Long Chapter ahead! Read at own risk 😁just wanted to add a dramatic start

Picture of Morpank Chakra above ^

****Happy reading****

After the walk with Dhronacharya, I was thinking about various things that are going to happen or would happen if things are not set right when I remembered that Kanha would be leaving for Dwarka during the end of third Prahar. So I thought of doing something as I know I am gonna miss him so much.

"You miss someone only when you forget them" I remembered the famous saying and thought that 'Its impossible to forget you kanha, atleast till this mortal life of mine and even after that my soul will remember you'

But before I could plan something a dasi approached me and said that, " Pranipat Rajkumari Arunika! Rajkumari Dushala has sent me to inform you that she wants to discuss something with you and is waiting for you to join"

Oh! I completely forgot that my afternoons are reserved for her. Hmm...but Dushala today you will have to wait as your jiji is busy in serving her kanhaiya. I asked the dasi to bring me a paper and pen after a few minutes she was here with them.

I then wrote in Sanskrit, " Pranipat Dushala! I received your news a few moments before but I would regret to say that today I am busy with something and so we will have our talk after Dwarkadeesh leaves
Yours jiji"

I wrote the note because I could not trust Gandharraj and his spies as no one should have an ounce of ida of me sharing something about my life with Dushala as it may put her in danger and who knows maybe she was one among Shakuni's spies. But I won't judge her because she has done me no harm yet

I told the dasi to carefully give this scroll to Dushala and made my way towards the kitchen. I asked what was being made to which the cooks there replied that as Dwarkadhish will leave after having lunch, Maharani Gandhari and Choti Maharani Kunti has ordered them to make 56 bhog. I was instantly happy and asked if I could help. They were hesitant at first but then agreed after my constant pestering. So I started with vegetables as I said them to cut it and also helped cut a few. The ones which were to be boiled were put on the stove.

As they were being cooked I took in my hand the task of churning Makhan. They asked why was I churning it as it may hurt my hands and also they had churned a few pots in the morning. I said I want to do this and I would be fine doing so. They agreed a while later.

I did not know when I churned the entire huge pot of makhan with Kanha's bhajan in my mind and gigles from the cooks near me. I smiled with them a few times when one of them said, "I've heard that Rajkumari you sing well wouldn't you sing something for us" saying so she bit her tongue as she realised that she spoke with me.

I smiled at her as she was way more than me. Maybe she was 16 or 17. I said" why not behena" few gasped at me as I called her behena. Not paying attention to them. I started yet another tune of my priye, Radhakrishnan, the one which was so close to me just like all other bhajans written in their praise. I sang the male version of it so that they wouldn't know that it was also dedicated to kanha.

"Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Man meet ho radhe
Meri man meet ho radhe

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bansuri ka geet ho

Hu main jaha tum ho vahaa radha
Tum bin nahin hai kuchh yahaan
Mujhame dhadakti ho tum
Tum door mujhse ho kaha
Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri man meet ho

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bansuri ka geet ho

Parmatma ka sparsh ho radhe
Pulakit hriday ka harsh ho
Tum ho samarpan ka shikhar
Tum hee mera utkarsh ho

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bhawana ki tum radhe jeet ho
Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri man meet ho radhe meri man meet ho
Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bansuri ka geet ho

Hu main jahaan tum ho vaha radha
Tum bin nahin hai kuchh yahaan
Mujhame dhadakti ho tumhi
Tum door mujhse kaha ho kaha
Tum prem ho tum preet ho

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri man meet ho radhe
Meri man meet ho
Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bansuri ka geet ho

Parmatma ka sparsh ho
Pulakit hirday ka harsh ho
Tum ho samarpan ka shikhar
Tum hee mera utkarsh ho
Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bhawana ki tum radhe jeet ho

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Man meet ho radhe
Meri man meet ho radhe

Tum prem ho tum preet ho
Meri bansuri ka geet ho"

I ended singing and saw that they were yet again mesmerized by my voice. I snapped my fingers and said that we must hurry as the lunch should also be served to others. They gigled went back to their works while some praised me. I just smiled and shied a little.

