The atmosphere in Hastinapura was tense as news of the impending swayamvar for Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja spread like wildfire. In the royal chambers, the family gathered to discuss the developments, their faces marked with concern.
"Queen Mother Satyavati is up to her machinations again," Karna remarked, frustration evident in his voice. "She believes this swayamvar will help her regain control over our destinies."
Suyodhana, always the strategist, leaned forward. "We must find a way to save our sisters from this farce. They already have the men they wish to marry—Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara. This should not even be happening!"
As the family deliberated, it became clear that their parents, Kunti and Gandhari, had never agreed to hold a swayamvar for the sisters. "We trust our daughters' choices," Kunti said firmly. "But Satyavati's ambition clouds her judgment. We must intervene."
Karna's brow furrowed in thought. "What if we make the questions for the suitors exceedingly difficult? A test that only those truly worthy can answer."
"An excellent idea," Aja-akshar agreed, envisioning how they could protect their beloved sisters. "If the questions are impossible, it will delay the process long enough for us to return."
Meanwhile, Vrushali, Supriya, and Uruvi were frantically writing letters. Their hearts raced as they penned urgent messages to Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara.
"We need to warn them that their soulmates are in danger of becoming someone else's wives," Uruvi urged, her hands shaking as she wrote. "They must hurry."
As the letters were sealed, they also composed one to Radha and Krishna, seeking their help to prevent the disaster unfolding at the swayamvar. "With their influence, we might be able to change the tide," Supriya suggested.
Back at the ashram, Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara were deep in meditation when the letters arrived. As they read the words of urgency and despair, their hearts sank. "We cannot allow this to happen," Ananta-hara declared, determination flooding his veins. "We will return for them, and we will not fail."
The siblings quickly gathered their belongings and set out for Hastinapura, their minds racing with thoughts of the swayamvar and the challenges they would face.
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On the day of the swayamvar, the grand hall was adorned with vibrant decorations, but the atmosphere was charged with tension. The princes and kings from across the land had gathered, eager to win the hands of Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja. The sisters stood at the front, their hearts heavy but resolute.
The first test was one of strength—each suitor had to lift the chosen weapons: Ashvi-Aparuja's fan and Budhl-Padma's spear. The princes snickered, thinking the weapons were easy to handle. However, as they tried to lift them, the weapons dropped onto the table with a thunderous crash, causing the ground to tremble.
The spectators gasped, realizing the true power of the weapons.
"Next, you must best each other in combat," Suyodhana announced, eyes glinting with mischief. As the suitors prepared, the tension mounted.
After the combat round, the final test was a series of questions posed by Suyodhana. The suitors stood ready, but as the questions were posed, gasps of disbelief filled the hall.
"What is the meaning of moksha?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "What is the meaning of karma? Name the seven chakras in a human body. Would you take another wife?"
Everyone in the room was taken aback by the difficulty of the questions. One by one, the suitors faltered under the pressure, their faces betraying their ignorance.
Next came Yudhishthira, who stepped forward with a similar set of questions for Budhl-Padma. "What are the four proper goals of a human life? Is God or devotion greater? Who is unborn, timeless, and eternal? Would you take another wife?"
The shock in the hall was palpable; these were no ordinary questions.
Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara watched from the sidelines, their hearts pounding. They exchanged glances, knowing they needed to step in. When their turn came, they answered each question with clarity and confidence, passing each round with flying colors.
However, the cheers were quickly drowned out by murmurs of discontent among the other princes. They began to question Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara's lineage. "What caste do you belong to? From which kingdom do you come?" one prince sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.
The crowd fell silent, waiting for their response. As the truth unfolded—revealing that Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara were indeed princes of great kingdoms—the tension shifted dramatically.
The queen mother, Satyavati, began to sweat as she realized her plan had backfired. She had hoped to marry Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja off to lesser kingdoms, thus minimizing their influence. But now, it appeared that her daughters would be wed to powerful princes from Kasi and Ayodhya, who would have considerable sway in Hastinapura.
"Let the swayamvar continue!" Suyodhana proclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
As Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara moved forward, ready to claim their rightful place, Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja felt hope blossom in their hearts. The battle for their futures was not over, but they had powerful allies on their side.
And with that, the stage was set for a momentous choice that would change the fate of their families forever.