Dharmyudh : The Rewritten Destiny

6. Maharaj Pandu's Death

Upon receiving the joyous news that Karn was in Hastinapur, the elation of Pandu, Kunti, and Madri was palpable. Their hearts swelled with an indescribable happiness that seemed to transcend the moment, and they found themselves eagerly awaiting. The anticipation of his arrival cast a cheerful spell over the place. Each glance exchanged between Pandu and his wives carried the warmth of shared joy, and the entire royal household buzzed with jubilance at the thought of welcoming Karn. It seemed as though the very air of Hastinapur was infused with celebration, reflecting the deep affection and high hopes that the family held for Karn's impending visit.
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On a warm and serene afternoon, Pandu found himself seated comfortably in the shade of a sprawling ancient tree. The rustling leaves above provided a gentle background score as he focused intently on the scroll in his hands, its parchment filled with wisdom from ages past. As he absorbed the text, a gentle breeze carried the soft laughter of children to his ears. It was Kunti, who was playing joyfully with their children not too far off, their voices filling the air with light and mirth. In this idyllic setting, life seemed almost perfect.

As time passed, Madri, Pandu's other wife, gracefully emerged from the direction of the nearby glistening river. She was skillfully balancing pots filled with water, each step she took imbued with a natural elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. Her appearance was nothing short of ethereal, her shimmering presence contrasting beautifully with the vibrant hues of nature surrounding her. Her hair, damp from the river, caught the sunlight in a way that seemed almost magical, and her smile radiated warmth and kindness.

Pandu glanced up from his scroll and his eyes inadvertently met Madri's, sparking a moment of profound connection. For that instant, the world around him faded away, including the heavy burden of the curse that had been imposed upon him by Rishi Kindram. The curse that had loomed over his thoughts now seemed distant and irrelevant. Overwhelmed by a spontaneous surge of affection, Pandu rose to his feet and moved towards Madri with a renewed sense of purpose and love.

As he approached her from behind, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation filled him. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into an embrace that was both intimate and reassuring. Madri, surprised but delighted, turned around to face him, and in that moment, time seemed to slow. Their gazes locked once more, and Pandu, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them, leaned in to capture her lips with his in a tender kiss.

But as their lips met, reality came crashing down in the form of the curse's dreadful consequences. The warmth that enveloped them just moments ago was suddenly replaced by an unsettling cold. In an instant, both Pandu and Madri were overcome by an inexplicable force, and before either could realize the magnitude of the situation, they were both rendered unconscious, collapsing softly to the ground beneath the towering tree which had, just moments before, served as a silent witness to their love and joy. The serene afternoon, once filled with the promise of contentment and harmony, was now cloaked in a somber silence, the scroll lying abandoned amidst the rustling leaves.

Some time later, Madri slowly regained consciousness, her mind still foggy from the events that had transpired. As her senses came back to her, she felt a chill in the air, far colder than it had been before. Turning her head with a growing sense of dread, her eyes landed on her husband Pandu lying motionless beside her. His skin was pallid, lacking the warmth and vitality it once held. A shiver coursed through her body, but it was not from the cold-it was from the growing realization that something was terribly wrong.

Panic welled up within Madri as she reached out with trembling hands to shake Pandu, desperation lacing her voice as she called out to him, hoping against hope for a response.

Madri :- Arya, arya, please wake up...

She pleaded, her voice cracking with fear. But Pandu remained still, unyielding to her cries. Her heart raced as she leaned in closer, placing her fingers on his wrist, searching for any sign of life-for the faintest pulse that would assure her that her worst fears were unfounded. But there was nothing, no reassuring throb beneath her fingertips. A strangled scream tore from her throat, echoing through the stillness of the surroundings as the chilling reality sunk in.