Mahabharat Katha:T#4; Part 52 On Pg 140 - Page 59

Originally posted by: Jayeeta_06

awesome update...⭐️⭐️⭐️...so beautifully written both the parts...👏👏👏...loved it...❤️❤️❤️...thank u 4 pm...😃...

Thank you so much Jayeetadi!!

Originally posted by: Snehamadhuri

Great update Proteeti , thank you !

Thank you Di!!

Thanks love the updates. Keep them coming.

Originally posted by: sweetsandhya

Thanks love the updates. Keep them coming.

Thank you Sandhyadi!!

Balraam scowled, "Kanha! If you wanted a wife, you could have come along Satyaki or someone! I don't think my position at Dwarka allows me to be a kidnapper's savior every time you decide to take a wife!" Krishna smiled, "Who says I want another wife?"
"Then why in the world are we traveling all the way from Dwarka to Panchal? To see the Princess?"
"In a way, yes."
"Thanks for the offer Kanha, but my wife is beautiful enough for me to stare at her for hours at a stretch."
"Really? But we don't see any more of you than your arguments, I'm afraid."
"That is a different topic altogether. Will you please tell me why are we going to Panchal?"
"I want to see if fire-born children have an extra pair of hands or legs."
"Stop joking Kanha!"
"The truth is, I do not know why we are going there. But there's something that tells me that our journey would not go in vain."
"Why?"
"We'll get to see her marriage."
"Aren't you satisfied with number of weddings taking place everyday at Dwarka that you want to attend another?"
"Are you sure Princess Draupadi's marriage is going to be a run-of-the-mill?"
"Why?"
"God knows."

Dhrishtadyumn pointed as he said, "Krishnaa! You see the man there huffing and puffing and screaming all sorts of nonsense into the ears of that man with the bright earrings? That is Prince Duryodhan and the earring-man is his friend Sutputra Karna and those are the other sons of King Dhritarashtra. Then that's the sneering Shakuni, the Prince of Gandhar and those laughing at his bawdy jokes are Vrishak, Vrihadval, Ashwatthama and Bhojraj. There are Vrihanta, Manimaan, Dandadhaar, Sahadev, Jayatsen and Meshsandhi. That old man with the dreamy eyes is Viraat, the King of Matsya, with his young sons Shankha and Uttar. Most probably the King will not participate, but Shankha might try. There are Vaardhvakshemi, Susharma, Senaavindu, Suketu and his sons Sunaama and Suvarchchah, Suchitra, Sukumar, Vrik, Satyadhriti, Suryadhwaj, Rochamaan Neel, Chitraayudh, Anshumaan, Shronimaan and Chekitaan. There is Samudrasen's son Chandrasen, Jalasandha, Vidanta and his son Danda, Paundrak, Vaasudev, Bhagadatta, Kalinga, Taamralipta and Pattanaadhipati. That is Shalya, the king of Madra along with his sons Rukmaangad and Rukmarath.There is Somdatta and his son Bhoori. Those are Bhoorishravaah, Shal, Sudakshin, Kaamboj, Paurav, Drirhadhanva, Sushen, Patachchar, Shivi, Aushinar, Nihanta and Karushadhipati. Do you see that fair and well-built man? He is Prince Balraam, the man we've heard so much about. To the right, sits Prince Krishna Vaasudev, the one with the peacock feather. He's an excellent warrior as well. I really do not know why people generally refer to him as Ranchhod, with him having all the qualities befitting a maharathi. Then there are Raukmineya Pradyumn, Chaarudeshna, Saamba, Anirudhh, Gada, Akroor, Satyaki, Udhhav, Kritavarma, Haardikya, Prithu, Viprithu, Vidurath,Kanka, Shanku, Gaveshan, Aashavah, Shamik, Saarimejay, Vaatpati, Jhillipindaarak and Ushinar. These are all the members of the Yadava clan. Then there are Bhagirath, Vrihatkshatra, Sindhuraaj Jayadrath, Vrihadrath, Vaahlik, Shrutaayu, Ulook, Kaitav, Chitraangad, The KIngs of Vatsa and Koshal, See there's Chedi's crown-prince Shishupal. He's the one who was promised the hand of Krishna's first wife. You know what, Krishna kidnapped his wife from her wedding alter! And there sits Jarasandh, one of the most hated and dreaded Emperors of our times. I do not know why Father chose to keep this open for all in the first place! Come on Krishnaa, let go of that tense face, nobody will punish you for smiling!"
The Princess sat shyly on her throne, fidgeting with the rings in her hand. She managed a soft smile. She whispered, "Put yourself in my position and see if you can laugh and chatter as you do now!" Her brother smiled naughtily, "Seems like no one in this hall has been able to capture my sister's attention! Why? Don't you like anyone?"
"To like someone, you have to know the person, I guess!"
Drupad came near and placed his hand on Dhrishtadyumn's shoulder and said, "My son, I think you should announce the contest rules now, given almost all the guests have arrived."

Dhrishtadyumn said in a loud, clear voice, "I, Dhrishtadyumn, the son of King Drupad, offer obeisances to all the Kings and Princes assembled here. Though this is called a swayamvar, the fate of my Sister Krishnaa will be decided by a contest. The respected bow of Lord Shiva is placed on the alter there, to which I bow and apologize before revealing the rules and conditions of this tournament. There is a fish attached to the top of the hall by the means of an ingenious mechanism. The participant must use this holy bow to pierce the eyes of the fish. But, he cannot looks up at the fish directly. He has to use the reflection of the same which glitters down in this bowl of water. On behalf of my Father do I promise the hand of my sister Yaagyaseni Draupadi to the winner."

