The Battle at Virata
Part 1 / Chapter 39 / 83 chapters
The Battle at Virata
identifies the main Kuru warriors for , blocks from escaping with the cattle, and sends the cows back toward . He then defeats the Kuru challengers one after another: , , , , again, and his brothers, the combined Kuru leaders, , and finally . After routing the army, collects the robes promised to the palace women, asks to keep his identity secret until Yudhisthira decides, replaces the weapons in the sami tree, and returns to the city as Brhannala. The key change is that Matsya's cattle are saved and the Kurus have seen 's power again.
This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.
- 1
maps the Kuru leaders
halts near the Kurus and identifies , , , , , and by their chariots and standards. He tells how to approach each elder with respect and caution.
- 2
The cows are turned back
sees moving south with half the army and orders to cut him off. 's arrows confuse the Kuru forces, and the Matsya cows begin running back toward the city.
- 3
spares Dhrtarastra sons
Four of 's brothers attack, but wounds and overwhelms them without killing them because he remembers Bhima's vow to slay Dhrtarastra's sons himself.
- 4
is slain
The king checks 's chariot with a fierce assault. answers by killing his horses and charioteer, stripping his armor, and cutting off his arms and head.
- 5
first flees
After kills 's brother, attacks and wounds , , and the horses. gradually gains the advantage, pierces badly, and retreats from the fight.
- 6
The Kuru army is overpowered
and the other Kurus attack after withdraws, but fills the sky with arrows and celestial weapons. The army breaks in terror while the celestials gather above to watch.
- 7
approaches
drives toward out of respect for his teacher and says he will not strike unless attacks first. smiles and begins the duel with arrows.
- 8
Guru and disciple duel
and exchange celestial weapons while the Kurus marvel that duty has brought teacher and disciple into battle. continues striking the Kuru army even while holding in check.
- 9
intervenes
rushes in when overwhelms and cuts 's bowstring, but laughs, restrings Gandiva, and fights until 's arrows are exhausted.
- 10
is defeated again
returns and challenges him over his boasts and his insult to Draupadi. In the duel breaks 's weapons, kills his horses, pierces his armor, and is carried away unconscious.
- 11
is steadied
After 's defeat, is exhausted and shaken by the scale of the battle. encourages him to hold to his ksatriya duty and drive toward .
- 12
is driven back
and three of 's brothers rush forward to protect . cuts 's bow, wounds him severely, and forces all four brothers to retreat.
- 13
The Kuru leaders attack together
, , , , and attack at once, covering him with arrows. remains calm, invokes the Aindrastra, and drives them back with flaming shafts.
- 14
is stunned
and fight fiercely with divine weapons. breaks 's bow, pierces his breast, and leaves him stunned until his charioteer carries him away.
- 15
retreats
attacks in anger and supports him from an elephant, but kills the elephant and wounds until he orders retreat. The Kurus abandon the attempt to steal Matsya's wealth.
- 16
The secret is kept a little longer
gathers the costly robes promised to the palace women, asks to keep his identity secret, returns to the sami tree, replaces the weapons, restores the prince's lion banner, and drives back toward as Brhannala.