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Only three days left for Arjun to go. He is charging up his body and mind for the great task ahead. He wakes up all the night and rigorously practices archery.After that having taken bath he will worship Mahadev and meditates for long hours. A different glow illuminates his face may be due to the grahan of Pratismriti.
That day after Arjun left with his brothers for hunting,Sahadev who stayed back approached Panchali. He is aware of the wound that made its way into Panchali 's delicate heart due to the spineless behaviour of them,particularly of his famous brother Arjun.Ever since he never saw her interact with his brother . He wouldn't have bothered about it and would have left it to time that heals every wound. But now after VedVyasa's instruction,that Arjun has to go and please Mahadev through severe penance,he couldn't keep quiet.His brother needs Panchali's heartfelt wishes to revive his sunken spirits and boost up his confidence.' Panchali, send him off with a smile.With a blessing,with a prayer. Don't stay detached. It will damage his will power. " Sahedev's words made Draupadi wonder why her husband's youngest brother who never crossed his line is trying to support his brother. But what difference it makes whether she wishes or not. Fate will work its way and dictate things as per its wish." Sahadev continued in a desparate voice.' You don't know Draupadi,how difficult his task is. He may not return that soon.Leave your anger atleast for a while. Let Bhrata leave with a blissful heart." Panchali remained silent.' We all are your offenders Panchali. We should redeem ourselves by avenging the mishap. But only he could take up the task and achieve a break through.As usual we are the silent spectators and he is the action hero. You don't know how gruesome the task is. He has to practice Ashtanga yoga,the eight fold path that Mahadev instructed Parvati Mata.They are Yama,Niyama,Asana ,Pranayama ,Pratyahara,Dharana,Dhyana and Samadhi. The second one Niyama consists of five requirements. They are Saucha,Santosha,Tapas,Swadhyaya and Iswar Pranidhan.Niyama requires more commitment.After crossing seven Bhrata has to take Samadhi which is the last stage. You know Panchali ,then he will become disconnected with the world.We won't be in his conscience anymore. He will be connected only to Shiv Sankar. How much time he should be in Samadhi only Mahadev knows." Sahadev had tears rolling down.Through his blurred vision,he could see Panchali's eye lotuses surrounded by the water flow in the form of tears. Sahadev continued in his broken voice.' You know where he has to do all this? On the snowy peaks of Himalayas. Where the chilled winds freeze even blood. In that isolated place where no human beings can survive Bhrata has to practice Yoga and meditate. You know how much will power is needed for that.Bhrata readily agreed to take up this dangerous task only for you,for us and for our children . Isn't it our duty to wish him well when he leaves ? Keep your disdain and anger at bay.we don't know when we can meet him again.'
Sahadev was interrupted by the feeble voice of Draupadi.' Will he return safe and successful ? " Sahadev paused.and replied.' He is Vijaya,The invincible.He won't face defeat at all"
Panchali waited anxiously for her husbands to return from hunting. Bheem is happy ' Panchali,today we got so much. Tomorrow delicious food I can eat. " She served food to Dhaumya and other Brahmins . Then to the Five.After they ate and went off Panchali stood at the leaf in which Arjun ate just then. She bent down and took the small banana piece that he left. He never liked to eat fruits along with food. But since others like she would serve for him also. He will just take a little bit and leave it. Panchali took that and ate it with closed eyes. ' Durga Mata,return my husband safely. Grace him success. Tell SankarSiv to grace his devotee as soon as possible.Tell him Panchali's life depends on his well being.Guard him Mata.Bless him." Panchali prayed to Mata heartfully and shed tears. At mid night Panchali got up and walked out of the hut to the backyard to meet her Arjun who is wide awake practicing and memorising Astras . As she walked towards the mango grove moonlight caressed her curls and her whole form shone spreading blue lotus fragrance. Arjun inhaled the fragrance and raised his eyes. To his surprise Panchali's eyes are not showing signs of anger and detachment. They are smiling at him with the same glint of love that always makes him feel special. Panchali stood near him and bent her head as if thinking deeply about some thing . Arjun penetratingly looked at her and assured her.' Don't worry. I will try my best to achieve success." Panchali moved nearer and stammered.' Return safely to your brothers." Arjun kept silent. Panchali looked into his hazel eyes and murmured. ' to your Krishnaa,who will desparately wait for you with bated breath." Arjun could not believe his ears. He just stared into her lotus eyes with disbelief.Is he in dream? He can't understand. Draupadi took his hand into hers and repeated. ' come back soon Arjun,to your love,to your Krishnaa."
