SECTION CLXLVII

(Vaivahika Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Then the illustrious king of Panchala, addressing prince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfully enquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying, ’Are we to know you as Kshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as celestials who disguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the earth and come hither for the hand of Krishna?  O tell us truly, for we have great doubts!  Shall we not be glad when our doubts have been removed?  O chastiser of enemies, have the fates been propitious unto us?  Tell us the truth willingly!  Truth becometh monarchs better than sacrifices and dedications of tanks.  Therefore, tell us not what is untrue.  O thou of the beauty of a celestial, O chastiser of foes, hearing thy reply I shall make arrangements for my daughter’s wedding according to the order to which ye belong.’

“Hearing these words of Drupada, Yudhishthira answered, saying ’Be not cheerless, O king; let joy fill thy heart!  The desire cherished by thee hath certainly been accomplished.  We are Kshatriyas, O king, and sons of the illustrious Pandu.  Know me to be the eldest of the sons of Kunti and these to be Bhima and Arjuna.  By these, O king, was thy daughter won amid the concourse of monarchs.  The twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Kunti wait where Krishna is.  O bull amongst men, let grief be driven from thy heart, for we are Kshatriyas.  Thy daughter, O monarch, hath like a lotus been transferred only from one lake into another.  O king, thou art our revered superior and chief refuge.  I have told thee the whole truth.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing those words, the king Drupada’s eyes rolled in ecstasy.  And. filled with delight the king could not, for some moments answer Yudhishthira.  Checking his emotion with great effort, that chastiser of foes at last replied unto Yudhishthira in proper words.  The virtuous monarch enquired how the Pandavas had escaped from the town of Varanavata.  The son of Pandu told the monarch every particular in detail of their escape from the burning palace of lac.  Hearing everything that the son of Kunti said, king Drupada censured Dhritarashtra, that ruler of men.  And the monarch gave every assurance unto Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti.  And that foremost of eloquent men then and there vowed to restore Yudhishthira to his paternal throne.

“Then Kunti and Krishna and Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, commanded by the king, to reside there, treated by Yajnasena with due respect.  Then king Drupada with his sons, assured by all that had happened, approaching Yudhishthira, said, ’O thou of mighty arms, let the Kuru prince Arjuna take with due rites, the hand of my daughter on this auspicious day, and let him, therefore, perform the usual initiatory rites of marriage.’