The Real Story Behind Druapadi Having 5 Husbands

The Real Story Behind Druapadi Having 5 Husbands

In ancient times, Indian society was matriarchal. That is why when the Pandavas came to their hut along with Arjuna’s newly ‘won’ wife (in the swayamvar); Kunti by mistake asked them to share whatever they had brought. The retellings of Mahabharata, at this point emphasizes how obedient the Pandavas were and followed her verbatim. Thus, Draupadi was married to all the five brothers instead of just Arjuna.However, Kunti wasn’t solely responsible for Draupadi’s five husbands. There were more reasons that led Draupadi to marry the five brothers.When Kunti RealizedWhen Kunti realized that what she had asked her sons to share was no object, but a woman, she was worried of the consequences. She therefore rushed to Yudhisthir who was considered as the epitome of Dharma.

However, very tactfully, he placed the ball in Arjuna’s court and was of the opinion that since Arjuna had won her by his archery skills, only he had the right to decide on her fate.Arjuna, on the other hand, was not only Yudhisthir’s brother, but also his greatest disciple. Throughout his life, he never objected to anything, which his elder brother did. Therefore, he refused to marry a woman unless his elder twobrothers got married as well.Yudhisthir Stood for his BrothersAfter Arjuna’s statement, Yudhisthir noticed his brothers’ facial expressions and they were all smitten by Draupadi’s beauty. In order to maintain their unity, he decided that all of them should marry her. Thus, Draupadi had no choice, but to be married to all the Pandavas.A Boon from Lord ShivaAccording to another legend, Draupadi was an ardent Shiva worshipper. It is said that once she was praying to Lord Shiva for a husband. Pleased with her prayers, the Lord blessed her with a boon and she asked for a husband who was:

1) Righteous and good2) Strong and brave3) A great warrior4) Good looking and5) HandsomeLord Shiva told her that no one man could have all the five qualities. However, Drupadi did not relent and Lord Shiva had to grant her wish. Except she had to be the wife of five brothers - each Pandava brother had one of the qualities she desired.

Yudhisthir (righteous and good)Bheem (strong and brave)Arjuna (a great warrior)Nakul and Sahdev (good-looking/handsome).Karna had all These QualitiesIt is said that Karna had all these five qualities and technically, he was the eldest of Kunti’s son. So, it was Karna actually who came closest to being the man she had desired. However, since he wasn’t allowed to contest in her Swayamwar (for not belonging to the warrior class), it was Arjuna who went on to win her hand.Vyasa’s StoryAs per one chapter of the Mahabharata, Vyasa arrived at the Panchala Kingdom and tried to rationalise the decision of polyandry by telling a story.

According to that story, the Pandavas were actually five gods in their previous births and Draupadi was Goddess Lakhsmi. Because of this,he advised that all of them should marry her.