The Real Mahabharat with matsya king
VIRATA PARVA I-XII
The Battle at Matsya (Viraat or virat or virata ) - the real storry
Many of you have the wrong impression About the Virat Yuddh. Many believe that:
- Arjun arrived at the battlefield dressed as Brihannala
- Everybody thought that a woman had arrived and hesitated to attack
- Arjun used the Sammohan astra, put everyone to sleep, took the cows and left
- Thus everybody in Kaurava army was thus defeated but not really defeated
Let me describe the true Virat yuddh. First to clarify, Arjun was not thought to be a woman - he was dressed as a eunuch and recognized as such - and that is different. Secondly, as described later, the thirteenth year was already over and Arjun had regained his manhood but Pandavas were continuing to hide in their guise. Now to the story ..........
After Susharma of the Trigartas attacked Virat from the southern side, King Virat left with his whole army and the four Pandava brothers - Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev -
Still very much disguised. The next day, Kauravas attacked from the north side, and took charge of the whole cattle of cows. There was no one left in the kingdom to defend against the attack except young prince Uttar.
Uttarā (Mahabharata) pic
Having heard of the attack, Uttar started bragging that he can alone defeat the enemy but he did not have a worthy charioteer who can navigate his chariot with the required speed and agility. He said, "On seeing my prowess at the battlefield, the Kauravas will say, is this Arjun who is causing so much trouble?"
Hearing this, Brihannala (Arjun) slipped out and went to Sairandhri (Draupadi). He told her, "Quick. Go and tell Uttar that Brihannala used to be Arjun's able charioteer in the past. S/he will guide your steeds in the battle, if given an opportunity." Draupadi went and told Uttar. Uttar said, "How can I ask a him, a eunuch?". So princess Uttara did the bidding. Brihannala feigned ignorance on how to tie the armour and appeared to look stupid. This brought a lot of laugh amongst the ladies present. Uttar accepted to demonstrate and then they prepared to depart. While departing, Uttaraa said, "Defeat the Kauravas and bring their fine colourful clothing for my dolls."
Led by Brihannala, they raced to the northern end of the kingdom where Kauravas had led siege. But as they approached them, Uttar was struck with mortal fear. He said, "Let us turn back. I dare not fight such heroic warriors. Alone by themselves, the great Bhishm, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhan, etc., are undefeatable. Together even Indra cannot face them. My hair is standing at their ends and I am feeling faint. My father has gone to fight the Trigartas with the full army and my elder brother. I am alone and a very young boy. What can I do against these mighty warriors. Quick. Turn back immediately."
Go-harana parva
by
Roy, Pratap Chandra, 1842-1895; Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Brihannala replied, "It was at your command that I came here. If we return now without retrieving the cows, brave men will ridicule and laugh at you. I cannot return to the city without the cows. After all Sairandhri sung my praises. Your sister requested the angavastra (upper garments) of the Kaurava warriors. How can I refrain from fighting now. I shall be termed as a coward."
Uttar said, "Let the Kauravas plunder and take away the entire Matsya wealth. Let them take away the cattle. The battlefield is no place for me" and saying so, he jumped from the chariot and began running away. Seeing this laughter emerged from the Kaurava army. Brihannala ran after Uttar and caught him. Uttar offered him gold and jewels to let him free but Brihannala said, "If you do not wish to fight, hold the reins of the chariot. I shall fight in your place and recover all the cattle."
Uttara Gograhana :- Prince Uttara, with the help of Arjuna, defeats the attack by the army of Kuru brothers. He returns to his capital with wealth and cows that were looted from Matsya kingdom. This story is recited in Go-grahana sub-book of Virata Parva.
Meanwhile, in the Kaurava army there were murmurs. The soldiers started saying to each other, "Who could that person be? He is dressed like a eunuch but resembles Arjun.", "Yes, this must be Arjun in disguise".
(When they set out, it was very strongly believed that Pandavas were hiding in the Matsya kingdom. The killing of Keechaka had brought the suspicion that it was Bheem who was responsible. Karna opined that besides him, only Bheem was capable of slaying a giant like Keechaka in wrestling. The attack by Susharma from South and Kauravas from the north was a ploy to bring the Pandavas out in the open.)
Drona was worried. He said, "There are fiery dry winds blowing. The sky is overcast. The horses are shedding tears. Animals have a premonition of danger. This indicates fearful signs. Be on guard everyone. There is going to be tremendous slaughter in the battle that is about to happen." And turning to Bhishm, he said, "This is indubitably Arjun dressed as a eunuch. Protect Duryodhan. The great Arjun will certainly defeat him and take away the cows. The Pandavas were severely wronged thirteen years ago and Arjun's anger is sure to be kindled to the highest order on seeing his mortal enemies. Arjun has acquired all the celestial weapons. I fear that there is not one here who can stand against him."
