Vakṣaṇī Dharmā : The Song of Mahabharat

3| Meeting Madhav

Mrithika had never been a stranger to the tales of Mahabharat. Ever since her childhood she has been hearing its different sects as bedtime stories or as lessons of caution. Her grandmother was the one who introduced her to the Epic and its characters, Arjun, Draupadi, Yudhisthir and the others.

But it didn't need her grandmother to introduce the Epic, Mrithika herself would have found those thick authentic verses and read them till late at night. She wasn't picky about the books she read. But finding herself in the same story was definitely baffling.

Though she did not care.

She had no care that she had left her family and friends. Neither did she miss them, she was glad that she got out of her previous life and got stuck in......Hastinapur.

Hastinapur

Though the place sounded amazing and looked amazing, Mrithika had no idea on what she was gonna do there. She did escape from one situation but now she landed in an entirely new one. It was a different era to be honest and she was from the modern world.

'What am I gonna do'? She thought mournfully, looking at window that gave view to the sprawling kingdom beneath with lush forests in the background.

One of the maids gave her a bowl of porridge to eat, looking pitifully at her ghoulish figure covered in colourful pastes. She didn't mind their looks because of the deep feeling of hunger clawing at her stomach. And for once, she was glad that the Pandavas and their mother left, especially Dushala who wouldn't stop looking at her like she was some zoo animal.

Yudhisthir would come across occasionally to inquire about her health from the healer. Bheem would at times accompany Nakul and Arjun to make small talks with her, which was quite the challenge for both the parties due to the language barrier. If there was one thing Mrithika had noticed about the Pandavas was that the youngest, Sahadev, was the quietest of them all, even more so than Yudhisthir.

While the others would make efforts to talk to her, he would shy away or hesitate. Mrithika assumed that it might be due to language barrier between them but, it was just his nature. Even in the Epic it was mentioned that he was the opposite of his talkative twin. But Mrithika knew better than to judge him.

As if on cue, Arjun entered the chamber, but he wasn't alone, along with him a dark - skinned man who almost looked blue, arrived. Seeing him, it looked as if a thousand suns have merged themselves onto him, with lotus petals being personified as his eyes. For a second, Mrithika felt as if the air in her lungs was gonna be knocked again for a second time. She knew exactly who that was.

Krishna

'Why not' she chuckled humourlesly. Of course being in Dwapar Yug meant you would get to see the supreme Godhead himself, but Mrithika did not expect that she would get a chance out of all.

Not after what all she did.

He looked as resplendent as ever and Mrithika doubted he would look any less splendid as a cow herd as he did in his royal look. Nope, Krishna is Krishna, despite the roles he takes up from a simple cow herd to the most respected King, he was never going to lose the charisma and radiance that he reflected now.

"Arjun, may I have some time alone with our newcomer"? Though she couldn't understand what he said, His melodic voice shook Mrithika up from her trance. She realised that her mouth had been hanging open the entire time and she made haste in closing it up.

Arjun nodded and left. Krishna turned to her and smiled, "What was so funny"?

The Rathore girl's eyes widened. He was speaking in Hindi! She sighed in relief at the thought that she wouldn't have to make a fool out of herself before a God. "I don't understand", she scrunched up her nose in confusion. They were not the first words she expected from him.

"You laughed when I came, do I look that bad"? He asked with mock sadness, gesturing to himself.

Mrithika was taken aback, "Um..no. I laughed because I didn't expect you to meet me. Even though I arrived at this place by some sort of freak accident".

Krishna laughed, "Why not, Mrithika"?

Mrithika shifted uncomfortably, "Well you know why. I'm not exactly a good person or someone who has followed Dharma in the past two years. And I apologize for that".

Krishna shook his head and smiled. "And you also know why you had been like that. It is neither your fault nor are you a bad person. Circumstances pushed you so".

"Then why? Why have I come here? Why not leave me to die? I don't deserve to be in such a pious era. You know all the things I've done. I'm a theif"!

Krishna shrugged and replied, "You have come here because you have neither achieved Vaikunth nor Swarg. And your timing to die would have resulted in mass destruction from both the sides", At the last sentence He looked at her with a knowing look, causing Mrithika to swallow to heavy lump on her throat. "Either way, you would have suffered. Your karmas are not sufficient for Chitragupta to give you access at Heaven...and seeing the circumstances you were thrown in...it wasn't just right to throw you in Patal."

"Oh"... Mrithika trailed off as the weight of the situation started to set in. She understood where Krishna was getting to.

"No one can outplay Karma. Not even me and hence why, you've been given a second chance, an opportunity to collect good karmas to redeem yourself. Follow Dharma, Sakhi. This is the reason why you've been transported to Dwapar, such a task is not possible in Kaliyug, especially not in your situation".

"And the Pandavas are the perfect source. Staying by them will help you learn Dharma and earn Karma too. I'm sure you know what I mean", He asked with a playful glint in his eyes.

"You mean the war? But does it have to happen"? Mrithika asked, recalling the soil of Kurukshetra's red hue to be rumoured of blood and all the horrible and unjust deaths of other warriors. Most importantly, that of the Upapandavas .

"Too much Adharma has got accumulated, and people have forgot the meaning of Dharma. It has to happen. A word of caution, Mrithika, do not -- I repeat, do not ever tell anyone of the future of Mahabharat. It's dangerous both for them and you, do not give them any hint about your knowledge of the future. The only person who knows apart from you and me is Sahadev and even he is forbidden from disclosing it to anyone".

Krishna's warning seeped deep into Mrithika's conscious but a another question prodded her from within. She couldn't help but ask, "I can't change anything? Then how will I earn my karma?"

"That's something your destiny will help you find. Have patience, Sakhi", Krishna said, smiling mischievously, a sign that could be interpreted in any way. "Shall we meet the others"?

Mrithika nodded and was ready to follow Vishnu's avatar when she was reminded of something important. "Krishna, wait! How can I go like that? I still don't understand, nor can I talk Sanskrit and it's being a thorn on my side."

"You need not worry about that anymore. I have fixed that little problem and from next time, pay more attention in class, though I'm guessing that's something you won't be doing again but -- you do know what I mean"?

Mrithika grinned sheepishly, shrugging her shoulders at the lotus - eyed lord. Krishna shook his head playfully at her. Both, Lord and follower, walked out of the chamber to greet the Pandavas.

"Praanipat, Madhav", The Pandavas greeted him. "Did you get to know where she's from, Madhav? When we asked her she gave us the name of some strange place called Jodhpur. Does such a place even exist"? Yudhishthir questioned.

Krishna simply smiled at his question and replied. Shocking everyone with his answer.

"It does Jyesth, in Kalyug".