When Droupadi prevented Bloodshed

In Virata’s court

In the thirteenth year of exile, Yudhishtira as Kanka acted like the king’s advisor. When Duryodhana launched a proxy war against the kingdom of Matsya, the four Pandavas went with the king to war and needless to add returned victorious.

As soon as they returned they learnt that the Kauravas had stolen their cattle and the young prince Uttara, along with a eunuch, had gone to face them alone. The king was extremely worried but he soon got the news that Uttara had quelled the attack and was returning with the cattle.

The king, now in an expansive mood, began to play a game of dice with Kanka. And he began to praise his son Uttara’s achievement. Each time the king said something about Uttara winning the war single-handedly, Kanka interjected with “With Brihannala with him, the victory was assured.” The king was naturally upset that his son’s victory was not being given due credit and instead praise was being heaped on his charioteer, a eunuch at that.

But Kanka continued to attribute Uttara’s success to Brihannala’s presence. The king lost his cool and flung the dice at Kanka’s face in a fit of anger. The dice hit Kanka’s nose and it began to bleed.

If a drop of blood fell...

Out of nowhere, Droupadi as Sairandhari was next to Kanka and wiped the blood with her garment and held a cup to prevent even a single drop of blood from falling on the ground. This irritated the king further.

Then Sairandhari declared that if even a single drop of that righteous man fell on the ground, the country would reel under famine for twelve years.

The king was taken aback. At this moment, Uttara and Brihannala made their way to the presence of the king and Kanka. Yudhishtira quickly looked away avoiding Brihannala.

Arjuna’s oath

Arjuna was perplexed. He wondered if he had done something to vex Yudhishtira. It was only later that he learnt of the incident of the flung dice and bloody nose. Droupadi had not only protected the country by preventing the famine but had saved its king as well, for Arjuna had made an oath that he would kill anybody who dared hurt his brother.

Had Arjuna killed the king whose hospitality they had enjoyed for a whole year, it would have resulted in a lapse of dharma. But it would have been improper for him to not carry out his oath. Droupadi’s presence of mind thus averted Arjuna from having to make the choice.

The reveal

The next day, the day the Pandavas decided to reveal their true selves, they chose a grand manner of doing so. The king’s advisor, the royal cook, the dance teacher, the horse and cattle tenders and the queen’s hand maiden had occupied the thrones when Virata walked into the court.

When the truth of their identities was revealed to Virata he was most penitent for having treated them as their roles had demanded. He sought to seal their friendship with matrimony and offered the hand of the princess to Arjuna. Arjuna declined but accepted her as his daughter-in-law, as a bride for Abhimanyu.