“Bhrata Bheem, if you eat too many ladoos, you’ll fall asleep during practice,” giggled Nakul, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he teased his elder brother.
“Anuj Nakul, don’t tease my Bhrata Bheem; let him enjoy his snack,” said Arjuna, flashing a playful smile at his younger brother.
“See, Nakul, he’s my real brother. That’s what I call a true Anuj,” said Bheem with a hearty laugh, throwing a strong arm around Arjuna’s shoulder. Arjuna, caught off guard, tried to wriggle out of Bheem’s hold, but his attempts were in vain, much to the amusement of Nakul and Sahadeva, who burst into laughter.
“So, all of my dear brothers, Gurudev Drona is calling us for practice. Come, let’s not keep him waiting,” said Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, his tone warm and steady as he addressed his siblings.
“Of course, Bhratashree, but let me finish my ladoos first,” said Bheem, his mouth still stuffed with the sweet treat as he gestured towards the remaining ladoos.
The brothers shared a moment of lighthearted laughter before heading to the practice arena.
---
At the Practice Arena:
Another prince stood poised with a spear, his form confident and ready for action.
“Who are you, Prince?” asked Arjuna, his eyes narrowing in curiosity as he scanned the newcomer.
“I am Gada, Prince of Dwarka,” replied the young man with a confident smile. “And if I’m not mistaken, you must be Rajkumar Arjuna, renowned for your prowess with the bow and arrow, am I correct?”
“Yes, Prince Gada,” Arjuna replied, returning the smile with a nod of acknowledgment.
“Can we be friends?” asked Gada, extending his hand in a gesture of camaraderie.
“Of course,” said Arjuna, firmly shaking Gada’s hand, sealing a bond of mutual respect and friendship.
“Now, let’s not keep Gurudev waiting. Shall we?” suggested Arjuna, eager to begin their training session.
“Agreed,” replied Gada, falling into step beside Arjuna as they made their way towards the training grounds.
The Pandavas, Kauravas, and Prince Gada began rigorous training under the watchful guidance of Guru Drona. Each day brought new challenges, pushing them to their limits as they honed their skills with various weapons, striving to become the greatest warriors of their time.
---
One day, Guru Drona decided to test the princes’ powers of observation and focus.
“There is a bird perched on the tree. Observe it carefully and tell me what you see,” instructed Guru Drona, his voice calm but commanding as he addressed the group.
“Yudhisthira,” he called, prompting the eldest Pandava to step forward.
“Yes, Gurudev,” Yudhisthira replied, bowing respectfully.
“Describe what you see,” Guru Drona said.
Yudhisthira studied the scene intently before replying, “I see the tree, its branches, the bird on its nest, its eggs, and a beehive nearby.”
Guru Drona nodded. “Very good.”
He then turned to Duryodhana. “What do you see?”
As each prince took his turn, their answers varied, reflecting their unique perspectives. Some focused on the surroundings, while others highlighted specific details.
Finally, it was Arjuna’s turn. He stepped forward with calm determination.
“What do you see, Sisya?” asked Guru Drona, his eyes keenly observing his favorite pupil.
“Gurudev, I see only the bird’s eye,” replied Arjuna, his voice steady and unwavering.
A smile spread across Guru Drona’s face. “Excellent, Arjuna. Your focus and ability to concentrate on the essence of the task is truly commendable.”
---
A New Bond:
After the training session, Arjuna found himself spending more time with Gada, their friendship growing stronger by the day. One evening, as they rested under the stars, Arjuna grew curious about Gada’s family.
“Gada, tell me about your family,” Arjuna asked.
“Of course,” Gada replied cheerfully. “I am the younger brother of Sri Krishna, Dau Balram, and my sweet little sister, Subhadra.”
“Subhadra...” Arjuna murmured softly, the name lingering in his thoughts.
“What happened, Sakha? Were you just thinking about someone?” teased Gada, noticing the change in Arjuna’s demeanor.
“No, no, nothing like that. I wasn’t thinking about Subhadra,” Arjuna stammered, trying to hide his emotions.
“Oh, really? I can see it all over your face! You’re thinking about my sister,” said Gada mischievously, a sly grin on his face.
“Noooo...” protested Arjuna, his face turning crimson.
“Alright, let’s go to sleep,” said Gada, chuckling as he walked away.
---
Arjuna’s Thoughts:
As Arjuna lay in bed, his thoughts raced. What is happening to me? Why am I acting like this? Why did I react so strangely? Subhadra... who are you? A thief, perhaps? Yes, that must be it—you’ve stolen my heart. Just hearing your name has me captivated. What will happen if I actually meet you? Oh, I must be going mad!
He sighed, covering his face with his hands in embarrassment. Yet, deep within, he couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Subhadra, her name now etched in his heart.
---
Thus, the days passed with Arjuna excelling in his training while his thoughts often drifted to Subhadra. Little did he know, fate had plans to intertwine their lives in ways he could never imagine.
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So this was today's chapter.
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Krishnaanuja: The Goddess Of Illusion (Editting)
Historical Fiction(On hold) Devi Subhadra, a divine figure in Hindu mythology, is the beloved sister of Lord Krishna and Balarama, and the wife of Arjuna. Revered for her grace and wisdom, she symbolizes purity, devotion, and familial love. Often depicted as serene a...