The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 56

Grand father Bheeshm interfered and pacified Dron. ' Gurudron. Karn doesn't know how to honour elders. I beg pardon for his insulting words. This is not the occassion to waste time in arguments. You know who is coming to attack the king. He is ARJUN. I don't need to tell you about his skills.you are his teacher. So please let us plan well and save Duryothan from him." Dron smiled and said.' If you are so generous with your words I will forget everything. Let one fourth of the army go with the cows. Duryothan will go with another one fourth in the front. All of us,you,me Kripa,Aswathama,Bhurisravas,Bahlika,Somadutta,Jayathrath Sakuni and Karn along with Dussasan will be behind the king with half of the army. That way we can stop Arjun reach the king."

Bheeshm approved the plan and The cows and Duryothan started for Hastinapur with One fourth army each. In the meanwhile great excitement is seen in heaven as a unique fight is taking place between one single warrior and a huge army. Indra is thrilled to see his son's valour. He  settled in his Sudarsan Viman in the sky and waited to see his heroic  son fight Kuru warriors . Siddhas,Sadhyas,sages,Gandharvas Devas Stood in groups witnessing the wonderful battle between Indra's  son and Kuru army.

At that moment Arjun's chariot approached Kuru army . Arjun is still Krosh away but his sharp eyes observed the vyuha set by his guru. He said.' Uttar,The army is devided into parts. Duryothan must be in the front. I should first tackle him only.Let us not waste time fighting the remaining army. Take the chariot to where Duryothan is fleeing with the cows. That way I will get back the cows and suppress Duryothan."

Uttar took the chariot by the left side of that army . Drona saw Arjun moving towards Duryothan and praised his desciple.Suddenly Arjun shot two arrows at his feet as a mark of salutation and two arrows zoomed past his ear enquiring his welfareArjun did the same to Bheeshm,Kripa and Aswathama.Dron lauded him.' See the way he paid respect. He is looking like Sungod,who rose breaking the darkness of the night." Grandfather smiled at his dearest grandson.' After a long time I am able to see my Arjun. He is dearer to noble people.He is warm with his friends. He is a well wisher to the relatives.He is ferocious to his rivals.Is there any one else on this earth who is like him?See his form. He is the ornament to Kuruvamsh.He is not desirous to fight with me. So he is proceeding fast side glancing me with his affectionate looks.His anger is totally directed towards Duryothan. So we should save Duryothan from him."

Dron further praised Arjun.' See how smart he is. Within seconds he understood our battle plan." In the meantime Arjun's chariot moved fast and stopped between the cows and the army.Arjun released hundreds of arrows into the sky and caused darkness.The army got confused and are in dilemma and fear.Arjun swiftly went behind the cows and with the help of cow herds changed the direction of the cows. Now the cows are running towards the city of Virat. All this happened within a short span of time.

Now Duryothan is within his reach and Arjun is excited.Then Bheeshma and others shielded Duryothan by forming a line and faced Arjun all at once.Arjun smiled at Uttar and introduced him all the Warriors one by one.He said.' Uttar,I won't strike my Guru and Grandfather first. Take me to Duryothan." At that moment Aswathama teased Karna.' See you boasted so much. Arjun is here now fight with arrows not with words."
Karna got angry and along with all the Maharathis attacked Arjun.The Gandiv thrummed with menace. No one could see when the arrow is fixed when it is released.Savyasachi is using both the hands much to the surprise of the rivals.The speed with which the arrows are shot is unimaginable.The Gandiv danced to the tune of Arjun with pleasure.Arjun struck many with one arrow and the result is Duryothan's army fell down lamenting . Whoever came to attack him they were burnt by the fury of Arjun.Arjun broke their armours,smashed their weapons and exhibited his superior skills of archery.He broke the vyuha set by his guru by making the army run for their lives.
He then faced the Maharathis and shot sharp arrows in abundance.He killed the horses of Karna and wounded his charioteer.By doing sohe challenged Karna for a duel.Vikarn tried to come in between but Arjun broke his bow wounded him and he ran away.Then Karna shot arrows at Uttar and Arjun.As an interesting battle is ahead others looked at them wondering who will win.Arjun shot hundreds of arrows and Karna reciprocated.Arjun addressed him burning with fury.' You are an expert in giving speeches in assemblies.But here you have to fight with arrows not with words. The way you insulted Yajnaseni on that day, you will endure the result right now."
Karna retorted.' So you stopped without doing anything on that day because of your Eldest? Now show your heroism." Both of them fought with great energy . Arjun then broke Karna's bow.Karnas army attacked Arjun from all sides.Arjun destroyed them completely. Karn took another bow and continued his attack.Then Arjun shot arrows that pierced Karna's body parts and wounded him severely. Karna withdrew from the battle and disappeared.
Uttar is excited and clapped his hands...
Uttara came to the terrace with the Fish Target portrait in hand. ' Sairandhri,see this. I stole this from my brothers' chamber. See how nicely he is shooting the target.I also want my father to arrange a Swayamvar for me With another archery test. Will the third Pandav come then?"
Panchali's heart skipped a beat.' Princess,Who knows where he is? But Abhimanyu may come and win your Swayamvar. I am sure. Arjun's son is of a suitable age to you." She tried to make Uttara realise she is not meant for Arjun.Uttara stared into her eyes. ' You know him well. He married seven wives. I am sure he may marry eighth time."
Panchali turned her face away trying to hide her feelings .She said.' Uttara you are too young to be his wife. Abhimanyu is just like his father. Believe me." Uttara did not reply. Her eyes got fixed on the Brahmin in disguise bending the bow perfectly looking into the water image of the fish and ready to shoot.

