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Virata (, IAST ''virāṭa'') was the King of
Matsya Matsya () is the fish avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Often described as the first of Vishnu's Dashavatara, ten primary avatars, Matsya is described to have rescued the first man, Manu (Hinduism), Manu, from a great deluge. Matsya may be dep ...
, a prominent figure in the Indian epic ''
Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
'', and the titular character of the epic's fourth book, '' Virata Parva'', which recounts the Pandavas’ year of ajnatavasa—incognito exile—in his kingdom. He is best known for unknowingly sheltering the Pandavas during this period, with each of them assuming disguised roles in his court. Virata was married to Queen Sudeshna and was the father of Prince
Uttara Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to: Places *Uttara (town), Uttara, a neighbourhood north of Dhaka, Bangladesh *Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh *Uttara East Thana *Uttara West Thana ...
and Princess Uttarā, who married
Abhimanyu Abhimanyu (, ) is a character in the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahābhārata''. He was a young and valiant warrior of the Kuru lineage, born to Arjuna—the third Pandava brother—and Subhadra—a Yadava princess. He was also one of the few indivi ...
, the son of
Arjuna Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...
.


Literary background

The ''
Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
'', one of the
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
epics from the
Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...
, other being the ''
Ramayana The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...
''. It mainly narrates the events and aftermath of the
Kurukshetra War The Kurukshetra War (), also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the Hindu Indian epic poetry, epic poem ''Mahabharata'', arising from a dynastic struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the thr ...
, a war of succession between two groups of princely cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The work is written in Classical Sanskrit and is a composite work of revisions, editing and interpolations over many centuries. The oldest parts in the surviving version of the text may date to near 400 BCE. The ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the ''
Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita (; ), often referred to as the Gita (), is a Hindu texts, Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the Hindu epic, epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Ind ...
'' which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exists in many versions. The differences between the Northern and Southern recensions are particularly significant, with the Southern manuscripts more profuse and longer. Scholars have attempted to construct a
critical edition Textual criticism is a branch of textual scholarship, philology, and literary criticism that is concerned with the identification of textual variants, or different versions, of either manuscripts (mss) or of printed books. Such texts may range i ...
, relying mostly on a study of the "Bombay" edition, the "Poona" edition, the "Calcutta" edition and the "south Indian" editions of the manuscripts. The most accepted version is one prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, preserved at
Kyoto University , or , is a National university, national research university in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1897, it is one of the former Imperial Universities and the second oldest university in Japan. The university has ten undergraduate faculties, eighteen gra ...
,
Cambridge University The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...
and various Indian universities.


Biography


Family and early life

Virata was born into the royal family of the Matsya Kingdom and is described as being born from a portion of the celestial Maruts. He married Sudeshna, the daughter of King Suta of Kekaya. With Sudeshna, Virata had two sons,
Shankha A Turbinella pyrum, shankha () has religious ritual importance in Hinduism. In Hinduism, the shankha called panchajanya is a sacred emblem of the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu. It is still used as a trumpet in Hindu ritual, and in the past was us ...
and
Uttara Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to: Places *Uttara (town), Uttara, a neighbourhood north of Dhaka, Bangladesh *Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh *Uttara East Thana *Uttara West Thana ...
, and a daughter, Uttarā. Sudeshna's brother, Kichaka, become the commander-in-chief of Matsya army. Virata had ten brothers, most prominent being—Shatanika (also called Suryadatta), who commanded Virata’s army before Kichaka, and Madiraksha (also known as Vishalaksha). The ''Southern Edition'' of the ''Mahabharata'' adds further details to Virata’s family life, according to which, he also had a first wife, Suratha, a princess of Kosala, with whom he had a son named Shveta. In this version, Virata married Sudeshna after Suratha’s death. Translators of the epic suggest the possibility of Virata having additional wives, as the women's quarters of his palace are described as being populated by numerous women. In the epic, Virata first appears in the ''
Adi Parva The Adi Parva ("Book of the Beginning") is the first of the eighteen ''parvas'' (books) of the Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. "Ādi" (wiktionary:आदि#Sanskrit, आदि) in Sanskrit means "first". Adi Parva traditionally has 19 parts and 236 ' ...
'', during the ''svayamvara'' of
Draupadi Draupadi (), also referred to as Krishnā, Panchali and Yajnaseni, is the central heroine of the Indian epic poetry, ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. In the epic, she is the princess of Panchala Kingdom, who later becomes the empress of K ...
, the Panchala princess who later marries the Pandavas. Later, during
Sahadeva Sahadeva () was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the '' Mahabharata''. He and his twin brother Nakula were the sons of Madri, one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch Pandu, and Ashvini Kumaras, the ...
’s regional conquest before
Yudhishthira Yudhishthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर, ud̪ʱiʂʈʰiɾᵊ IAST: ''Yudhiṣṭhira''), also known as Dharmaputra, is the eldest among the five Pandavas, and is also one of the central characters of the ancient Indian epic ''Ma ...
’s '' Rajasuya'' sacrifice, Virata fought against Sahadeva and was defeated. Despite this, Virata remained loyal to the Pandavas and attended Yudhishthira’s ''Rajasuya'' ceremony, offering him a gift of 2,000 elephants adorned with gold chains.


