The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 192

The wide space near the mango grove is looking crowded with nearly five hundred sages sitting in rows chanting the mantras. In the centre the sacrificial fire is rising higher indicating the positive response by the fire god.

Veda Vyasa is sitting with Suka on one side. On the other side sat Yudhishtir and Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya And Sahadeva sat behind them helping them to pour ghee at the given intervals. Gandhari And Kunti are sitting away from the place.

The daughters in law are coming occasionally but  again going away.the smoke that spread there caused eye burns.
Patikshit silently stood far behind looking at Suka. He is waiting for him to answer his query that made him bewildered. Did his Pitamah go to Vaikuntha along with Krishna to bring back the brahmin children? How is it possible? He knew Arjun went to heaven but Vaikuntha ? Impossible.
Lord Vishnu resides there. Only for sages and devotees after death Vaikuntha will be accessible. Then why did That Royal sageSatayupa say they went there? He remembered what he heard.
Sage Satayupa is praying to Krishna. Prabhu..Show the grace you showed on your Parth and help me ascend to Vaikuntha. I am not interested in heaven. I should aim forVishnu's abode.

Krishna smiled and said...Rajarshi Satayupa! Penance only is the means to reach there. As for Parth..I helped him keep the promise he made the Brahmin.That is different...And Parth could come with me..you know the reason..
Satayupa nodded his head. I am not comparing myself with him,whose soulmate is Narayan himself. I promise I would spend every minute of mine towards my purpose..
Parikshit became alert on seeing his mother come his way. He doesn't want to question any one other than Suka. Pari smiled at Uttara who pulled him to sit with her.

The night is setting in. The loud chantings are heard ..thehoma May take half an hour more.
Panchali tried to get out of his grip, She has go check the dinner arrangements.
Arjun took her face in his hands and said in his husky voice. " Why are you in hurry? Still time is there to go for dinner. Let us stay for a while..
Panchali did not oppose. She knew he won't listen. But she is apprehensive..Any one of his wives may come there.
Arjun pushed her curls back. They are standing on the steps..the tadiya moon is showering nectar. The gentle breeze is touching them with wonder as if to feel their beauty. Both of them crossed their middle age still looking young...
Panchali raised her eyes and asked. When are we going back?
Arjun sighed deeply..Don't remind me that...I donrt want to go back and live in palaces.
Panchali smiled ..She knew his preference. Given a chance he will spend his life in hermitages roaming around..
Parikshit needs to grow up there..she said softly.
Arjun nodded his head. Krishnaa Royal palace is not necessary to groom our successor. Didn't we live at Satasringa? We spent most of our life in forest...but that did not prevent me from winning my first wife..
Panchali understood.He is smart enough to take the conversation to where Krishna's comment made her deliberate..
Arjun hugged her close and confessed. Ofcourse I want to confess. I don't have the habit of leaving anything in middle..He smiled and said..war or romance.
Panchali pushed him away and said.  See the mantras stopped. Mata will come back..your wives also. They said they will go for walking..
Arjun placed his hand round her waist and descended the steps.. He reminisced their cosy moments together..always interrupted due to his ever busy life style. He turned to her and whispered. How nice it will be if we get back all the lost moments?
Panchali understood. Her husband is right They lost many years,months,days.minutes.. life always tested them by throwing them in opposite directions.
Suddenly she felt the urge to take him on her heart and tell..Still time is there for them to collect sweet memories...
Finally Pari managed to convince Suka to narrate him..the story of his Pitamah Arjun going to Vaikuntha to bring back brahmin's sons.
When Arjun's wives heard this their excitement knew no bounds. Except Draupadi and Subhadra none of them knew the story.
Chitra pulled Pari's cheek and praised him. You are the one who made this trip memorable for me. You made us know about his glory in reality.
Alli nodded and patted Pari. Thank you so much for enabling us learn so much about him.
Subhadra smiled and said. Yes it happened when we went to Dwarika for Bhrata Krishna's birthday. It is special because even his queen came with us..Abhi and Kirti enjoyed the trip so much..Subhadra got moisture in her eyes.
Pragati hugged her from behind and whispered. Mata.. Pari will feel bad. See how excited he is for his great attempt...Look at him..he is smiling like Abhi Bhrata..
Subhadra nodded her head and hid her tears.
Panchali who just came and listened to Pragati looked at her daughter in awe. From where did this little girl learnt this much detachment and control?
She behaves too mature for her age. Will she lead a normal life? She shuddered at her thoughts.
Ulupi understood her thoughts and placed her hand on her shoulder.. The night will bring much excitement to all of us. Keep away all other thoughts and join us in hearing about the glory of our husband..