On a swing, a man sat playing a flute, wearing a golden crown which has peacock feathers. The tune of flute was disturbed by sound of payals, a woman entered the room with a worried look on her face and sat next to him facing him.

Draupadi :- Sakha, will prince Karn attend my swayamvar. He is disguised as a brahmin, how will he take part, pitashree said that kings and princes from all over aryavarth are coming.



Krishna smiled teasingly at his sakhi.

Draupadi :- GOVIND!, here I am worried about my swayamvar and there you are just smiling, how can you be so carefree, oh I forgot you cannot know my situation cause you never had a swayamvar like me.

Her lips curved in to a pout.

Krishna :- (chuckles) Relax sakhi, it's your swayamvar, you have all the rights to decide your future husband and remember I will always be there with you in every decision of your life, now go and get ready, participants have started arriving, your father can call you anytime.

Draupadi :- But this is not the answer to my question Govind.

Krishna :- Sakhi, if he is destined to be there, he will come don't worry, go and get ready.

Draupadi :- If you say so.

She then walked out of the room and Krishna continues playing the flute. ----------------------------------------------------------- It was a pleasant morning with flowers dancing in light breeze, some stray clouds present in the sky made a cool air provide relief from sun's heat.



In Draupadi's room,

Dasis were getting her ready while she sat worried, Devika entered and she looked at her.

Devika :- You are looking so beautiful sakhi, no one will be able to take their eyes off you.

Draupadi :- Thank you. By the way did you have a look outside, have all the participants arrived there ?

Devika :- Yes, almost all have arrived. Hey, don't tell me you are searching for...

Before she could say further, was cutoff by Draupadi.

Draupadi :- Shh, quiet. (glares at her) Parihaar.

All dasis went away leaving them alone in the room.

Draupadi :- Hey, besides you, Govind and jiji no one knows about this, tell me, do you think will prince Karn attend my swayamvar.

Devika :- (chuckles) Sakhi he will come there don't worry.



Suddenly Srikhandini entered and saw them talking.

Srikhandini :- My baby sister is looking so beautiful today, may you remain happy forever.

Draupadi :- Thank you jiji, has pitashree called us.

Just then Krishna enters.

Krishna :- Yes sakhi he has called you and I am here to escort my sakhi there. ----------------------------------------------------------- At the swayamvar sabha,

All the participants were eagerly waiting for Draupadi's arrival.

Sabha was decorated like a bride, kings and princes from all over aryavarth were present to win the hand of most beautiful princes of the world. Floor of the sabha was matted with red cloth, walls were decorated with flowers and colours, in the center of sabha was a small pool of clear water, and aside it was kept a huge divine bow covered with a cloth and an arrow, all the participants were seated on both the sides of sabha, some distance away from the pool.



In front of the pool sat Maharaj Drupad, on his throne with his officials, and the opposite side was the entrance, adjacent to the entrance on both sides was a little space left for the common people and brahmins to stand and witness the swayamvar.

Duryodhan, Dussasan and Shakuni were also present along with Amrit and Vikram. ----------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile at the place where yagya was being performed, after its completion Pandavs got their bhiksha.

Nakul :- Oh thank God we got a lot today.

Sahdev :- This can keep us going for a few days if bhrata Bheem dosen't finish it all at once.

All laugh as Bheem glared at Sahdev.

Yudhisthir :- We got what we came for, we should head back before anyone recognises us.

Brahmin :- Why are you leaving so early, you all should have a look at our princess's swayamvar, afterall the puja was organized for her.

Arjun :- We are sorry, but due to some reasons we cannot go there.

Brahmin :- But at least one of you should come there.

Karn :- Don't worry, I'll be accompanying you there.

Nakul :- But Jeystha what about...

Karn :- Nakul we don't want unwanted suspicion, anyways if Madhav has asked me to come, there must be some reason, you all go, give all these to mata and return back here.

Arjun :- But bhrata...

Karn :- Now just go all of you.

Awantika :- If no one has any problem, I'll go with bhrata Karn.

Nakul :- You sure you can handle him.

Karn :- What do you mean handle him ? I'm not a kid.

Bheem :- Ok Jeystha but we will come very soon.

They all departed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Back at the Sabha,

Draupadi entered accompained by Krishna, Devika and Srikhandini.

She greeted all the elderly and sat on her throne. All the kings and princes looked at her with lust. Draupadi felt very uncomfortable but somehow maintained a smile on her face, her eyes searching for only one person.

