Yudhishthira stepped out of the room, his heart lighter than it had been in years. His conversation with Vajra had stirred something deep within him—something he hadn't felt even after the days of the great war. It wasn't just relief. It was hope, fragile but glowing, like the first light of dawn after an endless night. The heavy weight of guilt that had burdened him for so long had finally eased, if only just a little.

As he moved into the corridor, he saw them—Suthanu and Bhanu—pacing, their faces etched with worry. Bhanu's hands were clasped tightly together, his steps quick and restless, while Suthanu's eyes flicked toward the door every few moments, her face pale with concern. The tension in the air was palpable, as if they feared the worst from the conversation between their son and his grandfather.

But the moment Yudhishthira caught their eyes, a soft smile touched his lips, erasing their worry in an instant. Suthanu and Bhanu froze mid-step, their gazes locking onto Yudhishthira's face, searching for answers, for some sign of how the meeting had gone.

Before either of them could speak, Yudhishthira stepped forward and wrapped them both in a tight embrace, pulling them close to his chest. For a moment, the three stood there in silence. Yudhishthira's arms tightened around them, his heart swelling with gratitude for the family that had been his saving grace.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were moist, filled with a depth of emotion that left Suthanu and Bhanu breathless. He gazed at them, his lips trembling slightly as he tried to find the right words. "Your son," he began, his voice thick with awe, "your son... he turned me speechless today."

Suthanu's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced at Bhanu. Bhanu, too, was stunned into silence, his worry slowly giving way to a deep curiosity. "Pita?" Bhanu asked softly, his voice laced with hope. "What did he say?"

Yudhishthira smiled, shaking his head slightly, as if still trying to comprehend what had happened. "He is different, Bhanu. So very different. There is something in that child, something... beyond us all." He looked between Suthanu and Bhanu, his voice filled with a wonder that made their hearts ache. "The way he thinks, the way he sees the world—his vision is unparalleled. I've never seen anything like it, not even in all my years. His innocence, his purity of heart... it's astounding to have a child like him in today's world. He is Narayana's blessing"

Suthanu's hand clutched Bhanu's tightly, her eyes filling with tears, but this time they were tears of love for her child. Bhanu stood there, his chest rising and falling with the weight of Yudhishthira's words, his mind racing to understand the depth of what his father-in-law was saying.

"Vajra..." Yudhishthira continued, his voice softening, "he has a clarity of thought that even we, after all our years of learning and suffering, have not been able to achieve. Maybe because he is a child and a child is a form of the Paramatma. But I will refute saying it is only that , he is different..certainly is. He questioned the very nature of good and evil today. And not in the way one expects from a child, but with the insight of someone who has lived many lives. He didn't just listen to my confession, to my shame—he understood it. He saw the truth and made me accept the truth that I didn't want to accept for all these years."

Suthanu's heart swelled, her hands trembling slightly as she held onto Bhanu's palm. Her father had finally accepted the truth ! , one she herself had failed to make him do. 

Yudhishthira's gaze softened as he looked at Suthanu. "You've brought him up well, both of you. Far better than I could have imagined. You've instilled in him a wisdom that goes beyond his years, and a love that knows no bounds. He is not just different—he is exceptional. There is something unique in him, something divine yet human that I can't name."

Bhanu's eyes shone with unshed tears, his heart brimming with pride and love for his son. "He's always been special Pita just as every child is to a parent," Bhanu murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "But to hear you say it, Pita... it means everything."

Yudhishthira smiled, his hand resting gently on Bhanu's shoulder. "He stunned me today, Bhanu. Truly. He made me see my mistakes in a new light, made me understand that perhaps, just perhaps, I wasn't the only one to blame. His words... his heart... they are far too wise for his age. He will turn something , definitely turn to be someone great."

Suthanu's tears finally spilled over, and she stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Yudhishthira's arm. " It's not just us, Pita. His vision is shaped by not just us but his closed ones," she whispered. "Thank you always for loving him as we do."

Yudhishthira shook his head, his voice trembling with emotion. "No, Bangaram. It is I who should thank you—for bringing such a child into this world, for raising him with such grace and love. You've given us all a gift in Vajra—a gift that will change us, and the world, for the better."

In that moment, Yudhishthira's heart was filled with a peace he hadn't known in years. And as he stood there, with Suthanu and Bhanu by his side, he realized that the future was brighter than he had ever dared to hope—because of a small child who had a vision too true for growth. 

