One of the major events of the Mahabharatha often touted as an example of ‘caste discrimination’ is the swayamvara of Draupadi. A common argument is that other ‘castes’ apart from kshatriyas were discriminated against because they were not allowed to participate. However, the text says somethign very different.
Even before the swayamvara, we have three instances that tell us that the swayamvara was not exclusively open only to kshatriyas.
Maharishi Vyasa meets the Pandavas and Kunti, well before they are even thinking of going to Panchala. He tells them that Draupadi is destined to be wife to all five and so they must go and participate in the swayamvara. He is well aware that they will go as Brahmanas, meaning that he knows they will be able to participate.
The brahmana who meets them post Ekachakra and waxes eloquent about Panchala and Draupadi specifically says that the princess might choose them, especially the third brother (Arjuna), who seems perfectly matched. This is a wandering brahmana who does not know any of the Pandavas. Clearly he thinks that brahmanas like them can very much be chosen at a swayamvara adn not only kshatriyas have a shot at winning the princess.
As they make their way to Panchal, they meet another group of brahmanas going there. Yet another brahmana tells them the exact same thing.
What is clear is that the swayamvara was not a restricted affair only for kshatriyas although later on, the defeated kings claim so.
Towards the end of the 16 day event that is the swayamvara, the prince Dhristadyumna announces the ‘terms’ of the contest, with Draupadi standing beside him. These are his words about who can win the bride’s hand:
“I truly say that the handsome and strong one, born in a noble family, who accomplishes this great feat today, will obtain as his wife my sister Krishna. Having thus addressed the assembled kings, Drupada’s son spoke to Droupadi, recounting to her the lineages and deeds of the assembled kings.” (BORI swayamvara parva)
Note there is no mention of any varna here for the contestants. Next he reads out the names of the participants who have gatehred to try their hand. Among them are some familiar names: Brahmana Ashwattama, Virata and his two sons (born to the Suta queen Sudeshna). After Karna tries and fails to hit the target, Sishupala comes up and tries his hand too. Sishupala is from the Yadava kula; a descendent of Yadu- child of kshatriya Yayati and Brahmana Devayani, hence Suta.
The most telling evidence of varna not being a restricting factor for swayamvara comes post the event, well after Draupadi has already been won and led away to the potter’s hut by Arjuna- Bheema.
Drupada is very anxious to know who has won his beloved daughter. His words show that he is desperately hoping that a great kshatriya or a brahmana has won her- a glimpse at how then too, some harboured reservations about varna. Yet in his speech, we see that he is unsure which varna the winner belonged to. This also means that there was a clear possibility that a man from literally ANY varna could have walked in, tried his hand and won the princess.
BUT, the heroes of the epic, the Pandavas, or rather their spokesperson here, which is Yudishtira, calls him out about the hypocrisy. Drupada sends his purohita to Yudishtira to subtly get more information about who they, what their lineage is, what varna they belong to.
The purohita arrives at the potter’s cottage. Yudisthira welcomes him, they offer hospitality and then the purohita asks him about their identity, hinting that they would gladden Drupada if they can confirm they are the pandavas.
But Yudishtira calmly says that this is an irrelevant question because:
No one forced Drupada to give Draupadi away
He himself set up the terms of the swayamvara contest- i.e.: the target and conditions
He did not state any restrictions abuot varna, lineage, gotra etc. prior to the contest
Yudishtira concludes pithily by stating that Drauapdi has been won fair and sqaure and there is no undoing that.
Yudishtira’s words: “The king of Panchala gave his daughter away according to his wishes and according to his own dharma. He set a price and this brave one has won her in accordance with that. Therefore, no questions can be asked about his varna, action, intention, means of living, lineage or gotra. All those questions have been answered by the act of stringing the bow and striking the target. In doing that, this great-souled one has won Krishna in an assembly of kings. Since that is the case, the king of the lunar dynasty has no reason to regret his decision or be unhappy. O Brahmana! King Drupada’s eternal desire will certainly come to be true for the king, because I think that this king’s daughter was unattainable otherwise. No one weak in strength or of low birth or unskilled in the use of arms could have strung that bow and shot down the target. Today, it is therefore not proper for the king of Panchala to grieve over his daughter. No man on earth can now undo the fact that he succeeded in shooting down the target.” (BORI swayamvara parva)
These words tell us that there was NO restriction placed on varna during the swayamavara and Yudishtira is underlining this fact to deter the purohita from even asking about it to them post the event itself. Drupada has placed a condition for winning Draupadi’s hand. Arjuna fulfilled the condition and that’s that, irrespective of which varna etc. he belongs to.
Great myth buster 👏