Dhritarashtra intervenes and grants Draupadi two boons
Ominous sounds portend disaster. Warned by Vidura and Gandhari, Dhritarashtra rebukes Duryodhana and offers Draupadi boons to pacify the crisis. She asks first for Yudhishthira's freedom, then for the freedom of the other four Pandavas with their weapons, refusing a third boon as a matter of dharma.
At that time, in King Dhritarashtra’s house, a jackal cried at the agnihotra (sacrificial fire). Donkeys brayed in response and from every direction, terrible birds joined in. Vidura, who was knowledgeable in everything, heard these terrible sounds, and so did Gandhari. Bhishma, Drona and the learned Kripa heard and said, “Peace! Peace!” On hearing those terrible omens, Gandhari and the learned Vidura became miserable and told the king.
Then the king spoke. O evil-minded Duryodhana, you have been destroyed. In this assembly hall of the bulls among the Kurus, in this sabha, you have used insolent words against a woman, especially a lawfully wedded wife like Draupadi. Having spoken these words, the intelligent Dhritarashtra stopped, concerned about the welfare of his relatives. Using his knowledge, he spoke to pacify Draupadi.
Dhritarashtra said, O Panchali, choose from me whatever boon you desire. You are a chaste lady who follows supreme dharma and you are the most special of my daughters-in-law.
Draupadi replied, O bull among the Bharata lineage, if you wish to grant me a boon, I will choose this. The illustrious Yudhishthira, who follows all the ways of dharma, should not be a slave. Let these young boys, who do not know of Prativindhya’s intelligence, refer to him as the son of a slave when he arrives. He has been the son of a king earlier, like no man anywhere and ever. O descendant of the Bharata lineage, he will die if he is brought up as the son of a slave.
Dhritarashtra said, O fortunate one, ask for a second boon from me and I will grant it to you. My heart has convinced me that you do not deserve to obtain only a single boon.
Draupadi replied, With my second boon, I desire that Bhimasena, Dhananjaya, Nakula and Sahadeva, together with their chariots and their bows, should not be slaves.
Dhritarashtra said, O one who always follows the path of righteousness, two boons do not honour you enough. Ask for a third. You are the best among all my daughters-in-law.
Draupadi replied, O illustrious one, avarice destroys dharma and I am disinclined. O supreme among kings, I am not deserving of a third boon from you. It is said that the vaishya (merchant) has one boon and a kshatriya (warrior) and his wife can have two. O Indra among kings, a king can have three boons and a brahmana (priest) one hundred. O king, my husbands were reduced to an evil state, but have been rescued. They will obtain riches and prosperity through their own sacred deeds.
The Pandavas were freed from slavery. The immediate crisis was averted, but the outcome of the dice game—their exile—remained. They had been rescued from the pit, but the road ahead led into the wilderness.