Everytime I think of its lyrics I find it more and more interesting as I find it more interesting. The lyrics feel so true that's when one of the females asked me," Rajkumari what's the meaning of this song" I smiled again this time. Oh how I would love to express the feelings of kanhaji to radhama though it is inexpressible through words.

I said, " These are the feelings that Srihari Vishnuji had wished to convey to his beloved Lakshmi mata. I would love to explain them but I am not sure if the love between them could ever be expressed in words"

"Oh Radha, you are my love
You are my soul
The serenity of my heart is you

He repeats thus saying that Radha you are the melody to my flute.

I am there where you are,
Without you nothing is here as my own
You are heartbeat innate me
How could you be away from me.

You are my love oh Radhika! You are my soul

The touch to parmatma is you
The essence of beautiful heart is you, my dear radha
You are the peak to dedication
You are the one flourishing my heart and soul

He again repeats thus saying that Oh Radhika! The victory and doorway to all my emotions is you radha

You are my love and you are my soul
The melody to my flute is you, only you"

I did not know why but by the end of explaining these lines my eyes were brimming with tears . Truly Radhakrishnan are the epitome of love. How could one even doubt that. Be it in the form of Siya Ram or be it the avatar of Radhakrishna they always tried to preach love and kindness to others. In each of their their birth, they had to bear the pain of separation but still in kaliyug people question their love as unethical. How could they?

Wasn't it enough that Kanhaji had to bear the pain of his Aching heart for rest of his life after moving out of Vrindhavan. Yes Rukmani mata, also an avatar of Lakshmi ma was with him yet he missed Radha as even Maa Rukmini was incomplete without a part of her being left behind. How could one forget that every pain Kanha felt was felt by Radha ma his other half, his chanchala? The pain that Radhama felt when Krishna was hurted endless times by those whom he loved. The ones who called themselves devotees but he still smiled and accepted all their curses wholeheartedly.

Author's pov :

Arunika was broken from her riverine of thoughts when one of the cooks shook her and gestured her to look before her. She smiled a small smile and looked at where she was pointing at. She saw that the same 16 year old was blushing and was in her own dreamland trying to repeat the same tune that Arunika had sung. A few other girls of her age shook her and teased her for blushing. She blushed even harder if that could be possible and said, "Maa Bauji are looking for a groom for me. They say that whoever will marry me will love me intensely. Tell me sakhi will he love me the same way Vishnuji loved his Lakshmiji? "

The news about her marriage was like a shock to Arunika. Being brought up in kaliyug she was taught about all the demerits of marriage at young age and as a doctor too she knew that it was a very tender age for marriage. Her working here itself was not satisfactory for her but then it was the way they lived here. She could not implement her thoughts of stopping marriage at young age suddenly so she knew she had wait. But right now she would atleast try to help one person infront of her.

Aru went and cupped her cheeks and said, "behena are you happy with an alliance?"

"Rajkumari! There is nothing like that to question about. " the girl whose name was Surekha said.

"Don't be afraid to share your views behena as you are no different than Dushala to me, and ya don't call me Rajkumari but call me Jiji " Arunika said

"You are the first one asking my opinion jiji! And yes I am very happy with my marriage infact I'm excited for it. I know that ny maa bauji would never select someone wrong for me" she said in a chirpy tone.

Oh how Arunika wanted to keep that child like innocence alive 'don't worry soon each and every girl will get a right and I would make sure of that. And its a promise to you " Aru thought.

She smiled a small smile and nodded her head. Soon the entire bhojan was made and various dasis had lined up for serving the lunch. Before they could start placing the food in various utensils Arunika stopped them and said, "wait don't add anything, I'll do it". They nodded as they knew from start that any royal won't enter the kitchen premises just for cooking and singing with them but what they did not know was that Arunika was different from all other royals.

