─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

𝕾𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖜𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖊. 

𝕾𝖔𝖒𝖊 𝖜𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖓 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖇𝖚𝖎𝖑𝖉 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖎𝖙.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Drupad: I don't want any daughters. I am happy with my son.

Rishi Upyaaj: Both of your daughters play a crucial role in Aryavart. You must accept them, Drupad.

Drupad: No daughter plays a crucial role in anyone's life, Maharishi. They are not capable of fulfilling their father's wish; they will only tarnish my name. They are a disgrace to the family. Now I am not making any offerings.

Shikandini, who was observing everything, found her father's remarks disheartening. She had the impression that everything had fallen apart. The only things that kept repeating in her head were, "They are not capable of achieving their father's request" and "They are a shame for the family". 

Her eyes sparkled with tears. "Am I a disgrace to Pitashree?" she wondered. "I have always devoted my life to him, and because I lost a war, he believes I am useless," She asked to herself. 

"Does he think of me like that?" "Is it my fault that he won't accept my sisters?" She awoke from her reverie and turned to face the action in front of her.

Rishi Yaaj: Drupad, the gods are furious with you.

He is ignored by Drupad as he moves on. A tiny portion of the flames suddenly moved in Drupad's direction and obstructed his path. Everyone present was startled.

Rishi Upyaaj: Come back at once! You can't leave this place because the gods forbid it.

Drupad storms back to the yagnakund in rage.

Drupad: May my daughter's life be filled with suffering and sorrows.

The Sages were left speechless as they watched lightning strike and thunder roll across the sky. 

The wind was so strong that it felt like it could tear apart anything in its way, and the darkness seemed like a never-ending abyss. It was as if nature itself had come alive and was showing its wrath for all to see. Even the gods appear to have been upset with Drupad. Dhrishtadyumna and Shikandini were astounded. 

Sages: What are you saying, Drupad? asking for your own daughter to have a life of hardships and suffering.

Drupad: It is in difficult and challenging times when people's true character is revealed. 

Her character ought to be pure, yet she must encounter all the vices of the world. But the world will recognise them as pure. 

This sindhur is regarded as the most beautiful substance in the entire universe. My daughters must be the most beautiful women on earth. 

Let them be the pillar of support for others. 

Let time not erode their courage. 

When flowers are crushed, their scent is released. Similarly, let them spread the fragrance of justice across the world, even though they have experienced a great deal of injustice. 

Can I expect God to give me girls like that?

The fire was put out. "What happened, Munivar?" smirked Drupad. "The girls I prayed for cannot be granted by the gods." 

He swung around and called out, "Come, putr, let's go to the palace. Its just a waste of time." to Dhrishtadyumna. Drupad started to descend the steps with a triumphant grin on his face, followed by Dhrishtadyumna.

Fire suddenly erupted from the yagna. Everyone appeared astonished, and they were all speechless. Drupad turned around and noticed that the flames had touched the sky. 

Heavy winds swirled, lightning clashed, and thunder boomed. The rishis and munis were stunned to see the power of the yagna and the way in which the fire had engulfed the entire area. They were astonished to see how the flames had reached up to the heavens and how the winds, lightning, and thunder had all joined in the spectacle.

Sages: Drupad, your girls were born to alter the course of history. They will be crucial in bringing about dharma in Aryavart. 

Though in different ways, both of your daughters will endure suffering. Your first daughter has arrived, Drupad.

The flame assumed the form of a woman.

Sages: Because of her dusky complexion, the gods gave her the name Krishnaa. 

Born from the yagna, Yagnaseni.

Parshati, the grand-daughter of Prishata.

Panchali, the princess of Panchal. 

Draupadi, Drupad's daughter.

A woman with the appearance of a heavenly goddess emerged from the yagna. 

She had an air of divinity and grace about her that was undeniable; it was as though the entire world was in awe of the beauty that had just descended upon them. Her graceful figure glowed in the firelight and her features were divinely crafted, from her delicate nose to her plump lips. 

She had long eyelashes, fair eyebrows, and beautifully convex nails that shone like burnished copper. Her skin was smooth and glowed in the firelight, her hair was long and lush, and her lips were the most gorgeous shade of pink. Her eyes were the colour of gold and seemed to sparkle in the light. 

She carried herself with a certain elegance and poise. Her long, dark hair complements her complexion. She was like an angel descended from the heavens.

She turned towards the sages and bowed. 

"Aayushman bhava" said the sages.

She descended the stairs with the end of her saree trailing behind her. The fabric of her saree gently swayed with each step she took, creating a mesmerizing pattern of movement that was both graceful and alluring. 

Suddenly, a flurry of petals filled the air, as if they had been waiting for the moment she arrived. The soft petals slowly cascaded around her, as if celebrating her presence.

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Shikandini was brought out of her thoughts by the greeting of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna.

" Pranipat jiji "

"Aayushman bhava", she blessed them.

" Jiji, you here. What happened? " asked the fireborn princess.

" Why? didn't want me to come here. " Shikandini asked with mock hurt in her voice.

" No, of course not! " Draupadi exclaimed. She bowed her head, cheeks turning a light pink (which was barely visible due to her dark complexion) due to embarrassment.

" Agh! " Dhrishtadyumna groaned. Shikandini and Draupadi turned to see a frustrated looking Dhrishtadyumna trying to wear the crown. 

The crown was too heavy for Dhrishtadyumna to wear, and he was struggling to fit it onto his head. Despite his efforts, it kept slipping off. Shikandini watched in sympathy, and Draupadi giggled at the sight of him.

" Jiji, I think this crown hates me. This thing doesn't stay properly on my head. All these jewelleries and crowns are necessary? I swear, I won't be able to walk with all these, and these jewelleries, they are scratching my skin. " winced Dhrishtadyumna. 

He glared at a giggling Draupadi who ignored him royally. 

Shikandini, though amused by their antics, said, " Yes, it is necessary as you are a prince. "

" But why Jiji?  " Draupadi inquired. She too felt uncomfortable with heavy jewellery.

" This is because wearing a crown and jewellery is a symbol of royalty and a symbol of pride and respect.

By wearing a crown and jewellery, you are showing that you respect your position as a prince/princess and are willing to take on the responsibilities that come with it. " explained Shikandini.

" I hope I am clear to both of you. " asked Shikandini.

" Yes jiji  " both of them chorused like children. 

Children..she thought as she shook her head with a small smile playing on her lips. She frowned and scanned the chamber with her eyes. Why did she feel like she was missing someone? Her eyes widened when she realised who it was. 

She turned to ask them, " Where is Ananya? "

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Words: 1212

How was the second chapter? Hope you all like it.

Any guesses on where is Ananya.

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