The heaven has its own splendour that distinguishes it from Earth. The golden mansions,jewel crested walls,beautiful gardens but Arjun placed Indraprasth above heaven as it reminds him the Khandava Dahan,Madhav's unparalleled wisdom,Maya's gratitude,the happy faces of their children ,loving gazes of all his wives and last but not least,his Queen's passionate love for him. Heaven looked artificial and stale with the residents leading lazy and luxurious life. Ofcourse his father Indra treated him with genuine love and ordered the gods to grant their special Astras to his son.Varuna gave his Varun Pasa ,Yama gave his Danda and Kubera granted him Kauberastr. Indra gave him Vajra the invincible Astra With great affection.To Arjun's surprise Indra made him sit on his lap with tears falling from his eyes.He then made him share his Simhasan ( Throne) and caressed the beautiful face of his son with his hand that always holds Vajrayudh.The Devine damsels stared at Arjun's handsome form and served him with admiration.The Indrasabha looked special because of having the greatest archer there illuminating the luscious Sudharma hall with his charm and beauty. On the order of Indra,The Apsaras Rambha,Urvasi,Menaka and Tilottama danced to celebrate the arrival of Indra's son.Arjun stared at Urvasi who is the mother of his race because she got married to Pururav,his ancestor. She excelled in dancing and singing scoring over others. Arjun who is an artist himself enjoyed very much as it is refreshing to his mind after such severe penance on the snowy peaks. He then retired to the bejewelled palace alotted to him by Indra. The night shone with stars and moon ,Arjun stood near the window gazing at the moon reminiscing the intoxicating moonlit nights of Indraprasth spent with his Krishnaa,The cosy embrace she used to gift him after being pampered ,getting rid of her inhibitions. Arjun sighed in desperation. When would he meet his wife who is suffering in the forest? Indra said that he has to learn Prayog and Upasamhar of Devine Astras with sufficient dedication. After that Indra told him that he has to do a favour for gods by means of his valour. So still he has to bear separation from his wife for a longer period. Arjun suddenly came out of his thoughts hearing the tinkling sound of Payal.He turned back and saw Urvasi before him.She is looking radiant with hair flowing down her waist,her hands and shoulders wreathed with scented flowers.She wore a transparent white saree that is revealing her perfect curves and can lure even the sages. Her waist belt is hanging down her naval adorning her swaying hips . Arjun looked at her beautiful face with eyes turned red indicating her passion and her full red lips parted as if to invite the man she loved. She approached him with slow steps and touched his right cheek with her left hand making Arjun guess the intention of her visit. Arjun is in dilemma . Why did she comeat this odd hour of nite? Arjun got embarassed.Urvasi started in her love struck tone. ' Son of Indra,Don't look surprised. My desire for you compelled me to come here at this odd hour of nite. So many times I heard the sages and Narada sing your prizes. I also heard how besotted the beautiful maidens on the earth to posess you and experience the bliss of union with you. But I know only a select few like Draupadi,Subhadra,Ulupi,Chitra,Arya Rekha and Alli became fortunate by possessing you. When I saw you in heaven,I can't control myself. I never saw any one as desirable as you before. I am burning with passion ever since I cast my eyes on you. Now don't waste time. Fulfill my desire and save me from this torture." Urvasi ran her hand on his face,pressing his lips and then passionately touched his mighty shoulders,feeling the bow marks and roughness of his skin. Arjun was in shock. He was not new to besotted maidens and their advances towards him.But Urvasi! How could he accept her wish? She was the wife of his revered ancestor. Moreover he promised his Krishnaa that he will never indulge in any more affairs.Arjun took a step back and ran his hand through his hair.Why would he always be entangled with women? Madhav used to tease him about his reputation of a womaniser. And Nakul...? Urvasi glanced at his hesitating eyes and assured him. ' Dont worry. Your father knew that I came here. Anyway there is no restriction for enjoyment in heaven.Now take me and grace me with your close embrace.Arjun stopped her with his hands folded in respect.'Mother,Please forgive me for not accepting your wish.you are the wife of the great Pururav. I take pride in being born in this race that originated from you. Please bless me with your gracious words." Urvasi got the shock of her life. She fumed at him and thrashed him.' Why are you forgetting that it is your duty as a Kshatriya to accept a woman who came to you with longing and passion? I heard you are chivalrous and romantic which was proved by your dalliances with Ulupi for example and all others whom you accepted as your wives. The beautiful apsaras of heaven envied me when they saw me coming to you on this beautiful night. They all always thought that spending one night with you will be a memorable experience. We all knew that you are the favoured husband of the most beautiful woman of Aryavarth. Now by accepting me you will be the coveted one for the most beautiful woman of Heaven. " Arjun became serious. He replied with clarity and confidence. ' Sorry,Mother,I can not change my mind. Never. Please try to understand. " Urvasi shivered with anger.Her anklets jingled Her flower garlands swung rapidly . She uttered the harshest words that Arjun had ever heard from a woman.' You are not man enough to respond to my passionate desire. So be a eunuch and live like a womanThat is my curse to you." Shedding hot tears,Urvasi turned back swayed away,leaving the scent of flowers all around and making the Finest man of Aryavarth stood stupified. Arjun doesn't know how long he stood in trance thinking of the curse and his ill fate. Suddenly he felt the soothing arms of Indra round his shoulders. He said in a soft voice.' My son, you are the first man to resist Urvasi,the pride of heaven.She is too upset with you. She can not recover from her heart break. But don't worry. I will turn her curse into a boon. You will endure the curse for one year in your incognito. It will help you stay unrecognised and serve your purpose.now learn dancing from Chitrasen along with your Warfare training. You will be victorious in incognito and at the end of it also."Chitrasen who came inside laughed heartily and patted Arjun's back. ' See the benefit of being Indra's son. Within a short while Curse turned into a boon." Arjun sighed with relief and closed his eyes to feel his wife who is smiling happily in his vision as he stood by his word. He told his wife happily.' You know my queen,finally I conquered my senses and temptations. You can not tease me now that I will break my promise as soon as I crossed the borders. Now you are my only temptation. "
Edited by ltelidevara - 8 years ago
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