Arunika then first took a bowl and kept some makhan in it. Similarly she kept all other 56 dishes, yes 56 bhog was made. Everyone was confused seeing her keeping each n every dish in a separate plate as if she was going to serve it to someone directly. One of them was going to ask her when an elder dasi there stopped her. Dhriti then covered the plate with a red cloth. She then took the churned makhan in two pots and said one dasi to give one pot of makhan to the charioteer of Dwarkadeesh as this pot is for him and said that the other pot was for Today's lunch.

She then asked the elder cook, "Kaki could you please serve the food in different utensils now and also can you not say anyone that I was here helping you cook? Please it is a small request to you " she asked with her child like innocence that even though the kaki who was hesitating at first had to agree at last.

She gave one of her best smiles and said that she has some work in the temple so she won't be able to help them. The dasis and kaki agreed and joined their hands infront of her. But she just simply bend down and took the blessings of kaki and before leaving cupped Surekha's face. She then took the plate covered with a red cloth and moved towards the temple.

All those who were present there were shocked to witness everything as it was unbelievable that their eldest Rajkumari was so down to earth person. They sure had heard about her from the palace gossips but what they heard was completely different from what they saw. They had heard that Arunika was a person with big ego to even question the kul guru Kripacharya and raj guru Dronacharya. But this person whom they met was completely different from all those gossips.

Arunika carefully made her way to the temple located in the centre of palace. The temple was constructed with an imaginative mindset as it was made in the middle of a lake which in turn was surrounded by gardens. The temple was beautiful just like every other providing peace and serenity to one's soul. She walked towards it with the voice of her new anklets echoing there. The buds of lotus floating in the lake seemed to bloom with every step she took. The butterflies were already present there flying here and there. She just looked at them with a heavenly smile.

Arunika then entered the temple and went to the idol of lord Ganesha. She took two minutes to admire him and then said, "see Bhrata Ganesh I have brought all your favs today. I even helped making your all time favourite ladoos. " Yes the first plate of food was bhog to our Pratam Pujia Ganeshji Maharaj.

Ganesha who was seeing all this from kailash along with Mata Parvati and bhole baba Shiv Shankar had tears in his eyes. He said," even after being reborn, you have not forgotten to offer the first bite to me jiji. Oh! How I've missed eating food made by you. Its been yugas since I ate them."

So he did what he had wished to do for years, he took permission from shivji through his eyes and vanished from Kailash. Soon he was infront of the main door to enter the temple which was located in the beginning of garden . He was looking like an old soldier. He then said to the on duty guard that it was time for changing the guards in that door and with the power of his magic, the guard agreed.

Ganesha who was also Lambodara then took the position of guard and for patrolling went inside the door. He walked the same path that Dhriti chose. He reached exactly at the entrance of the main temple. Just when Arunika was going to pull the curtains to offer the bhog, Our natkat balganesh fell with a loud shriek. Dhriti who was inside left everything aside and came outside the main entrance. She saw that a guard had fallen down and he was also very weak from his physique.

Her instincts as a doctor and human kicked and she went to aid him. The old guard just smiled a little and shrieked in a loud voice when Arunika looked towards him. She then asked, "Baba what happened? How did you fall down and are you alright?"

The old guard said, "Nothing bitiya! I just seem to feel a little dizzy and so I fell down"

She then asked, " Have you eaten something in the morning?" But she just got the reply in a negative. She then said him to wait a moment and ran inside the temple holding the heavy lehenga with one hand and managing its dupatta from another.

' Don't worry jiji! I won't be going anywhere without eating the mahabhog today made by you'
Ganesha thought.

Dhriti then took the plate of food in her hand and came towards Lambodara. He just for an act said," Putri I can't eat -"

"Shh... Baba you are calling me putri right. So you must also listen to me right. And you are going to eat this without any arguments"

"But-" "No nah! I'm not letting you speak atleast not before you eat this"

Shubham ( ganesha) who was grinning internally just gave a small smile on the outside.

