The Final Moments

3 years ago

Ramya

@Ramya_98

They walked up the mountain in a file, the four brothers and their wife with their oldest brother Yudhishthira at their head. Yudhishthira's face was committed to a calm expression just as it was to a firm resolve. He walked with his family following, walked in complete quietude, all until he heard a thud.

He nearly gulped as he sensed that Draupadi had fallen. His Krishnaa, his better half. A woman who had endured every suffering in the world for him and yet had refused to leave his side. He could never give her anything, could he, save turmoil and agony? He couldn't, he couldn't. He had given her love, yes and she had reassured him time and again that he was giving her enough of it but he wasn't convinced. He believed no amount of his love was enough to take away all the pain that she had to bear on his account. He felt his heart sink at the same time as his brothers' hearts as they walked on.

 
Hardly had they taken a few more steps when another thud resounded through the mountains and the valley underneath. This time, Yudhishthira was certain without having to look back that it was Sahadeva that had fallen. Sahadeva, the wise and gentle Sahadeva. To Yudhishthira, he had always been like a son who was to be looked after and cared for deeply and Sahadeva understood. He turned into the kid Yudhishthira saw in him, the instant he felt Yudhishthira's loving gaze on himself. He was the one who didn't express his feelings quite often but had the ability to decode the feelings of all of his brothers without them having to express themselves. Yudhishthira knew that they were to meet again soon in the other world yet his heart couldn't help but break at his little brother leaving him like that, even if it was only for a few hours.

It was not long before another fall was heard. Even death couldn't separate Nakula from his twin for too long, Yudhishthira thought to himself as he felt heavier than he had felt ever before. As handsome within as he was without, Nakula was like the beautiful flower that brought joy into their lives every moment, every hour, every day. With that joy gone, Yudhishthira had no wish whatsoever to prolong his survival. He only hoped his numbered moments would come to an end soon.

Another crash and Arjuna had fallen. Alas, Arjuna too had to fall. Yudhishthira could feel his very soul begin to abandon his body as each of his brothers met their ends, one by one. He wanted to sob now, allow his heart to weep freely but somehow he couldn't bring himself to. If he kept walking for a few moments more then maybe he too would be too exhausted to go on, he reckoned.

 
Now now, the mighty Bheema had fallen. Bheema who had eternally been so full of love, boundless love. He instantly missed the love Bheema showered upon them and his contagious energy. No he couldn't carry on, not anymore. He fell to his knees as a divine chariot appeared before him.

Yudhishthira closed his eyes and thought of the all-knowing, smiling all the while, Krishna. In his final moments, he prayed that he be reunited with his brothers and Draupadi soon for the separation was not something he would ever be invincible enough to bear.