Kuruvanshi

Karn Is Revealed

SATASRINGA FOREST

( A hilly forest believed to be the place where Pandu with his wives lived in exile )

" It's been 3 years since...I have seen him." Kunti muttered to herself, " I wonder if he is doing good or not? How tall he might have grown now? Does he still look radiant as he used to when he was 2?"

The younger son of late Yuvraj Vichihtravirya, Maharaj Pandu and his wives Maharani Kunti and Yuvrani Madri have been living in a exile from the past 1 year. They have built a small wooden cottage on the outskirts of a remote village within the territory of Hastinapur. They plough fields, chop off dry branches of timber trees and use them as firewood, fetch fruits from the forest, cook their own food, graze the cattle, etc .

As the woods were nearby, they would get fruits and vegetables from various trees growing there. It was a mesmerising place with different shades of green trees, variety of shrubs and numerous kinds of flowering plants thriving lives all around . The shining Sun, pleasant breeze, quiet environment soothed their minds each time they stepped out from their cottage. The melodious chirping of birds, echoing sounds of the cascading waterfalls and the swaying of tree leaves in the warm wind felt like living in heaven to them.

She was sitting on the edge of a large rock situated along the perimeter of a beautiful pond, close to their cottage. The clear water casted back her worried image as she was constantly staring at it while her thoughts were revolving around something else.

"What kind of a mother am I? A mother who couldn't raise her own child!?," Kunti questioned herself and sighed.

"Kunti.." she heard a voice from behind and stood up, "Kunti, what are you doing here alone?" Pandu asked.

"Nothing arya, just seeing this lively pond.." she said pointing her finger towards the blue pond.

"Seeing this pond!?" he looked at the pond and felt nothing interesting...,"Well, I came here to inform you that I received a letter from Hastinapur just a while ago."

"From Hastinapur? What is the news arya?" she asked curiously.

"It's about bhabhishree Gandhari.." he said making a sad face.

"About jiji..? What happened to her? Is she alright??," she inquired as a hint of worry was forming on her face.

"Kind of..She is pregnant, but--," Pandu looked low,"It has been 12 months now, but she has not yet given birth to the child."

"She has not delivered the child yet?? How is that possible arya? How can pregnancy last for so long?" She asked as a slight joy that had formed on her face changed into surprise.

"That is what everyone is worried about, Kunti.. this unusual thing has left Jyesht disappointed. "

"I'm worried about jiji arya, why does all ill-fortune happen to her?," her eyes were wet as she uttered these words.

"If such things continue, there won't be a heir to the throne of Hastinapur..Our dynasty will come to an end, soon.." Pandu said in frustration.

"No arya..that cannot happen!", tears started rolling down her cheeks.

"Hey Mahadev!! What type of punishment is this to our family??", Pandu fell on his knees ," Have you decided to end our lineage without any traces?" a tear drop made its way from his right eye.

"Arya..calm down", Kunti tried to console him, but in vain.

"I can understand the pain of being childless Kunti, Jyesht will be devastated by this!" Pandu grieved ," Oh! How I had dreamt of having children!"