•|| Arjun ~ Rise To Power ||• (III)

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟹

Outskirts of Paanchaal

Arjun's POV

"What do you think Bhrata Arjun?" Nakul flipped over his makeshift bed and faced me, resting his head on his palm supporting with his elbow on the floor and gazed at me, "How powerful is going to be Raaja Drupad?" We had only a few prahars, for the war. A sigh left my lips as I slowly began to crack my knuckles, staring at the canvas of the tent that had nothing but the shadows dancing along to pace with the flickering flames.

The first war of my life. Because, till years I had only heard about it, never witnessed it nor participated. Heard a lot, to be honest. Pitashree used to recount me his ardently, but not only the bravery showcased by the warriors but also the other side of it; the death and destruction. War and destruction, both went hand in hand till ages. I still remember the solemnity of his visage when he used to narrate the horrors of war, and I yet a child, used to question him thoroughly.

He would say, war is the gift of Maa Bhavani and Lord Rudra. 

"Why would God gift someone to take away else's life?" I would look at Pitashree with those curious eyes of mine, while he would roam around with a bow in his hand, stretching its string to examine its taught, "Oh dear Phalgun, not everything is black and white as you see."

"It is our Kshatriya Dharm to protect our citizens, and for that we have to wage wars. For prosperity of a Kingdom and to defend it!" His bow twanged, as he shut his one eye and aimed for the berries hanging on top of the branch, "Imagine Arjun, if Kshatriyas stop fighting, then who shall be protecting the innocent? From where shall we garner wealth and fellowship?"

"But for that we need to kill, don't we..." I wrapped my arms around my knees and watched him ardently shooting down the fruits.

"Indeed...but can you sit back when someone tries to harm your loved ones?" 

"No." I shook my head.

"What would you do Arjun, then?"

"Ask him to move back."

"If he doesn't?" He gazed back at me, his eyes glinting with amusement, as my expressions crumbled in confusion. If that person didn't halt harming my loved ones, then? I, I would have to physically harm him, either defeat or scare him away, "Then, I'll.....I'll have to fight him."

"Exactly." He smiled, his brows curving up as he tossed a few berries towards me which I caught in a jiffy, "Same happens in a war Arjun. You do not harm or kill an unarmed man. The soldiers very well know how to defend themselves."

"Killing a person who is unarmed is against Dharma, Phalgun. You see, war has a set of rules as well." He bent over to me, tousling my curls slightly with a lopsided smile on his effortlessly calm features, "Remember, you do not war against the weak, the helpless. It is always fought on equal terms."

"Respect a warrior, respect his will, respect his sacrifice. Respect a warrior whom you fight against instead of pitying him or his lifeless body once he falls down." 

"Who knows...." My lips curved up, as I sucked in a deep breath lost in thoughts of Pitashree and his words rather. And the fact that Raaja Drupad was Pitashree's companion, once upon a time. It was true, Hastinapur and Paanchaal never had much cordial relations before, but if, if Paanchaal in so many years hadn't set his eyes upon Hastinapur was due to their friendship; which only a few knew. It was surprising how Kunti Maa confessed that even Pitamah wasn't aware of it well, perhaps only she, and Maadri Maa knew about the secret bond, "Maybe Pitashree or Maadri Maa knew." 

"Ironical, it is." Bhrata Bheem breathed in, sliding a palm underneath his head and gazing up at the surface of the tent, where nothing but the shadows of us were haywiring due to the flames from the torches, "I never thought that Gurudev had Raaja Drupad in his mind when he was seeking for the promise." 

"Would you have denied, else?" I tilted my head and glanced at him, "If you knew?"

"I haven't thought about it," Bhrata Bheem's eyes met mine, "But what's important is that we didn't knew when we promised isn't it?" 

"True," Jyesth chimed in, after hearing our words. He was always the observant one, listening carefully and then choose his words ever if the five of us were in a conversation. His capacity of fathoming each and every word before even choosing to speak a word was commendable, "But I think even if we knew, it is the sole responsibility of Hastinapur to provide justice for those who seek for it, isn't it Bheem?"

"And then personal attachments don't count in," His lips pressed into a thin line, as he flipped over facing the four of us, "It's hard I know, but that's what justice should be. You can't focus on just one circumstance, sometimes justice doesn't bother to include personal nuances." 

I recalled that I had said something similar to Gurudev yesterday, but the dubiousness in my stance and voice was evident, while Jyesth spoke with such a rigidness and clarity-

"How, how do you manage to be this nirmohi?" I couldn't help but marvel at his words at times, a smile stretching on my lips as I raised my brows gazing at Jyesth who let out a small titter, "I wish I could be.....I still regret carrying my favorite books and get my luggage heavier."

We couldn't help but laugh at it. Jyesth, he never took credits whenever we tried to praise him, instead he used to deviate his words and make it appear as if nothing happened.

"Anyways, big day tomorrow isn't it." Sahadev murmured, glancing at all of us, "A chance to prove ourselves....and Gurudev's teachings." 

"Exactly, something which we only heard about-and marveled about perhaps-" Nakul lay straight, exhaling with a monotonous look on his face. It would be a like if we all weren't a bit unnerved, if not for battle but maybe the after effects of it. 

"We can't let Gurudev down."

The fact that tomorrow, my weapons would actually be up for taking up lives.

Lives.

★★★★★★★

A/N

 Arjun 🥺🥺🥺.

The fact that he is ruminating--this guy isn't against war though if you clearly see, look I did not wanted to go into the nonsensical part of 'Ahimsa' jo Arjun ke liye kahi bhi applicable nahi hota; the reason because he has been brought up under weaponry, glory and arms-

But wahi, ek subtlety hai uska cheezo ko bahut deeply analyze karta and sochta~🌝

Signing off for today!

Kiritija Nushkie