Draupadi's insult and Bhima's anger: Why was the killing of Keechaka necessary before the Mahabharata war.

News Topical, Digital Desk : After losing the game of chess, the Pandavas were exiled to the forest, facing 12 years of exile and one year of incognito. After the 12-year exile ended, the Pandavas went to the city of Virata to spend one more year incognito.

All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, played different roles in King Virata's palace. During their exile, the mighty warrior Keechaka was also killed. Let's learn more about this amazing story.

Who was Keechak?

The Mahabharata describes the killing of Keechaka as having occurred during the Pandavas' 13th year of exile in Matsya, the kingdom of King Virata. Keechaka was the brother of King Virata's wife Sudeshna and the chief commander of Matsya. Keechaka was a cruel and arrogant warrior, so powerful that even King Virata feared him. Keechaka was believed to possess the strength of 10,000 elephants. He also had 105 brothers named Upkeechaka.

This became the reason for the slaughter

During her exile, Draupadi became a maid named Sairandhri, serving Queen Sudeshna. Once, when Kichaka came to visit his sister Sudeshna at her palace, he caught sight of Draupadi. ​​Enamored by her beauty, Kichaka mistreated her. When King Virata failed to punish Kichaka, Draupadi sought help from Bhima, a son of Pandava, who during her exile had become a cook named Ballava.

Planned like this

Bhima devised a plan, and Draupadi, at Bhima's request, invited Keechak to meet her at night in a deserted dance hall. Bhima, disguised as Draupadi, was already lying on a bed in the dark dance hall. When Keechak arrived, he mistook him for Draupadi and touched him. However, Bhima struck him with a fierce blow, knocking him away. A fierce wrestling match ensued between the two. Keechak, unable to overcome Bhima's strength, was killed by him. Thus, Keechak's lust led to his end.

Duryodhana  became suspicious

After Keechaka's death, his 105 brothers (Upkeechakas) were deeply saddened and enraged. Believing Draupadi to be responsible for their brother's death, they attempted to kill her, but Bhima killed them all. The killing of Keechaka and his brother led Duryodhana to suspect that the Pandavas were hiding in Virata Nagar.

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