On her right sat Krishna, on her left sat Devika, Srikhandini sat next to Drupad as she was the senapati. Balram sat next to his younger brother.

Drupad :- I welcome all the kings and princes who have come here to attend the swayamvar of my beloved daughter Draupadi. One who would complete the task explained by my son Driystadyumna, will be eligible to marry my daughter. I would also like to welcome our chief guest Dwarkadhish Vasudev Krishna and Mahabali Balram.

Meanwhile Karn also reached there and Krishna smiled seeing him. Karn greeted him silently which he returned.



Driystadyumna :- The task is next to impossible, it will be like ripping the sky from earth.

He shot an arrow towards the sky and creates a fish with eyes of diamond, then he removed the cloth, revealing the divine bow. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn :- Pinak!

Awantika :- You know about this ?



Karn :- Know ? It's my dhanush.

Awantika :- (confused) What ?

Karn :- Yes, it was given to me by Devrishi Narad, saying that it has a special purpose to fulfill.

Awantika :- What's it doing here then ?

Karn was going to say but Driystadyumna's announcement began. ----------------------------------------------------------- Driystadyumna :- One who will priece the eye of fish by looking at its reflection using the divine Pinak dhanush, would marry my sister. The divine bow Pinak can only be lifted by a person who has full confidence on his strength, if a mere shadow of doubt creeps up on him, for him the weight of this dhanush will be more than a mountain. This divine dhanush can only be stringed by a person who can free himself of jealousy, greed and lust.

Krishna :- This dhanush was weilded by none other than king of warriors, Mahadev, he gave it to youngest Parsuram shishya, Kunti putra Karn. So the person completing this task is probably the next great archer of aryavarth.

Driystadyumna :- Now one by one I call the participants to come and try their luck.



While Driystadyumna was explaining the rules Draupadi found Karn among the brahmins and took a sigh of relief, this was noticed by Devika, who smiled teasingly, making her blush.

Karn felt someone's gaze on him, he turned his head and his eyes locked with the two most beautiful pair of eyes of the princess, she immediately lowered her eyes, a slight blush crept on her face.

Many kings and princes came but couldn't move the bow even breaths away, Vikram too came there but had to return dissapointed. He sat on his seat, not before glaring at fire born princess, which didn't go unnoticed by Shakuni.

Drupad :- Even he couldn't do it Vasudev, now I am very sure, the only person who can win this swayamvar is Karn.

Krishna :- (smiling) This swayamvar can be won by two people Maharaj.



Draupadi, Srikhandini, Devika all looked at him surprised.

Krishna :- Jeystha Pandav Karn, and 4th Pandav Arjun.

Drupad :- Arjun ?

Krishna :- He is no less Maharaj, maybe even better, the only thing that makes them unique is their mentality. Bhrata Karn's aggression makes him bold whereas Arjun's calm makes him sincere.

Then came Duryodhan's turn, he got up from his seat to address everyone.



Duryodhan :- Maharaj Drupad, as you know I'm a mace fighter, my hands are not set for a bow and arrows. So my mitr Amrit will take part on my behalf.

Drupad :- This is not the rule yuvraj Duryodhan, my daughter will marry the one who will complete the task himself, if you cannot, please sit down and let someone else try his luck.

Shakuni :- Forgive me Maharaj Drupad, but you see, this competition ain't fair, how can you judge a warrior's competence only by archery test, many warriors sitting here are not good at archery but are well versed with their own respective weapons. Had this been a mace competition, my nephew Duryodhan would have been the victor.

Srikhandini :- But it ain't, my sister wishes to marry the finest archer of aryavarth, and that can only be demonstrated by this test.

Amrit :- But this....

Draupadi :- (standing up) This is my swayamvar, Amrit mahoday, shouldn't it be my decision who I wanna marry.

Amrit :- If that's the case princess, then why did you invite all these kings and princes here, just to insult them, mock at their failure.



Drupad was going to stand but Krishna gestured him not to, then he stood up to face Amrit.

Krishna :- If they consider their failure as insult, then is it my sakhi's fault, Senanayak Amrit.

Amrit looked at him angrily.

Krishna :- In a Swayamvar, bride has all the rights to choose her future husband and if it is stated as dharm from very beginning, then who are you to snatch that right from her.

Duryodhan :- No one is snatching her rights to choose a husband, but why are you stopping Amrit from showing his competence.

Krishna :- If he wants, he can take part for himself but he can't prove your valour with his effort.

Duryodhan kept a hand on Amrit's shoulder and noded. Amrit went towards the bow and joined his hands.

