Suta's Samragini

CHAPTER 30

HASTINAPUR

The rivalry between the two sets of cousins has started. They were always at the throat of each other but the worst was between duryodhan and bheem.
They kind of have special dislike towards each other.

The kauravas have been always the center of attention with duryodhan being trained as in the kingly arts thinking that he would be future emperor but all that changed with the arrival of pandavas.

The pandavas excelled in everything. The kauravas became jealous. Bheem has unmeassurable strength was practically unapproachable in wrestling and fighting. He would be able to hold off any attack  of any number of kauravs. He took special delight in defeating the kauravs in sport. Quite often he would play practical jokes on them and would laugh at  when they tried futiley to get back at him.

The kauravs were fed up of it since their arrival they have become the centere of attention with their modest and devoted to their elders. The elders found it a welcome change.

Fed up of all this dushsashan said to his elder brother we need to do something. This bheem always mocks at us even at the dinner table he would mock us by eating more than what we 20 brothers together can eat. He even challenges us 100 brothers together and throw us like a piece of stones. He is constant thorn. We cannot better him in any challenge. I can't take this humiliation any more. He humbles us at every opportunity. Something needs to be done.

So duryodhan spurred on by his mamashree hatches a conspiracy
He plans an outing near the Ganges river. The next all the prince rode on their chariot and went by river side where the seven storey a magnificent opulent palace was built for the short stay of princes
The palace was made up of white marbles. The chambers were decorated with fine paintings  ivory and coral furnishings and studded with gems and covered with golden cushions. Royal musicians and dancers stood by ready to entertain the princes and a hundred of king' s select body guards stood there to protect them.

Once inside Duryodhan invited everyone to the feast he has arranged for them. He led them through the central garden where everyone became delighted to see the water fountain in the center with blue lotuses and different kind of exotic flowers

The brothers were delighted to see the arrangement of festivity laid on the table which had different delicacies. Duryodhan carefully sat beside bheem and offered him a plate feigning love for his brother. He has personally mixed the poison and unsuspecting bheem ate gleefully. He fed him various dishes laden with poison.

Soon duryodhan planned that they should go to riverside and play . Everyone readily agreed.
Bheem who has consumed the poison enough to kill hundred person seemed that poison has no impact on him. They played for a long time in the water and when they become tired rhey decided to go the palace nearby. It was not until evening that the poison statrted to show its affect on the mighty son of vayu. He became tired and decided to rest near the riverside and soon fell unconscious. Soon whell all the princes have left for the palace. Duryodhan and dushashan returned to the spot. They found bheem lying and tied his hand and feet and threw them in the water and left happily.

Now we can del with the other brothers easily- duryodhan.

Soon bheem was on a mystical path through the waters. It took him to the land of serpents. They used to live in the under waters. When the guards saw a human floating by they bit him many times but their poison acted as antidote to the poison administered by duryodhan. Soon he woke and saw snakes he attacked them and dended them of quite easily

The guards snake were frightened. They ran off to their king Vasuki and told him everything. He took a corm of human and decided to meet him. Ark also accompanied him. Upon reaching there Ark recognized him as his great grandson as Kumti was his descendant.