Tethered ; Arjun and Draupadi

11. Krishn shows the path

AUTHOR'S NOTE : I am sorry for my absence guys. I was a little busy with life and had hit a writer's block. But the update is here. Thank you for being so patient ❤️ Enjoy Reading ❤️

With Krishn walking in front, Arjun along with both his wives entered the courtroom in Indraprasth. Krishn entered with a stern face that depicted evident disappointment at the eldest Pandava's terrible decision at the Dyut Sabha in Hastinapur. Yudhishthir looked up to find Vasudev approaching him and his brothers. Yudhishthir was no fool. He could study the expressions that sat on Krishn's features. Krishn was disappointed and furious. His features were devoid of his usual playfulness and merry. Yudhishthir locked his gaze at the floor, knowing he couldn't look Vasudev in the eye. Vasudev halted at a distance of a few feet from the four newly divorced Pandavas. Neither Yudhishthir nor his brothers could face Krishn. But they couldn't disrespect Krishn's presence by refusing to greet him either. Meekly, they started to say "Pranipaat, Vas-" but were cut by a singular gesture of Krishn's hand. Krishn looked sternly at them and said, "I do not have the time to accept your greetings". This sentence was a gut punch for the four. They lowered their gaze further and remained silent.

The silence was ceased when Krishn said, "Jyesht, the sin you have committed today is unimaginable and unacceptable. Thus, your penance must be equally austere too". Yudhishthir and the three Pandavas other than Arjun nodded in agreement. Yudhishthir proceeded to ask, "Vasudev, every inch of my being demands justice for Panchal Kumari and atonement for myself, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev. Please enlighten me on what penances to perform in order to acquire ammunition for the war". Krishn sighed softly and said, "Ammunition is acquired by allies. Blessings are acquired through penances. The rules of the forest exile set by Hastinapur's throne strictly prohibit you four from allying with Kings from across Aryavart for the purpose of war in the next 13 years. You have to be very careful. Any breach in those rules and Gandhar Raj will skilfully trap you all yet again". Yudhishthir said, "As you say, Vasudev. But which Deities should the each of us attempt to acquire blessings from?". "Jyesht, you know best that Dharma is the ideal for victory. And there is no task more Dharmik than serving Tapasvis. Thus, you will serve countless Tapasvis for the next 12 years", Krishn said calmly. He turned to Bheem and said, "Bhrata Bheem, no one in existence knows the science of physical strength and the art of Gada Yudh better than Pavan Putr Hanuman. You will go to the Gandhamadan Hills and near the Hanumanth Cave, you will perform constant veneration for Lord Hanuman". Krishn went near the twins and said, "Nakul, Sahadev, you both will please the Ashwini Kumars and acquire divine medicinal knowledge from them. You both will be tasked with treating the wounded soldiers in war". Krishn went towards Arjun and Draupadi. Arjun looked at Krishn intently, awaiting his instruction for him. Though Krishn had mentioned awhile back that he had to please Lord Shiv, Arjun needed clearer instructions. Krishn sensed Arjun's anticipation and said, "Parth, from here you will have to head straight to Hastinapur to face your punishment. Remember, in every waking moment you might be tempted to assassinate Duryodhan but you must not give into that temptation. Not even a tad bit. You must serve him with a clear conscience. Consider it to be your Anuj Dharma and it will lessen your fury. After one year, you will traverse the entire country for some time and learn warfare skills from different regions. Then, you will go to Kailash, at Mahadev's abode, where you will try to acquire the Pashupatastra from Him. Keep in mind, Parth. During the war when your competence falls short against the enemy, Pashupatastra is what will lead you to victory". Arjun nodded. Krishn turned to Draupadi and said, "Draupadi, you will be with Arjun in every step of the way. You will be his motivation for trudging towards victory". She nodded.

"Govind, I accept your wish as my command. But in less than 3 months, Arya's and Subhadra's child will be born. That child is to be the first in our family. It is sad enough that the child will not have all of his family present during birth. However, their child deserves the presence of both his parents during infancy. Unfortunately, Arya cannot be there for the birth of his child. But can't he stay at Dwarka for a while after his punishment in Hastinapur ends? I promise I will not endanger the child's security by being in Dwarka during that period. I will gladly go to Panchal and stay there as long as needed", said a concerned Draupadi. Draupadi had refused Arjun's suggestion of her going to Panchal thus leaving his side a few hours ago but on seeing Subhadra's state, she was reminded that Arjun is Subhadra's husband too and moreover, the father of their soon-to-be-born child. She might not have to serve other husbands anymore but she still had to share Arjun with Subhadra. Though Subhadra did not wish for Draupadi's absence if Arjun were to come to Dwarka to stay for their child's initial years, she could not help but be thankful to Draupadi for offering to step out of the way for the child's security. Arjun on the other hand, discarded the idea as soon as his mind perceived it. "Absolutely not, Panchali", said Arjun sternly. Subhadra was a little hurt on hearing Arjun immediately discarding the idea but she masked it. "But, Arya-", Draupadi was cut off by Arjun. "No buts and ifs, Panchali. Your protection is paramount to me. My child will have the protection of his Mamashrees Madhav and Balaram Dau at Dwarka. My child will have his mother's, Bhabishree Rukmini's, Bhabishree Satyabhama's and Bhabishree Revati's care. I cannot and will not leave you alone in Panchal. Mahadev Himself cannot separate me from you". Arjun looked at Draupadi with utmost devotion and determination in his eyes. Draupadi knew she couldn't win against him and hence stayed silent. Subhadra could never find it in herself to be jealous of Arjun's devotion and love for Draupadi but that didn't mean it never hurt her a tad bit. She had known it since the moment she had gotten married to Arjun that Draupadi sits atop his heart above all else. Though neither Arjun nor Draupadi ever let Subhadra deliberately feel so, she could always see that intangible red thread tying the both of them together.