At the request of Kankubhattu, a slight correction was made to the royal command. The king had ordered that the chariot-guide be brought along with Uttara Kumara. The guards, reflecting that after the king the most honoured among them was Kankubhattu, obeyed his word. With gentle courtesy, the gatekeeper halted Bruhannala and admitted the prince. Uttara Kumara saluted his sovereign, who embraced him with a father’s affection, tears of joy gathering in his eyes. Bowing again to the right, the prince noticed the king’s wound and inquired about its cause.
Before speaking of the battle, Uttara’s first concern was for Kankubhattu, revealing to Dharmaraja that the prince had perceived the truth of the Pandavas. Virata then said, “My child, when I heard of your triumph, I praised you but spoke harshly of Bruhannala, declaring that he had not won the war. In anger, I struck him with the dice.” Troubled, the prince replied reverently, “Father, what a grave error you have committed. Whatever he says must be accepted. Is it proper to restrain him? I beg you to seek his pardon. If men of noble lineage grow wrathful, the houses of kings decline.”
At his son’s counsel, the king approached Dharmaraja with humility. Dharmaraja replied gently, “I am not angered. He who walks in righteousness remains secure. In a moment of misfortune, he acted thus; let it pass.” He spoke loudly so that Uttara might hear the king was forgiven, and Virata rejoiced. Bruhannala then entered, greeted the king, and stood aside.
Virata turned to his son and said, “When Drona, Karna, Bhishma, Kripa, and Ashwatthama rained arrows like storms, you dared them to protect the cattle. Without support, how did you prevail against warriors trained by Parasurama, masters of celestial weapons, heroes radiant with divine strength? How did you return without a wound? Tell me all.”
Uttara answered, “I did not conquer the Kauravas, nor did I recover the herds. By divine grace a sacred, God-born hero came to my aid. He alone vanquished the Kauravas and restored our cattle. The dust of their armies rose like clouds, and the earth seemed to sink beneath their might. I trembled. Then the great one approached, placed me upon the chariot, and said, ‘Fear not.’ He sped between the foe and the cattle, turning the herds back with arrows. Guarding them briefly, he entered the battle with joyous valour. Chariots shattered, horses fell like hills, elephants collapsed like broken clouds, and warriors dropped like withered leaves. The army fled; Karna returned fiercely, but the divine warrior struck him down and slew his brother, forcing him to retreat. Drona was subdued by celestial weapons. Then he faced Bhishma, countering every astra until the grandsire too was laid low and borne away by his charioteer.”
Hearing this, the king rejoiced greatly. Yet Dharmaraja veiled his face and would not look straight ahead, and Virata, failing to perceive Arjuna’s glory in the tale, dismissed Bruhannala as though he were merely a dance-teacher. As they departed, Arjuna whispered to Uttara, “You have spoken wisely. This is enough for now. Reveal no more to Dharmaraja.”
Virata and his son then visited Sudeshna. When Uttara asked how his father had defeated the Trigartas, the king recounted his victory. Bruhannala returned to the dance chamber, where Uttara and her maidens greeted him. He honoured her and gave the turbans she had requested before he went to battle. Having completed his duties, Arjuna bathed, ate, and joined the sacred gathering where the Pandavas and Draupadi exchanged accounts of the northern and southern raids.
Later, Arjuna said to Bhima, “Our brother did not meet my eyes. I know not the reason.” Bhima replied, “When Virata praised his son, I said that noble Bruhannala was the true source of victory. In anger, he struck me with the dice and wounded me. I concealed it lest you see.” The wound was shown. Enraged, Bhima declared, “I shall send him to the gates of Yama with all his kin.” Arjuna then said to Dharmaraja, “Virata knows not his smallness. Let us slay him and take his kingdom.”
Dharmaraja answered calmly, “He is simple and unaware of who we are. Under his protection, we fulfilled our vow of concealment. It is not righteous to harm him. Let us reveal ourselves. If pride remains after he knows us, we shall decide then.” Their anger subsided. “So be it,” they agreed. “If, after knowing us, he acts wrongly, we shall consider our course.” They resolved to reveal their identity in Virata’s court.
At dawn, they bathed, adorned themselves in white garments with sandal paste and garlands, and entered the assembly like blazing fire. Dharmaraja ascended the throne, and the others took their proper seats. Virata entered, richly adorned, with Uttara Kumara, and stood astonished. With displeasure, he said, “Kankubhattu, how dare you sit upon my throne without respect as I arrive?”
Arjuna smiled and replied, “Virata, he who sits upon your throne is Dharmaraja. In his presence, crowned kings are as torches in daylight. By his word armies rise; by his favour banners are raised. His fame is pure as untouched snow. He performed the great sacrifice and upholds truth. He is the moon of the race of Pandu, conqueror of the earth, worthy of Indra’s seat, the very embodiment of righteousness. Praised by all noble men—does he not deserve this throne?”
Thus, the moment of revelation drew near. The sequence of events stood as a challenge to crooked kings, while the righteous awaited with relief the rising again of the sons of Pandu.
