Rakshasavarta, morning:

The peacefulness of Yudhishthira's meditation was shuddered by a sudden, loud cry.

He rose to see what had happened. Generally at this time of morning, Bhima used to be engaged with his kingly duties and Hidimbaa in helping Kunti in cooking. Little Ghatotkacha used to be with his uncles only.

Yudhishthira found his three brothers at their best to console the baby, but nothing worked.

"What happened suddenly?" He asked, taking Ghatotkacha tenderly in his arms.

"We too are wondering that only, Jyeshtha." Arjuna's voice expressed worry, "this is too unusual!"

Yudhishthira had to agree while trying to make the baby fall asleep. Ghatotkacha was such a calm baby that his presence could hardly be felt even when he was awake. This kind of yell was really uncharacteristic of him.

"Has he got hurt by any means?" They searched the tiny body. There was no sign of injury on his delicate limbs. But their fathers' hearts were able to sense that he was at some intolerable pain. What could it be then?

"Jyeshtha!"

The four brothers looked up. Bhima walked on to them, his face missing his usual cheerfulness.

"Bhrata Bhima!" Nakula rose, "you came so early today!"

"I did, Nakula. Don't know why, I am unable to concentrate on my work today! A strange feeling is gripping over me that I cannot even describe!"

Yudhishthira put an arm on Bhima's shoulder to comfort him. The baby had not stopped crying yet. While trying to console him the other four could sense that even their hearts were turning heavy. A subtle yet intense emotion was slowly rising within them too.

Was something going to happen?

"Blessed be you, my sons!"

The familiar grave voice made them turn their heads.

"Maharishi Vyasa!" Yudhishthira exclaimed. None of them had expected to see him here now.

The five Pandavas touched the seer's feet with utmost respect. With a kind smile, he gave his blessings to all of them, feeling proud of these grandsons who had successfully overcome every difficulty offered by life so far.

"Where is my granddaughter-in-law, Bhima?" He smiled knowingly.

"She is with Mata." Bhima replied, "I am going to make her aware of your arrival." Placing Ghatotkacha on Yudhishthira's arms, he went to the other side of jungle.

Surprisingly, the little one had stopped after he met Maharishi. Not only that his serene aura had affected the baby, he was also greatly interested in his appearance, something he had not seen before today. Maharishi's long, white beard had added to his curiosity. What could be hidden within that? The baby thought as he stretched his tiny arms to the sage, his little eyes shining in amusement.

Realizing that the baby was willing to be in Maharishi's arms, the four uncles smiled in relief. Vyasa Deva smiled, too. He took Ghatotkacha in his arms. The baby chuckled happily, and began playing with the beard.

"What name have you given to him?"

"Ghatotkacha, Maharishi!"

"Nice name!" He smiled. "May Trideva and Tridevi shower Their blessings on you, child! May you be blessed with Yudhishthira's patience, Bhima's power, Arjuna's skills, Nakula's humility and Sahadeva's wisdom together!" He uttered, and kissed the little hairless head. Ghatotkacha chuckled again, delighted with his loving caress.

Meanwhile, Kunti had entered along with her daughter-in-law, followed by Bhima. Hidimbaa touched Maharishi's feet with sheer reverence. Taking his blessings she moved to one corner and stood quiet with folded hands.

Giving the baby to his mother, Maharishi turned to the five brothers.

"Sons! Now loosen your attachments with this forest as well as its inhabitants!" His affectionate voice suddenly turned grave, "time has come you have to leave Rakshasavarta!"

The final words came with such a shock that none could even speak.

"DevaPutras, you were born for welfare of mankind!" Vyasa explained, "that aim of your life will never be fulfilled if you sit idle in this deep forest! You have to return Hastinapura, for establishing a Dharma Raajya there!"

The five stood silent, not knowing what to say. Yes, they did know that someday they would have to leave. They did know that Bhima was not going to live with his Rakshasi wife forever! But little Ghatotkacha had tied them with such a bond of affection that made them forget everything they had thought earlier. It was hard, very hard to untie this bond with their firstborn!

"Hastinapura believes us to be dead in Varanavata fire, Maharishi!" Yudhishthira slowly uttered, "isn't it better to let them live happily with this belief only? That will make peace prevail everywhere."

"I know what you are thinking, Putra!" The sage tenderly said, "I agree this forest is much more peaceful than the never-ending conspiracies of Hastinapura! But, if you choose to enjoy peace here, your praja will never be at peace! Won't you think of their good, son?"