The year of incognito

Virata’s most significant role occurs in the '' Virata Parva'', where he unknowingly harbors the Pandavas during their incognito exile, termed as ajnatavasa.
Yudhishthira Yudhishthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर, ud̪ʱiʂʈʰiɾᵊ IAST: ''Yudhiṣṭhira''), also known as Dharmaputra, is the eldest among the five Pandavas, and is also one of the central characters of the ancient Indian epic ''Ma ...
disguised himself as Kanka, Virata’s court companion, while
Bhima Bhima (, ), also known as Bhimasena (, ), is a hero and one of the most prominent characters in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. As the second of the five Pandava brothers, Bhima was born to Kunti—the wife of King Pandu—fathered by Vayu, the ...
became the overseer of the royal kitchen.
Arjuna Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...
, disguised as Brihannala, served as the dance instructor,
Nakula Nakula () is a major character in the ancient Indian epic, the ''Mahabharata.'' He is the elder twin brother of Sahadeva and the fourth of the five Pandava brothers. He is the son of Divine twins, twin physician gods, Ashvins, and Madri, the ...
worked in the stables, and
Sahadeva Sahadeva () was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the '' Mahabharata''. He and his twin brother Nakula were the sons of Madri, one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch Pandu, and Ashvini Kumaras, the ...
tended to the king’s cattle. Their shared wife,
Draupadi Draupadi (), also referred to as Krishnā, Panchali and Yajnaseni, is the central heroine of the Indian epic poetry, ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. In the epic, she is the princess of Panchala Kingdom, who later becomes the empress of K ...
, assumed the role of a Sairandhri (maid) to Queen Sudeshna. Although initially reluctant to accept her, Sudeshna feared that Draupadi's striking beauty might attract King Virata’s attention and lead to infatuation. Translator J. A. B. van Buitenen notes that Virata is depicted as a somewhat comical and ineffectual figure in the '' Virata Parva'' of the ''Mahabharata''. Despite being the monarch, he is shown as gullible, easily influenced, and lacking strong leadership qualities. His kingdom is prosperous, particularly due to its famous cattle wealth, but Virata’s competence as a ruler is often questioned. He is portrayed as a "cattle baron" more interested in his livestock than in statecraft or warfare. His lack of insight allows the disguised Pandavas to infiltrate his court and serve him in various capacities without raising suspicion. The powerful and tyrannical Kichaka effectively controls the palace and wields more authority than the king himself. When Draupadi is publicly assaulted by Kichaka and pleads for justice, Virata does nothing to intervene, demonstrating his inability to stand up to his domineering brother-in-law. Even after Bhima kills Kichaka in a brutal confrontation, Virata is left shaken and apprehensive about the political consequences, worried about reprisals from Kichaka’s powerful allies. Virata’s military ineptitude becomes apparent during the Trigarta cattle raid in the final month of the year. When the Trigartas, led by King Susharman, attack Matsya following Kichaka's death (who had previously defeated Susharman), Virata recklessly mobilizes his entire army, leaving the city vulnerable. During the battle, he is captured by the Trigartas, but with disguised Bhima's intervention, he is rescued and the Matsya army triumphs. Bhima captures Susharma and brings him to Virata. Virata rewards the Pandavas for saving him, expressing gratitude. Meanwhile, Duryodhana and the Kauravas seize the opportunity to launch a separate attack on Matsya from the north. They raid 60,000 heads of cattle from the kingdom. With no one in Kingdom, prince
Uttara Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to: Places *Uttara (town), Uttara, a neighbourhood north of Dhaka, Bangladesh *Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh *Uttara East Thana *Uttara West Thana ...
, along with Brihannada (Arjuna in disguise) as charioteer, is sent to defend the kingdom. Uttara hesitates, explaining that he lacks experience in combat, leading to Brihannala defeating the entire Kaurava forces. Upon their return, Virata mistakenly credits his son Uttara with the victory against the Kauravas. Prideful and elated, Virata praises Uttara’s victory, while Yudhisthira credits Brihannada. Angered, Virata throws dices at Yudhisthira, injuring his nose. Uttara arrives, notices Yudhisthira’s injury, and pleads with his father to apologize. Virata regrets his actions, and Yudhisthira forgives him. When Arjuna is summoned, Virata praises Uttara, who clarifies that a "son of a God" (phrased as such to avoid revealing Arjuna's identity) saved them. Two days later, the Pandavas reveal their true identities in court. Stunned, Virata apologizes to Yudhisthira and offers his daughter, Uttarā, in marriage to Arjuna. Arjuna, treating her as a daughter, proposes she marry his son
Abhimanyu Abhimanyu (, ) is a character in the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahābhārata''. He was a young and valiant warrior of the Kuru lineage, born to Arjuna—the third Pandava brother—and Subhadra—a Yadava princess. He was also one of the few indivi ...
instead, and Virata agrees, sealing the alliance. The marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttarā was conducted in the city of Upaplavya in Matsya Kingdom. The city later became a primary hub for Pandavas' alliance for preparation of the
Kurukshetra War The Kurukshetra War (), also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the Hindu Indian epic poetry, epic poem ''Mahabharata'', arising from a dynastic struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the thr ...
.


