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Rh not know its course. Let us follow the way trodden by the illustrious ones of former ages. My tongue never uttered an untruth. My heart also never turneth to what is sinful. My mother commandeth so; and my heart also approveth of it. Therefore, O king, that is quite conformable to virtue. Act according to it, without any scruples. Entertain no fear. O king, about this matter 1

"Drupada said, -'O son of Kunti, thy mother, and my son Dbrishtadyumna and thyself, settle amongst yourselves as to what should be done. Tell me the result of your deliberations and to-morrow I will do what is proper."

Vaisampayana continued, -"After this, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, Kunti and Dhrishtadyumna discoursed upon this matter. Just at that time, however, the island born (Vyasa), O monarch, came there in course of his wanderings."

Thus ends the hundred and ninety-seventh section in the Vaivahika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Then all the Pandavas and the illustrious king of the Panchalas and all others there present stood up and saluted with reverence the illustrious Rishi Krishna (Dwaipayana). The high-souled Rishi, saluting them in return and enquiring after their welfare, sat down on a carpet of gold. And commanded by Krishna (Dwaipayana) of immeasurable energy, those foremost of men all sat down on costly seats. A little after, O monarch, the son of Prishata in sweet accents asked the illustrious Rishi about the wedding of his daughter. And he said, - 'How, O illustrious one, can one woman become the wife of many men without being defiled by sin ? O, tell me truly all about this.' Hearing these words Vyasa replied. This practice O king, being opposed to usage and the Vedas, hath become obsolete. I desire, however, to hear what the opinion of each of you is upon this matter.'

"Hearing these words of the Rishi, Drupada spoke frst, saying.--"The practice is sinful in my opinion, being opposed to both usage and the Vedas. O best of Brahmanas, nowhere have I seen many men having one wife. The illustrious ones also of former ages never had such a usage amongst them. The wise should never commit a sin. I therefore, can never make up mind to act in this way. This practice always appeareth to me to be of doubtful morality.'.

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