"Forgive me, son! I spoke without thinking. I will take my word back." Kunti pleaded to Arjuna.

Arjuna was in no condition to speak, his tears dried up, he stood immobile like a statue. Arjuna and his wife Draupadi had come to take the blessings of his mother Kunti, to which she responded by telling him to divide anything he had brought equally in his brothers. Arjun's despair had turned into anger. He decided to stay quiet, he would not shout on his mother.

The others did not feel any such compulsion.

"Maa, nobody listens to a fool because he speaks without thinking. A word is not something you can take back. What has been said. Has been said." stated Yudhishtira his voice calm but his eyes filled with sadness.

"How could you do this Maa?" Nakul raised his voice, "How can I think of Jeshtha's wife as mine?"

"Naku-" Kunti cried.

"No, Maa. What you did was wrong today. You have dishonoured love today." said Bhima grimly.

-

Love is above us. Love is above all. It cannot be shackled, because it is what liberates us. It cannot be erased because it is what forms us.

Draupadi sat on the banks of a lake they called Kumudama, because of the abundance of lotuses in it. She did not shed a tear. Her wrath had subsided. But she was still disturbed. Sitting on the rock she contemplated what had to be done.

It cannot die because it is what gives us life.

She knew what she had to do.

-

"So what will we do now, Jeshtha?" asked Sahdev looking at the eldest son of Pandu, known for his dedication to Dharma.

"There is only one solution Sahdev. The four of us will turn towards asceticism, renouncing from any worldly pleasures. While Draupadi will be known as Arjuna's wife. It is our duty towards our brother. It is Dharma." stated Yudhishtira.

"No, you will not."

Nobody heard Draupadi return, too busy in their despair. Kunti's guilt-stricken eyes started to pour a fresh stream of tears. Arjuna just looked at her, still silent.

"Tell me Dharmaputra, what is a duty greater? The duty to your brother or the duty to your motherland?" asked Draupadi now standing in front of them.

"To my motherland." Yudhishtira said immediately without any second thoughts.

"After the rain, the water evaporates, but the mud stays. The men who follow Dharma become ascetics, renouncing the world, leaving it to be ruled by Adharmis. If you and the great Vrikodara go for penance, your land will be ruled by Duryodhana. The people you call your own will suffer. The land you call yours will face oppression and brutality. Rise above your selfishness, Panduputras. Take what is rightfully yours. Not for yourself but your people, for your motherland."

Nobody moved, stricken with a sense of duty.

"You do your part and I will do mine." Draupadi continued, "I will fulfil my Dharma." She turned towards Kunti, "Queen Kunti you have divided me to your sons, but how will I divide my love?"

Kunti started to speak but Draupadi did not wait for an answer.

"I will be the wife of the five of you. If a man can have several wives, why can't a woman have several husbands? But what I fail to do is divide my love. I will not have physical relations with any of you if you wish to attain an heir you are welcome to marry another woman. And remember Panduputras. I am not the wife of the Pandavas. The Pandavas are my husbands."

The wedding was modest but grand. After all, it was the wedding of Panchali. Draupadi was neither sad nor angry. Today, for the first time she had felt the essence of love. It was not her protecting love, it was the other way around. The love she had for Arjuna could not have been repressed or destroyed. She loves him and he loves her. That is all that matters isn't it? Love without expectations.

The rituals were performed as usual but repeated four times. It was the tradition in the Kuruvansh that when a wedding took place, the husband had to gift her a chudamani, making her a Kurukul Vadhu. The Pandavas together had placed a chudamani on Draupadi's head. The gold workings formed five flames, and in the centre of each flame, a teal coloured stone was placed, signifying the Pandavas and also the five pillars of Dharma. Krishna stood at the back and saw it all. He had arrived on the news of his sakhi's wedding. She did marry who she loves after all. He was content with Draupadi she had chosen Prem, not Moh.

Author's note: I am providing a vocabulary for words you may be unfamiliar with:

Kumudama - A lake in Panchal ( fictional)

Vrikodara - Another name for Bhima, meaning the belly of a wolf as a wolf eats a lot but its belly is always slim

Panduputras - Literally the sons of Pandu

Chudamani - It is a lotus-shaped, Indian headdress, usually studded with jewels

Kurukul - The clan of Kuru

Vadhu - Hindi for bride