Months passed since Pandavas moved from Kamyaka forest, which happened immediately Hidimba gave birth to Bheem son . Pandavas In the company of there mother moved from one place to another in fear of being recognised and atimes in search of something to eat. After coming from the forest they were astonished seeing the changes that took place in their absence which was unknown to them due to lack of interaction with the outside world.
Hearing the praises and how highly people spoke of Duryodhan rule and hastinapur has improved was like a bitter medicine for them to swallow. They felt rage how easily Duryodhan together with his wife were accepted totally forgetting them. They fumed hearing his accomplishments ,him being regarded as the crown prince which was there brother's birth right and also felt jealous while they are struggling to survive the Kauravas are enjoying royal luxury.
Kunti was seething inwardly hearing praise of Gandharinandan while she who did alot of plotting was still struggling and even her sons have to beg inorder for them to eat. Another thing they heard was the terror created by shiv the undefeated warrior to those kings or kingdom terrorising the helpless or supporting any adharma committed.
They heard little about the fight that took place in magadha from those who know little though they didn't have a clear picture of what took place there for the ones who knew refused to reveal all the information citing they gave there promise of not speaking anything that took place there. But what shocked them was Aryavat having the uncrowned emperor whom they held grudge against for taking that title from there elder brother since that was there father's last wish to see YUDHISHTHIR as the emperor of Aryavat.
They couldn't stop blaming Kauravas for the mishap that happened in there life till date, like them being the reason Dhristarashtra wanted to burn them alive, also the title of the eldest Kuru great grandchild being taken from them especially Bheem whom due to Kunti order decided to hide about his first marriage. They kept moving in secret to avert being recognised but today seemed unlucky day to them since all the kingdoms they visited was empty and people kept travelling in groups.
They sat under the shade to rest for they were tired due to walking for long and there stomach kept rambling due to the hunger they were experiencing. They kept looking at groups of people who were travelling in one direction which disturb them for they were clueless seeing them moving in hurry.
"Jeshta don't you think it's weird today ,every kingdom we enter is empty and even after walking for long we've got nothing"told Arjun but even before Yudhishthir could respond he was intrupted with Nakul who added
"And even people keep moving out in groups like they are heading somewhere,seems us alone are the ones who are entering inside while others are moving outside"told Nakul who was observing everything silently
"Your right Anuj I think we should ask one of those who are heading in the same route the reason why kingdoms are empty today"told a calm Yudhishthir
"Hmm Jeshta let me ask that brahmin whose coming seem even he's heading to the direction the group is following "told Arjun standing up heading towards the brahmin who saw him but before he could ask the brahmin intrupted him
"It seems your waiting for alms today, but you'l not get anything here and even to the next kingdom "told the brahmin looking at how Arjun is dressed
"Why?and where are the people moving in groups "questioned Arjun and the brahmin looked at him in wonder before responding
"People are heading to Panchal,today is the swayamvar of the fireborn princess. All the kings all over Aryavat are invited some are going to participate while I heard others are going to have glimpse of the princess as she's regarded as the most beautiful woman all over Aryavat. I even heard the god's and goddesses envy her beauty, so people today believe they'l have big alms am advising you to even head there for you'l get alot which will sustain you to next tomorrow"narrated the brahmin taking his leave
Arjun moved towards his brothers who were eagerly waiting to hear what he has been told
Bheem: Arjun what did he say
Arjun: Brathashre that people are heading to Panchal for the swayamvar of the fireborn princess and all the kings are invited to participate and he believes people will get alot of alms since all the kingdoms are empty for the citizens headed there
Nakul; I even heard she's the most beautiful woman all over Aryavat who emerged from the fire but what a we going to do Brathashre since all kingdoms are empty
Yudhishthir looked at Kunti who heard everything silently before responding
Yudhishthir: Hmm Mata I think some of us should head to Panchal while others escort you on the border of Panchal where we built shelter yesterday since there's nothing we can do
Kunti: Ok Putra you take Arjun with you , protect your Anuj and after getting the alms return immediately I don't want anyone to recognise any of you so don't do anything which will attract others attention.
