Intro
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/svayamvara
Chapter 2 -
1.
Vaishampayana said,
O’ Janamejaya!
The free-spirited Pandavas felt pulled.
South to Panchala nation under King Drupada’s rein.
2.
On the way they encountered the great souled -
Rishi Dvaipayana - a man free of stain.
3.
After paying respects to that good man who sired Pandu.
The pure souled one gave salute and bade Salud.
4.
The maha-rathas meandered around a forest lake,
walking like an old man on Spring break.
5.
Stricken by fear, they studied Vedas and sang.
When steel nerve-ready Pandu’s sons entered Panchala to hang.
6.
Holding their breath, Pandavas strut the city street.
They cop a squat in a potter's hut to sleep.
7.
Disguised in piety Pandu's sons begged alms from society. Shrouded in dark squalor no man's eyes perceived their mighty arm valor.
8.
Yajnasena had a soft spot for Pandava Kiriti.
Yearned to give Arjuna his daughter Draupadi.
9.
O’ Janamejaya!
Thinking about the third son of Kunti's burnt start,
The Panchala King constructed a contest bow hard as his heart.
10.
In meditation Drupada learnt a turning machine.
A machine that would rotate in the sky with a small opening.
11.
Drupada said,
Whoever can string this bow and hit the target through the machine.
May offer my daughter Panchali a ring.
12.
Vaishampayana said,
Like that King Drupada wished luck to all.
And gave his challenged blessing.
13.
O’ King!
Great-souled Rishis who are active within were in attendance.
Duryodhana and the Kuravas passed the city wall accompanied by Karna the attendant.
14.
Mighty Brahman from many countries filled the crowd.
As the great souled kings assembled, they got loud.
15.
The crowds surged and swelled like an ocean.
They felt urge, impatience and devotion.
16.
The kings and princes arrived through the north-east gate.
The arena was built on an auspicious estate.
17.
The arena was surrounded by palaces and enclosed by a great wall.
Gates, arches were its ornaments and a beautiful canopy shaded all.
18.
Aguru and Sandalwood paste filled the air with scent.
Garlands covered the ground to screaming elephantine trumpets.
19.
White-washed palace walls surrounded the arena,
Like snowcapped mountain peak parapets.
20.
The windows were covered by gold net.
The walls were studded with precious stones and diamond inset.
The stairs were easy to ascend.
The floors were covered with glorious carpet mend.
21.
The scent of Aguru could be detected for a yojana.
Wreaths and garland covered swan white walls over the arena.
22.
The palatial mansions were the kings’ residence.
Each one had 100 doors wide to accommodate crowds and beds with fancy ornament.
23.
There the kings lived in opulence,
boasting of their chances.
24.
There seated in the arena were the mighty good kings.
Lion kings who smelled of Aguru and sounded of ornament clank.
25.
They were protectors of God, country and rank.
Everyone was pious, auspicious or sentry.
26.
The townspeople and country folk took seats on every plank.
All were enthralled to see Krishnaa that heaven sent entry.
27.
The Pandavas sat among the Brahman.
The Panchala King’s prosperity astounded them.
28.
To the delight of Brahman the kings gave donations.
The townspeople enjoyed dancers and acting and oblations.
29.
In this way the revelry continued for 15 days.
Immersed in good dwelling adorned in weighty jewelry, giddy with glee.
30.
On day 16 Draupadi bathed, dressed and made her way.
She carried a golden trophy for display.
31.
Then the Purohita priest of the moon chanted mantras.
He stoked the sacrificial fire and poured ghee by a candelabra.
32.
The Brahman said benedictions to Gods please,
Then demanded the music to cease.
33.
O’ King!
The ritual fire’s flames grew fluorescent.
All sound died and the crowd fell silent.
34.
Dhrishtadyumna stood with Krishnaa and bowed.
Then he spoke loud with a voice like a thunder cloud.
35.
With this bow shoot an arrow through the machine and hit the target.
O’ you assembled kings! On your mark, get set.
36.
Who achieves this feat,
Who is borne in a good lineage with pride,
Will obtain my sister Krishna as his bride.
This will come to be, I do not falsely speak.
37.
Vaishampayana said,
Drupada’s son spoke to his sister softly,
Now know these kings by name and deed.
Notes
[1] Janamejaya is a descendant of the Pandavas through Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son.
[2] Dvaipayana is the Rishi that fathered Pandu and Dhritarashtra. He is the Pandavas grandfather by blood.
[4] Maha - mighty. Ratha - chariot warrior. A maha-ratha is worth 1,000 rathas. An Atiratha is worth the same number of maha-rathas.
[7] Tamas - a spiritual darkness.
[8] Yajnasena is an epithet for King Drupada.
[9] Arjuna is the fourth son of Kunti, with Karna the first. Kunti carried Karna to term in secrecy and abandoned him in a stream. At this time Drupada believes that Arjuna and the other Pandavas were consumed in a house fire while sleeping - some may have suspected the fire was no accident - that they were assassinated by the Kuru kings in attendance led by Duryodhana. A fair reading of Drupada's actions here is intent to rig the contest unfairly against the kings.
[24]
raja-simhan. King Lions, Lions among Kings, Lion Kings