Disclaimer: Do not read and comment if you don't agree with authentic Mahabharata and believe in popular misconceptions and serials/fictions. What I write below is backed by research. So if you are searching for fictional drama and not the truth, please don't proceed. Read only if you respect truth and want to learn the truth.
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Kampilya

The raajsabha had been decked up with blue lotuses that spread their fragrance in the entire ambiance. At the center of the court, lay an ornate bow, along with five arrows beside it. Sitting on the gem-studded golden thrones, all royal guests stared at the bow, their excitement peaked up.

"This is the bow?" Duryodhana's lips curved in mockery. "Maharaj Drupada could have said that he wants to give away his daughter so easily! What is the fun here, in such an easy contest?" He shrugged, waving casually at the bow.

"Well, how easy it is that only time can say, Kuru Yuvaraj!" Chedi King Shishupala remarked.

"Heard that the King has got it specially constructed for this swayamvara." Commented Vinda, the Prince of Avanti.

"So what? This is simply a toy bow!" Kotikasya chuckled, "Veeryashulka! Declaring her so is an insult to our valour! Which veerya is needed to string this mere toy?"

Emperor Jarasandha indicated his grandson Meghsandhi to keep quiet, seeing him going to reply. As Meghsandhi sank down to his seat, the old emperor laughed to himself, twisting his white moustache. All these boasting Kings and Princes had forgotten that Samrat Jarasandha was also present among them. And in his presence, how could those little royals even stand a chance in this assembly of kshatriyas?

At the other corner specified for the Brahmins and sages, sat five youths, whose poor appearance in deerskins and Rudrakshas was failing to hide their handsome features like fire covered under ashes. They saw everything and heard everyone's boasting. Heavy sighs escaped their sad hearts. They too were Princes of a celebrated royal clan. Yet they could not come here in their real forms! They too were valiant warriors. Yet they were not going to get a chance to participate, given these royals would be invited to try their luck first. Did alm-begging Brahmins like them even stand a chance here, among so many eligible suitors?

No one noticed them. But a pair of eyes was fixed on them only with all their grace and kindness. Krishna smiled at his cousins before nudging Balarama and Satyaki. They also looked at the Pandavas and smiled in relief. Finally, the time has come! Krishna's master plan was going to be fulfilled very soon.

"Keshava! They are..." Satyaki whispered, only to be stopped by Krishna.

"They are the heroes of the day, my friend!" Krishna smiled.

"But they are in Brahmins' garb, Keshava!" Satyaki was worried. "How would they..."

"Keep a little patience, Satyaki!" Krishna cut him off again, "You will know."

"Maharaj Drupada is entering the Sabha." Announcement drew everyone's attention to the entrance. With a loud bugil playing, the Lord of Panchala entered in and took his seat on the throne placed on an elevated dias.

"Kampilya welcomes you all, honourable guests!" Drupada said with a formal smile, looking at the kings and princes.

"As you all know, my daughter, Krishnaa Draupadi has been declared a Veeryashulka. Hence, only the one who can win this contest can claim her hand." The king said and indicated Crown Prince Dhrishtadyumna to explain further.

"Honourable Kings and Princes!" Dhrishtadyumna addressed all, "Here you can see a bow lying on this altar. And there are five arrows along with it. Anyone who will string this bow and with the help of these arrows, will be able to hit this target, will be garlanded by my sister."

But what was the target? All the eyes fell together at the direction Dhrishtadyumna had pointed to. It was a revolving golden fish embedded at the centre of the gem-studded roof. Its eye was made of blue sapphire.

"This fish's eye is your target. But no, you are not allowed to look at it. You have to hit it by seeing its reflection in the water pot placed below." His finger moved to the large vessel just beneath the fish. The Sabha fell silent, partly in shock, partly in excitement. Nobody had expected this much difficulty in this contest.

Shuttering their thoughts, the festive bugil played again. This time a sweet melody of flutes and veenas accompanied it. The smell of blue lotuses felt stronger, and sweeter.

"Princess Krishnaa Draupadi is entering!"

As soon as the announcement was made, all the royal guests present there suddenly became very busy to adjust their crowns and jewelry at place. They set their slightly messed hair well with the crown and ensured that the uttariya looked perfect.

With slow strides, Draupadi walked in. All the royals waited for a single gaze of her, like Chataka birds would wait for a single raindrop. But all their hopes and efforts to look more attractive went in vain. The Princess's eager eyes did not fall on them even for once. They combed only the gallery of Brahmins, searching for someone. She took deep breath as her lotus eyes fell on five Brahmins, staring unblinking at her alone.

As if she had found apples of her eyes!

The slight curve at the edge of her bimba flower like red lips made the five men let out the breath they had arrested since she had entered. It was like an assurance.

Where did they meet her in the past? None of them could recall. But their hearts knew it for sure. Draupadi went ahead and bowing to her father, took her seat beside him. The Pandavas still could not tear their dreamy gazes away from her face.

That lovely dark face seemed too known!

"I invite all the suitors to try their luck." Dhrishtadyumna said, and went back to his throne. The entire Sabha maintained complete silence.

