Virata Parva — Section 1 of 2 in this original, condensed prose retelling of the eighteen-parva Mahabharata.
The Pandavas live under assumed identities in Virata’s kingdom during the required year of concealment. Their different tasks require humility, skill and discipline. Draupadi suffers harassment and seeks justice. Their hidden strength eventually helps protect the kingdom from attackers.
Read this episode in sequence with the other parvas to understand the full storyline, including its moral ambiguity and tragic consequences.