Draupadi saw the two young men stood in front of her. She was confused. One is a Brahmin and she knew one should always respect Brahmins. But next to him a person who has a radiant aura around him. He had simple clothes but looked more elegant than the kings with their royal jewels and clothes. The Brahmin Kumar was also very good-looking but Karna was different. In fact, Draupadi never saw such a handsome man in her life before except for Krishna. The Brahmin looked a little agitated as if he was tensed about the competition. But the other man had a calm smile as if he was just waiting for Draupadi's decision. Draupadi thought, 'OH Lord Mahadev, what am I supposed to do?' She was torn between her heart and brain.
Lord Mahadev, 'Putri choose wisely. You did a hard penance for the boon. Don't waste it.'
Draupadi closed her eyes. Then she made up her mind and took the garland and....placed it on Arjuna's neck.
Seeing this Duryadhona was angry. He roared, 'This is injustice. Maharaj Drupad, Karna not only hit the eye of the fish but he also broke this Brahmins arrow. He is better than the Brahmin.'
Then Draupadi became angry at the accusation on her father. She screamed, 'There is no injustice. Even if he won the competition, I am not going to marry a Sutputra. My father's reputation is more important to me. Winning the competition does not make this petty Sutputra eligible to be my husband. How dare he even think of getting my hand in marriage?' Draupadi never insulted anyone in her life but all this mental stress exhausted her and her father's pressure caused this outburst.
All Kauravas were angry as well, but Karna asked them to stop. Then he said in a calm voice, 'There is no injustice. Rajkumari has full right to choose her life partner. Rajkumari, even if I won the completion it is ultimately your decision to whom you will marry. But let me clear one thing. Today a Sutputra showed you that he is no less than a Brahmin or Kshatriya. So please in the future don't think us Suta's weak.'
Saying that he left the place. Draupadi was also felt sad as she did not want to insult him. She wanted to apologize but then her royal ego came in between, 'Why should I apologize? I am Yagnaseni Draupadi and I said what my father taught me. But this man is also weird. He should have fight for me. He should have protested, but he left just like a coward.'
Krishna (in mind), 'Sakhi, he is not a coward, he left because he does not want to create a scene in this auspicious ceremony. He knew that in a marriage the bride's consent is most important. He is a true man who will never force himself on a woman who is not willing. But I am scared for you. Today you failed to recognize the one meant for you. But Mahadev's boon can never be wasted. So let's see what awaits for you.'
Kulguru Garga started the marriage ceremony. King Drupad did Draupadi's kanyadaan. He was sad that his daughter was going to a poor Brahmin's house but he also happy that the Brahmin was a skilled archer. After the ceremony, Arjun took Draupadi to his house. While returning Bheem said to Nakul, 'I am very happy today. My younger brother got the most beautiful woman in the world as his bride and also that Karna was humiliated in front of everyone. Draupadi showed the Sutputra his true place.' Listening to this Yudhishtir said, 'Bheem you should not say that. Karna saved us from Lakshagriha. He is also the true winner. We should not insult anyone like this.'
Nakul, 'But Jyasht, everybody should stay in their limit. I also agree with Bhrata Bheem. I know that Sutputra helped us but that does not mean he is equal to us.'
Then they reached their hut. Sahadev jockingly said, 'Mata look what Bhiksha we got today.'
Kunti absent-mindedly said, 'Whatever you got, divide it among yourself.'
Yudhishtir, 'What, Mata what did you say? Please look at what we got.'
Then Kunti saw Draupadi and she realized her mistake. Then Yudhishtir said, 'No worries Mata, let Arjun marry her. We will all take sannyas as it is your order and it is our Dharma that we cannot disobey you.'Listening to this all other Pandavas were tensed.
In Yamlok Dharmraj was also surprised. He exasperated, 'Putra Yudhishtir, I gave you the boon to be righteous, along with that if I gave you some intelligence then maybe today you can take a right decision.'
Kunti, 'But my son, it is just a slip of tongue. I did not know what you bring and Sahadev how dare you called the Laksmi of my house Bhiksha. She is the jewel of the house. Please Putri don't be sad. I will not allow any adharma with you.'
'But Bua it is her destiny to marry all five of your sons' entered Krishna.
Everyone was happy seeing Krishna. He said, 'Sakhi, it is the result of the boon you received in your previous birth from Lord Mahadev. You asked for a husband who is righteous, strong, courageous, handsome and intelligent. The person whom you choose does not have all the qualities. So now you need to marry all five of them together to fulfill Mahadev's boon. And one more thing. Your husbands are not Brahmins. They are the royalties of Hastinapur.... the sons of late Maharaj Pandu.'
