Arjuna in Indraloka- An OS

ARJUNA

"Try to understand, Krishnaa..." beseeched Arjuna, holding his wife by her shoulders. "I didn't do anything wrong..."

But Draupadi was in no mood to listen. Pointing to his deformed, useless, body she began to laugh loudly. And even Subhadra, Uloopi and Chitrangada joined Draupadi in her laughter as they all made fun of their husband.

"No...no..." Arjuna moaned as he reached out to hold Draupadi. But his hands only grasped the air.

Shuddering, Arjuna woke up with a start. He was bathed in icy cold sweat and his heart was pounding in his ears. He looked around and took deep breaths to calm himself. He was still in Indraloka and the laughing Draupadi had been just a dream.

Fully awake now, Arjuna sat up on his bed, his head sunk in his arms, wishing that the other events too of the night had been just a dream. He got up and walked to a mirror and saw his reflection. His body was just the same. No changes. As of yet, at least.

Arjuna walked back and slumped on the bed. May be Urvashi's curse will come into effect only in the morning. But daybreak was only minutes away...What will happen then? Will he become a eunuch? His confused mind began weaving terrifying pictures. The greatest of Kshatriyas of the day forced to live with women...Oh... will he ever be able to wield his Gandhiva again?

Arjuna groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. The door opened and Chitrasen, a gandharva and Arjuna's close friend barged in unceremoniously. Arjuna sat up straight and trying to pretend nothing was wrong, welcomed his friend.

Chitrasen looked around the room and took in the rose and jasmine petals scattered everywhere, the sandalwood lamps, still emitting their fragrance... all advertising the night's encounter.

Grinning to himself, Chitrasen poured some wine in two goblets and handing one to Arjuna, sat down.

"So, dear Partha, how did the night go?" asked Chitrasen giving a knowing wink.

Arjuna shrugged his shoulders , as if nothing had happened.

But Chitrasen persisted. "But a night with Uruvashi..." Chitrasen closed his eyes as if imagining the bliss.

Arjuna shrugged his shoulders again but suddenly stood up. "How on earth do you know Uruvashi was here last night?" Arjuna demanded

Chitrasen too stood up. "But everyone knows. Uruvashi was telling whoever cared to listen that she was going to spend the night with you. Lucky chap" grinned Chitrasen, placing his hand on Arjuna's shoulder and making him sit down again.

Arjuna gasped. "Telling everyone??? Heavens, isn't there something called privacy?"

Now Chitrasen sounded confused, "For what, Partha? Apparently Uruvashi was assigned to entertain Yamaraaj last night, but instead she was sent out to you. I tell you Yamaraj is not in a good mood at all"

Arjuna choked on his wine.

Chitrasen continued " And Rambha and Menaka are not on speaking terms with Uruvashi."

Arjuna looked at him enquiringly.

"Apparently they were hoping to be selected instead of Uruvashi. Now they are pouting... They are hoping it will be their turn tonight."

Arjuna was convulsed with a fit of coughing.

"Lucky chap" Chitrasen reiterated, slapping Arjuna playfully on the knee.

Before Arjuna could answer, the royal bards announced the arrival of Indra- the king of Devas.

INDRA

Indra strode into Arjuna's room and placing his hand on Arjuna's shoulder asked in a grave voice "What am I hearing from Uruvashi, Arjuna?"

Arjuna could only look down sorrowfully. Before he could answer, Indra patted him comfortingly and said "Don't worry I have fixed it all up."

Arjuna looked up, relieved. He should have known his father, Indra, would take care of him.

Indra continued, "I have arranged for Rambha and Menakaa to attend on you tonight." Chitrasen whistled approvingly.

Arjuna sprang up, horrified "What...?"

Arjuna folded his hands and spoke in beseeching tones "What is all this, Devendra?"

Indra continuing to pat him on his shoulder, "When I asked Uruvashi this morning, she said she was unable to please you and she left in a huff."

Indra and Chitrasen exchanged grins. "You are a tricky customer, eh? Like father, like son..." Indra thumped Arjuna approvingly.

"But tonight, my son will be satisfied..."indra announced grandly.

"Except that, revered father, by tonight, instead of a son you will be having a daughter or worse- some one in between" answered Arjuna, grimly.

Indra and Chitrasen looked confused.