Vajra's small fists clenched, his heart racing. "But... how? Why didn't anyone do anything about Matamahi's safety maiya?"

Suthanu's eyes shimmered with the memory of that fateful day. "Many were there, but no one spoke. The court was silent, powerless. But, Lal, there was one who did not abandon her."

"Who?" Vajra asked, his voice barely a whisper, as if he already knew the answer.

Suthanu smiled gently, her hand still resting on his head. "It was your Pitamaha Krishna. He wasn't just there as a king or as a friend. In that moment, he revealed a form beyond any mortal's comprehension as the protector of this universe, and he saved the good."

Vajra blinked, the weight of her words settling into his young heart. "Pitamaha... saved her? How?"

Suthanu closed her eyes for a moment, as if seeing the scene unfold once again. "In maiya's moment of despair, when she was being pulled into darkness, your matamahi called out to Pita - "Govinda Dwarkavaasi". She prayed with all her heart, and he came to her aid. His divine energy manifested, and he gave her endless cloth, a saree that could not be taken from her, no matter how much they pulled. It was a miracle, Lal, and only Lord Maha Vishnu himself could have done such a thing."

Vajra's mind swirled with the enormity of it all. "But... Pitamaha is just my Pitamaha. He plays with me, and he laughs... How can he be the Lord Maha Vishnu , the Sri Hari? "

Suthanu's heart ached at his confusion. She leaned down, cupping his face in her hands. "Your Pitamaha is both. He is your Pitamaha, who loves you just as any other being in this world. But he is also Maha Vishnu- The Sri Hari, the protector of the universe, the one who preserves righteousness and protects the good. It is a great mystery,Lal, one that even we, as his family, struggle to fully understand."

Vajra's young face scrunched up, trying to make sense of something so vast, so incomprehensible. "But why didn't Pitamaha stop the game? Why didn't he stop the bad people before they hurt my grandparents?"

Suthanu sighed softly. "Sometimes, even Lord Narayana allows events to unfold, because there are lessons that must be learned. Even the greatest among us must face trials. But when the time comes, when there is no hope left, he comes. He always comes to protect those who call out to him."

Vajra clung to her, his small frame trembling. "I didn't know... I didn't know Pitamaha was so... so powerful. He is the Vishnu , we worship."

Suthanu smiled softly, her tears mingling with his. "Yes, Lal. But remember this—he uses his power not to rule over us, but to protect, to preserve the good, to sustain the universe towards growth. That is the true strength of Lord Narayana. And protection is a duty of a Kshatriya."

Vajra slowly pulled back, looking up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. " Can I talk to Pitamaha , maiya?"

Suthanu nodded with a smile as Vajra jumped out of her laps and raced towards the door. He turned back to look at Suthanu. 

" Maiya , my Pitamaha is the Maha Vishnu. He is the Vishnu , is he?". 

Suthanu nodded softly as Vajra's heart swelled with the complexity of the situation. He wanted to meet his grandfather right now. 

Vajra hesitated for a moment, the weight of what he had learned pressing down on his small shoulders. How could someone so kind, so playful, be the same Sri Hari Vishnu who had saved his matamahi, who watched over the universe itself? How could his beloved Pitamaha also be the eternal protector of all creation? The thought overwhelmed him.

"Pitamaha..." Vajra called out, his voice soft but trembling with uncertainty.

Krishna opened his eyes and turned, his familiar warm smile spreading across his face. "Ah, dulhara, my little one. Come here." His voice, so gentle, carried both the love of a doting grandfather at that moment. 

Vajra ran to him, but this time, he didn't leap into Krishna's arms with the carefree joy he usually had. Instead, he stood before him, his face troubled, his heart heavy.

"What's wrong, my child?" Krishna asked, sensing the deep turmoil within the boy.

Vajra's eyes filled with tears as he looked up at his grandfather. "Maiya told me... she told me about you... about who you really are. You're Sri Hari Vishnu... You saved Matamahi... You're not just my Pitamaha, are you?"

Krishna's smile softened, and he gently patted the ground beside him. "Come, sit with me."

Vajra, feeling the confusion and weight of the moment, sat down beside Krishna. He kept his eyes on the lotus pond, his heart pounding with questions he couldn't yet fully articulate.

"Tell me what's on your mind," Krishna said, his voice like the soothing flow of a river.

Vajra struggled to find the words. "If you're Sri Hari Vishnu , Pitamaha... why are you here with us? Why do you laugh with me, play with me? How can you be... everything?"