Yudhishthira could not answer. He lowered his head, thinking. It was true that he was dedicated to the subjects of Hastinapura. But at the same time he had responsibilities to his mother and brothers as well. Returning Hastinapura would result in another series of murder plots. How would he save his family from the hands of enemies?

"Worry not, Putra!" Maharishi Vyasa assured him, "this time none would be able to harm you! Your cousin Krishna Vaasudeva has taken responsibility of that."

"Krishna!" The name itself made everyone smile, like an instant medicine.

"Where is Krishna, Maharishi?" Kunti eagerly asked.

"He is at Kampilya, still making a plan to make you politically strong. So that when you will be found alive, none can build another Lakshagriha for you!" He looked at them one by one, "till His plans are ready, you all need to live in disguise."

"But what will happen to my subjects, Maharishi?" Bhima's worried voice made everyone look at him.

"As Jyeshtha has responsibility to Hastinapura, I too have the same to the Rakshasas in this land!" Bhima continued, "I have been working hard to bring them on path of Dharma. With my departure, they again will lose themselves in darkness."

"That shall not happen, King Vrikodara!" Maharishi smiled, "your son will fulfil your unfinished duties here!"

"But he is still a child!" Bhima could not resist.

"He will grow up one day. Till then, your wife will rule this land as Rajmata."

There was a long silence.

The Pandavas were never unaware of the need of Dharma sansthaapana. They knew that their lives were not for their enjoyment but for happiness of their subjects. But what a hard sacrifice their Dharma was demanding! How could they leave their firstborn here thus, fatherless, and deprived of his family? How could they push Hidimbaa, the first bride of King Pandu's line, to such difficult situation? How would she live alone without her husband who she was deeply in love with? How would little Ghatotkacha live without his father?

Babies are said to have parts of God within them. Could Ghatotkacha somehow sense this beforehand? Was this the reason behind his cry? Was this the reason for Bhima's sudden gloominess?

"If this is inevitable for the sake of Dharma, I will do this with your blessings, Bhagwan!" Hidimbaa's voice was calm but determined.

"Hidimbae!" Bhima exclaimed, emotion chocked his voice.

"You go, Natha!" She calmly uttered, "you have a greater responsibility to fulfill! Without you, Dharma Raajya can never be established! How can I, being Rajarshi Pandu's daughter in law and your wife, stop you here when Dharma is calling you for its service?"

Her voice was heavy in grief, but she did not shed a single drop of tears. Her inner strength won admiration even from Maharishi Vyasa.

"Hidimbaa!" He placed his palm gently on her head, "You have given away your everything as a contribution in Dharma Sansthaapana! Aaryavarta forever will have debt to your sacrifice, Putri!"

***

The coronation was just over.

Rakshasas were hailing their new King, celebrating the Rajyabhisheka with due pomp according to their practices. The newly coronated King did not seem happy, though. His little heart was craving for getting pampered by his grandmother, father and uncles, who sat with heavy hearts.

The time of separation had come!

"From now on, your mother is everything for you, Putra!" Bhima kissed Ghatotkacha's head, his eyes brimming over tears. The child realized something and wrapped his little arms around Bhima as tightly as he could.

It would have been easier to uproot his heart than breaking that embrace! But what option did he have other than doing so!

The five brothers embraced and kissed the child passionately, knowing nothing about when fate would provide a chance to meet again!

"Mata!" Hidimbaa said after touching Kunti's feet, "I know well that your five sons are capable of overcoming every possible problem. Still, if someday you feel that your Ghatotkacha might come to any help, please send me a message! I promise to send him to your service as soon as possible!"

"I know that, Putri!" Kunti kissed her head, "I have complete faith that you will bring him up with the same ideals that I have given to my sons! May Narayana give you enough strength to bear with everything!"

The time of departure had come. Led by Maharishi Vyasa, the six humans stepped forward to leave the land of demons. Carrying Ghatotkacha on her lap, Hidimbaa followed them till the boundaries of her kingdom. Both the sides kept staring at each other as long as the others were visible to them.

Union and separation are rules of bodies. Loving hearts can never be separated, though. Wherever they might have to stay from now on, the six humans knew their souls would keep showering love on Hidimbaa and Ghatotkacha, forever.

They had left just the physical company, not the pure love they had for them!