Matsya kingdom
Matsya was a Vedic kingdom and later became a part of sixteen Mahajanapadas, which also appears in Hindu Epic literature. The capital of Matsya was at Viratanagari which is said to have been named after its founder king, Virata. The name Matsya itself means "fish."
Location and geography
Matsya was a prominent ancient Indian janapada located in the Madhyadesa. According to the Manusmriti, its territory was situated within the geographical limits of Brahmarsidesa. According to the Mahabharata, Matsya was located to the southwest of Indraprastha and west of the Surasena kingdoms. The ancient text Kasyapa Samhita mentions the Matsya janapada along with Dasarna and Surasena.Historically, the Matsya Kingdom is identified with the modern territory of Jaipur, encompassing the entirety of the present-day region of Alwar and a portion of Bharatpur. Its capital city was known as Vairata or Viratanagara, which corresponds to the modern town of Bairat, Rajasthan. Another city mentioned as a possible capital is Upaplavya or Upaplava, located at a two-day chariot journey distance from Hastinapura. Due to its location along major routes of conquest and travel, few ancient remains of the Virata province are preserved.
In the ''Mahabharata''
Matsya kingdom was founded by king Matsya who was the twin brother of Satyavati and who was contemporary to Bhishma. Within the Mahabharata, the Matsya kingdom is most referenced within the Virata Parva book.The Pandavas' Exile
The Matsya Kingdom plays a crucial role in the Mahabharata as the refuge chosen by the Pandava brothers and Draupadi for the thirteenth year of exile, known as the year of concealment, following twelve years of dwelling in the forest. The Pandavas, after travelling to Matsya and presenting themselves as hunters, concealed their weapons in the hollow of a sami tree, hanging a decomposing corpse above the spot to deter people. Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, chose Matsya after Arjuna suggested several names. The deity Dharma had previously granted Yudhisthira the boon ensuring that the Pandavas would not be recognized during this thirteenth year.While living in Matsya, the Pandavas adopted specific disguises and assumed new identities:
- Yudhisthira presented himself to King Virata as the brahmin Kanka, claiming to be Yudhisthira's former master of revels, and was employed by the king. He shared his winnings as a popular court gambler with his brothers. The choice of the name Kanka, meaning "heron", carries a symbolic meaning suggesting that Yudhisthira intended to "eat" the kingdom of Matsya by winning numerous dice games against the king.
- Bhima sought work as a cook and gladiator under the name Ballava, purportedly Yudhisthira's former cook and wrestler. He sold leftover foodstuff to contribute to the family's livelihood.
- Arjuna disguised himself as a eunuch named Brhannada. He was described as a large man wearing a woman's dress and jewelry. Arjuna secured employment as a master of music and dance, tasked with teaching King Virata's daughter, Uttara, along with her friends and maids. He sold second-hand ladies' clothing.
- Nakula was engaged as Granthika, purportedly Yudhisthira's former horse handler.
- Sahadeva worked as Tantipala, a cattle tender or cowherd, serving as a supervisor of the herdsmen and cattle. He provided dairy products for his brothers.
- Draupadi arrived as a chambermaid and lady's maid. She introduced herself as Draupadi's former maid, claiming to be married to five gandharvas. She was engaged by Virata's wife, Sudeshna, after promising not to infatuate the king. Draupadi looked after all the brothers.
Kingship and Alliances
King Virata, the ruler of Matsya, was noted for his substantial cattle wealth, leading to him being described as a "cattle baron." The theft of this wealth by the Kauravas became an object of the Virata Parva narrative, necessitating the disguised Arjuna's intervention.Following the successful completion of the period of concealment and the revelation of the Pandavas' identities, King Virata offered his daughter, Uttara, along with his entire kingdom, to Arjuna. Arjuna declined Uttara as a wife but accepted her as a daughter-in-law, arranging her marriage to his son Abhimanyu. This marriage forged a crucial political alliance between Matsya and the Bharata clan. Uttara is destined to become the mother of Pariksit, who would perpetuate Arjuna's race.