The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 119

It is past midnight The Pandav Sibir is in deep sleep but only one Sibir still is alert,awake and active. The yellowish flame made the greatest warrior of Aryavarth standing in the middle with a firm grip on his Gandiv. Visible in al his beauty. His hazel eyes are looking through the darkness that surrounded Kurukshetra.
The third Pandav is reminiscing his moments with his strongest rival,the king of Anga,Karna.
The Astra Vidya pradarsan Exhibition of skills that planted the seed of rivalry.Karna's words rang in his ears." Fight with me Arjun right now. Let us see who emerges the best."
Draupadi Swayamvar battle." Who are you ? Except Kunti's son Arjun no one can stand before me in battle." Karna's words and his withdrawal from battle, Arjun felt before his eyes.
Dyut Sabha." She has give husbands. There is nothing wrong in disrobing her . You are a slave to Duryothan. Your husbands became useless. Select dome one else as your husband." Karna's words penetrated to the inner depths of his heart,Arjun's jaw tightened.The voters of his eyes turned red.Gandiv shivered at the intensity of his heartburn.
Virat Yudh." Guru Dron if you can't bight with your dearest desciple gone. I will conquer Arjun and offer Duryothan solace." The grudge,the jealousy in Karna's tone still felt by Arjun as if it happened just.
The Fourteenth day . Karna challenging him " Arjun you can not reach Jayadrath without vanquishing me." Arjun enter the fire you lost the bet." The steering voice reverberated in Arjun's ears.
In al the above instances you won the battle Parth. Not Karna." Krishna's words brought Arjun into the present. " Madhav" He Stammered and turned back. Krishna stood with a smile and extended his hand.
Arjun took his hand and pressed it hard as if to gain confidence,energy and focus.
" You will win Parth " It sounded like prophecy.
Eldest always doubted me thinking Karna yo be superior Why?"
Arjun'squestion was answered not by Krishna but by Krishnaa.
" Because he fears Karn the most. He did not fear Pitamah or GuruDron because they love you so much.. Karna hates you the maximum. That is why he will be ruthless when he appear before you today.
Krishna teased Arjun. " See your Krishnaa will clear all your doubts. No need of your cousin Krishna now. " Panchali side glanced Krishna and sulked." Tomorrow he is going to fight the most crucial battle. But you are as usual having fun."
Krishna pretended to be sorry by touching his ears.
Arjun looked at the two most important persons of his life.He started in his magnificent husky voice that made the two Krishna's listen to him with great affection and attention.
" Madhav,Krishnaa I want to pour my heart before you regarding my strongest rival. I don't know why Eldest feels he is superior.I never felt any tension or insecurity on seeing him.I faced him with a free mind and without any apprehension. Time and again he ran away from me . Another thing I never competed with him. He competed with me.Since when I entered Gurukul and took my bow in hand I always tried hard to better myself.My grip,My lightness of hand,eye focus,speed everything I earned with sheer will and determination and Ofcourse by my Guru's love and blessings.Now also I Don't fear for tomorrow's battle rather I would be pleased to test my skills on my most competent enemy. That is the challenge for me. "
Krishna patted Arjun and assured him. " don't think of your Eldest and his insecurities. You are more than equal to him I mean that AngRaj in battle. Keep your mind focussed and I know you will excel over your rival"
Panchali stepped forward and stated proudly." Arjun. He will meet his fate. He can not stand before you I know it.Tomorrow will bring a great victory to my husband and generations will talk about your prowess and skill. Mark my word."
Krishna laughed heartily and said." Ofcourse Yajnaseni's beloved husband will win for sure. Otherwise she will question the supreme God defiantly."
Arjun laughed heart fully and hugged both his Krishna's together.
As expected Duryothana made Karna the chief commander of the Kaurava army. He said." Mitr. Grandfather and GuruDron always fought in favour of Pandavas. But I know you will be true to our friendship and bring victory to me.
Karna promised Duryothan that he will slay Parth and crown Duryothan as the king of Aryavarth. He arranged the army into Makara Vyuha.On seeing that Yudhishtir addressed Arjun." Phalgun,since thirteen years I nourished this fear of Karn. I always felt he is invincible. I wish now you will slay him and remove the thorn in my heart.."
Arjun nodded his head and arranged his army intoArtha Chandra Vyuha.Bheema. and Arjuna became the two corners of that Vyuha.A great battle happened between Bheema and Aswathama.They both are struck by the arrows of each other and were carried away from each other by their respective drivers.
Arjun was busy slaughtering Samsaptakas with his devastating arrows.Thousands of arrows showered from Gandiva crushed the Samsaptakas in hundreds.The prowess of Jishnu was hailed by Siddhas and Charanas thus." These two heroes are like Sun and the moon,Brahma and Siva. They are invincible rishis Nar and Narayan"
That moment Aswathama challenged Arjun for battle. Arjun was confused whether to tackle Samsaptakas or to fight with Aswathama .He asked Krishna the same.
Krishna asked Aswathama to fight with Arjun as he dared to challenge him.
Aswathama shot sixty arrows on Krishna and Arjun.Then Arjun cut off the bow of Aswathama in rage.He tackledSamsaptakas also while fighting with Aswathama.
The battle between Aswathama and Arjun is like that of Sukra and Brihaspati.
Arjun then shot a sharp shaft and shot between the eyebrows of Aswathama causing him severe pain.Aswathama also covered the two Krishnas with powerful arrows.
Arjun then covered him with twice as many arrows equipped with wings
At the same time Arjun made the heads ofSamsaptakas fall down in the battlefield with his crescent shaped arrows.After some time afflicted by Arjun's shafts and his steeds broken by Parth Aswathama lost hope and and retreated from Arjun's sphere,
After that Govind made Arjun rush towards Dandadhar,the chief of Magatha who had his invincible elephant.After a huge fight Arjun shot a crescent shaped arrow that cut the head of Dandadhara and made it roll down.
Pandava army praised Dhananjaya wholeheartedly.