Mahabharata 4.9.30 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 9, Shloka 30
सहदेवस्य गोसंख्य-तन्तिपाल-रूपेण विराट-समागमः | Sahadeva’s Audience with Virāṭa as Cattle-Enumerator
Tantipāla
द्रौपहुुवाच नास्मि लभ्या विराटेन न चान्येन कदाचन । गन्धर्वा: पतयो महां युवान: पठच भामिनि,द्रौपदी बोली--भामिनि! मुझे राजा विराट या दूसरा कोई पुरुष कभी नहीं पा सकता। पाँच तरुण गन्धर्व मेरे पति हैं
drauapadī uvāca: nāsmi labhyā virāṭena na cānyena kadācana | gandharvāḥ patayo mama pañca yuvānaḥ pṛthag bhāmini ||
த்ரௌபதி கூறினாள்—பாமினி! விராட அரசனோ வேறு எந்த ஆணோ எந்நாளும் என்னை அடைய முடியாது. ஐந்து இளைய கந்தர்வர்கள் என் கணவர்கள்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma through the protection of marital fidelity and personal boundaries: unlawful desire must be checked, and a woman’s consent and status must be respected. Draupadī uses a prudent deterrent—invoking powerful ‘Gandharva’ husbands—to prevent adharma and ensure safety.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay in Virāṭa’s court, Draupadī (in disguise) is being spoken to in a way that could lead to improper pursuit. She firmly declares she is unattainable to Virāṭa or anyone else, stating that five youthful Gandharvas are her husbands—an intentional protective claim to ward off advances.
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