Potter's hut, Kampilya

"You heard it right, my brothers! The Maharishi has advised us to marry the Princess of Panchala, together!"

"But how can Maharishi advise something like this, Jyeshtha?" Bhima sounded confused. "Isn't this against Dharma?"

"He has told us a story here." Yudhishthira handed over the Tala leaf to Bhima. "Read yourself!"

More confused, Bhima opened the scroll.

Vatsa Yudhishthira,

I knew that you will find yourself in this dilemma one day. After all, no one can escape from their destiny which has been pre decided by the divinity much earlier.

What you experience now, know that its seed has been sown in ancient past. Even much before you five were born.

There was a Rishi Kanya in this land then. She was extremely beautiful, and virtuous. She was believed to be the incarnation of Goddess Sachi, the consort of Indra. People revered her in that way. But no one knows for which reason, she did not get a suitable husband even after time had arrived.

The girl then sat for tapasya. A severe penance of Lord Shiva made her get a vision of the Lord after years. When Mahadeva asked her to pray, the young maiden prayed for husband. Five times!

The Lord of Uma blessed her to have five husbands in her next birth. That girl had been born as the Princess of Panchala. And it is you five she had prayed for.

You are not going to do anything wrong, Yudhishthira! It is Mahadeva's wish that is making you attracted to the Princess. She has come for you, you have come for her! Your relation is pre-decided by all the Gods. She has to be the common wife of you five.

Do not keep anymore doubts within you, Vatsa! May Tridevas bless your union with Princess Draupadi! I shall meet you soon in the palace of Kampilya.

With blessings,

Your Pitamaha

"What does this mean?" Bhima looked up as he finished reading.

"I don't know." Yudhishthira muttered. "No one knows. But Maharishi is Trikaladarshi. He can see everything from the past and future. And he does not lie."

"And we cannot disobey his advice either!" Arjuna added, curves visible on his brow.

Yudhishthira nodded absent-mindedly, still averting his gaze from Arjuna. A part of him chided him continuously for doing this injustice to his dear brother. But the rest of him was caught in confusion he could not help.

The four Pandavas exchanged glances and talked something to which Yudhishthira could not pay attention anymore. He had seen Princess Draupadi sitting beside Kunti, not far from where he and his brothers were talking. He had noticed Draupadi turn her head to his declaration of making her their common wife. Yudhishthira's heart crumbled under guilt and shame. Would Draupadi ever be able to forgive him for uttering such a decision for her life? How would this unhappy wedding be a Dharma? Why did Maharishi advise them to do such a weird thing? Who on this earth was going to accept this?

Yudhishthira could not come out of his trance before the door was knocked. He straightened himself, looking around with vigilant eyes. Who could have come here now? He struggled to bring himself back to his disguise of Brahmin before opening the door.

It was Krishna and Balarama.

"Vaasudeva?" Yudhishthira managed to speak, searching for words. Situation was so dire that he could not even open up himself to his dear cousins, breaking this disguise. Princess Draupadi still did not know who they were.

"Is it the ritual of this Brahmin family to make two guests wait outside to enquire their identity first?" Krishna wore his mischievous smile. "May we come in?"

With a quick nod, Yudhishthira stayed aside, leaving them the way inside. Krishna and Balarama touched Kunti's feet first and then Yudhishthira's.

"I did not think that Dwarakadheesh Krishna himself would come to meet some ordinary Brahmins." Yudhishthira gravely said, lifting Krishna.

"Please!" Krishna rolled his eyes. "The would-be sons in law of King Drupada are anything but 'ordinary' Brahmins!" 

Yudhishthira threw his surprised gaze to Krishna's smiling face. He had not missed the extra 's' in son-in-law. Did that mean...

"Where is that excellent archer? We have come to congratulate him!" Krishna turned to Arjuna and embraced him warmly.

"We have been waiting long to meet you all!" Balarama said with a smile. "Worry not. This will end soon. Krishna's plan has worked."

"But wait untill the alliance is secured." Krishna added, looking at Yudhishthira. "Let King Drupada assure you your safety first."

