Potter's hut, Kampilya

The sun God had begun his western journey. But none of the Pandavas had yet returned.

Kunti felt restless each moment. The beads in her hands stopped as her mind got distracted from the chanting time and again. What could have happened to her sons? Had any danger befallen them? Her heart pounded in unknown fear. The helpless mother regretted for letting them go to the swayamvara. Duryodhana and his group would be present there. What if any of them could recognize her sons?

Could it be another murder attempt on them?

Kunti could not think anymore. Narayana! I leave this to you! She sighed, closing her eyes, trying to concentrate. She could not invite more trouble to her children by distracting her japa anymore.

Another danda passed in silent, fervent prayer, before she heard a much awaited familiar voice.

"Maa!"

Kunti breathed easy. It was Arjuna.

"Maa come soon! See what we have brought!" Bhima's cheerful voice followed.

Kunti's lips curved into smile as she exhaled. Their happy voice was a relief. Her heart rushed to meet her sons after the whole day. But the Rudraksha beads in hand reminded that the current round of japa was still left to be completed.

"I'm coming in a while after the puja, sons." Kunti said from inside. "Whatever you have brought, share equally."

***

Shivi

Ratnavali could not believe her eyes.

Her beloved Princess was sitting with a bucket of flowers. Her petal-like fingers were running through a long thread, inserting lotuses and champakas alternatively into it. Ratnavali heard her humming a song, smiling to herself.

His serene voice, his gentle caress,
Are playing flutes through my body
I have lost my soul to his tune!
My heart brimming over in delight,
As the wind carries me the news of him!

"Rajkumari!" She called out. But Devika was in her own world. An amused Ratnavali rolled her eyes.

"Devi Gauvasani! What made the warrior Princess leave her swords and make a flower garland in her time of practice?" Ratnavali raised an eyebrow.

"You heard, Ratna, the news that has come from Panchala?" Devika said without lifting her gaze from the unfinished garland.

"Yes," Ratnavali nodded, grimacing. "Kumar Kotikasya could not succeed in..."

"I am not talking about Bhrata." Devika interrupted. "But did you hear the rest?" Her doe eyes sparkled as she looked up. Ratnavali stared at her with question in eyes.

"A young Brahmin has succeeded in hitting the target and won the Princess of Panchala." Devika looked her Sakhi meaningfully.

"Yes, I remember. But what makes that so special to you, my Princess?"

Devika beamed. "Cannot you understand what it is, Sakhi? Well, let me give you hints. A bow which could not be lifted and stringed by the entire Aryavarta, can an ordinary Brahmin achieve that task with ease?"

Ratnavali blinked, shaking her head.

"Can an ordinary Brahmin who might have gone there for alms, hit a target without seeing it?"

Ratnavali could not reply. She had never thought about this.

"Do you remember what else the spies said?" Devika continued. "All the Kings attacked the winner Brahmin out of envy. But he fought bravely and defeated all of them. Again, a nameless Brahmin? And even if it could be, can you believe that another Brahmin accompanied him in battle, who seems to be so extraordinarily well-built that our messengers described him as a giant?"

"Rajkumari," Ratnavali whispered, "does that mean..."

"They are not Brahmins, Sakhi." Devika concluded, her face brightened up more. "I do not believe anyone can just pick up a pillar from an assembly hall to use it as a substitute of his weapon." Her eyes softened in affection. "It has to be Prince Bhima."

"Kuru Kumar Bhima!" Ratnavali's jaw dropped.

"Without a doubt. And that gifted archer who won the swayamvara is none other than Rajkumar Arjuna."

"But Rajkumari, how is this possible? They have been long dead in the fire of Varanavata!" Ratnavali argued.

Devika laughed. "Who can know what the Gods conspire, Ratna! Rather think that Agni Dev himself, who has consumed them once, wanted to revive them now. After all, Panchala Kumari is fireborn. She must have prayed for Arjuna's life to her father."

Devika paused a little. She had not forgotten the dreams that had still kept her alive with hopes. She was now sure that it was the Princess of Panchala whom she had seen to become a saviour of the five Princes.

Seems like that has come true! Devika exhaled deeply, thanking Krishna under her breath. His frequent journeys to Kampilya now seemed meaningful.

