Chapter 28: The Year of Disguise – Hiding in the Kingdom of Virata

The thirteenth year had come.

Twelve years of forest exile had forged the Pandavas into something sharper than blades—honed by suffering, focused by injustice, strengthened by silence. But now, their greatest challenge was not to fight… but to vanish.

If even one of them was recognized before the year ended, they would be exiled again—thirteen more years lost to the wilderness.

They gathered under the canopy of Kamyaka forest one final time, the air thick with tension.

Yudhishthira looked at each of them. "We must become what we are not. This is not cowardice. It is strategy."

And so, one by one, the Pandavas shed their names—and put on new skins.

Yudhishthira became Kanka, a courtier and dice-player in the court of King Virata. His knowledge of dharma and games would hide his identity behind laughter and wisdom.

Bhima became Vallabha, a cook in the royal kitchens. But not an ordinary cook—one who broke wild beasts with his hands and crushed spices like bones.

Arjuna took on the name Brihannala—a dancer and teacher of music. Cursed once by Urvashi to live as a eunuch for a year, he now embraced that fate. He became instructor to Princess Uttara, hiding Gandiva behind veils of melody.

Nakula became Granthi, a keeper of horses in the royal stables, tending to them with silent skill and unmatched care.

Sahadeva took the name Tanikya, a cowherd in charge of the royal cattle—observing stars, calculating omens, ensuring prosperity through unseen hands.

And Draupadi—queen of empires—became Sairandhri, a maidservant to Queen Sudeshna, wife of Virata.

No jewels. No throne. Just a woman in veils, carrying grief behind grace.

They entered Matsya, the kingdom of Virata, not as heroes, but as ghosts.

No one knew them. No one suspected.

Weeks passed.

The brothers avoided each other in public. Draupadi walked softly through the palace halls. Arjuna hid his warrior's gaze behind painted eyes and silken robes.

But peace is a fragile lie.

Kichaka, the queen's brother, general of the army, was a man of brute strength and poisoned desire. When he saw Sairandhri, he desired her—not as a woman, but as something to own.

He harassed her. Spoke filth. Followed her like a hound.

Draupadi warned him. She pleaded with the queen. But Sudeshna was helpless before her brother's arrogance.

One night, Kichaka cornered Draupadi in the royal hall.

She ran. He chased.

She reached the hall where Bhima slept, hiding behind a curtain. Her voice trembled, but it was steel:

"Kichaka pursues me. Will you let him shame me as Dushasana did?"

Bhima said nothing.

But when the room fell silent again, it was because Kichaka was dead.

Bhima crushed every bone in his body. So brutal was the killing that even the soldiers who came to collect the corpse recoiled in fear.

Whispers spread. "This was no human blow," they said. "This… this was the strength of a god."

But none dared speak further.

The Pandavas remained hidden.

The year drew near its end.

But destiny would not allow them to remain hidden for long.

Because just as the final month arrived, something shook the kingdom of Matsya.

An army was coming.

From Hastinapura.

Led by Duryodhana, Karna, and the Kaurava generals.

Their target was Matsya's cattle. Their true goal… was something else.

They were hunting ghosts.