~*~A Curse or A Boon~*~

1 years ago

Astraea

@Astraea1306

Arjun's POV continues:

Almost 3 years had passed since I left our hermitage at Kamyaka. By then, I had completed my dance training under the guidance of Chitrasen Gandharva and was waiting for that fortunate moment when the king of all Gods Devraj Indra, my father, would ask for my services.

It was a lovely evening. Standing at the windowpane of my palace, I was witnessing the evening scenic beauty of Amravati. That evening was very special for me, as many years ago on a similar evening like this, we five brothers got married to our dear wife Panchali. The memories of that day are still fresh in my mind.

Her fire like complexion, big eyes like lotus, drooping eyelids out of blush, faint innocent smile on her lips, everything added charm to her beauty. She had come to our life as Goddess of Fortune. With her arrival, we got back our status as the princes of Hastinapur. With her mere presence, jyeshth was able to successfully complete the Rajsurya Yagya; thus becoming emperor of the entire Bharatvarsh. She had given us our family, our lovely kids, and many sweet memories to cherish all our life. And what we gave her in return; humiliation and harassment which she would never forget atleast in this lifetime.

I was so lost in her thoughts that I did not even realize when the red evening sky turned into starry night sky. Suddenly I heard the door keeper announcing the arrival of Devi Urvashi. I was surprised to think that Devi Urvashi, the most beautiful and respected nymph of this universe had come to my palace. 

As soon as she entered the threshold of the palace, the entire place got filled in a divine brightness. Even from a distance, I could hear the tinkering of her anklets. After some moments, the owner of those tinkering anklets was standing infront of me. 

She was dressed in the finest silk garments with golden embroidery. Her neck, ears, wrists, and arms were adored with jewelleries made of precious metals and stones. Her curly black locks were left open and were decorated with a precious ornamental headpiece. Her pisces shaped eyes and beautiful smile dancing across her lips gave her a divine appearance.

I immediately went to welcome her, "Pranaam Devi, today you have made me extremely grateful by arriving at my place. Please tell me how may I help you?" 

Devi Urvashi smiled at me and said, "Parth, I haven't come here on my own, your talent has forced me to come here. It's our fortune that you are not a nymph. To be frank, I was surprised to see a great warrior like you can even dance so gracefully. You have made the impossible even possible."

Listening her praising me for the art in which she had already specialized, I was elated. I replied while directing her to have a seat on the couch, "Devi, there is nothing impossible. If you try something with all your heart and soul, you will surely accomplish it, no matter how difficult it is. Further because of your assistance, Devi..." 

She interrupted me, "My name is Urvashi, please call by my name."

I replied her humbly, "Please forgive me Devi, it is impossible."

"Why impossible? Just now you said that nothing is impossible." She said immediately to which I replied, "Devi, violation of dignity is definitely impossible for every decent man."

"What kind of dignity are you talking about? On the first day, when you came here, that day at the Indrasabha, your focussed gazes at me, while I danced [1], were noticed by me as well as your father. Then what kind of dignity is stopping you from calling me by my name." Devi Urvashi said with glint of pride in her voice. Then she added in sensuous tone, "Come to me Parth, my arms are dying to become the garland on your strong chiseled body. Let me take you to the journey of real heaven." Saying this, she stepped towards me to take me in her embrace.

"DEVI!!", I Immediately stepped back.

I felt ashamed. I never knew my conduct of looking at her on that day can lead to so much misinterpretation. I countered her in humble tone, "Please forgive me Devi. That day, I was mesmerized by your skills for I had never seen dance with so much grace. I was enamored by your skills. But I had always seen you as a son sees his mother. Yes Devi, I had seen my mother in you."

Devi Urvashi got extremely furiously, "MOTHER!! Look at my youth, my beauty. Do I look like a mother to you?"

I replied calmly, "It does not matter. In the past you had married my ancestor Maharaj Puru. In that sense, you will always be like a mother to me. I will always see you the same way as I see mother Kunti and mother Shachi. I am sorry Devi, I cannot accept your advances."

My words had enraged her wrath. She was breathless with anger. The knuckles of her fists turned white. Her eyes darkened, "You insignificant human. How dare you insult the most beautiful nymph of this whole universe? In the name of my Lord, I curse you to live a life of eunuch and lose your manliness." Saying this she flounced out of the palace.

I was horrified. In a moment, my life's penance was ruined forever. I did not know what I should do? How will I face my brothers? What will be Panchali's reaction? How am I going to avenge our plight? Millions and millions of questions like this were flashing in front of me. My legs trembled. I felt, I may fall on the ground any moment. Unable to find any escape from my miseries, I rushed towards my father.

I went to him and fell into his feet and started sobbing. He pulled me up and said, "Son, what happened? Why are you crying like this?" I cleared my throat and told him everything that happened between me and Devi Urvashi. 

Surprisingly he smiled and took me in his embrace, "Son, today you have defeated the will power of the greatest monks. The way you have exercised controls on your senses is just incredible. Don't worry. I will do something." Saying this he just clapped his hands twice and, in a moment, Devi Urvashi appeared infront of us. She bowed at father and looked at me furiously. 

Father questioned her, "Devi, what went so wrong that you cursed Kuntiputra Arjun so grievously?" 

Devi Urvashi replied with an hint of anger in her voice, "Lord, he has insulted my beauty and my youth." 

This time father said in a stricter tone, "How does calling you mother, makes you feel insulted? Rather he has given you that respect which probably no one would have ever given you. Do you understand the repercussion of your curse in the planning of the Supreme Lord."

This time Devi Urvashi softened a bit. She realized her mistake. She said in sorrily, "Forgive me Lord, forgive me Kuntinandan. I have done a grave mistake. But now I cannot take back my curse." 

Father immediately added, "But you can certainly reduce its tenure. Devi, I request you to please reduce the tenure of your curse to one year and that one year shall begin at the choice of Arjun." Devi Urvashi affirmed to his request, "As you wish my Lord." Saying this she prayed something in her mind and vanished from there.

Father then turned towards. I was disheartened with verdict. I asked him, "Father, how would I live one year as eunuch with my wife and brothers." 

Father smiled and said, "Son, have you forgotten that you will have to live one year incognito. Like the sun and moon, do you think it would be that easy to hide yourself? You may use this curse in that 13th year of your exile."

Then I understood, why he made me to get trained in dancing. The curse of Devi Urvashi had indeed turned into a boon for me. I bowed at Lord Indra and returned to my palace.

After next few days, I got called by my father to accomplish that task for which he asked me to stay. He informed me about the army of Niratkavach, the demon king who lived in a island in the southern oceans of the Earth. In his army, there about 4 crores demons and were causing disturbance in the whole universe. He had, by hard penance, obtained the boon from Lord Brahma, that no God nor Goddess, could ever kill him. Hence father wanted my assistance to defeat the army of those demons and kill them.

I immediately agreed. After few days, I set off with Matali to send the the demon along with his army to the abode of Lord Yama.

Arjun's POV ends

Author's Note:

[1] - Yes it was Devi Urvashi, whose dancing skills were praised by Arjun in the previous chapter.