The exile and the year of disguise

Aug 30, 2020

At Rishikesh

We all know the story of Pandavas exile and then their incognito stay. When Pandavas lost everything in the game of gambling with the Kauravas, the last game of dice forced the Pandavas to accept the condition of spending twelve years in exile and one year incognito such that if they are found during that time, they will need to spend another twelve years in exile. This is mentioned in the Sabha Parva of Mahabharata.

During the twelve years, Pandavas meditated and prepared for the battle they will need to fight for the kingdom after their exile. It most definitely wasn’t an easy time for them. The Vana Parva of the Mahabharata mentions the details about their twelve years of exile in the forest. At the end of twelve years, they had to decide where to spend the next year so they could remain in disguise and not be found by Duryodhana and his allies. Duryodhana being himself, would make all attempts to uncover the Pandavas wherever they may be. Pandavas then chose to be in the kingdom of Virata based on the advice from their priest - Dhaumya. This is mentioned in the Virata Parva of Mahabharata. They decided roles for themselves so that they will be trusted and nobody will find them as Pandavas during that year.

Yudhishthira pretended to be a brahmana and served as an advisor to the king under the name of Kanka. Bhima turned into a cook with the name Vallabha to prepare food for the king. Arjuna used his curse by Urvashi that he would be a eunuch for a year. He became the dance teacher with the name Brihannala for the women of Virata. Nakula became the keeper of Virata’s horses under the name Granthika. Sahadeva became the caretaker of cows as Tantripal. Draupadi turned into queen Sudeshna’s maidservant with the name Sairindhri who pretended to be skilled in dressing hair. An important part of this preparation was to also hide their weapons in a tree so that nobody doubts that they are Kshatriyas. 

The story reminded me of something. It had been thirteen years since I came to the US. Maybe I can call it twelve years of exile and the additional year of incognito stay? This year has felt like incognito, being in disguise so that nobody can figure out the whereabouts. Almost everyone had to play one or more roles to remain in disguise. For some of us, this time is as natural as it probably was for Nakula and Sahadeva. The incognito just fits into our lifestyle and needs. While some others probably had to turn their curse into a blessing and be with it like Arjuna.

Whether one feels like Arjuna, finding themselves in conflict with their identity or is enjoying using one's natural skills, the one-year incognito mode will be over and the battle of Kurukshetra will follow. If the incognito becomes longer, maybe I will be writing on Rama’s return to Ayodhya next year.

all errors are completely mine...