HARIHARESHWARI 16 - विशृंखलित राजवंशाः

CHAPTER 27

As the sun was set over the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, Pandu, along with his five sons and two wives, Kunti and Madri, made their way up the winding path to the small temple of Mahadev in the hills of Shatashringa. The air was cool and crisp, and the sound of bells ringing in the distance filled the surroundings.

Arjun was leading the way, his eyes sparkling with delight as he approached the temple. He had always been a fervent devotee of Mahadev, spending hours in prayer and meditation. As he stood before the shivling, a sense of peace washed over him, filling his heart with joy.

Inside the temple, the flickering flames of the oil lamps cast a warm glow on the faces of the family members. Kunti and Madri softly chanted prayers, while Pandu was lighting incense sticks. Each member took turns pouring rich, creamy milk over the Shivling, their faces filled with devotion and reverence. Arjun's eyes sparkled with joy as he participated in the ritual, his love for Mahadev shining through his every gesture.

After the pouring of milk, the family sat down together, their eyes closed in silent prayer for each other's well-being. But then Arjun's ears picked up the melodious strains being sung outside.

"Nagendraharaya trilochanaya, bhasmangaragaya mahesvaraya !'

The melodious sounds of hymns praising Mahadev drifted towards them. Arjun, with his eyes closed, felt a surge of joy at the familiar tunes that resonated in his heart.

"Nityaya suddhaya digambaraya, tasmai na karaya namah shivaya !"

Slowly, the music pulled at Arjun's spirit, beckoning him to follow. With a gentle smile, he rose from his spot and quietly made his way out of the temple. Outside, under the moonlit sky, he saw a group of ascetics, their faces radiant with devotion, swaying to the rhythm of their melodious hymns.

"Mandakini salila chandana charchitaya, nandisvara pramathanatha mahesvaraya ! Mandara pushpa bahupushpa supujitaya, tasmai ma karaya namah shivaya !"

Clad in saffron robes, with matted dreadlocks cascading down their shoulders, and their bodies adorned with sacred ash, were swaying in divine ecstasy. The sages' eyes sparkled with a fierce devotion, and their faces radiated an aura of serenity and bliss. Each of them wore large rudraksha beads around their necks, that swayed with them as they spun around in a trance.

"Shivaya gauri vadanabja brnda, suryaya dakshadhvara nashakaya ! Sri nilakanthaya Vrshadhvajaya, tasmai shi karaya namah shivaya !"

Arjun stood mesmerized, drawn towards the sages' spiritual energy and enraptured by their devotion. He descended towards the gathering, his movements synchronized with the mystic dance of the ascetics. Closing his eyes, he let himself be engulfed by the spiritual energy surrounding him, losing himself in the sacred dance of devotion. The world around him faded away as he twirled among the sages, his body moving in harmony with theirs.

"Vashistha kumbhodbhava gautamarya, munindra devarchita shekharaya !" As Arjun's voice intertwined with the hymns and rose in perfect harmony, the ascetics felt a sudden shift in the energy surrounding them.

Their closed eyes fluttered open as they sensed a powerful aura emanating from Arjun. The ascetics felt a sense of recognition stirring within them, a deep knowing that this was no ordinary boy. They saw in him the reflection of a godly presence, a sacred energy that flowed through his very being.

"Chandrarka vaishvanara lochanaya, tasmai va karaya namah shivaya !" As Arjun sang, they gazed upon him in awe, a hush fell over the group.

They saw something that was beyond his earthly form, witnessing a vision that transcended reality. In Arjun's flowing curly hair, they beheld the matted dreadlocks of an ancient sage. Though he appeared to have two hands, they could swear they saw four, when he raised them and spun around. They saw the essence of Prajapati Nar reflected in Arjun.

As Arjun danced and sang in a trance, the ascetics bowed their heads in reverence, humbled by the sight before them. "Yagna svarupaya jatadharaya, pinaka hastaya sanatanaya ! Divyaya devaya digambaraya, tasmai ya karaya namah shivaya !"

Overwhelmed by this revelation, the ascetics fell to their knees, joining their hands in a gesture of profound respect and devotion. The air was filled with a sense of sacredness as they bowed before Arjun, who twirled in a swirl of divine energy, his form glowing with an otherworldly light.

"Vande Prajapati ! Vande Prajapati !" The ascetics raised their joined hands in a reverent prayer.

Arjun suddenly paused in his tracks, his chest heaving. His eyes remained closed for a moment, before he finally opened them to gaze upon the astonished ascetics. A serene smile danced on his lips as he slowly raised his both hands, the ascetics, humbled by the presence of such an extraordinary being, bowed their heads in gratitude and devotion.

But as the sound of approaching footsteps drew near, Arjun swiftly shifted his position, adopting a humble stance, by joining his hands in humility and lowering himself in reverence before the kneeling sages. Confusion clouded the ascetics' faces at the sudden change in Arjun's demeanor. They exchanged puzzled glances.

"Arjun tum yaha ho aur hum sab chintit ho gaye !" Bheem said.

Arjun looked at him and gave him a sheepish smile, "Woh yaha yeh sant dikhe toh socha naman karlu."

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A/N

Four plus years of reading Mahabharat, and it always seems as though Arjun switches between himself and Bhagwaan Nar very often.

Like in vulnerable points of the epic, he'll speak something which you won't expect from Arjun, something which can only be said with a far sighted Yogi. You'll see what I mean as the story progresses.

But in a nutshell, it feels as though Mahabharat is a play, characters are actors and Arjun is there to make sure everyone follows their role, and not even one errs from the leela decided by Narayan.