Shloka 22
आदि पर्व — द्रौपदी-स्वयंवरानन्तरवृत्तम्
Aftermath of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
उलूक: कैतवो राजा चित्राड्भदशुभाड़दौ । वत्सराजश्न मतिमान् कोसलाधिपतिस्तथा,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
ulūkaḥ kaitavo rājā citrāṅgadaśubhāṅgadau | vatsarājaś ca matimān kosalādhipatis tathā bhagīrathavaṃśī bṛhatkṣatraḥ sindhurājo jayadrathaḥ bṛhadrathaḥ bāhlīkaḥ mahārathī śrutāyuḥ | ulūkaḥ rājā kaitavaḥ citrāṅgadaḥ śubhāṅgadaḥ buddhimān vatsarājaḥ kosalanareśaḥ parākramaś ca śiśupālas tathā jarāsandhaḥ—ye tathā anye'pi aneke janapadānāṃ śāsakā bhūmaṇḍale vikhyātā bahavaḥ kṣatriyavīrās tava kṛte iha samāgatāḥ | bhadre ete parākramiṇo nṛpās tvāṃ prāptum uddiśya asya uttamasya lakṣyasya bhedanaṃ kariṣyanti | śubhe yo'yaṃ niśānaṃ vidhyati sa eva adya tvayā varaṇīyaḥ ||
Dhṛṣṭadyumna said: “Ulūka, King Kaitava, Citrāṅgada and Śubhāṅgada; the wise king of Vatsa; the lord of Kosala; Bhagiratha’s descendant Bṛhatkṣatra; Jayadratha, king of Sindhu; Bṛhadratha; Bāhlīka; the great chariot-warrior Śrutāyu; and also the mighty Śiśupāla and Jarāsandha—these and many other rulers of provinces, renowned across the whole earth, have come here for your sake, O auspicious lady. Noble one, these valiant kings, intent on winning you, will now attempt to pierce this excellent target. O fair one, whoever strikes and pierces this mark—him you should choose today as your husband.”
धृष्टह्युम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a kṣatriya-coded ideal of merit proved through public prowess: a bride’s choice is tied to demonstrated capability (piercing the target), reflecting how marriage could function as a political-ethical test of worth and reputation among rulers.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna announces the arrival of many famed kings who have come seeking the bride and explains the rule of the contest: each will attempt to pierce the set target, and the one who succeeds is to be chosen as husband that day.