Krishna's eyes twinkled with a knowing light. He looked at Vajra with infinite patience and love. "Dulhara, the truth of the universe is vast, and sometimes it's hard to see it all at once. But let me try to explain."

He took Vajra's small hand in his own, his touch warm and reassuring. "You see, Sri Hari Vishnu, Maha Vishnu, is not something far away, not some distant power who only watches over the world. Vishnu is the essence of all things, the protector of righteousness, the one who maintains balance. But most importantly, Vishnu is in every being, in every heart, in every soul where goodness resides. I am only a normal man child , I am just Krishna, your Pitamaha at this moment"

Vajra blinked, his young mind struggling to grasp the enormity of the idea and puzzled. "But... I thought Vishnu was a god, someone who lives far away in the Vaikuntha. Pitamaha , it was you who say words of a mother is the voice of the God. The one who told me you are Sri Hari Vishnu is the god of my life". 

Krishna considered in silence , Suthanu had put him into trouble. 

Krishna smiled, his gaze turning toward the rising sun. "Dulhara so you see Sri Hari Vishnu in me? But let me add - so are you, dulhara. And so is every person, every man that walks the earth with a heart of Dharma. Sri Hari Vishnu is within all of us. It is the part of us that is compassionate, that loves without bounds, that seeks to protect others."

Vajra's brows furrowed in confusion. "But... how can that be? I don't feel like a god."

Krishna chuckled softly, pulling Vajra closer. "You don't need to feel like a god to be connected to the divine. Being Narayana isn't about being powerful or controlling the universe. It's about understanding that every being has a role, a purpose, and that in every heart, there is a piece of the divine, a reflection of that infinite goodness.It is to protect the good, Dulhara"

Vajra looked down at his hands, trying to absorb the depth of Krishna's words. "So...does every Nar has a part of Narayana ,  Pitamaha?"

Krishna nodded, his eyes warm. "Yes, my dulhara. Every human, every soul, has the potential to be a protector, a guardian of righteousness, just as Vishnu is. You don't need to look up to the Vaikuntha to find Sri Hari—he is right here, within you, within every heart that beats with love, compassion, and truth."

Vajra's confusion began to dissolve, replaced by a quiet awe. He looked up at Krishna, his small face full of wonder. "Then... that means... you're here because you love us. Because you want to protect us."

Krishna's smile grew warmer, his hand resting on Vajra's head. "Exactly. I am here because I am needed here. And one day, when your time comes, you too will carry that love for people, a responsibility to protect those around you."

Vajra's heart swelled with a newfound understanding, a deep, unspoken connection to something greater than himself. "I want to be like you, Pitamaha. I want to protect people too."

Krishna chuckled, his hand gently squeezing Vajra's. "You already are, my dulhara. Your heart is full of love and compassion, and that is what makes you connected to the divine. Sri Hari Vishnu is right here, in every act of kindness, in every act of goodness, in every rise of good and in every moment of love."

Vajra smiled, a peaceful warmth filling him. The confusion that had once clouded his heart had lifted, replaced by a profound clarity. He didn't need to understand everything at once. He only needed to know that his beloved Pitamaha, Krishna was always with him, guiding him, loving him.

Krishna leaned down and kissed Vajra's forehead, his voice a soft whisper. " If you happen to awake the Narayana within you, dulhara then you will be a protector too one day."

And in that moment, as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its golden glow over them, Vajra felt an unexplainable reverence, a love so deep that it transcended words. He looked up at Krishna, his small hand still in his grandfather's, and for the first time, he truly understood.

Every Nar was a part of Narayana only if they choose to lead life in a way to reach the truth which was the mother of all truths - reach Hari for who he is , follow Hari with every breath.

" Only Sri Hari himself can try to find a Hari in every human and can lead a human to reach Hari " , Suthanu whispered to Bhanu who stood behind the bushes listening to the conversation. Without a word, they joined their palms together, bowing their heads in reverence, eyes closed, offering their deepest prayers to the one who was not just their father but the Lord himself.

The warm afternoon sun bathed the garden in soft light, casting playful shadows over the stone courtyard where Vajra and Agastya sat under the shade of a large banyan tree. Laughter filled the air as they played with wooden sticks, imagining themselves as warriors in a grand battle. Their joy was interrupted by a familiar voice—a deep, affectionate one that always brought comfort and warmth.

