01
Origins and family
He ruled the Matsya kingdom and received the disguised Pandavas into his court.
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Character Chronicle
Mahabharata · King of Matsya
Virata
Ruler who unknowingly sheltered the Pandavas during their final year of exile.
MahabharataMatsya refugeHospitality
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Biography
The story of Virata
Virata is ruler who unknowingly sheltered the Pandavas during their final year of exile. Father of Uttara and Prince Uttara.
He ruled the Matsya kingdom and received the disguised Pandavas into his court.
His kingdom faced attacks from Kichaka's influence, the Trigartas and the Kauravas.
After Arjuna revealed himself and defeated the cattle raid, Virata allied his house with the Pandavas.
He fought at Kurukshetra and was killed by Drona.
Life journey
Four defining chapters
02
Rise and relationships
His kingdom faced attacks from Kichaka's influence, the Trigartas and the Kauravas.
03
Defining crisis
After Arjuna revealed himself and defeated the cattle raid, Virata allied his house with the Pandavas.
04
Final phase and legacy
He fought at Kurukshetra and was killed by Drona.
Hospitality offered without full knowledge may still become a decisive moral alliance.
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