The End of the Pāṇḍavas’ Year in Disguise

Abstract

This article discusses an ambiguity in the Sanskrit Mahābhārata concerning whether or not the Pāṇḍavas maintained their disguises for a full year. It argues that the text uses this ambiguity in order to provide a psychologically realistic explanation for the war – the war that is mandated in advance as part of a divine plan to address the Earth’s reported afflictions, and that is ensured in real time by the actions of divinities in the form of human beings. The ambiguity at the end of the year in disguise makes a success of the text’s strategy of presenting a divine plan simultaneous with the human action. The article shows that both human sides – Duryodhana and Yudhiṣṭhira – adhere closely to the dharma of the covenant made at the second dicing match. Discussion focuses on the recognition of Arjuna by the Kauravas in the Virāṭaparvan, and on the narrative effects of that recognition. Various characters’ perspectives on this recognition event are presented and examined. Bhīṣma says the year was already over, so the Pāṇḍavas are not accused of breaching the covenant. The second half of the article explores the implications of this as they unfold in the Udyogaparvan.