THE PRINCE OF BRAGGARTS

Brihannala was the name assumed by Arjuna in the Hindu epic Mahabharata when he was cursed to be an eunuch . Arjuna spent the thirteenth year of his exile as Brihannala at King Virata's Matsya Kingdom. He taught song and dance to the princess Uttara.

Duryodhana attacked the Matsya kingdom from the north with his army and captured the cows while Virata was engaged in the south. It was a formidable force consisting of the reputed Kaurava contingents including the veteran warrior Bhishma, the preceptor of the bow, Dronacharya, his illustrious son Asvatthama, Kripa and Karna. The cowherds and the soldiers of the border patrol force came to the royal capital to report the matter to the king. But the king had already left for the southern front to repel the attack of Susarama. The only male member of the royal family available on the spot was Prince Uttara who was in a hilarious mood surrounded by the ladies of the palace. When the matter was reported to him, he boasted, "I can conquer any army single handed: what does it matter even if the reputed Kaurava contingents have taken the field. How can I go the front ; no charioteer is now available in the city."

Of course, the ladies took his statement with a pinch of salt, though they never had any means to access his powers. Sairandhri who heard the bragging of the prince, could control her laughter with great difficulty and said to princess Uttara, "My dear Princess; there is a very good charioteer available now. Brihannala, your dance master is a past master in the art of driving three chariot as well. He was responsible for the success of Arjuna when he engineered the historic Khandava forest conflagration. If your brother is pleased to take Brihannala with him, he can surely conquer the Kauravas and return triumphant to the city, together with the cattle.

Princess Uttara, dancing with joy told her brother, prince Uttara what Sairandhri had narrated to her. But he exclaimed in derision, "What a ludicrous proposal! My dear sister, how can a hero like me take a eunuch as my charioteer. I hate to look at a eunuch." But princess Uttara was not prepared to accept derision of her teacher and said, "Pease do not under estimate your preceptor. He is a versatile genius. You must take him as your charioteer." Prince Uttara grudgingly accepted the proposal, coming as it does from the princess. Uttara jumped with joy and Brihannala was ushered into the presence of the prince within a few seconds. The prince said to Brihannala, "My dear friend, driving the chariot, you know, is not dancing." Brihannala said, "Gracious prince, I know that dancing is not driving; I know fighting is neither fun or frolic. Let us go."

Brihannala was offered the armour and he delighted the womenfolk by pretending ignorance about it and wearing its topsy-turvy. The prince taught Brihannala how to wear the armour and helmet correctly to the amusement of the womenfolk. Prince Uttara donned the attire of a warrior from tip to toe while Brihannala brought the golden chariot. Uttara ascended the chariot with the gait of a veteran hero and Brihannala took the reins into his hands. Already a band of citizens gathered at the royal gate to give a ceremonial send off to the heroic prince. Maidens showered flowers on the chariot and offered the oblation of lighted camphor to the prince. The bugles were sounded, the trumpets were blown and the chariot started attuned to the fanfare of the royal orchestra. The Brahmins recited the vedic hymns of victory and blessed the prince.

Princess Uttara requested Brihannala to bring some specimen cut pieces of cloth and plumages from the head gears of the kaurava heroes to decorate her dolls. "Pretty Princess," Brihannala said, "We will get you the pretty present, you are pleased to ask" and drove the chariot exultantly to the north rejoicing at the timely opportunity that presented itself to him to face the Kaurava army. Soon, prince Uttara perceived the tumultuous Kaurava forces surging like the ocean on a fullmoon day. Uttara, cried aloud, exasperated, "Brihannala, halt the chariot for a while." But Brihannala did not halt, and increased the speed of the steeds. The prince was offended and ordered with a tone of authority, "Charioteer, this is prince Uttara speaking, I command you to stop the chariot." Still Brihannala heeded not and the chariot was heading towards the enemy encampments. Uttara was able to see clearly the Kaurava battalions arranged for the battle. He trembled with fear, his lips quivered his whole body sweated profusely and he entreated with Brihannala, "I am very young. I have never seen the actual battlefield even once in my life. I am alone; our armies have gone to the south; I request you, to stop the chariot; pray let us go back to the palace." Still Brihannala heeded not the words, commands or entreaties of the prince and was driving the chariot with reckless speed.


