Mahbharat: Pandavas, the Obedient Sons

Amongst the Kings having more than one wife was quite popular in those days. But the instances of a women having more than one husband are rare. We all know that Draupadi, was the wife of five Pandavas. How she became the wife of five. There is story behind it.

King Drupad of Panchal arranged a contest for the marriage of his daughter Draupadi. He had hung a fish on a revolving stand over a small pond and the wooer princes were asked to aim at the eye of the fish looking at the reflection in the pond. No king could succeed. Duryodhana, the prince from Hastinapur also failed to aim at the eye of the fish. Arjuna who was attired as an ordinary peasant and was in the hiding after the tragedy of Laksha palace, also came forward and sought permission for showing his archery skill. And to everyone’s surprise, he correctly aimed at the eye of the bird. So Draupadi became his wife.

The Pandava brothers then returned to their cottage, where they were staying. Their mother Kunti was there. The Pandavas happily announce, ‘Mother see what we have got today.’ Without looking at them, Kunti said, My sons, whatever you have brought, just share it. The sons were so obedient, that except looking at each other’s face, they could say nothing. And thus Draupadi became the wife of five Pandavas.