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.

Draupadi poses as Sairandhri, saying that she is a former lady-in-waiting from Indraprastha, now without a job after the Pandavas had lost their kingdom.

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.

[2] Later, when Kichaka dies under mysterious circumstances (actually killed by Bhima), Sudeshna becomes terrified and begs Sairandhri for forgiveness.

Later, when the Kauravas attack from the other direction, she attempts to organize the city defences only to find that few soldiers have remained.

Her young son, Uttar, brags that he will single-handedly defeat the Kauravas, and gets ready to ride out.

By the war's end, her husband, her children, and the entire Matsya army are wiped out in a Pandava victory.