"Magadh ne akraman kar diya hai !"

"JARASANDH SAMAST YADAVO KA NAASH CHAAHTA HAI !"

In Mathura, chaos erupted as news spread that the troops of Magadh had arrived on the outskirts for war. Citizens ran through the streets, panic evident on their faces. Mothers clutched their children tightly, trying to navigate through the crowded marketplace. Merchants hastily closed their shops, their wares abandoned in their rush to seek safety.

Soldiers were frantically preparing the defenses, ordering civilians to seek shelter within the city walls. The air was thick with fear and anticipation as the sound of approaching cavalry could be heard in the distance. The rhythmic drumming of war drums only served to heighten the tension in the kingdom.

Inside the royal palace, the atmosphere was tense. The ministers were gathered in the courtroom, their brows furrowed with worry. King Ugrasen, a wise and powerful ruler, paced back and forth with a furrowed brow, his eyes reflecting the burden of his responsibilities.

"Kitni badi sena laya hai woh ?" Ugrasen asked.

Akrur, whose face was etched with worry, said, "Kul-mila ke 23 akshohini."

A heavy silence fell upon the room. Twenty-three Akshohini. It meant that at their borders waited - 503,010 chariots, 503,010 elephants, 1,509,030 horses and 2,515,050 foot soldiers. A formidable force of 5,030,100 troops in total.

"O Ishvar..." Ugrasen's heart sank, at the realization of the imminent danger that loomed over his kingdom.

Satyak stepped forward, gripping his sword, "Maharaj, hume yudh ke liye sajj ho jana chahiye. Jarasandh ne shaanti ka prastaav nahi bheja hai, isse yeh siddh hai ki woh Kamsa ke vadh ka pratishodh lene aya hai, aur bina liye lautega nahi."

"Itne badi sena se yudh karna uchit nahi hoga, Maharaj. Hume shaanti se vichaar karna chahiye." Bhurishrava said coming forward.

Satyak raised a brow, "Yudh ke alawa koi aur maarg nahi hai humare paas, Maharaj. Shatru sena le, akraman hetu sajj hai. Yadi shaanti chahiye toh yudh hetu taiyaar hona hoga."

"Maharaj Ugrasen, Shinivanshiyo ko yudh ke alawa kuch sujhta nahi hai." Bhurishrava cast a side glance at Satyak, "Shatru ke paas 50 lakh se adhik ka sainya bal hai. Yadi Raja Satyak yudh karna chaahte hai toh awashya kare, aur apna ahankar chur hota dekhe."

Satyak clenched his fists, "Yadi mere pita Shini ne tumhare Pita Somdatta ko praan-daan nahi diya hota, toh tum aaj mere samaksh yeh kehne hetu yaha khade nahi hote, Bhurishrava. Ahankar toh tumhare Pita ka ahat huya tha, jiske karan tumhara janm huya."

Bhurishrava's patience wears thin. In a moment, he draws his sword with a sharp clang, "Satya kaha ! Mera janm tumhare kul se apne Pita ke apmaan ka pratishodh lene hetu huya hai ! Chalo aaj hi apne janm ko sidh kardu !"

Kritvarma was quick to intervene, by stepping in between the arguing men. With a firm grip, he caught Bhurishrava's arm holding the sword, preventing any rash actions.

Ugrasen shouted in frustration, "Rajsabha ko ran-bhoomi banane ka dussahas na kare aap dono ! Yaha shatru seema par aa chuka hai aur Mathura ke varisht mantri aapas mei lad rahe hai !"

Kritvarma's eyes met Bhurishrava's, silently urging him to reconsider his aggressive stance, "Mitra, abhi yeh sahi samaye nahi." He said.

Bhurishrava hesitates, his sword hand gradually lowering under Kritvarma's unwavering gaze. The room falls into a heavy silence, charged with unresolved conflict and the weight of impending decisions.

Ugrasen sighed, "Raja Satyak ki baat sahi hai..... Jarasandh pratishodh chaahta hai. Yudh ke alawa humare paas koi chara nahi..... Kintu 23 akshohini sena...."

"Maharaj, aap chinta kyu karte hai ?" Akrur asked calmly, "Jab Shri Krishna aur Balram humare saath hai ?"

A sense of hope begins to spread through the court as they remember the miraculous deeds of Krishna and Balram.

"Satyavachan." Ugrasen smiled, "Krishna aur Balram ke rehte Mathura surakshit hai."

Ugrasen, his countenance transformed by a newfound resolve, made his way towards Krishna and Balram. Akrur, Satyak, Kritvarma, Daruk, and Bhurishrava walked alongside him, their expressions grave as they discussed strategies in hushed tones. The weight of responsibility bore down heavily on the group as they advanced towards Vasudev's chambers. As they reached the door, a hushed silence fell over the group.

Vasudev, standing outside his mansion, spotted the group approaching and immediately sensed the gravity of the situation. With a solemn expression, he stepped forward to greet them.

"Maharaj aur Mantrijano ko pranaam." He joined his hands.

Ugrasen, with a sense of urgency, said, "Vasudev, hume shigreh Krishna se milna hai."

With a silent nod, Vasudev leads them through the intricate halls, the weight of the impending battle palpable in every step. Upon reaching the chamber where Krishna and Balram were seated on a swing, their faces serene despite the imminent threat. The air seems charged with a sense of calm and purpose as the group gathers around the young princes.

With a sense of reverence, Ugrasen and the ministers bowed down before Krishna and Balram, their faces reflecting admiration and humility in the presence of the divine beings.

"Krishna.... Prabhu.... Mathura ki raksha kariye." Ugrasen said with joined hands, "Jarasandh yudh hetu agrasar hai. Uski 23 akshohini sena ko hum aapke bina parast nahi kar sakte."

Krishna's eyes meet Balram's in silent communication, a look of understanding passing between the brothers. Then, Krishna shifts his gaze towards King Ugrasen, his expression unreadable yet filled with a sense of assurance and wisdom.

Smilingly he says, "Yudh ke liye taiyaari kare, Maharaj. Mai aur Dau swayam Magadhpati se yudh karne jaayenge."

The ministers hesitated, unsure of how to respond to the resolve of these two young warriors.

Vasudev shook his head, "Nahi putro... Tum dono abhi chhote ho. Yudh par jaane ki aayu nahi hai yeh. Aur tumhare samaksh Jarasandh jaisa shatru hai."

"Pitashree, hum aapki chinta samajhte hai." Balram said, "Kintu Jarasandh ki shatruta humse hai. Iss liye yudh par toh hum hi jaayenge."

Krishna reassured, "Ha Pitashree. Hum ashwasan dete hai ki vijay humari hi hogi."

Everyone knew the risks of sending these young princes into battle, yet they could not deny the fire burning within Krishna and Balram. As the gravity of the situation settled upon them, Ugrasen and Vasudev realized that they stood at the precipice of a decision that would shape the fate of Mathura.

"Yadi yahi iccha hai, toh thik hai." Ugrasen agreed.

Daruk stepped forward and said, "Krishna, aap sarveshwar hai, aapko kisi ki awashyakta nahi. Kintu Bhulok par yeh aapka pratham yudh hoga. Iss liye kripa kar, mujhe apna saarthi bana le."

Krishna smiled, "Awashya. Aapka anubhav meri sahayata karega. Waise bhi ek uttam saarthi ka hona, ek yoddha hetu ati awashyak hai."

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A/N

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