Chapter 144: The Dance of Varalakshmi
The palace courtyard was filled with the sound of bells and rhythmic beats as Draupadi, along with the other women—Subhadra, Seetha, Urmila, Mandavi, Shrutakeerthi, Kaushalya, Sunaina, Kunti, and Gandhari—gracefully moved in unison. The occasion was the grand Varalakshmi Pooja, a celebration of devotion, prosperity, and the divine feminine.
Each woman was adorned in beautiful lehengas, their jewelry sparkling in the soft light of the evening. Draupadi stood out in a magnificent crimson lehenga with intricate golden embroidery. Her jewelry, a dazzling combination of gold and diamonds, perfectly complemented the richness of her attire. The Lakshmi nethichutti on her forehead glimmered with divine radiance, symbolizing the blessings of the goddess herself.
The Pandavas watched from a distance, admiring the beauty and grace of the women as they danced. Their eyes, however, were fixed on Draupadi, who radiated power and elegance with every movement. Yudhishthira’s gaze was filled with admiration for her strength and grace, while Bhima couldn’t help but smile at how effortlessly she balanced the roles of queen, mother, and wife.
Arjuna, always captivated by her, whispered to Nakula and Sahadeva, "Look at how she carries herself. Draupadi’s presence is enough to command the attention of everyone around her."
Nakula nodded in agreement, his voice soft with affection. "She truly is the queen of our hearts. No one else could match her beauty, her strength, or her wisdom."
Sahadeva, always thoughtful, added with a smile, "And yet, she makes it all seem so effortless. Whether it’s dancing for the gods or ruling a kingdom, Draupadi does it all with such grace."
The brothers shared a moment of silent admiration as they continued to watch the women dance. The shimmering lehengas swirled in the air, and the sound of anklets added rhythm to their movements. Draupadi, in particular, seemed to glow with an inner light, her every step filled with purpose and joy.
As the dance came to an end, the women offered their final prayers to the goddess Varalakshmi, their hands raised in devotion. Draupadi led the final prayer, her voice strong and filled with reverence.
When the ritual was complete, the women exchanged smiles of contentment, their hearts filled with the blessings of the goddess. Draupadi turned towards the Pandavas, who had been watching her with loving eyes. She could see the admiration in their gazes, and her heart swelled with affection for them.
Bhima, unable to hold back his thoughts, spoke first, "Draupadi, you look like a goddess yourself. How do you make everything look so beautiful?"
Draupadi smiled, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "It’s not the clothes or the jewelry, Bhima. It’s the love I receive from all of you that makes everything beautiful."
The Pandavas couldn’t help but smile at her words, their hearts filled with love and pride for their queen. As they stood together, the light of the evening reflecting off their jewelry, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, just as they always had.
