स हि वेदार्थतत्त्वज्ञस्तेषां गुरुरुदारधीः। वेदविच्चैव वाग्मी च धौम्यः श्रीमान्द्विजोत्तमः
For Dhaumya, wise and noble-minded, was their teacher, knowing the true meaning of the Vedas, eloquent, learned in the Vedas, and a distinguished Brahmin.
तेजसा चैव बुद्ध्या च रूपेण यशसा श्रिया। मन्त्रैश्च विविधैर्धौम्यस्तुल्य आसीद्बृहस्पतेः
In brilliance, intellect, appearance, fame, and prosperity, and in various mantras, Dhaumya was equal to Brihaspati.
स चापि विप्रस्तान्मेने स्वभावाभ्यधिकान्भुवि। तेन धर्मविदा पार्था योज्या सर्वविदा वृताः
And that Brahmin, considering them to surpass others by nature, accepted the Parthas, who were versed in all knowledge and chosen by him, as worthy.
मेनिरे सहिता वीराः प्राप्तं राज्यं च पाण्डवाः। बुद्धिवीर्यबलोत्साहैर्युक्ता देवा इवापरे
The heroic Pandavas, united, believed that the kingdom had been attained, endowed as they were with intelligence, strength, vigor, and enthusiasm, like gods.
कृतस्वस्त्ययनास्तेन ततस्ते मनुजाधिपाः। मेनिरे सहिता गन्तुं पाञ्चाल्यास्तं स्वयंवरम्
Having been blessed by him, those rulers of men, united, considered themselves ready to go to Panchali's self-choice ceremony.
ततस्ते नरशार्दूला भ्रातरः पञ्च पाण्डवाः। तं ब्राह्मणं पुरस्कृत्य पाञ्चाल्याश्च स्वयंवरम्। प्रययुर्द्रौपदीं द्रष्टुं तं च देशं महोत्सवम्
Then those five Pandava brothers, tigers among men, with the Brahmin at their head, set out for Panchali's self-choice, to see Draupadi and that great festival.
ततस्ते तं महात्मानं शुद्धात्मानमकल्मषम्। ददृशुः पाण्डवा वीराः पथि द्वैपायनं तदा
On the way, the heroic Pandavas saw that great-souled, pure-hearted, sinless man—Vyasa.
तस्मै यथावत्सत्कारं कृत्वा तेन च सत्कृताः। कथान्ते चाभ्यनुज्ञाताः प्रययुर्द्रुपदक्षयम्
Having duly honored him, and being honored by him in turn, they, with his permission at the end of their conversation, proceeded to Drupada's abode.
पश्यन्तो रमणीयानि वनानि च सरांसि च। तत्रतत्र वसन्तश्च शनैर्जग्मुर्महराथाः
Observing the beautiful forests and lakes along the way, those mighty chariot-warriors traveled slowly, halting here and there.
स्वाध्यायवन्तः शुचयो मधुराः प्रियवादिनः। आनुपूर्व्येण संप्राप्ताः पाञ्चालान्पाण्डुनन्दनाः
The sons of Pandu, learned in the scriptures, pure, and gentle in speech, arrived among the Panchalas in due order.
ते तु दृष्ट्वा पुरं तच्च स्कन्धावारं च पाण्डवाः। कुम्भकारस्य शालायां निवासं चक्रिरे तदा
Having seen that city and the encampment, the Pandavas then took up residence in a potter’s house.
तत्र भैक्षं समाजह्रुर्ब्राह्मणीं वृत्तिमाश्रिताः। तान्संप्राप्तांस्तथा वीराञ्जज्ञिरे न नराः क्वचित्
There, adopting the livelihood of brahmins, they gathered alms; yet nowhere did people recognize those heroic men who had arrived.
यज्ञसेनस्तु पाञ्चालो भीष्मद्रोमकृतागसम्। ज्ञात्वाऽऽत्मानं तदारेभे त्राणायात्मक्रियां क्षमां
Yajnasena, the king of the Panchalas, knowing himself to be threatened by Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, then undertook measures for his own protection.
अवाप्य धृष्टद्युम्नं हि न स द्रोणमचिन्तयत्। स तु वैरप्रसङ्गाच्च भीष्माद्भयमचिन्तयत्
Having obtained Dhrishtadyumna, he no longer feared Drona; but because of enmity, he did fear Bhishma.
