(Swayamvara Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those tigers among men--those brothers--the five
Pandavas, set out for Panchala to behold that country and Draupadi and the
festivities (in view of her marriage). And those tigers among men--those
oppressors of all enemies--in going along with their mother, saw on the
way numerous Brahmanas proceeding together. And those Brahmanas who were
all Brahmacharis beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them, "Where are ye
going to? Whence also are ye come?" And Yudhishthira replied unto them,
saying, "Ye bulls among Brahmanas, know ye that we are uterine brothers
proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekachakra."
The Brahmanas then said, "Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in
the country of the Panchalas. A great Swayamvara takes place there, on
which a large sum of money will be spent. We also are proceeding thither.
Let us all go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place (in
Drupada's abode). The illustrious Yajnasena, otherwise called Drupada, had
a daughter risen from the centre of the sacrificial altar. Of eyes like
lotus-petals and of faultless features endued with youth and intelligence,
she is extremely beautiful. And the slender-waisted Draupadi of every
feature perfectly faultless, and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto
that of the blue lotus for two full miles around, is the sister of the
strong-armed Dhrishtadyumna gifted with great prowess--the (would-be)
slayer of Drona--who was born with natural mail and sword and bow and
arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto the second Fire. And that
daughter of Yajnasena will select a husband from among the invited princes.
And we are repairing thither to behold her and the festivities on the
occasion, like unto the festivities of heaven. And to that Swayamvara will
come from various lands kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices
in which the presents to the Brahmanas are large: who are devoted to study,
are holy, illustrious, and of rigid vows; who are young and handsome; and
who are mighty car-warriors and accomplished in arms. Desirous of winning
(the hand of) the maiden those monarchs will all give away much wealth and
kine and food and other articles of enjoyment. And taking all they will
give away and witnessing the Swayamvara, and enjoying the festivities, we
shall go wheresoever we like. And there will also come unto that
Swayamvara, from various countries, actors, and bards singing the
panegyrics of kings, and dancers, and reciters of Puranas, and heralds,
and powerful athletes. And beholding all these sights and taking what will
be given away to illustrious ones, ye will return with us. Ye are all
handsome and like unto the celestials! Beholding you, Krishna may, by
chance, choose some one amongst you superior to the rest. This thy brother
of mighty arms and handsome and endued with beauty also, engaged in
(athletic) encounters, may, by chance, earn great wealth."
"'On hearing these words of the Brahmanas, Yudhishthira replied, "Ye
Brahmanas, we will all go with you to witness that maiden's Swayamvara--
that excellent jubilee."'"