The Pandavas welcome Rishi Durvasa and his disciples with great respect. Yudhisthir offeres them seat while Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev bring water pots to wash their feet. Bheen rushes to see, if any food was there.

Bheem sighed, he knew after serving Shubhangini there wasn't any left. A minute later, the four Pandavas emerged from the doors.

"Is there any food?" Yudhishthir asked, hoping that there might be some.

Bheem didn't say anything, the rest understood from his fallen face.

"Then all of you stay here, I shall talk with Rishi Durvasa and will accept whatever the curse he will give." The eldest son of Pandu announced.

The younger brothers immediately spoke that they should be the ones to take and not him. But Yudhishthir told them that it was his responsibility to keep them all safe.

While the brothers were discussing, Shubhangini looked at the food pot. Only one grain of rice was there. She took and sat on the doorstep. She sighed, only if this one grain was enough to satisfy the hunger of hundreds of Sages.

"It is, if served with love, it can satisfy the hunger of entire universe." Out of nowhere Krishna appeared in front of her, replying to her thoughts.

Shubha smiled seeing her best friend, "Madhav," She whispered surprised at his sudden appearance. 

Krishna smiled and took the one grain of rice. His hunger was satisfied with the rice. He burped lightly making the younger girl giggle.

Unknown to her, when Krishna ate the rice even the souls being tortured in hell felt as if their stomach were full. For a few seconds there was happiness and content in the whole universe. Even those who were on the verge of death came back to health. 

After all Krishna's satisfaction was the whole universe's satisfaction.

The Pandavas came to the doorstep hearing his voice, "Krishna." The five brothers shouted happily. 

"We are so glad you are here." Nakul commented happily. Krishna nodded back, he too did enjoy with his favourite cousins.

"But first we must arrange food for Rishi Durvasa and his students. Nakul, go and check for them near the river." Yudhisthir spoke, the Rishis had gone to take a bath.

Nakul was about to leave when Krishna playfully kept his hand on Nakul's shoulder, "Nakul, sit here. We don't have to call them, they will come themselves if they wish." He had a knowing smile on his face.

"Krishna, he said for the food." Krishna nodded at Yudhisthir's words. "Maybe, it was a wish of that time. Who knows now they might have become guests of someone else?"

Yudhisthir nodded, while Krishna continued, "But brother, first tell me, how are your penances going on? My sister are faring well in Dwaraka." Krishna spoke about the PandavaPatnis.

"It is going well Madhav," Arjun replied.

"Now that you are here Brother Krishna, do you have any suggestion of where we should spent our Agytavas?" Sahdev asked.

"Well, in this huge Aryavart, there must a Kingdom, right?" Krishna replied.

Nakul chuckled understanding the gist of his words, "MatsyaRaj Virat,"

The Pandavas nodded in content, Matsya was a Kingdom near to Indraprasth and the King did not know the Pandavas by face.

"Now, Brother Yudhisthir, allow me to leave. I just wished to see you all in person." Krishna spoke.

"But Madhav, you are leaving so early?" Arjun sadly spoke. Krishna smiled at his friend, "Why don't you accompany me to till we cross the end of the forest?"

Arjun nodded, after all who could deny the lotus-eyed lord?

"Madhav oour vanvas is almost completed, soon the agyatvas would be completed as well. But, I fear for the future. Do you think Yuvraj Duryodhan would return our Kingdom back?" Arjun asked, while the two were walking.

Maintaining the limits as a vanvasi, Arjun did not climb the chariot and Krishna walked with him to keep his company.

"Parth, it is your Kingdom. Duryodhan is no one, he doesn't own Indraprasth. You will get what is yours rightfully." Krishna assured him.

"Madhav, I think he will try and not give. What if a war comes?"

"Parth, are you scared of war?" Krishna asked with a fake gasp.

"Yes Madhav, I am scared of the loss of life, destruction a war brings.
And most importantly, after agyatvas, we have to teach Shubhangini and make her understand a lot of things we haven't told her yet, but if there is a war, I fear how badly it would affect her." Arjun explained.

"Arjun, do not let such things disturb you. With Duryidhan's greed and lust of wealth, the war is set to happen. The only difference is that it would happen now or later.
If it happens now, then it would be good that Shubhangini doesn't remember any of the Kuruvanshi and war wouldn't affect her much, on a personal level.
And if it happens later, then she would be grown and matured to understand it." Krishna's words calmed Arjun.

"I am content with your answer Madhav. But I do hope, such war never happens." Arjun said.

»»--------------------------««

Where do you think is Krishna taking Arjun?
An important part from original epic.

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