Public Marketplace, Kampilya

Yudhishthira's heart soothed as soon as he set his feet in the capital of South Panchala. Even in this cold month of Pausha, he felt a light warmth in the air around him, as if someone was sending comforting vibes.

Smiling to himself, Yudhishthira drew a long, relaxed breath.

As if he felt at home, after years. Something Hastinapura could never give him!

Why does this kingdom feel so different from what it was few years ago, during their gurudakshina battle? Yudhishthira fondly wondered.

"This city is a bliss for beholder's eyes!" Nakula mused, "Far better than what we have heard."

"Undoubtedly. Not only that, I'm getting an auspicious vibe from Kampilya's very air." Yudhishthira commented.

"But we need to search for a safe shelter first, Jyeshtha." Bhima reminded,

Nodding, Yudhishthira looked around. It was a busy morning in the market of Kampilya. They saw all kind of people involved in their own daily jobs.

"Someone is coming in this way." Arjuna said, looking ahead. "Let's ask him if any guesthouse is available closeby."

A man in his forties passed near them, with a bundle of woods on his shoulder.

"Excuse me, Arya." Yudhishthira moved forward.

"Could you please tell us where can we get a guesthouse here?"

The man stopped to observe Yudhishthira.

"Looks like you are new here?"

Yudhishthira nodded.

"Coming from?"

"Ekchakra."

"Well, Maharaj Drupada has arranged a lot of places for the Brahmins who would come to attend the swayamvara. But you are too late. All the guesthouses are already full."

"Full?" Bhima exclaimed. "All of them?"

"Rajkumari Krishnaa's swayamvara is tomorrow itself, young Brahmin." The man stared at Bhima. "Do you expect guesthouses to be empty today?"

The five brothers sighed in despair. They were not thinking of themselves at all. It would not have been a problem for them to spend another day under some tree. But all they wanted to give a little comfort to Kunti. Though she was not expressing anything, they knew how much exhausted she was due to the fatigue of this long journey.

The Pandavas exchanged helpless glances, failing to understand what to do now.

How heartless destiny can be! Princes of glorious Chandra kula were unable even to get a shelter over their heads today! Yudhishthira closed his eyes in pain. When would this time pass? Where was their bhagyalakshmi who Maharishi Vyasa was talking about?

"Thanks for the information, Arya." Yudhishthira managed to speak, "Allow us to take your leave now." He joined his palms before moving away, indicating the others to follow.

"Listen!" The man called out.

They turned to him.

"I'm a vaishya potter. My hut is there at the western corner of this market." He pointed at the said direction, "So, if you don't have a problem, you can stay at my place."

Yudhishthira exhaled in much relief.

"Thank you so much, Arya. We are truly grateful to you for this help!"

"But one thing. You are six people. My hut only has two rooms. I cannot give you more than one of them. You have to adjust there only."

"No problem." Yudhishthira smiled, "We shall be fine with whatever you can arrange for us."

"Alright. Come then." The man started walking towards his home. The Queen of Hastinapura and the five Princes silently followed him, to find their new shelter in another straw hut.

***

Royal palace, Kampilya

Draupadi sprung to her feet and rushed to the ornate balcony that extended her chamber.

Lotuses had bloomed in the lake. Her favourite hibiscuses were dancing in cool breeze. Sweet fragrance of Jasmine had filled the air of the garden that adorned the space outside her chamber. But the Princess of Panchala could notice nothing of these. Her lotus eyes restlessly looked outside, as if searching for someone.

I have received your wordless message
This air carries the touch of your breaths
My heart says you have come,
O unseen love of my life!

"Rajkumari!"

Draupadi turned her head. Her chief Sakhi Sumedha was calling.

"Dwarakadheesh wants to talk to you." She informed.

"He has come?" Smile played on Draupadi's lips, "Send him sooner!"

Sumedha bowed and left. In a while, Krishna came in and found Draupadi eagerly peeping outside her garden.

As if she could have found them there only! Krishna shook his head fondly, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Who is standing there in your garden, Sakhi, that you didn't even look at me?" Krishna's eyes sparkled in mischief.

