After the Pandavas and Kunti escape
from the Wax Palace in Varanavatha, they dress in simple clothes like Brahmins
and go to a village called Ekachakra. There, they stay with a potter named
Kumha and his family. During their stay, the Pandavas go around the village
daily to collect food for themselves since the potter could not afford to feed
all of them. The entire village contributed in adding food to the pot they took
with them. When they went back to the potter's house, Kunti would split the
food into two halves and give one whole half to Bhima and split the rest
equally among the rest of them.
The Pandavas and
Kunti lived like this for sometime. One day, after the Pandavas left home to bring food, Kunti heard weeping
coming from the other room. She listened in and heard distinct conversation.
The members of the family were arguing amongst themselves about who would go to
the demon's lair with the food. Hearing this, she was very confused and asked
them what the problem was.They shared their dilemma and told her about the
atrocities caused by a demon named Bakasura.
Bakasura was a giant demon who
had captured their village and ousted their ruler. He would go about Ekachakra,
indiscriminately destroying or eating everything in his path. Frustrated with
all the destruction to the lives and property, the villagers made a deal with
him stating that they would bring him a cart full of food from the entire
village, two bullocks and a man and in return he would have to stop the killing
and destruction. Every week, it was a different family's turn to send one
member of their family and this week it was Kumha's turn to go. Kunti wished to
help the potter in exchange for his hospitality and offered to send Bhima. She
convinces them that Bhima would kill the demon, since he was very strong.
So, the
villagers send Bhima with two bullocks and a cart of food. As he reaches the
demon’s cave, he feels hungry and starts to eat all the food. Bakasura gets
impatient and comes out of the cave and sees Bhima finishing all the food meant
for him. Enraged, Bakasura uproots a nearby tree and attacks Bhima with it.
Bhima, feeling strengthened, fights back fiercely and ultimately destroys him. He
then drags the demon’s body to the outskirts of the village. The villagers
delighted with Bakasura’s death applaud Bhima’s strength and there is much
rejoicing in the village.
After a while, the
village hears of Draupadi's Swayamvara. Draupadi is the princess of Panchala and is
also known as Panchali. The Pandavas go dressed as Brahmins. King Drupada
arranges a contest for his daughter’s suitors and the winning prince will be
married to Draupadi. The challenge is for them to shoot a fish in the eye that is
revolving above them five times in succession, using only reflection in a pool
of water underneath. Some tried and could not pick up the bow, some could not even
pull the string. When Karna tries, he misses the target very narrowly. Finally,
Arjuna accomplishes the task of shooting the target five times in a row. Draupadi
adorns him with the garland and chooses him as her husband.
When return to
Ekachakra, the Pandavas tell Kunti to come outside and see what they brought
for her. Not knowing what it is, Kunti replies saying that whatever it is, to
share it equally amongst themselves. Being the obedient sons of Kunti, the
Pandavas agree and thus, Draupadi is married to all five of the Pandavas.
Written by Thejasvi Venkatachalam
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