स्वयंवर पर्व — पाण्डवहरूको प्रस्थान

Vaishampayana said : Then those best men, the five Pandava brothers, set out out to see Draupadi, the (Panchala) country and the festivities (of Svaimvara.)

Those best of men, those chastisers of foes, saw with their mother many Brahmanas on their way going together (towards Panchala).

O king, those Brahmacharis, those Brahmanas, asked the Pandavas, “Where are you going? Whence have you come?

Yudhishthira said : O best of the twice born, know, Sirs, that we are five brothers travelling with our mother. We are now coming from Ekachakra.

The Brahmanas said: Go even this very day to the house of the Panchala Drupada. There will be held a great Svaimvara, in which a large sum of money will be spent. with eyes

We are going there; let us go together. Extraordinary festivities will take place there.

The daughter of the illustrious Yajnasena Drupada was born from the sacrificial altar, like lotus leaves,

With features faultless and with beauty, youth and intelligence; she is the sister of the powerful Dhrishtadyuman, the (would be) slayer of Drona,

Who rose as a mighty-armed hero with natural armour, sword, bow and arrows from the blazing fire, himself looking like a second fire.

His sister is the slender wasted and faultless featured Draupadi, whose body emits the Perfume of lotus over full two miles around.

That daughter of Yajnasena will select a husband in a Svaimvara. We are going there to see her and witness the great celestials-like festivities.

The kings and princes who are performers of sacrifices in which Dakshina is large, who are devoted to study, who are pure, who are high-souled and vow-observing,

Who are young and handsome, who are great car warriors and accomplished in arms, will all be present there from various countries.

Being desirous of victory (to be successful in obtaining Draupadi)those kings, will all give away much wealth, kine, food and other articles of enjoyments.

Taking all that they will give, seeing the Svaimvara and enjoying the festivities, we shall then go wherever we like.

There will come in that Svaimvara) from many countries, the singers of king's penegeries, the dancers, the reciters of Puranas, the heralds and the powerful athletes.

O high-souled men seeing all these wonderful sights and taking what will be given away, you will also return with us.

You are handsome, you look all like the celestials: it may be that seeing you, Krishna may chose some one amongst you, superior to the rest, ( as her husband),

Your this brother is handsome and is endued with beauty; he is also mighty-armed; engaged in (athletic) encounters,) he may by chance earn great wealth.

Yudhishthira said: We shall all go with you to see that great festivity, that Svaimvara of (the Panchala) maiden.