"Ah, there you are, my little ones," Pradyumna said, his eyes twinkling as he approached them, his steps light but filled with the ease of someone who had witnessed more battles than he cared to recall. He knelt beside the boys, ruffling Vajra's hair affectionately, before reaching out to Agastya with the same warmth. " I heard Vajra was ill and Agastya was sad. But , how is it that every time I blink, my little ones become greater warriors?"

Agastya giggled, puffing out his chest with playful pride, while Vajra, though smiling, seemed more reserved. The weight of the truths had burdened his child's heart. Pradyumna's sharp eyes noticed the shadow of that burden that still lingered over his dear son's heart.

"Come, let's sit for a while," Pradyumna said, guiding them to a nearby bench. He sat between the two boys, his arms resting around their small shoulders. For a moment, there was only the sound of birds in the trees and the distant hum of palace life.

Pradyumna turned to Vajra, his voice softening. "There was a conversation about the dice game , Ladla. A rather hard truth for you to bear. May I know how you learnt about it in the first place?"

Vajra's eyes flickered with a childish knowing not understanding the depth of the question. He answered just like he always answered his beloved Bade Pita.

"Kritavarma Kaka told me , Bade Pita," Vajra responded.

Samba, who had been nearby, heard the name and immediately tensed. His face flushed with anger, and his fists clenched at his sides. But before he could walk in fury to perhaps kill Kritverma itself, Pradyumna raised a hand, shaking his head gently. The silent gesture stopped Samba in his tracks, though Pradyumna's own eyes darkened for a moment, betraying the storm of anger brewing beneath his calm exterior. How dare had someone tried to play with his child?

Taking a deep breath, Pradyumna turned back to Vajra and cupped his face tenderly. "Ladla, you have done nothing wrong by asking questions. Sometimes, questions lead us to truths we were never prepared for." His tone was kind, but there was an edge to his words, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

He glanced at Agastya, who had been watching silently, before gesturing for him to come closer. Agastya sat beside Vajra, his curiosity piqued by the tension in the air.

Pradyumna's gaze softened further as he looked between the two boys. "Now tell me, both of you—what do you think? Who made the mistake when Vajra learned about the dice game and questioned the Pandavas?"

Vajra remained silent for a moment, his small brows furrowed in thought. His heart still carried the ache of the moment when he had confronted his grandfathers, the confusion and pain of it all. He had hurt his grandfathers. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but clear. "The silence of the Pandavas... and my parents. It hurt me , Bade Pita because it lead me to believe what I heard was true"

Agastya who was beside him, his face serious as he chimed in, " In my opinion , it was the one who spread the wrong information, wasn't it? The one who didn't tell the whole truth?"

Pradyumna smiled, listening to both answers, "Both of you have different answers. But which one is the truth?"

The boys looked at each other, confusion evident on their young faces. The weight of Pradyumna's question hung in the air, unanswered.

Pradyumna's smile grew more gentle, and he spoke with a wisdom that had been earned through years of battle, loss, and understanding. "You see, the world is full of different voices at every turn. Some might be true, some might be false, and some might just be incomplete. If a person heeds the wrong piece of information, he may choose a path that leads to his own destruction. But if he listens to the right voice, he finds his own growth."

He paused, allowing the boys to absorb his words. "But a truly wise person, a successful person, is the one who stops and analyzes all the information before choosing which path to follow. He doesn't just follow blindly."

Turning his gaze to Vajra, Pradyumna placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "That is why, Ladla, you must always trust your parents. No one in this world loves you more than they do. Even when others speak from the heart, remember to weigh their words through your vision. In the heat of that moment, you reacted instead of taking a moment to respond thoughtfully."

Vajra blinked, his brow furrowing as he wrestled with the complexities of what he had learned.

"A reaction," Pradyumna continued, his voice steady, "is when you let your surroundings dictate your feelings and then respond impulsively. A response, however, is greater; it is born from reflection. You first analyze what is happening, make a decision, and then choose how to act based on your understanding."

"Bade Pita, was I wrong?" Vajra's voice was soft, heavy with the weight of sadness and self-doubt. His eyes searched Pradyumna's face for reassurance.

Pradyumna caressed Vajra's cheek with a tender touch. "Don't you remember, Ladla? A failure is often a stepping stone to greater success. Your mistake is only a failure if you refuse to see the lesson hidden within it. The key is to learn from it."

