Journey to the Old Era (Drisana's Mahabharat #1)

Chapter 15

The four Pandavs along with other Brahman's went to the swayamvar for gifts and money. The grandeur of the swayamvar was something to be remembered. Many sagas and Brahman's were also present to witness the spectacular event.

Maharaj Drupad desiring that if not Arjun than another great archer marry his daughter, arranged for the bow to be made very stiff so that it could be bent only by a skilled archer. He erected a device at a high level and had a fish attached to it, making its eye the mark. After greeting everyone, he declared the rules.

"Only the one who strings this bow and hits the fish's eye using the well adorned arrows, will have my daughter." Maharaj Drupad announced.

After the sacrificial fire was lit to propitiate Agni, the God of Fire and the invocation was done by the priests by chanting mantras (divine hymns), Shikhandi came to the arena holding her sister Draupadi's hand and spelt out the task already outlined by their father.

Krishna was also present with his brother Balaram. He pointed to pandavs who were in between the Brahman's to Balaram. Balaram frowned seeing only four. Krishna only smiled.

The princes and kings attempted to string the bow but none of them could succeed. Many of them were thrown to the ground by the weight of the bow. Duryodhana who initially wanted Karna to participate in his place, was denied to do so by Drupad. He and his brothers also failed. When no one remained, Maharaj Drupad started questioning their skills and their Guru's (teacher) teaching.

"Is there no capable ones left in the Aryavart?"

Hearing this, Karna decided to show his prowess. But as he was about to lift the bow, Draupadi said firmly she wouldn't accept a Sootputra as her husband. Duryodhan was furious on his friends behalf. Karna was also disgusted and insulted by this. Krishna was watching all of this without saying anything.
Draupadi had previously met both Karna and Duryodhan and after watching how he was ready to participate for his friend, she didn't wanted to get married to Karna.

Maharaj Drupad asked Krishna for advice. It would be humiliating for him and his daughter if the swayamvar remained incomplete. Krishna advised him to open the competition for everyone present. He declared if anyone present had the capability to win the competition should come ahead.

Arjun was in dilemma what to do when it was the question of his skills and his Guru's teaching. Yudhisthir understanding his dilemma signed him to go ahead. As Arjun proceeded towards the bow, the Kshatriya's started to ridicule him while the Brahman's cheered him. Arjun lifting the bow took his position and in no time hit the mark.

Everyone was in shock including Draupadi. Krishna and Balaram were the only one smiling with a known look. Maharaj Drupad expressed his intention to bestow his daughter on the Brahman, who had hit the mark and won the contest. This enraged the kings who had come to the Swayamvar, hoping to win the hand of Draupadi. They considered it an insult that the kings were bypassed and a Brahman was chosen as the groom for Rajkumari Draupadi. As Gandharraj Shakuni had also accompanied Duryodhan, he and Angraj Karna took no time to recognise the Brahman skilled in archery. He tried to provoke Duryodhan to attack while Karna reasoned with him that the Brahman had won fairly. Duryodhan chose to listen to his Mitra.

The other Kshatriya's who came to win Draupadi attacked the four Pandavs. Bheem told them to leave with Draupadi while he handled them. Balaram asked Krishna if they should intervene.

"Thora aanand to uthane de dau. (Let us enjoy for sometime)" Krishna replied.

Bheem stopped the attacks and diverting them, fled from there. Not finding the Brahman's, the Kshatriya's started towards Drupad and Dhristyadym. Krishna intervened this time saving them.

"Shouldn't we go after them?" Balaram asked Krishna.

"What's the hurry, dau?" Krishna replied with a smile.

"No hurry?" Balaram asked knowing the events that was supposed to happen.

"No. She'll handle." Krishna said while Drupad was worried for his daughter.

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On the other side, Drisana realised her mistake. If she hadn't interfered then Kunti would have told all of them including Drisana and Devika to share Draupadi. And in that case, it wouldn't be possible and the relation between Pandavs and Draupadi wouldn't be defined by Kunti's words. The order and words both could be ignored in that case. But Devika kept fast and so did she and Nakul. That meant Draupadi would be told to share between the four Pandavs. In her selfishness, she had doomed Devika and Draupadi both.

No. She couldn't let them suffer because of her. She had to stop this from happening. She looked at Nakul. She couldn't tell him anything. They were at a side of Ashram. It was already late. The pandavs must be on their way with Draupadi. She thought fast and finding an opportunity while Nakul was gone made a crack in the clay stove that later fall down. Not giving any chance to Nakul to examine that, she made the excuse of feeling unwell and this day was not auspicious for the ceremony. She didn't like to worry Nakul, but she was helpless.

They left towards their allotted hut which was at a distance. She prayed all the time to reach there before the Pandavs arrived. But she was too late. As she neared the hut she saw Pandavs entering with Draupadi. Nakul was confused seeing his brothers with Draupadi. Drisana ran to the hut in a last attempt and halted inside hearing Kunti's words.

"Jo bhi mila hain, aapas mein baat lo."
(Divide among yourselves whatever you've obtained.)

As you all were asking for another update, I updated.

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