Hearing this, Karna got wild, and shouted, "You always speak highly of Arjun. But Arjun does not even equal a sixteenth part of Duryodhan or me." But Duryodhan was elated and said, "O Karna, if this is indeed Arjun, we are fortunate. Our purpose of discovering the Pandavas during their thirteenth year is fulfilled and by the terms of the bet, they will have to repeat the exile. But if this not Arjun, my sharp arrows will very quickly dispose off this eunuch from the chariot."
Meanwhile, Arjun as Brihannala, led Uttar to the large Shami tree where the Pandavas had hidden their arms. The arms were all tied up in a bundle up on the tree and resembled a dead body. Arjun asked Uttar to climb up the tree and bring down the bundle. Uttar was horrified by the suggestion and said that he would be defiled by touching a dead body. Arjun then explained that it was not a dead body but a bundle of weapons. When the bundle was brought down and untied, it displayed an array of weapons. Uttar was astounded and asked who were the owners of such great weapons. Arjun then explained that the weapons belonged to the Pandavas and he revealed that Kanka was Yudhishthir, Ballav was Bheem, Grantheek is Nakul, Tantipal was Sahadev, Sairandhri was Draupadi and he was Arjun. Upon hearing this, Uttar was exceedingly glad and his courage and vigour returned. He felt reassured. Arjun smiled and said that there was no cause of worry and the cattle is as good as recovered.
As they neared the battlefield, Arjun put on the two inexhaustible quiver of arrows on his back, tied the bowstring to his bow Gandiva and gave it a loud twang. Then he blew on his conch Devdutta. These sounds brought a wave of fright amongst the Kaurava army. Duryodhan exclaimed gleefully, "So, it is Arjun. The Pandavas have failed at their pledge. They will have to go back to the forest for another twelve years." But Bheesm intervened and said, "The thirteenth year ended five months ago. It is now up to you to make peace with the Pandavas and escape their wrath." Duryodhan was adamant.
(The thirteenth year had indeed ended five
months ago as per the lunar calendar. But even as per the solar
calendar the year had ended six days ago.)
Bhishm told Duryodhan to take the cattle and proceed toward Hastinapur while he along with Drona, Kripa, Karna and Ashwatthama will fight Arjun. From his point, Arjun surveyed the army. Seeing that Duryodhan was not among the army, he told Uttar that their main job was to retrieve the cattle and it appeared that Duryodhan was escaping with the cattle. He told him to turn away and follow Duryodhan. Seeing this Bhishm got alarmed and commanded the army to stop Arjun.
Arjun filled the battlefield with countless arrows. His arrows were striking everyone far and wide even before the others had to chance to retaliate. He killed countless soldiers. The cattle panicked and started running helter-skelter.
Arjun rounded up the cattle and drove it to the direction of Matsya and then set after Duryodhan. Seeing this the principals of Kaurava army intercepted Arjun.
Arjun held Pitamah in check. He then repulsed the attack of Drona, Kripa and Ashwatthama. There was a fierce battle and he trounced on all of them. Then Karna came forward. Seeing his arch enemy Arjun boiled in anger and attacked Karna with his full might. Karna was unable to face the volcano that erupted in Arjun and had to retreat. Arjun then wrought complete havoc in the army. The army took to flight.
Not wishing to prolong the war further and wishing to return quickly to the capital, Arjun then used the Sammohan astra that put all the army and the enemy warriors to sleep. Even Bhishm, Drona, etc. fell unconscious as none knew the counter weapon. Uttar got down and grabbed all the upper garments of the chief warriors with the exception of Bhishm, Drona and Kripa out of respect.
Having vanquished the entire army single handedly, Arjun rounded up the cattle. He returned the arms back to the Shami tree. He reverted back to the disguise of Brihannala and resumed his role as the charioteer. Arjun and Uttar returned to the capital (matsya kingdom) with the cattle.
As you see that the battle at Matsya was not a normal battle. It was a very fierce battled in which Arjun killed many warriors including Karna's brother. Arjun had completely proclaimed and identified himself. Any doubt about his identity was very quickly dispelled after his attack. He defeated everyone.
There was no Krishna to guide and protect him. The Kauravas were not holding back and they also attacked with their whole might
THE END PART 1st
second part is under review
