Mahabharata

by

Vyasa

Uttara Character Analysis

Uttara is Virata's son. When the Pandavas are living in Virata's city, Duryodhana mounts an attack. Because Virata has been drawn away from the city, Uttara is in charge, so he rushes into battle with Arjunaas his charioteer, though Arjuna is in disguise. Upon seeing Duryodhana's forces, Uttara tries to retreat, but Arjuna chases after him, reveals his true identity, and forces Uttara back into the battle—which they end up winning.
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Uttara Character Timeline in Mahabharata

The timeline below shows where the character Uttara appears in Mahabharata. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4. Virata
Dharma Theme Icon
...is away trying to recover his livestock, Duryodhana attacks Virata’s home city, where his son Uttara is now in charge (Uttara doesn’t have a full army while Virata is away). (full context)
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Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
Stories and Storytelling Theme Icon
Uttara plans to try to stop the attack by Duryodhana and the other Kurus, but he... (full context)
Dharma Theme Icon
Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
Uttara gets nervous as he rides in Arjuna’s chariot, and they come to a Kuru army... (full context)
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Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
The Kauravas are afraid as they watch Arjuna (disguised as a eunuch) force Uttara back into the chariot. Arjuna takes Uttara to the tree where he and the other... (full context)
Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
Uttara and Arjuna ride into the Kaurava army and begin attacking. Meanwhile, gods like Indra come... (full context)
Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
...Eventually, Arjuna blows his conch and knocks out all of his opponents. He then has Uttara take their clothes. He breaks Duryodhana’s crown and collects Virata’s herds of cattle to take... (full context)
Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
...has won his own battle. When he gets back, he is dismayed to hear that Uttara set off alone into battle in his chariot with a eunuch, not realizing that this... (full context)
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Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
When Uttara himself enters, however, he assures Virata that Yudhishthira is telling the truth and that he... (full context)
Chapter 6. Bhishma
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Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
Grief, Loss, and Mourning Theme Icon
...in an orderly fashion before turning into chaos, with everyone on the field of battle. Uttara dies in battle, killed by an elephant, and the first day ends with the Kauravas... (full context)
Heroism and Warfare Theme Icon
...fires a poison arrow that hits Virata’s son Śankha, killing him. After the death of Uttara earlier, Virata has no sons left. Drona’s son Aśvatthaman fights with Sikhandin. (full context)