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| The Year in Hiding |
According to the terms of the agreement, the Pandavas had to disguise themselves and remain in hiding during the thirteenth year of their banishment. They held anxious consultations about the form of disguise each was to take.
After thinking it over for a while, Yudhishthira agreed to the suggestion of hiding themselves in the Matsya region of king Virata. Yudhishthira said that he would join service at the court as companion to the king and take the name Kanka. He then asked Bhima, "O Bhima, what work will you seek? What disguise can hide your mighty frame and let you go unrecognized?"
Bhima laughed and replied, "O king, you know that I have a great appetite and am also an expert cook. I shall take the name Valala and seek service as a cook in the court of Virata."
Nakula was to work in Virata's stables while his twin, Sahadeva, would work as a herdsman and look after Virata's large herds of cattle. Arjuna, who had studied music and dance, would teach these arts to the princess and prince and remain in the inner apartments dressed as a woman.
"I will go as queen Sudeshna's serving-maiden and companion," said Draupadi. Having thus made up their minds, they put on their disguises and presented themselves before the king. Impressed by their conduct, he at first hesitated to engage them for such lowly jobs. But when they pressed him, he finally agreed. The five Pandavas busied themselves in their respective tasks while Draupadi served Sudeshna under the name of Sairandhri.
So Draupadi and the Pandavas lived and worked unrecognized at Virata's royal court. They moved about with care, watching their actions and their words, showing no sign of recognition for each other. Ten months went by thus.
One day, Sudeshna's brother Kichaka's eyes fell on Sairandhri. He was infatuated with her beauty and wanted to have her as his slave. But Sairandhri fled from his unwelcome attentions.
One night Sudeshna told Sairandhri to go to Kichaka's house to fetch some wine in a gold cup. Draupadi begged of the queen to send someone else, but she replied sharply, "You have to go. I cannot send anyone else." And poor Draupadi had to obey. When she reached Kichaka's house he began to pester her. When she would not yield he seized her by the arm. She broke free and fled to the king's courtroom, with Kichaka in hot pursuit. He caught up with her and, hurled insults at her, in the presence of all.
Draupadi could not bear it any longer. That night she went to Bhima and, waking him poured out all her troubles. She warned him not to act in haste, and together they made a plan.
The next morning Kichaka started pestering her again. Draupadi pretended to yield and said shyly, "O Kichaka, I cannot resist you any longer. But you must keep this a secret. Come and meet me tonight. I shall wait for you."
Kichaka was filled with joy. That night, freshend up and adorned, he went to the rendezvous. In the dim light, he could just see someone lying one a couch, and assumed it to be Sairandhri. Groping his way in the dark, he laid his hands on the figure but discovered, to his dismay, that it was not the soft form of Sairandhri but one seemingly made of iron! Bhima leapt up and hurled Kichaka to the ground. Kichaka fought back valiantly. But finally Bhima over-powered him and killed him.
The dead body was found the next morning, and it was assumed that one of Sairandhri's Gandharva husbands had killed Kichaka for annoying her. She became an object of fear around the palace. There was mourning and grief in Matsya. Though Kichaka had been a heartless tyrant, he had kept Matsya strong and safe from enemies. | |
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