The palace of Hastinapur was shrouded in sorrow, but the rituals and daily routines continued, albeit with heavy hearts. The 13-day mourning period for Bheem was coming to an end, and the final feast in his honor was being prepared. The feast, a somber event, was attended by all, including the royal family, advisors, and Brahmins.
As the food was served, everyone began eating in silence, their thoughts weighed down by the recent events. Among the guests was a young Brahmin child who, unlike the others, could not stop eating. He devoured plate after plate, seemingly insatiable, to the amazement of those around him. The sight was unusual, and soon the news of this child's voracious appetite reached Kunti.
Intrigued, and perhaps sensing something unusual, Kunti made her way to the child. As she approached him, she noticed the way he ate—so familiar, so reminiscent of someone dear to her heart. She gently placed her hand on his head and said, "Child, you must be hungry. Let me feed you with my own hands."
The child looked up at her with eyes that sparkled with mischief and warmth. As Kunti fed him, he ate with the same enthusiasm, finishing everything on his plate. After a few moments, the child, now content, said with a soft smile, "Now I am satisfied, Mother."
As he spoke, he slowly removed the veil that had covered his face. The room fell silent as everyone recognized the face beneath the veil—Bheem, alive and well, his eyes twinkling with the same mischievousness that had always defined him.
The transformation of the atmosphere in the room was immediate and profound. Grief turned to shock, and shock quickly turned into joy. The Pandavas rushed forward, embracing Bheem with tears of happiness streaming down their faces. Even Kunti, who had been so consumed with grief, was overcome with relief and joy, holding Bheem tightly as if she would never let him go.
But amidst the celebrations, the reactions of Duryodhan and Shakuni were markedly different. Their faces were a study in contrast to the happiness around them—eyes wide with disbelief, mouths slightly agape in shock. Their meticulously laid plans had been foiled, and the sight of Bheem standing there, alive and well, was something they had not anticipated.
The shock on their faces did not go unnoticed by Bheem and Arjun who exchanged knowing glances. The return of Bheem was not just a joyous occasion; it was a reminder that the Pandavas, with their unwavering bond and divine blessings, were not to be underestimated.
As the celebrations continued, Kunti whispered a silent prayer of thanks, her heart filled with gratitude for her son's safe return. Bheem, sensing the underlying tension in the room, looked at his brothers with a grin, knowing that this was only the beginning of the many trials they would face together.
For now, though, they were united, and that was all that mattered.