Long ago, Krishna—Draupadi herself—had once prayed, “Let the Blessed Lord not grant me many husbands.” Yet the god, knowing the deepest truths, replied, “So be it, this boon is granted.” For the gods alone understand the highest workings of fate. And if this destiny was decreed by Shankara himself, who can question whether it is right or wrong? There is no fault in me, said the one recounting these events. Let those men for whom it is ordained take Draupadi’s hand as they wish, for Krishna is appointed to them by fate. This is not the way of men in marriage, for these are gods among men, and Draupadi is Lakshmi herself. By the merit of their past deeds and through the grace of the Lord of gods, she has become the wife of the five Pandavas. This union is ordained for them alone; for others, O king, such a marriage is not spoken of in the dharma of mankind. At that time, both Vyasa and King Drupada came to the place where Kunti sat with her sons and Dhrishtadyumna, Drupada’s son. Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa approached Yudhishthira and said, “On this most auspicious day, O son of Pandu, when the moon is in conjunction with Pushya, you should take Krishna’s hand first.” Having thus spoken to Yudhishthira, the sage addressed Bhima and the others as well: “Let the tigers among men, each in turn, take her hand with their own, for I have foreseen all this, O sinless ones.” King Yajñasena, Drupada, together with his son, joyfully approved all the splendid gifts requested for the wedding. He was delighted, as were his relatives, and he summoned his daughter Krishna, adorning her with many jewels. All the king’s friends and counselors assembled, filled with anticipation to witness the marriage, joined by the foremost of the twice-born and the citizens, each according to their rank. The palace shone brilliantly, graced by the presence of distinguished guests. Its vast courtyard was adorned with lotuses and water-lilies, crowded with warriors and heaps of jewels, gleaming like the night sky studded with pure stars. The sons of the Kuru king entered, young and splendid, adorned with earrings, dressed in costly garments and anointed with sandalwood paste. Having performed their ceremonial baths and auspicious rites, they appeared resplendent. With Dhaumya, the family priest shining like fire, and following the proper rituals, the Pandavas entered the assembly in order, like mighty bulls joining a joyful herd. The priest, learned in the Vedas, prepared everything and offered oblations with sacred mantras into the blazing fire. He brought Yudhishthira forward and seated him with Krishna, as prescribed by ritual. With their hands joined, the priest led them around the fire, and Yudhishthira, after satisfying the Brahmins with wealth, cows, and various jewels, performed all the rites as prescribed. In the presence of the sacred fire, the king took the hand of Drupada’s daughter, while Dhaumya, reciting the proper mantras, performed the ceremonies with the sages skilled in fire rituals. Then, from the heavens, flowers rained down and a gentle breeze blew, carrying a delightful fragrance. The royal priest, having obtained permission from the assembly, then addressed Yudhishthira. Gathering all the Brahmins and the king’s friends, the great-souled priest, filled with undiminished spirit, spoke again to the king. He said, “Now let the other sons of the king take the hand of the royal maiden, each in turn, as is proper.” Drupada welcomed the sage and asked him to proceed likewise among the Kurus. With the approval of the priest and the king, the royal sons rejoiced, and in turn, the other princes took the bride’s hand, each as prescribed by custom. Day after day, those mighty chariot-warriors, upholders of the Kuru lineage, appeared in their finest forms. Then the divine sage revealed a wondrous and extraordinary event, beyond human comprehension: that noble lady, slender-waisted, remained a maiden each day, even after each marriage. To the eldest, she was as a wife; to the younger brothers, as a devoted sister-in-law; and among the middle brothers, Panchali maintained threefold relations with each. When the marriage was completed, Drupada bestowed abundant and excellent gifts upon the great chariot-warriors: a hundred chariots adorned with gold, drawn by four horses with golden yokes, a hundred elephants with auspicious marks, a hundred mountain-like gold-crested steeds, and a hundred youthful maidservants adorned with splendid garments, ornaments, and garlands. Separately, he gave again, in the presence of fire, wealth, garments, and ornaments of great value to those of divine appearance, in keeping with his noble nature. Thus, after the marriage was performed, the mighty Pandavas, equal to Indra, rejoiced in the city of the king of the Panchalas, having received abundant wealth and jewels. Now that Drupada had allied himself with the Pandavas, he had no fear—not even from the gods—under any circumstance. The noble ladies of Drupada’s household approached Kunti, calling her name aloud and touching their heads to her feet in reverence. Krishna, Draupadi, clad in fine linen and adorned with auspicious ornaments, paid her respects to her mothers-in-law, standing with joined palms, humble and reverent. Pritha, with affection, spoke words of blessing to her daughter-in-law Draupadi, who was endowed with beauty, auspicious marks, and good conduct: “Just as Shachi is with Indra, Svaha with Agni, Rohini with Soma, and Damayanti with Nala; as Bhadra with Vaishravana, Arundhati with Vasishtha, and Lakshmi with Narayana—so may you be with your husbands. O blessed one, may you bear living and heroic sons, be endowed with much happiness, be fortunate, rich in enjoyments, the wife of those who perform sacrifices, and ever devoted to your husbands. By honoring guests, newcomers, the virtuous, elders, children, and teachers as is proper, may your years always pass well. In the foremost regions, kingdoms, and cities of Kurujangala, may you, devoted to righteousness, anoint your husband as king. When the mighty sons conquer the earth by their valor, may you, at the great Ashvamedha sacrifice, give all to the Brahmanas. Whatever jewels on earth are endowed with virtue and excellence, may you, O blessed one, obtain them and live happily for a hundred autumns. As I now rejoice in you, veiled in linen as a bride, so shall I rejoice again when you, endowed with virtues, have borne sons.” Then Hari sent to the Pandavas, who had taken wives, ornaments of gold adorned with beryl and gems, crowning the joyous occasion with divine gifts.