The Gall of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of the epic Mahabharata. My intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiment.

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Major Jayant Roy, SM is a fictitious character. Any similarity with any living person is merely a coincidence.

Chapter 53

Dwarka, Dwapar Yuga

Sri Krishna was sitting in a small room in his palace. He was deeply meditating. His face had a peaceful expression in it. A few moments later, he opened his lotus like eyes. He took his golden flute in his hands and started playing a tune. It seemed like the time froze while he played his tune.

"Pranipat, Prabhu!" A soft voice was heard in the room. Sri Krishna stopped playing and turned his head towards the source of the voice. A Devta was standing there, with crossed hands.

Sri Krishna raised his right hand in a blessing gesture.

"Hey Padmanava, please accept the Pranipat of Viswakarma.", Viswakarma bowed his head again, "What is your order for this servant?"

Sri Krishna stood up, and came in front of the architect and engineer of the devtas.

"Sri Vishwakarma, Jayant had started worshipping you. Do you know the reason behind it?"

Sri Vishwakarma heaved a sigh.

"He wants the weapons of Kali Yuga. He wants firearms."

Sri Krishna smiled at the face of Vaastospataye, who was having a sad expression in his face.

"Then give him those weapons, Viraje."

Viswakarma's eyes became big like saucers. He was literally shocked to his core.

"Pardon me Prabhu, but giving Jayant those weapons...he will surely use them against the Pandavas. Now, I know that the Pandavas has your blessings on them, but still, these weapons have no soul of its own. They will rule the Kali Yuga. If Jayant gets them, then I don't know what type of havoc he can create. Besides...." He suddenly stopped.

Sri Krishna looked at him; a knowing smile was playing in his lips.

"Pardon me Prabhu, for even thinking that." Vishwakarma lowered his head and crossed his hands.

"No, Viraje, you are right. Jayant with a firearm is equal to Arjun with his Gandiva and Karna with his Vijay. He can even pierce the eye of the fish in Draupadi's swyamvar with a firearm. Still, I want you to give him those weapons."

"But why, Prabhu?" Vishwakarma pleaded to Sri Krishna.

"Jayant is planning to do hard penance of yours. If he managed to succeed, which he will, then you have to give him what he wants. But if you give him weapons without penance, then you can enforce some boundaries on it."

Vishwakarma's face cracked into a smirk. He nodded affirmatively.

"But remember, do not underestimate him. Take each and every step and say each and every word with utmost care."

"I will Prabhu, I will. Now permit me to leave. After a long time, I will meet Jayant again. He is all grown up now."

Sri Krishna smiled again, and blessed him. Then Sri Vishwakarma vanished in air.

Sri Krishna went to the window and looked outside. There was a big tree outside the boundary wall of his palace. He saw a purple coloured snake on the topmost branch of the tree.

"So, you finally managed to get your body again, Kali." Sri Krishna smiled at the snake. The snake looked at him with two gleaming eyes. It probably heard his voice, because it tilted the head. Then he saw a donkey standing under the tree. The donkey bared its teeth towards him, just like a smirk. Then both the snake and donkey vanished into thin air.

Sri Krishna was looking at outside, when he heard his sister, Subhadra's voice.

"Pranipat, Bhratashri! What are you doing here, alone?"

He turned his head, and saw his beloved sister, who had the usually bubbly smile in her face.

"I am thinking about your marriage, my dear little Subhadra."

Subhadra blushed deep red.

"Bhratashri! Not again!"

"Why not? You are getting older now. You should get married between two years. Tell me, do you have someone in your mind, or we search someone for you?"

Subhadra blushed again and lowered his head. Sri Krishna knew that a certain archer had captured his little sister's mind. But the time had not come yet. He had to witness the marriage of his two dearest friends at first. They would be his greatest assets to form the righteousness again in earth. The Kshatriya kings were becoming arrogant again with their power. Bhagwan Parashurama ended their tyranny by destroying them. Then Sri Rama came, and made rules for the proper function of society. But now, people forgot the proper meaning of the rules. The rules and oaths were becoming the shackles that held back the good men from the path of truth. A great change was coming, and a great war was coming too. This time was the borderline of two Yugas, after that the Kali Yuga would start. In Kali Yuga, the sin inside human would increase. Righteous people would have a smaller lifespan. Some people would trade treacherously by using false weights. In this Yuga, one hand would start stealing from the other hand. There would be no rule on who became the King. Any Shudra, Vaishya, Kshatriya or Brahmin would become the king, depending on who was the most powerful at that time. Friends and relatives would only act for the love of wealth. Rains would shower at the wrong time. People would destroy trees and forests without proper cause. Kings would become greedy, and started taking other's possessions. The one, who could not bribe, might not get justice in courts. The highest purpose of life would be to fill one's belly. The people of Kali Yuga would progress in killing each other without the help of celestial weapons. They would make science and knowledge as their greatest weapon. Their minds would become sharper in the field of destruction, but not in construction.

Still, his knowledge would survive in that Yuga too. It would guide the righteous people in the path of truth. The time flowed like a circular wheel. After the end of Kali Yuga, again Satya Yuga would start. This was time, the most powerful and most neutral thing in the world.

Suddenly he heard his sister's voice.