Panchali gazed deep into the portrait. Still how many admirers she has to come across drooling over him desiring him to be their life partner?She knew Uttara is a child. Her teenage obsession is just converting into hero worship  that may result in undaunted love. But in her heart of hearts she knew Arjun would never cross the limit. To him Uttara is daughter like,innocently declaring her obsession before him. He would never take it seriously.
But what is odd if he creates that feeling in the heart of beautiful girls? Nothing for sure. She also is prone to obsession the minute she saw him approach the bow. She dreamt of a dream like journey with him all through her life. And how she enjoyed the brief moments of walk that belonged exclusively to the just won princess of Panchal and the winner of the event Arjun.Panchali reminisced the past before her eyes...

Arjun turned back to see if his bride is feeling uncomfortable to walk on the thorny path. She is walking slowly as she is not used to place her foot on the forest paths. Bheem is almost  a yard away from them as he is impatient to reach their hut fast and tell his mother of the great things that happened at the Swayamvar.'
Brother ,Hurry up. Lift the princess in your arms if she can not walk." Bheem's taunt made Draupadi blush. Arjun observed the eloquently beautiful,princess and commented.' Bhrata doesn't know but I want to worship your beauty along with the beauty of the nature. Both are God,s creations no? " he smiled at her making her heart beat faster.Panchali wondered how could a man completely overpower her soul,mind and body in such a brief span of time .She is afraid that his penetrating eyes will gauze through her heart and sense her besotted feeling for sure.

She understood that the man who won her is a nature lover. But is he Arjun? Still she doesn't know the facts. Her husband is clever enough to conceal his reality.But is there no way to make him confess? Panchali desparately thought over.She is observing the bowmarks on his mighty shoulders. How could a Brahmin have such prominent marks of bowmanship?She wanted to touch them and feel the roughness that enhanced his manliness.
Panchali lost her balance and slipped absorbed in thoughts.Before she could fall she was held in his arms.She  could not look up into his eyes.She knew his eyes are savouring every inch of her beauty She wished to stay there permanently enjoying the thrill. Arjun touched her forehead that had sweat which looked like dewdrops on lotus petals.He wiped it and whispered. The marks of first love of the beloved a cynosure to the eyes of her admirer.I mean husband.'

Panchali composed herself and smiled. ' I don't think Brahmins will have such bowmarks on shoulders. How many battles did you fight to have them? What necessity is there for a Brahmin to fight wars? " Arjun understood her intention to know about his identity. Surely his Fireborn is not less smart.What answer did he have for that question? Arjun wisely diverted the conversation.' I heard that your father beget you for Arjun's sake.Then why did he arrange Swaymvar and let an unknown Brahmin like me win it? May be he lost his zeal to give his precious daughter to a person whose existence itself is unknown.Any way Arjun's loss is my gain."
Panchali widened her lotus eyes and checked her husband's face again.' There is no doubt at all .The portrait given by Govind exactly equals with this face.But when would he reveal himself! She wondered and supported her father.' My father wished Arjun as his son in law but no one else. And it is destined that I should marry him only .To confirm Arjun's existence The Fish Target is arranged." Arjun raised his eyebrows.' But unfortunately his plan didn't work out. No? An outsider had won the target. So sad for the king."
Panchali doesn't want to stop there and  continued.' You know The Fish target is set in such a manner that only Arjun could hit the fish...Panchali bit her lower lip and smilingly looked into his hazel eyes. Arjun got mesmerised and just gazed into those lotus eyes challenging him to unveil his identity.'
So someone else equal to your Arjun had done it. And you lost your chance to belong to your Arjun' Panchali looked into his mischievous eyes  that are not ready still to reveal himself. At that moment Bheem shouted.' Arjun,we should reach before sunset Hurry up." Arjun desparately tried to remind his Bhrata Bheem that he should not call him by name with his looks but Bheem is in no mood to watch him.' Arjun the time for Mata's Puja is approaching. Come soon" Panchali smiled seeing his face,he is embarrassed.