Drupada Invites the Pandavas to His Palace

When Drupada's family priest arrived at the potter's house, Yudhishthira instructed Bhima to seat him respectfully. In response to the priest's questions, Yudhishthira said, "The King of Panchala had announced that his daughter would marry the winner of the swayamvara. It is not right for him to then question the young man's lineage. Nevertheless, you may tell him his wish has been fulfilled."

Before the family priest returned to the king, the king's messenger reached the potter's house. "King Drupada has invited all of you to dine with him," he said.

Kunti, Draupadi, and the Pandavas graciously accepted the invitation. They boarded the chariot that awaited them outside and sped off toward the palace.

Drupada made all the necessary arrangements to give his guests a grand reception. The mansion he had prepared for them had three types of seats and plates. The princes' seats were studded with gems; the Vaishyas' seats were markedly less magnificent, while the Shudras were expected to sit on ordinary wooden chairs. Their plates were made of gold, copper, and tin, respectively. Some of the doors were decorated with weapons; others had dharmasutras (ancient Sanskrit texts that lay down rules for righteous conduct, social duties, rituals, and legal matters in early Hindu society) written on them.

Kunti, Draupadi, and the Pandavas soon arrived. Drupada warmly welcomed them and escorted them to the mansion, closely observing their gestures and behavior. He saw that these men, dressed as poor Brahmins, seemed fully accustomed to the royal environment. They did not appear awed or astonished by the opulence of Drupada's palace. 

They sat on the chairs meant for princes and, when it was time to eat, used the gold dishes without any hesitation. Drupada also noticed that the men were drawn to the doors decorated with arms rather than the ones with dharmasutras written on them. He was now certain that these men were royalty.