Vivaha mandap, Indraprastha

Bride's brothers!

A sigh escaped Yudhishthira's heart as he remembered Kotikasya's fury in swayamvara hall. He had still expected the youngest Prince Shaivya to arrive. Though it was understandable that he must have been stopped by his elders from attending this wedding.

Conchs played, bringing him back to the present. Yudhishthira saw Devika, carefully guarded behind a curtain, approaching the wedding altar. Krishna himself, along with Balarama and Satyaki held her from one side. On the other side stood Kashi Prince Abhibhu, and Chedi Princes Dhrishtaketu and Suketu. They were leading her to the mandap like her own uterine brothers would do.

Yudhishthira took a deep breath, smiling. Devika might have lost Shivi, but received Dwaraka, Kashi and Chedi as her new families! These six men from different kingdoms had united in a bonding of brotherhood today, for the sake of a Princess whose own brother had turned away from her! What more fortune she could have expected on this special day of her life?

She had been blessed! Abundantly!

Holding the curtain over her, they made Devika do pradakshina around Yudhishthira and made her sit in front of him.

The curtain removed. Yudhishthira saw his bride, still looking down. Kashi's famous bridal silk adorned her delicate frame. Chedi's precious pearls sparkled on her ears, neck and arms. Gemstones from Dwaraka's ocean embedded in pure gold coloured her very presence in hundreds hues that one could only imagine in Indra's Amaravati. She indeed looked like a most cherished, most awaited dream. A part of Yudhishthira feared whether this dream would break soon and won't turn into reality!

"Look up, sister!" Abhibhu gently prompted. "Maharaj is waiting."

Still, Devika could not lift her eyes. She could sense Yudhishthira's awed gaze on her. She wished time could have stopped here only, to let her bath in the aura of that soothing coppery gaze! She sensed his gaze was washing away all her worries, all her pain.

As if a holy shower from coppermade Puja vessel itself!

"Look at him, Devi!" Mitravinda pushed her arm. "Don't make him impatient anymore!"

Battling her heavy coyness, Devika managed to lift her kohl-smeared eyelids a little. Her eyes first found Yudhishthira's mesmerized eyes, staring unblinking at her. White embroidered garment along with maroon uttariya had suited aesthetically against his golden skin. Golden jewelry embedded with gems and pearls had added generously to his natural radiant beauty. Devika's eyes lost their way in him, just like his eyes had lost themselves in her. It was difficult to conclude who looked more beautiful.

All words are lost into blissful silence,
All my ways merged in those eyes of yours!
A new life, a new world has begun
With the very meeting of our eyes!

Both did not know how long it had been thus, drinking each other's beauty through their intense gaze. Not before Mitravinda's fake cough made them aware of the surroundings.

"Well, Jyeshtha and Devi, if you both are done with seeing each other, may we proceed to the wedding?"

Devika immediately lowered her gaze. Reddish hue spread over her fair cheeks. But Yudhishthira still could not take his eyes off. The women noticed that and giggled.

"Jyeshtha," Vijaya said. "See that you hear the Mantras correctly!"

Devika hid a chuckle.

"There should be a limit of making fun, Jaya!" Nakula crossed his arms in mock anger. "Our Jyeshtha is well-versed in all Dharma shastras. How can he mishear sacred hymns?"

"Happens, Bhrata! Everything happens when your beloved is in front of you!" Vijaya smirked. "Don't you also forget your swords when you see someone special?" She winked at Karenumati.

"Jaya has become so much experienced that nobody would just believe that she has been married just for a few months!" Yudhishthira commented. "Too much wise for her age she is. Just like Deva!"

"Jyeshtha!" Vijaya pouted. "Not fair!"

"Now stop this, Jaya." Lakshmanaa said. "Otherwise Aacharya will scold everyone."

"It's time of kanyadaana." Said Dhaumya. "Where is bride's father?"

Devika's face turned pale.

How hurting it was to have a father who could abandon her on this day! Till the last moment, she had secretly hoped that everything would turn normal and Govasana would finally arrive, giving her a most awaited surprise! But that was not to be!

"Aacharya," Kunti came forward. "You know that..." She softly said. "Her father has not accepted this marriage. He won't come."

"I remember, Rajmata. But someone has to perform the Kanyadaana on his behalf." Dhaumya explained. "Who will do that?"

Everyone fell silent for a while. Yudhishthira looked at Devika's moist eyes once, and then lifted his eyes to Krishna.

Without you, this wedding could never have become possible, Keshava! Now you only have to find a way for us!

Krishna assured him with a smile. His eyes silently moved to his father.

"Aacharya!" Vasudeva came forward. "Devika is like a daughter of Dwaraka. We all have seen her growing up. My sons are not just her teachers but brothers too. Hence, if you have no objection, I and Devaki want to perform the Kanyadaana."

Devika looked up, her eyes finally letting the suppressed tears flow.

Who knew she had this much happiness reserved in her fate! How many girls of Aaryavarta would have had this rare fortune to be called a daughter of Dwaraka?

"Why are you crying, foolish girl?" Mitravinda wiped her tears, patting her cheeks. "Don't you know each of your teardrops can hurt Jyeshtha more than hundreds of arrows?"

Devika's eyes returned to Yudhishthira. His smile was now too caring, too assuring. At that very moment, she felt complete and content.

Feeling abandoned and deprived does not simply suit the one who is sister of Krishna Vaasudeva, and wife of Dharmaraj Yudhishthira! She knew she could not make them sad who loved her.

