🔶🔹Ŧħōʂɛ Ðāÿʂ ļŋ Ęxîɭɛ🔹🔶

~*~Meeting Our Long Lost Son~*~

After walking for few days, we reached at the river side of Payoshni. As per Rishivar, long time back, a very pious king, Maharaj Gaye, had conducted 7 Ashwamedh Yajanas at that place. Hence, taking bath in that river could free anyone from their sins. Hence, following his instructions, I along with my brothers and Kalyani took bath in the pious water of Payoshni. From there we went towards Vaidurya Mountains, which were located at the riverside of Narmada. Rishivar narrated us the tale of Great Sage Rishi Chyavan. We were moving towards the northern Himalayas, for as per Devarishi's direction, we were supposed to meet Arjuna at the hermitage of Badri [1].

As we were moving towards north, our journey was getting more and more difficult with each passing day. The routes had become rocky with significant slopes. Unlike the hills, we journeyed across the Dravida, the Himalayan mountains were very steep and extremely slippery. On top of that because of the instability of these mountains, landslides were quite frequent. Moreover, because of the high altitude, fruit trees were scanty in those areas. So, most of the time, we had to walk empty stomached before we could reach near a hermitage and arrange for meals for everyone. But Rishivar's amazing stories, which he narrated on the course of our journey, had kept us motivated and energized.

Walking like these for about one and half month, we had crossed mountains like Ushirbeej, Mainak and Kaalshail, and we were standing at the point from where we could view all the seven streams of river Ganga. From there we were supposed to ascend the Mandrachal Hill and Mount Kailash. Rishivar informed us that our next destinations, were habitats of many Demons, Kinnars and Yakshyas. They were extremely powerful and had the ability to even defeat Devraj Indra. Hence, in order to remain safeguarded against them, Rishivar asked us to remain extremely alert and careful.

Then Rishi Lomasha, joining his hands and addressing River Ganga, Mount Meru, Mata Shailputri, and all plants and animals, he prayed, "Maharaj Yudhishthira is a very respectable and pious king. In the current world destiny has chosen him for the reinstituting Dharma. So, I request all of you save him, his family, and his companions from all the dangers."

It had been so long since we started our journey with Rishi Lomasha, but never I had seen him so nervous. His tensed attitude clearly indicated me about the perils on the way ahead. I signalled Bheema, who was standing near Draupadi, to come aside. When we were outside the earshot of Draupadi, I spoke, "Anuj, you must have heard, what Rishivar has said about the path ahead.."

Bheem: "Jyeshth, I, myself, will be the worst danger for the one, whoever will try to endanger anyone of us."

Me: "I have complete belief on your strength and bravery but I am afraid that Draupadi might not be able to undertake such a rough journey. I am extremely concerned for her safety."

Bheem: "I am also worried about Panchali, but..."

Me: "That's why I have come with this proposal. I know you can keep her safe from everything. I want you, Panchali and Sahadev, along with our fellow Snataka Brahmans to descend to Haridwar and stay there and wait for us. Me, Nakul and Rishi Lomasha, only three of us shall go ahead and come back with Arjun."

Bheem: "Jyeshth, you know this very well Panchali had started off on this journey with the sole objective of meeting Arjun. Moreover, all of us, including you, are extremely eager to meet Arjun, then how can you tell us to stay back."

Me: "Anuj, I can feel the state of mind of all of you. But I am also concerned about the safety of all. There is no guarantee, if we can ever return from the journey, we are about to undertake. So, I must try to save as many of you as I can."