A sacred love

The First Meet

The sound of laughter echoed in the forest of Panchal as the sons of Padus and their mother descended to Kampilya. The whole city was decorated with diyas and garlands and colors. Festive robes and royal sweets were displayed as the people were making merry. The whole city was dipped in the addicting smell of freshly brought flowers. There was excitement in the air as maidens giggled amongst themselves and couples that seemed newly married by the blush on their cheeks held hands and whispered among themselves. Even the older married ones took leisure of getting dolled up and the children ran around laughing out loud. Everyone was holding baskets in their hands that were full of all variants of flowers and diyas of different sizes.

Pandavs looked around in amazement with jaws open wide.

"Looks like a festive time mata," Nakul said still looking around in amazement. They witnessed as their Jyesth walked to a potter and followed him.

"Pranipaat mahodaya, is there a festival going on here? " yudhisthira asked with his hands joined in a greeting. The potter, a kind-hearted old man, welcomed them in his hut as his wife offered them water. Then he started talking while making beautiful designs on the pots.

"Yes, Brahman kumaron, a very important festival it is indeed. Today the happily married couple prays for each other. They keep fast for each other and submerge in the world of devotion and love while the maidens fast for a good and devoted husband."

"Ahh... A way to bring a couple closer and reminisce about the beautiful time and vows together. I always wished I could celebrate something like this with Arya," Mata Kunti said with a sad smile as she recalled her world, her husband. The brothers looked at her sadly as Arjun held her hand and Nakul side hugged her.

"you could pray for him devi. Pray that he is well respected among his ancestors in heaven and that you obtain him again as your husband in your next life. Remember your time together and it will make you happier and stronger always know that the person is alive in your heart and your sons." The potter told her with a kind smile and pointed to the temple of Ardhanarishavara. They all nodded to each other and went there after taking his blessings.

"People here are so kind and sweet tongue, right mata?" Sahadev asked impressed with the people and the beautiful kingdom of Panchal. Nakul who was looking at the beauty of the festive wondered out loud," I have heard that king Drupad has a younger daughter who is so beautiful that everyone forgets their pain when they see her. People claim that she is the most beautiful lady in Arybhatta and is of divine origin." Arjun's feet stopped in the middle as he remembered the time he saw her in the shiva temple and all the times he had seen her in his dreams. Heat rose to his cheeks now possessed a slightly reddish color as his lips lifted in a goofy smile. His love was speaking to him in her musical voice when it turned rougher, "...Wonder who will be the lucky guy marrying her?" He came out of his trance as he witnessed his jyesth asking this question generally. He forced himself out of his reverie and matched their steps. "Perhaps someone from Hastinapur," Sahdev answered, and it didn't feel right with Arjun but what can he do now? He sighed heavily.

Soon they reached the temple and started praying. The temple was beautiful and was located near a lake. The brahmins were given food and bheem couldn't stop himself before a feast. They all laughed as bheem, who was forcing food down his throat but joined him soon but Arjun went away to pray again after asking them not to wait for him unknown of the fact that his vidata has planned something else for him.

He walked to the temple of the lord Shiva only to see it crowded with soldiers. He turned on his feet to leave fearing being recognized by Senapati Sikhandini.

"Please stop Brahman Kumar."

Arjun stopped and looked at the origin of the divine voice that echoed the voice of hundreds of flutes playing soothing harmony. The man was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. He was tall and dark and adorned in gold from head to toe that glimmered in the rays of the sun but it seemed that the man increased their beauty and not vice versa. His face was so Manmohan that he felt that even kamdev will be unconscious on seeing him. The soothing smile on his face felt like the first rain on a ruptured lifeless soil and his eyes were like the divine waterfall pouring love and affection along with happiness to every nook and corner they graced. He was tall and sturdy, his walk was like a lion in the forest, just like Kshatriya, and in his crown rested peacefully a feather of a peacock so vibrant that he believed that the feather was taken from the most beautiful and colorful peacock. There was a divine glow all around him as if the rays of the sun protecting him.