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 55

Kampilya, Southern Panchal, Dwapar Yuga

Third Person's POV

Sri Krishna looked at the target. A golden fish was attached with a spinning wheel one hundred hands above the ground. The wheel was spinning at a great speed. The archer had to pierce the eye of the fish to win the contest.

"Sakha, please tell me, who is the warrior in the world who can pierce the eye of the fish?" He remembered the question asked to him by Draupadi yesterday. He smiled while remembering his answer.

"Have patience Sakhi. Patience is the greatest virtue." He answered with a smile. His eyes again turned at the five disguised Brahmins. Then he looked at Jayant again, who was sitting with his eyes closed.

Suddenly Jayant opened his eyes and the four eyes met. Sri Krishna saw the insane amount of anger and hatred there. Jayant's face was like hard as iron. He looked at the Avatar's eyes for a second and then quickly looked away. Sri Krishna again saw a memory of Jayant. Kali inside him was literally scratching his soul. Jayant's soul was literally bleeding. Kali again churned out another memory.

Jayant was standing in front of a funeral pyre. His sister, Seema was lying on the pyre. The priest gave him a burning torch, and with it, Jayant lit the pyre. His eyes were red. But the boy was not crying now. Sri Krishna saw Jayant's father standing behind him, but there was no sign of his mother.

Suddenly the scene changed. It was again the room in Jayant's house where a big metallic statue of Sri Krishna was placed. His mother was still sitting in front of the idol and chanting the 'Hare Krishna' mantra. Then Sri Krishna saw Jayant entering the room. He had come there directly from the cremating ground. He walked straight to the idol and picked it up in his hands.

His mother looked at him with shock. Then she shouted,

"What are you doing with my Gopal? Have you take a bath after coming from the cremation ground? No? How dare you come to my worship room wearing the clothes from cremation ground? You destroyed the purity of this sacred room!"

"Shut up!" Jayant roared like an animal.

"You and your Gopal, both of you have the blood of my sister in your hands. Do you think that I will tolerate both of you in my house? I have already called the police. They will take you to the birthplace of your Gopal. Go there and chant his name as much as you can. And, as about him..."

Jayant picked up the idol above his head. He was going to smash the idol in front of his mother's horrified face, but he stopped in the midway. Sri Krishna knew that it was his inner humanity that stopped him. In that time of intense grief, Jayant hadn't forgotten his true nature. He ran away outside from his room with the idol and came in front of the pond beside his house. With his total strength, he threw the idol in the water.

Sri Krishna again looked at his left palm. When Jayant threw the idol in the water, there was a sharp three headed stone underwater, similar to a trident. The left palm of the idol fell upon the stone, and there were three parallel scratches. Sri Krishna himself felt those wounds, because they had came from a broken heart of a grieving brother.

The loud sound of drums shattered his thoughts.

"Look at that side, Kanha." He heard his elder brother's voice, "Rajkumar Dhristadyumnya is giving his sister the wedding garland. Now the competition will start."

Each and every king present in the room was looking at the dark, inhumanly beautiful, fire born daughter of Maharaja Drupad. They were all busy to straighten their crowns and putting on their best smile. Even the old and white haired Jarasandha was giving lustful looks towards Draupadi. But there was one exception there. Sri Krishna looked at Jayant, who was sitting with closed eyes. He didn't even bother to look at Draupadi for once.

Draupadi was sitting on a throne beside Maharaja Drupad. Beside her, Dhristadyumnya was sitting on his throne. Then the guard made another announcement.

"Devi Shikhandini is coming, along with Rajkumar Satyajit, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas."

The name of Shikhandini made Jayant open his eyes. Then he looked at the entrance and saw the four of them. Shikhandini was walking on her feet. She was clad in armour, with a sword in her waist. Jayant curiously looked at her then a smirk came into his lips. He turned his head towards Sri Krishna for a moment, then again closed his eyes. But Shikhandini also saw him. Her face became hard. She turned and walked towards him. Jayant probably felt her coming towards him, so he opened his eyes.

Shikhandini was standing in front of Jayant. Her hand was on her sword. Her two eyes were burning with like charcoal. Jayant was also looking at her with angry eyes. Sri Krishna looked at them with a smile in his face. Draupadi requested him to heal his sister and he couldn't refuse his Sakhi. Even Jayant understood it in a moment. A few moments of staring contest, Shikhandini walked away and took her seat. Satyajit, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas also took their seats.

Then Dhristadyumnya stood up, and a hushed silence fell on the place. His voice echoed like suppressed thunder.

"We are gathered here today for the sacred occasion of the swyamvar of my dearest sister, born from the sacred fire of the yagnya, Rajkumari Draupadi. As you can see, the target is the eye of the fish attached in the spinning wheel. The archer has to hit the target by looking at the shadow of the fish in the water pot below the wheel. Now I am requesting all the brave and mighty warriors present in here to come one by one, and show us their might."

Sri Krishna looked at Draupadi. Her eyes were looking for someone special in the crowd of kings and princes. Her eyes passed the kings and focused on five Brahmins. No, her eyes focused on the one sitting in the middle of the five.

