DEVASENA THE UNSUNG WARRIOR (Discontinued)

Part 4

THE PANDAVAS had set out on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna when the Rohini star was in ascendance. Upon arriving in the city of Varanavata, the town's people came to greet them. The assembly consisted of many thousands of people who were anxious to see the pious Pandavas. The sons of Pandu were presented many auspicious articles and taken on a tour of the town. Purochan took them to the palace. The palace was magnificent. Pillars made of gold and adorned with gems and expensive stones. All the Pandavas looked around the house with awe. The palace didn't use lamps rather it was lit by the mirrors which reflected the moon light. Nakul stared himself in the mirror as Devasena smirked.

"Lagta Bhrata Nakul ko yeh mahal bahut lubha raha hai." she slyly smirked as they laughed except Sahadev. Devasena had a frown on her face. Sahadev could see the future and since he was not allowed to reveal it, he used to stay aloof but that didn't mean that he didn't like a laugh or two. He just kept staring at the walls blankly not even caring about others.       

"Bhrata Sahadev?" she snapped him out of his trance as he looked at her. "Devasena." he acknowledged.   

"Aap thik toh hain?" she asked concerned as he let out a sigh and nodded. Kunti ushered them to their rooms as Arjun walked next to Chandra with Yudhishtir in an audible distance.   

"Tumko nahi lagta Parthvi ki yeh Duryodhan aur Maharaj Dhritrashtra ki koi-"

"-nayi chal hai. Lagta toh hai Bhrata shree." she agreed as Yudhishtir slowed his pace a bit.   

"Tum dono aise vichar apne hriday mat lao aur iss mahal ka anand lo." he said in a stern voice as the brother-sister duo let out a sigh knowing that their elder brother was not going to accept anything that contradicted his dharma.    

The Pandu family after bathing and changing into fresh clothes went to their mother's room. They all chatted while Devasena and Bheem enjoyed ladoos which were made specially for them.   

"Kya lagta Bhrata shree, Devasena, Bhrata Bheem ko parasth kar payegi?" he asked as Devasena and Bheem fought tooth and nail for their ladoos.   

"Mujhe lagta Devasena vijayi hogi." Arjun said as he laid on the couch.   

"Aisa kyun Arjun?" Yudhishtir asked taking seat next to him. "Aap swayam dekh lijiye."

Bheem picked up the last ladoo, he was about to stuff it in his mouth but glanced at Devasena's face, who looked ready to cry. Bheem was filled with immense guilt. Seeing his only beloved sister sad was something he considered sin. He passed the ladoo to her with a sad look on his face.   

The second the ladoo reached her hands, she smiled and all the fake tears immediately dried up as she ate it. Bheem frowned knowing that he was tricked by his sister. The laughter died as they saw their mother entering with a diya.   

"Maa yeh diya kisliye?" Devasena asked as Kunti smiled.  

"Kaksh mein bahut andhera hai socha thodi roshni kar doon." she explained as she moved to light the lamp placed at the walls. Unfortunately she tripped a bit and the diya fell on the floor. The cotton wick of diya spread fire on the floor. Everyone's eyes widened except Sahadev's.   

"Yeh toh lakdi ka hai." Devasena said as she thought of the possible consequences they could have suffered if this wouldn't have happened."Arthat ki humara chintan sahi tha." Arjun added as Yudhishtir sighed feeling slightly done with the planning of his own family who were trying to kill him and his family."Humein Purochan ko iss bhram mein rakhna hoga ki hum uske chhal se agyaan hain yadi usse bhanak bhi ho gayi ki humein uski neetiyon ke baare mein gyaat hai toh ve aaj ratri hi iss mahal ko aag laga dega." Devsena advised.