Virata Parva

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{{short description|Fourth book of the Mahabharata}}
[[File:Mahabharata02ramauoft 0022 37.jpg|thumb|In Book 2 of Mahabharata, the [[Pandava]]s agree to spend 13th year of their exile incognito. Virata Parva describes their efforts at living under concealed identities (shown above), traumas and adventures.]]
'''Virata Parva''', also known as the “Book of Virata”, is the fourth of eighteen books of the Indian Epic [[Mahabharata]].<ref name="vb">van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1978) ''The Mahabharata: Book 4: The Book of the Virata; Book 5: The Book of the Effort''. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press</ref> Virata Parva traditionally has 4 parts and 72 chapters.<ref name=":0">Ganguli, K.M. (1883-1896) "[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/index.htm Virata Parva]" in ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa'' (12 Volumes). Calcutta</ref><ref name="mnd">Dutt, M.N. (1896) ''The Mahabharata (Volume 4): Virata Parva''. Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref> The critical edition of Virata Parva has 4 parts and 67 chapters.<ref>van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1973) ''The Mahabharata: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning''. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, p 476</ref><ref>Debroy, B. (2010) ''The Mahabharata, Volume 1''. Gurgaon: Penguin Books India, pp xxiii - xxvi</ref>

It discusses the 13th year of exile which the [[Pandavas]] must spend incognito to avoid another 12 years of exile in the forest. They do so in the court of Virata.<ref name=":0"/> They assume a variety of identities. Yudhishthira assumes the identity of game entertainer to the king and calls himself Kanka, Bhima of a cook Ballava,<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/75 75]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Arjuna teaches dance and music as eunuch [[Brihannala]] and dresses as a woman, Nakula tends horses as Granthika, Sahadeva herds cows as Tantipala, and Draupadi in the name of Malini went as Sairandhri to queen Shudeshna.<ref name="vb"/>

==Structure and chapters==
This book traditionally has 4 sub-parvas (parts or little books) and 72 adhyayas (sections, chapters).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=mnd/> The following are the sub-parvas:<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahābhārata (Table of Contents) |url=https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/mahabharata_table_of_contents.htm |website=The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin |access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>

: 1. '''Pandava Pravesha Parva''' (Chapters: 1–13)<ref name=mnd/>
:: The [[Pandava]]s discuss ways they can each conceal their identity for one year, and thus meet the pledge they made at the time of their exile. While Pandavas have grown up in a princely family, they must now assume non-princely professions to avoid being detected. If they are detected, the terms of their exile pledge would extend the exile by another 12 years. They chose to spend last year exile in King Virata kingdom in disguise. Yudhishthira presents himself to King as courtier, by the name of Kanka, Bhima as cook and wrestler by name Vallaba,<ref>sometimes spelled Ballava,</ref> Arjuna dresses up in a [[saree]] as neuter by the name of Brihannala,<ref>sometimes spelled Brihannala, Bŗhannaḑā</ref> Nakula as keeper of horses by name Granthika, Sahadeva as keeper of kine by name Tantipala,<ref>Also spelled Tantripala. Sahadeva claims his family name is Arishtanemi; in some literature he is referred to as Arishtanemi</ref> and Draupadi as female artisan by name Sairandhri.<ref name=vbnames>J. A. B. van Buitenen (Translator), The Mahabharata, Volume 3, 1978, {{ISBN|978-0226846651}}, University of Chicago Press, pages 9-10</ref><ref>sometimes spelled Shairandhri, Sairaṃdhrỉ</ref> The parva describes Pandavas' life as workers in Virata's kingdom, with king Virata as a famous cow baron.<ref name=vb/> Chapter 13 is sometimes named '''Samayapalana Parva'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04013.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 4: Virata Parva: Samayapalana Parva: Section XIII|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>

[[File:Draupadi humiliated RRV.jpg|thumb|Maid Sairandhri ([[Draupadi]]) is humiliated in Virata's court by Kichaka (left) in the last month of the 13th year. Bhima kills Kichaka.]]

