Maha-bharata Part 4

Stainless and intent on _sastra_, fair in speech and pure in heart, Travelling slow they reached Panchala, saw its s.p.a.cious town and mart,

Saw the fort, bazaar and city, saw the spire and shining dome, In a potter's distant cottage made their humble unknown home,

And disguised as pious Brahmans sons of Pandu begged their food, People knew not Kuru's princes in that dwelling poor and rude.

II

The Wedding a.s.sembly

To the helmed son of Pandu, Arjun pride of Kuru's race, Drupad longed to give his daughter peerless in her maiden grace,

And of ma.s.sive wood unbending, Drupad made a stubborn bow, Saving Arjun prince or chieftain might not bend the weapon low,

And he made a whirling discus, hung it 'neath the open sky, And beyond the whirling discus placed a target far and high,

"Whose strings this bow," said Drupad, "hits the target in his pride Through the high and circling discus, wins Panchala's princely bride!"

And they spake the monarch's mandate in the kingdoms near and far, And from every town and country princes came and chiefs of war,

Came the pure and saintly _rishis_ for to bless the holy rite, Came the Kurus with brave Karna in their pride and matchless might,

Brahmans came from distant regions with their sacred learning blest, Drupad with a royal welcome greeted every honoured guest.

Now the festal day approacheth! Gathering men with ocean's voice, Filled the wide and circling stages to behold the maiden's choice,

Royal guests and princely suitors came in pomp of wealth and pride, Car-borne chiefs and mailed warriors came to win the beauteous bride!

North-east of the festive city they enclosed a level ground, Many a dome and stately palace cunning builders built around,

And by moat and wall surrounded, pierced by gate and arched door, By a canopy of splendour was the red field covered o'er!

Now the festive trumpets sounded and the censer fragrance lent, Sprinkled _chandan_ spread its coolness, wreaths were hung of sweetest scent,

All around were swan-white mansions, lofty domes and turrets high, Like the peaks of white Kailasa cleaving through the azure sky!

Sparkling gems the chambers lighted, golden nets the windows laced, s.p.a.cious stairs so wide and lofty were with beauteous carpets graced,

Rich festoons and graceful garlands gently waved like streamers gay, And the swan-like silver mansions glinted in the light of day,

Gates below were thronged with people, far above the chambers lay, With their lofty gilded turrets like the peaks of Himalay!

In these halls in pride and splendour dwelt each rich and royal guest, Fired by mutual emulation, and in costly jewels drest,

Decked and perfumed sat these rulers, mighty-armed, rich in fame, Lion-monarchs, n.o.ble-destined, chiefs of pure and spotless name,

Pious to the mighty BRAHMA, and their subjects' hope and stay, Loved of all for n.o.ble actions, kind and virtuous in their sway.

Now the festal day approacheth! like the heaving of the main, Surge the ranks of gathered nations o'er the wide and s.p.a.cious plain,

Pandu's sons in guise of Brahmans mix with Brahmans versed in lore, Mark proud Drupad's wealth and splendour, gazing, wondering evermore,

Dancers charm the gathered people, singers sing and actors play, Fifteen days of festive splendour greet the concourse rich and gay.

III

The Bride

Sound the drum and voice the _sankha!_ Brightly dawns the bridal day, Fresh from morning's pure ablutions comes the bride in garments gay!

And her golden bridal garland carries on her graceful arm, Softly, sweetly, steps Draupadi, queen of every winning charm!

Then a Brahman versed in _mantra_, ancient priest of lunar race, Lights the Fire, with pious offerings seeks its blessings and its grace,

Whispered words of benediction saints and holy men repeat, Conch and trumpet's voice is silent, hushed the lofty war-drum's beat,

And there reigns a solemn silence, and in stately pomp and pride, Drupad's son leads forth his sister, fair Panchala's beauteous bride!

In his loud and lofty accents like the distant thunder's sound, Drupad's son his father's wishes thus proclaims to all around:

_"Mark this bow, a.s.sembled monarchs, and the target hung an high, Through yon whirling pierced discus let five glist'ning arrows fly!_

_Whoso born of n.o.ble lineage, hits the far suspended aim, Let him stand and as his guerdon Drupad's beauteous maiden claim!"_

Then he turns unto Draupadi, tells each prince and suitor's name, Tells his race and lofty lineage, and his warlike deeds of fame.

IV

The Suitors

"Brave Duryodhan and his brothers, princes of the Kuruland, Karna proud and peerless archer, sister! seek thy n.o.ble hand,

And Gandhara's warlike princes, Bhoja's monarch true and bold, And the son of mighty Drona, all bedecked in gems and gold!

King and prince from Matsya kingdom grace this n.o.ble wedding-feast, Monarchs from more distant regions north and south and west and east,

Tamralipta and Kalinga on the eastern ocean wave, Pattan's port whose hardy children western ocean's dangers brave!

From the distant land of Madra car-borne monarch Salya came, And from Dwarka's sea-girt regions Valadeva known to fame,

Valadeva and his brother Krishna sprung from Yadu's race, Of the Vrishni clan descended, soul of truth and righteous grace!

This is mighty Jayadratha come from Sindhu's sounding sh.o.r.e, Famed for warlike feats of valour, famed alike for sacred lore,

This is fair Kosala's monarch whose bright deeds our heralds sing, From the st.u.r.dy soil of Chedi, Sisupala peerless king,

This is mighty Jarasandha, come from far Magadha's land, These are other princely suitors, sister! eager for thy hand!

All the wide earth's warlike rulers seek to shoot the distant aim, Princess, whoso hits the target, choose as thine that prince of fame!"