Section VII - Yudhishthira's Arrival at King Virata's Court and Boons Granted
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section VII 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 narrated by Vaisampayana revolves around Yudhishthira, who disguised himself as a Brahmana named Kanka and approached King Virata seeking refuge. Impressed by his demeanor and skills in dice casting, King Virata appointed him as the ruler of Matsyas, showing admiration for Yudhishthira's prowess. Yudhishthira, in turn, expressed his desire to avoid any disputes related to dice with lowly individuals and requested that those defeated by him should not be allowed to retain the wealth won unfairly. Virata granted these requests and promised to support Yudhishthira by offering him royal privileges and assistance in managing the kingdom. Yudhishthira's presence in Virata's court remained discreet, and he lived happily and respected by all while carrying out his duties as a trusted advisor to the king. Their bond grew stronger as Yudhishthira successfully maintained his disguise and contributed positively to the kingdom's affairs.
Full English translation:
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Section VII, 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 VII:
Who is Kanka and what was his request to King Virata?
Kanka was actually Yudhishthira, skilled in dice casting. His request was to avoid disputes with low people in dice games and for defeated opponents to not keep the wealth won.
What boons did King Virata grant to Yudhishthira (Kanka)?
Virata promised to slay anyone displeasing Yudhishthira, banish any twice-born person who upsets him, and declared Kanka as a lord of the realm with access to all resources and support.
Daily life: Yudhishthira's Arrival at King Virata's Court and Boons Granted:
This story teaches the importance of humility, skill, and wise request of what one truly needs. When King Yudhishthira, despite being a king, presents himself as a humble person without revealing his true identity, he is treated with respect and kindness by King Virata. This shows that humility can open doors and create opportunities, even in unfamiliar territories. Moreover, Yudhishthira's skills in dice are recognized, which highlights the value of having a skill that can be useful or appreciated by others. The story also conveys the wisdom of knowing what to ask for when given the chance. Yudhishthira's requests are strategic; he asks for protection against disputes and ensures that his victories are recognized, showcasing the importance of thinking ahead and asking for what will genuinely benefit oneself without causing harm. Hence, by being humble, skillful, and wise in our requests, we can navigate challenging situations and find support in new environments.