A/Y: Ok Mata we will take your leave, Bheem Matas safety is in your hands make sure you take care of the twins
Nakul: But Jeshta am accompanying you,I don't want to miss seeing the beauty of the fire born prince,I need to check myself if he is giving me competition
Others looked at Nakul who was looking himself in the mirror, Bheem smacked the back of his head making him rub there while Yudhishthir looked at Kunti seeking for her permission which she nodded
Yudhishthir: Ok let's go
" Duryodhan should thank the god's for I was planning to go brake his bones for an sure he is in Panchal"murmured Bheem while others clenched there fist hearing the name of Duryodhan,Kunti inwardly enjoyed seeing there reaction but she needed to keep her pretence.
"Bheem! don't say like that, Duryodhan is your brother and your bade Pitashree son ok"berated Kunti
"Mata you've said correct have tried to make Bheem understand who never listens to me ,maybe now he'l listen to you"told Yudhishthir supporting his mother
"Ok Mata" agreed Bheem halfheartedly even though he wanted to argue
"Mata we will take our leave so that we can return early"told Yudhishthir touching kunti's feet while Arjun and Nakul follows him. They took there leave heading to panchal
Other side Panchal was decorated beautiful,kings from various kingdoms have arrived in the swayamvar of the fireborn princess afteral none wanted to miss the chance of getting the most beautiful woman of Aryavat as a wife. Swayamvar stage was decorated beautiful around a small wide pond,a bow was kept on the centre of the arena with all its glory ready to be used in participation.
Thrones of guest was arranged around it and seats were arranged on the stage leaving space for commoners to see the swayamvar. The guest were waiting in anticipation to see the beauty of the princess which became the talk all over Aryavat. On the other hand the fireborn was panicking in one of the rooms in the mansion while Yadava kumaris together with Kuru princess were trying to ease her tension .
"Drupadi why a you panicking the last minute I thought your just waiting for your prince to come and carry you"told Bhadra cheekly to Drupadi who started blushing
"Ooow I didn't know even our Panchali knows how to blush"said Dushala teasing her
"Ooh let's not tease her alot unless we want our dear Drupadi to run away with her prince instead of waiting for swayamvar "said Bhadra while both look at Drupadi and burst laughing. Dushala control herself before asking a question
"Panchali you haven't told us whom you want as your husband you know competition is of archers so one of them will win your hand today"questioned Dushala while others looking at Drupadi expectantly
"Archery?
"Yes one of them being Panduputra Arjun and Vrisha"told Bhadra failing to see her sister's reaction
"Vrisha?
"Oh sorry Karna the king of Anga"
"But I heard he is an adharmi and that kingdom was given to him by Kuru prince whose also an adharmi"told Drupadi innocently who was clueless with the impact her words created
"What!shouted the three other occupants while Dushala was holding her hands in a tight fist.
Drupadi looked at them shocked not knowing why they have shouted that loud
"Who told you all that"questioned Urvi trying hard to control her anger
"Pitashree and even maids in this palace"answered a clueless Drupadi
"See Drupadi all those are lies, how can the one raised in Kailash be an adharmi and other the boon of Mahadev raised by her greatest devotee be an adharmi beside we grew up with Karna in dwarka"told bhadra
Drupadi: Oh I didn't know all this but why will they lie"
Urvi: Because your father wants you to only marry Arjun,beside the ones your told as adharmi they are the princes of hastinapur one elder another younger
Drupadi: Huh!
"Yes the one who was given Anga is my younger brother Gandharinandan Karna and Duryodhan is our elder Jeshta,let me go and check Agni"told Dushala who was silent minutes back she was sad seeing how people are talking bad behind her brother's back
Others who understood her just sigh seeing sadness in her eyes induding Drupadi
"Am really sorry am just talked what I heard It wasn't my intention to hurt her"told a remorseful Drupadi
"It's ok Drupadi infact to tell you the truth Arjun is the one who is an Adharmi and if today both participate in your swayamvar Karna wil be the one to win"told bhadra while Urvi kept silent lost in her thought
Drupadi: Is he going to participate?and who is Agni?