"If the father of Krishna Vaasudeva himself wants to play father's role for someone, who am I to stop that, son of Shura?" Dhaumya too had turned emotional after seeing this. "Shivi Kumari is really blessed to receive so much of love from all of you!"

"Thank you, Aacharya!" Vasudeva beamed and turned to the groom. "Putra Yudhishthira, be prepared to accept our daughter as your wife!" He took Devika's left palm and placed it over Yudhishthira's right palm.

"We're giving away our Devika's hand to you, as Himalaya gave away Parvati to Shiva!" He uttered along with Devaki. "She will follow you in every up and down of your life, and will become your Shakti."

"I accept Rajkumari Devika as my Sahadharmini." Yudhishthira uttered, clasping Devika's hand within his. "I vow to forever share equal rights with her in my Dharma, Artha and Kama!"

Dhaumya poured sanctified water through their joint palms, uniting them with sacred hymns. Mitravinda tied the end of Devika's cloth with Yudhishthira's uttariya as a mark of tieing their souls.

"This knot will keep you two tied forever with each other." She whispered to both, smiling. "Not just for this birth but all the births you're going to take, in all the yugas!"

"You have become each other's. Forever!" Krishna added.

Yudhishthira's loving stare made a blushing Devika meet his gaze.

Finally, the dream has come true!

The wait was worth every moment
Because I knew you are my reward!
I survived every stormy night
Looking at the light of your window.
My garland has become drenched in tears,
To adorn your bosom one day!

"Stare at her later, Maharaj!" Satyabhama teased. "Now arise! You have to take seven steps with her!"

Yudhishthira took off his eyes with some effort and rose, taking Devika's hand within.

"With the first step, let us be stronger together!"

Yudhishthira walked in front around the fire. With her face slightly lowered, Devika followed. Everyone showered flowers over the couple, as a mark of their blessings and good wishes.

"With the seventh step, be my friend!" Yudhishthira finished, this time letting Devika take the lead.

As the couple returned to their sitting position, Rukmini handed over the golden pot of vermilion and Chudamani to Yudhishthira. Mitravinda raised Devika's veil and head ornament a little. Yudhishthira's golden finger touched her visible hairline. Devika closed her eyes, feeling the colour of love he has filled in her.

All the women played conchs together. All the men showered flowers on the couple. Yudhishthira then placed the Chudamani on Devika's ornate bun and tied Mangala sutra around her neck.

"This is not an ordinary thread. Jyeshtha is actually tying himself to you!" Mitravinda smirked.

"Of course, just like I tied myself to you." Krishna winked, earning a glare from his wife.

"The wedding is over." Declared Dhaumya. "Take blessings from the elders."

The new couple bowed to Dhaumya and touched Kunti's feet first, followed by Vasudeva and his wives. Rajadhi and Shrutashrava gave their blessings to them. As they moved to the Yadavas, Krishna and Balarama embraced Yudhishthira. Devika bent down to touch their feet but Krishna stopped her.

"Don't! You are now our elder by relation!" He reminded.

"Mine too. Though I'm not going to call you Bhabhi!" Mitravinda laughed.

"This is unfair." Devika protested. "You all can't deprive me from your blessings thus! I'm your little sister before anything else. And nothing can change my bonding with my Gurus. I have to get their blessing."

Rajadhi smiled a proud smile. "You are truly Krishna's shishyaa, my child!"

Finally, Krishna had to give up and let Devika touch his feet. His eight wives drew her to their embrace.

"Saubhagyavati bhava!" Uttered the Lakshmi roopaas, together.

Rukmini and Mitravinda led Devika to the ornate palanquin that was waiting for her. The groom's procession went back to Yudhishthira's mansion, enjoying every moment of the journey. At the entrance, Draupadi welcomed Devika showering flowers and Akshata on her. The new bride entered her palace keeping kumkum smeared marks of her feet on white floor, signifying arrival of Griha Lakshmi of Pandu household.

"Devika, Kula Lakshmi of this family you are! May you bring fortune to your new home!" Kunti patted Devika's cheeks.

"I myself am fortunate to become a bride of this household, Maa." Devika beamed. "Bless me that I can fulfill my responsibilities to all!"

Kunti smiled. "I know you will, child."

"Pritha Maasi, Devika's nuptial chamber is ready." Mitravinda informed. "Shall we take her there?"

"Do you even need to ask that, Mitra?" Satyabhama chuckled. "Our bride is already feeling restless for the nightfall!"

Embarrassed, Yudhishthira slightly turned away from the women. Realizing his unease, Devika glared at Satyabhama.

"I don't think the groom is feeling any less eager either." Nagnajiti smirked.

"Forget sleep for tonight, Bhabhi!" They jointly giggled. Devika's cheeks turned red but she managed to glare at the giggling ladies who embarrassed her more by calling her Bhabhi.

"Don't give us that look, Bhabhi!" Jambavati said. "We need to prepare you for the night. So kindly co-operate with these sisters-in-law of yours!"

Devika glanced at her husband in pleading eyes as the women almost seized her and led to shringara chamber. Yudhishthira kept watching the path on which she had disappeared from his vision. Noticing that, Krishna faked a cough.

"Jyeshtha, come, you too need to be prepared." He reminded.

"Me?" Yudhishthira turned to him. "Again?"

"Of course! We cannot let the ladies complain about our skill in dressing up the groom." Krishna added. "So, dear brother, get ready for your wedding night!"
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Author's note: One more chapter, and this book will be completed. Next is YuVika wedding night. I want to end this book with a very romantic chapter. Please be present and make the ending memorable!

DevikAjatashatrubhyam Namah!