: 2. '''Kichaka-vadha Parva''' (Chapters: 14–24)<ref name=kmg>[https://archive.org/details/mahabharataofkri03royp Virata Parva] Mahabharata, Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Published by P.C. Roy (1884)</ref>
:: [[Kichaka]],<ref>sometimes spelled Kicaka, See cited [[J. A. B. van Buitenen]] source at pages 11-12</ref> the commander of king Virata's forces, sees maid Sairandhri (incognito Draupadi), lusts for her. Kichaka approaches the queen, and inquires about Sairandhri. The queen does not know the true identity of Sairandhri, and arranges a meeting. Sairandhri informs Kichaka that she is married, and his stalking of her is inappropriate and against Dharma. Kichaka offers her release from being a maid and a life of luxury. Sairandhri says it is wrong for him to continue pursuing her. Kichaka gets desperate, desires Sairandhri even more. Queen Shudeshna asks Sairandhri to go get wine for her from Kichaka's house. Sairindhri goes in fear to Kichaka house to get wine. Kichaka meets her there, tries to molest her, Sairandhri pushes him and runs to the court of king Virata. Kichaka chases her, catches and kicks her in the court of Virata in front of the king. Sairandhri (Draupadi) demands justice from the king. [[Virata]] and Kanka ([[Yudhishthira]]) console Sairandhri, promise due investigation of all facts and then justice. Sairandhri, upset with her humiliation, the delay in justice, scolds both the king and Kanka. The queen learns about the mistreatment of Sairindhri, promises death to Kichaka. [[Draupadi]] meets Bhima, describes her humiliation by Kichaka, as well as how frustrated she has been with the 12 years of exile, for suffering the vice of her husband Yudhishthira. Draupadi explains why Kichaka is evil, explains she repeatedly rejected Kichaka, and demands Kichaka's death. Next day, Kichaka again approaches maid Sairandhri, and harasses her. Sairandhri asks him to meet her at a hiding place. Bhima meets Kichaka instead, and kills Kichaka. Friends and family of Kichaka blame maid Sairandhri, for Kichaka's death, catch her and try to burn her to death. Bhima gets upset, attacks and kills all those trying to burn Sairandhri. Draupadi is saved.<ref name=mnd/> The story presents the interconnectedness of crime to people related to the victim and the perpetrator, their emotions and how people take sides. Kichaka story from the Mahabharata is one of those that is dramatized in Indian classical dances, such as [[Kathakali]].<ref>David Boland (2006), The Mahabharata in Kathakali Dance Drama, Global Vision Publishing, {{ISBN|978-8182201811}}, pages 105-129</ref>

: 3. '''Go-harana Parva''' (Chapters: 25–69)<ref name=mnd/><ref>[[Monier Monier-Williams|Monier Williams]] (1868), [https://archive.org/stream/indianepicpoetry00moni#page/106/mode/2up Indian Epic Poetry], University of Oxford, Williams & Norgate - London, page 105-107</ref>
[[File:Uttara Gograhana.jpg|thumb|Prince Uttara, with the help of [[Arjuna]], saves the kingdom of Virata by the army of Kuru brothers. He returns to his capital with wealth and cows that were looted from Matsya kingdom. This story is recited in Go-grahana sub-book of Virata Parva.<ref name=kmg/>]]
::
: 4. '''Vaivahika Parva''' (Chapters: 70–72)<ref name=kmg/>
:: On 3rd day after Virata victory, attired in costly robes Pandavas entered the council-hall of Virata and took their seat on the thrones reserved for Kings. Virata came there for holding his council and beholding his courtiers occupying royal seat, filled with wrath. Arjuna discloses to king Virata that he and his Pandava brothers have been in his kingdom in disguise, over the 13th year of their exile. Virata asks for forgiveness and gives his daughter, princess [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]] hand to Arjuna's son [[Abhimanyu]].

==English translations==
Several translations of the Sanskrit book Virata Parva in English are available. Two translations from 19th century, now in public domain, are those by Kisari Mohan Ganguli<ref name=kmg/> and Manmatha Nath Dutt.<ref name=mnd/> The translations vary with each translator's interpretations.

[[J. A. B. van Buitenen]] completed an annotated edition of Virata Parva, based on critically edited and least corrupted version of Mahabharata known in 1975.<ref name=vb/> Debroy, in 2011, notes that updated critical edition of Virata Parva, with spurious and corrupted text removed, has 4 parts, 67 adhyayas (chapters) and 1,736 shlokas (verses).<ref>Bibek Debroy, The Mahabharata : Volume 3, {{ISBN|978-0143100157}}, Penguin Books, page xxiii - xxiv of Introduction</ref> Debroy's translation of a critical edition of Virata Parva appears in Volume 4 of his series.<ref>Bibek Debroy (2011), The Mahabharata, Volume 4, Penguin, {{ISBN|978-0143100164}}, Virata Parva</ref>

