Shivi, morning

Combination of precious gemstones and fresh flowers adorned the large swayamvara hall like a newly wedded bride. Richly carved ivory pillars proudly held King Ushinara and Shivi's glorious legend engraved on them. Fragrance of sandal paste had added to the feeling of whiteness and purity.

Much unlike the hearts of Kotikasya and Jayadratha.

The Prince of Sindhu watched over the ornate assembly hall, smirking. A few moments more. And then, the beautiful Princess of this land would become his! Forever his!

"How foolish Govasana is!" He muttered to Duryodhana who sat beside him.

"He could have directly given away his daughter to me. What was the need of this huge, luxurious arrangement?" Jayadratha shrugged. "An unwanted, unnecessary drama!"

"Maybe he just wants to show off Shivi's prosperity." Duryodhana remarked, throwing a casual glance on the surroundings. "What else?"

"Show off to all greater and richer Kings of Aaryavarta?" Jayadratha rubbed his chin, his eyes squinted. "I used to believe Govasana is a spineless King. Where did he get this much courage from?"

"His daughter!" Duryodhana gritted his jaw. "That girl doesn't look like a human but an open sword herself!" His nosetrils flared, remembering how Devika confronted him during Mitravinda's swayamvara. Duryodhana had never imagined that a young maiden could do that in front of all Kauravas!

"She is Govasana's courage! She is Shivi's power! Sakha Jayadratha, if you want to overrule Shivi, tame that untamed tigress first!"

"Not to offend you, brother Duryodhana. But you also have come here in hope of winning that untamed tigress's hand only!" Yuyutsu calmly commented. "Haven't you?"

"You keep quiet, Daasi Putra!" Duryodhana hissed. "Don't make a remark without knowing the entire strategy!"

"What strategy, brother?" Yuyutsu stared at him. "To get Shivi's alliance, right? Could you please explain me how a 'small' kingdom's alliance suddenly become so important to you? Is it Shivi's strength or Shivi Kumari's bravery that you're scared off?"

"Yuyutsu!" Duryodhana snapped. "Mind your language!"

"Calm, brother! Calm down!" Jayadratha patted Duryodhana. "I don't want you all to fight over here, on this auspicious tithi of my wedding!"

Yuyutsu glared at Jayadratha. "First do win, brother-in-law!"

Edge of Jayadratha's lips curved into a contemptuous smirk. His casual eyes gauged the bow and target once again.

Poor Yuyutsu! How would he know that everything was pre-planned here?

It was just the wait of few more hours!

No one noticed a silent Krishna sitting on the other side with Balarama and Satyaki, smiling his mysterious smile.

"Hail the Lord of Shivi!"

Bugles played along with conchs. King Govasana entered along with his brother Suratha, followed by Yuvaraj Kotikasya and Prince Shaivya. Entire sabha stood up and waited till their host took the seat on a specially constructed pigeon-shaped throne placed on an elevated ivory dias.

"I welcome all the Brahmins and royal guests who have come to attend my daughter Devika's swayamvara." Govasana said with a formal smile.

"Maharaj, Shravanaa nakshatra has just started." Informed the royal priest. "Rajkumari should come now!"

Govasana indicated to Kotikasya who nodded and went to send the word to the antahpura. Jayadratha cautiously adjusted his uttariya and crown, wearing a confident smile.

Decked in peacock-blue silk and gem studded ivory jewlry, Devika stepped into the sabha, surrounded by her maids. Mitravinda held her from right side. On her left, Ratnavali stood with golden plate carrying a heavy Jasmine garland.

The precious varamalaa. Reward of the winner.

Devika walked in. Strong fragrance of Jasmine and Champaka from her long braided hair made the guest Kings intoxicated in lust. All the eyes fell together on Devika's unmatchable beauty. Few thought she must have been some Apsara, came down from heaven. Few others wondered whether she was a flash of thunder within blue sky. Every suitor just sat speechless, eyes widened, unable to blink.

As if they wanted to have her with the eyes only!

