The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 164

Every one is ready with their bow and arrows. But where is the target? They could not see. Drona asked all of them to assemble at the foot of the hill and stand in line.
He then showed them the target . A wooden bird was kept on the highest branch of a tree. It was on the hill top. The boys got excited. It is really a challenge to shoot it as the tree branches with leaves are covering it half.
Duryothan is confident. He asked Guru Dron." May I take the first chance?"
Drona nodded his head." No Suyodhan, Eldest will have the first chance." Yudhishtir came forward and bowed before Dron. After blessing him Drona asked." What did you see there?
Yudhishtir replied" a bird." Drona questioned." Then?
" the tree,the branches,the leaves ,the hill..
And you Gurudev" He completed his answer .
Drona said." Go to your place. You can't shoot the target."

Suka stopped and smiled at the tensed up enthusiastic prince Parikshit." Raj Kumar Pariksjit you know what happened next. You must have heard it umpteen times from others."
Parikshit clarified." I can hear it as many times. And I repeat listening from you is special for me. Continue please."
Suka started." Duryothan proudly stood before Dron." I can take aim and hit the bird. Shall I show you now" he asked.
Drona knitted his eyebrows." Wait. What do you see there?"
Duryothan answered." Everything that Yudhishtir had seen. I could also see the birds flying above the tree. And the sky in between...

Stop and go to your place." Drona said curtly.

When Bheem answered Drona's query,the preceptor had a smile on his face. " Gurudev . My brothers could not see the ripened fruits behind the tree . They belong to the adjacent tree. If you permit I can go there and pluck them . "
Everyone laughed at Bheema." You and your taste for fruits. Bhrata Bheem Just now we had our breakfast again you want to eat? Nakul taunted.
Arjun had a smile on his face. His boisterous brother Bheem is so endearing he thought.He was all attention hearing his name announced by Drona."
Drona looked at the dark handsome fourteen year boy who is just about to enter youth. He knew he will never fail his expectation. Arjun" he called.

Arjun bowed with respect. He waited to hear his Guru's question. Drona asked him to look at his target. Arjun's hazel eyes turned to the bird and got struck there. Everyone stood silently watching the Guru and student with bated breath.
Drona asked." What did you see?"Arjun replied without moving his eyes." Just the bird eye." He already took the stance and fixed the arrow. Drona's face beamed with joy." Shoot it." He ordered.

In a split second the arrow fled like a missile and struck the bird in the eye. The eyeball was struck with great precision.
Drona placed his hand on Arjun's head. Finally he can proudly show the world how unique his training is and how unparalleled his Arjun is in archery.
Parikshit 's face shone with pride. Suka got up to leave. " I will be ready to tell  the historic event that changed the destiny of Aryavarth.The great victory on Panchal King Drupad."

Back to Hastinapur
Arjun opened the topic before Yudhishtir. Sahadev stood in attention." Mata and others got settled at Kurukshetra near the ashram of Sage Sata yupa. Let us go and pay a visit to them.
Draupadi who is checking her monthly accounts waited to hear the King speak. Yudhishtir said." I am apprehensive of going there. Many sages are doing penance there. We should not disturb the peaceful atmosphere ."
Sahadev defiantly said." Eldest! We are visiting our mother. We have every right to do so. People there will feel elated to meet you and us. "

Draupadi nodded her head." All the daughter inlaws are also waiting to go there. Pragati and Parikshit already started their preparations. I also would feel happy to see Mata and Ganthari Mata . I think we should fix the date."
Bheem and Nakul also sided with Sahadev and Panchali.
That moment  Arjun's confidential messenger came and informed him." Maharaj Dhritarashtr  accepted your request. He said they all will wait for the King to come over with all of you including the queens."
Yudhishtir sighed with relief. Bheem patted Arjun on his back." How does your mind work that fast? You know Eldest will have his own doubts to go there. And you are ready with the answer.Proud of you as always."

Sahadev hugged Arjun and said." Thank you Bhrata for paving the way to meet Maata."

Draupadi looked at him with admiration. Arjun side glanced her and smiled. Panchali smiled back and conveyed her feeling of love and appreciation.

Hastinapur Royal palace is brimming with activity. The royal family will start for Kuru Kshetr after a week. All the preparations are made to enable the Royal ladies travel without any trouble. Pragati is too excited to visit her grand mother Kunti whose separation she could not bear.
Pragati declared before her mother " I will stay there forever. I also will do penance with my grand mother. Eventually every one has to do it before merging in God. I will start it earlier. What is there in luxurious life? I have no fascination for that."
Draupadi stared at her with disbelief. She is just entering youth and she lost interest in normal life? Why is Pragati behaving so?
Just then Arjun entered and Draupadi turned to him and started." Your daughter took after you.See how she developed disinterest in her life. She wants to stay there  and do penance. Tackle her if you can." Panchali got up and walked past Arjun.
Arjun questioned Pragati with his eyes." What did you say? Pragati shrugged her shoulders.
Arjun made his daughter sit on his lap. He then said." There is a time to do such things Pragati. We can not do it before or after. We can not renounce our worldly duties and jump,into the next stage. Your Mama told me that only. Even I always wanted to leave everything and wander in forest."
"Pragati is curious." When did you get that intention first?"
Arjun smiled and whispered." After I won your mother." Panchal bit her lip. She sideglanced him and waited for him to continue.
Pragati expressed her surprise." You don't love her? Why did you want to go away?"
Arjun cautiously explained." I felt depressed to stay away from her. You know the reason. Now you have grown up.and you will understand why I can't be with her."

Pragati nodded her head.Yes. She knew. She heard the story from Gandhari,from Arya,from Bhanumati...
Arjun continued." I went on pilgrimage. I met your mama and he told me I can not escape from your mother. I should stand by her. It is my duty.

Then at Kurukshetr he finally instructed me Gita.I followed whatever he said. " Arjun kissed Pragati on her forehead and said." You also should follow your mama's Upadesh.You can do penance only after fulfilling your duties."

Pragati hugged him close and promised.' Yes Pitasri. I understood. I will do as you said." She rushed to Draupadi and hugged her also. She then rushed fast to Subhadra's chamber to be with Parikshit.

Arjun turned his wife to him. She has moisture in her eyes. Finally he admitted himself before his daughter also. She composed herself and pretended anger.

" Like father like daughter. She inherited your detachment and disinterest towards life.Arjun's daughter she is."she said.
Arjun pushed her curls back and said," But Arjun did not live the life of a monk. He can not do so. Yajnaseni is his temptation."
Panchali taunted." Mention your other temptations also Ulupi,Chitra,Arya Alli,Subhadra,Rekha...

Arjun laughed." You are my biggest temptation.I can not control myself and you know it." He touched her lower lip with his fore finger." I am always enslaved to you my queen. I acknowledge it. "Arjun's words made Yaajnaseni elated and a beautiful smile appeared on her lips. She took his face on her heart and lied back. She played with his curls and ignited Arjun's passion.

The warrior par excellence immersed in floating in the river of their love and passion.
" You can not skip the events and fast forward the story." Parikshit declared.Suka Questioned him" now what did I avoid?"
" Parikshit replied." The second test, the exhibition of weapons.."
Suka smiled." As you wish prince...he continued.

It was a sunny evening at Gurukul. Drona is gearing up to go to Yamuns for Sandhya Vandana.The evening practice was over and the princes accompanied Dron to the river.