One of the Kings stood up and said, "Don't be vague in your announcement Fire-born! Say that you promise your sister's hand to me, the King of Koshal!" Sneers and jests were heard as he swayed on to the alter. Draupadi's lips pursed up in distaste. Dhrishtadyumn smiled, "Why not? But, first pierce the fish, my Lord." He said, "Watch O King! How I win this competition and break this bow like Lord Ram in Devi Seeta's swayamvar and take away your daughter!" He placed his hand on the bow and pulled at it casually. The bow did not move an inch. "I'll lift it," he pulled again, with some more effort than before. It seemed as if the bow taunted him. Withing a few minutes, he was on his knees trying to lift the bow with all his might. At last ,tired he went back to his seat commenting under his breath that the King had gone too far in his perception of a son-in-law, and his daughter was not worth the trouble.

One after the other the Kings came and went, but the bow did not move. Seeing the humiliation of the Kings, Karna whispered to Duryodhan, "Prince, I want to try." Duryodhan had just returned from the alter. He was tired and angry. He said, "For what joy may I ask?" Karna said, "My friend, it was simple bad luck, and I feel awfully sorry for you. But I can avenge this insult of yours and also at the same time teach these arrogant Kshatriyas a sound lesson! I'll show them that Kshatriya power is not absolute."
"You will? Then go and win the Princess. Let the foolish king see, even my friend can take way the princess, and it is just a little tiredness that caused my defeat today!"

Karna arose and went up to where the bow was kept. Everyone who saw his shining face, became sure that he'll win the contest. Karna lifted up the bow, tied the bowstring and balanced an arrow on it. Just as he was going to shoot, Draupadi stood up and said, "I will not marry the Sutpura." Everyone was shocked at her declaration, but none dared to contradict her. Her eyes were blazing like the hot midday sun, and so was Karna's. Karna silently put down the bow in its place and went back.

Balraam nudged Krishna with a tensed expression, "Hey! Did you hear?" Krishna was sitting up straight, "Yes, I did see!"
"She must be careful! I'm sure they'll be on a lookout for an opportunity to avenge this insult!"
"Yes! They'll not be able to hide themselves for long!"
"Hide? Why should they hide themselves?"
"Because they had tried to murder them and might repeat their gesture."
"Murder? Kanha! What do you think you are saying?" Krishna seemed to come out of a spell, "What are you saying?"
"I said the Princess needs to be..."
"Oh yes! But you needn't worry about her. I'm there. But just have a look at the Brahmins' gallery? That tall man, he looks quite similar to your description of Brother Bheem! Look!" Balraam took a closer look at the man. "Yes, it is indeed him. But how come he's here? And where are the other four?"
"They're brothers, Dau. They can't but sit together. See, that dark and impatient one must be Arjun. And the two who look so young and fresh should be Nakul and Sahdev. And that leaves Brother Yudhishthir, he must be there on the right. The one with such a calm aura around him."
"Looks like Arjun can't wait to take part!"
"He has to. He loses all control over himself when it comes to archery, I suppose."
"Yes, even Bheem used to tell me the same thing."
"Leave them. We'll go and have a nice chat with them after the contest is over."

The next one to come was Shishupal. "Our dearest cousin!" exclaimed Krishna. "Only if he had half the manners." murmured Balraam. He lifted the bow, but its weight bore him down, and some of the servants had to be called to carry him away to his tent. After this, Jarasandh and Shalya tried and failed miserably.

It was now that Arjun could not control anymore. He rose. Seeing all other participants defeated, King Drupad humbly invited him to the alter to try. Arjun encircled the bow and offered his prayers to the bow as well as its owner. He did not know why he was thinking of Krishna, his strange cousin. He smiled as he thought- Glories be granted to him as well! Krishna smiled and said under his breath, "Glories to me? I pour all of them back over you." Arjun slowly lifted the bow as silence alighted in the hall. He tied the string and bowed to the King and the Royal twins. He then steadied the bow and aimed an arrow at the fish. He concentrated on the eyes of the fish in the same way as he had done at the eyes of the bird years ago. He closed his eyes and let go of the bowstring.

He opened his eyes to the smiling face of Dhrishtadyumn, who held him by his shoulders, tears of happiness glittering in his eyes. "Give me your blessings brother-in-law. I wish to become like you one day." Arjun said, "You give me my reward, and I'll give you my blessings." The two laughed at the first jest they shared. Arjun now stood on the alter as the Princess alighted the stairs and came forth with a garland of pearls. She placed the garland on his neck with as much love as anticipation. Drupad thumped him on the back and said, "I admit that I had the Kuru Prince Arjun in mind while designing the contest, but you are not that bad. I hope you did not mind the pat-on-the-shoulder venerable Brahmin." Arjun stood silently trying hard to suppress the bout laughter that threatened to destroy his Brahmin composure.

Beautiful update dear!! Loved it...

Beautiful Update Pro. Seemed like I was watching the Swayamvar right in front of me. 😊 Thanx fr pm.. Continue Soonz

Beautiful update Radhika . This Swayamvar is the defining moment in the epic Mahabharatha . Already sowed the negativity in the mind of Karna by Draupadi . Well written update .👏Thank you

Beautiful up date! Thanks for the pm

Wow! I've not read such a beautiful description of Draupadi's Swayamvar or seen the persons as so human. Excellent work Proteeti. Keep updating!! 👏