Clay Sanskrit Library has published a 15-volume set of the Mahabharata that includes a translation of Virata Parva by Kathleen Garbutt. This translation is modern and uses an old manuscript of the Epic. The translation does not remove verses and chapters now widely believed to be spurious and smuggled into the Epic in 1st or 2nd millennium CE.<ref>Kathleen Garbutt, Book IV, The Clay Sanskrit Library, Mahabharata: 15-volume Set, {{ISBN|978-0-8147-3183-3}}, New York University Press, Bilingual Edition</ref>

==Quotations and teachings==
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Houten wajangpop voorstellende Abimanyu TMnr 4283-86.jpg|thumb|Abhimanyu marries princess [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]] in Virata Parva. Their story is often displayed in traditional Wayang (puppet, pop and theatre) in the Hindu culture found in [[Bali]] and pockets of Java, Indonesia.<ref>Parto, F. S. (2001), Recent history of Javanese classical dance: A reassessment. Contemporary Theatre Review, 11(1), pages 9-17</ref>]]
'''Pandava Pravesha Parva''', Chapter 4:
{{quote|
A wise man should never contract friendship with the wife of the king nor with other attendants of his, nor with those whom he despises and who are hostile to him.
|sign=Pandava Pravesha Parva|source=Virata Parva, [[Mahabharata]] Book iv.4.19<ref>Manmatha Nath Dutt (1896), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n909/mode/2up Virata Parva], The Mahabharata, Elysium Press</ref>
}}

Pandava Pravesha Parva, Chapter 14:
{{quote|
Tell me, O lady, who is this bewitching girl of fine beauty, endued with the grace of a goddess, and whose she is and where she comes from. She has brought me to subjection by grinding my heart. I think there is no other medicine to heal me, except her.
|sign=Kichaka lusting for Draupadi, Pandava Pravesha Parva|source=Virata Parva, [[Mahabharata]] Book iv.14.8<ref>Manmatha Nath Dutt (1896), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n921/mode/2up Virata Parva], The Mahabharata, Elysium Press</ref>
}}

'''Kichaka-vadha Parva''', Chapter 21:
{{quote|
That wicked-souled Kichaka is war like, proud, outrager of female modesty and engrossed in all objects of pleasure. He steals money from the king. He extorts money from others, even if they cry in woe; he never stays in paths of rectitude nor does he even feel inclined to virtue. He is wicked-souled, of sinful disposition, impudent, villaneous and afflicted by Cupid's shaft. Although I have repeatedly rejected him, he will, I am sure, outrage me, whenever he happens to see me.
|sign=Draupadi explaining her case against Kichaka, Kichaka-badha Parva|source=Virata Parva, [[Mahabharata]] Book iv.21.36-39<ref>Manmatha Nath Dutt (1896), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n931/mode/2up Virata Parva], The Mahabharata, Elysium Press</ref>
}}

'''Go-harana Parva''', Chapter 38:
{{quote|
<poem>
[[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] said: Let the Kurus take away the profuse riches of the Matsyas as they like; let men and women laugh at me, O Vrihannala. Let the kine go any where, let my city be desolate, let me fear my father, but I shall not enter into battle.
[[Brihannala|Vrihannala]] said: To fly is not the practice of the brave; death in battle is preferable to flight in fear.
</poem>
|sign=Vrihannala (incognito Arjuna) and Prince Uttara fearful of war, Go-harana Parva|source=Virata Parva, [[Mahabharata]] Book iv.38.26-29<ref>Manmatha Nath Dutt (1896), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n949/mode/2up Virata Parva], The Mahabharata, Elysium Press</ref>
}}

==See also==
*[[Vana Parva|Previous book of Mahabharata: Vana Parva]]
*[[Udyoga Parva|Next book of Mahabharata: Udyoga Parva]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/index.htm Translation] by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]].
* [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n905/mode/2up Virata Parva], Translation in English, by Manmatha Nath Dutt
* [https://archive.org/details/lemahabharatapo09faucuoft Le Mahabharata], Translation in French, by H. Fauche (Paris, 1868)
* [https://archive.org/stream/mahabharata_nk/mahabharata_nilakanthas_commentary#page/n1143/mode/2up Virata Parva in Sanskrit] by Vyasadeva and commentary by Nilakantha (Editor: Kinjawadekar, 1929)

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Virata Parva