Intro
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/svayamvara
As It Rhymes
1.
Dhrishtadyumna said,
Duryodhana, Duvishaha, Durmukha, Dushpradharshana, Vivignshati, Vikarna, Saha, Dushasana,
2.
Yuyutsu, Vayuvega, Bhima, Vegarava, Ugrayudha, Balaki, Karakayu, Virochana,
3.
Sukundala, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, Kanakadhvaja, Nandaka, Bahushali, Tuhunda, Vikata.
4.
These sons of Dhritarashtra, along with Karna, have come.
5.
Then there are the best of the kshatriyas,
Shakuni, Saubala, Vrishaka, Brihadbala.
6.
So too Gandhara’s sons have come.
The foremost of fighters, Ashvatthama and Bhoja.
7.
The Kings Brihanta, Manimana and Dandadhara,
Heroes adorned with every ornament.
8.
Sahadeva, Jayatsena, Meghasandhi, Virata, with his sons, Sankya and Uttara.
9.
Vardhakshemi, Susharma, Senabindu, Suketu with his two, Sunamana and Suvarcha.
10.
Suchitra, Sukumara, Vrika, Satyadhriti, Suryadhvaja, Rochamana, Nila, Chitrayudha.
11.
Angshumana, Chekitana, mighty Srinimana, Chandrasena, both Subhadrasena.
12.
Jalasandha, Vidanda, Danda, Paundraka, Vasudeva, the mighty Bhagadatta.
13.
Kalinga, Tamralipta, king Pattana, Madra, the maha-ratha Shalya and son.
14.
Rukmangada, Rukmaratha, Somadatta of the Kurus with his three sons.
15.
All great maha-rathas have assembled here.
Bhuri, Bhurishrava, Sala, Sudakshina, Kamboja, the Pauruvava Dridadhnava.
16.
Brihadbala, Sushena, Shibi, Ushinara’s son, Pataccharnihanta, King Karusha.
17.
Sankarshana, Baludeva, Krishna, the son of Rukmini, Samba, Charudeshna, and Gada.
18.
Akrura, Satyaki, great souled Uddhava, Kritavarma, the son of Hridika, Pritha, Vipritha.
19.
Viduratha, Kamka, Shanku, Gaveshna, Ashavaha, Aniruddha, Shamika, Sarimejaya.
20.
Vatapati, Jhilli, Pindaraka, Ushinara.
21.
Bhagiratha, Brihatkshatra, Sindhu’s son, Jayadratha, Brihadratha, Balhika, the maha-ratha Shrutayu.
22.
Uluka, Kaitava, Chitrangada, Subhangada, Vatsaraja, the king of Kosala.
23.
Shishupala, the great Jarasandha, and many more kings of many lands.
24.
Of all the kshatriyas that are celebrated in the land.
Among those who hit the mark you may choose to take your hand.
Notes
[24] Draupadi was expected to choose - Dhrishtadyumna seems to assume that several among these lions among may kings may accomplish the feat. Though technically the woman has the choice, there are many social pressures. One common event at Svayamvara is for a warrior to seize the gal and challenge all comers to a fight. The martial contest as part of Svayamvara may have been a way for the warriors to compete on valor without turning into violence. In many cases there are pre-arrangements regardless, such as Amba and Shalya's doomed love at the hands of Bhishma.
CAST
The Brahman
Vaishampayana - The narrator of the story as told to Janemanjaya - the last surviving ancestor of the Kuru dynasty from Arjuna through Abhimanyu.
The Drupadas
King Drupada - The King of Panchalas. Draupadi is his daughter. Dhrishtadyumna is his Son. AKA Panchala.
Dhrishtadyumna - Drupada’s son.
Draupadi - It is Draupadi’s svayamvara.
AKA Panchali. Yajnaseni.
The Pandavas
Kunti - Mother of the Pandavas.
Yudhishthira. AKA Ajatashatru. Dharmaraja.
Bhimasena AKA Bhima. Vrikodara.
Arjuna AKA Jishnu. Dhananjaya. Kiriti. Partha.
Nakula AKA The Ashvin Twins
Sahadeva AKA The Ashvin Twins
The Kauravas
Duryodhana - The first born of Dhritarashtra’s 100 sons. His name means the unconquerable one.
Dushasana - A first lieutenant among Duryodhana’s siblings.
Karna - Also born to Kunti but raised by a Suta family. His relation as a sibling is unknown among the Pandavas. AKA Radheya. Vaikartana. Suryena. Karna is Arjuna’s chief rival.
Shalya - Uncle to Pandavas Sahadeva and Nakula. Fierce bowmen and one of the strongest in unarmed combat of the Kauravas.
Non-participants
Krishna Vasudeva - The 8th incarnation of Vishnu. Nephew to Kunti. AKA Achyuta.
Balarama - Krishna’s brother. AKA Halayudha