Arjun, 'I don't mind. mata's words are my command. Panchali I request you to marry all my brothers.'
Draupadi was shocked. She never thought that her life would take such a turn. All she wanted a loving husband and a proper married life. She had no problems that her husband was a poor Brahmin. But now she was going to be the wife of five princes.
Draupadi (in mind),'Hey Mahadev, why fate is playing such a game with me. What's my fault? Before taking this decision they did not even ask for my opinion? What am I...just a Bhiksha to them which they can divide among themselves?' But she was also a Khstriya Kanya, so she hardened her heart and said, 'I am ready to marry all five of you.' Little did they knew that Dhrishtadyumna came after them as he had a suspicion that the Brahmins were not actual Brahmins. So he came and was listening to their talks. He was shocked to hear everything.
Kalimpya Palace
Some kings could not accept their defeat so they became angry with Drupad. They thought that Drupad insulted them knowingly. Among them Shishupal, Rukmi, Bhagadutta attacked Drupad. The soldiers of Panchal tried to defend their king. Shikhandini also took out their sword and started fighting. Kauravas already left the swyamvar before the marriage ceremony. Karna was standing outside and he was sad, not because of the defeat as Radhama taught him to always respect a women's decision. But he was rejected based on his caste. He also had no idea that the princess of Kalimpya was so arrogant. Suddenly he heard a commotion from inside. He ran and was shocked to see the scene.
Rukmi was also a great warrior and he had knowledge of some divyastras. He used naagpash to bind Drupad and was going to launch a deadly weapon called 'Vishvaan' to kill him. Seeing that Karna jumped in front of him and his Kavach appeared. He held out his right hand called Surya-Dhanush, his father's bow to appear. Then he used 'Vishnibaran' arrow to nullify the 'Vishban's' effect. Then he launched 'Gadudvaan' to break naagpash. Then Karna launched 'Ashtanaagpash' which was the strongest binding of the world and tied all the kings together. Then he said, 'Don't you have any shame. A woman can marry whoever she liked. It is her right. But here you are fighting like dogs. You called yourselves Kshatriyas. A true Kshatriya always used their strength to protect others, not to act like a coward.'Then he asked king Drupad, 'Maharaj they did wrong against you, so you are the one who is going to decide what to do against them.'
In the meantime Duryadhona also came out and saw everything. He taunted, 'What happened Maharaj Drupad. Taking help from a Sutputra. What happened to your Kshatriya pride now?'
Drupad hung his head in shame. He said, 'I am sorry Karna. Thank you for protecting me and my kingdom. I insulted you and today you helped me.' Karna said, 'Maharaj my father taught me always help others in need. He never distinguishes between any life form. That is why I helped you. But please try to change yourself and come out of this fake pride.'
Drupad did not want any bloodshed so he asked his soldiers to throw the kings out of his kingdom. Then Sage Garga asked Karna, 'Who are you?' Karna replied, 'I am Karna, I am prince Durypdhana's assistant.'
Sage Garga, 'If you don't want to reveal your true self it's okay, but one thing is sure, you are not what you say about yourself.'
Karna just smiled and left. The king Drupad asked, 'Gurudev, why are you asking those questions?'
Sage Garga, 'King if you took off the blindfold of pride from your eyes, you yourself can see. When that man came in front of you, the Kavach that appeared has a symbol of Suryanarayan. In fact, the bow he used is Surya-Dhanush. No human can use it. Only a Dev can.'
Drupad (confused), 'Are you trying to say that Karna is not human?'
Sage Garga, 'I don't know. He appeared like a human but appearance is not all. Maharaj, I have a feeling that your daughter did a mistake.'
'There is a mistake,' Dhrishtadyumna said and told everything to his father. Drupad was enraged. He rushed to Pandava's abode and challenged them. 'How dare you agree to such a heinous act?' I will not let this happen.'
Krishna consoled him and asked him to let Draupadi marry all the Pandavas as it was her destiny. Drupad agreed reluctantly. The marriage ceremony took place. After the ritual, Draupadi asked, 'Sakha, Did I do wrong when I insulted Karna? Should I choose him instead of the Pandavas?'
Krishna, 'Sakhi words are like arrows. Once an arrow released from the bow it will never return. Just like that once you said something it cannot be returned. And don't think about your decision now. You already chose your path. Think about your husbands now as you are bound to them forever.'
Krishna (thinking), 'Sakhi it is the law of nature that every action has a reaction. If you respect someone you will receive respect but if you insult anyone that humiliation will return to you tenfold. Today you insulted my best friend without any reason. In the future, you will understand the pain of humiliation .'
Next-Begining of a love story