it were a toy and glaring menacingly at the warriors in front of him.

  The attack commenced and the brothers had no trouble keeping the raging Kings and Princes at bay. Seeing the spirited defence put up by the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas fought to kill, deciding that it was no sin to kill a Brahmin who willingly stepped into battle. Karna took on Arjuna while Bheema fought the others. The arrows flew thick and fast as the warring antagonists strove to conquer one another. Karna was amazed at the skill of the unknown archer and said, ‘Who are you? Your skill is extraordinary. None but Arjuna can withstand me in battle.’

  ‘I am merely a Brahmin who happens to be as good a warrior as Arjuna and infinitely superior to any braggart like yourself!’ Arjuna responded with a smirk.

  Krishna and Balarama intervened at this point, trying to restore order. In the ensuing confusion, Arjuna and Bheema slipped away with Draupadi to join their brothers before they could be unmasked. Unknown to them, Dhrishtadyumna followed quietly at a distance.

  The Pandavas, accompanied by Draupadi, went to the potter’s hut where Kunti awaited them. Anxious to convey their happy tidings to her, they called out excitedly, ‘Mother! Come see what we have brought today!’ Kunti replied absentmindedly from within: ‘Whatever it is, share it equally amongst yourselves.’ The brothers were appalled at her words and could not bring themselves to look at each other. Kunti stepped out of the house and upon seeing Draupadi, was horrified at her careless utterance.

  Once inside the hut, Kunti said, ‘I was under the impression that you had returned with alms. We must be careful not to bring infamy upon the Princess just to obey my unwitting remark. At the same time we should see that no harm befalls us by making my words false. With that in mind, do whatever you think best.’

  ‘You won her fair and square. Marry her and make her yours,’ Yudhishthira told Arjuna.

  ‘Brother, what you suggest is improper and against Aryan norms. How can I marry when I have two elder brothers who are unmarried? Moreover, we can’t just ignore our mother’s words,’ Arjuna replied.

  Yudhishthira reflected briefly on the right thing to do. He noticed the covert glances his brothers threw Draupadi’s way and realized that if they were completely honest with themselves, they all wanted her and would go on wanting her. Her beauty was such that no man could remain impervious to it. If they were not careful, they would one day come to blows over her and any possibility of a rift between his beloved brothers had to be averted at all costs. He reached his decision and said calmly, ‘Draupadi will be the wife of the Pandavas’.

  The brothers and their mother were overjoyed with this decision and felt it was the best thing to do given the circumstances. Just then, Krishna walked in accompanied by Balarama. The Yadava heroes paid their respects to Kunti and enjoyed a happy reunion with their cousins. Krishna derided the Kuru elders for allowing Duryodhana to get away with his evil machinations and expressed his happiness that the Pandava brothers were safe. Wishing them the best for the future, Krishna and Balarama left hurriedly lest they be discovered.

  Dhrishtadyumna observed these events from his hiding place and returned to the palace to report to his father. ‘They are the Pandavas alright’, he said without preamble. ‘There are five of them and I saw a venerable old woman whom they addressed as Mother. She is Kunti without doubt. They don’t talk or behave like poor Brahmins. I could see royalty stamped over their features and conduct and they have the scarred shoulders and arms of true warriors. And there is one more thing... Krishna and Balarama went to visit them.’

  Drupada was ecstatic. ‘So my daughter will be the wife of Arjuna! Now my desires are fulfilled. Everything has gone according to plan.’

  ‘Let the wedding be solemnised first...’ Dhrishtadyumna said, his forehead creased with some unknown apprehension. And with that loaded statement, he left to make preparations for the feast which was to be held in honour of Draupadi’s chosen groom. Drupada, however, was too busy contemplating his revenge and ignored his son’s last statement.

  The next day saw Dhrishtadyumna going to the potter’s hut to personally escort the Pandavas and their mother to the palace. A sumptuous repast had been prepared for them and everyone enjoyed the feast. Drupada watched them and noticed the majestic elegance with which they carried themselves and how they tended to converse about weapons and other topics favoured by the Kshatriyas. The old King became increasingly certain that they were indeed the Pandavas.

  After the feast, he addressed Yudhishthira saying, ‘Shall we now go ahead with arrangements for the wedding of your brother and my daughter in keeping with the Brahminical tradition?’

  ‘We are Kshatriyas. I am Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu. And yonder are my brothers Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva,’ the eldest Pandava said with a smile.

  Drupada was delighted to have his suspicions confirmed and embraced them, promising to treat them as his own sons. He was infuriated with the Kauravas for the shoddy treatment that had been meted out to the Pandavas and assured them that the days of their enemies were numbered. Excitedly he began making plans for the future. ‘Once the wedding between Arjuna and Draupadi takes place, Dhrishtadyumna and I will waste no time in winning back your kingdom for you and sending those Godless Kauravas to the abode of Yama.’

  Yudhishthira coughed delicately and said, ‘We have decided that Draupadi shall be wife to all the Pandavas in keeping with the wishes of my mother.’

  At first Drupada did not comprehend the words. But when he did, his face contorted in sheer consternation. ‘What you are suggesting goes against the scriptures, customs and rules of nature. If my daughter were to marry five men, she would be abhorred by all as a woman of easy virtue. I will never consent to this. It is a sin against the Gods and they will smite us down for even contemplating it.’

  Yudhishthira, however, refused to budge from his stand and Drupada
became increasingly bellicose at what he firmly believed was a moral transgression and an anathema. Things would have become ugly but for the timely appearance of Veda Vyasa. With his yogic vision he had seen all that had happened and arrived to resolve the impending conflict. Drupada spoke first, ‘O wisest of men! Make Yudhishthira see reason. How can one woman cohabit with five men without sullying her honour beyond redemption?’

  ‘Calm down, O King! The practice of a woman taking more than one husband has become uncommon, though it is by no means without precedent. This, however, is a unique case because it has been preordained. In a former life, the virtuous Draupadi could not get a husband because of her karma. She prayed to Shiva for a boon and the three-eyed Lord appeared before her to grant her wish. In her eagerness she repeated her desire for a husband five times and Shiva acquiesced, promising her that she would have five husbands. As you can see, his words have come true,’ the great sage said soothingly.

  ‘If this is the result of Shiva’s words, then no blame will attach to my daughter or me. Let destiny run its course. I shall give orders for the wedding preparations to commence immediately,’ responded Drupada, throwing up his hands in resignation.

  In this manner the Pandavas came to acquire a common wife. The wedding of Draupadi to the Pandavas was celebrated with much pomp and splendour. Drupada presented each of the grooms with a hundred chariots, horses, elephants, and maids. In addition, he gave them robes made of the finest cloth, diamonds the size of Ostrich eggs, gold by the bushel, and more precious stones than they could count. But perhaps most valuable of all the gains for the Pandavas was the powerful political dimension of their matrimonial alliance, as Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna were mighty warriors and were a force to be reckoned with.

  The Pandavas were happy with their common wife. But could one say that Draupadi was happy with her five husbands? In time she she did come to love them well and did her best to be a good wife to them all. It is to her credit that she was largely successful, as there was never any dissent among the brothers on her account. The virtuous Draupadi bore each of the brothers strong sons, dutifully accompanied them to the forest during their exile and endured the subsequent hardships as best as she could. But in the deepest recesses of her heart, she would always nourish a special attachment to the handsome hero clad in deerskin who won her hand after performing a seemingly impossible feat at the swayamvara. She kept these feelings hidden within her, as neither she nor her beloved belonged exclusively to the other. Yet, till her dying breath, Draupadi secretly loved Arjuna more than his brothers.