Careful!

Bhima & Salya were engaged in dragging & throwing each other on ground & striking with their fists & knees. Bhima then picked up Salya & threw him some distance. Although Salya wasn’t hurt, all Kshatriyās began to wonder about real identities of Bhima & Arjun seeing their extraordinary prowess. While appreciating power of 2 brahmanās, they lost their inclination to fight

Lord Krsna took this opportunity to request Kshatriyās to stop fighting, pointing out how Draupadi has been fairly won by the brahmana. All agreed & left. There was celebration amongst all brahmanās & with great difficulty Bhima & Arjun departed sacrificial arena. As they pushed their way thro’ crowds, they appeared like the Sun & Moon emerging from the mass of clouds

Meanwhile, Kunti sat at potter’s house imagining that her sons may have been recognized & then killed by sons of Dhrtarāshtra or perhaps devoured by demons. As she remained absorbed in thoughts, sun gradually sank below the horizon. Bhima & Arjun then returned home with Draupadi, surrounded by many brahmanās. Kuntidevi was inside the house & so when her sons announced-We have brought some alms! Out of her habit she said-Make sure whatever you’ve received is enjoyed by all of you

When Pāndavās entered house along with Draupadi, Kunti marveled at what she had unwittingly said. Desiring to act according to codes of religion, she took Draupadi by hand & said to Yudhisthira: When I said that all of you should enjoy the alms you’ve received, I had no idea what implications of my speech would be. Still, I want my words to never prove false, for truth is most exalted religious principle

On the other hand, it is certainly not possible for Draupadi to devote herself to more than one husband. Considering all this, please tell me what should be done so that Pāncāla princess is not touched by sin & at the same time my speech is prevented from being falsified

After pondering over situation, intelligent Yudhisthira replied-Mother! Since Draupadi was won by Arjun, he should be the one that marries her. Arjun immediately objected saying-No! You’re eldest brother & it is proper for you to marry first, then Bhima & then me. As Arjun fell silent, all 5 brothers remained silent too like statues, intently staring at beautiful Draupadi, while she also looked longingly at them

The hearts of 5 brothers had already been pierced by Cupid’s arrows & now as Draupadi was standing before them, they could think of nothing else but her, for she was most beautiful girl in the world. Yudhisthira very well understood his brother’s feelings & at the same time remembered words of Vyāsdev. At last, he said-It is my final opinion that Draupadi should become common wife for all of us

The divine plan plays itself. Draupadi in her past life was an unwed damsel & she performed austerities to Lord Shivā. She was so eager for a husband that she asks not once but 5 times and the Lord blesses us for each of her wish

We should be very careful about our desires. Material desires bind us but spiritual desires elevate. Krsna says

prajahāti yadā kāmān sarvān pārtha mano-gatān
ātmany evātmanā tuṣṭaḥ sthita-prajñas tadocyate

When a man gives up all varieties of desire for sense gratification, which arise from mental concoction, and when his mind, thus purified, finds satisfaction in the self alone, then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness

Thoughts? #gameoflife