Devika sensed lustful gazes hovering over her body, but she did not bother. She approached the dias where Govasana sat, her jewlry making little melodies that everyone could hear in that awestruck silence.

"Such an unblemished beauty!" Duhshasana licked his lips.

"Don't, brother-in-law!" Jayadratha warned. "Remember, she is mine!"

After bowing down to her father and elders, Devika took her seat on the raised platform kept seperately for the women. Mitravinda sat beside her and Ratnavali kept the garland over the dias, near Goddess Gauri's idol.

Devika lifted her veil a little. Her both eyes rushed to every corner of the large hall. She saw everyone whom she did not want to see. But where was her beloved?

"Didi?" She whispered to Mitravinda.

"Don't worry! He is there." Mitravinda assured.

"Where? I am informed that he reached Shivi. Why didn't he come here then?"

"He's waiting for the right time, dear!" Mitravinda patted Devika's hand. "Keep a little more patience."

"Let the swayamvara begin now!" Govasana said.

Kotikasya rose. "Honourable Kings and Princes, you have to hit those ten pigeons together with ten arrows." He pointed to the target. "I invite all the suitors to make their attempts."

Devika straightened herself seeing Trigarta King Susharma rising first. She cringed as the man smirked lustfully at her before picking the bow. As he fixed his target, Devika closed her eyes in silent prayers, hoping her trick would work.

A loud laughter broke in the silent hall. Devika quickly opened her eyes, only to find that Susharma's arrows repelled back to the ground due to a slight miscalculated throw.

Devika exhaled. One less! Next? How long would she have to see this? Her eager eyes searched behind the entrance in vain.

How long will you make me wait, Natha?

Her gaze returned to inside as the King of Sauvira was announced as next participant.

This man seemed to have some better knowledge of archery. He fixed ten arrows together on the bowstring with ease. Devika watched, her breath raced again. The ten arrows rushed together but every alternative ones fell below the pigeons.

After this, it was nothing more than a repetition of attempts and failures. Devika breathed a bit easy to see that her effort had not gone in vain. She watched  everyone failing and sanking back to their ornate seats with bowed heads, one after another. The neighbouring King of Yavanas, who also came to try his luck to obtain her hand, finally gave up the hope.

With each participant failing, Devika felt like she had received a new life once more! As if she had been dying every time someone was trying to win her hand and then was reborn after his failure. Her eyes had glued to the door, desperately hoping for Yudhishthira's sudden, magical arrival.

But he did not arrive!

"Next is Yuvaraj Duryodhana, the Crown Prince of Hastinapura." Announcer said.

Jayadratha exchanged a quick knowing glance with Duryodhana as the latter rose, twisting his moustache. Devika noticed that he was the only one who didn't even bother to look at her before picking up the bow.

A brave warrior like Devika was never a woman of Duryodhana's taste. The Yuvaraj of Hastinapura knew that he had to willingly fail to leave the chance for Jayadratha and he did not mind doing that for his friend. But many a times, assumption and reality do not match. Just after fixing the target, Duryodhana realized that he would not have to act for failing. Given the illusion in the target, his failure was confirmed even if he wanted to try his best.

How were the targets changing alternatively? Duryodhana's eyes squinted but he could not figure it out. His arrows hit the first two pigeons successfully but not the rest.

"What were you doing? Have you forgotten that Devika is mine?" Jayadratha glared at his brother-in-law.

Duryodhana shook his head. "I didn't. But I must warn you about what I found. Be careful, Jayadratha! The whole mechanism is not as easy as it seems."

Jayadratha laughed. "Kotikasya would never set a target that isn't doable for me!"

"You are forgetting that Krishna Vaasudeva is also present here and he cannot be trusted at all." Duryodhana muttered, clenching his jaw. "I just wish that you do better than me, Jayadratha!"

"Sindhu Yuvaraj Jayadratha is the next participant!"

The last! Devika felt like correcting the announcer. And then she quickly corrected herself.

No. Not the last! The last one was yet to arrive! Devika's eyes impatiently moved again to the door. No tall, golden frame was visible there to quench her eyes' thirst.

