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When the day of the svayaṁvara arrived, the kings were invited into the stadium. They came through the northern gate …

The Pāṇḍavas entered with the Brahmins and took their place in their midst, unnoticed by anyone. They looked around the …

The ceremony had begun. Actors and dancers were entertaining the crowd. Brahmins were performing fire sacrifices. Drupada was distributing charity. …

On the sixteenth day the princess, dressed in robes of shining yellow silk and adorned with brilliant ornaments, entered the …

That host of princes seemed like an agitated ocean as they rose and boasted of their power. Afflicted by the …

The celestial chariots of the gods--led by the guardians of the four quarters of the universe, Yamarāja, Indra, Kuvera and …

When the five Pāṇḍava brothers saw Draupadī’s dark and lovely face, they felt their hearts pierced as if by darts. …

Balarāma carefully observed each of the five brothers. There was no doubt. They were Kuntī’s sons. He turned and smiled …

By now, all the princes were gazing only at Draupadī and her father. None of them noticed the Pāṇḍavas in …

Dṛṣṭadyumna held his sister’s arm and said in a voice that rumbled like thunder, “This princess will be won today …

Dṛṣṭadyumna sat down near his father. Drupada instructed his priest to kindle the sacrificial fire for the svayaṁvara ceremony. The …

With their crowns and golden earrings glinting in the warm sunshine, the kings and princes strode up one by one …

Karṇa’s turn came. Seeing him march toward the bow like a golden mountain entering the arena, the Pāṇḍavas considered that …

Knowing that Karṇa was the son of Adhiratha, leader of the sutas who generally acted as chariot drivers, Draupadī exercised …

Karṇa blushed deeply and laughed in vexation. Glancing at the sun, he turned and strode back to his seat. He …

The powerful king of the Cediś, Śiśupāla, was next. With great effort he bent the bow into a semi-circle, then …

Sneering at the other monarchs’ weakness, Duryodhana strode up. A silence fell upon the assembly as the king of Hastināpura …

Knowing that it was Draupadī’s destiny to marry Arjuna, none of the Yādava kings, including Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, attempted the …

Now all the kings had tried and failed. Draupadī was still holding the bright red garland on its golden dish. …

Not all the Brahmins agreed. Some of the elder Brahmins were doubtful. Fearing that Arjuna would humiliate the Brahmin class …