Twelve nights of grieving had passed. The Pandavas had been sleeping on the ground, and so were the Brahmanas and citizens. The young and old, men and women alike were unhappy and miserable. The citizens still lamented for Pandu as if they had lost one of their own relative.

Later on, Dhritrashtra, Vidur, Bhishma, and other mourning relatives solemnly performed the shraddha ceremony in honor of the departed souls, by offering the immortal cake.

The aroma of incense and flowers wafted through the air as the Brahmanas were served a grand feast in honor of Pandu. The air was filled with the aroma of spices and incense, mingling with the sounds of chanting and prayers. Meanwhile, the Kuru family with its relatives sat in dignified silence, their heads bowed in reverence for their departed kin.

Satyavati stood tall, watching over the proceedings with a sense of duty and sorrow. Her face is a canvas of emotions - grief, regret, and a deep sense of loss. First Chitrangad, then Vichitaveerya and now Pandu. The tragedies that have befallen her family weigh heavily on her heart, and the solemnity of the occasion only serves to magnify her sorrow. What else was left for her to see ?

As Satyavati observed the somber scene of the shraddha ceremony, her heart heavy with grief, a sudden hush fell over the gathering as Ved Vyas arrived. His presence brought a sense of reverence and anticipation, his wise eyes filled with understanding and compassion.

"Dwaipayan ?" Satyavati's gaze met his, and in that moment, a glimmer of hope stirred within her grieving heart.

Ved Vyas approached his mother with a sense of reverence and humility, bowing before her, offering his respects, "Pranaam Mata."

His wise eyes then scanned the gathering, observing the somber faces of the grieving citizens and the Kuru family. Vyas' gaze held a depth of understanding and compassion, as if he could perceive the inner turmoil of each individual present.

"Atyant dukh ki baat hai." He muttered.

Satyavati sighed, "Kab tak yeh chalega Dwaipayan ? Kab tak humara kul aur yeh rashtra shaktishaali Rajao ka Aisa annt dekhega ? Kya durbal shashan hi Kuruo ki niyati ban chuki hai ? Kya iska annt kabhi hoga ?"

"Annt ?" A sad smile graced Vyas's lips, "Yeh toh abhi aarambh hai Mata."

"Aarambh ?" Satyavati frowned.

Vyas nodded, "Sukh ke kshan beet chuke hai, aur bhayavaye samaye aane wale hai. Aane wala har din, pichle din se adhik paapi hoga."

"T-Tatparya kya hai tumhara ? Kya hoga ?" Satyavati asked, her heart sinking with fear.

Vyas stoicly said, "Sarvanaash. Kul ka. Parivaar ka. Rajvansh ka. Aane wali pidhiyo ka. Aur yeh sab hoga Ambika ke putra ke karan."

Satyavati gulped, fear clutching her soul, "Kya kuch kiya nahi jaa sakta ?"

"Yeh sab uski leela hai, jiske virodh mei koi khada nahi ho sakta." Vyas said as he gazed at the sky momentarily, before turning his gaze back at her, "Aap keval itna kar sakti hai ki sab tyaag kar, sanyaas ashram ko swikar kare. Kyuki jaisa samaye aane wala hai, woh aapse dekha nahi jaayega."

For a moment, Satyavati pondered his words. The weight of her sorrow and the impending challenges weighed heavily on her mind. She looked around at the relatives gathered, the Brahmanas feasting, and the Kuru family in mourning. With a determined yet sorrowful expression, she turned back to Vyas and nodded in agreement.

Satyavati then made her way to the quarters of her daughters-in-laws, her mind resolved to embrace the simplicity and wisdom of her son's hermitage. As she entered, she saw Ambalika lying on the bed, her face etched with the deep lines of grief for her departed son.

Satyavati turns towards Ambika, "Putri, Vyas ne mujhse kaha hai ki tumhare putra ke karan, iss kul ka, putro aur pautro ka naash hone wala hai."

"Kya ? Dhritrashtra ke karan ?" Ambika's eyes widened.

Satyavati nodded sadly, as she held her daughter-in-law's hand, "Kintu yeh sab ishwar ki yojna ka bhaag hai. Mai, Ambalika ke saath van mei vaas karne jaayungi. Use waha shaanti milegi. Yadi tum chalna chaahti ho, toh chalo humare saath."

"Uchit hai." Ambika consented with a heavy heart, she couldn't bear the thought of the destruction of clan, that too due to the deeds of her son, then how could she watch it with her own eyes ?

"Hum Bhishm se aagya le, van ke liye prasthaan karenge." Satyavati said.

---------

The crowd's sorrowful cries resonated through the air, blending with the Pandavas' own grief-stricken hearts. The citizens gathered around the grieving Pandavas and their mother Kunti.

"Kripiya aap kuch dino ke liye Varanasahrya chaliye. Waha aapko shaanti milegi."

Yudhishthir stood with his brothers and his mother, contemplating the request. Despite the weight of his grief, Yudhishthir remembered the teachings of his father, Pandu, who had always emphasized the importance of serving and pleasing the citizens.

After a moment of reflection, Yudhishthir nodded in agreement, "Yadi aap sabhi ki yeh iccha hai, toh uchit hai."

The people erupted into cheers and expressions of gratitude, relieved that the Pandavas had accepted their invitation. The citizens formed a somber procession, leading the Pandavas and Kunti towards their destination. Men, women, and children walked together, their footsteps echoing a melancholic rhythm.

Despite their own sorrow, the citizens showed unwavering support for the grieving family, offering silent prayers and gestures of comfort as they made their way through the forest clearing.

However, amidst the somber atmosphere, the sound of children laughing joyfully echoed around them. Curious, the Pandavas turned their gaze and saw the 100 princely boys playing and laughing together in the distance. Yudhishthir, Arjun, Bheem, Nakul, and Sahadev slowed their pace, asserting that these must surely be their cousins, the Dhratrashtras.

Suddenly the eldest among the hundred, halted in his tracks, his eyes falling upon the five brothers. He raised his head defiantly, a smirk playing on his lips, a hint of arrogance and challenge. It was none, but Duryodhan, the eldest son of Dhritrashtra. The rest of his brothers behind him followed suit, their brows furrowing in unison as they too turned their gaze towards the young princes. The air crackled with tension as the weight of destiny settled upon them all.

Feeling a sense of unease at the intense expressions of their cousins, the Pandavas found themselves unable to fully comprehend the meaning behind the looks they were receiving. Confused and uncertain, they chose to avert their gaze and continue on their journey towards the city.

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A/N

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