After Arjuna had won the hand of Draupadi, he spoke to his brothers, saying, “After me, Nakula shall follow, and then Sahadeva the swift. O king, Bhima, I, and the twins—this maiden should be assigned to all of us.” He urged them to consider what was righteous and honorable in this situation, and to decide what would be best for the king of the Panchalas, since they all stood under his authority. Hearing Arjuna’s words, filled with devotion and affection, the sons of Pandu fixed their gaze upon Panchali. Krishna, illustrious among women, looked at them all, and as they glanced at one another, they held her in their hearts as they sat. Draupadi’s radiant presence stirred desire in the hearts of those men of immeasurable energy, agitating their senses. The Creator himself had fashioned Panchali’s beauty to be desirable, surpassing all others and enchanting every living being. Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, who understood the feelings and thoughts of his brothers, remembered the words of Dvaipayana. Fearing discord, he spoke to his brothers together: “Draupadi, the auspicious one, shall be the wife of us all.” Then, pondering the events, Yudhishthira asked, “Even though Keśava is capable, he did not string the bow—why was this? And though the target was struck, for what reason was it not claimed? Tell me this, O best among men.” It was explained that Keśava, though able, did not string the bow because he wished to know about the Pārthas; from the widespread rumor in the world, he was certain that the Pārthas were alive. Observing the other kings, who failed at the svayaṃvara with the excellent bow, Keśava saw that only Dhanañjaya could string it. Thus, Vāsudeva himself, reflecting and wishing to ascertain the Pārthas by various means, did not attempt the bow, for the Pārthas were dearest to him. Having considered the words of their eldest brother, all the sons of Pandu, with their minds fixed on that purpose, stood firm, undepressed in spirit. Meanwhile, the foremost among the Vrishnis, together with the son of Rohini, anticipating the Kuru heroes, went to the workshop of Bhārgava, where those distinguished men were seated. There, Keśava, along with the son of Rohini, saw the broad and long-armed Ajātaśatru seated, surrounded by those men who shone like fire. Vāsudeva approached Yudhishthira, the foremost among those who uphold dharma, pressed the feet of the king descended from Ajāmīḍha, and said, “I am Krishna.” Likewise, the son of Rohini did the same, and the delighted Kurus welcomed them. The chief among the Yadus, the cousins, also embraced the feet of the foremost Bhārata. Ajātaśatru, seeing Krishna in good health, asked him, “How is it, Vāsudeva, that we, living here in concealment, have been recognized by all?” Vāsudeva replied with a smile, “Even when hidden, O king, fire is always known. Who else among men could accomplish such a feat, surpassing the Pandavas? By fortune, all you Pandavas, conquerors of enemies, have escaped the terrible fire. By fortune, the wicked son of Dhritarashtra, along with his ministers, did not achieve his desire. May good fortune be yours; hidden in the cave, grow strong like fire fed with fuel. Let not any kings know of you; for now, let us go to the camp.” Thus, permitted by the Pandava of unfading glory, he departed swiftly with Baladeva. Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of the Panchala king, followed the two sons of Kuru as they went to Bhārgava’s residence. Recognizing them and observing the men all around, he concealed himself in Bhārgava’s residence, waiting for the right moment. In the evening, Bhima, the crusher of foes, and the mighty twins, after seeking alms, reported to Yudhishthira, their spirits undiminished. Then Kunti, at the proper time, spoke kindly to the daughter of Drupada: “Take the first portion, dear, and offer it to the Brahmin; give alms to him. Give food to those who desire it, to all the people gathered around. Then, quickly divide the remainder, half for the four of us and half for myself. Give half to Bhima, dear one, who is like a bull among men; fair, youthful, and well-built—this hero is always of great appetite.” The princess, delighted and without suspicion at these words, did exactly as she was told, and all of them ate that food. Sahadeva, son of Madri and devoted to austerity, made a bed of kusa grass on the ground; then all the heroes spread their own deer skins and slept upon the earth. With their heads toward the direction beloved of Agastya, the best of the Kurus lay down; Kunti was in front of them, and Krishna (Draupadi) was at their feet. She lay on the ground with the sons of Pandu, using their feet as her pillow on the kusa grass; she felt no sorrow, not even in her mind, nor did she look down upon those foremost of Kurus. There, those heroes began to tell wondrous tales—stories of battles, of celestial weapons, chariots, elephants, swords, maces, and axes. As those stories were being recounted, the son of the Panchala king heard them, and saw Krishna (Draupadi) sitting there; all the people also saw them. Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the prince, heard all that had happened to them that night, and quickly went to report everything in full to King Drupada. The king of the Panchalas, anxious and unable to recognize the Pandavas, questioned the great-souled Dhṛṣṭadyumna: “Where has Krishna gone, and by whom has she been taken? Surely she has not been taken by a Shudra, or a low-born man, or a Vaishya who pays taxes? Surely her foot has not stepped in mud, nor has her garland fallen in a cremation ground? Surely he is a man of the highest class, even if his appearance is extraordinary? Surely my daughter’s foot has not touched my head today because of Krishna’s embrace, my son? Surely I will not have to perform severe penance, fully convinced, for uniting my daughter with Partha, the best of men? Tell me truly, O great one, who is the victor who has won my daughter today? Are the sons of Vichitravirya, the mighty Kurus, still alive? Was the target today struck down by the younger Partha, bow in hand?” Thus addressed, the prince Dhṛṣṭadyumna, chief of the Somakas, joyfully told his father all that had happened and how Krishna had been taken.