The four eyes met, and the avatar knew the two hearts met too.

The first contestant was King Senavindu. He went to the bow and looked at the target for a moment. Then he looked at Draupadi with an arrogant smile, and grabbed the bow with his right hand. He tried to pick up the bow, but failed. He was using his both hands now; beads of sweat were covering his face, but no avail. He could not even lift the bow. Senavindu hung his head with shame, and came back to his seat.

Then the next one was Jayadrath, he also could not move the bow. After Jayadrath, came Chandrasena, but his situation was same. Then came King Brihadvala and Bhoorishravas, but they also could not move the bow.

Sri Krishna was looking at them with a smile when he heard his Sakhi.

"Sakha, please tell me, who are the warriors who have the ability to hit the target?"

Sri Krishna looked at her with a smile in his face, when he heard Dau's voice.

"Even I am curious to know the answer of her question, Kanha."

Sri Krishna smiled.

"Dau, there are four warriors who can lift the bow, string it and shoot the arrow. Three of them can pierce the eye with bow and arrow. The fourth one also can pierce the eye, but with some other weapons."

Maharaja Drupad, who was listening with full concentration, now asked, "But who are the four, Vasudev?"

"The first one is me. The second one is Arjun. The third one is Angraaj Karna and the fourth one is..." Sri Krishna took a dramatic pause.

"The fourth one is the one person sitting here with closed eyes. Who did not look at my Sakhi for once? Look at the guests and you will find out the fourth one."

"Angraaj Karna can hit the target? But Vasudev, he is a sutputra." Maharaja Drupad said in a panic stricken voice.

"He is a Kshatriya by his deeds. He is a mighty Maharathi, and this should be his identity. No one have any control on his birth. But if Draupadi does not want to marry Karna, then she can refuse him to take part."

In the meantime, Jarasandha stood up and came to the bow. He gave one look at the spinning fish, and then looked at Draupadi. That look made her shudder, but Sri Krishna gave her a reassuring smile. Jarasandha grabbed the bow with his left hand, and with a huge stroke, picked up the bow. He held the bow in his one hand for a moment then the heavy bow fell from his hand, and Jarasandha lost his balance too. The King fell down on the ground like an uprooted tree. He somehow stood up. His face was burning with anger and humiliation. He silently went back to his seat.

Then Shishupal, the bull of Chedi kingdom came to the bow. He grabbed the bow with his both hands and pulled it with all his strength. The bow moved a little, but it drained Shishupal totally. His hands started shaking, and the bow slipped from his hands.

Then Shalya, the King of Madra stood up and walked towards the bow. He was cautious. He looked at the target and it's reflection for multiple times. Satisfied with his findings, he grabbed the bow with his both hands. He pulled the bow with all his strength, but the bow did not move. Shalya again tried, but failed. With an angry expression, he came back to his seat.

The other kings who were present in the swyamvar were literally disheartened. They were thinking that when mighty Maharathis like Jarasandha, Shalya, Bhoorishravas, and Shishupal were failed then what chance they could have.

"Dau, what happened to the great warrior who wants to learn mace fighting from you? You told all of us that he is a brave and powerful warrior. But his all bravery seems to be gone in this place. He is literally sleeping in his seat." Sri Krishna said to his elder brother with a smirk.

Balrama's face became hard.

"Kanha, I saw all the traits of a brave and powerful warrior inside him. Otherwise, I will not accept him as a student of mine. I am going to wake him up."

Balrama stood up, but Sri Krishna grabbed his hand.

"Dau, you don't have to do that. Look at there, Karna is already doing that."

Balrama looked at Karna and saw him slightly pushing his friend. He again sat beside his brother. Karna pushed his friend and Duryodhana woke up.

Sri Krishna knew very well that Jayant was faking his sleep. He heard Karna's voice.

"Mitra, all the mighty Maharathis couldn't even pick up the bow. Only Jarasandha managed to pick it for a moment. But the heavy bow fell from his hand." Karna whispered to his friend.

Jayant was silently listening, when suddenly a shrill voice of a woman echoed in the air.

"What happened, Rajkumar Duryodhana? Does your bravery only confined into hitting unconscious woman in battlefield?" Shikhandini's voice echoed in the air.

Sri Krishna looked at her. For a split second, he saw the dark shadow of Devi Alakshmi behind her. The spouse of Kali did her job quite efficiently. Jayant stood up, his face burning with anger and hatred. Sri Krishna literally felt the burning heat of Jayant's mind. But while Jayant was walking towards the bow, his mind got calmer.

Jayant stood in front of the bow. He crossed his hand, closed his eyes and lowered his head. Sri Krishna knew that he was praying to the Pinakpani, who gave the knowledge of archery to the mankind.

"Hey Pinakpani, hey Ashutosh, I know that Draupadi is not for me. I do not have any intention to marry her. Please, bless me with strength, that I can lift the bow and shoot the arrow, I beg you."