"Sakha, I'm having a unique feeling since morning! Each breath I inhale makes me feel their presence! As if they are very, very close to me!"

Krishna's smile widened to a grin.

"You didn't say anything?" Draupadi glared at him.

"Well, you only know better about your consorts!" Krishna shrugged, "What can I say?"

"This is not the answer of my question!" Draupadi rolled her eyes, "You certainly know where they are right now! Don't you?" Her excitement peaked seeing his calm, all-knowing smile.

"Tell me, Govinda, have they come?" She almost whispered.

"If your heart says so, then maybe they have, Sakhi!" Krishna affectionately said, stroking her hair, "Trust your vibes, and your love."

Draupadi closed her eyes. Her imagination ran through five handsome warriors whose faces were unknown, yet familiar. Exactly what she had seen in her dreams!

"Sakhi Krishnaa!" Satyabhama called out.

Draupadi's eyes jerked open, her trance shuttered.

"You forgot? It's time for you to go to the temple." Rukmini reminded, exchanging a quick glance with Krishna.

"Oh yes!" Draupadi slapped her forehead. "Thanks for reminding, Sakhi. I'm coming in a while."

"May we know whom you are thinking of so keenly that made you forget even the ritual worship before your swayamvara?" Satyabhama teased.

"Nothing." Draupadi lowered her face to hide her blushing cheeks but it was visible to all in the room. Suppressing a giggle, the three Lakshmis looked at each other. Krishna stood with an apparently naive face, watching the ladies silently.

"Where has Sumedha gone?" Draupadi suddenly tried to look very busy. "I'm fed up with this girl! See how much late I have been for the puja! I need to..."

"Here I am, Rajkumari!" Sumedha peeped in, "And your palanquin is also ready."

So Sumedha was waiting there only! It's me only who has delayed! Draupadi bit her tongue before quickly moving forward. She needed to take her puja thali from the temple room of palace.

"Swami, should not we also go?" Jambavati threw a meaningful glance to Krishna as soon as Draupadi left.

"Of course, Priye." Krishna smiled, "How can we ever miss such a special incident after yugas?"

"Not just that. We promised to bless their reunion, Swami." Rukmini reminded.

"I know, Ruku." Krishna nodded, "Not just us. Sakha Shiva and sister Parvati too gave them the same promise."

"And that is why you have asked Draupadi to do her pre-wedding puja in that particular temple where they both are present as Ardhanarishwara?" Satyabhama smiled knowingly.

"Precisely, Bhame. This was much needed." Krishna's voice turned grave as his eyes moved back to that day, yugas ago.

"Once Indra and Sachi were separated in front of Shiva and Parvati. Let them reunite in front of them only!"

***

On the city road

"Who says this city is beautiful and auspicious?" Bhima sideglanced at Yudhishthira and Nakula. "First of all so much problem in finding a shelter since morning. Now won't we get bhiksha too?"

"Feeling hungry, Bhrata?" Nakula teased.

Bhima rolled his eyes. "I'm not a Maharishi to not feel hungry at this mid-noon!"

Yudhishthira grinned, shaking his head fondly.

"Don't grin, Jyeshtha!" Bhima's eyebrows met. "I am serious! Swayamvara is tomorrow. So how come there is none in this huge city to offer alms to Brahmins?"

"You are talking to wrong person, Bhrata!" Nakula said, "Jyeshtha is not a right choice to talk about food. Neither does he have a problem in fasting today."

"But I have! If I don't get to eat now..."

Bhima could not finish. Something stopped him. Some invisible power.

Champeya gaurardha sharirakayai
Karpura gaurardha sharirakaya
Dhaumilyakaayai Cha jataadharaya
Namah Shivaayai Cha Namah Shivaaya||

The hymn to Ardhanarishwara reached their ears, making them forget everything else. It was a sweet, melodious female voice singing the stotra with utmost devotion. Five hearts rushed to that unknown voice even before they could know.

Unknown? Really? It did not feel so!

Kasturika kumkuma charchitaayai
Chitah raja punja bicharchitaya
Kritasmarayai vikritasmaraaya
Namah Shivaayai Cha Namah Shivaaya||

It was an irresistible pull. The five brothers could not stand that. Lost in a trance, they started moving towards the direction of that song.

