"Pitamah ! Pitamah !" Manvendra rushed inside the room of Bhishm who was with Vidur.
"What happened Manvendra ? Why did you come in like so ?" Vidur asked.
"My sincere apologies but the matter is something like that, Pitashree." Manvendra said.
"What is the matter, child ?" Bhishm asked calmly.
"Kaki Kunti wants to leave Hastinapur." Manvendra told.
"What !?" Both Bhishm and Vidur stood up in shock.
"She says she'll go to her home Kingdom." Manvendra said.
"But why ?" Bhishm said.
"Because of another attempt to kill Bheem. Duryodhan poisoned the food of Vrikoder with Kalkut, but he tolerated and digested it." Manvendra said.
Hearing this both Bhishm and Vidur rushed outside, going straight to Kunti, who was adamant on leaving Hastinapur.
Bhishm gazed at his grandchildren, who were looking at the elders with apprehensions, not knowing what was going to happen ahead, whether it be good or bad.
"Children, I think it is time for your studies." Bhishm said, "Yudhishthir, take everyone to the Kripacharya." He told.
"As you say Pitamah." Yudhishthir nodded and took everyone away.
With downcast faces they all went to the study hall where Kripacharya used to give them lessons of Vedas and teach them about the science of Politics.
The moment they entered the hall, Duryodhan and Dushashan were shocked to see Bheem still alive. Meanwhile seeing them, Vrikoder just gave a smirk.
The Pandavas and Manvendra took their seats, waiting from their teacher to arrive. And once Kripacharya came all the Kuru-princes bowed to him, as he sat down on the high seat and then began questioning them about the last lesson, given yesterday.
"Yesterday we talked about, the importance of wealth in a kingdom. Yudhisthir, what is a primary duty of a king in this context ?" Kripacharya asked.
"That a king should always ensure that the Rajkosh is never empty." Yudhisthir said.
"Correct. Manvendra, tell me what happens when Rajkosh becomes empty ?" Kripacharya asked.
"The king begins to trouble the citizens for taxes, which will burden them." Manvendra said.
"Exactly. So what should the king do to prevent such a situation, Arjun ?" Kripacharya asked.
"To prevent such situations, the learned ones have ordered the king to study Vedas and gather wealth from every medium. And just like the clouds, the king should shower that wealth on his citizens. In this way, the wealth of the Rajkosh ever increases." Arjun said.
"Fantastic as always Arjun. Now Duryodhan, tell me ways by which kings can gather wealth ?" Kripacharya asked.
"Taxes." Duryodhan said.
"And ?" Kripacharya asked.
"Umm.." The eldest Gandhari-nandan looked blankly at the Kul-Guru.
"Any other son of Gandhari ?" Kripacharya asked looking at the 100 Kauravas.
But all he got was a long silence in response, the Kul-guru shook his head in disappointment.
"Bheem, you tell me." Kripacharya said.
"A king can gather wealth primarily through taxes, as before mentioned, but also through military expeditions and yagyas." Bheem said.
"Correct. Duryodhan, next time pay more attention to my words." The Kul-Guru said.
Duryodhan gritted his teeth looking at Bheem, who just had a victorious smile on his face.
"Now as taxes have been mentioned., we shall discuss upon that today." Kripacharya said and so on he began to give a discourse on the topic.
After a good while, Kripacharya finished the lecture for the day and went to do his work. He had been quite busy these days, since he had gotten the position of Kul-Guru. He hardly had time to teach the princes but still managed to take some time out.
"What's going to happen now ?" Arjun asked, voicing the thoughts of Pandavas, "Are we going to get separated ?" He asked.
"Hastinapur is bearable when you all are around." Manvendra said.
"Same with us. Hastinapur feels like home because of you, son." Yudhisthir said.
"I trust Pitamah. He won't let you all go." Manvendra said.
"The Pandavas are leaving ?!" Duryodhan beamed coming towards them, as he overhead their conversation, "Tell me Raudra, is it true ?" He asked.
Manvendra just looked at him with an irritated face and then gazed back at the Pandavas, "I believe we should go to some other place." He said.
"Certainly." Bheem said.
Getting up from their seats, Pandavas and Manvendra left the study hall and went to check on Kunti and find out what the final decision the adults have taken.
With great nervousness they all entered the room of Kunti, and saw her sitting with Bhishm and Vidur on either side, as they both consoled her.
"But only because I respect you, Tatshree." Kunti said.
"Don't worry dear." Bhishm said with a small smile. His eyes then fell over the teenagers, a chuckle left his lips.
"Pandavas, you're not going anywhere." Bhishm told.
And hearing this a sense of relief overtook the princes, who hugged each in delight, that they were not going to be separated.
"Thank you Pitamah !" Manvendra said, he was especially grateful that his Pandav cousins were staying, because he couldn't imagine living without them, they were too close to his heart.
"And to celebrate this, tomorrow I am taking you all to Gajasahrya." Bhishm said.
This caused even more delight to the princes, and seeing their happiness even Kunti thought that maybe her decision to stay here wasn't a wrong one.
"But, how come you all came so early from Kripacharya's class ?" Vidur asked.
"He had some work, Pitashree. Hence his lecture got over sooner." Manvendra said.
"Hmm. Kripacharya is getting overloaded with work now." Vidur said and then looked at Bhishm, "Tatshree, I believe we should relieve him a little by giving the responsibility of the education of princes to someone else." He said.
"I agree. I must look for a new Guru who can give higher education to the princes." Bhishm said.
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A/N
Ahaha.... Kitna prem hai cousins me ✨
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𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀
Historical FictionFirst among 11 Rudras is Manyu, the war god, wielder of thunder and Slayer of foes. He is the one who brings wealth and health. Through him Vidur and his wife Sulabha beget a son, named Manvendra, who was fierce, queller of foes, follower of Dharma...
