Ghatotkach landed in the golden palace of Pragjyotisha. Bheem had offered to come instead, but Ghatotkach declined saying he had a special motive behind going there.

There were many attendants fulfilling their duties in the garden. He approached one of them and asked, "Where is the daughter of Mura? I wish to see her."

The Dasi looked at Ghatotkach from head to toe. A slow smile appeared on her face.

"I advise you not to challenge her. She has killed millions. Stay with me, I will give you all you want." The dasi said seductively.

"I cannot accept your offer. Either I will win the hand of your mistress in marriage, or I will be killed by her in battle. Please go and inform her of my arrival." Ghatotkacha gently requested.

"Fine, if you're so eager to die." The dasi commented and left to inform her mistress.

Kamakantaka, was the daughter of Daitya Mura, thus known as Mauravi also. In the war with Vasudev Krishna, Mura was killed while allying with Narakasura. At first in rage, Kamakantaka had attacked Krishna. The fight went on for three days before Krishna decided to use Sudarshan Chakra. But he was stopped by Goddess Kamakhya who told him Kamakantaka was in her protection and she made Kamakantaka understand that her father's death was inevitable. Since then Kamakantaka had been living in Pragjyotisha with Narakasura's son Bhagadatta.

Kamakantaka was a princess of great alluring beauty which attracted many suitors seeking her hand in marriage. But she had set a very deadly condition for her marriage. That she would only marry the man who would defeat her through intelligence and battle. Many Rakshasas and Asuras had approached her, but all were defeated and slain by her. Ghatotkach hearing of her valour, had decided to defeat and win her already when Pandavs called him.

"So, you're the new one who has gotten disappointed with life and has come here to die?" A melodious voice asked from behind as Ghatotkach was busy in observing his surroundings. He turned around to find a beautiful young maiden before him. She slowly moved towards him and came to stand in front of Ghatotkach while observing him with her watchful gaze.

"You've come for the first time in Pragjyotisha. Take rest for a day or two. Enjoy the hospitality of Pragjyotisha a little before dying. Pragjyotisha is famous for its hospitality to its visitors." Kamakantaka said with a smirk.

"Really? Then I would love to enjoy the hospitality. But not as a visitor but as the son-in-law of Pragjyotisha." Ghatotkach replied with an amused smile. Kamakantaka's mouth tightened hearing him.

"Were you born with pride and ego attached?" She asked.

"Rakshasa Rani Hidimba ka putra hu. Sourya aur sahas leke janma hu. (I am the son of Rakshasa Rani Hidimba. I have born with valour and bravery intact.)" Ghatotkach replied. "So tell, which test will you want to take first? Of intelligence or strength?"

"Let's take the test of brain first. Because without brain, strength becomes a wastage." Kamakantaka said resuming her smirk. "Ask me such a question which baffles me and I can't give an answer to it."

Ghatotkach thought for some moments and then started to tell a tale.

"Once there was a father-son pair who lived alone after the death of the mother. The son came of age to get married. But instead of getting his son married, the father got married to a girl of his son's age. In anger, the son married the widowed mother of that girl. Now, the father became his own son's son-in-law and the son became his father's father-in-law. The son's new mother was his daughter and the father's daughter-in-law was his mother-in-law too. Now what should the father call his daughter-in-law and what should the new mother of the son should be called by him? Putri or Mata?"

Kamakantaka frowned heavily and looked utterly confused. She opened her mouth to answer a few times before closing it again. Ghatotkach slowly smirked at her.

"Don't be so amused. You still need to defeat me in a battle." Kamakantaka said gritting her jaw and then with her Maya, created Rakshasas to attack Ghatotkach. However, Ghatotkacha destroyed them. Kamakantaka then reached for her sword, but Ghatotkacha caught her. He threw her on the ground and gripped her neck telling her to surrender before he choked her.

Finally Kamakantaka surrendered.

"You've defeated me fair and square, HidimbaPutra. I accept my defeat. And as you have fulfilled my condition, I will marry you." Kamakantaka said meekly.

"Do you realise, in this useless condition of yours, how many innocents have lost their lives? How many mothers have lost their sons? How many lives you destroyed?" Ghatotkach asked angrily. "You have the right to choose your husband. But you have no right to take someone's life just because you can."

Kamakantaka lowered her eyes realising her mistake. She could have simply let those go after defeating them. But she brutally killed each and every one.

"I apologise for my deeds. I realise I was wrong. Forgive me please." Kamakantaka said in sadness.

"Ok. I forgive you. But you'll have to do two things." Ghatotkach said firmly.

"What will I have to do, Swami?" Kamakantaka asked.

"First, I need your blood to create a Maya around Indraprasth. You've shed much blood of innocents. Now give some to protect them." Ghatotkach replied.

"Ok. I will help you in creating the Maya." Kamakantaka agreed nodding her head obediently. "And the second thing?"

"Our family tradition is that the wife carries the husband. Hence, carry me to Indraprastha, where my mother is waiting. We will marry there only." Ghatotkacha said with attitude.

Kamakantaka frowned at him and then glanced at him from head to toe and then back again.

"Carry you?!" Kamakantaka asked stupendously.

