Why Draupadi got Five Husbands?
In the epic Mahabharata, Draupadi is known as the "emerged" daughter of King Drupada of Panchala and the wife of the five Pandavas. What is the reason that she got five husbands?
Draupadi was also avatar of Goddess Shree or Wealth who was joint wife to five Indras, the Five Pandavas. She was to be born several times for imprisoning the Indras.
1) First time was as Vedavati who cursed Ravana (who is another goddess Avatar Swaha, wife to Agni).
2) She then came again as Maya-Sita especially to take revenge from Ravana while Agni hid the real Sita.
3) Third one was partial either Damyanti (whose husband Nala was equivalent to Dharma, Vayu, Indra just like the Pandavas) and her daughter Nalayani.
4) Fourth one was when she married Sage Moudgalya.
5) The fifth avatar was Draupadi herself. So we find in Draupadi, a composite avatar of Kali, Parvati, Sachi, Shyamala, Usha, Bharati, Shree, Swaha, the eight goddesses.
Reason of Draupadi's Marriage to Five Men
In her fourth Avatar, Draupadi was the wife of Saint Moudgalya and her name was Indrasena. Due to Leprosy her husband died early and in order to satisfy her desires she prayed the Lord Shiva with great devotion. Lord Shiva appeared before her and asked her what she wants. On seeing Lord Siva, she was astonished. In that confused mood, she repeatedly asked five times "I want a husband. I want a husband". "You are blessed with five husbands but only in the next birth" said Lord Shiva. In her next birth she got married to five Pandavas.
Reference: Aadi Parva (Chapter Seven).
You might also be interested in
- See more at: http://experiencehinduism.com/interesting-stories/draupadi-weds-pandavas#sthash.1ssLHxzd.dpuf