Intro
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/svayamvara
As It Rhymes
1.
They pose ready to strike like a coiled snake.
As one the kings arose to shake and bake.
2.
The great men had advantages in form, family and stake.
They were intoxicated by wealth, valor and wedding cake.
3.
The proud kings blaze.
Acting like mad mountain elephants in rutted haze.
4-5.
A cry arose up and down each royal line.
"Draupadi is mine!"
6.
The kshatriyas assembled in that arena were mad in their quest to win.
Imagining themselves demi-gods set to wed a queen of the mountain.
7.
Cupid's arrows penetrated and possessed the kings.
Together they descended into the arena feeling hatred for kith and kin.
8-9.
The fever for battle became so pregnant with intent lethal -
that the Gods came down to watch by way of celestial vehicle.
Rudra with the Adityas, the Vasus too, the Ashvins, the Sadhyas and Maruts, Kubera and Yama in front.
The Daityas, Suparna, the Nagas, DevaRishi, Guhyukas, the Charanas, Vasvasu, Narada, Parvata, the Chief Gandharva to play tunes and an Apsara dance troop led by Rambha and Urvashi.
10.
Balarama and Krishna were there to see.
The chiefs of the Vrishni, Andhaka and Yadavas in their company.
11.
Krishna spotted the five Pandavas.
Like ashes from the grave they were an epiphany.
12.
Krishna nudged Balarama,
That is Yudhishthira. That is Bhima with Jishnu. There are the twins.
One by one Balarama saw them and grins.
13.
The rest of the kings, king's sons and king's grandsons had their eyes on Krishnaa.
Their minds and bodies intoxicated by lust they gaze.
14.
Cupid's arrows also marked the five Pandava troopers.
They too swooned in stupors.
15-16.
Meanwhile the Gods were keen to see an epic arena fight over who gets to be groom.
The band started up to showers of flower perfume.
The bass drumbeat kicked in with the vina to swing.
The celestial rishi, gandharvas, Suparna, nagas, asuras, siddhas began to sing.
17-18.
Karna, Duryodhana, Shalva, Shalya, Drona's son (Ashvathama), Kratha, Sunitha, Vakra, the king of Kalinga and Vanga, Pandya, Paundra, the ruler of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas (Greeks), and many other sons and grandson princes of the kings.
They narrowed their eyes and blazed valor.
19.
Their mighty arms wore ornament bling.
Out of their minds with male energy and power.
They stepped up to conquer, attain and win by way of bow string.
20-22.
Drupada's bow shook these men of Indra like a leaf from a tree in a fall wind.
Try as they might not a one could make that stiff bow bend.
With knees bent and haunches tight,
Their lips turn shades of blue and red.
The bow would recoil and toss them to the ground in exhaustion.
Crowns and garlands and ornaments loosened by exertion.
Laughter rained down at the pathetic sight.
The ashen warriors stood in a bewildered ring.
Lost they became disassociated from dharma and quit the fight.
23.
At last Karna's turn came to try.
Surya's son raised the bow up and strung it in the blink of an eye.
24.
Seeing the Suta take aim at the target,
The sons of Pandu considered the game over match set.
25.
Seeing him Draupadi yelled, "Not him! I will not take a Suta to my bed."
Her sharp words sliced Karna's resolve like a bow string.
Karna tossed the weapon with a laugh, but he stung.
Vaikartana faded like a full moon in the sun.
26-27.
For a king, to quit a martial task is an improper act.
So next the Chedi King took his turn to attack.
But Shishupala fell to his knees on the ground.
Drupada's bow made the son of Damaghosha kneel down.
28-29.
There stood Jarasandha, a king fused from two sides.
So too the bow took the freak strong king for two rides.
First he came crashing down like a mountain slide.
Then that king rode to his kingdom without a bride.
30-31.
Shalya took his turn but he too was made by the bow to bow down.
At last when every king had been made to wear a ridiculous frown.
Each king played for the crowds to clown.
Dressed as a priest, Jishnu gave a shout to try out.
Notes
[0] Image - demonstration of how to string a bow. By sitting on the center of the bow to push it down, the warrior pulls the ends of the bow while sitting on the center of the bow to recurve and string the weapon.
[1] Kundalini - the energy at the base of the spine, like a coiled snake.
[8] Vimana is the celestial vehicle.
[9] Rudras are a form of Shiva. Maruts are also a form. Kubera is the God of treasure and the lord of Yakshas (distinct from wealth.) Yama is the first man and the God of Death. The rest of the cast are divine characters of various stripes. See 23 below on the daityas and asuras.
[10] Krishna Vasudeva is not to be confused with Krishnaa Draupadi. Krishna is a nickname meaning dark skinned. Both characters have the same name. The feminine form draws out the last a to a long double aa to distinguish.
[12, 31] Jishnu is Arjuna's name. Arjuna means white, because Arjuna is light skinned. Arjuna and Krishna when paired are light and dark.
The twins are Sahadeva and Nakula. Though twins, the two Ashvin Gods are said to be their fathers. The Ashvins are horse headed Gods are the physicians of the Gods. Their mother is Madri.
[15] Dundubhi drum
[16] Gandharvas are celestial musicians. Apsaras are divine female entertainers. Asuras are demons (see 23). Nagas are serpents. Suparna is another name for Garuda. Garuda is the lord of birds. Garuda perches on Vishnu's staff.
[23] Surya's son is Karna. Karna's mother is Kunti. Kunti is also the mother of Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna. Surya is the sun god and one of the Adityas. Surya's brothers include Indra, Varuna and Vishnu. The Adityas are also all a form of Surya. The Adityas are fathered by Kashyapa. The Adityas mother is Aditi. Aditi is Daksha's daughter. Another of Daksha's daughters Danu is the mother of the danavas, or and Diti to the asuras. Danavas and asuras are demons.
[25] A suta is a charioteer. Karna was adopted and raised by a charioteer. Vaikartana is another name for Karna.