The Enchantress

Chapter thirty eight

TW: Human sacrifice

"This is not right, brother Yudhishthira," Sri Krishna said sternly. 

"We have lesser number of people compared to the Kauravas, Madhava. We need to maintain the enthusiasm of everyone. Sacrificing one of our sons is a perfect way to show how serious we are about this war and how much we would value you if you did die a martyr in this war," Yudhishthira argued, calling Sri Krishna with one of his many names.

The other four Pandavas didn't put forth any input because they respected both their eldest brother Yudhishthira and their cousin Sri Krishna. 

Sri Krishna asked exasperatedly, "So you mean that we have fewer warriors than the Kauravas so why not lose one more prominent warrior?"

Yudhishthira however had made up his mind and Sri Krishna had vowed not to fight in this war. The war was being fought for Yudhishthira, so that he could get the throne he deserved and make up for the humiliation Yudhishthira's wife Draupadi felt.  Besides, the sacrifice for necessary for the greater good and the one who would be sacrificed will go through sacrifices of lives before being blessed with the best blessing ever.

"I can only advice you but can't stop you, Jyeshth Bhrata (Elder brother) Yudhishthira but remember, these sacrifices normally happen with people who are in too much of pain to live and suffering with terminal illnesses. They normally volunteer willingly and then after many regulations only is this permitted by the scriptures. Their souls directly go to swarga (heaven). Then, their bodies are used for practicing dissection by our Vaidyas (Healers) and for research purposes in medicine. We normally cremate, that's why they need these bodies so much," Sri Krishna reminded all of them about the importance of human sacrifice and the criteria for them. As far as they knew though, they didn't have a son who was terminally ill.

Yudhishthira felt like his hope was crashing when suddenly they heard a voice, "Pitashree (Father)?" 

A young man came inside the tent where planning for the war was going on because he was too eager to meet his father for the first time in his life. So, he didn't consider the manners and just barged in. He had only heard good things about him from his mother. As soon as he saw them, he immediately recognized his father, who was dark skinned but not dark enough like Sri Krishna. He strode forward and immediately bowed and touched his father's feet, before saying, still bent, "Please bless your son, Pitashree. I am yours and Mata (Mother) Ulupi's son, Iravan. I have come to fight in the war on Uncle Yudhishthira's side, father."

Arjuna's eyes immediately filled with tears. He remembered all that time he had spent with her. He couldn't bring her along because he was still in exile and when he did return, he was pushed into another exile. His life was a struggle filled with exiles and hardships and a Princess like Ulupi had no place in this rough life. 

"Sarve Bhavantoo Sukhinaaha, Putra (Always be happy, son)," Arjuna blessed his son in sanskrit, placing his hand on Iravan's head and as soon as Iravan straightened, he was engulfed in a tight hug by the strong arms of Arjuna. Iravan also, after seeing his father for the first time in his life and feeling secure in his father's arms, burst into tears.

Everyone was moved by the scene of the union of a father and a son. Eventually, they all came forward and joined the hug, before Arjuna would say playfully, "I... can't breath," making everyone laugh and separate. Arjuna placed his arm across his son's shoulder and prompted him to join their meeting, "Come, Putra (son), sit with us and participate in the meeting."

"Yes, Pitashree (Father), let me get everyone's blessings first, "Iravan would say cheerfully, before bowing down to each one of them and getting blessings from all of them. Sri Krishna had a sad smile on his face as he had sensed what was going to happen then. Iravan settled himself alongside his father.

"So, we were thinking that we should sacrifice one of our sons to show everyone that we would value their life and martyrdom," Yudhishthira continued telling.

"Isn't making someone lose their life for no reason disrespecting the very life source that runs through all beings? Wouldn't it mean that I can sacrifice my son's/nephew's life and I can sacrifice yours too if the time and place demands it?" Iravan asked exactly what was in everyone's minds.

"I think they would feel agitated and excited if they see blood being poured on the idol of Goddess Kali," Yudhishthira said. 

Everyone had given up. No matter what they would say, nothing seemed to deter Yudhishthira. Finally, Iravan spoke up, "I will sacrifice. I want the honour of sacrificing myself for my father and my Uncles, but I have a condition."

Everyone was surprised. Arjuna hugged Iravan tightly and exclaimed in distress, "No, I have met you today for the first time. You shouldn't speak such words."

"Are you so deep in Putra Moha (Attachment to son) that you would ignore your Jyeshtha's (Elder's) orders now, Arjuna?" Yudhishthira asked, raising his eyebrow.

Arjuna looked at Sri Krishna for help but Sri Krishna had a sad expression on his face as Arjuna realized that Sri Krishna had given up on convincing his elder brother for otherwise too. It was Yudhishthira's wish to sacrifice a Prince and now Iravan was taking part in this madness willingly so that his step brothers could fight in the upcoming war of Mahabharata. 

"Alright, so now that is decided, what is your condition, Putra (Son)?" Yudhishthira asked, remembering Iravan's words.

"I want to be married before I am sacrificed," Iravan said, shocking everybody.

"I-I will try to arrange that," Yudhishthira stuttered, knowing he couldn't arrange a bride for him without hiding from her the fact that her husband would be killed the very next day and Yudhishthira never lied or hid such crucial information from anybody. The search started from the next day.

As expected, nobody was ready to marry a man who was going to die the next day and Yudishthira was still adamant on wanting to sacrifice a Prince. He had asked his others sons and nephews but they all wanted to die on the battlefield and not under an axe because dying on the battlefield was the biggest honour and blessing a Kshatriya (warrior) could get and thus, began the search from the Pandavas side for another Prince who was ready to sacrifice his life or for a woman who was ready to be wife of a person who would die soon after the wedding...

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A/N:

I am sorry but I only know the outline of the lore so I am filling in the details myself and taking creative liberty. Again, like I said in the disclaimer, I don't think this happened in the history because Mahabharata, which is an itihasa (history) scripture, mentions Iravan fighting and killing five of Shakuni's brothers who were Gandhara Princes and getting killed by a Rakshasa (Giant) named Alambusha. Iravan was later avenged by his cousin and Bheema's son Ghatotkacha, another Giant. If you do believe in this or if you are from Draupadi Kula and you believe this, I did not mean to hurt your feelings at all by saying that Sri Krishna was opposed to it. I have taken my artisitic freedom to describe what everyone went through at that time.