The Question of Polyandry

Yudhishthira told King Drupada about their mother's accidental command to share Draupadi among the five of them. He also told Drupada that they would never disobey their mother.

But Drupada wasn't interested in Yudhishthira's reasons. "Polyandry is a sin," he said. "The Vedas and Shastras regard it as unethical."

"By following my mother's orders, I'm upholding an age-old tradition. There is no greater ethic than obeying one's parents."

Drupada kept quiet because he didn't want to argue about morals. Instead, he left the decision of his daughter's polyandrous marriage to his son and Kunti. He was about to storm out when Maharshi Vyasa arrived at the scene. Everyone respectfully touched the sage's feet. After giving his blessings, Vyasa took a seat. Drupada wasn't able to conceal his dilemma from him and asked, "Draupadi is planning to marry all five Pandavas. Do you think this is proper?"

Vyasa conceded that such a marriage wasn't hitherto accepted in society. "Even the Vedas do not permit it," he said. But before giving his opinion on the matter, he wished to know the perspective of Drupada and his son. Drupada made it clear that he wasn't amenable to the idea.

Yudhishthira said, "Jatila, known for her virtues, married the seven Saptarishis." Citing the Puranas, he added, "Sage Kandu's daughter, Varkshi, married the ten brothers called the Prachetas. When it comes to ethics, obeying the commands of elders is considered the greatest virtue. We cannot commit the sin of disobeying our mother's command."