Book Four:  The Kingdom of Virat

Twelve years have passed for the Pandavas in the forest.  They decide 
to spend their last twelve months in the Kingdom of Virat.  They hide 
their weapons in a nearby tree and head towards the palace.  
Judhishthir becomes King Virat's adviser and "royal gambler", who plays 
dice with the King.  Bhim joins the kitchen help as a cook, while Arjun 
become a dancing instructor for Uttara, the King's daughter.  Nakul is 
a stable hand, and Sahadev become a cowherd.  Draupadi goes in to 
service of the queen by becoming her chambermaid.  Draupadi's beauty 
and elegance is noticed by all, especially by the Queen's evil brother. 
 He tries to molest Draupadi, but Bhim kills him.  The Kauravas hear 
about the murder and know that only Bhim could have killed some one 
like the Queen's bother, who was also a very strong man. When the year 
is almost over, the Kauravas attack Virat's kingdom.  Prince Uttar goes 
out to fight them with Arjun, still in disguise, as his charioteer.  
When they get out to the battlefield, Uttar gets scared and Arjun takes 
his place and defeats the whole army.  They come back victorious.  The 
Pandavas and Draupadi's identity is revealed and the King thanks them 
by giving his daughter's hand in marriage to Abhimanyu, Arjun and 
Subhadra's son.  They celebrate a very festive wedding. 

Meanwhile, Duryodhan becomes enraged.  He says the Pandavas have failed 
at being hidden in the 13th year, and thus must go back to the forest 
for another 12 years.  Bhishma tries to tell him otherwise, 
scientifically proving to him that it had really already been a year.  
Duryodhan will not listen.  He persuades his father not to return 
anything back to the Pandavas.  Both the Kauravas and the Pandavas 
prepare for war.    


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