Arjuna strings the bow and wins Draupadi at the swayamvara
At Draupadi's swayamvara, every king fails to string the massive bow and shoot the target. A young Brahmin, weak-looking and unknown, steps forward from the crowd. He strings the bow in an instant, pierces the target, and wins the princess.
The kings had all tried. The great bow, set as the test for Draupadi's hand, had defeated them. Karna, Shalya, and every other kshatriya (warrior) famed for strength and skill had strained and failed. The challenge stood unmet.
From among the watching Brahmanas, a young man stood up. He was Jishnu — Arjuna — in disguise, his complexion bright as Indra's banner. The Brahmanas around him erupted. Some shook their deerskins in excitement. Others were dismayed. They argued over him in hushed, urgent voices.
One faction said: "If kshatriyas like Karna, who are famous in the world and well-versed in Dhanur Veda (the science of weapons), could not string the bow, how can this weak-looking Brahmana succeed? He has no knowledge of weapons. If he fails because of juvenile inexperience, all Brahmanas will become objects of ridicule in the eyes of the kings. Stop him. He is doing this out of vanity."
The other faction countered: "Look at him. He is handsome and youthful, built like the trunk of a king elephant. His shoulders, arms, and thighs are strong. In perseverance, he looks like the Himalayas. One so resolute may well accomplish the task. He would not have stepped forward without great inner strength. Besides, among the three orders, there is no task in the worlds that Brahmanas cannot accomplish. They abstain from food, live on air, observe rigid vows and appear weak, yet retain the strength of their own energy. A Brahmana should not be looked down upon. No one should consider him incapable of any deed, big or small."
While they debated, Arjuna walked to the bow and stood before it like a stationary mountain. He circumambulated it in accordance with the rites, bowed his head to it, and then joyously grasped it.
In the twinkling of an eye, he strung it.
He grasped the five arrows. Through the hole in the revolving machine above, he suddenly pierced the target. It fell to the ground.
A great roar erupted in the sky and a tremendous clamour rose from the assembly. The gods rained celestial flowers on Partha's head. Spectators waved their upper garments in joy or cried out in despair. More flowers showered from the sky. Musicians played on hundreds of instruments. Bards and raconteurs began to chant the praises of the hero in sweet voices.
King Drupada, seeing that destroyer of enemies, was extremely happy. He immediately began to think of how to help this Brahmin with his army, should the need arise.
As the uproar peaked, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava in disguise, swiftly left the assembly with his twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva. They went home, not wishing to be caught in the commotion that would follow.
Draupadi saw the target shot. She saw Partha, who stood equal to Shakra (Indra) in splendor. She was extremely happy. She took a garland of white flowers and walked to Kunti's son. She placed the garland around his neck, choosing him as her husband.
All the Brahmanas paid homage to the one who had accomplished the unthinkable and won the princess in the assembly. Then, with Draupadi who would be his wife following him, Arjuna left the arena.