A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1019

c5.1019

While the Pāndavas were living in the forest they heard that Draupada, king of the Pānchālas, had proclaimed a swayam-vara, at which his daughter Draupadī was to select her husband from among the princely and warlike suitors. They went there, still disguised as Brāhmans. Arjuna bent the mighty bow which had defied the strength of the Kauravas and all other competitors, and the Pāndavas were victorious over every opponent. They threw off their disguise, and Draupadī was won by Arjuna. The brothers then conducted Draupadī to their home. On their arrival they told their mother Kuntī that they had made a great acquisition, and she unwittingly directed them to share it among them. The mother's command could not be evaded, and Vyāsa confirmed her direction; so Draupadī became the wife in common of the five brothers, and it was arranged that she should dwell for two days in the house of each of the five brothers in succession. This marriage has been justified by a piece of special pleading, which contends that the five princes were all portions of one deity, and therefore only one distinct person, to whom a woman might lawfully be married.