Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Kinship, Caste and Class

Question:

Let's examine a significant incident from the Mahabharata. Within the context of the protracted conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, a pivotal episode unfolded when Duryodhana invited Yudhisthira to engage in a game of dice. In this encounter, Yudhisthira, ensnared by his adversary's deceitful tactics, wagered his wealth, elephants, chariots, servants, military forces, treasury, kingdom, the well-being of his subjects, his own kin, and ultimately even himself, only to lose all his stakes. In a grievous turn of events, Yudhisthira then staked his shared wife, Draupadi, and unfortunately lost her as well.

What was the name of the seer who advised King Drupada that Pandavas were in reality incarnations of Indra?

Options:

Dadhichi

Dhurvasa

Vyasa

Valmiki

Correct Answer:

Vyasa

Explanation:

Initially, Drupada protested when he heard that Draupadi will be the common wife of Pandavas. However,  the seer Vyasa arrived and told him that the Pandavas were in reality incarnations of Indra, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi, and they were thus destined for each other. Vyasa added that in another instance a young woman had prayed to Shiva for a husband, and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead of once.  This woman was now reborn as Draupadi, and Shiva had fulfilled her prayers. Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to the marriage.