Kurukshetra Vijayadhari

The Introspection

The roads of Hastinapur were giving out a forlorn appearance as we marched in with our contingent . This enraged the short tempered crown prince . He instantly ordered the soldiers to announce our arrival with blowing of conchshells and drumbeats . As the loud music enthralled the atmosphere the people started coming out of their houses . Probably the death of the Kaunteyas had a lasting impact even on the people of Hastinapur. May be the king would have declared an official mourning for his nephews and his only son in law . But my dear friend wasn't someone who did something after giving a proper thought beforehand .

The people though bowing before their would be monarch weren't probably happy with the development . However none were intimidating towards me surprisingly as perhaps I thought them to be for killing their heroes . We proceeded towards the palace as the uncle of Kauravas had arranged a few people for our welcome who were chanting the praise of the crown prince . As the palace came to our vision , the receiving parties were obviously missing . Neither the royalties nor the courtiers were present their barring a few close aides of Kauravas at the reception infuriating the sons of Gandhari .

The courtiers received us along with a few maids . As a usual procedure we would have rested after returning. But the demeanor of the palace suggested our prompt presentation before the court . The Kaurava brothers were literally scared about their elders and were lingering behind . Even Duryodhana was worried but my casual appearance was something that probably gave him some relief . Shakuni was someone who was the only person with a quizzical expression all throughout our journey from the borders uphill here . But it didn't matter much to me as I was a person who would deal everything in my own way without caring for any protocols . Hence it was me who was leading the flock of sheeps towards the butchers .

As we entered the courtroom our arrival was announced by the guards . The first thing that came to my sight was the grandeur of the majestic hall designed with aristocracy. Perhaps I was new to the place though Karna wasn't,  hence appreciating the beauty of the architecture was natural to me . However it would have obviously made me look weird to those who knew of me . Diametrically opposite to the entrance was the largest of all thrones occupied by the muscular old man , blind by birth with despair evident from his face . It was obvious as his son was my friend while his daughter been widowed by myself as well . Probably he wasn't getting how to address the current situation. 

The ones one both the sides of the king were the pillars of the great epic . Towards his right side were the group of men while on his left was the section belonging to women folk . The courtiers were gracing themselves with variable expressions as the administration of the kingdom was perhaps now going to be in the hands of my friend unless something strange scenario pops out all of a sudden . The royalties to the right of king were headed by the son of Ganga whose all white appearance stood out among the rest . To his right was probably his nephew and the prime minister of the land . While the remaining four were belonging to the class of priests one of whom had a crown and a gem to boast . 

On the other side were the royal ladies along with a few maids serving them . Two ladies stood out from them giving out their appearance belonging to that of the mothers of the cousins . One having a blindfold which was perhaps wet with her tears was perhaps the reigning Queen while the other with an aghast expression was perhaps the one giving birth to the body in which I am currently residing . As our eyes met she threw a longing look which I ignored casually only to walk towards the centre of the hall . The hundred and one brothers followed me alongside their Uncle who took his own position in the court . 

Before Duryodhana could rise towards his throne , the Grandsire stopped him with a booming yell that shuddered the brothers . I was unfazed by the son of Shatanu and hence met his eyes that were spitting venom . With a similar intensity I glared back at the patriarch of the Kurus and took a few steps forward to stand by my friend giving him a clear message that I wasn't the one who is going to back out fearing him . The Prime Minister who had a swollen eyes perhaps due to grief of his dear nephews , threw the first question at the party that had just returned from the picnic.