"Any problem?" Ghatotkach asked narrowing his eyes.

"No, no problem. Baas Indraprasth tak hi toh jana hai. Kar lungi. (I only need to go to Indraprasth carrying you. I will do it.)" Kamakantaka said giving a nervous laugh.

Ghatotkach & Kamakantaka

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In Manipura:

Rajkumari Chitrangada looked ahead at the sacred pools of water in confusion. They were called Agastya, Saubhadra, Pauloma, Karandhama and Bharadwaja. Those bathing in the waters would be as blessed as those performing an aswamedha yaga and their sins would be washed away. But despite all this, visiting sages paid their respects to the sacred ponds from a distance without bathing in them. Because in each of the ponds there was a crocodile. The crocodiles ate up anyone who stepped into the water.

"Why have you brought me here?" Chitrangada asked. Yuyutsu had brought her here when she came today to give her test.

"Magarmacho ko bohot bhuk lagi thi. Toh bhrata Yuyutsu ne socha aapko bhej de unke liye. (The crocodiles are really hungry. So, bhrata Yuyutsu thought to send you to them.)" Arjun said from behind. He was eating an apple while casually leaning on a tree. Chitrangada gritted her jaw, but ignoring him looked expectantly at Yuyutsu.

"Do you see the rope?" Yuyutsu asked pointing at the ponds. There was indeed a rope that hung only a few meters above the ponds. It was tied around a large tree and crossing one pond, it's another end was tied on the tree situated on the opposite side. From that point the rope was extended to another pond and it's other end was tied on a third tree and this way it crossed every pond before ending it's trail.

"Yes. What to do with it?" Chitrangada asked looking back at him.

"You will have to cross the ponds using those ropes. Without falling in the waters or touching the ground of course." Yuyutsu replied crossing his arms on his chest. Chitrangada stared at him for a while and then turned to Arjun to see him giving her a 'told you' look.

"You do know that there are crocodiles inside these waters, right?" Chitrangada asked carefully.

"Yes, why?" Yuyutsu asked back.

"The ropes are tied too close to the surface."

"Yes, so?"

"So, the crocodiles can make a snack out of me if I tried to cross the ponds using this method of yours."

"I am aware."

"Still you want me to go?"

"You can quit and we both can go our separate ways if you want."

Chitrangada stared at him for long moments before releasing a breath and nodding in agreement. She went towards the tree in which Arjun was leaning as that was the starting point of the rope.

"Parnipat. Jeevhit bache toh pher milenge. (If you manage to live, we'll meet again.)" Arjun said folding his hands in greeting and gave way to her.

Chitrangada threw an annoyed glare at him before starting to climb. She grabbed the rope and then jumping and crossing her legs over the rope got into a parallel position. She started to move ahead slowly. Yuyutsu and Arjun kept watching from afar. She had already reached more than halfway of the pond when the crocodile residing on the pond emerged on the water surface with its eyes fixed on her. Chitrangada didn't look downwards and moved ahead only crossing the first pond successfully.

Getting to the second tree, she started moving across the next one. This time the crocodile residing on the pond was on her trail from the start only. When she had reached almost halfway, the crocodile took a leap opening its mouth wide to catch Chitrangada. Chitrangada who had heard the splash of water stiffened and tightened her hold on the rope. The crocodile reached more than half the path to reach Chitrangada. But just a little distance saved her from the crocodile. Chitrangada held her breath inside and tried to move as fast as she could. The crocodile jumped two more times to catch it's prey, but failed and Chitrangada successfully reached the third tree.

From there, she started for the third pond. This time also after crossing a little distance inside the pond, the crocodile took her trail and jumped with its mouth open. Arjun and Yuyutsu frowned as this crocodile was bigger than the other two and reached higher and closer than those. Chitrangada kept moving onwards though. The crocodile after a few moments jumped again in vain. The third time it jumped, Chitrangada made the mistake of glancing downwards and froze at the sight of the crocodile jumping above with its mouth filled with sharp teeth. Fear engulfed her as she kept staring downwards.

Yuyutsu and Arjun got concerned as Chitrangada stopped moving.

"Rajkumari, don't look downwards. Move." Yuyutsu shouted breaking the trance of fear she had fallen into.

Chitrangada took a deep breath before continuing further. The crocodile kept pursuing her. Every time it leaped, Chitrangada's breath caught in her lungs. But she kept moving ignoring her fear. After crossing the third pond like this, Chitrangada also succeeded in crossing the fourth one. The crocodile residing on that pond was slow to reach this time and jumped only once at her unsuccessfully. It was when Chitrangada was crossing the fifth and final pond that she felt her hands slipping as they had sweated and her fingers were hurting too from gripping the rope so tightly. The crocodile was on her pursuit too.

With her heart caught in mouth, Chitrangada was moving onwards. She also heard the splash of water two times already. Suddenly, she felt her hands loosing it's hold on the rope. Yuyutsu and Arjun was alarmed to see her dangling from the rope in a upside down position. Chitrangada looked downwards to find the crocodile preparing to leap at her again and this time it sure wouldn't need to reach much higher to catch her.