Bhadra: I don't think he is going to participate and Agni is his daughter.
"Oh he is married, but I don't want to marry Arjun if he is an adharmi now what will happen to me"told a panicking Drupadi
"He is not married ,he told until his elder brothers get married but don't worry I heard from Dushala, Vikrana is an archer who can give a turf competition to Arjun i guess he will participate "told Urvi though still in fear of loosing Karna
"Ok that's enough let's prepare I think your about to be summoned.
The messenger had just told everyone to assemble on swayamvar ground. All the kings took there respected seats,they saw 5 thrown on the stage but they didn't question. Specific area was assigned for brahmin and commoners who came to watch the competition. King DRUPAD stood before the centre of the throne and other kings stood up seeing him.
DRUPAD: i DRUPAD king of kampilya the southern Panchal invite all of you to attend the swayamvar of my daughter Yagseni Drupadi.lets welcome our chief guest Shri Vasudev Krishna
Everyone folded there hands while kings nodded their heads to show approval. Later Drupadi was summoned and fire born prince explained the rules of the competition. Seeing her beauty the kings vowed to win the competition inorder to have her. Drupadi felt all type of gazes directed towards her, she folded her hands and took a seat beside Krishna and didn't dare to look up after settling down.
Drupadi: Govind who do you think will win the competition
Kanha: Sakhi who do you want to win ?
Hearing his response she twisted her lips not knowing someone was spellbound seeing her beauty and how she twisted her lips. The competition showed was turf and the kings who weren't archers were dishearten loosing their chance. 3 Pandavas have just arrived together with Karna who recognised them but pretended. He went towards his elder brother sitting between Duryodhan and Aswatthama not before hugging them.
Drupadi was shocked seeing his beauty but compose herself. Drithadastmya came in the centre of the Swayamvar revealing the bow covered and the rules to be followed.
Drithadastmya: The one who lift the bow,tieing the strings ,hits the fish eye by seeing it's reflection in the water wins the hand of my sister. The king's gasp seeing how the competition was arranged difficulty
Karna: Brathashre this competition needs a person with unmatched confidence, belief in himself and also belief in his strength I hope you will not fail me , have help you in polishing your archery skill now is time to show me how well you've improved.
Vikrana: Ok Anuj
Arjun who was mesmerized by the beauty of the princess planned to participate in the competition even after his elder brother warning. The competition started everyone tried to lift the bow,few aimed wrongly while some were unable to lift it.As soon as Duryodhan name was announced he refused citing he was already married offering for Vikrana to participate in place of hastinapur since he was of marriageable age which DRUPAD refused due to his fear.
Drupadi tried to intervene but DRUPAD stern voice made her quiet though with fear of marrying an adharmi. Same Aswatthama refuse and so is Karna. But the kings were shocked hearing a representative of Mewar being there representing his kingdom on behalf of the king. The king's were always jealous of seeing Mewar prosperity, there economy being at peak, Qualified/top craftsmen,large number of army and there warriors trained by Shiv himself. Even though they are jealous they could do nothin in fear of facing there warth
No king succeeded in the task until they welcome brahmins to take part in the competition.Arjun moved forward though Panchal family and Kurus there recognised him but didn't say anything. Drupadi bolded her breath in fear and Arjun who was overconfident moved forward,held the bow easily putting an arrow in it. He stretched the strings looking directly at the fish through the pond.
Being overconfident he released the arrow but it stuck on the mouth of the fish. Other kings were looking at him as a joke while Arjun looked down ashamed until Yudhishthir went there and took him. Drupadi took a sigh of relief while other kings started shouting everyone has participated and the fire born isn't married,they started taunting and mocking him .
There shout stopped when they saw a guy raising an arrow and aiming it on the target which hit the eyes of the fish. She came down with the garland placing it on his neck while he was ready to place around her neck Drupad stood u causing chaos.
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