Kurukshetra War and death

Virata played a key role during the
Kurukshetra War The Kurukshetra War (), also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the Hindu Indian epic poetry, epic poem ''Mahabharata'', arising from a dynastic struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the thr ...
. He was appointed as one of the seven commanders of Yudhishthira’s army.
Sahadeva Sahadeva () was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the '' Mahabharata''. He and his twin brother Nakula were the sons of Madri, one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch Pandu, and Ashvini Kumaras, the ...
preferred Virata to be the commander-in-chief of their army, but
Yudhishthira Yudhishthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर, ud̪ʱiʂʈʰiɾᵊ IAST: ''Yudhiṣṭhira''), also known as Dharmaputra, is the eldest among the five Pandavas, and is also one of the central characters of the ancient Indian epic ''Ma ...
and
Arjuna Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...
preferred Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata's nomination was outvoted. On the first day of the war, he fought against Bhagadatta and later attacked
Bhishma Bhishma (), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was a statesman and military commander of the ancient Kuru Kingdom. Renowned for his wisdom, valor, and unwavering principles, ...
himself. He also clashed with several prominent warriors, including
Ashwatthama Ashvatthama (, , also spelt as Ashwatthama and Ashvatthaman) is a character in the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the son of Drona, the royal preceptor to the Kuru princes—the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Ashvatthama is a close ...
, Jayadratha, Vinda and Anuvinda, and Shalya. In a battle with Drona, Virata’s son Shankha was killed, prompting Virata to flee the battlefield. During another encounter with Shalya, Virata was rendered unconscious, and he was ultimately killed by Drona. After Virata’s death, his funeral was conducted with full honors, and Yudhishthira performed offerings to his spirit. According to the '' Svargarohana Parva'', Virata ascended to heaven after his death and rejoined the Maruts.


See also

* Matsya Kingdom * Virata Kingdom


References

{{HinduMythology Characters in the Mahabharata People of the Kurukshetra War