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Virata Parva: The book of Virata

Virata Parva of the Mahabharata (the book of virata): a summary in plain words, book 4 of 18.

In the thirteenth year the Pandavas must live unrecognised. They enter the service of King Virata of Matsya in disguise: Yudhishthira as a courtier, Bhima as a cook, Arjuna as a dance teacher called Brihannala, Nakula and Sahadeva as keepers of horses and cattle, and Draupadi as a maid. Bhima kills Kichaka, who tries to dishonour Draupadi. When the Kauravas raid the cattle of Virata, Arjuna defeats their whole army alone and reveals himself. Virata gives his daughter Uttara in marriage to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu.

This is book 4 of the eighteen parvas of the Mahabharata. See all eighteen and the characters.

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A retelling in our own words of a story told in many ways across India and Asia. Tellers differ on many episodes. It is not a scholarly translation.