Uttar and Brihannala

Duryodhana made a plan. First King Susharma of Trigarta seized Matsya's cattle in the south. King Virata rode out with his army, taking Kanka, Ballava, Nakula and Sahadeva along. Then from the north the huge Kaurava army of Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Duryodhana swept down on the cattle. Only Prince Uttar was left in the city.

In front of the women, Uttar boasted loudly, 'If only I had a charioteer, I would beat the Kauravas single-handed!' Sairandhri said, 'Brihannala is a fine charioteer; she once drove Arjuna's chariot.' Uttar set out with Brihannala at the reins. But the moment he saw the vast Kaurava army, his courage vanished. He leapt from the chariot and ran.

Brihannala ran after him, caught him and said, 'Don't be afraid. You drive; I will fight.' He took the chariot to the shami tree and had the weapons brought down. Uttar was stunned at the sight of Gandiva. Then Brihannala said, 'I am Arjuna. Kanka is Yudhishthira, Ballava is Bhima, and Sairandhri is Draupadi.' Uttar's fear turned into courage.

Arjuna blew his conch Devadatta and fell upon the Kaurava army. He defeated Karna, drove back Drona and Kripa, and fought hard against Bhishma too. At last he used the Sammohana weapon, and the whole Kaurava army fell unconscious. Uttar took the warriors' colourful upper cloths for Princess Uttara's dolls. Arjuna did not lay a hand on Bhishma, but bowed to him with respect.

When Duryodhana claimed that Arjuna had been recognised during the year in hiding, Bhishma did the count and declared that the thirteen years had been completed that very day. The Pandavas had kept their word. When King Virata learned the truth, he fell at the Pandavas' feet and wished to give his daughter Uttara to Arjuna in marriage. Arjuna said, 'I have taught her as a pupil; she is like a daughter to me.' So Uttara married Arjuna's son Abhimanyu.