The Fateful Evening...Arjun Draupadi OS Thread.3 - Page 47

The blue lotus fragrance pervaded around the archer par excellence.. He stood along with her and savoured the moment. She raised her lotus eyes and looked at him.. She knew he is enjoying the moment.

Satya will come any moment. Leave me Arjun.. She said and walked out since she finished her work there.

Arjun muttered under his breath... Satya is here to test my patience again..

Panchali hid her smile and said.. You came to ask something your Bhrata Bheem called out before leaving. Arjun remembered he has to enquire his wife... He stopped her and asked his question..and added." You will make me forget everything..not fair Yajnaseni..

Panchali did not say anything. Very rarely he will bare his heart and that moment stays with her and revives her from her depression..

Arjun touched her shoulder and said pouring his concern and love in his words." I told Pari not to continue with the story session.. I can't see you go deep inside the layers of past.. It is too difficult for me to bring you back to normalcy.. It is easier to hit the fish target...but ..he stopped and turned to her to observe her expression..

Before she could say anything Sahadev approached them and said." Govind agreed to Pari 's plea and arranged the story session.. He asked me to bring you there.. Come soon.. He said and hurriedly left..

Panchali laughed at him...and remarked." Whose grandson he is ! He knows how to accomplish his task.

Arjun smiled at her taunt and helplessly raised his hands.. He Madhav save me from my wife's mood off phase..yet again...

Panchali pushed him away and walked fast but her husband reached her and pulled her closer. The place is isolated. The story session is set a bit away.. nearer to mango grove. The moonlight is making them feel the coolness that is soothening ...

Both of them stood as if in trance and suddenly heard Suka's prayer..He is about to start his narration.

Note: Here it is given..the result of Arjuna and Karna fight.

In a short while...in my words...

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those bulls among Brahmanas shaking their deer-skins and water-pots made of cocoanut-shells exclaimed, 'Fear not, we will fight the foe!' Arjuna smilingly addressing those Brahmanas exclaiming thus, said, 'Stand ye aside as spectators (of the fray) Showering hundreds of arrows furnished with straight points even I shall check, like snakes with mantras, all those angry monarchs.' Having said this, the mighty Arjuna taking up the bow he had obtained as dower accompanied by his brother Bhima stood immovable as a mountain. And beholding those Kshatriyas who were ever furious in battle with Karna ahead, the heroic brothers rushed fearlessly at them like two elephants rushing against a hostile elephant. Then those monarchs eager for the fight fiercely exclaimed, 'The slaughter in battle of one desiring to fight is permitted.' And saying this, the monarchs suddenly rushed against the Brahmanas. And Karna endued with great energy rushed against Jishnu for fight. And Salya the mighty king of Madra rushed against Bhima like an elephant rushing against another for the sake of a she-elephant in heat; while Duryodhana and others engaged with the Brahmanas, skirmished with them lightly and carelessly. Then the illustrious Arjuna beholding Karna, the son of Vikartana (Surya), advancing towards him, drew his tough bow and pieced him with his sharp arrows. And the impetus of those whetted arrows furnished with fierce energy made Radheya (Karna) faint. Recovering consciousness Karna attacked Arjuna with greater care than before. Then Karna and Arjuna, both foremost of victorious warriors, desirous of vanquishing each other, fought madly on. And such was the lightness of hand they both displayed that (each enveloped by the other's shower of arrows) they both became invisible (unto the spectators of their encounter). 'Behold the strength of my arms.'--'Mark, how I have counteracted that feat,'--those were the words--intelligible to

heroes alone--in which they addressed each other. And incensed at finding the strength and energy of Arjuna's arms unequalled on the earth, Karna, the son of Surya, fought with greater vigour. And parrying all those impetuous arrows shot at him by Arjuna, Karna sent up a loud shout. And this feat of his was applauded by all the warriors. Then addressing his antagonist, Karna said, 'O thou foremost of Brahmanas, I am gratified to observe the energy of thy arms that knoweth no relaxation in battle and thy weapons themselves fit for achieving victory. Art thou the embodiment of the science of weapons, or art thou Rama that best of Brahmanas, or Indra himself, or Indra's younger brother Vishnu called also Achyuta, who for disguising himself hath assumed the form of a Brahmana and mustering such energy of arms fighteth with me? No other person except the husband himself of Sachi or Kiriti, the son of Pandu, is capable of fighting with me when I am angry on the field of battle.' Then hearing those words of his, Phalguna replied, saying, 'O Karna, I am neither the science of arms (personified), nor Rama endued with superhuman powers. I am only a Brahmana who is the foremost of all warriors and all wielders of weapons. By the grace of my preceptor I have become accomplished in the Brahma and the Paurandara weapons. I am here to vanquish thee in battle. Therefore, O hero, wait a little.'