Yudhishthira nodded, understanding his hint.

"We have to go now, Kanha." Balarama said, "No one in the guest house knows that we have come here. If they begin searching then..."

"Right Dau. You go, I'm coming." Krishna said, and moved ahead. Yudhishthira followed them to a distance from the hut.

"What is the matter, Jyeshtha?" Krishna whispered as soon as they came out of others' earshots. "You should have been happy right now!"

Yudhishthira looked away, knowing that he could not hide his pain from Krishna's all-knowing eyes.

"I am confused, Keshava!" He helplessly confessed. "Mother has mistakenly asked us to share Draupadi. And now Maharishi Vyasa's letter also echoes the same." He sighed. "I don't know where this is going to!"

"Well, don't you also wish to have my Sakhi as your wife?" Krishna teased, his lotus eyes sparkled. "Such a beautiful girl, noble and caring, doesn't she seem to be your perfect match?"

Yudhishthira shook his head, sighing more. "You too are making fun at this moment, brother! Yes, I do feel drawn towards Draupadi. But I will rather prefer to die with that suppressed feeling than being a trouble in my Arjuna's married life! You know me, Keshava! This is not a matter of my wish but Dharma's. And I am no one to go against what is right!"

"You yourself are Dharma, Jyeshtha!" Krishna gently held Yudhishthira's shoulder. "Know that whatever you wish, is Dharma's wish too!"

"But how is this..."

Krishna raised his palm. "My dear brother, Bua Kunti can make a mistake, but Maharishi Vyasa would not. Lord Mahadeva would not! Trust them!"

"But Draupadi? How can I do this against her wish?"

"Hmm." Krishna acted as if he was thinking. "What if my Sakhi herself solves your doubt?" He smiled assuringly. "I believe you will get to know her wish soon!"

***

Night

"May I help?"

Draupadi's voice made Sahadeva look up from the half done bed of Kusha grass he was making on the earthen floor. Seeing him tongue-tied, Draupadi herself took the grass from his hand and shared his work, while Sahadeva stood rooted where he was.

"Doesn't look good, no?" She frowned at her novice effort.

"It's perfect, Rajkumari. But we cannot sleep here, in this room." Yudhishthira came forward. "Mother will stay here with you." He finished and turned to leave, indicating his brothers to follow him.

"Wait!" Draupadi rose. "It's too cold outside. You won't be able to sleep."

Yudhishthira smiled. "Heat and cold do not bother us, Princess. They are nothing in front of the sufferings we have been gone through since childhood." Pain surfaced in his large brown eyes. Draupadi looked intently into them, his hidden anguish touched her heart.

Draupadi had seen how these five, despite of living on begging themselves, had offered food to the guests and animals before they ate. She had seen how nicely they understood the needs and possible discomforts of a young woman in their home, and adjusted themselves to make her life easy. She knew well that they had decided to spend the night outside only because of letting her sleep comfortably in this small room of potter's hut.

Even if she did not have any memory of her past, Draupadi was sure that she would still have fallen in love with these five men by now! Who on earth could resist loving such persons? A proud smile adorned her beautiful face, making a teardrop escape her eye.

"We have no problem in this, Rajkumari." Yudhishthira added.

"You don't have. I do. I cannot sleep here while you five will be lying outside in the porch, under open sky. If you do so, I will also share the same place with you." Draupadi poured all her heart into those words.

Five pairs of eyes rested on her face together, stunned at this unexpected determination. Her kohl smeared lotus eyes spoke of love.

"My fate cannot be different from that of yours now." Draupadi beamed. "Pray, do not take this unnecessary suffering for my sake. I'm fine with sleeping at that corner." She raised a finger.

They came inside almost mechanically, only to save her from following them. As all of them had lied down on the bed of grass, Yudhishthira smiled at a sleeping Draupadi, thanking Krishna within his mind.

He had indeed got his answer!
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Author's note: I know everyone is waiting for Devika's reaction. She will come to know everything in next chapter. Stay tuned and keep reading!