CUT TO:

EXT. RITUAL GROUNDS - EVENING.

Sanskrit chants fill the air, as Yaja and Upyaja go through the motions of preparing the oblations for the yajna. The fire crackles, and we see it reflected in Drupada's eyes, full of hope and desire. His queen PRISHATI sits beside him, perfectly poised, but her longing is clearly evident.

Yaja pours some oblations into the fire. We sweep over the people of Panchala in the distance, most staring in rapt attention at the fire, the rest whispering to the others.

YAJA

Maharani Prishati, come forth. A son and daughter await you!

Prishati shifts nervously, having just realised something.

PRISHATI

(demurely)

Forgive me, Maharshi. But I have been anointed with perfumed and sweet scents, I am hardly fit to accept this sanctified libation. Wait awhile, Maharshi, for this happy event!

YAJA

(angered)

Maharani, whether you come or not, destiny does not wait!

Yaja throws the butter in the fire. It blazes up; no one rears back but stares up at the fire in anticipation and awe. Drupada's expression teeters on the edge of dangerous, it seems as though he himself will reach into the fire.

The flames crackle. The sky is clear, however, a single clap of thunder is heard in the distance. It sounds joyous.

YAJA

Behold, O people of Panchala!

A figure takes shape in the fire. The flames rise higher. The anticipation builds.

A man steps out. He is dressed in celestial armour and holds a sword in his hand. A crown rests on his head. His eyes are calm, but upon beholding him, it appears as though he personifies the very fire he stepped out of. He looks around, and greets Yaja and Upyaja who raise their hands in blessing, wide smiles on their faces.

There is a roar from the crowd. His complexion is mottled gold in the light of the fire as he joins his hands and bows.

A voice from the heavens is heard.

AKASHAVANI (V.O.)

(thundering voice)

This prince of yours has been born to kill Drona! He will put an end to his father's sorrow!

The crowd roars in approval at these words. Drupada's expression is mixed with awe and some hint of relief. Beside him, Prishati stares, barely managing to keep her composure.

The prince turns to the yajnakunda. His smile indicates he is waiting for someone else.

Everything goes quiet. The only sound is of the fire.

There is some movement within the flames. The fireborn's smile widens. People whisper to each other, and several people including Drupada and Prishati wear strange expressions on their faces as they smell something.

CITIZEN OF PANCHALA

(whispering to another)

Where is this heavenly lotus smell coming from?

Thunder rumbles in the background. A strong wind blows in the scene, but the flames do not waver.

A woman steps out.

There are several gasps from the crowd. Her complexion is dark, radiant in the firelight. Her smile is heavenly; her hair is curly and long. She appears to be some sort of celestial maiden. Her beauty is intangible, and she does not appear quite real but firmly fixed at the same time.

She bows deeply to the two sages and the crowd. Individual faces are struck with awe and deep respect. Drupada is immensely joyous; Prishati stares.

The woman slips her hand into her brother's. He smiles at her and squeezes her hand. The same voice from the heavens speaks again.

AKASHAVANI (V.O.)

This princess shall be the foremost of women! In time, she shall accomplish the purpose of her birth!

The roar from the crowd is deafening. Prishati rises, trembling. She joins her hands before Yaja.

PRISHATI

Brahmanashreshta! Let these two children not know anyone but me as their mother!

YAJA

(smiling)

Let it be so!

The Brahmanas stand.

UPYAJA

Let your son, Maharaja Drupada, be named Dhrishtadyumna, for he is courageous and splendorous! Let your daughter be called Krishnaa for her dark complexion!

Drupada rises to his feet. The newly christened twins go to him, and seek him blessings. Tears spill down his face as he blesses the two of them, and pulls them into an embrace. KRISHNAA nestles into her father's arms, the smile on her face gentle. We linger on her for a moment.

CUT TO:

INT. A ROOM - NIGHT

BRAHMANA 2

And in this way, Drupada obtained valorous children. In time, Drona took Dhrishtadyumna under his tutelage as reparations for having taken half of Drupada's kingdom. He knew destiny to be inevitable, and did what he must.

Silence reigns in the hut. The Pandavas appear stricken, each staring into the distance. It feels like they have been struck by arrows, and have lost all sense.

Kunti stares at her sons, confused.

ARJUNA

(whispers)

Krishnaa...

The five brothers react in various ways to the name: half-recognition, confusion, something like love. Kunti's expression clears when she looks at her sons.

We focus on the five brothers, still wearing the same expression.

FADE OUT:

INT. A PALACE ROOM - MORNING

Drupada is at a table, writing something with a quill. There is a pile of scrolls next to the single one that is rolled out.

We zoom into the contents of the scroll. Words are highlighted.

