Shloka 21
आदि पर्व — द्रौपदी-स्वयंवरानन्तरवृत्तम्
Aftermath of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
भागीरथो बृहत्क्षत्र: सैन्धवश्न जयद्रथ: । बृहद्रथो बाह्लिकश्न श्रुतायुश्न महारथ:,भगीरथवंशी बृहत्क्षत्र, सिन्धुराज जयद्रथ, बृहद्रथ, बाह्नलीक, महारथी श्रुतायु, उलूक, राजा कैतव, चित्रांगद, शुभांगद, बुद्धिमान् वत्सराज, कोसलनरेश, पराक्रमी शिशुपाल तथा जरासंध--ये तथा और भी अनेक जनपदोंके शासक भूमण्डलमें विख्यात बहुत-से क्षत्रिय वीर तुम्हारे लिये यहाँ पधारे हैं। भद्रे! ये पराक्रमी नरेश तुम्हें पानेके उद्देश्यसे इस उत्तम लक्ष्यका भेदन करेंगे। शुभे! जो इस निशानेको वेध डाले, उसीका आज तुम वरण करना
dhṛṣṭadyumna uvāca | bhāgīratho bṛhatkṣatraḥ saindhavaś ca jayadrathaḥ | bṛhadratho bāhlikaś ca śrutāyuś ca mahārathaḥ |
Dhṛṣṭadyumna said: “Here have come for your sake many renowned kṣatriya heroes, celebrated across the earth—Bhāgīratha, Bṛhatkṣatra, the Sindhu king Jayadratha, Bṛhadratha, Bāhlika, and the great chariot-warrior Śrutāyu, along with others. O auspicious lady, these powerful kings, intent on winning you, will now attempt to pierce this excellent target. Whichever man strikes the mark, him you should choose today as your husband.”
धृष्टह्युम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames marriage-choice within kṣatriya norms: worthiness is publicly tested through skill and courage, and the bride’s selection is tied to demonstrated merit (pāruṣya/śaurya) rather than mere claim or lineage.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna announces the arrival of many famous kings who have come seeking the bride. He explains that they will compete by piercing a difficult target, and instructs that the one who successfully hits it should be chosen as the husband.