Mitradvayam : The Saga of Madhava and Parth

1

It was the day of the full moon and all was calm on the Shatashrunga mountains. The wild animals residing on its slopes had all returned to their homes and the birds had retired to their nests. The night was quiet except for the slight rustling of trees as the wind moved through its leaves and branches.

In one of the mountains' many valleys, a small settlement could be seen abuzz with anticipation and excitement. For Kunti, the daughter in law of the Kuru dynasty, was about to give birth to her third child.

The former king of Hastinapur, Pandu stopped his pacing momentarily and looked anxiously in the direction of their cottage when his first wife let out a particularly painful scream. Even though she had gone through the process of birthing twice, he was still not used to it. And this time, it seemed even worse than the previous ones.

"Samrat," came a smooth timbre tone from behind him and he turned around to face an elderly sage standing in front of him.

"Don't worry, everything will go well. Your wife and child will be alright." He said in a soothing tone, gazing at him with deep, assuring eyes.

"I know, rishivar. But my heart still trembles with anxiety while hearing Kunti's cries." Pandu confessed, his young face lined with worry.

"Your queen is giving birth to the ansh of the mighty Indra, my king. Keep faith in him." The wise sage advised him before resuming his seat.The exiled king of Hastinapur looked upwards and closed his eyes, exhaling a deep breath to calm his soul.

"Hey Devaraja Indra," He prayed mentally, "Let my wife and son be alright!"

No sooner had he opened his eyes and resumed his pacing, the first cry of a newborn baby echoed from within their cottage.

As soon as he heard his baby's cries, he whirled around so fast that his neck cracked. Tears of joy brimmed in his eyes as the sages gathered outside began chanting various prayers for the newborn Pandava.

Pandu swiftly made his way towards his house, his heart thrumming in anticipation when he met Madri, his second wife, at the entrance, her face alight and eyes moist.

"Congratulations, my lord." She whispered and Pandu gave her a broad smile.

"Congratulations to you too, my queen. After all, you too, have become a mother again." He whispered back before stepping inside. His eyes fell on a tired but glowing Kunti and the infant in her arms in the farthest corner of the house.

"Kunti?" He murmured, hesitantly moving forward when his first queen looked up and smiled reassuringly at him.

"Come closer, Arya." Kunti said softly, beckoning him to sit beside her. He did so, before turning his eyes to the bundle in her arms.

"Here, hold him." His wife said, placing their son in the cradle of his arms. When he ran a finger lightly over the baby's soft cheek, he snuggled closer to his father's chest and cooed softly, blinking his large eyes sleepily up at him.

"My son," Pandu whispered, gazing at the small, moonlike face of his child.

"He is so beautiful," He said tearfully, looking at Kunti who laughed through her tears.

"He is. Did you see the auspicious marks on his body?" She asked, slightly pulling down the soft cloth covering their son's tiny torso to expose the faint but clearly visible silver marks on his shoulders and arms.

"Just like the stars in the dark sky," Pandu murmured, taking note of his features from tip to toe.

A soft rustling of fabric on hay made them glance up. Madri was glancing at them so affectionately, that her gaze took their breath away.

"Madri, my dearest anuja, won't you come and take him in your arms?" Kunti called out and Madri sniffed before letting out a half sob - half laugh. She went to them and made herself comfortable in front of them.

"Oh," She let out a soft gasp, when the moon rays coming through the window fell on the baby in her arms, leaving her mesmerized.

Unlike their older sons, this child had skin as dark as the monsoon clouds which seemed to glow under the silvery light of the moon. He already had dark peach fuzz on his head, which were sure to grow into thick glossy curls in the future. His big doe eyes were framed with slightly arched eyebrows which led to a small slender nose. His small rosebud lips parted lightly every time he breathed. In all, he was the most beautiful baby Madri had seen. Though she was yet to see his eyes, she was sure they would be absolutely divine like the rest of him.

"Blazing copper," Kunti said, reading her mind.

"His eyes. It's like the sun shining through the brown of his eyes." She clarified when Madri looked at her questioningly.

"He has the sun in his eyes, the moon on his face and the stars on his body,"Pandu commented, his face shining with fatherly pride as he took him back in his arms.

"Since he is born on the day of Phalgun pournima, under the auspicious Uttar Phalguni nakshatra, one of his names will be Phalguna!" The former king declared, holding his newborn son high in the air.

His two queens smiled at him and then at each other just as their other two sons, Yudhishthira and Bheema, came toddling in along with the female physician, to meet their new baby brother.

The newly turned older brothers of Phalguna welcomed him with lots of hugs and wet kisses (courtesy of Vrikodara) as the people gathered outside distributed sweets and fruits to everyone present.

Even the gods and goddesses, high up in the heavens, celebrated the arrival of this son of Pandu, as they, along with Lord Indra and his wife, the Queen Sachi, showered him with their blessings.

                             *******
Meanwhile, far away from the tall peaks of Shatashrunga, in the lush plains of Gokul, the melodic giggles of an infant were ringing throughout the house of Nanda, the head of the village.

"I don't know what has made him so happy that he is laughing so loudly," Yashoda sighed in half - amusement, despite the lateness of the hour.

Her six month old infant, her Kanha, was bouncing in her arms, even as she tried to coax him to sleep.

"What happened, lalla? What is it that has made you so excited?" She cooed at him, propping him up on her lap. Krishna looked up at her with bright eyes, babbling cheerfully while his tiny hands touched her face.

"Hmm, is that so?" She asked indulgently, nodding along. She let him play around for another few minutes or so before getting up and placing him inside his cradle. Covering him with his blanket, she caressed his glossy curls affectionately.

"You will sleep now, won't you Kanhaiya?" She asked him softly, gently swinging the cot.

Krishna, probably seeing the strain of the day on her face, suddenly quietened down, yet the joy didn't leave his face.
Under his mother's soothing pats and soft humming, he allowed himself to be put to sleep, a smile curving his lips.

When he was finally asleep, Yashoda heaved a sigh of relief and moved to lie down on her own bed, beside her half - asleep husband.

"He fell asleep?" A low voice came from behind her and Yashoda hummed in reply.

"It seems like something really good has happened today for our lal to laugh like that." Nanda murmured, turning slightly towards his wife. But he got no reply, for Yashoda had already fallen asleep!

Chuckling softly, he made himself comfortable again and closed his eyes, drifting away into the land of dreams once again.

                              *******
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to vote and comment!

And guess where was I this week? I was in Dwarka! Yes, you read it right, I was in the Lord's own city!! Hence, the delay in updating. I went to Somnath as well and funnily enough, I felt closer to Krishna there as well. Somnath is absolutely beautiful and I definitely urge everyone to plan a trip there.

Cheers!!!