This episode of Mahabharata begins with Kunti and the Pandavas inviting a group of traveling Brahmins to dine with them, although one of them suspects that she has spent time among Kshatriya warriors and picked up some of their mannerisms. The Brahmins then ask the Pandavas if they are going to Kampilya, the capital of Panchaal kingdom to attend the swayamvar of Drupad’s daughter. When Arjun expresses surprise at how young Drupad seems to be marrying off his new daughter, the Brahmins tell him that she is one very unique young woman.
The Brahmins recount Dronacharya’s tiff with Drupad and his co-opting the Kuru princes to capture Drupad, and then return half his kingdom back. The Brahmins though fault Dronacharya for desiring a kingdom and admonish him for having political ambitions, which as a Brahmin he is not qualified to deal with. Drupad, stinging from his loss to Arjun and Dronacharya desires a son who will kill Dronacharya, avenging him.
Drupad goes to a sage Upyaaj, who tells him that what he seeks isn’t a son, but a weapon, and therefore it isn’t right for Upyaaj to enable something as petty as revenge. He does direct Drupad to his brother Yaaj who is more amoral. Yaaj says that it isn’t his place to decide the morality of boons, and therefore agrees to give Drupad what he desires. Because Drupad’s wife is unavailable during a key portion of this ritual, Drupad’s son will arrive into this world fully grown. And consequently, a fully grown fully dressed prince emerges from the ritual fire. The sage names him Dhrishtadyumna. And then a fully grown princess also emerges from the fire. This is princess Draupadi, who is about to choose a husband. When the Brahmins mention that Krishna and Balaram will be there to represent Dwarka, Kunti perks up and insists that the Pandavas in their Brahmin disguises also attend.
All important kings assemble in Drupad’s court. Dhrishtadyumna announces the Engagement Challenge that has been set before them all - the one who can successfully string up a special bow, and then fire an arrow into the eye of a revolving toy fish suspended from the ceiling, purely from gazing upon its reflection in a pool below, will win Draupadi’s hand. Duryodhan attempts the challenge but cannot even lift up the bow. And neither can Jarasandh, Shishupal, Rukmi, or Shalya the king of Madra. Karna lifts up the bow and begins to string it, but Draupadi upon receiving some nonverbal cues from Krishna, bars a Karna from participating in the ceremony on account of his charioteer heritage. After Karna and Duryodhan call her out for that, Dhrishtadyumna throws open the challenge to anyone else.
And then a Brahmin steps forward, lifts the bow up effortlessly and strings it up. After twanging the bow string once, the Brahmin gazes upon the fish toy’s reflection and prepares to fire.
Tropes found here are
- Altar Diplomacy: Drupad hoped to wed Draupadi to Arjun so he wouldn’t be an adversary when Dhrishtadyumna challenged Dronacharya.
- Engagement Challenge: See Improbable Aiming Skills below.
- Epic Fail: None of the princes assembled can even lift up the bow. Except for Karna.
- Improbable Aiming Skills: A revolving fish toy must be shot in its eye by looking only at its reflection in a pool below. This was meant to be a challenge that only Arjun could pass. Karna is explicitly barred from even attempting it.
- Not Good with Rejection: Both Duryodhan and Karna are miffed about Draupadi explicitly rejecting Karna.
- Only the Chosen May Wield: Drupad set up a bow that only Arjun can lift up. Problem is, Karna being Arjun’s unknown eldest brother who also has divine parentage, is also able to wield.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Too many people at the swayamvar notice that these five “Brahmins” in attendance seem too well fed and well built to be actual Brahmins.
- The Peter Principle: A variation. Other Brahmins fault Dronacharya for attempting to obtain a kingdom - whose governance is a task he is unsuited for.
- Revenge: Why Drupad performs a ritual that results in Dhrishtadyumna birth.
