Arjun asked Suka to take rest and continue the next day. But his wives protested in one voice. No..we want to hear how Indra got defeated..
Pari had a mischievous expression on his face. Now his Pitamah can not stop the narration. Krishna pulled Arjun down...now sit and enjoy..Let Pari sleep happily to nite...
Satya retorted tongue in cheek.. Along with your valour the tension we felt also should be narrated. What do you say Panchali...
Yajnaseni nodded her head. How could she forget those days...the blazing fire,the crackling sounds,the thunder rains...
Subhadra agreed.. Satya bhabhi..You are right. Both of them made us lose our sleep..I remember how we used to wake up till the early hours waiting for news of them.
Satya confronted Arjun. Why did you order your commanders to stay back..They refused to cross your words despite my warnings..
Arjun shrugged his shoulders. They are sens8ble..I must say. They know whose word they have to follow.
Satya made a face and tried to say something but Arjun turned to Krishna and said. Don't look at her ...She will dig the past... is it necessary..
Suka took his seat and continued..
However Indra was far from accepting defeat. He was after all the king of the Devas. He could not let two humans, no matter who they are to defeat him.
Indra repeatedly tried every single astra he could lay his hands on. But all his efforts were in vain. Krishna and Arjuna neutralized every single weapon he could throw at them.
Indra began to have a grudging respect for the two warriors as he fought them.
Indra tore open mountain peaks and threw it at the two of them, only for the mountain rocks to explode even before it reached anywhere near the Khandava forest. Such was the aim of Arjuna.
Indra even threw tree trunks at them. It did not matter to Arjuna whether his father threw any mountain or trees at him. He just destroyed it all with a single minded efficiency.
Indra was losing and he knew it. He had tried everything. but all of it had failed Shall he use Vajra ...he pondered.. It was at that time that a heavenly voice was heard.
"INDRA! THE DESTRUCTION OF THE KHANDAVA FOREST WAS DESTINED TO HAPPEN NOW. YOUR FRIEND TAKSHAK IS SAFE AND HE IS NOT IN THE KHANDAVA FOREST. NO ONE CAN DEFEAT KRISHNA AND ARJUNA. STOP THE BATTLE NOW!"
Krishna and Arjuna had also heard the voice. They waited. the dark clouds surrounding the forests looked menacing and angry. What would happen? Would Indra listen to the heavenly voice or would he continue the fight. They waited.
And then suddenly everything stopped.
The sky which looked dark was now gone. The sun came out shining brightly. The place which smelt of thunder and lighting was now all gone.
The friends hugged each other and laughed. They had fought against the Lord of the Devas and had won!
The fire raged on and on brilliantly, with nothing to stop it!
Krishna and Arjuna looked up into the skies. Indra, was himself coming down from the heavens majestically on his royal elephant the Airavatha.
Krishna and Arjuna realized that Indra was looking proud and happy. He was not here to fight. Looking at each other, they nodded and put down their weapons. They bowed to Indra. Indra got down and looked at the two of them with pride.
"You two are the greatest warriors in the world. I had to meet the two of you personally. I am so proud to see how you stood up against me and succeeded." Indra said it sincerely without a trace of regret.
Arjuna felt proud of himself. His father caught his shoulders and told him, "You have made me proud of you, my son! For what you have done. I will give you every single weapon, I have and the knowledge of how to use it."
Arjuna looked at Indra with his heart fluttering. This was the dream come true for any warrior. He breathed and fell at Indra's feet.
Indra lovingly picked up his son and embraced him. He then turned to Krishna. He looked at Krishna, who was having his Sudarshana Chakra in one of his hand and his mace in the other hand.
Behind the forest fire raged on and on. Indra folded his hands before Krishna.
Krishna nodded to Indra and said, ", there is is something you can do for me."
Indra looked at Krishna and fervently nodded his head, "Anything!"
Krishna smiled, "I have always been friends with Arjuna. What I feel for him is almost greater than friendship. He is a part of me. I wish that our friendship stays forever and is always remembered by everyone."
Nara and Narayana. Arjuna and Krishna. The inseparable duo. What could he do in this matter..he wondered.
Indra felt grateful to Krishna. Despite winning against him, Krishna still had the courtesy to treat him like the King of the Devas. He nodded his head, "So be it!" He whispered and vanished from there.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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