The crocodile leaped. Chitrangada too jumped to catch the rope pushing her body forward. And escaped the crocodile just by an inch. She took deep calming breaths to calm herself. For a moment there, she thought her time was over. Arjun and Yuyutsu also released the breath they were holding inside. After that though, she moved slowly but managed to reach the final end of the rope.

Arjun and Yuyutsu moved towards her while she was catching her breath. Yuyutsu forwarded a water pot to her. Chitrangada took it and gulped the water quickly to wet her dry throat.

"Have I passed?" She asked after composing herself.

"Since you're still alive, so yes." Yuyutsu replied. "We will start from tomorrow and I will train you for two months. You will come before sunrise and leave only after sunset. Is it okay?"

"Yes." Chitrangada said nodding happily.

"Now leave. And apply some medicine on the rashes of your hands. I won't tolerate any sluggishness because of it." Yuyutsu said sternly.

Chitrangada nodded and left thinking, couldn't he have praised or motivated her a little?

As Chitrangada left, Yuyutsu caught Arjun's eyes with a serious expression and asked,
"Are you sure about this?"

Arjun nodded in affirmation.

"Haddiya bhi cabake kha jayenge yeh magarmach tumhare. Uske paschat kya bheju tumhare bhaio ke paas? (These crocodiles will eat even your bones. Then what will I send back to your brothers?)" Yuyutsu asked frowning.

"Don't worry bhrata Yuyutsu. I am given a boon by Naga Princess Uloopi, that no creatures of the water will be able to defeat me. I will enter the ponds, drag the crocodiles out, bind them and transport them to somewhere else. So that these sacred ponds can be free for the sages and people." Arjun said.

"Be careful." Yuyutsu cautioned.

Arjun went ahead after nodding. He decided to go inside the middle pond first where the biggest crocodile was. He entered the pond as Yuyutsu remained close watching. As Arjun went deeper into the water, the crocodile caught hold of his leg and attempted to drown him. But Arjun pulled the crocodile out of the water and dragged it on to the land. Suddenly the crocodile changed its form and in the place appeared a beautiful woman surprising him and Yuyutsu.

"Thank you so much warrior. Because of you, today after years of bearing this curse, I am finally free from it." The woman said gratefully folding her hands before Arjun.

"Who are you devi? And what were you doing inside the pond in the form of a crocodile?" Arjun asked frowning in confusion.

"I am Varga. I am an apsara of Dhanadhipati Yaksharaj Kubera's court. The other crocodiles residing on those ponds are my friends and also apsaras. One day, we saw a young, handsome man engaged in penance here. Entranced by his good looks, we danced before him and tried to get his attention. The young Rishi got angry as we disturbed his penance and cursed us that we will be crocodiles until some brave warrior steps into the water and drags us out. By dragging me out today, you relieved me from my curse." The woman replied smiling in relief.
"I request you to free my friends from the curse too just as you freed me."

Arjun nodded hearing her plea and went to the other ponds. He, one by one dragged the rest four crocodiles out too freeing the other apsaras from the curse. They all were thankful and left after expressing their gratitudes.

"Now?" Yuyutsu asked after they left the two alone.

"I need to leave Manipura. You stay and teach your disciple thoroughly." Arjun said smiling mischievously at Yuyutsu. Yuyutsu shook his head before embracing him.

"Take care." Yuyutsu said releasing him.

"You too." Arjun said and left him there.

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"Are you sure?" A man asked grimly.

"Yes. I saw her with my own eyes." A Sage standing behind replied.

"How is this possible?!!!!" The man shouted in rage.

"It is true. Years before, I told your father too. That the girl is alive." The sage said again.

"Betrayal!!!!!" The man screamed in anger. "That means he betrayed my father. And me too."

The Sage remained silent agreeing with him.

"Where? Where did you see her? Who is she?!!!" The man asked with madness dancing in his eyes.

The Sage remained quiet, not daring to answer this time.

"Tell me!!!!!" The man shouted again.

"Kuruvangsh ki Kulvadhu hai woh. Indraprasth ki Maharani, Yudhisthir Sangini, Devika.

(She is the daughter-in-law of Kuruvangsh. The Queen of Indraprasth, wife of Yudhisthir, Devika.)"

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Hello!!!😈😈😈

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

So, I mentioned an interesting tale when Hidimba and Ghatotkach went to meet Pandavs and Krishna, remember?

So when they went there, Yudhisthir was pleased to see Ghatotkach and proposed that they should get Ghatotkach married now. He asked Krishna if he knew of any suitable girl.
Krishna then told about Kamakantaka or Ahilawati. Yudhisthir hesitated, but Bheem and Arjun approved saying a valorous woman like that should be choosen for Ghatotkach. And thus Ghatotkach went there. But before going Krishna told him to remember him during the intelligence test.

Then the test and battle happened. Though it was some other tale Ghatotkach narrated to her. Anyways, he won Kamakantaka and returned with her to Indraprasth.

Now....moving on to the next one......I know the ponds were in South India. But as Dravida is in south, Arjun was afraid to go there....so I shifted the ponds....😂😂😂

And now.....how was the last stroke?😎😎😎