Won't he come? What will happen to her if he doesn't?

Devika could not think anymore. In front of her half-moist eyes, Jayadratha was fixing the target with full concentration. She would have lost her sense if not for Mitravinda's caring hand on her shoulder.

"Hold yourself, sister! A little bit more!" She whispered.

"Where is your brother, Didi?" Devika's voice was almost on the verge of breaking. Taking her head on her bosom, Mitravinda lifted her lotus eyes to Krishna.

"Swami, shouldn't we do something at least now?" She asked through her mind.

Krishna smiled, shaking his head. "We don't have to, Priye. DharmaPriyaa herself has made her Dharma's way. What power does this adharmi Jayadratha have to win Dharmamayi's hand?"

Mitravinda subtly nodded, her eyes returned to the target. Ten arrows had just released together from Jayadratha's bow. The Prince of Sindhu smirked with overconfidence, certain about the result. But his arrows could not meet the expectation of him and Kotikasya. A shocked Jayadratha saw every alternative arrow had repelled back to the ground.

"Impossible!" Jayadratha screamed. "This cannot happen! Deceit! Deceit happened with me!"

Duryodhana shurgged, sighing. "I told you! You denied to listen."

A shocked, frustrated Kotikasya was on his feet now. His face flushed. He could never imagine this outcome of this well-planned swayamvara even in his dreams!

What mystery could have happened without his knowledge?

"I don't accept this result!" Jayadratha cried. "Rajkumari Devika cannot be of anyone else!"

"Sakha, listen..." Kotikasya came forward.

"You get lost, you lier!" Jayadratha pushed away his friend so hard that Kotikasya fell on the floor.

The Yuvaraj of Sindhu had no control on his senses now. Mitravinda's eyes turned crimson seeing a lust-crazed Jayadratha rushing to Devika.

"Calm, Priye!" She heard Krishna within her heart. "Don't burn him now. It's not time!"

"You are mine, beautiful one!" Jayadratha grabbed Devika's right arm. "Garland me or I have to abduct you by force!"

His touch made Devika's entire body shiver in sheer contempt. Her kohl-smeared soft eyes threw fiery gaze to Jayadratha.

She would prefer dying rather than this!

And how was her own father sitting in the throne like a dumb spectator? How did her elder brother choose not to interfere? How could they?

A sharp pain of betrayal hit Devika hard. The warrior in her regretted not carrying her sword in this bridal attire. Keeping her calm, she focussed all her strength together and pushed away Jayadratha. While she ran to collect a weapon, Jayadratha recovered and caught her hand again.

"Too much courage doesn't look good in women, foolish Princess!" He twisted Devika's hand. "Let me see who saves you today! I want you to..."

Jayadratha's words remained in his mouth only. Before he could understand anything, a sharp arrow hit his arm that held Devika's.

Devika froze. The entire sabha did.

Keeping everyone in shock, a tall, handsome frame appeared at the entrance. The golden assembly hall felt pale in front of his golden complexion. Which wealth could beat purity? His large lotus petal-shaped eyes, brighter than polished coppermade yajna patra, livelier than newborn coppery leaves of spring, - glared hard at Jayadratha.

As if Lord Dharma himself! Calm, compassionate, yet ready to punish every evil deed!

More arrows released from the celestial bow resting on his broad shoulder. Jayadratha's both hands got tied with his own golden waistband in such a way that he could not lift his arms anymore. Everyone just kept watching, holding their breath.

"Dharmaraj!" Devika beamed with sheer pride and love, as if her life had just returned to her body.

Yudhishthira's eyes softened as he exchanged a glance with Devika, assuring her with a brief nod. The next moment, those brown eyes returned to Jayadratha who was struggling to make his arms free.

"Abducting a woman against her will is a sin that deserves chopping off that very arm!" He calmly uttered. "But you are my dear sister's husband. Hence I gave you one last chance! Don't even dare to repeat this in future!"

"Who are you?" Jayadratha groaned, partly in pain and partly in anger. "Who gave you the right to interfere here?"

