When Susharma attacked Matsya kingdom, Yudhishthira told the king that he himself, the cook, the horse-trainer (royal syce) and the cattle-keeper were great warriors. King Virata was very happy to take their help. Susharma attacked Matsya kingdom. All the Pandavas except Arjuna went with the army. During the battle Susharma captured Virata. But Bhima set him free and made Susharma captive. They returned to the palace jubilant.
Meanwhile, Duryodhana with the Kaurava army attacked Matsya kingdom from another side. Young Prince Uttar decided to defend the kingdom. He needed a charioteer. Draupadi, overhearing him, ran and told the prince that Brihannala was an excellent charioteer and she herself had worked with him. So, Uttar took Brihannala into the battle. Seeing warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya, Duryodhana, Karna and the other Kauravas, Uttar was frightened; he got off the chariot and ran back. Brihannala grabbed him and brought him back into the chariot. Arjuna asked Uttar to bring him the armour and the weapons hidden in a tree-hollow. Arjuna put on the armour, strung the ‘Gandiva’, his bow, and blew his conch, Devadatta. Hearing the sounds of the conch all the Kauravas recognised Arjuna.
Bhishma revealed that thirteen years had been completed the day before by the Pandavas. They had the right to their kingdom.
But Duryodhana and Karna were deaf to all advice. It was decided that the Kauravas would at least take the cattle of the kingdom. Taking away cattle or the clothes of the warriors was considered a sign of victory in the battle. As they rounded up the cattle, Arjuna attacked. He held off the commander first and then went after Duryodhana. He used a weapon that made everyone unconscious and then took away all their clothes and got back the cattle. Returning to Matsya kingdom, he hid the armour and his weapons and, becoming Brihannala again, told Prince Uttar to say that he had won the battle.
Thereafter, Arjuna told the prince about his four brothers and Draupadi. Hearing the words Prince Uttar was dumbfounded.
