Disclaimer
The story is a blend of author's imagination with the events mentioned in the original text of the Mahabharat, and the incidents shown in the tele-serials made on Mahabharat. Some of the incidents and dialogue exchange between the characters are added by the author to make the narrative more interesting. The base plot line has been kept as it was in the original text of the epic. So, readers are requested to respect author's imagination.
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The news of the dice game at the Dyut Sabha of Hastinapur had spread like wild-fire then. Almost the entire Bharatvarsha must had known that the 13th year of our exile had begun. Under such circumstances, all six of us moving together, would have increased the risk of getting recognised by at least 20 times. Therefore, unanimously, it was decided that the six of us enter in the King Virat's kingdom, one by one.
The first one to enter was me. In contrast to my usual subtle hued attire, I had put on brightly colored clothes for the disguise; trimmed my matted curls, moustache and beard and also worn a brightly colored turban and some bright jewelries made of cheap metals. On my left shoulder, I carried a cloth pouch containing the colorful beads, a pair of dice and the board for dice game.
After getting approval from Kalyani that I was completely unrecognizable in that disguise, I started my journey towards the towards the capital town of Matsya. For me, living life in incognito in a civilized town like Matsya seemed much more difficult than living in the woods of Kamyaka. There were two primary reasons. First, while living in the woods, at least I did not have to lie about my identity, and almost everyone of acquaintances knew, how bad I was at lying. Second, I won't be able to be in touch with my brothers for a long time. However, what needed to be done had to be done.
The first hurdle came as Nagar Paalak at the Nagar Dwaar of Matsya [1]. Perhaps, lack of spontaneity while stating my false name, made him suspicious about my identity. He started full on interrogating me. Thankfully, with each question, my hesitation lessened gradually and finally I could convince him that I was not some thief or thug.
Being a new face to the town of Matsya, obviously the passersby looked keenly at me and some even went ahead to ask as to where I was from; but none of them could recognise me. After walking for around a prahar around the town, I was able to reach the palace of King of Virat.
As I tried to enter the Raj Sabha, the guard stopped me, "Hey outsider! You cannot enter the Raj Sabha without the Maharaj Virat's permission."
"Lord, I am a poor jobless man, came all the way from Indraprastha. Please let me meet your Maharaj, so that I can get some work." I requested humbly to the guard.
The guard took a good look at me and thought for some time, then said, "Okay. Wait here, let me first get permission from Maharaj." Then he disappeared inside the Sabha and returned within few moments with permission from the King.
Expressing my gratitude to the gate-man, I went inside. The serenity at the inside was absolutely complementing to the benevolence of the Maharaj Virat.
I felt slightly troubled on being under the pointing gaze of all the courtiers. Even Maharaj was looking keenly at me. To be honest, for a moment I thought that I had been identified, but then I remembered my birth father's boon.
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🔶🔹Ŧħōʂɛ Ðāÿʂ ļŋ Ęxîɭɛ🔹🔶
SpiritualWhile going out from dyut sabha, I was guilt ridden, ashamed, beyond hurt from my inside. I was not angry with anyone but myself. I knew that whatever happened today was only my fault. It was me, who staked my kingdom, my people, my brothers and my...
