✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

t h r e e - f r i e n d s

"Ashwatthama?" Dron walked ahead, tears fell from his eyes as he saw his son.
The son of Kripi bent down and took his father's blessing.

"Where were you son?" Dron asked as he hugged his son.

The students of Dron felt immense happiness seeing their teacher being reunited with his son.

"Let's go inside first?" Drauni asked.

The day was called to an end, the people left, the royals went back to the palace, Ashwatthama and Dron went to their house, while Krishna accompanied Arjun.

"Parth, between me and Ashwatthama, who is dearer to you?" Krishna questioned.

"Madhav," Arjun chuckled, Krishna would always be the one to put him in trouble, "You are my soul, and Ashwatthama is my heart." Just one line and Krishna got his answer.

Arjun was Rishi Nar, ansh avatar of Narayan &
Ashwatthama was Rudra, ansh avatar of Mahadev.
Together their friendship was like that of Narayan and Mahadev, eternal and pious.

While the friendship between Arjun and Madhav was like that of brothers, one soul in two bodies.

But something that was common in both was, Arjun would die and kill for both of them.

As the two were talking, they heard. "Dhananjay," Ashwatthama jumped on Arjun like a Koala. "I missed you," He said, and Arjun laughed.

Was this the same tough guy who was the ferocious student of Parshuram? He looked like a Panda at moment. "Yashodanandan," Drauni greeted Krishna.

"Wait, you two know each other?" Arjun asked dumbly.

"Yes, my guru Parshuram gave him the Sudarshan chakra, and we pretty much met many times." Ashwatthama said.

Krishna nodded affirmative, "We even trained together sometimes,"

Arjun's jaw dropped, this was so out of the league. "Unbelievable," he said, astonished at the fact.

Krishna laughed, Arjun was a grown up adult, a fierce warrior, and a kid all together.

He excused himself, and walked back towards the castle. Ashwatthama and Arjun needed their own tome to talk.

"So Ashwatthama, how were these years," Arjun asked.

"Amazing, once,...... " Ashwatthama started, and then started the stories of many years coming out.

Many stories, some funny, some challenging, some embarrassing, everything ran away.

The two laughed and cried, but most important, they were together for that now.

"Indraprasth, the city you made, fought for the people, I'm so proud," Said Ashwatthama.

His happiness genuine, and the obvious proud smirk on his lips made Arjun chuckle. Ashwatthama had two faces, just like Arjun, one mature and other childish.

But doesn't every man have these two faces? Mature one for the society, and childish one for family?

"I want you to come with me," Arjun admitted. It was a bit difficult to ask.