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Mahabharata
Vaivahika Parva
The description of Yudhishthira. The proposal of the marriage of Uttara. The marriage of Abhimanyu.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon, on the third day, being bathed and wearing white clothes and adorned with all ornaments, the five brothers, having observed their vows in due time and placed Yudhishthira before them, appeared at the gate like five infuriated elephants.
Having entered the assembly hall of the king Virata, they sat on thrones reserved for kings and shone there like fire on the sacrificial altar.
They, having taken their seats, the Emperor Virata came there to perform his manifold royal duties.
Beholding the beautiful Pandavas, who shone there like burning fire, the king thought for a moment and was worked up with anger.
Then the king of Matsya's said to Kanka, who was seated there like the king of gods attended by the Maruts.
"You were a player at dice and were appointed by me as a courtier. Why do you, adorned with ornaments, sit on a royal throne?"
Hearing the words of Virata, Arjuna, as if smiling, said the following words to the king:
This man, O king, is worthy of even sharing a seat with Indra. Respectful toward Brahmanas, well read in Shrutis, even engaged in the performance of sacrifices, self- sacrificing, of firm vows,
He is in fact the embodiment of Virtue and the foremost of the powerful. He is of superior intelligence in this world and intent on the performance of ascetic rites.
He knows the use of various weapons. No creature in the three worlds, either amongst the mobile or immobile, knows this like him, nor will know it.
Neither the celestials, Asuras, human beings. Rakshasas, Gandharvas, the leading Yakshas, Kinnaras, or serpents (are like him).
He is far-sighted, highly energetic, beloved of the citizens and villagers, the foremost of car-warriors among the sons of Pandu, the performer of sacrifices, pious, and self-controlled.
A royal saint like a great Rishi as he is, he is celebrated all over the world. He is powerful, intelligent, capable, truthful and self- controlled. In wealth he is equal to Indra and in amassed wealth to Kubera.
He is the preserver of the world like the highly powerful Manu himself. Highly powerful and kind to his subjects.
He is the best in Kuru dynasty and known as Dharmaraja Yudhishthira. As the pleasant and cool radiance of the rising sun, his pleasure pouring fame has been spreaded throughout the world.
As the sun rays spread in all directions on sun rise due to radiation, his fame with its nectar pouring white rays is spreading in all directions.
O king, during his dwelling in Kuru country, as much as ten thousand mighty elephants used to follow him.
Similarly, thirty thousand chariots trimmed with garments made of gold and best quality horses used to follow him while in Kuru country.
As all sages chant pray lord Indra, he was earlier prayed by eight hundred soothsayers and Magadha (clown) bearing gem-studded ear-rings.
O king! As the gods pray Kubera, the treasurer, all kings and Kauravas used to follow his orders daily like servants.
This great man had made all kings tax payers like Vaishyas (by subjugation) and by directing them varied ways (viz. all kings used to pay him taxes imposed).
This great resolute had employed as much as eighty eight thousand learned graduates (Snatakas) and he used to consult with them daily.
He used to provide senior people, orphans, handicapped and blind people of state with proper maintenance. This king used to defend his subjects like son with all legitimate means and resources.
This king has resolved to control the sensory organs, always prepared to execute all what is legitimate and has an extreme control on anger. He is kind hearted, devotee to Brahmins and truthful.
By virtue of his valour, Duryodhana in spite of being so mighty shortly punished for his evil tricks with Karna, Shakuni and all other attendants.
O king! His great virtues cannot be counted. He, the son of Pandu is generous and always religion abiding. O king! Why is Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu not entitled to the position of a king in spite of the best virtues resting in his personality?
Virata said:
If this be the king of Kurus, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who, amongst those is his brother Arjuna and who the powerful Bhima?
Which of them is Nakula, who Sahadeva and where is the illustrious Draupadi? From the time of their defeat at dice, the sons of Pritha have not been known by any.
Arjuna said:
This one, O king, your cook, known as Ballava, is Bhima of dreadful prowess and energy.
It was he who, having killed the angry Rakshasas on the Gandhamadana mountain, secured for Draupadi fragrant celestials flowers.
He is the Gandharva who killed the wicked-souled Kichaka's, and it was he who slew the tigers, bears, and boars in your inner apartment.