It reads: "We extend our invitation to the esteemed royals wishing to participate in PanchalaKumari Drupadanandini Krishnaa's svayamvara."

The words "Krishnaa's svayamvara" float up silently from the scroll and increase in size.

INT. A PALACE ROOM - AFTERNOON

Soft sunlight filters in through the high windows, as Krishnaa is looking over various papers, her eyebrows furrowed. She copies over some numbers. Lost in thought, she does not see SHIKHANDI and SATYAJITA, her older brothers, entering.

SHIKHANDI

Anujaa.

Her head snaps up, and her smile widens as she drops her quill and walks over to her brothers. She bends down to touch Shikhandi and Satyajita's feet.

KRISHNAA

Pranaam, Bhrata! Why have the both of you come? Is there any issue?

SATYAJITA

Why? Can we not come to see our dearest sister without any such reason?

(when she touches his feet)

Kalyanamastu.

KRISHNAA

(smiling sheepishly)

Bhrata, you know that's not what I meant.

SATYAJITA

But it is what you said.

Shikhandi sighs.

SHIKHANDI

Don't antagonise Krishnaa, Satyajita.

(smiling, towards Krishnaa)

Mata wants to see you, Krishnaa. We came to fetch you as we only recently left her chambers.

Satyajita has wandered over to Krishnaa's table. He looks over the papers, and looks up.

SATYAJITA

You really do enjoy vittashastra, don't you, Krishnaa?

KRISHNAA

I do, Bhrata. It's wonderful to work with numbers.

SHIKHANDI

(laughs)

I believe you're alone in that regard, Anujaa. I hated ganita, and vittashastra even more. Not even Pitashri likes doing it.

KRISHNAA

Then I will do it for Pitashri!

The two brothers laugh, but Satyajita's laugh quickly fades. Krishnaa and Shikhandi are quick to notice this, and they look questioningly towards him.

SATYAJITA

(a bit sadly)

Pitashri has already sent out the invites for your svayamvara, Krishnaa. The day is not far off when you leave us for your husband's house.

KRISHNAA

(surprised, eyebrows furrowed)

Bhrata, it's not like I'll never come back to visit when I am married.

SHIKHANDI

Satyajita, it isn't like Krishnaa's svayamvara is tomorrow. We still have time. But, it must be said, we shall not give away our jewel to someone unworthy of her! Our Krishnaa will be wed to only the best of men!

KRISHNAA

(a strangely ethereal look on her face)

Bhrata, the ones to marry me are more than worthy enough.

SATYAJITA

Ones, Krishnaa? Don't tell me you forgot your vyakarana again!

Krishnaa only smiles, but we can tell that she meant to say what she said.

CUT TO:

INT. A PALACE ROOM - EVENING

Drupada is clearly lost in thought, his hand resting on his thigh and propping his head up, his face illuminated by the red of the sunset. Prishati enters, and eyes her husband and walks towards him.

PRISHATI

What are you thinking so deeply about, Aryaputra?

Drupada's eyes flicker in Prishati's direction, and he rises to an upright position as she approaches him. He sighs.

DRUPADA

Do you know why I wanted a daughter, Prishati?

Prishati does not. She keeps silent. Drupada notices this and his eyes come to rest on the table.

DRUPADA

It has been one of my most cherished wishes, especially since Sakha Pandu was blessed with five sons, to bind our relationship further with a marital tie. Pandu died before I could see him again, but Arjuna's prowess and humility had long impressed me, Priyaa!

He exhales, grief brimming in his eyes.

DRUPADA

(cont.)

I wished for Krishnaa to be born so that I could give her hand in marriage to Arjuna, Prishati. But now, that is impossible. Both my dearest friend and his sons were taken from me before I could strengthen our relationships, and for that I will never forgive Hastinapura.

Prishati places a hand on his shoulder in solidarity, and he reaches back and grasps her hand.

DRUPADA

I have never wanted anyone other than Arjuna to be my son-in-law, Prishati. But he is dead. And now our daughter's svayamvara is nearing, and I do not know what to do!

Prishati seats herself beside her husband, and cups his face, bringing his eyes to meet hers.

PRISHATI

Do you truly believe they are dead, Parshata?

DRUPADA

(sighs)

I do not know what to believe.

PRISHATI

Our daughter is blessed by Mahadeva himself, Svami! Whatever he wills always comes true. Set up a challenge in Krishnaa's svayamvara that only Arjuna can complete. If you are destined to have him as your son-in-law, then not even death will be able to keep him away!

Prishati's voice swells, and there is a fire in her eyes not unlike the fire that birthed her children. It is obvious that despite Krishnaa not being born of her own body, Prishati is as much her mother as the fire is.

A/N: Krishnaa is too cute 🥺