Vaishampayana said Then there was seen at the gate of the ramparts another person of colossal form, rich in the wealth of beauty, adorned with the ornaments of woman, and putting on large earrings and fine conch bracelets set with gold.

That long armed one, having the gait like that of an elephant, with long and abundant tissues hanging about, came to Virata shaking the earth with his tread and stood in his court.

Beholding him, the son of the great Indra, resembling an elephant in gait, him capable of crushing foes, having his real form hidden in disguise, entering the court chamber and stepping forward to the king, he (Virata) asked all his courtiers "whence does this man come; I have never heard of him before.” The people thereof said of the person as one unknown to them. Thereupon the king said wonderingly.

Endowed with might you appear like a celestials; you are are young and of dark complexion and resemble the leader of a herd of elephants. Although you have worn fine conch-bracelets beset with gold ear-rings and loosened your braid, yet you shine as one decked with garlands and fine hairs and equipped with bow, bow, mail and arrows; ascending the car you wander at your pleasure. Be you like my son or like myself.

I am decrepit, and desirous of cast-off my burden. Rule you cheerfully the whole of the Matsya territory, I cannot believe that such persons may even be of the neuter sex.”

Arjuna said I sing, dance and play on instruments. I am skilled in dancing and expert in singing. O god among men, assign me to Uttara. I shall be the dancing-master to the princess.

It will be of no avail to describe how I have come by this form. It will merely augment my pain, O lord of men; know me to be Brihannala, a son or daughter without parents.

Virata said O Brihannala, I grant you the boon you seek for; instruct my daughter and those like her in dancing; me-seems this office is not worthy of you, you deserve the whole earth surrounded by seas.

Vaishampayana said The king of the Matsya's, having tested Brihannala in dancing, in playing on instruments also in other fine arts, sent him to the quarters of the maidens, after consulting with his different ministers having him examined by women and being assured of his impotency of a permanent type. There the mighty Dhananjaya began to teach singing and playing on instruments to the daughter of Virata, and her friends and serving maids. The Pandava soon became their favorite.

There the self-subdued Dhananjaya began to live in disguise behaving amiably with them. The people within or without the palace could not recognize him.