Section LXVII - King Virata's Joyful Victory: Uttara Returns with Vrihannala
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section LXVII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The story begins with King Virata recovering his wealth and entering his city with the Pandavas after defeating the Trigartas and recovering all the kine. Learning that his son, Uttara, has gone forth to battle with Vrihannala as his charioteer against the Kurus, Virata becomes anxious. He quickly dispatches troops to protect Uttara and expresses concern that having a eunuch as a charioteer may not bode well for his son. However, Yudhishthira assures Virata that with Vrihannala as his charioteer, Uttara will be victorious.
As messengers bring news of Uttara's victory over the Kurus and the recovery of the kine, King Virata is overjoyed. He orders a grand reception for his son, with the city decked out in decorations and musicians and dancers ready to welcome Uttara. In the midst of this celebration, a game of dice ensues between Virata and Yudhishthira. Virata boasts of his son's victory, while Yudhishthira attributes it to Vrihannala's prowess.
Virata becomes angry when Yudhishthira compares Vrihannala to his son, striking him with a dice and drawing blood from his nose. Draupadi quickly collects the blood, preventing it from touching the ground. Meanwhile, Uttara enters the city with Vrihannala and sends word to his father of their arrival. Virata eagerly awaits their entrance at the palace gate.
Yudhishthira, aware of the potential danger if Vrihannala were to witness his injury, instructs the warder to allow only Uttara to enter, fearing Vrihannala's fierce reaction. He explains that Vrihannala has vowed to avenge any harm done to Yudhishthira, even outside of battle, by taking immediate and drastic action. The story ends with tension building as Uttara stands at the gate, unaware of the situation inside the palace.
Full English translation:
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Section LXVII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section LXVII:
FAQs
- What was Virata's reaction upon hearing about Uttara's victory? Virata was overjoyed and ordered a grand welcome for his son. - Why did Yudhishthira refuse to gamble with King Matsya? Yudhishthira was averse to gambling due to the losses suffered by his family in the past. - What was the consequence of Matsya striking Yudhishthira with a dice? Yudhishthira's nose bled, and Draupadi collected the blood in a golden vessel. - Why did Yudhishthira advise the warder not to let Vrihannala enter? Yudhishthira feared Vrihannala's reaction to seeing him bleed and potentially causing harm to Virata.
Daily life: King Virata's Joyful Victory: Uttara Returns with Vrihannala:
The story highlights the essence of patience, wisdom, and strategy in facing adversities, much similar to what we encounter in our daily lives. It teaches us the importance of managing our reactions in challenging situations. Much like Yudhishthira, who despite being wronged and physically hurt, chose to handle the situation with composure rather than reacting impulsively, we too can learn to control our emotions. This approach not only prevents the escalation of conflicts but also allows us to navigate through difficult times with dignity and respect.
The narrative also emphasizes the power of understanding and forgiveness. Yudhishthira’s decision to not retaliate despite being provoked shows a high level of emotional intelligence and maturity. It signifies that holding onto anger and seeking revenge does not lead to positive outcomes. Instead, embracing forgiveness can pave the way for healing and peace.
Additionally, the story underscores the significance of teamwork and valuing the contributions of each member. The victory achieved by Uttara, guided by the skilled charioteer Vrihannala, symbolizes that success is often a collective effort rather than an individual feat. It reminds us to acknowledge and appreciate the roles that others play in our achievements, understanding that every contribution, no matter how small, is valuable.
In summary, through patience, strategic thinking, forgiveness, and recognizing the collective effort, we can overcome difficulties and emerge stronger. These timeless principles, illustrated in the ancient narrative, remain profoundly relevant, guiding us towards leading a balanced and harmonious life amidst modern-day challenges.