He, who is the keeper of your horses is Nakula, the slayer of horses. The one, in charge of your kine, is Sahadeva. Both the sons of Madri are great car-warriors.
Adorned with beautiful ornaments and robes, and illustrious, these two foremost of Bharatas are capable of withstanding a thousand car-warrior.
This lotus-eyed, beautiful, waited Sairandhri, of sweet smiles, is Draupadi, O king, for whom the Kichakas were slain.
I am Arjuna, O king. You might have heard that I am the son of Pritha, the younger brother of Bhima and the elder brother of the twins.
We have spend happily the period of our exile, undiscovered, in your house, like creatures living in the womb.
Vaishampayana said:
After Arjuna had spoken of the five heroic sons of Pandu, the son of Virata then described his prowess. Uttara, too, again identified the sons of Pritha. (He said ):
The one, whose complexion is like pure gold, who is of developed proportions like a huge lion, whose eyes are expansive and coppery, whose nose is high, is the king of the Kurus.
He, who courses like an infuriated elephant, whose complexion is bright like burning gold, whose shoulders are expansive, whose arms are long and heavy, is Vrikodara.
And that youthful hero, of dark blue colour, O great bowman, who stands by him, who is like an elephant-chief, who is high like a lion and courses like an elephant, and has lotus-eyes, is Arjuna.
Those two foremost of men, who are near the king, are the twins. They are equal to Vishnu and Mahendra. In this world, there is none equal to them in beauty, strength and accomplishments.
Near them is Draupadi, having the hue of gold. Her complexion is an embodiment of brightness, her eyes are like dark-blue lotuses, and she is like the very goddess of prosperity (Lakshmi).
Having thus pointed out those five sons of Pandu and Pritha to the king, the son of Virata, then began to describe the prowess of Arjuna.
It was he who slew the enemies, like a lion killing the deer. He moved about on the cars, killing the car-warriors.
A huge elephant was pierced with a shaft and killed by him. That one of huge tusks, and bedecked with gold, fell down on earth.
By him the kine have been rescued, the Kurus vanquished; and, by the sound of his conch, my ears were deafened.
Hearing the words of Uttara, the powerful king of Matsya's, who had insulted Yudhishthira, said to him.
Methinks, the time has come to propitiate the Pandavas. If you like I shall confer Uttara (my daughter) upon Arjuna.
Uttara said:
"Methinks, the time has come for honoring the illustrious sons of Pandu, who are worthy of honour, respect and adoration."
Virata said:
When I passed into the hands of the enemies in battle, it was Bhimasena who saved me and rescued the kine.
By their prowess, we have won victory in battle. Along with our ministers, we shall propitiate the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, the foremost of Pandavas, together with his younger brothers. (He then said to him): "May good betide you. O king, If I we have unwittingly given you any offence, you should forgive me for all that. The son of Pandu is virtuous-souled.
Vaishampayana said:
Then noble Virata, made an alliance with the king and offered him the entire kingdom together with his scepter, treasury and city.
Then addressing all the Pandavas and particularly Dhananjaya, the king of Matsya's, again and again, said "Oh good fortune."
Then, having repeatedly embraced and smelt the heads of Yudhishthira, Bhima and the two sons of Madri,
Virata, the lord of armies, was not satiated with seeing them. He, then delightedly, said to the king Yudhishthira.
“By good luck, I have got you, all safe from the forest. And by good luck, it is that you spent the period of exile, undiscovered by these wicked ones.
I make a gift of this my kingdom and what else I have, to the sons of Pritha. May they accept it without any hesitation.
Let Savyasachin, Dhananjaya, accept Uttara (my daughter). That foremost of men is her becoming husband."
Thus addressed, the pious king Yudhishthira looked towards Dhananjaya. And looked at by his brother, Arjuna said to the king of Matsya's.
O king, I shall accept your daughter as my daughter-in-law. Such an alliance between the Matsya's and Bharatas is indeed proper.
Virata said:
O foremost of Pandavas, why do you not wish to accept, as your wife, my daughter whom I wish to confer upon you?
Arjuna said:
Living in your inner apartment, I always saw your daughter. Alone or before all, she always used to confide in me as her father.
Well-versed in dancing and singing, I was always loved and much liked by her. Your daughter always regards me as her preceptor.
