Where is Arjun?" Pitamah Bheem's concern seeped through his alarming voice.

"Pardon, Your Grace, he will be reaching Hastinapur by the next monsoon." The messenger announced in the court, who carried a letter with him. A sealed scroll to be precise.

Preparations were at it's peak. The anniversary of the Ashwamedha Yagya was afterall. The delegatory guests were present . Royalties from known and unknown kingdoms had
come to celebrate and strengthen the political ties with ours.

Nobody had thought how gloom would doom over us.

Samrat Yudhisthir held the letter himself. The letter from the Airavat dynasty. The Naga kingdom. What could it be ?

The court murmured, voices unheard but the tension was hitting my spine.

The letter had more to tell. Still it was restricted to the words which were imprinted. Not frequently, I accompanied Mata to the court, but that day, the celebration permitted me to join.

Pitamah Sahadev was far from lenient in these matters. He insisted that all court attendees were to be qualified enough. I was keen to watch the court proceedings from a very long time, but I had to excel in politics and judicial matters.

Anyways, the guests and the courtiers were entertained and welcomed with pomp and luxury.

We waited for Pitamah Arjun to return. Months passed in worry.

The period of Shravan came too. All were engrossed in anticipation. Pitamah Yudhisthir had sent messengers to the Manipura Kingdom.

Finally, the long wait was over, as Pitamah Arjun was back in his whole glory.

Drums rolled, conch shells were blown. The festive mood revived. The Ashwamedha Yagya was successful. A sense of relief washed over me. Tatshree Pradyumn led the soldiers from the west.

My heart rose in glee as Pitamah Arjun's face came into vision admidst the enormous crowd.

He looked exhausted. The victory didn't shine in his eyes, neither he adorned the charming smile in him, like always. Black ringlets were formed beneath his eyelids. There was something wrong, I assumed.

Bound by the traditions,Jyeshth Pitamahi welcomed him with the auspicious thaali. Soldiers were honoured. The pious horse of the Yagya was worshipped and later sacrificed. The latter made my heart sink. I wish some customs could be broken.

Finally, our family sat to dinner in the evening. Special delicacies were prepared.

Pitamah Bheem had almost gulped two plates sweet rotis in one go. Pitamahi Valandhara generously served him another plate, earning a glare from Jyeshth Pitamahi. Looked like Kakashree Sarvag and Yaudheya tried to compete with Pitamah Bheem, but failed miserably after having one plate each. Meanwhile, I relished my mouthwatering choorma.

But a pair of brown eyes seemed restless. "Aryaputra Arjun", Jyeshth Pitamahi asked, "Is there something bothering you?"

He nodded impatiently. Jyeshth Pitamahi creased her brows at his queer response.

We were almost done with the dinner, when Pitamah Arjun announced that he had something to speak.

"What happened Bhrata? Is everything okay?" Pitamah Sahadev patted on his shoulder.

"Arjun, speak." Pitamah Yudhishthir's words resonated authority.

"Jyeshth, I am sinned." Pitamah Arjun told. Tears streaming down, slowly. "Again."

"What? Arya?" Pitamahi Subhadra spoke.
She was assured by Jyeshth Pitamahi.

"Arjun, we got the message that you had to fight against Manipura." Pitamah Yudhishthir stated.

"Can someone explain, what's going on?" Pitamah Bheem groaned in displeasure.

The Great Archer's face was pulled to a scowl as his words ran through the hall, "I had to fight against my son, Babruvahana. I was unaware of this the whole battle."

I found it hard to fathom his speech. Mata and Bua stood expressionless. Mata held my hands tightly, her fingers were shaky. She murmured, "Another death?"

"I...I..was defeated in the first place." Dhananjay's lips were barely moving, he was squinting with the heavy tears on his brown-hued eyes.

"Anuj." Pitamah Bheem grasped his shaking shoulders. " I was defeated and I nearly touched death. I had no regrets. But Chitrangada opposed his son and asked Uloopi to revive me."

Pitamahi Subhadra's jaws fell.

"I was revived with the Nagamani and Babruvahana had to surrender, in my filthy hands." Pitamah Arjun was broken entirely. Pitamah Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev tried to console him.

"The letter from the Nagas had alarmed me about the war. I knew this would happen." Pitamah Yudhishthir's eyes were directed towards the oblivion.

I think his tears had dried. Dried of sorrow. Indeed, he was the Dharmaraj. My body shook with the intensity of his words. It was the first time I saw the Chakravartin Samrat in him. The one I had learnt from Rishis and Acharyas.

My thoughts were interrupted as Pitamah Arjun sobbed, "What has become of me? My one son died in my absence. One was killed by the weapon that was meant for me. And this son, I was aloof from, the entire battle. Was it all my duty, Jyeshth?" He looked at the Samrat, one who had a cast of iron.

"Prolicide." The Great Falguna shook his head. "I am the cause of my sons' deaths. I had never been a father. My fatherhood burned in their pyres, and I had to stand in front, watching it helplessly."

"Will he accept me now?" He added questioningly.

"You are the bearer of the knowledge of Gita from Bhagwaant himself." Jyeshth Pitamahi spoke, her voice was laced with compassion. "Let bygones be bygones. Your destiny is giving you another chance. Embrace your new son."

"Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach, then Prativindhya,Sutasom, Satainik......" Dharmaraj uttered, "all were sacrificed for a purpose, and you know it. Putra Babruvahana is still there,for another purpose, you are unaware of." He added.

Gudakesha sighed. "Everything is for a purpose. So be it." He might had conquered sleep, but his haunting memories, remain unconquered.

Dharmaraj sighed too, revealing tears and sorrow. I could sense the battle in him. His soul, his eyes had some other words, which he never dared to express.

My tatshrees, kakashrees and foremost my father. Their names were familiar but the memories were foreign. I shrugged my shoulders, muddled in my own thoughts.

This was the toughest chapter so far. Will be glad to know your reviews and comments.