Uttara Vivaha Parva is the forty-eighth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, namely the Virata parva in Mahabharata. Vyshampayana had narrated the historic events to Janamejaya on his queries.
What was the role of Draupadi in Uttara vivaha?
After the death of Kichaka, the servants of queen Sudheshna reported to her about Sairandhi, the lady Draupadi in disguise, as she had caused his death. Kichaka was her brother and an able army commander of Matsya. The death of such a strong person may cause adverse effects to her Matsya country, and the queen thought to expel Sairandhri out of her country and informed her accordingly. Sairandhri sought a period of fifteen days to find out another placement suitable for her, and sought her unconditional pardon and begged for life and praised the queen for her generosity since she had provided food and shelter until that date.
In addition to her praying words, she had assured Sudheshna her husband is an invisible Gandharva then but could be able to provide full security to Matsya with internal security as well as border defensive force. If any chance of threat is found to Matsya, she could make use of that Gandharva to provide full security to Matsya. Sudheshna granted her fifteen days and Sairandhri promised her in the later times, she would serve both her majesty and her daughter princess Uttarakumari and try to help the queen to give away that princess in marriage since then her education was almost completed.
What was the role of Kanka, Yudhishtira in disguise in Uttara vivaha?
When Susharma, the king of Trigarta attacked Matsya and sacked Virata to his country along with some cattle of Matsya, Kanka ordered the palace cook, Bhima in disguise, to free him from the grip of enemy soldiers. He ordered Nakula and Sahadeva to fight by gathering the Matsya army and to drive away the enemies back into Trigarta, and succeeded in the task. These services of Kanka forced Virata to take him into greater confidence. Kanka was his personal advisor in administrative matters. Gradually, Virata was also thinking to get the advice of Kanka on the matters of the marriage of Uttarakumari.
What was the role of Uttara, the prince of king Virata in Uttarakumari vivaha?
When Virata returned to his palace after the recapture of his cattle, he was very much confused to hear the attack of his country by the Kaurava army and the attempts of Uttarakumara to defend with the dance teacher and using his body guard soldiers. Virata ordered the able and unhurt balance of his soldiers to make an immediate follow up of Uttarakumara but to his surprise they brought at once the news of Victory of Utttarakumara and declared all his cattle were safe and brought back into Matsya.
The overjoyed Virata desired to celebrate and to greet his victorious prince son, so he ordered accordingly to prepare his palace and his kinsmen. He sat down with Kanka to play a game of dice to pass time till his son had arrived into his palace. Then Kanka started to chat with him and appreciating the dance teacher, Brihannada saying that due to the dance teacher, he would always win. This hurt the ego of Virata and due to his displeasure mixed with quick anger, Virata had thrown a few dice game toys towards the face of Kanka. It had lightly hurt the nose of Kanka causing few drops of blood to fall out of his nose but Sairandri was there to collect the falling blood with a plate and both Kanka and Sairandri sat at the corner of the hall as culprits.
Suddenly, Uttarakumara had arrived with Brihannada but Kanka signalled only the prince to enter into the hall and report to his father but Brihannada may wait outside. Uttarakumara had entered, saluted his father and reported his father regarding an unknown Gandharva who had helped in the battle field to win and that he personally was not the reason for that victory. Later, Brihannada handed over the dresses of the soldiers to Uttarakumari for wearing on her dolls.
On that same night, the Pandavas confirmed about the total period of their exile being over and started very secretly to procure their required royal dresses. For the next two days, the Pandava brothers served Virata as before but on the third morning, all the five sat on the preserved seats of royal guests in the court hall. Virata, not liking the scene, called for explanations but to his surprise, Arjuna told disclosing, Kanka was Yudhishtira and deserved all kinds of royal treatments and the remaining four were the Pandava brothers.
Uttarakumara then elaborated and disclosed the happenings of the battles and the procuring of soldier’s dresses for the dolls of Uttarakumari. Virata was very happy and satisfied. To strengthen their royal bond and friendship, he proposed his daughter in marriage to Arjuna but Arjuna replied as he could accept Uttarakumari for his son Abhimanyu. All Pandava brothers and Matsya people were then happy and Uttarakumara had started for the grand preparations of the marriage of his sister. Kanka had guided them as Yudhishtira.
How Abhimanyu reached Matsya for the marriage?
Abhimanyu came to Matsya on the combined invitation of Virata and the Pandavas and he was accompanied with his mother Subhadra. He had completed his education under the personal supervision of his uncle Krishna, so he initially sought the permission of Krishna before leaving Dwaraka. Krishna had permitted with blessings, he was also invited and after sending most of his countrymen, he started to Matsya collecting many gifts and presentation dresses to attend the wedding.
Who were the royal dignitaries who attended the marriage of Uttara?
As per the invitation of Virata, many royal dignitaries had attended his daughter’s wedding. Kashi Raja from Varanasi, Shalya raja from Madranagara, Balarama from Dwaraka, Drishtadyumna from Panchala, Yadavas from Mathura, people of Dasharha from Dwaraka had attended the grand marriage. Krishna had attended as the late comer with Sathyaki and Kritavarma as his commandos but he brought many valuable presentations and distributed them to Draupadi, Uttara, and Abhimanyu.
Who were not invited to the marriage of Uttara and why?
There was a war with Matsya and Susharma of Trigarta, hence he was not invited to the marriage of Uttara. There was a war with Matsya and Duryodhana of Kurukshetra, hence he was not invited to the marriage of Uttara. Matsya was a small country and hence he had not dared to invite many strong kings of his neighboring countries, like Salva. The minister of Mathura, Akrura had attended.
Why Krishna had delayed for the wedding of Uttara?
The country of Matsya was very near to the country of Salva and Salva was frequently attacking Krishna even without any reasons. Krishna was a peace lover and he desired the wedding ceremony as a happy event, and did not want to provocate Salva. Moreover, he was engaged in collecting the huge wedding presentations.
What was the plans of Pandavas during the Uttaravivaha?
During the Uttaravivaha, the king of Matsya, Virata had provided Pandavas a suitable place for their settlements as fit for the royal families within the corner of his country, a village called Upaplava having water, road and food facilities. Many kings provided them many presentations and assured help in times of need if any. Many of the guests had returned to their own countries immediately but a few intimate relatives had remained for four days in Matsya palace with Pandava brothers.
After four days, Virata had called for a special court session to discuss about rehabilitation of Pandava brothers and until arriving at a permanent solution, he allowed them to remain in Upaplava and Pandavas agreed for his proposals.
कार्यम् करणात् स्वास्ट्यम्सुखम् च बलम् । आरोग्यम् महाभाग्यम् कर्मफलम् पुण्यम् ॥
Meaning: By doing the works, health, happiness, and strength could be gained. Good health is the greatest wealth; virtues are credited by works.
On reading this story, children would gain more memory power.
Next post, Mahabharat: Senodyoga parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Sanjaya-yana parva would be presented separately in another article.
It is humbly prayed for the blessings of God Krishna upon us.
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