[cont'd from the previous post of mine]
Bhima, excited at the prospect of facing another challenge announces he will obtain the horse and prepares to leave for Bhadravati. Vrishketu and Meghavarna offer to accompany him. Bhima, eager to shape the two young lads into fine warriors, agrees. Maharishi Vyasa, his job done, leaves from the place, ceremoniously sent off by the Pandavas.
Yudhishthira, ever the unwilling warrior, begins lamenting once again. He begins questioning the feasibility of such a yagna the bloodshed it will inevitable involve, especially when he has not recovered from the shock / sin of killing his own kith and kin. No amount of reassurance from Bhima is enough to pull Yudhishthira out of his self woven web of confusion, till each of the two mentally thinks of Krishna - Yudhishthira, to seek Krishna's guidance and Bhima, to ask Krishna's help in knocking some good Kshatriya sense into his elder brother.
As if by magic, Krishna appears at their palace doorstep (in the middle of the night). An astonished Dwarpal announces his arrival to the King and the Pandavas hurry to the door to receive Krishna. Krishna salutes Yudhishthira with his head bowed down at his (Yudhishthira's) feet, Yudhishthira lifts him up and smells him on the forehead by way of blessing. Bhima and Arjuna embrace him while the twins touch his feet.
All seem surprised at Krishna's sudden, unannounced arrival, that too at such an odd hour.
Meanwhile, Draupadi also comes there and welcoming Krishna with a smile, comments that it should not be a matter of surprise that Krishna has suddenly appeared there. She recounts that when her modesty was being made a mockery of, it was Krishna who saved her. When the dignity of her hospitality was threatened by Durvasa and his disciples, it was Krishna who saved her once again. In a voice filled with gratitude, Draupadi, once again welcomes him.
Krishna acknowledges Draupdi's words with look and a smile and accepts the seat offered by Yudhishthira. The king, not impressed with talks about the past, comes to the point vexing him at the moment i.e whether he should or not perform the Aswamedha yagna. Bhima, worried that Krishna may fall for his elder brother's concerns and scrape the whole project, interjects and says he is confident of fetching the horse. Bhima who cannot directly overrule Yudhishthira, gives silent, but subtle hints on which brother should Krishna favour.
Krishna decides to have some fun. he says," O king The present political climate is not favourable for a Aswamedha yagna " (Yudhishthra heaves an audible sigh, Bhima's shoulders droop).
"It seems", Krishna continued," you have been advised by Bhima. Bhima is simply a glutton who has no wisdom. He has taken an ugly she-demon as his wife which has retarded his intellect further. The wise men have prescribed the advise of such men who are mentally retarded, henpecked or live in the house of their father-in-law should never be taken . Bhima knows only Jarasandha , Hidimb and Baka. O great king, how can you depend on Bhima and get the scrifica completed? It seems to me an act of great risk."
Krishna finishes his speech with air of great concern. Bhima, who has seen though the act of Krishna, guffaws loudly and makes a reply to him.
[contd- Bhima's reply and his march to Bhadrawati]
Edited by varaali - 13 years ago
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Anupamaa