"Bhratashri, I forgot to tell you the important news. A messenger from Kampilya city has just arrived here. He has an invitation for both you and Dau for the swyamvar of Rajkumari Draupadi."

Sri Krishna smiled again. The smile was a bit mischievous.

"Tell him, that I along with Dau will attend the ceremony, but as a guest only. We will not compete there."

At the same time, Hastinapur

Vikarna POV

Exactly one year had been passed after the disappearance of Kakishri and Pandavas. Jyesth firmly believed that they were alive and hiding for some reason. But I could not understand their reason for hiding. I was walking towards the royal assembly hall, when I saw Bhrata Yuyutsu coming towards me.

"Pranipat, Bhrata Yuyutsu.", I crossed my hands to him.

"Pranipat, Bhrata Vikarna.", Bhrata Yuyutsu replied. We both entered the royal assembly hall. Pitashri, Kakashri, Guru Dronacharya, Kulguru Kripacharya, Mamashri and other courtiers were already there. But Jyesth Bhrata was still absent.

The royal affairs began. Kakashri proposed some new measurements of taxations. Pitamah supported him, and the Maharaja also agreed. A few moments later, Jyesth Bhrata entered into the hall. He apologized for being late, and then took his seat.

The work was going on like any other days. A few moments later, a guard entered. He said that a messenger from Kampilya was waiting outside. Maharaja ordered the guard to call the messenger with respect.

The messenger entered the hall and bowed to the Maharaja. Then he passed the message of the swyamvar of Rajkumari Draupadi.

"Maharaja Drupad is organising the swyamvar of his daughter, Rajkumari Draupadi, who was born from the sacred fire of the Yagnya. She is the most beautiful maiden in not only Aryavart, but in the whole universe. So, the one who will tie the knot with her...."

A loud coughing sound echoed in the hall. I looked at the source of the sound. It was Jyesth Bhrata who was coughing. I didn't know if my eyes were tricking me or not, but it seemed like he was trying to suppress laughter. I looked at Bhrata Yuyutsu, who was also shocked. Bhanu, who was standing beside him, quickly gave him a glass of water. He quickly gulped the water.

Pitamah looked at the messenger, who started speaking again.

"So, the one who will tie the knot with her must be unique among the universe. Only the greatest warrior in the earth will be worthy to win her hand." The messenger finished his statement.

I again looked at Jyesth, who was sitting silently. But his facial expression changed into a mocking smile for a moment. Then his face became normal again. Pitamah ordered that the messenger should go and take rest in the royal guest house.

"Rajkumar Duryodhana, you should attend the swyamvar." Kakashri Vidura said.

Jyesth Bhrata was thinking something. His facial expression was unreadable.

"Was it necessary to attend?" He said in a low, but hard voice.

All the courtiers looked at him with shocked face. I looked at Pitamah, who was curiously looking at him.

"It is necessary to attend. If Hastinapur refuses to attend, then it would be politically harmful for us. Maharaja Drupad sends his messenger to us. Refusing to attend means Hastinapur insulting Panchal."

"Southern Panchal, Kakashri."

Kakashri silently nodded.

"There was another thing too. If you managed to win the swyamvar, then not only you get the most beautiful damsel as your better half, but also Maharaja Drupad as an ally. The enmity between Kuru and Panchal would end." Mamashri's voice echoed in the hall.

I looked at Jyesth Bhrata. He stood up from his seat.

"Nothing will end from here. It is just the beginning."

After sometimes, the royal court was adjourned. Jyesth Bhrata was going out, when he saw us standing. Both I and Yuyutsu wanted to ask something to him.

"What happened to you both?" Jyesth asked us with a smile.

"Umm...Jyesth, I want to ask something to you?" Bhrata Yuyutsu said in a low voice.

"Why are you hesitating?" Jyesth slightly patted his shoulders.

"Jyesth, you do not look so happy. What happened to you? Aren't you feeling excited to win the hand of Rajkumari Draupadi?"

Bhrata Duryodhana's facial expression changed in a moment. His face became hard like iron.

"The one who is born from fire, can only burn. The whole Aryavart will burn." He hissed under gritted teeth. I curiously looked at him. These were the time when I became afraid of him. I knew that something was wrong with my Jyesth. My Jyesth Bhrata Duryodhana, who gave all of us both the love of father and mother, had something sinister, something evil inside him. The first glimpse that I, no, both me and Bhrata Yuyutsu saw was in Panchal war. Jyesth Bhrata's body changed into a demon. We saw him fighting with Satyajit and Shikhandini. His red snake like eyes, his snake like fangs...I still shuddered while thinking about it.

"What are you thinking, Vikarna?" Jyesth Bhrata's voice echoed in my ear.

"Nothing, Jyesth." I somehow suppressed my thoughts.

"Then go and make arrangements for our journey. I want You, Yuyutsu, Dussasan, Karna and Mamashri with me. Let's go to Kampilya then." Jyesth heaved a sigh. It was clear to us that he didn't want to go there.

I could not understand one thing. There was no chance of Jyesth Bhrata meeting the Rajkumari. Then how did he say something so harsh for her? My Jyesth Bhrata, who always taught all of us to respect women, now himself forgot that. I felt the venom under his every word.

I could not understand everything. But something inside my heart was telling me to be cautious. There was something coming towards us. I could feel in my heart.

So this is chapter 53.

Please read, vote and comment.