Of the song? Or to their destiny?

Jhanat kanat kankana nupuraayai
Padavja rajat phani nupuraaya
Hemangadaayai bhujagangadaaya
Namah Shivaayai Cha Namah Shivaaya||

The Pandavas did not stop even for a while. Rather, they could not. Those lines of the hymn sounded too significant suddenly.

As if there was something deep in that stotra!

Mandara maala kalitalakaayai
Kapala maalankita kandharaya
Divyambaraayai Cha digambaraya
Namah Shivaayai Cha Namah Shivaaya||

Draupadi bowed to the joint form of Shiva and Parvati. When she rose to her feet, a pleasant fragrance of some unearthly flower reached her sense. The smell was familiar.

Parijata! Flower of heaven's garden!

An unclear memory of her past caught Draupadi in unawares. As her feet crossed the threshold of temple, she felt sun was just above her head, yet not burning her with his heat. Wind blew faster than ever, but it was too soothing, as if a friend's presence.

Little did she know, all the Gods from heaven were standing there only, eagerly awaiting a divine moment!

And then, five pairs of feet stopped in front of the temple. Five pairs of eyes fell together on those of the Princess of Panchala.

Their eyes met. After a painful wait since yugas!

Did the kaala chakra stop for a while?

Eyes drank each other's beauty
As if to quench a thirst since ages
They stood motionless, lost in each other.
Time has passed, memories lost, but,
Can one ever fail to recognize
The possession of one's own heart!

Draupadi's lotus eyes brimmed over with tears. Emotions surfaced in Pandavas' eyes too. Who knew since which yuga, which kalpa, were their hearts tied with hers!

They were in the garb of alm-begging Brahmins, and she was the Princess of royal palace. Their situations and appearances varied so widely. Yet they mirrored each other so seamlessly! All Devatas present there smiled in awe.

This first look of Indra-Indrani in their human forms was something to be cherished forever!

From the sky, Parijata flowers were showered upon the six.With joined hands, the Gods of heaven bowed to their King and Queen.

Neelakunchitakeshaayai jatajutasamayuktaaya
Chandana charchitaayai Cha bhashma charchitaaya
Raktambaraayai Cha mrigacharmambaraaya
Swarnalankritaayai rudrakshalankaraaya
Swargeshwaraayai Cha swargeshwaraaya
Namah Aindrayai Cha Namah Indraaya||

[We bow to Aindree and Indra
To her with blue-black curly locks, to them with matted hair.
To her who is adorned with sandalpaste, to them who are smeared with ashes.
To her who is clad in red silk, to them who are clad in deerskins.
To her wearing gold ornaments, to them wearing rudrakshas.
To her who is Queen of heaven, to them who are Kings of heaven.]

And right then, the temple priest uttered punyaphala of chanting Ardhanarishwara stotra.

Etatpathed Ashtakam Ishtadam Yo
Bhaktya Sa Manyo Bhuvi Dirghajivi
Prapnoti Saubhagyam anantakalam
Bhuyat Sada Tasya Samasta Siddhih||

[Those who chant this Ardhanarishwara Stotram with bhakti will be blessed long life. They will be blessed with eternal fortune and all they wish to to have in their lifetime.] 

How true it was! The six people thought together. They stared unblinking at each other, finding their "ananta saubhagyam", the eternal fortune in each other's eyes. At that moment, they knew they were looking not at some mortal human but the very embodiment of "samasta siddhi", the overall success of their life!

Drowned in their own blissful universe, neither of them noticed Krishna and his three wives smiling gracefully, standing beside them. Inside temple, Shiva and Parvati raised their right palms.

Stay united forever, Purandara and Paulami!

________________________________________

Author's note: Ardhanarishwara stotra is composed by Shankaracharya. The stuti to Pandava Panchali as Indra and Aindree (Sachi) is written by me.

Next is swayamvara. I will be strictly following BORI critical edition in the next chapter. Those who believe in other versions, please do not come to fight.

#HexagonForever #YuVikaForever