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?

Gograhana Parva is the forty seventh 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 had been reported by the servants of Duryodhana after searching for the whereabouts of Pandavas? 

Duryodhana was very curious about the whereabouts of Pandava brothers and had sent his secret investigators to all directions. The servants had searched for ten months but could not find any signs of Pandavas anywhere on the Earth. When about eleven months had elapsed, some of the servants had returned. They reported regarding the death of Kichaka and his brothers, killed by unknown Gandharvas overnight. Kichaka was the enemy of Trigartha king, Susharma. Duryodhana was happy to hear the news since the Trigartha king Susharma was his friend.    

What had Duryodhana ordered on receiving the suggestions from Karna?

Duryodhana was interested to find the Pandavas during their Ajnathavasa. As per the terms and conditions, Pandavas had to go to forest again for twelve more years if their identity were recognized. Hence Karna and Dushasana suggested sending the servants to all sides once again. Then Duryodhana tried to seek opinions of other seniors.

What had Drona suggested?

Kichakavadha Parva is the forty sixth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, named as Virata parva, in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had happened during the Ajnatavasa of Pandavas to Janamejaya on his queries.

Where did Pandava brothers had lived during Ajnatavasa?

Yudhishtira lived with king Virata. He used to advise the king in administration, performed the morning rituals and played dice game as and when the king required. Hence Yudhishtira was not exposed to the general public in Matsya.

Bhima lived with royal cooks. He used to cook for the king in the kitchen, and played wrestling as and when the king required. Hence Bhima was not exposed to the general public in Matsya.

Arjuna lived with the daughter of the king Virata, as a teacher. Her name was Uttara and she was interested in learning dance and music. King Virata had built a building for dancing practice workshop, like a school, along with practicing music and related items for his daughter Uttara.

यदिदं नर्तनागारं मत्स्य राजेन कारितं ।
दिवात्र कन्या नृत्यन्ति रात्रौ यान्ति यथा गृहं ॥​

Meaning: This building for dancing workshop was built by the Matsya king. In the day times, girls used to practice dancing here and in the night, they returned to their homes.

Ajnathavasa Parva is the forty fifth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, named as virata parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had happened in the Ajnathavasa or unrecognized life to Janamejaya on his queries.

When twelve years of exile was completed in the forest, Yudhishtira decided to bid farewell to Dhaumya Rishi and saluted him with reverence. Dhaumya Rishi then started to Panchala kingdom, after advising and blessing the five Pandava brothers and Draupadi. Dhaumya Rishi had advised the Pandavas about the life and works to be done in the palace of Virata. He advised how to live politely in a palace, be obedient and pleasing everybody including servants also.

After morning rituals, they had sat together and decided to spend the time in Ajnathavasa. Yudhishtira sought the suggestion of Arjuna for the selection of the place to live unrecognized for one year. Arjuna recited the name of the nine kingdoms surrounded to Kuru kingdome and the country Virata was one of it. As per the suggestions of Yama received after Yakshaprashna, Yudhishtira found the place Virata as better suited for Ajnathavasa.

Yakshaprashna is the forty fourth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that happened in the forests to Janamejaya upon his queries.

What were the questions of the Yaksha and how Yudhishtira had answered them?

The questions of the Yaksha and the answers of Yudhishtira are listed below:

Question 01: The Yaksha questioned, “What is it that makes the Sun rise? Who keeps him company? Who causes him to set? And how he is established?”

Yudhishtira answered, “Brahma makes the Sun rise; the gods keep him company; Dharma causes him to set; and he is established in truth.”

Question 02: The Yaksha asked, “By what does one become learned and attain the very greatness? What is the second option to acquire higher levels of knowledge?”

Kundala Harina Parva is the forty third upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events that happened in the forests, on his queries.

What had been signified by the name of the upa parva as Kundala Harina?

The initial part of the upa parva narrates the story regarding the donation of ear ornaments, Karna Kunadala. The later part of the upa parva narrates the story regarding the appearance of a deer or harina, who was none other than Yama, the father of Yudhishtira, who had come to advise the Pandava brothers in disguise. 