( Meanwhile the author thought

' Oh! I am sure he would have won the oscar for his award winning acting. Huh no doubt he has learnt from the best- Kanha'

Kanhaiya be like "why do I feel like someone is blaming me for something I never did. Oh how many hiccups does this innocent child has to bear now " )

Coming back to Arunika and Lambodara, Arunika was feeding Ganesha and Ganesha who was eating food cooked by his sister after millions of years finally was satiated from inside. Soon the entire plate was clean finished and Ganesha was looking for water. Dhriti thought for a moment and again went inside the temple. She then took the kalsi of water kept infront of Ganesha's idol and offered him the water. Ganesha who was too pleased blessed her wholeheartedly though she was elder to him. He remembered her saying," even if I am elder to you, you are more knowledgeable than me. So bless me Bhrata Shubham "

He then remembered her saying," you are pratam pujia in this world, then how could I not follow this order of world. So the first bite of food is always for you"

Soon the guard whom he misled came back not knowing why he left in the first place. He smiled and said to Arunika," Putri now it's time for my shift to change. May Bholenath and Narayan bless you" she took his blessings and smiled at him agreeing to his words.

Ganesha soon left the palace and to kailash. Arunika entered the temple again and sat infront of the Ganesha idol and said, "Sorry Bhratashree, but I offered the bhog to Baba. I would surely make those ladoos again for you"

Ganesha thought in his mind," I've already eaten those Ladoos and they were the best jiji. You don't have to worry about that"

Mata Parvati who was watching everything said, " Obviously they had to be best. Afterall she is my daughter" she said with a smirk and Bhole baba and Ganesha chuckled at their wife - mother.

In the other side of palace, food was being served and Kanha was like he finally felt at peace. He with others started eating and they all agreed for it being heavenly. Kanha obviously knew who made this, and he was enjoying and savouring each bite he ate. Everyone were praising the food and the cook behind but no one knew it was their little princess Arunika, except for her Govinda.

But how could Kanha let the well wishers of Arunika savour the food cooked by her. So he just snapped his fingers and Shakuni who was sitting in the opposite direction of Kanha spat the entire food. Everyone were too shocked as it was an insult to mata Annapurna. He then shouted that how could they say that the food was nice when in actual it was bitter as Neem leaves.

Duryodhan who was seated just beside him gave him a confused look and said, "Mamashree the food is really tasty. How could you say it is bitter"

Shakuni replied," No mere bhanje! This food is really very bitter. I am not lying"

Kanha gave his input and said," What are you saying can not be true Gandharraj. And if so then we all are eating this food, are we then lying by saying it's delicious? Is Mahamahim Bheesma Pitama lying? Or are you saying that Maharaj Dhritarashtra is lying?"

By this statement Shakuni had his eyes wide and the aforementioned people were boiling with anger. Especially the king blinded by emotions. He shouted "SHAKUNI"

Shakuni who was now pale by fear said," Ji..ji ji..jijaji...I didn't say anything. The dasis must have added something in my food. They really don't know how to cook. They must have surely added something in my plate...."

Arunika who was returning from the temple and was on her way to dinning room saw the dasis whispering and a commotion happening inside the room. She asked them what had happened and they said everything and also that the elder most cook was called in by the Maharaj as he felt that Gandharraj would not lie. Aru became super angry hearing that and so rushed inside. She saw that Kanha was dangerously expressionless and knew that something must have happened that he has not liked a bit.

She then saw that the kaki (cook) was trembling with fear and hence decided to interrupt the conversation. Before Dhritarashtra could say something she announced, "I am here Maharaj, you could punish me now"

All were shocked by her this statement as no one had thought of her to say something as such. Dhritarashtra asked, " Putri what are you saying and why should I punish you? I had asked for the cook as she had deliberately mixed something in Gandhar Naresh's meal "

" Then, only I should be punished Tatshree, for today's lunch was cooked by me. Kaki, here has only helped me in it"

All gasped due to surprise and Shakuni who was just recovering from his earlier shock after escaping a tight corner got another shock, as he was caught in another tight corner. And this he could not even escape by the skin of his tooth.