"Didn't it occur to you that I am married and sending Uruvashi or Rambha or Menaka is all wrong?" Arjuna demanded

Chitrasen hastened to explain "Arjuna...relax. Your wife needn't even know."

"Oh" exclaimed Arjuna, his voice heavy with irony. "This is your idea of right or wrong"

"So, you sent Uruvashi away without acknowledging her? Without touching her even once? " Indra's voice sounded faint.

Arjuna shook his head. "I did acknowledge her. I did touch her..."

Indra interrupted, "Thank God. I knew my son will not be so foolish to squander such an opportunity..."

"Her feet. I touched her feet" answered Arjuna firmly , interrupting his father's blabber.

"What?" chorused Indra and Chitrasen. Chitrasen was flabbergasted and Indra held onto a pillar to support himself.

Chitrasen held Arjuna by his shoulders and led him towards the window. "Arjuna, mate...are you in your senses? The most beautiful woman comes to you in the dead of the night and all you do is touch her feet? "

OMG!!! It's hilarious, Varaali 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Thank you so much for this awesome post.. Hope you continue it..

Awesome cant wait to read more

CHITRASEN

Indra seemed equally concerned. "What exactly happened, son?"

Arjuna took a deep breath to calm himself and began. "It was nearly midnight, when I heard the door knock. When I opened the door, a dozen girls flitted in strewing rose petals all over the place and lighting sandalwood lamps. And then when they left, she entered.

"Who entered?"

Arjuna fumbled. "Uru...I mean...my...our...ansect...I mean...the most beautiful woman"

"And then?"

"She tried to embrace me..."Arjuna shut his eyes reliving the horror.

"And did you embrace her back?" questioned Indra pointedly

"No. I did not embrace her back. In fact, I was embarrassed" replied Arjuna, looking down.

Indra and Chitrasen shook their heads. "Hopeless. And then?"

"She said she wanted to please me. And she began to remove..." Arjuna couldn't continue.

Chitrasen turned to Indra, "That's the problem Devendra. Uruvashi has to refine her technique. She is so abrupt she scares half the men away."

Indra gave a curious look to Chitrasen "Since when did you become an expert in Uruvashi's techniques?"

Chitrasen swallowed, "I mean.. .I have heard from...er...anyway what happened next, Partha ?"

Arjuna lost his temper and stood up "Is this an epic that you are asking what's next ? The long and short of the whole story is I was shocked ."

"Shocked to see her without..."

"No ...No ...No " screamed Arjuna. "Shocked ...because her advances to me were totally inappropriate. She is like our ancestor... like a mother to me...I fell at her feet and offered her worship due to a mother"

Chitrasen was not wholly convinced. "Are you sure you didn't try to peek?"

Arjuna replied by standing up and slamming his fist into Chitrasen's face. Chitrasen dodged the blow by shielding his face with his palm.

"And then..." continued Arjuna in a choking voice "She cursed me to become a eunuch. To spend the rest of my days among women - singing and dancing"

Overwhelmed Arjuna sat down, covering his face with his palms.

it's outstanding 🤣

Its beautiful n divine...loved it 👏

Indra turned to Chitrasen. " It's a nice little problem we have here. What do you suggest?"

"Borrow some clothes from Rambha or Menaka?" suggested Chitrasen.

Arjuna gave him a look of pure loathing. Indra scratched his head trying to find a way out.

Just then, Uruvashi sauntered in, her anklets tinkling delicately. Completely ignoring the gaping looks on Indra's and Chitrasen's faces she walked up to Arjuna and placing her hand on his head asked him to look up.

"Arjuna- your sense of propriety and restraint surpass those of the best sages". She threw a look of contempt at Indra -and - stroking Arjuna's hair continued "Arjuna, I feel honoured that you gave me the status of a mother. How blessed is Kunti. The curse I gave you will only be for your benefit.

Arjuna looked surprised "Use it when you have to spend the thirteenth year in incognito." Uruvashi replied.

She walked away- not even casting a glance at the others in the room.

Chitrasen cleared his throat and asked Arjuna, "Er...Partha, Can I borrow your clothes?"

"What on earth for?"

"Er...I have heard Rambha and Menaka are going to visit you tonight..."

The end

wow exactly what i wanted a tale on arjun's curse thanks for bringing it and as usual made it light hearted thanks again (but i am still waiting for minakshi)