Sudeshna

Sudeshna
Mahabharata character
Sudeshna on the throne (left) is greeted by Draupadi and other ladies-in-waiting
Personal Information
Spouse(s)	Virata
Children	Uttara, Uttarā, Shveta, Satanika and Shankha

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Sudeshna was the wife of King Virata, at whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. She was the mother of Uttar, Uttara, Shveta, Satanika and Shankha, as well as others.

Sudeshna's kingdom of origin is not specified in the Mahabhartha. Her younger brother, Kichaka, is the commander-in-chief of the Matsya army. So presumably, Sudeshna is of Matsya origin herself.

During the Pandavas' 13th year of exile, Sudeshna unknowingly plays host to the Pandavas and Draupadi. Draupadi poses as her maid, Sairandhri. Sudeshna is looking out her room window one day, and sees Draupadi wandering in the market. Stunned at her beauty, Sudeshna inquires afterwards. Draupadi poses as Sairandhri, saying that she is a former lady-in-waiting from Indraprastha, now without a job after the Pandvas had lost their kingdom. Suspicious of her story, since Sairandhri looks and carries herself like royalty, Sudeshna chastises herself for being so paranoid and hires Sairandhri. Sairandhri proves to be a loyal and efficient handmaiden.

Kichaka notices Sairandhri and is overcome by her beauty and inquires Sudeshna about her. Sudeshna conveys Kichaka's interest to Sairandhri. Sairandhri rebukes Kichaka, telling her that she is already married to a Gandarva who would kill any man who touched her. Unable to deny her older brother, and wary of the king's warnings to not displease their city's top commander-in-chief, Sudeshna introduces Kichaka to Sairandhri. She does this by asking Sairandhri to fetch wine from Kichaka's house; she refuses to heed Sairandhri's warnings yet again. The moment Sairandhri arrives, Kichaka tries to molest her. Sairandhri looks to Sudeshna for aid, but the queen is silent.