A History of Sanskrit Literature c13.36

c13.36

‘(Rāma), who gladdened righteousness, was conducted, together with his younger brother, by that best of sages (Viçvāmitra) to the place of the Svayaṁvara, in order that he might be made to win the daughter born of no mortal womb, whom king Janaka was fain to give in wedlock.’ According to the *Mahābhārata* version this runs: ‘The son of Dharma (Yudhiṣṭhira) was conducted, together with his younger brothers, by (order of) that best of sages (Vyāsa) to the place of the Svayaṁvara (Pañcāla), in order that he might be made to win the daughter born of no mortal womb whom her royal father (Drupada) was fain to give in wedlock.’ Sītā was born from the ploughshare, Draupadī from the sacrificial altar.