What had been advised to Karna by the Sun God in the form of a Brahmin and how Karna reacted to him in his dream?

Draupadi Harana Parva is the forty second upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

Who was Jayadratha and what he had done to Draupadi?

Jayadratha was the son of the King of Sindhu. Jayadratha had already married Dushala and he was the brother in law of Yudhishtira. One day, he wished to attend the marriage of Shalva and was travelling near the Pandavas’ Ashram at Kamyakavana. Jayadratha was dressed in his royal attires wearing gems and jewels and his friends, king Kotikashya and others were accompanying him.  

Pandavas were suffering in the forest due to exile and living as saints. When Jayadratha had seen Draupadi on the door steps of her Ashram, king Kotikashya had explained to him that the lady found was Draupadi. Then all Pandavas had gone out of their Ashram with weapons as other Brahmins had requested them to drive away the cruel animals from the proximity of their Ashram for the safety of their life.   

Vrihidraunika Parva is the forty first upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

Who told the story of Vrihi Drounika to Yudhishtira?

Vyasa had told the story of Vrihi Draunika to Yudhishtira. 

कृषिगोरक्ष्यमित्येके प्रतिपद्यन्ति मानवाः ।
पुरुषाःप्रेष्यतामेके निर्गच्चन्ति धनार्थिनः ॥

Meaning: Human beings in order to gain money or wealth work for agriculture, cows grazing or cattle farming and sometimes they work as labourers or perform service.  

पात्रे दानं स्वल्पमपि काले दत्तं युधिष्ठिर ।
मनसा सुविशुद्धेन प्रेत्यानंतफलं स्मृतम् ॥

Mrigaswapnodbhava Parva is the fortieth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

How the presence of Pandavas occasionally affected the forest animals adversely? 

Ghatotkacha had visited Bhima frequently since Bhima was his father. Since he was a demon, he liked to eat forest animals. Also, the brother in law of Nakula, Drishtaketu, occasionally visited Pandava brothers. Krishna had killed Ekalavya and later the eldest son of Ekalavya had been crowned for Indraprastha. He was also in good terms with Padavas and occasionally visited them in exile.

These visitors of Pandavas occasionally adversely affected forest animals due to their hunting habits. But Pandava brothers preferred only vegetarian food and were satisfied by the daily balance food of Akshayapatra. First, Draupadi was serving the poor Brahmins using the food received from the Akshayapatra and then the Pandava brothers were eating the balance food. Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Sahadeva and Draupadi were eating only vegetarian food.

What happened to Yudhishtira in the Dvaitavana in the night after Ghoshayatra?

Ghoshayatra Parva is the thirty ninth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

This upa parva is also called as Gau Goshayatra since the inspection of the cow herds of the Kauravas had been carried out near the Dvaitavana in this parva.

How a Brahmin had described about Pandavas to Dritarashtra and how he felt it?

A Brahmin from the Dvaithavana had visited Hastinapura and met with Dritarashtra. He had reported about the Pandavas narrating the hardships and their sufferings in the forests. Then Dritarashtra had become sympathetic towards Pandavas and repented for the past events of dice games held in his palace. Dritarashtra felt afraid of Arjuna since he procured special weapons and anticipated destruction of Duryodhana and his other children if a war would start. 

How Duryodhana had secured the permission of Dritarashtra to go near Dvaitavana?

Shakuni advised Duryodhana to carry out the inspection of their royal cow herds that grazed near the Dvaithavana. They accompanied veterinary doctors with them and with inspection of cow herds as their primary reason, asked the permission of Dritarashtra to go near Dvaithavana. Dritarashtra had consulted with Bhishma and Drona and advised Duryodhana not to go near the camp of Yudhishtira to avoid unprecedented incidences. Then Duryodhana with his wife Bhanumathi and Karna started with their ministers and required security troops.

What Duryodhana had done near Dvaitavana and why Karna had escaped from the battle field?