O king, I lived for one year with her who is youthful. O lord, you or your men may therefore suspect me.
O king, I, therefore, wish to have your daughter as my daughter-in-law-pure, self-controlled, I am. I thus prove her purity.
There is no difference between a daughter and a daughter-in-law as that between one's ownself and a son. I do not find any fear in it - for by it purity will be proved.
O king, I am afraid of curses and false accusation. O king, I shall therefore accept your daughter Uttara as my daughter-in-law.
A nephew of Vasudeva, like a very celestials boy my son, who has mastered all weapons, is the favourite of the holder of discus.
O king, my son is the mighty-armed Abhimanyu. He is a proper son-in-law for you and husband for you daughter.
Virata said:
It is indeed proper for the foremost of Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, always virtuous and wise, to say this.
O Partha, do what you think proper after this. He, who has a relationship with Arjuna, has all his desires fulfilled.
Vaishampayana said:
After the king had said this, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, gave his assent to the alliance between Matsya and Partha.
O descendant of Bharata, then the son of Kunti sent invitations to all his friends and Vasudeva, and so did the king Virata.
Thus after the expiration of the thirteenth year, the five Pandavas took up their quarters in Virata's town called Upaplavya.
Bibhatsu then brought over Abhimanyu, Janardana and many members of the Dasharha family from the Anarta country.
The king of Kashi and Shaivya, who were great friends of Yudhishthira, came there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini of soldiers.
There came as also the mighty powerful Yagasena with an Akshauhini of soldiers, the heroic sons of Draupadi and the invincible Shikhandi.
Chivalrous Dhrishtadyumna, the best weaponer and expert in war-craft were also with them. Apart from these, numerous other kings commanding one Akshauhini army each, observer of offering, generous in the matter of Dakshina for offerings arranged and ready to die for the cause of Pandavas.
The king duly worshipped them all along with their servants and troops. And having given away his daughter, he was pleased.
There came Vasudeva, decked with garlands, Halayudha, Kritavarman, Hridika, Yuyudhana, the son of Satyaki, Anadhrishti, Akrura, Samba, Nishath - all these repressors of foes came there with Abhimanyu and his mother. Indrasena and others came with their cars having lived there for one whole year. There came also ten thousand elephants and ten millions of horses, ten billions of cars and one Nikharva of infantry and many other highly energetic Vrishni, Andhaka and Bhoja heroes - following the highly effulgent Vasudeva - the foremost of Vrishnis.
Lord Srikrishna made a gift of several maids, various type gems and a pile of garments separately in the form of dowry or invitation to great Pandavas. Then there took place duly the nuptial tie between the Matsya and the Pandu families.
Then conchs, cymbals, drums, trumpets and various other musical instruments were played in the palace of Virata. Various deer and animals were slain. Wines and various celestials drinks were procured and there came also many songsters, panegyrists and actors.
The singers, the fabulists, acrobats and the magic-mongers began chanting pray and psalms for Pandavas in company of soothsayers and Magadhas (clowns) there.
Many damsel, beautiful and adorned, with jeweled ear-rings, of whom Draupadi was the foremost, came there leading the princess Uttara adorned with many ornaments and resembling the accepted that all-beautiful daughter of Virata for his son Abhimanyu, begotten on Subhadra. There stood the great king, in beauty-like Indra. Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, accepted her for his daughter-in-law.
Thus, Partha accepted Uttara for his son Abhimanyu in the presence of lord Krishna and their marriage was solemnised.
The king Virata made a gift of seven thousand horses as speedy as the air, two hundred mighty elephants and considerable money in the form of dowry to bridegroom party when he duly honoured Brahmins and made offering in fire in course of solemnising the marriage of his daughter. He assigned with them the throne, army and everything including treasury as also surrendered himself for their service.
On completion of the conjugal ceremony, Yudhishthira, an incarnate to Dharma, made a gift of the major part of money received from lord Krishna to Brahmanas.
He offered several thousand cows, gems, various type of garments, ornaments, cardinal vehicles, bed, eatables and several type of drinks also. O Janamejaya! The city of Matsyaraja crowded with thousands of lakhs hale and hearty people was being seen as a great festivity in live feature.
Thus ends the seventy-second chapter, the marriage of Abhimanyu in the Vaivahika of the Virata Parva.
End of the Virata Parva
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