"For your information, he is Jyeshtha Pandava Yudhishthira, the Lord of Indraprastha." Nakula's voice was heard. Devika turned to the door. All three brothers stood with their weapons ready.

"Pandavas!" Jayadratha muttered, groaning under his breath. "How did you dare to come here? Who invited you?"

"I did!"

Devika's calm yet firm voice made the entire sabha look twice at her in surprise, to confirm whether they heard it right.

No swayamvara sabha of this country had ever heard the bride speaking up thus!

"You?" Kotikasya cried, his eyes spatting wrath at his sister. "Who the hell gave you the right to?"

"None other than the bride has the right to decide who will attend her swayamvara and who will not! May I ask you, Yuvaraj Kotikasya, who gave you the right to break this norm?" Devika coldly stared at him.

"Tame your sister, Kotikasya! Otherwise..." Duryodhana was on his feet, fondling his mace. His brothers too had taken weapons in hand.

"You only said a while ago that she is untamed tigress, Duryodhana!" Yuyutsu reminded. "Taming her isn't his job who acts as a dog to people like you!"

"I doubt whether you are my brother or Pandavas'!" Duryodhana snapped. "Honourable Kings and Princes! Raise your weapons! This is an insult to all invited guests here!"

"Beware, Duryodhana!" Bhima roared. "My mace is thirsty to drink evil's blood since lakshagriha! Don't invite your own doom!"

"No Bhima, wait!" Yudhishthira said. "We cannot take any risk till Rajkumari is here! Her safety is paramount!"

"Then do it sooner, Jyeshtha!" Nakula said, keeping his sword aimed at Duryodhana.

"We three are enough for them!" Bhima assured. "You go! Don't waste time!"

"Stop! Stop, you wretch!" Jayadratha screamed. "Duryodhana, stop him!" He cried out, seeing Yudhishthira approaching the target. But it was too late. Before Duryodhana could come out from his shock, he found Yudhishthira picking up the arrows.

"Huh! This fellow couldn't even hit a wooden bird's eye in childhood!" Duryodhana taunted. "You fear this coward, Jayadratha? What can he do here while we couldn't?"

The Kauravas kept laughing. Devika could not pay attention to anything anymore. Her hands went cold as Yudhishthira fixed his target.

What if these disturbances affect his concentration? What if he fail to understand the hidden trick?

"Didi!" She clutched Mitravinda's hand to hold herself from falling down.

Pulling the bowstring, Yudhishthira paused for a while. His alert eyes moved through all the pigeons.

He could not afford to take any wrong step! One single mistake could claim him his Devika's life and honour!

He was the archer who once failed in a test of archery, because of his innate nature of observing everything too closely. Today that observation power only was going to help him to solve this tricky target.

There it was! Every alternative pigeon's tail was changing position every moment.

Yudhishthira smiled to himself, proud of Devika's wisdom. He closed his eyes once as he would do for meditation.

For that moment, everything else erased from his eyes. He saw no Duryodhana, no Jayadratha, no Kotikasya. In his mind's eye he saw only Devika's loving face, and in physical eyes, the moving pigeons.

Yudhishthira took a deep breath. The next moment, ten arrows released together from his bow, not to return anymore.

Devika's heart was in her mouth. She shut her eyes tight. She did not see the excellent feat of archery that made the swayamvara hall freeze in shock.

Years ago, Yudhishthira had failed, focusing on others before the target. Today he won, focusing on the wish of a heart that belonged to him!

Devika heard sound of three conchs together, shuttering the silence. She opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the ten pigeons hit together successfully.

And then, she saw Yudhishthira's smile.

They have won each other! 

It feels like I travelled infinite path
To reach your nectar of love
From a desert of heartlesssness!
___________________________________________

Glossary:

Yajna Patra: a copper vessel used to pour offerings to sacrificial fire.

Note: Yuyutsu was elder to Duryodhana.
The poem used here is a loose translation of a Bengali Tagore song.

(I'm in lose of words right now. Just bowing to the divine couple with all my love.

Jay Dharma, Jay DharmaPriyaa!
Devika-Ajatashatrubhyam namah!