The Fateful Evening Part l

Part title

Krishna  smiled in his sleep. Finally his Parth freed himself from His chain of responsibilities that tied him strongly to Indraprasth. Now he will evolve into a more mature person as he will be introduced to the spiritual richness of Bharat varsh.  The culmination of his spiritual knowledge will any way happen in Kurukshetra many years after as he himself will enlighten his Parth the real essence of spiritual knowledge. But the gloom with which he left Indraprasth due to his separation from the love of his life can not be overcome by any sacred baths or any severe austerities. But time will certainly heal the wound  and that also through beautiful besotted maidens and finally his sister Subhadra will be the soothing balm  that pacifies his aching heart .
Satya called him with surprise. "Lord,Are you having your Parth's dreams that you are smiling so benevolently? "
Krishna opened his eyes and got up on his couch. "Satya, prepare yourself . Your competitor will come and claim his possession. "He said teasingly. Satya widened her eyes.  "Arjun is coming? "She is highly excited and relished the idea of having the slightly arrogant , charming super archer in Dwaraka.
Shall I tell Rukmini didi and Subhadra " Satya jumped with enthusiasm and was stopped by Krishna.
Wait Satya, still so much time is left for Arjun's arrival. Now keep it a secret. " he said and then told her the way Arjun left Indraprasth. Satya felt bad for Draupadi. How could she bear her pain of separation from Arjun. ?
Krishna answered firmly. "She will bear it. She is Yajnaseni Draupadi. Born for a mission. ..."
Indraprasth celebrated the birth of their crown prince,Prati Vindhya,son of Yudhishtir. As it is the year of Draupadi with Bheem, she is in his mansion with her newborn who is five months old. The queen of Indraprasth sat on her royal chair listening to the daily report Submitted by the head of the Royal palace  who looks after the expenditure of the royal family on a daily basis. It includes  the expenditure on maids,caretakers, guards and personal staff. She is aware of every minute detail,  she knows who is allotted which duty.
Her face wears a rigid expression that  was never seen some time before. She is perfect in performing her duty as a wife and as the queen. No one can find fault  with her neither her husbands nor her citizens. Kunti is immensely pleased on seeing Draupadi  adjusted to everything without complain. But she still feels something is missing in her whole persona and she dreaded to think about it deeply. There is one person who can look beyond that is visible to the naked eye. She is Priyamvada who feels her suppressed pain, who sees her widely awake at nights, and who observes the queen suddenly losing herself  with a blank look. Priyamvadha easily identifies the real Draupadi suppressed under the strong persona of the queen . At times Draupadi looks lost in her own thoughts despite being surrounded by many . No one would observe that deeply to reach the real Draupadi but apart from Priyamvada, there is another person who understood her anguish. He is Sahadev . ...
Bheem entered  with Sahadev  and interrupted Draupadi's work. Draupadi  knitted her eyebrows as she does'nt want to be disturbed when she is attending royal duties ."Draupadi, exciting news is waiting for you. Enough of your account checking. "Bheem sent away every one and asked Sahadev to narrate what he heard from messengers, who accompanied Arjuna and some of the Brahmins who returned back to Indraprasth. By that time, Kunti, Priyamvada and Nakul also came and seated with them. When Yudihishtir also came to the meet Draupadi realised something important that is connected with Arjun is to be discussed. "
Is he well? Did any ailment happen to him ?  She came into her own as Sahadev started his story. ...
It is another evening in the stern and disciplined lifestyle adopted by Arjun. He is at Gangadwar the most sacred place that relieves any one from sin and grief. Till then he visited many places of importance during his pilgrimage but this place is unique with its auspicious Ganga waters that bestow  peace of mind and  bliss  which wipes off any kind of gloom. Arjun did Homa as instructed by the Brahmins in the morning. He is eating less and accepts food that suits his vow.  Did he realy become a sage? Arjun often wondered at the turn of his life that threw him from prince hood to  the lifestyle of a sage.
