Shloka 110
समन्तपञ्चक-आख्यानम् तथा अक्षौहिणी-प्रमाणनिर्णयः
Samantapañcaka Narrative and the Measure of an Akṣauhiṇī
द्रौपदी प्रार्थयन्तस्ते स्वयंवरदिदृक्षया । पज्चालानभितो जममुर्यत्र कौतूहलान्विता:,इसके अनन्तर कृष्णा (द्रौपदी) और उसके भाई धृष्टद्युम्नकी उत्पत्तिका वर्णन है। जब पाण्डवोंको ब्राह्मणके मुखसे यह संवाद मिला, तब वे महर्षि व्यासकी आज्ञासे द्रौपदीकी प्राप्तिकि लिये कौतूहलपूर्ण चित्तसे स्वयंवर देखने पांचालदेशकी ओर चल पड़े
drau-padī prārthayantas te svayaṃvaradidṛkṣayā | pāñcālān abhito jagmur yatra kautūhalānvitāḥ ||
Longing to win Draupadī and eager to witness her svayaṃvara, they set out toward the land of the Pāñcālas, their minds filled with curiosity and anticipation. In the surrounding narrative, the birth of Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) and her brother Dhṛṣṭadyumna is described; upon hearing this account from a brāhmaṇa, the Pāṇḍavas—acting under the guidance of Maharṣi Vyāsa—proceed toward Pāñcāla to seek Draupadī’s hand, framing their journey as one undertaken with purpose, restraint, and adherence to counsel.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is shown being directed through dharmic channels: rather than impulsive pursuit, the protagonists move with restraint, proper intent (to witness the svayaṃvara), and deference to wise counsel (Vyāsa), suggesting that major life aims should be sought through legitimate social-ethical forms.
After hearing about Draupadī and the forthcoming svayaṃvara (along with the account of her and Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s birth), the Pāṇḍavas set out for Pāñcāla, motivated by the hope of winning Draupadī and the excitement of seeing the ceremony.