204 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

famous kings and heroes present. Heroes like Jarasandha, Ambastha,
Sigupala, Bhimasena, Duryodhana and Karna were, of course, able to
string the bow, but they could not pierce the fish, because it was
covered, and they could not trace it out from the reflection. The celebrated
hero of the Pandavas, Arjuna, was able to see the reflection of the fish on
the water, but although with great caution he traced out the location of
the fish and shot an arrow, he did not pierce the fish in the right spot.
His arrow at least touched the fish, and so he proved himself better than
all other princes.

‘‘All the princes who had tried to pierce the target were disappointed,
being baffled in their attempts, and some candidates had even left the
place without making an attempt, but when at last Lord Krsna took up
the bow, He was able to tie the bowstring very easily, just as a child plays
with a toy. He placed the arrow, and looking only once at the reflection of
the fish in the water, He shot the arrow, and the pierced fish immediately
fell down. This victory of Lord Krsna was accomplished at noon, during
the moment called abhijit, which is astronomically calculated as auspicious.
At that time the vibration of ‘Jaya! Jaya!’ was heard all over the world,
and from the sky came sounds of drums beat by the denizens of heaven.
Great demigods were overwhelmed with joy and began to shower flowers
on the earth.

‘At that time, I entered the arena of competition, and the ankle bells
on my legs were sounding very melodiously as I walked. I was nicely
dressed with new silken garments, flowers were decorating my hair, and
because of Lord Krsna’s victory, I was-in ecstatic joy and smiling very
pleasingly. I was carrying in my hands a golden necklace bedecked with
jewels, which was glittered at intervals. My curling hair encircled my face,
which was shining with a bright luster due to the reflection of my various
rings. My eyes blinking, I first of all observed all the princes present, and
when I reached my Lord I very slowly placed the golden necklace on His
neck. As I have already informed you, from the very beginning my mind
had been attracted by Lord Krsna, and thus I considered the garlanding
of the Lord to be my great victory. As soon as I placed my garland on the
neck of the Lord, there sounded immediately the combined vibration of
mrdaiigas, patahas, conchshells, drums, kettledrums and other instruments,
causing a tumultuous sound, and while the music played, expert male and
female dancers began to dance, and singers began to sing sweetly.

“My dear Draupadi, when I accepted Lord Krsna as my worshipable
husband, and He also accepted me as His maidservant, there was a

tumultuous roaring among the disappointed princes. All of them became
