Chereads / Prakriti (Mahabharata) / Chapter 19 - Chapter 18

Chapter 19 - Chapter 18

Prakriti P.O.V

Next I went to Mahismati city which was ruled by King Nila, when I reached at the entrance of the city, there was no one on the gate, I furrowed my eyebrow in confusion and walked towards the gate, suddenly huge fire erupted from the ground stopping my path. Agni dev came forward from the fire and joined his hand in greeting gesture "Pranam, Princess Prakriti" he greeted me, I smiled, joined my hands and greeted him back. "I have to enter in the Kingdom, Agni Dev" I said, he nodded his head "This Kingdom have my protection but no one can stop you" he smiled and made a way for me to walk through. "Thank you, Agni Dev" I responded, he chuckled "There is nothing to thank me, you are nature, you are the world, I am not an idiot to stop you" he said and joined his hand again vanishing from the view. I sighed and moved forward, entering in the Kingdom.

I know I am nature but right now I am only human so I have locked that divine part of me and I hope that I don't have to use that part in the future.

People were roaming around in the city, busy in their work. Some stared at me while other were busy in their work, suddenly I heard the sound of hooves and soldiers started surrounding me.

"Who are you?"

"Why are you invading in our Kingdom?"

They started asking questions after questions to me "I want to meet your King, I am from Indraprastha" I started saying, one person came forward and looked at me, raising his eyebrow "You are here on the behalf of King Yudhisthira" he asked, I nodded my head "I am Prakriti, General Secretary of Indraprastha" I responded, suddenly his features changes and he bowed his head in front of me. "Welcome in our Kingdom, Princess Prakriti" he said, I smiled and greeted him back, he was the commander of this Kingdom, he take me to his King who welcomed me as well and due to the shortage of time, I directly went for the meeting and we talked about the alliance between our Kingdom. King Nila was more than ready to befriend our Kingdom, he said he is already impressed with our Kingdom and was waiting for the invitation. After the conversation, he asked me to stay in his Kingdom for few days so that he can properly welcome me but I denied the request politely and said that I will come here some other time and took my leave from the Kingdom.

Then I went to Lanka, descendants of Vibhishana, they welcomed me with enthusiasm and even offered me different kind of gems, jewels and ornaments, I politely accepted the offer and talked about the relation between our Kingdom which they accepted making my work easy, my journey took me to Pandyan dynasty then I went to Avanti Kingdom and other territories lying on the bank of Venwa, everyone welcomed the idea of alliance with Indraprastha and finally after covering the territory of south I went to Vidarbha Kingdom, sister Rukmini is the daughter from this Kingdom and I know King Rukmi is angry with Brother Krishna for kidnapping her but I know if he has mind, he will accept the alliance or at least won't try to fight against us.

I finally reached Vidarbha, Arya told me about the Kingdom, its beauty and of course his journey with Brother Krishna. I stand in front of the soldiers "I am here to meet King Rukmi, I am from Indraprastha" I stated, both of them nodded their head and notify their King. He allowed me to enter in the Kingdom, soldiers took me to the assembly hall directly, I was happy, I don't want to be guest here as I know King Rukmi will boast about his achievements and possession. I entered in the assembly room, he was siting on the throne, looking at his head, I remembered how Brother Krishna made him bald all those years ago. He stood up from his seat and welcomed me. I took the seat and told him about Raj Suya Yagya and the alliance.

"Princess Prakriti, I know you have recently visited Dwarka, can I ask, how is Rukmini?" he asked, it put a smile on my face that he care for his sister "She is fine and Pradyumna is great as well" I assured him which put a smile on his face, after the meeting I took fare well from the King and left his Kingdom, finally completing my journey from the south.

I can meet my son now.

With that thought in my mind, I flew towards my home excited to meet my family and specially my little warrior. I land on the entrance of the Indraprastha, Soldiers bowed their head in respect and I greeted them back "Are they back from Magadha?" I asked the soldiers, one of them nodded their head "Prince Bhima killed Jarasandha and won against Magadha" he said, his voice beaming with pride, I smiled and nodded my head knowing the answer already. I knew that Jarasandha time has come and only Brother Bhima will kill him thats why Brother Krishna spared him multiple time in the past because his fate was in the hand of Brother Bhima.

I entered in the Kingdom, people started cheering as soon as they saw me, I smiled and joined my hand, greeting my people back. My family was waiting for me at the gate of Castle with happy smile on their face, I greeted Brother Yudhisthira and touched his feet then I went towards Brother Bhima and Brother Krishna greeting them. Arya was standing beaming at me, his eyes shining with pride, I touched his feet, greeting him, Twins greeted me as well. Draupadi wasn't here, neither was Abhimanyu, my eyes searches for them. Brother Bhima chuckled "Your little warrior and Panchali are in the kitchen right now, she is feeding him" he answered my unasked question. I nodded my head. "How was your journey?" Elder brother asked looking at me. "It was fruitful, no one want to be Indraprastha enemy" I responded smiling, he smiled back.

"Its time, we start Raj Suya Yagya" Brother Krishna said and everyone agreed in response. Finally the time has come when Indraprastha will have its freedom and Mother will come to our Kingdom happily.

***

I went into the Kitchen, Krishne was feeding Abhimanyu with her hand. "One more bite, son" she said taking a bite of chapati in her hand, Abhimanyu shook his head "Mother, I am full, I can't eat anymore" he whined denying the bite. "Please one more, you need protein to protect me, don't you?" she asked him, I smiled listening their conversation. Abhimanyu made a thinking face and then finally opened his mouth eating the last bite. "Happy now" he asked.

