Vaishampayana said: -
1. When the illustrious Pandavas were living in disguise, the son of Satyavati, Vyasa, once came to see them.
2. Seeing him coming, those chastisers of foes advanced, and bowed down their heads and worshipped him. Then they stood (before him) with joined hands.
3. Then they all took their seats at the command (of the Rishi) and the kishi being thus gratified by the son of Pritha living in disguise, cheerfully spoke to them thus,
Vyasa said: -
4. “O chastisers of foes, are you following the path of virtue and scriptures? Do you worship the Brahmanas? You are not deficient in giving homage to those that deserve homage.”
Vaishampayana said: -
5. That illustrious Rishi thus spoke many worlds of virtuous import. Speaking on various subjects, he again spoke thus.
Vyasa said: -
6. There lived in a wood a certain illustrious Rishi who had a daughter of slender waist, fair hips, fine eye-brows and of all accomplishments.
7. As a result of her own actions (in her previous birth) she became very unfortunate. That beautiful chaste girl did not get a husband.
8. Thereupon, she began with sorrowful heart to perform austere penances with the object of getting a husband. And she gratified Shankara (Shiva) by her severe ascetic.
9. The high-souled (deity), being thus gratified, spoke thus to the illustrious girl, “ask the boon you desire to have. Be blessed; I am Shankara who is willing to give you a boon.”
10. Being desirous of benefiting herself, she again and again said to the supreme deity, “Give me an accomplished husband.”
11. Then that foremost of all great speakers, Ishana (Shiva,) replied to her saying, “O blessed lady, you will have five husbands from among the Bharata princes.”
12. Having been thus addressed the maiden thus spoke to the deity who gave her the boon, “O deity, O lord, I desire to have only one husband through your grace.”
13. The deity addressed her again and said these excellent words, “You have said five times, “Give me a husband”.
14. Therefore, you will have in another life, what I have said now.” That celestials like girl was bom in the race of Drupada. That faultless Krishna, the descendant of Prishata; is destined to be the wife of all of you (the five Pandavas).
15. O greatly powerful heroes, go to the city of the Panchalas and live there. There is no doubt you will all be very happy on obtaining her as your wife.
Vaishampayana said: -
16. Having said this to the Pandavas, that greatly blessed grandfather, the great ascetic, after having been saluted by the sons of Pritha (the Pandavas) and Kunti, went to the place whence he came.
Thus ends the hundred and seventy first chapter, the advice of Vyasa, in the Chaitraratha of the Adi Parva.