Why Draupadi Married All Five Pandavas and No Other

One of the most intriguing stories in the epic of Mahabharata involves Draupadi's marriage to all five Pandava brothers. This marriage is often questioned, given the stringent Vedic rules against polyandry. However, the narrative reveals a complex interplay of fate, duty, and divine intervention that explains how Dresden managed to marry all five Pandavas.

Vedic Rules and Draupadi's Swayamvara

According to Vedic rules, it was not permissible for a woman to marry more than one man at a time. The traditional Swayamvara, where a woman chose a groom herself, did not allow for multiple marriages. Therefore, Draupadi's marriage to all five Pandavas was a unique and unconventional move that required special circumstances to be legally and spiritually justified.

The marriage was not a single ceremony but five separate ceremonies, each involving a different Pandava brother. This was done to bypass the restrictions of Vedic law. Each wedding was conducted as if the other Pandavas were still single, thus maintaining the appearance that Draupadi was married to only one man at any given time.

How Draupadi Was Compelled to Marry All Pandavas

Draupadi's marriage to the Pandavas was not a choice but a necessity driven by various factors. The most pivotal event leading to this marriage occurred at Draupadi's Swayamvara, organized by her father, King Draupad.

During the Swayamvara, Arjuna, having transformed himself into a Brahmin for safety, accomplished the nearly impossible task of hitting the eye of a fish with an arrow. Arjuna surprised his family by presenting Draupadi to Kunti, his mother, who, engrossed in her daily chores, simply ordered him to distribute the new bride among his brothers.

In the Dwapara Yuga, the era in which Mahabharata is set, children were expected to obey their parents without question. It was considered the highest moral duty to follow a parent's orders, especially in such crucial matters. Thus, without any reluctance, the Pandavas were compelled to honor their mother's command, ensuring that Draupadi married all of them.

The Divine Intervention

According to the narrative, the Pandavas were not mere mortals but were granted divine qualities. In her previous life, Draupadi had worshipped Lord Shiva, seeking a husband with 14 distinct qualities. Although it was impossible to find a single man with all these qualities, Lord Shiva bestowed upon her five husbands: Yudhishthira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, each possessing a unique quality that made them the best in certain aspects.

Lord Shiva's blessings ensured that Draupadi would marry men who possessed specific virtues: Yudhishthira (best in ethics), Bheema (best in physical strength), Arjuna (best in archery), Nakula (most handsome), and Sahadeva (best in wielding swords). This divine intervention further solidified the Pandavas' position as her rightful husbands, justifying the unconventional nature of their union.

Conclusion

The marriage of Draupadi to all five Pandavas is a testament to the complex social, religious, and divine aspects of the Mahabharata. It challenges traditional norms and highlights the role of fate, divine intervention, and the expectations of duty and obedience in ancient Indian society.