It was Emperor Jarasandha who rose first. Everyone kept watching. But unlike to what they had thought, the old Lord of Magadha could not even string the bow. It slipped from his fingers at the last moment, pushing him away with a strong reflex. Bitting his lips, a crimson-eyed Jarasandha stepped back to his place. His son Sahadeva and grandson Meghsandhi only repeated his failure.

Shishupala, Jarasandha's right hand, came to try his luck now. Pandavas looked at their maternal cousin with bated breath. They had heard that Shishupala was born with special powers. Chances were there that he might succeed.

Shishupala lifted the bow in left hand. The bow took revenge on him by giving him a strong push while he tried to string it. Unable to stand it, he King of Chedi fell down on the floor, his crown fell and jewelry displaced. A loud laughter echoed from the walls of Sabha.

After this, it was just a repetition of same scenario. Kotikasya, Vinda and Anuvinda all were just thrown to the floor in their failed attempt to string the bow. Their crowns and necklaces scattered everywhere. Those jewels with which they hoped to impress Draupadi, were cast off their bodies. The Princess sat calm, keeping her gaze fixed on the five figures who had no single gem, no costly silk robes on them.

Could mortal wealth ever attract her, she being the Queen of heaven?

Even Duryodhana's strength failed in front of that mysterious bow. Yudhishthira's eyebrows met. He was sure by now that there was something more into it. Either the bow was not ordinary, like Lord Shiva's Pinaka, or,...

Or, the Princess herself was not ordinary! No ordinary man could win her hand!

Karna, the King of Anga, came to try his luck after his best friend had failed. He lifted the bow successfully and pulled the string with quite an effort. Entire Sabha held their breath. But at the last moment, the string denied meeting the other end, as if a chaste woman's heart denying to become someone else's. Only at a distance of two fingers the bowstring slipped off from Karna's fingers. The bow still lay inert, unconquered, just like unflinching wish of someone's heart!

Karna's face grew pale. Leaving the bow he went back to his place. King Drupada now looked bothered. Would no one be able to meet his expectations? What awaited his beloved daughter's fate then?

A meaningful smile played on Krishna's lips. The next moment Pandavas felt his lotus eyes resting on them. Suddenly a surge of bliss passed through their veins. Arjuna looked eagerly at Yudhishthira who nodded at him, indicating him to rise. Without giving it a second thought, Arjuna stood up.

"A Brahmin?" There was a murmur.

"Huh! Look at his courage! A Brahmin dares to do something we could not?" The kings burst into laughter.

"Hold back, young Brahmin! Don't make us a laughing stock in front of all!" Other Brahmins advised.

But nothing could stop Arjuna whose feet headed to the bow, and eyes fixed on the target. The pull he was feeling within was much, much stronger than those insulting comments.

Could there be anything to stop one when true love prevailed?

Ignoring every comment, Arjuna finally picked the bow up. The bow seemed to have received life with his single touch. Draupadi's heartbeat raced. She pressed Satyabhama's hand tightly to hold herself. Smiling, Satyabhama patted her gently.

Arjuna pulled the bowstring. It met the other end like two lovers of past births would. It tied securely there, as if new bride's coy fingers around her groom's hand. Draupadi's face lit up.

The next moment Arjuna sank to his knees, keeping his gaze fixed on the reflection below. The arrow moved. And Draupadi's lotus eyes too, towards the same direction. Those eyelids forgot blinking for a while, seeing the arrow hitting the fish's eye. Tears of joy sparkled at the corner of those kohl lines.

Mission accomplished!

"Sakhi!" Draupadi returned to her senses as Rukmini gently pushed her. Sumedha was waiting with garland in her hand.

The Brahmins were on their feet now. They congratulated Arjuna by waving their upper garments. Yudhishthira did not feel right. It would not be safe if everyone could recognize them as Pandavas. Maharishi Vyasa's warning rang in his ears. Something needed to be done.

"Bhima, take care of Arjuna. We are waiting outside." He whispered. Exchanging a quick glance with Krishna who was also looking at them, Yudhishthira left the Sabha along with the twins.
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Author's note: The metaphors regarding bow and bowstring are inspired by Tulsidasi Ramayana and Ramananda Sagar's Ramayana.

Important:

1. According to BORI critical edition, Karna failed to string the bow. The oldest manuscript of southern edition also says the same. Neelakantha edition from which KMG version had been translated, mentions both failure AND Draupadi's rejection. That rejection line is found in only four manuscripts while all others have Karna's failure. After researching on all the manuscripts, BORI critical edition has concluded that Draupadi's rejection to Karna was an interpolation and his failure of stringing the bow is original.

2. If anyone is interested, I can give them the citation. But please be polite. No fighting in comment section will be tolerated. If you don't agree with the authenticity of BORI and their research, please keep your belief to yourself. Do NOT fight here.

3. Last but not the least, this is my book. What I will show and what not is my choice and you cannot attack in the comments just because your opinion doesn't match. If you don't like and don't agree with my research, feel free not to read. But no fight will be tolerated.

Hope I am clear. I apologise to my readers for this long note but you know why this is necessary. Thank you.