The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The practice of polyandry (one woman having multiple husbands) is central to the narrative of the Mahabharata regarding Draupadi’s marriage to the five Pandavas. Since this practice was generally not aligned with Brahmanical norms, the epic provides multiple mythological and social explanations to justify it, particularly through the sage Vyasa.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: In the text, when Drupada (Draupadi's father) objects to the idea of his daughter marrying five men, Vyasa provides justifications. One of the explanations offered is that the Pandavas were incarnations of Indra (who had been cursed or split into five forms) and Draupadi was an incarnation of Indra’s wife, Shachi. Thus, she was essentially marrying one deity in five bodies.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Historians do not unanimously reject the theory regarding the shortage of women. While analyzing the prevalence of polyandry, some historians suggest it may have been a practice among ruling elites in the Himalayan region, while others explicitly suggest that it might have been due to a shortage of women during times of frequent warfare. Since this theory is entertained by scholars rather than universally dismissed, the claim of unanimous rejection is false.
Key Takeaway:
The Mahabharata uses mythological narratives, such as the incarnation of Indra and the boon of Shiva, to validate the non-Brahmanical custom of polyandry within the Kuru lineage.