Vijayadashmi- When Brihannala defeats the whole Kaurava Army

Becoming Brihannala was supposed to be a curse, that served as boon to Arjuna during the incognito period of their exile. The last day of him being Brihannala, was however, the most memorable of them all.

Sketch by: Aarya Avashia

Vijayadashami is a special day not only as part of the Ramayana and the Durga-Mahishasura story, but also a very special day according to the epic Mahabharata.

The Pandavas spent many years of their lives in the forest. However, their finally vanvaas (living in the forest) , combined with the agyaatvaas(living in anonymity) is an important part of the whole story.

As per the agreement with the Kauravas, the Pandavas were suppose to serve 13 years of exile - 12 years of vanvaas and 1 year of agyaatvaas.

If that was successfully completed, their cousin Duryodhana promised he would return their kingdom with honour. If not, they would have to repeat the 12 years of vanvaas + 1 year of agyaatvaas all over again.

12 years went by quickly, and as the 13th year started, Duryodhana put every effort in trying to spot them. In the last year, of agyaatvaas, the Pandavas hid their weapons on a big Shami tree, close to the Matsya kingdom, and took refuge there, under King Virat.

Yudhishtira, was the grand minister in the king's court, Bhima was the royal cook, Arjuna disguised himself as a eunuch 'Brihannala', who was also the music and dance teacher of Princess Uttara . Nakul and Sahadev worked at the horse stables and the animal sheds of the royal palace. And their wife Draupadi aka 'Sairandri', became the hand maiden to the queen.

Brihannala wasn't just a disguise for Arjuna. He was actually serving a curse, and actually lived the life of a eunuch for a whole year.

The prosperity of the Matsya kingdom within such a short span of time and the mysterious death of the invincible Keechaka (Commander in Chief of King Virat's army), got Duryodhana's attention.

He was sure, the Pandavas had to be hiding in the Matsya kingdom. Only Bhima was strong enough to kill Keechaka.

He strategized an attack on the kingdom, to force the Pandavas to show themselves, and forfeit the right to their kingdom for another term of exile.

The whole Virat army, was drawn into a war far away from the kingdom as a distraction, and as soon as Duryodhana was sure, they were far enough, he attached the Matsya kingdom with his mammoth army of a million soldiers, including Karna, Dronacharya, and his brothers.

He was sure, the Pandavas would come out to protect the kingdom, that gave them refuge.

In the absence of King Virat and his army, his son, Prince Uttar, went out alone into the battle field with Brihannala as his charioteer. There was nobody else left, to protect the kingdom. But, when saw the massive army, the prince was frightened and decided to flee.

Brihannala then revealed her true identity, along with the identities of his brothers to the prince, and took him to the Shami tree, to fetch his weapons. Brihannala-Arjuna, had calculated the end time of the exile, and was just stalling the Kuru army until it was the right time to reveal himself. Once he was sure, that the time of the exile was complete, Brihannala transformed to Arjuna and entered the battlefield.

Vijayadashmi is that day, when the Pandavas completed their 13years of exile. Arjuna fought the entire army, all by himself, and defeated them all single handedly. He even defeated his guru Dronacharya and Karna several times during the battle, after which the Kaurava army and Karna fled the battle field, to save themselves.

That day, he proved to them, that he was indeed the best warrior amongst them all.

To celebrate Arjuna's victory, the day is called "Vijaya Dashami"

Would you like to know the story behind Arjuna's curse of turning into a eunuch for a year?

Have you heard a different version of this story?

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