Mahabharata Quiz - 35

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Question - 35 

Is it possible to deduce the date of Kichaka's death from the available date features of the end period of the exile? 

Answer:

Yes, the reason being Draupadi mentioned the remaining days of exile after Kichaka-vadha. 

The trouble from Kichaka started only after the Pandava-s completed 10 months of incognito living. After Kichaka and his men were killed by Bheema in disguise as a Gandharva, Draupadi was confronted by the queen of Matsya Desa, namely Sudeshna. Frightened by the attack of an 'invisible Gandharva' husband of Draupadi (in the guise of Sairandri), the queen asked Draupadi to leave the country. 

At that time, Draupadi pleaded her to allow her to continue for just thirteen days after which she would leave (MB: 4-23-27). This implies that the exile period was going to get over after 13 days. 

Taking the version of Vaisampayana and Arjuna (question - 34), that the exile ended on the 13th day of Kataka Maasa (Krishna Shashti), this conversation between Draupadi and Sudeshna must have occurred on the last day of Mithuna Maasa. The corresponding tithi was Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami! 

This conversation occurred on Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami, after Sairandri (Draupadi) was released by the Kichakas (supporters of Kichaka) who wanted to burn her in the pyre of Kichaka. 

Therefore, we are led to deduce that Kichaka was killed a day or two before that.

He was likely to have been killed on the night of Jyeshtha Shukla Shashti. 

On Jyeshtha Shukla Saptami, the Kichakas were killed by Bheema.

By Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami, Sairandri was released from the clutches of the Kichakas and returned to the palace.