The Births of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi

Kunti and the Pandavas began traveling to Panchala as per Maharshi Vyasa's advice. En route, they found Sage Dhaumya's ashram. They requested Sage Dhaumya to become their family priest, and he gladly accepted. They then resumed their journey. 

They met a group of Brahmins who inquired who they were, where they came from, and where they were going. The Pandavas told them that they were five brothers and that the woman with them was their mother. They also said they were coming from Ekachakra and were on their way to Panchala. The Brahmins decided to accompany them, saying they too were going to Panchala to attend the swayamvara of Panchali, the daughter of Drupada, king of Panchala.

Panchali was also known as Krishna Draupadi. She was born under unusual circumstances. After King Drupada insulted Dronacharya, the latter had exacted harsh revenge. So Drupada approached two sages, Yaja and Upayaja—descendants of Maharshi Kashyapa—and requested them to perform a yagya that would give him a son who would kill Dronacharya. They agreed. 

When the yagya was concluded, each of the sages offered the queen prasada. She was chewing betel leaves, so she asked the sages to wait a moment. Annoyed, Sage Yaja said, "The prasada of a properly performed yagya waits for no one," and threw his prasada into the sacrificial fire. The flame immediately rose up and a prince materialized within the fire. Armed with a bow, quiver, and spear, he let out a roar like a warrior on the battlefield. He was named Dhrishtadyumna, which means "the one whose brilliance is evident."

Sage Upayaja then threw his own prasada into the fire. A beautiful, dark-skinned princess appeared inside the fire. She had large eyes, curly hair, and arched eyebrows, and her demeanor was royal and majestic. A voice from the heavens declared, "Name this girl Krishna. She has been born to bring about the destruction of the wicked and unrighteous."