(Swayamvara Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When all the monarchs had desisted from
stringing that bow, the high-souled Jishnu arose from among the crowd of
Brahmanas seated in that assembly. And beholding Partha possessing the
complexion of Indra's banner, advancing towards the bow, the principal
Brahmanas shaking their deer-skins raised a loud clamour. And while some
were displeased, there were others that were well-pleased. And some there
were, possessed of intelligence and foresight, who addressing one another
said, "Ye Brahmanas, how can a Brahmana stripling unpractised in arms and
weak in strength, string that bow which such celebrated Kshatriyas as
Salya and others endued with might and accomplished in the science and
practice of arms could not? If he doth not achieve success in this untried
task which he hath undertaken from a spirit of boyish unsteadiness, the
entire body of Brahmanas here will be rendered ridiculous in the eyes of
the assembled monarchs. Therefore, forbid this Brahmana that he may not go
to string the bow which he is even now desirous of doing from vanity,
or mere childish daring." Others replied, "We shall not be made
ridiculous, nor shall we incur the disrespect of anybody or the
displeasure of the sovereigns." Some remarked, "This handsome youth is even
like the trunk of a mighty elephant, whose shoulders and arms and thighs
are so well-built, who in patience looks like the Himavat, whose gait is
even like that of the lion, and whose prowess seems to be like that of an
elephant in rut, and who is so resolute, that it is probable that he will
accomplish this feat. He has strength and resolution. If he had none, he
would never go of his own accord. Besides, there is nothing in the three
worlds that Brahmanas of all mortal men cannot accomplish. Abstaining from
all food or living upon air or eating of fruits, persevering in their vows,
and emaciated and weak, Brahmanas are ever strong in their own energy. One
should never disregard a Brahmana whether his acts be right or wrong, by
supposing him incapable of achieving any task that is great or little, or
that is fraught with bliss or woe. Rama the son of Jamadagni defeated in
battle, all the Kshatriyas. Agastya by his Brahma energy drank off the
fathomless ocean. Therefore, say ye, 'Let this youth bend the bow and
string it with ease'" (and many said), "So be it." And the Brahmanas
continued speaking unto one another these and other words. Then Arjuna
approached the bow and stood there like a mountain. And walking round that
bow, and bending his head unto that giver of boons--the lord Isana--and
remembering Krishna also, he took it up. And that bow which Rukma, Sunitha,
Vakra, Radha's son, Duryodhana, Salya, and many other kings accomplished
in the science and practice of arms, could not even with great exertion,
string, Arjuna, the son of Indra, that foremost of all persons endued with
energy and like unto the younger brother of Indra (Vishnu) in might,
strung in the twinkling of an eye. And taking up the five arrows he shot
the mark and caused it to fall down on the ground through the hole in the
machine above which it had been placed. Then there arose a loud uproar in
the firmament, and the amphitheatre also resounded with a loud clamour.
And the gods showered celestial flowers on the head of Partha the slayer
of foes. And thousands of Brahmanas began to wave their upper garments in
joy. And all around, the monarchs who had been unsuccessful, uttered
exclamations of grief and despair. And flowers were rained from the skies
all over the amphitheatre. And the musicians struck up in concert. Bards
and heralds began to chant in sweet tones the praises (of the hero who
accomplished the feat). And beholding Arjuna, Drupada--that slayer of
foes,--was filled with joy. And the monarch desired to assist with his
forces the hero if the occasion arose. And when the uproar was at its
height, Yudhishthira, the foremost of all virtuous men, accompanied by
those first of men the twins, hastily left the amphitheatre for returning
to his temporary home. And Krishna beholding the mark shot and beholding
Partha also like unto Indra himself, who had shot the mark, was filled with
joy, and approached the son of Kunti with a white robe and a garland of
flowers. And Arjuna the accomplisher of inconceivable feats, having won
Draupadi by his success in the amphitheatre, was saluted with reverence by
all the Brahmanas. And he soon after left the lists followed close by her
who thus became his wife.'"