"But Rajkumari, if they are really the Pandavas, why didn't our spies see all five?" Ratnavali expressed doubt. "Is it possible that they would not be together in the swayamvara sabha?"

"They must have been together only." Devika smiled, picking up a lotus. "And none could see them together because they did not want to reveal themselves so soon to the public. It seems to be their strategy."

"It amazes me how you understand them so well, Rajkumari! Seems like your heart and soul eternally belongs to the Pandu household."

Devika shook her head fondly, smiling more. A soft crimson had spread over her fair cheeks, making her face lovelier.

"Well, now I understand the reason of your weaving garland." Ratnavali narrowed her eyes. "To welcome the Yuvaraj of Hastinapura?" She grinned.

Devika glared hard at Ratnavali to hide her blush. The latter giggled, making the Princess even more embarrassed. Unmindful, Devika's fingers slipped. And the very next moment, a thorn pricked her right palm. Red blood droplet showed against her golden complexion.

Devika cried out, quickly pressing the wound. Her large eyes brimmed over with tears for a reason unknown to her.

Why did a mere thorn of flower feel so unbearable to the trained warrior, who had never cried even after the blows of swords on her arms? Devika was unable to explain. But she knew it for sure that it was not the physical pain. It felt like a sword had entered straight to her heart. Her soul, her conscience bled as she stared at the golden lotus that had just hurled its thorn to her delicate palm. Her tearful eyes betrayed disbelief.

This golden lotus was her favourite!

Devika's inner being squeezed even more. Just like a loved one hurts much more than an enemy in battle field!

"Rajkumari!" Ratnavali gasped. She rushed to nurse the wound but Devika stopped her, rasing a hand.

"Has Bhrata returned from Kampilya?" Her face had turned grave.

"Not yet."

Devika's brow evened. She rose to her feet quickly. The way her heart was aching just from a negligible wound seemed too inauspicious.

Did Yudhishthira get into any new trouble again?

Only the spies could have informed her about the recent news of Kampilya. She needed to meet them fast.

***

Potter's hut, Kampilya

Yudhishthira froze in his steps.

He regretted the decision of letting Arjuna go ahead with the Princess of Panchala. He thought that the winner of the swayamvara must receive mother's first blessing. However, Bhima's natural walking speed could not be matched with any of them and he also reached the hut at the same time along with Arjuna. But who knew such a situation would ever arise?

It was not Kunti's fault. She had not seen that her sons had brought a woman and not alms. Yudhishthira did not have the heart to scold Bhima and Arjuna for their innocent prank to mother. Both their faces were now flushed, downcast in guilt. Could it be their fault not to know the future?

Whose fault it was then? The eldest Pandava did not know. The only thing he knew was, he could not change the past anymore.

When Yudhishthira reached the hut, the unwanted had already happened. He could only hear the last part of Kunti's utterance. The next thing he remembered was Kunti hurrying out and asking him to find a way.

Yudhishthira sighed, closing his eyes. Which way would he find now? What could be done so that mother's words would not become false, and also the Princess would have no trouble? Did such a way even exist?

Either it had to be disobeying mother's words, or the Princess would have to marry all of them.

It felt to Yudhishthira as if he was standing between two deep canals. Either way he would take, his fall was confirmed. But a step he would have to take. All the members of his family, including his mother, awaited his wise response. The responsibility of finding a solution was solely his now, in the face of such a moral dilemma.

For everyone believed that Dharmaputra was the best to solve a Dharma Sankat!

Taking a deep breath, Yudhishthira turned to Arjuna.

"Phalguna, it is you who have won this Princess with your own valour. You deserve her." He calmly uttered, suppressing the storm blowing within.

"You marry her with due rituals!"
_________________________________________

Author's note: The song is a loose translation of a Tagore song.

I'm trying to go with the most authentic BORI critical edition of The Mahabharata. Some creative liberties will be there for the sake of the story, but I promise not to deviate from the main points of original text.

It's a misconception that Yudhishthira returned earlier from the swayamvara and informed Kunti about Arjuna's feat. Text clearly says that Kunti was worrying as none of her sons had returned yet. And then only Bhima and Arjuna came and told her about "something" they had brought.

By the way, what do you think about Devika's part in this chapter? Why did she feel the pain?