Before anyone could say anything, Dhriti walked with confidence oozing out of her body and bend down infront of Shakuni's plate. None was able to stop her as she took a bite of food and ate it. Kanha who could not see Arunika eating that Shakuni's jootan, with a snap of fingers changed the bite that she ate. Though he knew that the food would not be tasteless for her as she is a pure soul and the food became bitter because it was eaten by one who speaks bitter ( bitter lies which are sugarcoated)

Her gaze shifted to Shakuni and Duryodhan who was near them held her hand and said, " Behena you can't eat Mamashree's jootan. Also I apologise for his mistake"

" No bhrata Suyodhana, it is not your fault so please don't ask for forgiveness. Also as I cooked the food, I must be responsible for matters concerning it. And as for the food served in Gandhar naresh's plate, I feel Nothing is amiss nor is suspective. I feel that the problem is not with food but with the consumer"

This was another big slap on Gandharraj's face. He was getting paler by each second. If anyone would have seen they would have thought that he was suffering from some disease.

Dhriti did not want to spoil her mood, atleast not when her Kanha was leaving. So she said, "Kaki can you please bring a new plate for Mamashree as I don't think he would like to eat from this plate again. " But he did not seem to understand himself at that moment and stuttered, "No...No Rajkumari, I'm quite full now. And I think it was due to my earlier meal that my mouth tastes bitter. Please do not mind it"

Duryodhan who was listening everything was now shocked to see his ati priya mamaji apologizing and hence in anger said," Even I'm done eating. I may take everyone's leave now" with this the mama- bhanja duo left with dushashan and other kauravas tailing behind.

Well that was one hell of show to watch -Dhriti thought and Kanha chuckled in his mind. Meanwhile all others enjoyed their lunch completely not caring for some of the not so important people that had left. Bheem was constantly praising his Parthvi and he also ate twice his normal meal which was four times more than any normal person eating it.

Soon, all had their lunch and then it was time to bid farewell to Dwarkadeesh. Arunika did not want him to leave but for greater things, some things are mend to happen.

Everyone gathered near the chariot, which was actually made of gold and the charioteer was the great Daruka himself. Each royal knew that, the Yashoda nandhan, Madhusudan loved to ride his chariot himself as he is used to tell that 'the one who is the charioteer of the dharm rath( the chariot of righteousness) does not need a charioteer to stop him from going astray ' But at times when needed, Daruka his special charioteer was there with him. Dhriti saw him and gave him a smile and did a Pranipat towards him, which he gladly returned. Only she knew that how many great things this simple person infront of her is gonna do. All others did their pranipats to him and those who were younger to him took his blessings. As Arunika was same age to him, no one expected her to touch his feet but she, who has now got accustomed to doing the unimaginable, touched his feet.

Narayan, then blessed his Narayanaa "Ayushman Bhava! Kritiviman bhavaha! Sa gathim bhavaha! ( Live healthy! Popularity! Liberation) "

Arunika got up amd smiled a smile which held meanings unknown to many but known to one. A single smile which meant more than what it appeared as. But before Arunika could move away, Kanha said the words which she had heard quite a number of times in her childhood. The words were spoken in a way that they were audible only to her.

The words which kanha spoke were,

दुर्जनेन समं सख्यं वैरं चापि न कारयेत् |
उष्णो दहति चाङ्गारः शीतो कृष्णायते करम् ||

Saying thus, Kanha left continuing his journey to Dwarka. Dhriti was left behind pondering over the meaning of the words which appeared quite a while later.

'One should have neither friendship nor enmity with a wicked person. The charcoal burns the hand when it is hot and blackens the hand when it is cool'

*****
That's all for now!! Hope you liked it!

How was that? Surprised that I updated earlier this time. Well even I am. *Sheepish smile*

What do you think of the slok in the ending? I have my sanskrit exam Tomorrow and while reading this slok, I was reminded of certain someone so thought why not add it here.

Had anyone thought that this author over here could even show Ganesh- Dhriti bonding? Trust me I did not. It was unexpected.

I know feel that writing a fiction on Mahabharata is not at all easy. Specially when you wish to show each and every emotion. (Sighs) but since I have started it I'm not gonna leave it.

Do share your views on this chapter and yeah don't forget to comment.

Word count : 4434 words

With love
Ela 💖