Section V - Arjuna Deposits Weapons - Pandavas Enter Virata City
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section V 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:
After living in the forests for years following their exile, the Pandavas, led by Arjuna, set out to reclaim their kingdom. Disguised as hunters, they headed towards Virata's kingdom but needed to find a place to hide their weapons before entering the city. Arjuna suggested a secluded spot near a cemetery with a massive Sami tree, where they could safely stash their arms to avoid alarming the citizens. They carefully concealed their powerful weapons, including Arjuna's Gandiva bow, before proceeding into the city.
Once their weapons were securely hidden, the Pandavas, adopting new identities to avoid detection, entered the city of Virata. To further ensure their anonymity, Yudhishthira gave each of his brothers a different name to use during their stay. They adopted new personas to integrate into the kingdom and live there unnoticed for the thirteenth year of their exile as per their agreement with Duryodhana. Despite their years of struggle and exile, the Pandavas were determined to remain incognito and patiently bide their time until they could reclaim their rightful kingdom.
The Pandavas' arrival in the city posed a challenge as they needed to blend in and avoid any suspicion to fulfill their commitment to their exile. By disguising themselves and strategically hiding their weapons, they laid the groundwork for their covert stay in Virata's kingdom. Their careful planning and attention to detail allowed them to navigate the city without raising any alarms, setting the stage for their eventual return to power in the future. As they settled into their new lives, the Pandavas remained vigilant, knowing that their true identities must remain concealed until the right moment to reveal themselves and reclaim their kingdom from the Kauravas.
Throughout their time in Virata's kingdom, the Pandavas faced various challenges and tests of their abilities to remain hidden while still upholding their principles. As they adjusted to their new roles and identities, the brothers worked together to maintain their cover and gather strength for the battles to come. Despite the hardships they faced during their exile, the Pandavas displayed resilience and determination in fulfilling their commitment to their exile, setting the stage for their eventual triumph over their enemies and the restoration of their rightful throne.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section V - Arjuna Deposits Weapons - Pandavas Enter Virata City, have a look at the following articles:
Section V, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section V:
Can you summarize the Pandavas' journey to Virata’s city?
The Pandavas left their forest life, deposited their weapons, and entered the city in disguise.
Why did the Pandavas decide to deposit their weapons near the cemetery?
To avoid alarming the citizens of the city and risking discovery.
How did the Pandavas ensure their weapons remained hidden and safe?
They hung up a corpse to deter people from approaching the tree.
Daily life: Arjuna Deposits Weapons - Pandavas Enter Virata City:
In the story from the epic, the Pandavas find themselves needing to disguise their identities and hide their weapons to fulfill a promise which required them to remain undetected for a specified period. They cleverly choose an inconspicuous but secure location to stash their weapons and assume new identities to blend into the city unnoticed. This narrative offers valuable lessons on adaptability, discretion, and the importance of fulfilling commitments, which can be applied to modern daily life.
In everyday situations, one might face challenges or commitments that require a careful and strategic approach to resolve or fulfill. Just as the Pandavas assessed their environment for the best course of action, individuals can benefit from evaluating their circumstances to determine the most effective strategies to achieve their goals while maintaining integrity and accountability. The story highlights the importance of adaptability – the ability to adjust to new conditions or environments to overcome obstacles.
By creatively using their resources, like the Pandavas did with the Sami tree and their false story about the corpse, people can find innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. It teaches that sometimes, to navigate complex situations, disguising one's true intentions or capabilities temporarily can be necessary, as long as the underlying actions are driven by honorable motives and lead to the fulfillment of one's obligations. In essence, this story serves as a metaphor for the journeys and trials one might face, underlining the virtues of resourcefulness, adaptability, and the unwavering commitment to one's promises.