Panchali reminisces..
The whole atmosphere changed with the kings raising their arms against her father. The celebrations that started to mark the success of swayamvar suddenly got dominated by the shouts and challenges hurled at Drupad.
The anger of the Kings was mostly rested upon the King as they thought Brahmin youth is not at fault." The King should not have allowed the Brahmin to enter the list. And the princess! She dared to put the garland round his neck accepting him as her husband. So both the father and daughter should be punished.
Dhrishtadyumn became alert and got ready with his weapons.Her hand was in his( her husband's) firm grip as the Brahmins asked him to take her hand in his as a mark of panigrahan custom.
She felt bad looking at her father's face. He is so tensed up..his hands were on both hand rests of his asan .. She could understand his trauma. He is confused ..he waited for Arjun but the Victor was someone else... On top of it now the unexpected war is round the corner. What will happen now she could not fathom..
Suddenly she felt the gaze of her husband on her ...he has a smile that has a mischevous tinge.. Is he not perturbed by the turn of events! She wondered.
He lifted her hand a bit and remarked ..Got afraid ? So cold with moisture..your palm... She was embarrassed. Yes she is tensed up..but did not think that he is that smart and sharp to observe her fear.. She avoided looking into those magnetic eyes again...those eyes are reaching the depths of her heart... Her husband pressed her hand and assured." Be fearless...nothing will happen to your father.. Just watch and enjoy...He made her sit in asan and proceeded...but suddenly looked back and smiled " Now Onwards get used to hear war drums and victory notes... .
.
He walked off and she wondered.His smile is too bewitching.. Is he Arjun? She touched her right hand with her left...his touch stayed there..electrifying her whole body and soul.
Suka narrates.
The Brahmin youth approached Drupad and bowed.. The King stared into his hazel eyes.. that have a twinkle..where did he see such eyes' he wondered.
Your daughter is my responsibility.. Rest assured.. I will handle the situation..but .I need your permission to use the bow that was used..for fish target.
Drupad was fascinated by the confidence and dignity displayed by him. He smiled and nodded." The bow is meant for the victor..you need not ask me..
Dhrisht protested." But me and the Panchal army are there to support you..
The Brahmin youth smiled and said." It is my war...let me fight it..you just relax..
Drisht was in shock and gazed at him as he is walking away...that gait..like that of a proud elephant..the bow marks on his shoulders..how could a Brahmin look so Royal!
Balaram stood and rolled his eyes.. He is about to take his hal the weapon that scares every one.. Krishna stopped him and said in a low voice.. You need not meddle in this tau.. Arjun will crush his enemies..and Bhim is there like a pillar..let us enjoy the happenings.
Balaram opened his mouth and exclaimed." Arjun... Is he alive?
Krishna nodded and smiled." Yes Ofcourse. Pandavas and Kunti Bua are safe. It is Arjun's destiny that brought him here. Drupada's strong wish to offer Krishnaa to Arjun got fulfilled..now let me enjoy Parth's moment of triumph..
Balaram stood spellbound... to watch Krishna's Parth in action.
The swayamvar arena looked terrible as the battle started with Karna attacking Arjun.. Bheema uprooted a pillar and made it his weapon.
He shouted at his younger brother with excitement that was met with the same enthusiasm .. Arjun held the bow in firm grip..He alerted Karna and showered arrows on him..
Karna replied with his arrows and resisted him.. Arjun 's precision,lightness of hand helped him overpower his rival easily...His bow thummed with minace.
Both are ace archers...technically superior ..surpassing each other in every way. Arjun is agile,energetic and fast... Karna felt the heat of the moment.. He is finding it difficult to meet the onslaught of the young Brahmin.. Karna swooned hurt by the attack of his rival..
Arjun waited patiently.. Karna got back his conciousness and faced the arrows of his rival and let out a shout.. As he looked at the Brahmin youth who is so energetic despite battling severely with him,Karna got into confusion.. Looks like the Brahmin is still as energetic as he was in the begining of their war.. No streak of fatigue is seen on his face ...he is still standing intact ruthless in his attack..the arrowy showers are incessantly raining from his bow..
He is using both his hands. Savyasachi! Karna is bewildered..he knows only one person..who can shoot with left hand..the third Pandav.
Karna stopped his attack and addressed the stranger." In this whole universe I see no one who can stand before me in war except Vishnu,Indra or Kunti Putr Arjun.. Who are you tell me your real identity. I want to know.. Who are you? Are you the embodiment of archery itself?
The Brahmin smiled and replied firmly." I am none of those mentioned by you. By my guru's grace I learnt the skills of archery,Astras including Brahmastra.Why do you waste time in verbal dual? Let us fight it out..Be ready to get pierced by me..
Karna nodded his head and bent down his bow. He looked at the Brahmin youth and admitted" You are invincible.. I know no one can stand before the splendour of Brahmin. I withdraw from war...
Karna left making Duryothan depressed and sad.
Sakuni pacified him and took him out..showing Salya who is defeated by the other Brahmin who kicked him and crushed him..Salya had to accept his defeat..he lowered his head and dispersed.
Suka stopped his narration indicating his wish to continue later.. Parikshit goaded him.." Please continue.."
Arjun signalled Suka to leave and lifted Pari in his hands like he is a small child." Uttara let us go..I will drop him on his bed..." He started walking followed by a giggling Uttara and a smiling Subhadra.
Panchali looked at him endearingly.she knew Parikshit came like a breath of fresh air into their lives.especialky Arjun ! he would have sunk into the ocean of depression had Abhi's son not revived by Govind...' Gone into dreams to Panchal? Satya teased her..
Panchali smiled and nodded..nothing like that..she said and walked towards the hermitage.. She knew she will definitely cherish the memory of her dreamy walk with her husband to the potter's hut..that changed her destiny..forever.
comment:
p_commentcount