PROLOGUE
This fictional writing about the mighty Pandava brothers and their common consort Draupadi is based on the narratives of their pilgrimage and their various experiences throughout the journey and the ultimate blissful union with Arjun. In order to maintain the flow of the story ideas from some specific incidents of this part of the VanaParva of the Mahabharata have been chosen.
PART I: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
It was some years after the fateful dice game episode. The Pandavas with their common wife Draupadi are now well accustomed with the living arrangements in the forest. Initial despair, distrust and frustrations seem to be disappearing and a new wave of energy and hope has ignited in their mind and body. A few years ago Arjun has left with a strong determination to get the blessings of lord Shiva to be invincible in all the future battles of their lives. The news of his success has already reached to his brothers which also brought a cheerful message of probable reunion of them. The days without him appears to be a punishment for all especially for Panchali. Fate has played such a tricky game with them which cannot be understood properly. Arjun valued the unity of the brothers above all of his personal desires and expectations and Draupadi also realizing the need of the situation and for the sake of a greater Dharma accepted it bravely. Weren't these devotions and sacrifices enough for them? But perhaps their misfortune had a plan to go more long way with them. Arjuna's periodical tours and military expeditions only extended their separation and his penance for godly weapons is only a new addition to this. Draupadi cannot control her frustration anymore and often expresses her unbearable pain of separation with Arjun. The other brothers also suffer from the same anxiety and depression. The situation might be more pathetic if the holy sage Lomosha would not come with a specific message from Arjun. Perhaps Arjun also sensed the pitiable condition of his brothers. Their unique brotherly bonding and sacred love have blessed them with this wonderful quality of understanding each other even without uttering a single word. Perhaps he has also become restless to think about his never ending separation from his beloved and is now desperately longing for a union with her. Whatever may be the reason the message has helped them to take a firm decision of travelling and visiting the holy places of the Jambudwip and to proceed towards the Himalayas to meet Arjun. The whole Pandave family is now preparing for their journey in search of a blissful reunion.
Draupadi has finished her cooking early in the morning and packed the dry fruits and foodstuffs as much as possible. Sahadev who is arranging the clothes and their weapons smiles silently to see Panchali's excitement and elaborate arrangements. Though they have spent quite a few years in the forest but unlike them she has no experience of travel so long. That's why she is trying to keep all these foodstuffs with them. But they will travel mostly through the dense forests and have to collect foods from their way. That is the rule, but Sahadev does not want to see the disappearance of that beautiful smile and childish excitement from his wife's face. She is looking more beautiful today. Are you ready Panchali?'.. Bhimsen enters the hut hurriedly and remains taken aback to see her arrangements. He opens his mouth to say something but Sahadev nods his head for not disturbing her. Bhim understands his gesture. It's true; Draupadi is looking ravishingly beautiful and extremely contented today. He in his mind thanks the sage Lomasha and his elder for this long term plan of travel. But suddenly a peculiar tension develops in his mind. Will it be right and safe to travel for an indefinite period along with such a youthful beauty? They will have to be extremely careful about her safety and protection-------Bhim decides it thoughtfully." Is it alright Aryaa?""Draupadi anxiously asks Bhima pointing towards her packing. "It's perfectly alright dear"... Bhim answers with a smiling face." Let's go, we must start our journey in this auspicious time of the day"... Sahadev and Panchali hurriedly follow Bhim.
He watches her every day, every moment but in each time she seems to be a new, fresh and more bewitching than ever. Even after so many years of their marriage Yudhisthir still cannot reveal the mystery about his wife's beauty and personality. As usual he remains stunned to see the youthful beauty of his wife in this sunny morning but being an extremely self controlled person he, however, manages to conceal his emotions. Like his brothers he feels a peaceful solace in his heart to see the joyful expression of Draupadi. Though the reason of her excitement sometimes makes him a little beat disturbed but he never allows those confusions to overpower his feelings for Panchali. Though Yudhisthir is able to control his emotions but Nakul cannot. Perhaps he never bothers to hide his feelings especially for Draupadi. The twinkling of his eyes to see her makes Panchali embarrassed. She pouts in mock anger to prevent this emotional outburst of her husband but Nakul just bursts away her warning. "Let's pray to God for our safe journey and proceed"... Sage Lomasha's voice brings all these five persons from their sudden sweet, emotional trance. The Pandava brothers along with Draupadi start praying to the Almighty God with folded hands. Their hearts are now filling with a peculiar sensation of peace and hope. They take their steps forward for a new destiny.
Edited by draupadidevi - 9 years ago
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