Kunti and the Pandavas in their disguise reached Panchala and stayed with a potter. After much deliberation King Drupada of Panchal organised swayamvara for his daughter Draupadi. In a beautifully decorated marriage hall, a huge bow was kept. Each of the suitors had to string it and shoot an arrow at the fish’s eye above, looking at the reflection of the revolving fish in water below. Whoever was successful, would win Drupadi’s hand in marriage.
There were princes from many kingdoms, including the Kauravas, Karna, Shishupala, Jarasandha and many others. On the request of King Drupada Shri Krishna, grandson of King Shura of the Yadu dynasty and son of Vasudeva, was also present there. The Pandavas were also aware of the swayamvara, so they too reached there in the guise of the Brahmins. Dhrishtadyumna escorted his sister. One by one all the kings and the princes tried their luck.
Many princes tried, but most of them were unable to even string the bow. Then Arjuna in the guise of a Brahmin rose. He strung the bow easily and shot five arrows one after another at the target. Draupadi garlanded the successful suitor.
The kings and the princes felt humiliated when the bow was strung by a Brahmin. They tried to spoil the swayamvara out of spite. But they were no match for Bhima and Arjuna. The people present there praised them. Thereafter with Draupadi they reached the potter’s house.
Mother Kunti was worshipping at that time. Arjuna called out to mother saying, “Mother, just see what we have brought today.” Without looking at her son Kunti commanded him to share it equally among them. A spy from Panchal following the Pandavas reached the potter’s house. He soon returned to tell King Drupada that they were the Pandavas living with their mother Kunti. Learning about this King Durapad felt delighted. He sent for Kunti and her five sons. Shree Krishna felt overjoyed after meeting his aunt and cousins. With the blessing of Kunti all the five Pandavas got married to Draupadi. On the one hand, King Drupad was happy to have found such brave warriors as his sons-in-law. On the other hand, he felt worried about his daughter who married five men. King Drupad discussed the problem with the enlightened sage who told the king about Draupadi’s previous birth and the boon granted to her by Lord Shiva. Thereafter, he told the king that several tribes living high on mountains carried on the tradition by which a single woman could marry five men. Only then was King Drupad satisfied.