Brihannala was not oblivious to the sad predicament in which the prince was placed. He said to Uttara, "Noble prince, you have promised the ladies of the royal palace that you would vanquish the enemies in no time and return to the capital victoriously. Will they not laugh at us if we return to the palace as cowards? Do not worry; I will conquer the enemies; you please drive the chariot." So saying Brihannala speeded up the steeds. Prince Uttara not knowing what to do, jumped down from the speeding chariot and ran away in the direction of the city. Brihannala stopped the chariot , ran after the prince, caught hold of Uttara fleeing with disheveled hair and trembling frame. Uttara the embodiment of despair and defeatism said to Brihannala, sobbing. Brihannala please leave me. I will give you gems, golds, pearls or whatever you ask; elephants or horses, cows or courtesans duly decorated with gold and silver, I will give you one hundred gold coins in hard cash please leave me. I will present you with a golden chariot studded with a golden flagstaff together with the choicest horses; pray, leave me; I will give you ten mighty elephants, please leave me.

But Uttara found himself caught in the tight grip of Brihannala without any hope of escape and said to him, "Please leave me; I am the only son of my dear mother. Life is dear to me and nobody in the whole world can defeat the veteran warriors of the renowned Kaurava army. Still if you want to commit suicide you can advance forward and please leave me on humanitarian grounds." Brihannala dragged Uttara to the chariot and placing him on the seat of the charioteer comforted him saying, "Prince, do not think I am a fool, rushing into the jaws of death. Life is equally sweet to me and I do not like to commit suicide. Please drive the chariot; presently it will be a pleasant surprise for you to see the Kaurava army defeated and routed in disgrace." Uttara held the reins in his hand and began to drive in the chariot, himself ridden by compulsive reflexes.

Brihannala asked the prince to stop the chariot under the sami tree. When the chariot came to halt, Brihannala asked Uttara to climb up the tree, and break open the bundle of weapons placed on the branch. Uttara climbed up the tree but hesitated to touch the bundle emitting foul smell. He said to Brihannala, "Is it fair on your part to assign this menial task to a prince like me. In fact I do not like your commanding tone; perhaps you forget that I am the prince and you are on my chariot by grace and courtesy. Brihannala replied, "Noble prince, I know who you are; you do not know who I am. Let us not stand on formalities when we are confronted with the common enemy. That is not a foul smelling carcass; the bundle contains the weapons of the pandavas; the famous Gandhiva bow is there in the bundle. Please pick it from me." Uttara opened the bundle and saw the dazzling weapons which blinded his eyes. He cried aloud in wonder, "These are shining serpents." Brihannala allayed his fears. "Please pick up the bundle carefully after picking up the Gandiva bow together with the quiver to Brihannala and asked him in baffled amazement, "Why did the Pandavas place their weapons on this tree?" Brihannala replied in gentle tones, "The Pandavas are greatful to your father who gave them shelter; Kanaka is Yudhisthira, Valala the chief cook is Bhima, Damagranthi and Tatripala are Nakula and Sahadeva; Sairandhri is the queen Draupadi. The so called Simhabala was slain by Bhima. Now I hope you realize who I am; I am Arjuna.

Prince Uttara jumped down from the tree to the chariot and bowed to Arjuna who embraced him warmly. Uttara's exulatation knew no bounds. He said to Arjuna, "As a born prince I am ashamed of my conduct, your identity has inspired me. I am no more a coward. Even as a charioteer, I am no more a conscript; I am a volunteer." Arjuna replied, "caressing the head of Uttara, "You are never a coward; fear is a natural instinct ingrained in everybody. Those who cannot overcome their initial fear are cowards. Nobody is a born hero. Everybody is a born child. Opportunities make heroes and cruel circumstances mar men. You see, you have a great opportunity to play a historic role. Already, the so called cowardice in you is gone- gone for good. You are now a hero ready to face any danger. Cowards fear death and death is afraid of heroes. Get up; Let us face the Kauravas." Uttara jumped into the charioteer's seat, caught hold of the reins securely and the chariot moved forward bouncing with joy.