"Very happy" I said entering in the Kitchen, both turned their towards me and smile appeared on their faces, Abhimanyu quickly stand up from his seat and ran towards me, I opened my arms and pulled him in a hug, kissing his forehead "How are you, my little warrior" I asked breaking the hug. He gave me a cheeky grin "I am fine, I protected Mother and Elder father until you were gone" he said showing me his muscles, I chuckled and looked at Draupadi as she came towards us. "Yes Vibha, he took care of me" she smiled putting her hand on his head caressing him. I looked at my son "I am proud of you, my little warrior" I said which made his smile broaden.

"How are you, Krishne" I asked her.

She smiled "I am perfect now that everyone is here".

***

In Indraprastha, preparations for Raj Suya Yagya were in full swing. The granaries and the treasury did indeed overflow with tribute. This tribute was paid willingly to an emperor whose spirit was immaculate, whose dharma was meticulous and deep and whose reign was truly blessed, so a time of grace and fortune had come to all Aryavarta. The people of the city were full of sweet fervor: they could hardly bear to wait.

Already there was singing and dancing in the streets and those that had braved a desert for Brother Yudhishtira's sake were amply rewarded now. He made sure that, more than anyone, they shared in his moment of glory. They were appointed to important positions for the sacrifice. Whenever a council met, they sat in places of honor in the Mayaa sabha. They were persons of obvious influence in Indraprastha. In Indraprastha, the royal guests began to arrive. A thousand Kings and their legions came to the city, bringing lavish gifts, Elder Brother welcomed each and everyone of them with respect and send them to the Mayaa Sabha for the Yagya, our family from Hastinapur arrived and we welcomed them with open arms. One by one we touched the feet of our Elders and sought their blessings. Mother came forward, her eyes were shining with happy tears as she hugged each one of us and gave us her blessings.

"Treat this city as your own. Bless me so the Yagya may be a success; it is your sacrifice as much as mine; it is a Rajasuya of the Kuruvamsa" Elder brother said with tears of real joy in his eyes welcoming them. Everyone has a smile on their face.

"Make sure your cousins from Hastinapur feel welcome, so they aren't envious of you." Brother Krishna said, he was standing beside Elder Brother as his eyes roamed around the guest. Elder Brother turned his gaze at Brother Krishna "What shall I do to make them feel welcome?" he asked, Brother smiled "Let them be given vital tasks, like your own brothers. Duryodhana, especially, must have an important charge."

"What charge shall I give him?" Elder Brother questioned.

Innocently, Brother Krishna had replied, "Why not charge of the treasury? It will make him feel like one of us." I looked at Brother raising my eyebrow at the conversation, he is right, I could see jealousy in Prince Duryodhana eyes at our prosperity but he is trying to hide it behind his smile.

Elder Brother distributed the task among us, He asked Prince Duryodhana if he would take charge of the treasury and Prince accepted the honor with smile. Dusasana was given charge of feeding the guests, Mr. Sanjay of protocol, receiving the visiting Kings and assigning mansions for them to stay in and places to sit at the Yagya. Kripacharya was to distribute gifts to the brahmanas and Kshatriya who came and the common people.

All the Kshatriya had arrived and the illustrious brahmanas, who would conduct the Yagya. Vyasa was to be the chief priest. Narada, Bharadvaja, Sumantu, Gautama, Asita, Vasishta, Chyvana, Kanva, Maitreya, Kavasa, Trita, Viswamitra, Parasara, Kashyapa, Virasena and a hundred others out of Devaloka, had also come. Susharma would chant the hymns of the Sama Veda; Yajnavalkya would recite the slokas and mantras; Paila, Vasu's son and Dhaumya would pour libation on to the sacred fire. The common people had turned out in crowds. Brahmanas, Kshatriya and sudras, from every walk and station of life, thronged the yagnashala.

Yagya started and we took our place, the sacrifice of the six fires was underway. Showers of petals fell from the sky like fragrant dew as our Yagya finished. Brother Yudhishtira and Krishne sat on the throne while I took the seat of General Secretary in the assembly hall. Ved Vyasa stood up from his seat and looked at Elder Brother "These Kshatriya and brahmanas have come to Indraprastha to honor you. You must give them arghya, but begin with the foremost among your guests. You must decide who he is and worship him first of all" he said, Brother Yudhishtira rose from his seat and looked at Grandfather Bhishma "My lord, in a sabha like this, it isn't for me to say whom I should worship first. You are my Pitama, you tell me" he asked joining his hand together. I also stared at Grandfather for answers. Grandfather was silent for a moment, then, said, "Six men are said to deserve worship: the guru, the priest, the kinsman, he that knows the Veda, the friend and the king. Offer arghya to all these, beginning with the best."

"But, Pitama, who shall have the purodasa?" he asked.

"Surely, you don't need an old man to tell you only Krishna deserves the purodasa. He is like the sun among the planets; the rest of us only reflect his splendor. Without him, this sabha would be plunged in darkness" Grandfather said smiling and Elder brother beamed at the response. A smile made its way on my face, Grandfather is right, Brother Krishna deserved first Arghya. Elder brother and Krishne worship Brother Krishna and gave him first arghya, they started washing his feet, my eyes filled with tears, it was a moment of joy for all of us. Me and Arya touched his feet in respect. Just as Elder Brother was about to sprinkle water on Brother Krishna's head Brother Sishupala stand up from his feet, his face was full of anger and disgust.

"What foolishness this is! A bastard asks the son of a river" he shouted sneering at Brother Krishna, my eyes widened in shock as I stared at Brother Sishupala.

"Who should have the purodasa in this sabha. The senile river-son says a black cowherd must be offered the first arghya. Another bastard performs the worship and the heavens bless this touching scene! What can I say?" he continued looking at us.