HARIHARESHWARI 16 - विशृंखलित राजवंशाः

CHAPTER 77

Bheem, clad in white garments, entered the tranquil sanctuary and found a secluded spot. As he settled down, the intoxicating effects of the drink began to take hold of him. His eyelids felt heavy as he struggled to keep them open.

With a deep sigh, Bheem succumbed to the overwhelming drowsiness and laid down on the cool stone floor. His chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm as he drifted into a deep slumber, resembling a statue carved in peaceful repose.

As the sun casts long shadows over the peaceful retreat, Bheem slept like the dead, his breath steady and deep like the still waters of a lake. Oblivious to the impending danger, he lay vulnerable and defenseless.

Time passes in a hushed whisper before the treacherous Duryodhan stealthily emerges, holding thongs woven from creepers. His eyes glint with malice as he tiptoes towards the unsuspecting Bheem, his movements as silent as a shadow.

The sunlight cast an eerie glow on his face, highlighting the twisted smile that formed on his lips. With a menacing glint in his eyes, Duryodhan stood over Bheem's sleeping form, savoring the moment of triumph. His wicked intentions loomed large as he gazed down at the unsuspecting figure before him, his mind consumed with thoughts of revenge and deceit.

With a cruel smile playing on his lips, he knelt down. And with meticulous care, Duryodhan begins to tie up Bheem, his hands moving swiftly and deftly as he secures the thongs around Bheem's wrists and ankles. But Bheem remains entrenched in his slumber, oblivious to the encroaching danger as Duryodhan tightens each knot with calculated precision, ensuring that his cousin remains immobilized and vulnerable.

Duryodhan then began to drag Bheem's unconscious body out of Pramankoti. The sound of his footsteps echoed ominously as he struggled to carry Bheem's weight. He could hear the distant sounds of laughter and play from the princes at the water games, a stark contrast to the dark act he was committing.

The weight of Bheem's body made it difficult for Duryodhan, but his determination fueled his actions. With a look of malice in his eyes, the son of Dhritrashtra managed to maneuver Vrikodar's limp form to the water's edge. With a grunt of effort, Duryodhan heaved Bheem's body and threw him into the cool waters.

As Bheem's body sank beneath the water's surface, a wicked chuckle escaped Duryodhan's lips as he dashed away to the playing area.

His twisted plan had been set in motion, and he hurried back to the playing area, his heart filled with a wicked satisfaction.

As Bheem's body sank into the water, the intoxicating effects of the drink began to fade, replaced by a desperate struggle for survival. In the depths of unconsciousness, a primal instinct kicked in, and Bheem's eyes flickered open in confusion. The lack of breath jolted him back to reality as he realized the danger he was in.

Instinctively, he struggled against the bindings that held him captive, his strength returning as adrenaline surged through his veins. Despite the disorientation and the weight of the situation, Bheem's physical prowess took over. With a burst of determination, Bheem broke free from the constraints, pushing himself upwards towards the surface.

Emerging from the water, Bheem gasps for air, his chest heaving as he struggles to breathe. Water cascades off his body as he breaks through the surface, his powerful arms propelling him upwards. Disoriented and disbelieving, he scanned his surroundings, trying to make sense of what had just transpired. As he caught his breath, Bheem noticed the footprints on the sandy shore leading into the water, a telling sign of foul play.

Realization dawned on him as he pieced together the events - someone had tried to drown him, and the culprit could be none other than Duryodhan. And another realization dawns on him that the drink offered by his foe was a malevolent concoction meant to incapacitate him. Anger surged within him as he understood the treacherous scheme that had unfolded.

"Toh iss liye mitrata ka haath badhaya tha...." Bheem stood up with a grunt.
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Kunti's eyes widened in shock as she heard about Duryodhan's treacherous attempt to poison her son Bheem. The princes had returned back to Nagasaharya, and upon reaching the palace, the Pandavas told their mother everything that had transpired.

"Mai uss dhurt ko yamdvaar pahucha dunga !" Bheem thundered before his mother, his eyes blazing with a mixture of rage and determination, "Waha praja thi toh Jyesht ne mujhe kuch karne se rok diya, kintu yaha nahi !"

Bheem's enraged expression contrasted with Yudhishthir's calm demeanor as he restrained his brother.

"Tum aisa kuch bhi nahi karoge." The eldest Pandava said, "Humare paas koi pramaan hi nahi ki yeh sab Duryodhan ne kiya hai."

Arjun's piercing gaze bore into the distance as he questioned aloud, "Duryodhan ko chhod ho bhi kaun sakta hai ? Pratyaksh ko pramaan ki awashyakta nahi hoti."

Yudhishthir looked at him and questioned, "Kintu Tatshree ko yeh kaise vishwas dilayenge ki yahi pratyaksh hai ? Ki unke putra ne Bheem ka vadh karne ka prayas kiya tha ?"

Arjun lowered his gaze, his silence speaking volumes, while his eyes betrayed the conflict within him.

"Yudhishthir uchit keh raha hai." At that moment, Vidur entered the room. His wise eyes meeting the troubled faces.

Seeing their uncle, the Pandavas joined their hands and bowed their heads in respect. Kunti looked at her brother-in-law, worried for her children.

With a voice laced with authority Vidur said, "Mere guptcharo se mujhe pata chala ki kya huya. Kintu hum ise pratyaksh nahi kar sakte.... Rajya ko pratishtha, aur suraksha ka prashn hai. Yadi yeh baat praja ko pata chali ki Rajkumaro mei aapsi baer hai, toh woh bhayebhit ho jaayenge. Shatru-rajya bhi iss baat ka laabh uthana chaahenge."

Sahadev, who had been silent so far, speaks up, "Aur yadi hum Tatshree ko bata bhi de, kintu Duryodhan asatya bol de toh ? Tatshree toh uski hi sunenge."

Nakul sighed, "Satya kaha. Tatshree humari nahi sunenge."

But Kunti was uncertain, her worry for her sons was palpable as she voiced her fears, "Aur yadi Duryodhan ne punah mere putro ko ahat karne ka prayas kiya toh ? Yadi yaha ke logo ko mere putra nahi bhaate, toh mai koi asahaye nahi hu jo yaha badhya hoke rahe. Mai apne rajya laut jaayungi."

"Nahi Bhabhishree. Yeh aapka hi rajya hai, yeh aapke pati ka rajya hai. Hastinapur par aapka aur aapke putro ka utna hi adhikaar hai jitna Jyesht Dhritrashtra aur unke santano ka. Aur aap mujh par vishwas rakhiye, bhabhishree." Vidur said, "Bhrata Pandu ke putro ko mai kuch nahi hone dunga."

His words resonated with a promise of safeguarding the honor and well-being of the Pandavas. Though Kunti felt a sense of relief wash over her, a sense of uncertainty still lingered in her heart.

"Ab mujhe aagya de." Vidur said with joined hands and left the room.

Arjun approached Kunti with a solemn expression, sitting beside her he asked, "Mata, chup rehne se nyaaye nahi milta. Yadi hum chup rahenge toh hume kaun nyaaye dega ?"

Kunti, in a moment of faith and resilience, cupped Arjun's face gently, and said, "Narayan hai na. Woh sab dekhte hai, sab jaante hai. Nyaaye dene ke liye unse anurodh bhi nahi karna padta. Woh nispaksh bhaav se, sabko apne karmo ka uchit fal dete hai. Tum unn par vishwas rakho, putra."

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A/N

Jis din Narayan aayenge aapke jeevan mei, uss din se Kauravo ki ulti ginti chalu 🌝🔥