Dhrishtadyumna Lists the Kings Assembled for Draupadi's Swayamvara
Before the great archery contest, Draupadi's brother Dhrishtadyumna addresses the assembly to name the kings and warriors who have come to win her. He lists them all — the Kaurava princes, Karna, and rulers from every corner of the land — and declares that the one who hits the target will become her husband.
Dhrishtadyumna stood before the assembly, his voice carrying across the arena built for his sister's swayamvara (self-choice ceremony). He was there to name the contenders, to make official the gathering of power that had filled the city of Panchala.
He began with the sons of Dhritarashtra. "Duryodhana, Durvisaha, Durmukha, Dushpradharshana, Vivimshati, Vikarna, Saha, Duhshasana, Sama, Yuyutsu, Vatavega, Bhimavegadhara, Ugrayudha, Balaki, Kanakayu, Virochana, Sukundula, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, Kanakadhvaja, Nandaka, Bahushali, Kunduja and Vikata." He named them all, the one hundred brothers of the Kuru line. "These immensely powerful sons of Dhritarashtra have come," he said, "and they have come with Karna for your hand."
He moved on to the kings from the northwest. "Hundreds are the famous and great-souled kings, bulls among the Kshatriyas (warriors). Shakuni, Bala, Vrishaka and Brihadbala — all these sons of the king of Gandhara have come."
Then the master warriors: "Adorned with every ornament, the great-souled Ashvatthama and Bhoja, skilled in the use of all weapons, have come."
The list unfolded like a map of Bharatavarsha itself. He named Brihanta, Manimana, and the valiant Dandadhara. Sahadeva and Jayatsena. Meghasandhi of Magadha. Virata, king of the Matsyas, with his two sons Sankha and Uttara. Vardhakshemi. Susharma. King Senabindu. Abhibhu with his sons Sudamna and Suvarchasa. Sumitra, Sukumara, Vrika, Satyadhriti, Suryadhvaja, Rochamana, Nila, Chitrayudha, Amshumana, Chekitana. The immensely powerful Shrenimana. Chandrasena, the powerful son of Samudrasena. Jalasamdha. The father and son Vidanda and Danda. Poundraka. Vasudeva. The valorous Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisha. Kalinga. Tamralipta. The king of Pattana.
He named the king of Madra: "The maharatha (great chariot-warrior) Shalya, with his sons." The brave Rukmagandha and Rukmaratha. The Kourava Somadatta and his three maharatha sons — Bhuri, Bhurishrava, and Shala. Sudakshina of Kamboja. The Kourava Dridhadhanva. Brihadbala. Sushena. Ushinara’s son, the famed King Shibi.
Then he turned to the Vrishnis and Yadavas of Dvaraka, the clan of Krishna. "Samkarshana, Vasudeva, Rukmini’s brave son Samba, Charudeshna, Sarana, Gada, Akrura, Satyaki, the immensely powerful Uddhava, Hridika’s son Kritavarma." And more: Prithu, Viprithu, Viduratha, Kanka, Samika, Saramejaya, the brave Vatapati, Jhilli, Pindaraka, the brave Ushinara — "all famous as descended from the Vrishni lineage."
Finally, more great names: Bhagiratha, Brihatkshetra, Jayadratha the king of Sindhu, Brihadratha, Bahlika, the maharatha Shrutayu, Uluka, King Kaitava, Chitrangada, Subhangada, the patient king of Vatsa, the king of Kosala.
He looked out at the sea of crowned heads, armored shoulders, and proud faces. "O fortunate one," he said, his declaration meant for his sister and for every ear in the arena. "These and many other kings of many regions, famous on earth, have come here for you. These brave ones will try to shoot the excellent target for your hand." He concluded, setting the single, simple rule that would decide everything. "O beautiful one! You will choose as a husband the one who hits it."