The stage is set for another leela of Bhagwaan Vishnu, where all the gods and goddesses play a significant role. Now starts the saga where heartbreaking curses, graceful boons and divine mercy combine to write a history to be remembered through the...
The dense forest, frequented by deer and predatory beasts, was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves as Pandu made his way through the wilderness. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings as he held his bow and arrow at the ready, his agile footsteps blending seamlessly with the rhythm of the forest.
The sun cast long shadows across the forest floor, casting a golden glow on Pandu’s resolute face. He was unyielding in his pursuit, his senses sharp and attuned to the slightest movement or sound that might indicate the presence of a worthy prey.
The age-old trees seemed to stand sentinel, their gnarled branches reaching towards the heavens, their roots delving deep into the earth. The king of Hastinapur moved with the grace of a predator. Suddenly, his keen senses picked up the telltale sound of movement nearby.
As he cautiously approached the mysterious sound, his eyes widened in astonishment. Before him stood a majestic stag, definitely a leader of its herd, engaged in a passionate mating ritual with a graceful doe.
In that moment, Pandu's heart raced with a mix of awe and determination. He unleashed five arrows, each finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The air crackled with anticipation as the arrows soared through the sky, their golden feathers glinting in the sunlight. Time seemed to stand still as the arrows pierced both the stag and the doe.
As the strength drained from the majestic creatures, they crumbled to the ground, their life force fading away. The stag's cries of pain transformed into a haunting lament, resembling that of a human.
He said, "Vaasna aur Krodh se ghrasit vyakti bhi aisa krur paap nahi karte.... Aap toh uss mahaan kul mei janme Chakravarti Samrat hai jo sadev dharm ke prati samarpit raha hai.... Fir kaam aur lobh ke karan aapki buddhi kaise har gayi !?"
Pandu's countenance contorted with confusion, as he gradually realized that the being before him was no ordinary deer. Yet, he remained steadfast in his conviction that he had committed no wrongdoing, believing that his actions were justified, for the pursuit of hunting deer was an inherent privilege bestowed upon kings.
The king said, "Mrigh aur shatru ke saath Raja ke jaisa vyavhaar karte hai. Iss liye tum apne bhram mei, mujhe dosh mat do. Mrigh ko khule mei, ya chhup kar chhal se, kaise bhi mara jaa sakta hai. Aakhet mei niyam nahi hote."
"Samrat, pehle kabhi bhi bina chetaavni diye teer nahi chalaye jaate the. Saamne wala savdhaan hai ki nahi, yeh dekha jata hai. Vadh karne ka bhi ek samaye hota hai aur uss hi samaye vadh karna prashansaniya hota hai." The deer said.
Pandu shook his head and replied, "Mrigh, Raja na-na prakaar ke upaayo se mrigh ka aakhet karte hai, chaahe woh saavdhaan ho ya na ho. Fir tum meri ninda kyu kar rahe ho ?"
Breathing heavily the deer sighed, "Mai aapki ninda iss nahi kar raha ki aapne mujhe aaghaat kiya hai. Parantu aapko dayabhaav dikhana chahiye tha, mujhe maithun-karm se nivrutt toh hone dete. Thodi pratiksha kar lete. Jo santaan praapti ki iccha rakhta ho, uss mrigh ko maithun ke samaye kaun viveksheel manushya maarta hai ? Kleshrahit Kuruvansh mei janm lekar aapne yeh karya kiya hai.... Yeh aapke anukul nahi !"
The stag paused for a moment to catch his breath, he then said, "Narshresht, mai kand-mool fal grahan karne wala ek Muni hu."
As the truth unraveled before him, revealing the stag's true identity as a sage who took the form of a deer, Pandu was overcome by an overwhelming surge of shock.
"Muni ?" He muttered.
"Ha Rajan. Mera naam Kimdam hai. Mrigh ka roop le mai iss van mei shaanti se reh raha tha." The deer said.
The weight of his actions bore down upon Pandu's conscience, threatening to crush him under the weight of his own remorse. Remorse that he had shot a sage.
Kimdam said, "Devtulya Maharaj, chuki aapne agyaanta ke karan mera vadh kiya hai, iss liye aapko Brahmahatya ka paap nahi lagega. Parantu aapne murkhtapurn maithun-karm karte do nirapraadho ki hatya ki hai..... Iska dand aapko awashya milega !"
Pandu's heart sank burdened by an ominous sense of dread, as he beheld the imminent consequences that awaited him, consequences that were about to unfold in all their devastating glory.
Kimdam's voice boomed as he cursed, "Mere saath ho huya, annt-kaal mei aapke saath bhi wahi hoga. Kaamasakt hoke aap bhi apni priya patni se samaagam karenge aur uss hi kshan aapki mrityu ho jaayegi ! Aur yamlok jaane par woh naari bhakti-bhaav se tumhara anusaran karegi !"
Having said this, in great pain, Kimdam gave up its life. In an instant, Pandu was also immersed in grief. His hands trembled as he realized the gravity of the curse that now hung over him. His expression turned from shock to anguish, and he fell to his knees in despair.
But it was too late, for the sage's curse had been cast, and there was no turning back. Pandu's heart was heavy with regret and remorse as he realized the terrible consequences of his impulsive actions. How can he, descendant of the Kurus, Chakravarti Samrat of Bharatvarsh, perform such a reckless act ? He wondered what made a lapse in his acumen, that brought him to this.
But again, a man’s judgement does not swallow destiny. Destiny swallows judgement.
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ A/N
To look at it from a different perspective, agar Pandu ko shraap nahi milta toh Pandavas wouldn't have been born.
And also if Pandu hadn't died, Pandavas wouldn't have returned to Hastinapur~
But still I feel bad for Pandu.... yet my question is to the sage..... Mrigh ke roop mei Aisa kaun karta hai !? 💀 Kimdam had said he was ashamed of men, and hence chose to be with deer-
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
