Kunti and Drupada

After the swayamvara, Dhrishtadyumna secretly follows the disguised archer and his brother to a potter's house. Hiding outside, he watches their evening rituals and overhears their warrior's talk, piecing together the truth. He hurries back to his anxious father, King Drupada, who desperately hopes the winner is the man he believes to be long dead.

With the Pandavas' identity confirmed, a joyful Drupada asks the natural next question: how did you escape the city alive? Yudhishthira tells the story of the lac house, and the king's joy turns to fury—and a vow.

King Drupada confronts the sage Vyasa with the impossible question: how can his daughter be the common wife of five Pandavas without sin? Vyasa turns the question back to the family, and each gives a different answer — from outright rejection to ancient precedent and a mother's command.

Vidura arrives at King Drupada's court bearing gifts and a carefully crafted message from the Kouravas. He expresses delight in the new alliance and formally requests Drupada's permission for the Pandavas, Kunti, and Draupadi to return to Hastinapura.