As he walked towards the Ganga waters to take his evening bath, a certain feeling of detachment overpowered him. Just yesterday he heard the news of the birth of Indraprasth's  heir. The news reached him late and by then the boy must be five months old. He could not control his feeling of discomfort . He woke up through out the night trying to trace out the reason for his so called discomfort. He failed miserably in finding the proper reason. How can he feel so having willingly given away his most precious possession. ?  In the morning the Brahmins asked him why his eyes became red as they are concerned about his well being.
Now the evening bath may give solace to his tired mind that can not stop thinking about a certain queen with blue lotus fragrance.   As he entered the Ganga waters he found much relief and stayed in the flow of the river though the twilight gave way to night with shining stars. The Brahmins on the bank warned him not to spend that much time in water as it may cause ill health. Arjun closed his eyes, standing neck deep in water. The smiling lotus eyes again made their presence felt. He can't escape her thoughts...suddenly Arjun got reeling sensation. He became drowsy and felt some one clasp him tightly and the next minute he found himself in a mansion that existed under waters. Arjun used all his mental strength to get rid of the illusion and finally succeeded. He was placed on a couch that is made with gems and valuble stones. Then he saw a strikingly beautiful lady bash fully looking at him.   Arjun could very well  recognise the look she gave . He is not new to it . But who is this maiden ,so brave to abduct the finest warrior of Aryavarth. ?   ...Nagakanya   Ulupi stared at the mesmerising form of heroic Phalgun. She wondered how could she behave so impulsively leaving her dignity and manners. She heard from her friends that the third Pandav has camped at Gangadwar and he is breathtakingly handsome. By then the stories of his valour are widely populour in Naglok.
All her friends drooled over him and told her that spending the minutest moment in his company is worth their lives. Ulupi got curious and finally had her eyes on him this evening. She could not believe her eyes. The dark complexioned,curly  haired  hero with moon like face  and great physique made her swoon and lose her control. She hugged him and with the help of her power of illusion, brought him to nagLok.  But how can she reveal her desire?
Ulupi looked at him who is doing his unfinished  evening Homa in the fire that existed there. Arjun finished his Homa and found Ulupi in deliberation. "After daring  to abduct a stranger who is an ascetic, why do you lack courage to explain the reason.?I believe I deserve an answer . "Arjun's straight forward question hurt Ulupi a bit.
She gathered her courage and introduced herself. Arjun nodded his head and smiled at her. "Still I did'nt get my answer. " he retorted.
Ulupi  thought he really has loads of attitude. Who would'nt have when such great achievements  in such young age have been credited with his name? Arjun glanced at her expression and understood. She is desperately besotted with him. Ulupi opened up finally. "Yes,Rajkumar Arjun, I abducted you with a desire to own you . I can not live with out you. Grace me with a son. "Arjun wondered. How can he fulfill her desire when practicing ascetism?
Ulupi understood his doubt. "I know you are  leading ascetic life as you had broken a vow that is connected to Draupadi. But your vow is restricted to Draupadi only but not any one else. I remind you again .I can't live further if you refuse to accept me. "Arjun thought if his vow costs  the life of Ulupi It will be his failure only even if he completes his pilgrimage. Ulupi is on cloud nine. She informed her father Kauravya, the serpant king who took  pride in having the greatest warrior of Aryavarth as his son in law. He performed their marriage then itself and assured Arjun that Indraprasth would never have danger from serpants of any kind. Ulupi got a son by name Iravan,in sadyogarbh,  ( instant birth)as a boon for spending a beautiful night with Arjun. She graced him a boon that he would never have danger from any being that lives in water.
Next day Arjun came to Gangadwar to continue his pilgrimage...
Bheem clapped his hands in joy. Jayeshth now onwards no need to worry about the after effects of khandavdahan. Serpants became our friends. "
Nakul laughed and said. "Bharata Bheem ,no need to worry. You can enjoy your rich food  nonstop. "Bharata Arjun will take care of Indraprasth though he is not here. "
Yudhisthir smiled at Kunti. Indraprasth has got another prince Maata  " he said. Kunti nodded happily and asked Priyamvada to distribute gifts and sweets. Sahadev looked at Draupadi's face . Her lotus eyes are trying desparately to hide her inner feelings but he definitely knew what must she be thinking after hearing ulupi's story.