The second emissary: Sanjaya goes to the Pandavas Summoning Sanjaya to the council-hall, he addressed him in the following words. Dhritarashtra said, “They say, O Sanjaya, that the Pandavas have arrived at Upaplavya. Go and enquire after them. You must greet Ajatashatru in the following words, “By good luck it…
The first emissary According to Yudhishthira’s opinion, Drupada sent his Purohit to the Kurus. Drupada said, “Of beings those that are endowed with life are superior. Of living beings those that are endowed with intelligence are superior. Of intelligent creatures men are superior. Of men the twice-born are superior. Of…
The Pandavas and the Kauravas assemble armies The Pandavas consult with their allies in Virata’s court Then those valiant descendants of Kuru, who belonged to the same party (with Virata), having joyfully celebrated the nuptials of Abhimanyu and rested themselves that night, presented themselves at dawn, well pleased, in the…
Abhimanyu weds Uttara Having speedily recovered his wealth, Virata, owning a large army, entered his city with a cheerful heart, accompanied by the four Pandavas. Having vanquished the Trigartas in battle and recovered all the kine, that mighty monarch, along with the sons of Pritha, looked resplendent and blazed forth…
Uttara Gograhana: The cattle seize – 3 Having disorganised the hostile host by force and having recovered the kine, that foremost of bowmen, desirous of fighting again, proceeded towards Duryodhana. Beholding the kine running wild towards the city of the Matsyas, the foremost warriors of the Kurus regarded Kiriti to…
Uttara Gograhana: The cattle seize – 2 When the king of the Matsyas, anxious of recovering the kine, had set out in pursuit of the Trigartas, Duryodhana with his counsellors invaded the dominions of Virata. Bhishma and Drona, and Karna, and Kripa acquainted with the best of weapons, Ashwatthama, and…
Uttara Gograhana: The cattle seize – 1 Duryodhana’s spies return and report Meanwhile, the spies employed by Dhritarashtra’s son, having searched various villages and towns and kingdoms and done all that they had been commanded to do and completed their examination, in the manner directed, of the countries indicated in…
The killing of Kichaka Kichaka troubles Draupadi Living in such disguise, those mighty warriors, the sons of Pritha, passed ten months in Matsya’s city. Although herself deserving to be waited upon by others, the daughter of Yajnasena passed her days in extreme misery, waiting upon Sudeshna. Residing thus in Sudeshna’s…
The Pandavas live in disguise in Virata Nagar The Pandavas choose the place and disguise for the 13th year Having in this way obtained boons from the god of Justice, that best of virtuous men, Yudhishthira, returned to the asylum and related unto the Brahmanas all that had happened. Having…
The Pandavas bid farewell to forest dwellers at the end of 12 years of exile Commanded by the Lord of justice to thus spend in disguise the thirteenth year of non-discovery, the Pandavas sat before those learned and vow-observing ascetics that from regard were dwelling with them in their exile…