He paused, allowing the moment to resonate. "Had you approached the information you received with a calm mind and open heart, things could have unfolded differently. But, Ladla, this experience has imparted one of life's greatest lessons. It is not the fall that defines us, but how we rise afterward. Isn't that the lesson even from your own Matamaha?"

Vajra listened intently, a flicker of understanding igniting in his young eyes.

"Remember, every great warrior has stumbled on their path. What matters is the wisdom gained from those stumbles. It's the strength to reflect, learn, and forge ahead with renewed purpose that transforms us."

Pradyumna leaned closer, his voice a soft whisper of encouragement. "Let this be a moment of growth for you, Ladla. Embrace the lessons life offers, and do not fear making mistakes. With each step, you will come closer to understanding not just the world around you but also the depths of your own heart."

Vajra nodded slowly, his heart lightening as he absorbed Pradyumna's wisdom.

Bhanu turned away from the window, his eyes meeting Suthanu's. He walked over to her and knelt by her side, placing a gentle hand on hers. "It's weighing on your heart too, isn't it?"

Suthanu nodded, her eyes clouded with worry. "Vajra is so young, Adi. These last few days have been heavy for him. First the truth of the dice game, the history of Kurus and then learning who Pita Krishna truly is... It's too much for his little heart to bear."

Bhanu sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I know. And now... the truth about Indraprastha. About us. I wonder if it's the right time to reveal this to him. He's only six, after all."

Suthanu's voice was soft, almost hesitant. "But how long can we keep it from him? He is our son, Adi. He has the right to know that one day, he will might be a king himself. That we, his parents, are more than just his mother and father but rulers of a kingdom—"

"But is he ready for that , Priyathama?" Bhanu interrupted gently, his voice carrying the weight of his concern. "Look at how he's struggled with the truths we've already shared. I don't want to burden him with the knowledge of a throne when he's still learning to understand who he is. He's just a child."

Suthanu's eyes filled with a quiet sadness. "I know... but he's a child of destiny. Adi, you've seen it too. His wisdom, even at this young age. The way he speaks, the way he questions things—he is meant for something greater. I see only my child in him but Pita sees him as a seed of hope to a better future. Keeping this from him, for how long can we protect him from it?"

Bhanu sat beside her, his hand still on hers, his eyes filled with the weight of a father's love. "I want him to grow without this burden for as long as we can allow it. He should laugh, play, and be carefree while he still can. Let him be a child, Priyathama. He is our baby boy , who else than the two of us would understand what it means to lose childhood? We had lost our own childhood far before time. There will be a time for him to know the truth, but not now. Not after all that he's just learned. The world is already so large for him, let's not make it heavier."

Suthanu looked into her husband's eyes, her heart torn between her duty as a mother and her understanding of destiny. "But if we wait too long, Pranesha, will he resent us for keeping it from him? Will he feel betrayed when he learns that his parents are not just his caregivers, but rulers who hold the future of a kingdom in their hands?"

Bhanu shook his head, his gaze steady. "We will not betray him. We will tell him when the time is right. When he is ready to carry that weight , the time he becomes able from mind and heart. For now, let him run through the fields, sit with the common children, and question the world in his own way. Let him grow up to be the man who can carry the responsibilities that will come."

Suthanu sighed, her heart aching with both love and concern. "You're right. He's already faced too many shattering truths. The burden of knowing he's a prince who might be destined for the throne would crush the light in him too soon."

Bhanu smiled softly, his hand gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "We'll know when the time is right. But not yet. Let's give him the gift of time. Let him grow into the man he is meant to be, not under the shadow of a crown, but with the freedom of a child's heart. As a king if I see a king in our child , I won't think twice before crowning him Priyathama."

Suthanu's eyes filled with tears, not of sorrow, but of the deep love she felt for her son , of the love Bhanu held for Vajra. She leaned into Bhanu, resting her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I only want to protect him, Adi. I don't want him to lose the joy that still dances in his eyes."

Bhanu kissed the top of her head. "And we will. We will protect him, together. We will guide him when the time is right, and until then, we'll let him be the child he deserves to be. Have that treasure of childhood."

The two of them sat in the quiet comfort of each other's presence, their hearts aligned in the love and care for their son. They knew the path ahead would not be easy, but for now, they decided to shield him from the weight of destiny. For now, they would let Vajra be a boy, free to laugh and dream, before the world asked him to perhaps rise not alone as a prince but a king.

To be continued...

Well , I loved writing the part with Krishna. It's my favorite. 

Some happy moments...loading for the next 5 chapters or so. 

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