कन्यादानात्तु शरणं सोऽमन्यत महीपतिः।' यज्ञसेनस्य कामस्तु पाण्डवाय किरीटिने
The king considered the giving of his daughter as a means of safety; Yajnasena’s desire was to give her to Arjuna, the son of Pandu.
दास्यामि कृष्मामिति वै न चैनं विवृणोति सः। `जामातृबलसंयोगं मेने हि बलवत्तरम्
He resolved, 'I will give my daughter,' but did not openly declare it; for he deemed the alliance of a powerful son-in-law to be strongest.
सोऽन्वेषमाणः कौन्तेयान्पाञ्चालो जनमेजय। दृढं धनुरथानम्यं कारयामास भारत
Seeking the sons of Kunti, O Janamejaya, the king of the Panchalas had a mighty, unbreakable bow made.
वैयाघ्रपद्यस्योग्रं वै सृञ्जयस्य महीपतिः। तद्धनुः किन्धुरं नाम देवदत्तमुपानयत्
The king of the Srinjayas brought forth that fierce bow, called Kindhura, belonging to Vaiyaghrapadya, given by the gods.
आयसी तस्य च ज्याऽऽसीत्प्रतिबद्धा महाबला। न तु ज्यां प्रसहेदन्यस्तद्धनुःप्रवरं महत्
Its iron bowstring was firmly fastened and of great strength; yet no one else could string that excellent, mighty bow.
शङ्करेण वरं दत्तं प्रीतेन च महात्मना। तन्निष्फलं स्यान्न तु मे इति प्रामाण्यमागतः
That bow, given as a boon by the gracious and great-souled Shiva, must not be rendered fruitless—thus he was convinced.
मया कर्तव्यमधुना दुष्करं लक्ष्यवेधनम्। इति निश्चित्य मनसा कारितं लक्ष्यमुत्तमम्
Now I must set a difficult target to be pierced—so resolved in mind, he had a supreme target prepared.
यन्त्रं वैहायसं चापि कारयामास कृत्रिमम्। तेन यन्त्रेण सहितं राजँल्लक्ष्यं च काञ्चनम्
He also had a mechanical device, crafted of metal, constructed; with that device, O king, a golden target was set up.
इदं सज्यं धनुः कृत्वा सज्जैरेभिश्च सायकैः। अतीत्य लक्ष्य यो वेद्धा स लब्धा मत्सुतामिति
'Whoever, having strung this bow and equipped with these arrows, pierces the target, shall win my daughter,' he proclaimed.
इति स द्रुपदो राजा स्वयंवरमघोषयत्। तच्छ्रुत्वा पार्थिवाः सर्वे समीयुस्तत्र भारत
Thus King Drupada announced the svayamvara; hearing this, all the kings assembled there, O Bharata.
ऋषयश्च महात्मानः स्वयंवरदिदृक्षवः। दुर्योधनपुरोगाश्च सकर्णाः कुरवो नृप
Great sages, eager to witness the svayamvara, and the Kurus led by Duryodhana with Karna, also gathered, O king.
यादवा वासुदेवेन सार्धमन्धकवृष्णयः।' ततोऽर्चिता राजगुणा द्रुपदेन महात्मना
The Yadavas, along with Vasudeva, and the Andhakas and Vrishnis, were then honored by the high-souled Drupada for their royal virtues.
उपोपविष्टा मञ्चेषु द्रष्टुकामाः स्वयंवरम्। `ब्राह्मणाश्च महाभागा देशेभ्यः समुपागमन्
Noble Brahmanas from various regions, desiring to witness the svayamvara, sat upon couches.
ब्राह्मणैरेव सहिताः पाण्डवाः समुपाविशन्। त्रयस्त्रिंशत्सुराः सर्वे विमानैर्व्योम्न्यवस्थिताः
Together with the Brahmanas, the Pandavas also sat down; all thirty-three gods stood in the sky in their celestial chariots.
ततः पौरजनाः सर्वे सागरोद्धूतनिःस्वनाः। शिंशुमारशिरः प्राप्य न्यविशंस्ते स्म पार्थिवाः
Then all the townspeople, their voices roaring like the ocean, and the kings, reaching the place called Simsumara's Head, took their seats.
प्रागुत्तरेण नगराद्भूमिभागे समे शुभे। समाजवाटः शुशुभे भवनैः सर्वतो वृतः
To the northeast of the city, on a level and auspicious ground, the assembly enclosure shone, surrounded on all sides by buildings.