The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 71

Dussasan warned Duryothan.' If you stay here you will be submitted to Krishna by our revered elders. Then he will take you to Dharmaraj by force. So leave the Sabha now itself.Duryothan got up and walked out along with Dussasan,Karn and Sakuni. Dhritarashtr sent for Gandhari to council her son.Gandhari entered the Sabha and questioned Dhritrashtr.' Who will stop you if you give Pandavas their kingdom? Why do you listen to your son? Fault lies with you only."
Having said so she asked Duryothan who came to her reluctantly.' My son, Why are you bent upon destroying your own race? Don't wipe off our happiness by causing death to your whole family before our eyes. Don't become a prey to Bheema who will fulfill his oath of killing you all. Go and make peace with Dharmaraj. Phalgun will extend a friendly hand to you if you go with Krishna. Don't spoil the opportunity."
Duryothan again went off and started discussions with Karna and Sakuni. Krishna observed this and told the king.' When my Uncle Kamsa became a Tyrant I killed him and saved our family. Similarly if you push Duryothan away compromise becomes possible.Leave him and save Kuru Vamsh."
Duryothan listened to this and started planning to bind Krishna and imprison him.Satyaki observed this and informed Krishna.The Lord got angry and fiercely admonished Duryothan.' Foolish Duryothan !you think I am alone and helpless? Is it possible to bind me with anything? "

So saying Krishna displayed his Virat Rup that is not possible to see with naked eye. Duryothan and others became motionless and could not look at his glorious form.Krishna gave Devine vision to Bheeshm,Dron and even to Dhritarashtr who requested him to grace him  vision.
Siva appeared in his heart. From his mighty shoulders Haldhar Balram and Gandiv Dhari Arjun appeared. From his back the four Pandavas appeared. Agni is seen in his face. Surya Indra and other deities adorned his form. Bheeshm,Dron and Vidur had tears in their eyes on seeing the Devine form.
Dhritrashtr asked Krishna to take back his vision as he doesn't want to look at other things after seeing the Virat Rup.Then Krishna became normal and addressed the assembly.' You all had seen my efforts to bring peace between Kauravas and Pandavas. But Duryothan refused to oblige. Is it so Duryothan? " His question made Duryothan confess strongly.' I  don't want to offer Pandavas the land that is required to put the tip of a needle. That is my decision."

Krishna got up and declared.' So be ready for war. The fire called Arjun will burn the Kuru forest. The war will commence very soon .Let us meet on that day at Kurukshetr."                                

The celebration of sixteenth day of Abhi's marriage is going on with great pomp.Upaplavya is decorated in a grand manner.Dhaumya made Abhi and Uttara sit together and recited Ashirvad mantras along with Vedic Brahmins. Subhadra did Tilak and Aarti.Satya teased Arjun.' I hope today you won't hold your training camp for the boys. Let them celebrate with song and dance. " Arjun agreed but said he has to go to look after other things.
Subhadra chuckled.' Only one day you can spare . Why are you doing things like the war is just round the corner? " Satya supported her. ' Yes. Let us play interesting games with children.Draupadi got up and pleaded with Satya.' Spare me from your games. Let children enjoy." Abhi stopped her by holding her veil. ' Jyesht Mata,please stay back."

Yudhishtir entered and called Arjun.'Messengers came from Hastinapur. Krishna is on his way back." Arjun's face brightened. How much he missed his Madhav? Within two days he will be back.He turned to Draupadi and said.' Stay back. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. Mostly Duryothan may not have agreed for compromise.Let our children enjoy the moments before war.

Kunti is combing Pragati's hair. Pragati has thick black hair like her mother and curly like her father. The otherwise simple and cheerful girl always creates problem for her grand mother when it is time to arrange her hair in a proper manner. The maids can not even touch her hair as she will scare them with her shouts. So Kunti took it upon herself to comb her hair despite finding it a difficult task to do.
That evening as usual the grand mother and grand daughter sat on the terrace with Kunti brushing her hair with much difficulty.She scolded her grand daughter.' Pragati Now you had grown up. I can't manage your hair. Why don't you let the maids do?" Pragati answered instantly. ' I won't. I will keep it as it is if you can't. But tell me how did mata manage her long hair?" Kunti smilingly answered.' She is the queen of Indraprasth. Malini and Priyamvada managed her hair. But Pragati,you have Phalgun's curls which are very difficult to manage. I only used to brush his curls with so much care. Afterwards your mother learnt to do so.

But when your mother is not with him ,he used to trouble me by not giving me time at all. Only Panchali of all his wives could mend his ways." Pragati turned to her Grandmother and asked.' Why is my mother not with my father always? " Kunti was shocked and stared into her beautiful face.Pragati took her chin in her hand and repeated.' Why Dadi Mata? I hear  so many things about my mother from maids,and sometimes from Bhanumati Masi and Dussala Bua.But I want to know it from you.Why is my mother not with my Pitasri always? "

Kunti looked at her innocent face. The eventful past is glaring at her. She is answerable not to her Phalgun but to his daughter.She placed her hand on Pragati's head and said in a shivering voice.' It is destined Putri. Your mother's previous birth effect caused in such unimaginable happening." Pragati listened to her story in a cool manner. She exclaimed.' Oh, Such a ridiculous story. Unbelievable. But why did Pitasri accept it? And Mata? She can refuse out rightly ."
Kunti tried to convince her. ' Pragati Your father can not marry before your Jyesht Pita. How can he?" Pragati had an answer for that even.' Pitasri can marry after Jyesht Pita got married."

Kunti thought it is better to divert her little girl as she may not be convinced easily.She finished her combing tied a ribbon below and said.' Now it is time for my evening worship.Will you look after the arrangements? " Pragati smiled and got up. She understood her grand mother doesn't wish to prolong it.'
Sure. Dadi mata I will call you after I put everything ready." She ran downstairs leaving a disturbed Kunti pondering over the Past that made her name prone  to criticism for generations to come.  

Krishna returned and informed everything that happened at Kuru Sabha. He also told them Kunti's instruction  that is to fight for their right and punish the offenders of Panchali.He said.' Duryothan tried to imprison me . After that I realised that at any cost war is inevitable.So Maharaj Do the needful and be ready for war."
Yudhishtir expressed his concern.' How can my mother endorse bloodshed? It leads to the destruction of Kuru race. " Arjun firmly said.' When Madhav advised us to fight and our mother supported him then there is nothing to discuss I think." Bheem applauded him.' Arjun is  right. Let us March to Kurukshetr. We will show our might." Sahadev approved of it.We will reach there after a fort night .He declared.