A story · Mahabharata — Stories

The Year in Hiding

Mahabharata, Virata Parva 1

The story · English

Janamejaya asked the sage Vaisampayana how his great-grandfathers had spent their days in the city of Virata while hiding from the fear of Duryodhana. He also asked how the blessed Draupadi, who was devoted to her husbands and the Deity, had spent those days without being recognized. Vaisampayana began the account by explaining that Yudhishthira had first obtained boons from the god of Justice. He returned to the asylum and told the Brahmanas everything that had occurred. Yudhishthira also returned a churning staff and fire-sticks to a Brahmana who had followed him. After these events, Yudhishthira called his younger brothers together to discuss the coming year, for they had already spent twelve years in exile and the thirteenth year, which would be the hardest to endure, had now arrived.

Yudhishthira told Arjuna to find a secluded spot where they could live undiscovered by their enemies. Arjuna replied that although the boon of Dharma would keep them hidden, it was still wise to choose a pleasant and remote place. He listed several beautiful countries surrounding the kingdom of the Kurus, including Panchala, Chedi, Matsya, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna, Navarashtra, Malla, Salva, Yugandhara, Saurashtra, Avanti, and the spacious Kuntirashtra. Arjuna asked Yudhishthira to select one of these regions as the place where they should spend their final year of exile. Yudhishthira agreed that they must consult one another to find an auspicious and agreeable region where they could live without fear, ensuring they remained safe from those who wished them harm.

Yudhishthira decided that they should go to the city of Virata. He described King Virata of the Matsyas as a virtuous, powerful, and charitable man who was liked by all and felt an attachment to the Pandavas. He proposed that they enter the king's service to pass the year. Yudhishthira then asked his brothers in what capacities they would present themselves before the king. Arjuna questioned Yudhishthira first, noting that his eldest brother was mild, modest, and virtuous. Arjuna wondered how a king, who was normally fit to bear trouble like an ordinary person, would manage to overcome the great calamity that had overtaken them and what specific role he would take on in the household of King Virata.

Yudhishthira explained his plan to his brothers. He would present himself as a Brahmana named Kanka. He would claim to be skilled in dice and fond of games. By using beautiful ivory pawns of blue, yellow, red, and white, and throwing black and red dice, he would entertain the king and his courtiers. Yudhishthira believed that by delighting the monarch in this way, no one would succeed in discovering his true identity. He added that if the king ever questioned his past, he would simply say that he had formerly been a bosom friend of Yudhishthira. Having settled his own disguise, Yudhishthira turned to Bhima, also known as Vrikodara, and asked what office he would fill in the city of Virata.

Bhima replied that he would present himself as a cook named Vallabha. He stated that he was skilled in the culinary arts and would prepare curries that would surpass all previous cooks. Beyond the kitchen, Bhima planned to impress the monarch by carrying mighty loads of wood. He believed that the servants of the royal household would honor him as a king upon witnessing such superhuman feats. He also intended to take control of the drinks and viands. Bhima noted that if he were commanded to subdue powerful elephants or mighty bulls, he would do so. If combatants challenged him in the lists, he would vanquish them to entertain the king, though he promised not to take any of their lives.

Bhima concluded his plan by saying that when asked about his history, he would claim he was formerly the wrestler and cook of Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira then turned his attention to Arjuna. He spoke of Arjuna as the foremost of bowmen, the wielder of Gandiva, and a warrior invincible in fight. He recalled how Arjuna had gratified the divine Agni by vanquishing Nagas and Rakshasas in the Khandava forest. He reminded his brothers that Arjuna had spent five years in the abode of Indra, acquiring celestial weapons. Yudhishthira compared Arjuna's supremacy in archery to the sun among heat-giving bodies, the ocean among waters, and the tiger among beasts, wondering what role such a man could possibly take.

Arjuna replied that he would declare himself to be of the neuter sex. He explained that it would be difficult to hide the marks of the bowstring on his arms, so he would cover them with bangles. Wearing rings in his ears, conch-bangles on his wrists, and a braid hanging from his head, he would take the name Vrihannala. He planned to entertain the king and the women of the inner apartments by reciting stories and instructing them in singing, dancing, and musical instruments. Arjuna said that he would hide himself like fire concealed by ashes. If questioned, he would claim he had been a waiting maid for Draupadi in the palace of Yudhishthira.

Yudhishthira then asked Nakula, who possessed a graceful presence, what office he would discharge. Nakula replied that he would become the keeper of horses under the name Granthika. He expressed his thorough knowledge of tending and training horses, noting that the task was agreeable to him. Nakula claimed that even colts and mares would become docile under his care and would not be vicious when bearing a rider or drawing a car. He told Yudhishthira that if anyone in the city of Virata inquired about his past, he would tell them that he had formerly been employed by Yudhishthira in charge of his horses, and that he would spend his days delightfully in this disguise.

Yudhishthira then asked Sahadeva how he would live in disguise. Sahadeva replied that he would become the keeper of the cattle, taking the name Tantripal. He explained his skill in milking cows, taming their fierceness, and identifying auspicious marks on bulls. He mentioned that some bulls bore marks so auspicious that the scent of their urine could make even a barren woman bear a child. Sahadeva assured Yudhishthira that he took great delight in this work and that he had frequently looked after the royal cattle in the past. He believed that by performing these duties deftly, he would gratify the monarch and remain unrecognized by those who might be searching for the Pandavas.

Finally, Yudhishthira turned to Draupadi. He expressed concern because she was a princess of great repute, delicate and young, who had only known luxury and costly robes. He wondered how she would live. Draupadi replied that Sairindhris were a class of women who entered the service of others, and she would pose as a Sairindhri skilled in dressing hair. She would serve Sudeshna, the wife of King Virata, and claim she had been a waiting woman for Draupadi in Yudhishthira's house. Yudhishthira told her she spoke well, but cautioned her to conduct herself carefully so that sinful men of evil hearts would not be gladdened by gazing at her.

कथा · हिन्दी

In this book

• Before: The Questions of the Yaksha · Mahabharata, Vana Parva 311
• Next: The Fall of Kichaka · Mahabharata, Virata Parva 22
• All of Mahabharata — Stories · Ask Krishna about it

Sacred Sargam

The sacred texts with their meaning, read aloud, with Ask Krishna, a Panchang and bhajans. Free, on the web and as an app. Open Sacred Sargam