Arjun has tears in his eyes. He can't bear her magnanimity. ' Don't be generous with me Krishnaa,I don't deserve it." He said in a detached tone. Panchali placed her hand on his mouth .She nodded her head rigorously .She sat on the bench that is there and started.' I don't know I can forgive you or not. But I can not live without you. I am certain It takes so much effort on my part to hold my life till you return. How peaceful it would have been,had we took birth in Brahmin clan? Why did you turn out to be a Kshatriya after winning me ? You should have remained the Brahmin youth who won me. I held myself intact being away from my sons,my Kirti and my little Pragati. But I may not survive without you at all.You know Arjun,more than the insult I faced at Kurusabha,Your impending journey to Himalayas that results in our separation tortures me a lot. But I can't stop you from going. I can't go against the wish of Govind."
Panchali's tears are shining like pearls in the moonlight. Arjun took her head on his waist and hugged her posessively.He said in a broken voice.' Pool up your strength,your will power. You are the backbone of my victories . You are my inspiration. I ditched you in your moment of crisis. Still you are drenching me in the nectar of your love. What good things I must have done to in my previous birth to be loved by you?Please be strong and confident. I need the solace of seeing you undeterred. I promise you on our love,on our children . I will take revenge. I will punish them.I beg you Krishnaa, Wait for me . I will come back to you as soon as possible."
Panchali placed her hands round his neck.' Take me also with you. I will serve you. I will take care of you.Who will see your needs on that snowy peaks? " Arjun smiled at her.' How can I concentrate on penance having the most beautiful woman by my side? As such it will be a difficult task for me to not imagine you in my heart and mind.The real challenge begins now. May Mata grant me Samyam." Panchali looked at him with suspicion.' Would you go to heavenly places that will have apsaras? " Arjun smiled. He felt happy that Panchali is diverting herself to lighter aspects.He chuckled.' Who knows? Why? You don't have confidence in me? " Panchali did not answer.She has confidence in him. But not in his looks. ' Don't go for hunting tomorrow. I will arrange your hair. " She ordered him and he agreed. The next day is the special day for Panchali and Parth.It is the day that give way to long spell of separation. After the brothers went to hunt,Panchali oiled Arjun's hair ,softened it and with great difficulty tied it in Top Knot on his head. The sages will keep the hair like that . To her displeasure,he looked handsome even then. Panchali sighed in vexation. How could she turn beauty into ugliness? As she is pondering over,Arjun took the comb and started running it in her long hair. After Dussasan seized her hair she did not tie it or plaited it. She started hating her hair as it was touched by that sinful Dussasan. She tried to take her hair from his grip,but Arjun did not give in. Panchali had tears remembering the gruesome incident. ' Don't touch my hair Arjun, it became impure. " Arjun looked steadily into her eyes. ' you won't become impure Krishnaa,Never. That sinful Dussasan incurred sin by touching your hair. Keep in mind. Your Arjun likes your hair so much. He would wish to see you arrange your hair beautifully. Promise me you will take care of yourself and your hair.Dont punish yourself.Promise me." Arjun arranged her hair in single plait and took her face in his hands. He kissed her lotus eyes and whispered.' Send me off with a smile.That smile will bring me back to you unsullied and victorious. I promise I won't entertain any affairs in any situation. I promise on my love,on my passion for you." Panchali smiled and made Parth float in the nectar of her love.
