Arjun opened his eyes. He still could feel Sankar Shiv before him. He decided it must have happened really. As he came out in the Pradosh Samay and proceeded to Hiranvati,Krishna accompanied him and enquired.' How is your mindset Parth? Are you ready to face the challenge set by yourself to kill Jayathrath before sunset?" Arjun turned sideways and hugged him closer.' You are with me. What more do I want? I feel more focussed and energised. Especially after the previous night's visit to Kailash. Madhav! Your love for me crossed all boundaries . By taking me to Shiv Sankar you graced me with great inner strength and self confidence. Tell me,is it a dream or you really took me there?
Krishna laughed mischievously . ' Parth,you can think about it later. First hurry up and get ready. Dont forget to get Vir Tilak done by Panchali.I will wait for you with your chariot and horses.". Krishna went off and Parth took bath in Hiranvati.He then proceeded to the place where he worship Shiv Sankar with Rudra Namakam. As he completed his daily ritual,Panchali came with Aarti Thali.
Arjun reluctantly looked into her lotus eyes swollen and sad.She did Tilak silently and performed Aarti.Arjun understood her suppressed grief for the untimely death of her beloved Abhimanyu.He assured her in a low voice.' I promise I will kill that wretched Jayathrath who is the cause for Abhi's death. Forgive me Krishnaa,I failed to save your beloved child."
Panchali raised her eyes and forcibly stopped her tears from falling down.She lowered her voice and said.' I know fate is inevitable.We are not fortunate enough to have our Abhi with us for a longer time. Don't feel guilty. Proceed ahead and expose your full might. I know you will return victorious. " She then prayed.' Let my husband be successful in fulfilling his oath.Remove all the obstacles from his path."
Arjun nodded his head and took his Gandiv.He then visited his Eldest and touched his feet. Yudhishtir blessed him and addressed Krishna.' You always stood by us in our trials. Today is a crucial day for all of us. You only can make us cross this ocean of grief. Be with your Parth and guide him towards victory." Krishna assured him.' Eldest,you will today see the extraordinary valour of your brother and the way he will crush your rivals. None can come on his way today.
Arjun went round his chariot and ascended with his Gandiv. Before galloping ahead he ordered Satyaki.' Be with my Eldest and protect him from Drona in my absence.If you are with him I will be at peace with myself." Satyaki agreed and marched towards his position.
Drona entered the field and blew his conch.He then called Jayathrath and infused confidence in him. Still he could see the fear in Jayathrath's eyes.He sighed and convinced himself.Who will not fear his beloved descipleArjun? Previous day belonged to his son. Today the wounded father is there to crush them all and kill Jayathrath. Still as the chief commander he should do his best to protect Jayathrath from Arjun. A strange smile appeared on his face.He will challenge his dearest Arjun to penetrate into the most difficult vyuhas that he will arrange.He knew it is a game of sorts for Arjun. The Three worlds will witness the valour of Dron Sishya Arjun today.
Drona arranged Sakata Vyuha with twenty four krosh length and ten krosh width.inside that in western direction he Arranged Chakra(lotus) Vyuha . In the middle of that he arranged Suchi Vyuha that spreads to the face of the army There at the face he kept Kambhoja king along with Duryothan who had one lakh warriors with him.In the centre of the Suchi Vyuha Jayathrarh stood with a protective ring that consisted of Bhurisravas Karna,Aswathama,Salya,Vrishasena,and Kripacharya.Dussasan along with Drona stood at the entrance of the Sakata Vyuha.
Celestials wondered on seeing the skill of Drona in arranging the Vyuhas. Even more exciting is the way it will happen,A single warrior versus The whole Kaurava Army with Stalwarts protecting Jayathrath. The Sun rose above and Indra's son appeared before his rivals with his Madhav holding the reins and Hanuman on his Flag roaring ferociously.
Krishna looked back and smiled indicating Arjun the moment to blow the conch. Immediately,Arjun blew his Devdutt conch the notes of which sounded death to his rivals and victory to himself. Krishna"s Panchajanya merged with it and together the sounds reached Jayathrath who sensed the danger that stood before him in the form of Arjun. He hid himself with fear covering himself behind the Kuru Maharathis.
At that moment one of the Kauravas called Durmarshan arrogantly went forward with his force shouting that he alone can slay Parth with his prowess.Krishna drove the chariot towards him.Arjun struck Durmarshan's elephant force with his shafts and within a moment the heads of elephants and warriors were cut from their bodies with great precision.Herds of elephants fell down looking like heaps of black clouds.Durmarshan who boasted of his prowess ran away from Arjun's sight,unable to bear the arrows released from Gandiv .
On seeing his brother's plight,Dussasan faced Arjun with great force.Arjun got angry on seeing him and fired his arrows continuously,and destroyed his army.Dussasan fled from the battlefield and Arjun followed him and taunted him." Stop Dussasan,You can't escape my arrows even if you ran away You only are responsible for your plight." Arjun then struck Dussasan with ten arrows making him run and hide behind Drona.
Now Arjun faced Drona and folded his hands." He Gurudev. You protected me like Krishna and my father did.I request you to allow me entrance into the Vyuha. With your permission I will destroy the army and penetrate inside. Grace me with your blessings to kill Jayathrath today. You treated me and Aswathama with equal affection." Arjun's words and his humility brought a smile on Drona's face.
Drona taunted Arjun.' How could you enter the Vyuha without defeating me? " Having said thus,GuruDrona covered Krishna and Arjun with many shafts.Drona cut the string of Arjun's bow Arjun tied up the string covered Drona with so many arrows and destroyed the army on his other side.Chariots flew into the sky horses with warriors fell down around Drona's chariot.Drona struck Arjun and Krishna with many arrows .Krishna advised Arjun." Parth don't waste time fighting endlessly with Guru.Let us enter the Sakata Vyuha."Having said so Krishna drove the chariot round Drona as a mark of Pradakshina while Arjun showered arrows on Drona.The chariot of Arjun entered the Sakata Vyuha.Drona went behind him and shouted .' Arjun How can you leave me and enter like that? " Arjun folded his hands and admitted " you are not my Rival,Gurudev. Only Siva can stand before you when you are angry."
Arjun penetrated inside causing destruction every where.Drona again resisted Arjun with his arrows and Arjun responded by suppressing him with his arrows. Drona tried to prevent him invain.Kritavarma resisted Arjun to some extent but Arjun struck him with a sharp shaft and Kritavarma fell on the ground unconscious.
Srutayudh the another King attacked Arjun .Fierce battle followed. Arjun killed the charioteer and the horses.Srutayu furiously took a mace and rushed towards Arjun and Krishna.That mace belongs to Varun Dev ,It should not be used on a non fighting person in the war.In the meanwhile Arjun cut the hands of Sritayu. Since the mace was aimed at Krishna who is not fighting as per Varuna's word it went back and struck Srutayu himself. He fell down and died.
Malini stood before Panchali who is sitting before Durga Katyayani praying for Arjun's success.Panchali raised her eyes and awaited her information.Malini said with a smile.' Princess,Rajkumar Arjun entered Sakata Vyuha successfully.He is proceeding faster than wind,destroying Kaurava forces.In a short while he will reach the central Vyuha ." Panchali sighed with relief. Her Arjun will definitely avenge Abhi's death.His Madhav and Shiv Sankarr always guide him properly
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The Fateful Evening part 2
FanfictionContinuation of the story of The Fateful Evening in a new thread.
