శ్రీ మహాభారతము|11.విరాటపర్వము|అర్జునుడు నృత్యమునేర్పుటకునియుక్తుడగుట.|శ్లో(1-18)|Dr.N.V.Nagendram

Srimahabharatham.#virataparvam#11thAdhyayam
The Virata Parva, the fourth of eighteen books in the Mahabharata, details the thirteenth year of the Pandavas' exile, which they were required to spend in Agyatavasa (incognito/incognito exile). The core theme is the Pandavas' survival in disguise within the Matsya Kingdom, ruled by King Virata, to avoid being detected by the Kauravas, which would have forced another twelve years of exile.
Key events and descriptions in this Parva include:
Disguised Identities: The Pandavas and Draupadi adopt menial, non-princely roles to remain undetected:
Yudhishthira: Kanka, a courtier and advisor.
Bhima: Vallaba, a cook and wrestler.
Arjuna: Brihannala, a eunuch dancing master.
Nakula: Granthika, a keeper of horses.
Sahadeva: Tantipala, a keeper of kine.
Draupadi: Sairandhri, a female artist/attendant to Queen Sudeshna.
Life in Matsya Kingdom: The narrative describes their lives in the royal household, including the complex dynamics of serving King Virata and the jealousy of his brother-in-law, Keechaka.
The Death of Keechaka: Bhima kills Keechaka, who had threatened Draupadi (Sairandhri), causing fear among the Kauravas who realize only a supreme warrior could have killed him, thus endangering the Pandavas' secret.
Virata War (Gosam-yuddha): The Kauravas, suspecting the Pandavas' presence, attack the Matsya Kingdom to steal their cattle. Arjuna, disguised as Brihannala, single-handedly defeats the entire Kaurava army, including Bhishma and Karna.
Conclusion: The year of exile ends successfully without the Pandavas being discovered, and the Parva concludes with the alliance between the Pandavas and King Virata, including the marriage of Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, to Virata's daughter, Uttara.
The Virata Parva is also highly regarded for its dramatic narrative, particularly in the Telugu adaptation by Tikkana.