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## Chapter Thirty-Five
A body adorned with beauty, grace, and auspiciousness, Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, was unmatched in her beauty. [122] All the princes were driven mad by her, and they came to her father, bearing gifts, seeking her hand in marriage. [123] Fearing the consequences of refusing them, King Drupada, with a heavy heart, invited all the princes to participate in the Swayamvara, a contest to win Draupadi's hand. [124] The earth was filled with princes, captivated by Draupadi's beauty, including Karna, Duryodhana, and others, who gathered in the city of Makanda. [125] Surenravardhana, a celestial king, arrived with his daughter, seeking a suitable husband. At the behest of King Drupada, he declared that the Gandiva bow would be the instrument for testing the suitors. [126] The proclamation declared that whoever could string the formidable Gandiva bow and hit the celestial target (Chandrakavedha) would be Draupadi's husband. [127] Hearing this, Drona, Karna, and other kings gathered around the bow, forming a circle. [128] However, the bow, imbued with divine power, was impossible to even look at, let alone touch or string. [129]
After all the princes failed, Arjuna, the destined husband of Draupadi, and always righteous in his nature, approached the bow. He looked at it, touched it, and effortlessly strung it, as if it were a woman under his control. [130] As Arjuna strung the bow and released it, the sound reverberated with such force that the eyes of Karna and the other princes were blinded, and their ears deafened. [131] Seeing Arjuna's prowess, Karna and the others wondered if he was reborn, having died with his brothers, as he possessed such natural strength and power. [132] How could a common archer, other than Arjuna, achieve such a feat? His vision, his grip, his skill - all were truly remarkable. [133]
1. The princes were driven mad by desire. [121]
2. On earth, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) is known as "Kshaoni" (earth), "Jya" (bowstring), "Kashyapi" (descendant of Kashyapa), and "Kshiti" (earth). [125]
3. Always, always, Arjuna is righteous and simple. [130]
4. Earth. [133]