Editing Bhima (section)

===Incognito life in Virata's kingdom===
[[File:Draupdadi watching Kichaka and Bhima fighting (crop).jpg|thumb|Kichaka and Bhimasena fight while Draupadi watches them from aside, Folio from a Dispersed Mahabharata Series, [[Mysuru]], c. 1670. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper.]]
After completing their twelve-year exile, the Pandavas entered their thirteenth year, during which they were required to live incognito. They sought refuge in the kingdom of Matsya, ruled by King Virata, and assumed various disguises. Bhima took on the role of Vallabha, a cook, and wrestler in King Virata's palace. Within themselves, Pandavas called him Jayanta. His primary duties involved working in the royal kitchens, though his position as a wrestler occasionally necessitated the display of his physical prowess.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Kapoor|editor-first=Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552577|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> There was a wrestling bout where a wrestler from a different state, Jimuta proved to be invincible. Much to the delight of King [[Virata]] and his subjects, Bhima challenged Jimuta and knocked him out in no time. This greatly enhanced the reputation of the Pandavas in unfamiliar territory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04013.htm}}</ref>

A significant incident during this period was Bhima's encounter with Kichaka, the brother-in-law of King Virata. Kichaka developed an infatuation with Draupadi, who was serving in the palace under the guise of a maid named Sairandhri. Kichaka's advances toward Draupadi escalated and he tried to sexually assault her, prompting her to seek Bhima's protection. Bhima devised a plan to eliminate Kichaka without revealing their true identities. He arranged for Draupadi to lure Kichaka into a secluded area, where Bhima, disguised, awaited him. A physical confrontation ensued, during which Bhima killed Kichaka. This incident was carried out discreetly to avoid compromising the Pandavas' incognito status. Kichaka's brothers blamed Sairandhri (Draupadi) for his death and tried to forcefully cremate her along with Kichaka, but Bhima slew them and rescued Draupadi.<ref name=":1" />

Despite Kichaka's death raising suspicions within the palace, the Pandavas successfully maintained their disguises. Towards the end of their incognito year, the Kauravas and Trigartas raided the Matsya kingdom's cattle in an attempt to expose the Pandavas. Bhima, along with his brothers, defended the kingdom, ensuring that their true identities remained hidden until the incognito period concluded.<ref name=":1" />