HARIHARESHWARI 16 - विशृंखलित राजवंशाः

CHAPTER 52

The room reverberated with the haunting sound of their silent sobs, the air thick with the weight of grief and guilt. In the dimly lit hut, the lifeless bodies of Pandu and Madri lay peacefully on a simple cot, adorned with delicate flowers.

Once a mighty Emperor who commanded armies and ruled over vast lands, Pandu was now a mere shadow of his former self. His transformation from a powerful ruler to a humble Brahmarishi was evident in the serene expression that now graced his face. The lines of worry and responsibility that once furrowed his brow had vanished, leaving behind a visage of profound tranquility.

Madri, once a proud queen adorned in jewels and silks, now lay motionless, her regal features softened by death. Her hands, once accustomed to the touch of fine fabrics and then wild flowers, now rested peacefully at her sides. The sages of Shatashringa had pleaded with her to reconsider her decision to give up her life, reminding her of her motherly duties. But her guilt was too overwhelming, her resolve unshakeable.

And now, she appeared almost ethereal, her once vibrant presence now reduced to a silent figure in repose. Her transition from a life of opulence to one of simplicity and hardship with Pandu was now complete, her spirit departing to join her beloved husband in the afterlife.

Beside Madri, her young sons Nakul and Sahadev sat, their heads bowed in grief, tears streaming down their cheeks. The air was heavy with sorrow as the boys remembered the loving words of their mother before she departed from this world.

"Aaj se Kunti hi tumhari Mata hai. Aaj se Yudhishthir ko hi apna Pita samajhna. Jo yeh kahe, maan lena. Jaha yeh rahe, wahi rehna. Jiska yeh tyaag kare, tum bhi kardena. Kabhi inke virodh mei mat jana, putro.... Mera aashirwad tumhare saath rahega.... Tum dono ko apaar Yash ki praapti ho..."

Her voice echoed in their minds, comforting and full of wisdom. Nakul clutched Madri's lifeless hand, his heart heavy with loss. Sahadev leaned against his mother's side, seeking solace in her peaceful presence.

Beside the mourning twins, Arjun sat on the cold earthen floor with his head bowed, hiding his face in his hands. Memories of his father flooded his mind - the times they had spent together, the lessons he had taught him, the love and warmth they had shared.

"Kuch baat toh hai tumhare andar, Krishna.... Tum atyant vishesh ho. Mere liye bhi, aur iss jag ke liye bhi."

He remembered Pandu's laughter, his guidance, and his unwavering support. And now, seeing him lying lifeless before him, Arjun felt a deep sense of loss and emptiness.

Beside him sat Bheem, his massive frame slumped and shoulders bowed. Despite his physical strength, he appeared fragile and vulnerable in that moment, his usually fierce countenance softened by grief. His eyes, usually filled with determination and fire, now held only a deep sadness and a profound sense of loss.

His body seemed diminished as he stared at the lifeless forms before him, lost in memories of happier times with Pandu.

"Uttam ! Tumhari buddhi vayu ke bhaati hi teevra hai putra. Tumhare Bal se adhik tumhare vicharo ke spashtta par garv hai mujhe."

As he sat there, a single tear rolled down his cheek, reflecting the flickering light of the oil lamp. The weight of their collective grief seemed to press down on him, rendering him powerless and stripped of his usual bravado.

Yudhishthir stood apart from the group, in a corner, his usually composed demeanor now clouded with grief. His shoulders, burdened not only by the loss of his father Pandu and Madri but also by the weight of responsibility that now rested solely on him. His eyes, usually filled with wisdom and resolve, were now clouded with tears as he gazed upon the still figures of his loved ones.

The memories of his father, Pandu, flooded his mind - the wisdom, the guidance, and the love that he had always received from him. Yudhishthir remembered the words that Pandu used to tell him, the lessons that were now more important than ever.

"Tum ho toh mai chinta mukt rehta hu Yudhishthir. Kyuki mai jaanta hu jab tak tum ho, tum apne bhaiyo ke man ko kabhi bhatakne nahi doge. Tum unke aashraye ho."

Recalling Pandu's trust in him, Yudhishthir felt a sense of duty wash over him, pushing him to be strong in the face of adversity. He wiped away his tears, mustering his courage and resolve.

Approaching his brothers, Yudhishthir enveloped them in a loving embrace from behind. Bheem, Arjuna, Nakul, and Sahadev, overwhelmed by sadness and uncertainty, found solace in their eldest brother's comforting presence. Tears flowed freely as they clung to each other in shared sorrow and fear.

"A-Ab hum kya karenge Jyesht ?" Arjun asked in a choked voice.

Yudhishthir softly replied, "Mai hu na, tum chinta mat karo."

Meanwhile, Kunti sat in a corner of the room, her gaze fixed on the lifeless bodies of Pandu and Madri. Tears streamed down her face as she watched her sons, the Pandavas, huddled together in grief.

As she watched her sons mourning, Kunti felt a wave of memories flood her mind - memories of happier times with Pandu, memories of their love and companionship. She felt overwhelmed by the weight of her loss, unsure of how to ease the pain that gripped her family. Lost in contemplation, Kunti struggled to find solace in the face of such tragedy.

In that moment of despair, Kunti heard footsteps approaching. Startled, she stood up and made her way to the door. There, she saw sages looking at her with eyes filled with pity and compassion. She gathered herself and joined her hands in a respectful gesture of greeting.

"Aap sabhi ko mera pranaam." Her voice was heavy as she spoke, "Kshama kijiye aaj aapka swagat nahi kar paayungi..."

One kind sage came forward and said, "Kunti.... Putri.... Jo huya hum sab ko uska dukh hai. Woh 5 asahaye balak itni kam aayu mei anaa-" "Anaath nahi hai woh." Kunti interrupted him.

Wiping her tears, she firmly said, "Woh Anaath nahi hai, Rishivar. Mai jeevit hu.... Aur woh sab Rajputra hai, asahaye nahi. Maine nirnaye le liya hai, apne paacho putro ke saath mai Hastinapur laut jaayungi."

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A/N

The way I have controlled my emotions while writing this chapter 😭