On the Kailas Mountains, the Adi Yogi sat in meditation. Mata Parvati was sitting beside him. Mahadev opened his eyes, and raised his right hand.

All eyes were now focused on Duryodhana now. He opened his eyes and stood straight in front of the bow. He grabbed the bow with his right hand, and with a swift pull, he picked up the bow.

The crowd started cheering with loud voice. Sri Krishna was looking at Jayant, whose face was focused. He bent the bow and tied the string with utmost concentration.

The five disguised Kshatriyas were looking at him too. The second one among them whispered towards the third one, "Do you think he can hit the target?"

"His mind is focused. But he doesn't have that amount of skill in archery. He can't hit the eye of the fish." The third one said. But no one saw the youngest among them except the supreme one. Both of them were having the same vision at that moment. They saw a man, with ashes and blood rubbed on his body and face, stood on a great battlefield. He had a trident in his right hand and a firearm in his left hand. In front of him, there is a mountain of dead bodies.

Sri Krishna opened his eyes, and looked at Jayant again. He was pointing the arrow towards the spinning fish, but his eyes were closed. Jayant did not bother to look at the reflection.

Then he released the arrow.

Jayant stood up. He didn't look at the target. With a calm face, he came back and put down the bow. He untied the string and again bowed to the bow.

The whole area was silent. Each and everyone present in the room were looking at Duryodhana with shock and awe in their faces. It was Shakuni who first spoke up.

"I am proud of you, my dearest nephew. I am proud of you."

Sri Krishna looked at Jayant, who was looking at his maternal uncle with a shock on his face. Slowly he turned towards the spinning fish. The five disguised Pandavas were also looking at the fish with popped eyes. Maharaja Drupad, Dhristadyumnya, Draupadi, Shikhandini, Satyajit and the other kings present were also looking at the target with shocked expression.

The arrow released by Jayant pierced the belly of the golden fish.

Sri Krishna glanced at his Sakhi, and heaved a sad sigh. Jayant's constant manipulation of the wheel of fate changed the course of it. The fate and time would still achieve what it wanted, but now the path had changed.

Jayant saw the arrow and a smile came into his lips. He heaved a sigh, almost of relief. Then he turned and went to his seat. Maharaja Drupad was sitting with a sad face. The reason was simple. According to social rules, if no one could pierce the eye of the fish, then Draupadi had to remain unmarried for her whole life.

Then Dhristadyumnya stood up again.

"I am ashamed to say that Aryavart became void of warriors. Today is the day of great shame for the whole Kshatriya caste. All the greatest Maharathis present in here, did not even manage to lift the bow. Now it is a great shame for..."

Suddenly, a tall, lanky body stood up. The golden armour came on his skin. The earrings in his both ears were literally glowing like the sun.

"No Rajkumar, there is still one archer present here in this swyamvar."

Karna stood up and walked towards the target. He started looking at the spinning wheel with the belly pierced fish from each and every angle. A few moments later he came towards the bow, and crossed his hands and bowed to it.

Even Sri Krishna was a little bit tensed now. Because he knew that this man is the major thorn between the marriage of Draupadi and the Pandavas. Draupadi was literally pale. Her eyes fanatically looked at the disguised Kshatriya.

With a swift move of his hand, Karna easily picked up the bow. His two eyes were focused. He tied the string easily. A soldier of Panchal stood beside him with an arrow. Karna took the arrow and walked to the target. He sat under the spinning wheel. His eyes were focused on the reflection of the fish.

Suddenly, the loud voice of Draupadi echoed in the area.

"I will not marry a sutputra!"

Karna's hand trembled. Sri Krishna looked at him with sad eyes. Draupadi stood up from her seat. Her face was hard. Karna looked at her with angry eyes. He did not say anything. He slowly came back and placed the bow and arrow in their place. He untied the string of the bow, and again bowed to it. Then slowly, he came back and sat in his seat. Sri Krishna looked at Jayant, who slowly placed a hand on Karna's shoulder. Karna nodded slowly. Sri Krishna felt the silent gesture in his heart.

Then Jayant stood up like a king cobra uncoiling.

"Maharaja Drupad. I will remember the insult of my friend until my last breath. But I do not hold you responsible, because I know very well that who gave this valuable advice to her."

His burning eyes turned towards Sri Krishna for a moment, who was smiling.

"Someone present in here always talked about Karma. Now if his words were not blatant lies, then I am saying you today, your daughter has to pay for this deed. Even Narayana himself can't save her."

An angry Dhristadyumnya stood up, but before he could say anything, Jayant hissed at him.

"When two elders are talking, it is rude to interrupt. Yes, I am elder than you because I spent my childhood in this earth. Now shut your mouth and sit down."

Dhristadyumnya was becoming red with that insult. But he sat down.

"Mamashri, brothers, we do not have anything left here. Let's go."

While Jayant walked out with his all companions, he heard the voice of Sri Krishna.

"Now I am requesting to the Brahmins present in here, that if someone can show us his valour?"

So this is the 55th chapter. Writing this chapter is a hard task.

I thank you all my readers for their love and support.

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