"Bhrata Bheema,"
Bheema opens his eyes from his late noon nap.
"Pranipath Bhrata," Krishna greets.
"Krishna? Arjuna! Come inside," Bheema says as he sits up.
Krishna and Arjuna sits down as Bheema smiles happily seeing them. His sharp instincts tell him this matter holds too much importance seeing Draupadi isn't with them.
Krishna came after a week in Devapath. And he has been having meetings with Yudhisthira, Draupadi. With Arjuna and Bheema. Guiding Nakula and Sahadeva.
Bheems looks at Arjuna and Krishna skeptically, "What happened?"
They have been discussing about the formats and the numbers of soldiers. Did they find any trouble?
"Bhrata Bheema, this war requires sacrifices. And that too before the war as well," Krishna starts.
Bheema fails to understand what he wants to say. In war, of course there will be a lot of sacrifices. But before the war? What about that?
"Madhav is talking about Barbarika's vow Bhrata Bheema," Arjuna sighs.
A few days ago, hearing Krishna's declaration go war, Barbarika vowed on his mother's name that he will fight with the weaker side.
"Putra Barbarika's vow has caused a huge disaster, Bhrata Bheema," Krishna turns serious, "He will keep switching sides to join the weaker side. The war might never end this way."
Bheema sighs. Indeed his grandson has taken such a vow that is a huge seatback for them.
"What do you wish to do? He vowed on his mother's name. He won't break the vow," Bheema says.
"Let's go and visit them," Krishna proposes.
Bheema looks surprised at Arjuna. Seeing them both agree, he also agrees. Three of them leaves the very same day to meet Barbarika.
Hidimba keeps standing surprised at her unexpected guests. Bheema, Arjuna and Krishna. Arjuna never came. Bheema was once here. That too years ago when they got married. And Krishna...well...
"Pranipath," Hidimba greets.
"Pranipath Bhabishree," Arjuna and Krishna greets her.
"Co...come inside...?" Hidimba says, "Is Draupadi here?"
"No, only us three," Bheema answers.
They goes inside and Hidimba orders Ahilawati to prepare foods for them.
"Where's Ghatotkach and Barbarika?" Bheema asks.
"Out hunting. I will send people to fetch them," Hidimba says.
"It's alright. We will go and see them," Krishna forbids.
Ahilawati serves them foods. They eat quietly.
Hidimba couldn't help but ask, "Swami...is everything alright?"
Bheema lies, "Yes...why are you asking?"
Hidimba doesn't say that he is coming to visit after more than 35 years and it's worrysome.
They eat very less and gets up.
"We will leave after meeting Ghatotkach and Barbarika," Arjuna says.
Three of them finds Barbarika who is cleaning his arrows. Seeing the elders of his family, Barbarika stands up greeting them. Ghatotkach also comes hearing their arrival.
"Kalyan ho, Putra," Bheema embraces his oldest son.
"Putra Barbarika, where were you going this way?" Arjuna couldn't help but ask.
YOU ARE READING
Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)
Historical FictionThe Divine woman Draupadi was born as the eternal consort of Panadavas. But we always fail to treasure things which we get easily. Same happened with the Panadavas. Draupadi's utter devotion towards them made them totally neglecting towards her. A t...
