The long, arduous journey of the Pandavas—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—along with their wife Draupadi, had reached its most critical juncture. For twelve years, they had wandered the wild forests of ancient India, fulfilling the terms of a tragic wager lost in a rigged game of dice against their cousins, the Kauravas. However, the final year, the thirteenth year, carried a condition far more perilous than simple survival: they had to live in absolute concealment. Known as 'Agyatvas,' this period required them to blend into a society without being recognized by anyone. If a single spy or scout from the Kaurava camp discovered their true identities before the year was out, they would be forced back into the forest for another twelve years of exile.
After much deliberation, the brothers chose the Matsya Kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Virata, as their sanctuary. The kingdom was prosperous, its capital Viratnagar was fortified, and the king was known for his hospitality and sense of justice. As they approached the borders of Matsya, they stood beneath a massive Shami tree near a desolate cremation ground outside the city. Here, they made a solemn decision to divest themselves of their divine weapons, including Arjuna's legendary Gandiva bow. They wrapped their bows and quivers in animal hides and hung them high among the branches of the tree, telling the local people that the bundles contained the remains of an old woman, ensuring that no curious soul would dare touch the 'impurities.' After offering prayers to the goddess Durga for protection, they transformed their appearances and entered the city gates separately, each seeking a place in the king’s service.
Yudhishthira, the eldest and the embodiment of Dharma, was the first to enter. He approached King Virata in the guise of a wandering Brahmin named Kanka. He claimed to be a former friend of the Pandava king Yudhishthira and an expert in the game of dice and statecraft. Virata, impressed by the Brahmin’s regal bearing and wisdom, appointed Kanka as his personal advisor and gaming companion. Thus, the king who had lost his kingdom to dice now spent his days playing the very same game with a monarch who had no idea who his guest truly was.
Next came Bhima, the powerhouse of the family. He assumed the identity of Vallabha, a robust and talented cook. He presented himself to the king, claiming he could prepare dishes that would satisfy even the gods and possessed the strength of a hundred men to handle the heavy tasks of the royal kitchens. Virata, delighted by the prospect of such culinary skill, gave him charge of the palace larders. Beyond his cooking, Vallabha occasionally entertained the court with feats of strength, famously wrestling and defeating a renowned champion named Jimuta during a festival, which further endeared him to the king.
Arjuna, perhaps the most recognizable of the brothers, faced a unique challenge. Years earlier, while visiting the heavens, he had been cursed by the celestial dancer Urvashi to live as a eunuch because he had rejected her advances. However, Indra, his divine father, had mitigated the curse, allowing Arjuna to choose when he would spend that year as a member of the third gender. Arjuna chose the thirteenth year for this purpose. He entered Viratnagar as Brihannala, a womanly figure dressed in bangles and fine silks. Claiming to have learned the arts of music and dance from the Gandharvas, Brihannala was appointed to teach these refined skills to Princess Uttara, the king's daughter, and the other ladies of the inner apartments.
Nakula and Sahadeva, the twins known for their grace and affinity with animals, sought roles in the royal stables and pastures. Nakula became Granthika, the master of horses, possessing an instinctive understanding of equine health and training. Sahadeva became Tantipala, the keeper of the royal cattle, capable of managing vast herds and diagnosing any illness among the cows. Both were quickly accepted, for their expertise was unparalleled in the kingdom of Matsya.
Draupadi, the proud queen, faced the most humbling transformation. She took the name Sairandhri and sought an audience with Queen Sudeshna. She claimed to be a skilled maidservant who had previously served Draupadi herself. Sudeshna was initially hesitant, for Sairandhri’s beauty was so radiant that the queen feared the king might fall in love with her. However, Draupadi assured the queen that she was protected by five powerful Gandharvas who would kill anyone who insulted her or approached her with ill intent. Reassured, Sudeshna took her in as her personal stylist and companion.
For many months, the Pandavas lived this quiet, undercover life. They performed their duties with diligence, watching one another from afar but never speaking or acknowledging their kinship. However, the peace was shattered by the return of Kichaka, the brother of Queen Sudeshna and the commander-in-chief of the Matsya army. Kichaka was a man of immense physical power and even greater arrogance. He was effectively the true power behind the throne, for his military might kept the kingdom safe from invaders. When Kichaka saw Sairandhri in the queen’s chambers, he was consumed by a dark and uncontrollable lust.
Kichaka pressured his sister, Sudeshna, to arrange a meeting between him and Sairandhri. Despite her misgivings, the queen, fearing her brother’s temper, commanded Draupadi to take a vessel of wine to Kichaka’s palace. When Draupadi arrived, Kichaka attempted to seize her. She fled back to the royal court, seeking the protection of the king, but Kichaka pursued her and kicked her in full view of the assembly. King Virata, blinded by his reliance on Kichaka’s military strength, and Yudhishthira, restricted by his disguise as Kanka, both remained silent, though their hearts burned with rage. Draupadi, weeping, turned to the kitchen where Bhima was working. That night, she met him in secret and demanded justice for the humiliation she had suffered.