Shloka 23
आदि पर्व — द्रौपदी-स्वयंवरानन्तरवृत्तम्
Aftermath of Draupadī’s Svayaṃvara
शिशुपालश्च विक्रान्तो जरासंधस्तथैव च । एते चान्ये च बहवो नानाजनपदेश्वरा:,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
śiśupālaś ca vikrānto jarāsandhas tathaiva ca | ete cānye ca bahavo nānā-janapadeśvarāḥ |
Dhṛṣṭadyumna said: “Here have come the valiant Śiśupāla and Jarāsandha, and many other rulers from diverse realms. Renowned kṣatriya heroes of the earth have assembled here for your sake. These powerful kings, intent on winning you, will now attempt to pierce this excellent target; and, O auspicious one, you are to choose today as your husband the man who succeeds in striking the mark.”
धृष्टह्युम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a kṣatriya social ethic in which marriage alliances among royals are publicly regulated through a test of merit (śaurya/skill). The bride’s choice is framed as dharmically guided—she is to select the one who fulfills the announced condition—emphasizing fairness, public accountability, and the linkage between personal union and political order.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna announces that famous kings—specifically Śiśupāla and Jarāsandha among many others—have arrived to win the bride. He declares that they will attempt to pierce a designated target, and that the successful contestant is to be chosen as husband that day.