bandon. Krishna, therefore, shall become the
wedded wife of us all. Let her take our hands, one after another before
the fire.'

'Drupada answered, 'O scion of Kuru's race, it hath been directed that
one man may have many wives. But it hath never been heard that one woman
may have many husbands! O son of Kunti, as thou art pure and acquainted
with the rules of morality, it behoveth thee not to commit an act that is
sinful and opposed both to usage and the Vedas. Why, O prince, hath thy
understanding become so?' Yudhishthira said in reply, 'O monarch,
morality is subtle. We do not know its course. Let us follow the way
trodden by the illustrious ones of former ages. My tongue never uttered
an untruth. My heart also never turneth to what is sinful. My mother
commandeth so; and my heart also approveth of it. Therefore, O king, that
is quite conformable to virtue. Act according to it, without any
scruples. Entertain no fear, O king, about this matter.'

"Drupada said, 'O son of Kunti thy mother, and my son Dhrishtadyumna and
thyself, settle amongst yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the
result of your deliberations and tomorrow I will do what is proper.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, Kunti and
Dhrishtadyumna discoursed upon this matter. Just at that time, however,
the island-born (Vyasa), O monarch, came there in course of his
wanderings.'"

SECTION CLXLVIII

(Vaivahika Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the Pandavas and the illustrious king of
the Panchalas and all others there present stood up and saluted with
reverence the illustrious Rishi Krishna (Dwaipayana). The high-souled
Rishi, saluting them in return and enquiring after their welfare, sat
down on a carpet of gold. And commanded by Krishna (Dwaipayana) of
immeasurable energy, those foremost of men all sat down on costly seats.
A little after, O monarch, the son of Prishata in sweet accents asked the
illustrious Rishi about the wedding of his daughter. And he said, 'How, O
illustrious one, can one woman become the wife of many men without being
defiled by sin? O, tell me truly all about this.' Hearing these words
Vyasa replied, 'This practice, O king, being opposed to usage and the
Vedas, hath become obsolete. I desire, however, to hear what the opinion
of each of you is upon this matter.'

"Hearing these words of the Rishi, Drupada spoke first, saying, 'The
practice is sinful in my opinion, bein