Prakasha: Emergence from Shadow
Abhimanyu weds Uttara
The year of hiding is over. The Pandavas shed their disguises and reveal themselves to an astonished King Virata. The humble servants who enriched his kingdom are revealed as the legendary heroes of Bharatavarsha. Gratitude leads to alliance, and alliance to marriage, Arjuna's son Abhimanyu will wed Princess Uttara. As kingdoms gather and war clouds form, the stage is set for the greatest conflict the world has ever seen.
The Truth Revealed
The day after the cattle raid, King Virata summoned his court. Something strange had happened, his son had supposedly defeated the entire Kaurava army with only a dance teacher as charioteer. The story made no sense.
"Explain to me," Virata said to Prince Uttara, "how a eunuch drove you to victory against Bhishma, Drona, and Karna."
Before Uttara could answer, Yudhishthira, still in his Brahmin's garments, stepped forward.
"Great King, perhaps I should explain."
Virata frowned. "Kanka? What would a dice-player know of battle?"
"Everything, my lord." Yudhishthira's voice changed. The hesitant Brahmin disappeared. In his place stood a king. "Because my name is not Kanka. It is Yudhishthira. And for one year, you have unknowingly hosted the Pandavas."
The court erupted.
The Masks Fall
One by one, the disguises fell away.
Bhima stepped forward, the cook Vallabha, whose strength had bewildered the kitchen staff. "I am Bhima, my lord. Your wrestler. Your cook. And the one who killed Kichaka."
Queen Sudeshna gasped. Her brother's killer had been living in her palace.
Arjuna came next, removing the bangles and silks of Brihannala. "I am Arjuna, my lord. Your daughter's dance teacher. And your kingdom's defender against the Kauravas."
Nakula and Sahadeva revealed themselves, the horse-keeper and cowherd who had made Virata's herds flourish.
And finally, Draupadi, the beautiful maid Sairandhri, who had served Queen Sudeshna with such skill.
"I am Draupadi," she said, "princess of Panchala, wife of these five brothers, and the one whose honor brought death to Kichaka."
| Disguise | True Identity | Service to Matsya |
|---|---|---|
| Kanka the Brahmin | Yudhishthira | Wise counsel to the king |
| Vallabha the cook | Bhima | Kitchen excellence, wrestling victories, killed Kichaka |
| Brihannala the eunuch | Arjuna | Taught Uttara dance, defeated the Kauravas |
| Granthika the horse-keeper | Nakula | Flourishing royal stables |
| Tantipala the cowherd | Sahadeva | Prosperous cattle herds |
| Sairandhri the maid | Draupadi | Devoted service to the queen |