It was the first prahar of the day, the princes had armed themselves. They were being felicitated by their mothers, for auspiciousness.
"May Indra ensure your victory." Sulabha said putting a tilak on the forehead of her son.
"May you bring honour to your family and kingdom." Vidur said.
Manvendra joined their hands in front of them and then climbed down the stairs in the front yard of the palace where chariots were place.
He made his way to the chariot next to Yudhishthir.
"Our victory rests on your shoulder, Manvendra." Yudhishthir said with a smile.
"It rests on our collective strength." Manvendra said.
"Which is bound to your guidance, son." Yudhishthir said.
Soon several servants came towards the princes with plate of special roots in their hands.
"What is this for ?" Bheem asked taking one like the rest.
"It's Ashwagandha." Nakul said, chewing it.
"Rajkumar Manvendra had told every prince to eat this, before leaving." The servant said.
"Why do we need to eat Ashwagandha, Taat ?" Yuyutsu asked.
"We are going into battle-field for the first time. Ashwagandha shall calm your anxiousness." Manvendra said.
"I'm not eating this." Dushashan said.
"You heard Manvendra. Eat it." Duryodhan said, who had already eaten it the moment the servants said it was from Manvendra.
Dushashan sighed as he obeyed and ate the root, his face twisting into a peculiar expression tasting it's spice.
"Why is Duryodhan obeying Taat Manvendra like his life depends on it ?" Arjun muttered.
"We're going into battle against Panchal. His life does depend on it." Sehdev said, as they both chuckled.
----
Mounted on the chariots, the princes reached the capital city of Panchal with Dronacharya, as expected Drupad was startled with the sudden attack on his capital.
But nevertheless, he along with Shikhandi set out with the soldiers that were in the kingdom to ward off the attack.
Sitting on the elephant he looked at the Kuru-princes marching towards them.
"Pitashree, order us." Shikhandi said.
"Capture the prines alive. I shall show that Dron, what a big mistake he made." He said.
On the otherside, Yudhishthir and Manvendra were in the forefront of the princes.
"What is your plan Manvendra ?" Yudhishthir asked.
"Make Ardh-chandra vyuh." Manvendra said.
"Brilliant. We shall surround the army and attack from all the sides. You all heard Manvendra ?" Yudhishthir asked.
"YES !" The princes said.
"Follow it. Victory shall be ours. Har Har Mahadev !" Yudhishthir said.
"HAR HAR MAHADEV !" The princes gave their war-cry.
The princes did exactly what Mānvendra had told them to. In the Ardh-chandra Vyuh or the crescent moon formation, they marched forward towards the army of Drupad.
And reaching close of the enemy, the ones on the two points of the formation, went either way, and surrounded the army of Drupad like how a snake swallows a mouse, completely.
The Kuru-princes attacked from all the sides and it didn't take long before the army of Drupad was in total disarray. The Panchal Naresh was shocked seeing the valour of the students of Dron, especially that of two.
Drupad's eyes were set on Arjun and Manvendra who were fighting side by side. It seemed as though Narayan and Mahadev themselves have come for the destruction of his kingdom.
Some soldiers had stopped fighting for a moment, to witness those two princes fight alongside.
"Shikhandi ! Attack those two princes !" Drupad said.
"Yes Pitashree !" Shikhandi nodded.
He went with his troops to attack both Manvendra and Arjun, who saw them coming.
"Arjun, go capture Drupad. I'll tackle them." Manvendra said.
"Yes Taat." Arjun said.
He didn't waste another moment and told his charioteer to march towards Drupad, while Manvendra began tackling the soldiers of Shikhandi.
Those troops were no match for the Raudra, they were crushed by his valour the way grass is crushed under the feet of a mighty elephant.
Now left with no choice, Shikhandi himself came to fight one on one with Manvendra. Both of them engaged in a fight but being a Maharathi, Shikhandi wasn't much help in front of an Atirathi Manvendra.
Both of them fought fiercely with spears, the blades and handles of which clashed together, scratches were inflicted by both sides.
And soon grabbing the opportunity, Manvendra locked Shikhandi's neck with the help of his spear, the son of Drupad struggled hard to get out but couldn't.
"Soldiers of Panchal ! Surrender now !" The voice of Arjun boomed.
The eyes of everyone went towards him, the son of Kunti who was standing over Drupad's elephant with his sword by the neck of Panchal Naresh, who was disarmed.
"YOU DID IT ARJUN !" Bheem cheered.
-----
Capturing the Yagyasen Drupad and his advisers in battle, the Kuru-princes brought him to Dronacharya.
Drupad stood their humiliated, robbed of his riches and under Dron's complete control.
"I have laid waste your kingdom and your capital. Now that you have received your life at an enemy’s hand, do you wish to revive our old friendship ?" Dronacharya asked with a little smile.
Drupad looked at him, trying to hide his contempt.
"Drupad, do not fear for your life. We Brahmans always forgive. From the days when we were boys and played in the hermitage, my love and affection for you has only increased. I ask for your friendship once again. As a boon, I am granting you half of your kingdom. But how can one who is not a king be a friend to one who is a king ? Therefore, I am retaining half of your kingdom. You will be the king of the region that is to the south of the Bhagirathi and I will be the king on the northern side." Dronacharya said.
"Dron, this is not surprising. I am pleased to be your friend and I wish to give you pleasure eternally." Drupad said.
At these words, Dron set him free. He honoured him with a happy heart and returned half his kingdom.
Pleased and proud, Dronacharya looked at his students and addressed them.
"Bow down to the blood of yours that has been spilt today, for it has made you men. With your valour you have given me my Guru-Dakshina. I declare you all to be free from Guru-hrin." He said.
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A/N
Arjun Manvendra supremacy ✨
And btw, Dury bhai aapke toh tevar hi badal gaye~
Also, late update cause moi had gone to Ambaji today. It was magical ✨
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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...
