Kauravas were back in Hastinapura. They got the news that Kichaka and Upakichakas have been killed. Kichaka was the brother-in-law of Virata ad the commander of Virata’s army. Kauravas now thought that the Virata kingdom is weakened. All of them thought this is a golden opportunity to capture the kingdom.

Kauravas sent Susharma who was the king of Trigarta. He invaded Matsya kingdom from the south and captured the cows of Virata. To rescue the cows, Virata goes along with his eldest son to Pandavas. He thinks that even though they are helping him in the household, they look like warriors and will help in a battle. All the Pandavas except Arjuna (who is in disguise as a woman) go with Virata to fight Susharma. However, Susharma wounds Virata and Virata faints. Bheema then defeats Susharma and retrieves the cows.

While Susharma was attacking from south, from the north, the Kauravas came and kidnapped the cows. The second son of Virata, Uttarakumara was approached by others and was asked to fight. Uttarakumara asked for a charioteer and said he can even beat Arjuna. Draupadi overhears this conversation and suggests to Uttarakumara that the dance teacher Brihannala (who is actually Arjuna) can be a good charioteer. Draupadi also advises that he can ask his younger sister, Uttaraa to go and request Brihannala to become the charioteer.

Uttara-kumaari the sister tells Brihannala that she should bring back the garments of the soldiers slain by her brother. She wants the pieces of garments for her dolls. Brihannala also agrees that she would bring garment pieces from the battlefield.

As soon as Uttarakumara sees the massive Kaurava army, he panics and wants to run away. Brihannala then tells Uttarakumara that we should go to the crematorium. On top of the Sami vrksha the Pandavas had hidden their weapons. Arjuna tells Uttarakumara to pick up the Gandiva. At this point, Brihannala also reveals his identity to Uttarakumara.

Arjuna picks up the Gandiva and strings the arrow. Just that mere sound reverberated around the forest. Drona realized that it is Arjuna stringing the arrow and warns Kauravas. Duryodhana feels that even if it is Arjuna, it is to their advantage as Pandavas’ agyatvas would then break. Arjuna fights and defeats the Kauravas and then tells Uttarakumara to keep his identity secret from others.

There were six Maharathis on the side of Kauravas – Drona, Kripa, Bhishma, Duryodhana, Ashwathama, Karna. These are great warriors.

Virata says now that we have won the battle let us celebrate. Virata asks Yudishtira (who is in disguise) to play a game of dice. Yudishtira advises that when you are excited, drunk or sad you should not play the game of dice. Virata insists and Yudishtira starts playing. At the same time they get the news that Uttarakumara is also victorious. Yudishtira says because the dance teacher was the Sarathi, his son could win the battle. Virata gets upset at this suggestion and throws the dice at Yudishtira. This is how Yudishtira’s nose starts bleeding. Draupadi collects the blood with a cloth.

The Agyatavasa of the Pandavas had gotten over in another two days. When Virata comes to the darbar he sees the Pandavas seated in full royal attire. Virata is surprised that it was Pandavas who were working for him and promises any favour. He says that Uttara-kumaari should marry Arjuna who refuses since he has always considered her as his daughter and promises to marry his son to Abhimanyu.

The five sons of five Pandavas from Draupadi are the upapandavas. They are prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakarma, Shatanika and Shrutasena. They were Maharathis or great warriors but perish in the Kurukshetra war.

Krishna says Pandavas have completed the Vanavasa and Agyatavasa. They should get the kingdom back. Balarama says since Pandavas got addicted to the game they lost. Krishna reminds him that the game was not Dharmic and that is why Yudhishtira lost. He tells Drupada that as he is the eldest he should go and tell the Kauravas that they should now have a peace treaty. Drupada sends his Purohita to Hastinapur. Purohita is the spiritual advisor. Drupada then prepares his army for the battle as he knows there will be a war.

Sama, Dhana, Bheda, Dhanda are the Upaya Chatushtaya. Sama means peaceful talk. Dhana is offering something in exchange of peace. Bheda is dividing the enemy. Dhanda is fighting with the enemy.

Duryodhana goes to Krishna to ask for help. At that time Krishna is sleeping and Duryodhana sits near the head of Krishna. Arjuna also comes and stands near the feet of Krishna. When Krishna wakes up, he sees Arjuna first as he is standing at the feet. Krishna asks Arjuna to make the first choice, either to take his army or Krishna himself. Arjuna chooses Krishna. Krishna also gave Arjuna the first choice, because he was the younger of the two.

Krishna’s son Samba was married to Duryodhana’s daughter, Lakshmanakumari. Samba had fallen in love with her and comes to the Swayamvara of Lakshmanakumari drunk. She refuses him and Duryodhana puts in jail for mis-behaviour. Krishna is happy that someone is controlling Samba. Balarama is upset and says Duryodhana is my student and he cannot do this. He releases Ganga water that floods Hastinapura. A worried Duryodhana agrees to marry Lakshmanakumari to Samba.