Rakshasavarta

"It's a boy!" Exclaimed the midwife, making the five brothers breathe in relief.

"Congratulations, Bhima!" Yudhisthira took his brother in a warm embrace. The other three brothers also came forward and embraced Bhima.

"Dhatri," Kunti moved forward, "how is Putri Hidimbaa?"

"Maharani is fine, Rajmata!" The midwife bowed, "She will meet you all soon!"

"But how..." Bhima's mouth wide opened. As per Arya norms, newborns were not allowed to be seen by family before a week was over.

"Their rules seem to be different, Bhima!" Yudhisthira said with a smile. Bhima exchanged glance with Yudhishthira and nodded.

"Jyeshtha, I heard that demons grow instantly after their birth. Is that true?" Nakula was curious.

"Yes." Yudhisthira nodded, "They can change their form according to their wish soon after birth. It is said that in Treta, demons used to grow to the same age of their mothers, instantly after birth. Maybe that's why Rakshasas have no one-week period of post-birth rituals."

"That means the naming ceremony will also be sooner?" Arjuna asked.

"I think so. And the rituals are expected to be very different from what we have seen in humans."

"Whatever the rituals of demons may be, I shall perform puja in my grandson's name." Kunti said, "The first child of king Pandu's line must receive a grand welcome to the lap of Mother Earth!"

The five brothers nodded with smile.

***

Dwaraka

"I tell you this Kritavarma is upto something!" Satyaki breathed angrily, looking at Krishna. "I feel no good in his excess buttering to Duryodhana!"

"Worry not!" Krishna leaned back to His throne, relaxing. "Syamantak Mani has been rescued and now everyone knows the truth! Kritavarma cannot do anything to harm the Yadava unity anymore!"

"I know that!" Satyaki nodded, "But knowing Kritavarma, I can say without a doubt that he is planning something new. What if he makes alliance with Duryodhana?"

"Relax, Sakha!" Krishna smiled, "We have seen a lot of such alliance dramas of him and the followers of Jarasandha! They could not do any harm to us and will never be able to, in future. We only have to make our side stronger which is more important right now.

Satyaki shook his head impatiently. "I am not worried for ourselves, Govinda. I know you alone are able enough to resist a thousands of Duryodhanas and Jarasandhas. But I am afraid that he, unable to hurt you, would now try to hurt any of your dear ones with the help of Duryodhana!"

"Why such a thought?" Krishna's eyebrows curved, "Does he suspect by any means that Pandavas are alive? Have not you all taken care so that his eavesdroppers cannot hear you discussing about them?"

"Not yet. But we have to be more careful in this regard."

"We need to hide the truth from the world before my plan becomes successful." Krishna said, "You know that I have not even told Subhadra and Devika too about them being alive. While I will be out of Dwaraka again, you and Dau must take care to maintain the secrecy."

"You are going to leave again?" Satyaki narrowed his eyes.

"I have to. The work I am doing in Kampilya has not yet finished. Sooner or later, I need to visit there again." Krishna found Satyaki looking confused, and added, "Another thing. Make sure that Kritavarma or any of the Yadavas does not go against Panchala. It would not be good for the plan I am making."

"What exactly is your plan, Govinda? Are you planning to seek king Drupada's alliance for the Pandavas?"

Krishna smiled His mysterious smile, making Satyaki more confused.

"Not only alliance, but much more than that! Know that I am planning for their rebirth!"

"Rebirth?" Satyaki's eyebrows met, "You mean, revival?"

"No. Rebirth! Revival means simply bringing one back to his life. But rebirth is where only life is not given, rather a transformation is made to happen. A huge, positive transformation in their destiny that will make them find new way to survive! I am doing something to give such a transformation to my cousins!"

"Understanding your riddles is beyond me!" Satyaki rolled his eyes, "But remember that no plan of yours will be ever successful unless your great cousins stay inside that forest of demons!"

"They will not live there for long." Krishna said, "Before my plan is finalized they have to be brought out of Rakshasavarta."

"But how? Yudhishthira clearly said that they would not leave Rakshasavarta before Bhima's childbirth."

"That is the news of six months ago, my friend!" Krishna chuckled,"The child must have been born by now. But yes, someone has to take this responsibility to bring them out of the forest." Krishna cast a meaningful glance at Satyaki.

"Not me again!" Satyaki quickly said, understanding His intention, "They are attached to the land of demons, and now must be to the baby too. They would not listen to me. Either you yourself go, or send someone who can order them! Someone whose order they cannot refuse!"

"Alright." Krishna nodded with a soft chuckle, patting Satyaki, "Maharishi Vyasa has recently come to the Prabhasa tirtha. I shall request him for this purpose."

***

Rakshasavarta

"Be blessed, Vatsa!" Kunti placed her right palm gently on the baby's hairless head, "You are the firstborn of Pandavas, the first inheritor of their paternal love! May you be blessed with all the virtues of your ancestors!"

"What will be his name, Maa?" Nakula eagerly asked.

"Let the parents decide!" Kunti smiled.

"Maa, rather say you will let your daughter-in-law decide it because you love her more!" Bhima laughed.

"Always teasing Hidimbaa, not fair, son!" Kunti glared at him.

Hidimbaa stole a glance at Bhima, pouting. Bhima grinned as he raised an eyebrow to ask her suggestion, pointing at the baby in her arms. Hidimbaa smiled coyly and pointed to the smooth, bald head of her son. Realizing, Bhima blinked in silent assent.

"What talk you two are doing through your eyes?" Arjuna's eyebrows were curved.

"Do you think Bhrata would tell you that?" Nakula rolled his eyes. An amused Yudhishthira shook his head fondly at the four.

"Maa, your dear Putri is telling that our son's head is like a water-pot." Bhima commented.

"So what? Are you two planning to call him a water pot, Bhrata?" Nakula teased.

"Why not? Is water-pot bad? Does it not quench our thirst and keep us alive?" Bhima looked at Kunti, expecting support from her. "What say, Maa?"

"I agree, Putra!" Kunti smiled as she shuffled Bhima's hair.

"You are right, Bhima!" Yudhishthira smiled too, "May your firstborn, our first child, be as life giving as a water-pot is to a thirsty person! May he become a bearer of Dharma-water to the world!"

"Putra, let him be called 'Ghatotkacha', the pot-headed one!" Kunti beamed.

"Ghatotkacha!" Hidimbaa mused as she had heard the loveliest music of her life ever!

"Ghatotkacha!" Repeated the five brothers together, their eyes were beaming with affection, their happy voices sounded like blessings of Vedic hymns.

The Rakshashas sat on their knees, joined their hands and cried with pride and respect,

"Hail Rajkumar Ghatotkacha!"

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Author's note: The Treta yuga demons example is taken from Uttara Kanda of The Valmiki Ramayana.

So our Ghatotkacha is here! After a long time, Pandavas side is shown. Hope you liked it.

What do you think will happen next? How exactly Pandavas and Draupadi will learn about each other?