Draupadi glanced at Krishna with worried eyes who still kept smiling as usual. Amrit then gripped the bow in right hand, to everyone's surprise, he was able to lift. Draupadi looked at Karn, who had a soft smile on his face.

'Why is he smiling now ?'

She thought and turned to Amrit, who pulled the string to tie it on other end. His muscles became taught as he applied all the strength to bend the bow a little, but suddenly it slipped out of his hand, pushing him on ground. Bow raised in air and placed itself back on table.

Draupadi sighed in relief as Amrit stood up, looked at Krishna with disgust and went back to his place.

Drupad :- What ? no one was able to even string the dhanush, and you all claim yourself to be maharathis, is no one here who can win my daughter's hand, please guide us Vasudev.

Krishna :- Maharaj, I think you should open the competition for the common people as well, disregarding the cast.

Drupad :- I now hereby announce that my daughter's swayamvar is open for all, anyone who thinks can complete the task may come foreward and try his luck.

Karn felt something weird was going to happen. Rukmi rose from his seat.

Rukmi :- Maharaj Drupad, if we trained warriors weren't even able to lift the dhanush, what do you expect from these common people here, God had himself given us the indication that this girl is inauspicious so no one was able to string this dhanush, this girl should be thrown in the fire this instant to pacify for the sins.

All the other participants started to agree with him, Amrit smirked.

Draupadi couldn't believe her ears, what was her fault if no one was able to lift the bow, she could feel hot tears forming in her eyes, ready to come out any second, she glanced at Karn who had an expressionless face and then at her sakha who rose from his seat to answer them all.

Krishna :- Maharaj Rukmi, blaming someone else for your own defeat is not the mark of a true kshatriya. You tried your luck but failed, maybe someone is present here who can complete this task and win the hand of my sakhi but is hesistating.



While saying this Krishna glanced at Karn who looked at him confused.

Awantika leaned near him.

Awantika :- I think he's talking about you bhrata.

Karn :- Huh ?

He gulped slowly as tension seeping inside him. Rukmi was burning with anger.

Rukmi :- We don't need the advice of a person who kidnaps a bride on her wedding day. Lets see who can complete this task among the common people.

Everyone starts laughing. Draupadi glances at Karn who was trying to hide himself.

Draupadi :- What now sakha ?

Krishna :- Just have patience sakhi.

Standing among the crowd of brahmans, now the reality of situation dawned upon Karn, Krishna had called him to participate in the competition, but how could he do that if he will do so everyone will come to know it's him. Just then an elderly brahmin walked upto him and said.

Brahmin :- Putra, you look like a warrior, why don't you go and try your luck.

Another king :- Let it be brahmin dev, we know whats going to happen.

Everyone laughs aloud.

Brahmin :- Putra, please go, the prestige of brahmins is in your hands now.

Krishna :- (addressing Karn) Having competence to complete the task but still running away is not dharm brahmin dev.

Karn thought for a moment, he took a deep breath in and out, he looked at Awantika who noded, he glanced at Krishna who smiled and then at Draupadi who had an expectant look on her face.

He slowly stepped inside the stage and moved towards the bow. Krishna winked at Draupadi, who blushed in shyness.

Amrit saw him and immediately recognised.

Amrit :- Jeystha bhrata!

Shakuni :- What do you mean Amrit ?

Amrit :- He is none other than bhrata Vasu.

Duryodhan :- Impossible, all the brothers were dead at Varnavrat palace, you are mistaken.

Amrit :- Have you ever seen a brahmin with mark of sun on his forehead, infact the only person I know is bhrata Vasu.

Duryodhan :- But how...

Shakuni :- Shaant mere bacche, just look for yourself.

Karn stood near the bow and turned towards Drupad.

Karn :- Maharaj Drupad, as you know I am a common brahmin, who lives outside the village, near the forest, if I complete the task, will your daughter be able to live in a hut, like us and endure hardships.



Drupad was in dilemma.

Krishna :- Answer him Maharaj.

Drupad glanced at Draupadi who noded assuring.

Drupad :- Yes brahmin dev, my daughter will live there, now please proceed to complete the task.

Karn :- Well then.

He kneeled in front of the bow and joined his hands.

Karn :- Om namah Shivaya.

He then moved his fingers on the perfect curves of the bow.

Maharaj Ranveer :- Brahmin dev first tighten your dhoti so that it dosen't fall.

Everyone starts laughing at him. Karn smirked at them and lifted the bow like it weighted nothing, all gasped in shock, Draupadi was overjoyed but controlled herself by clutching the end of her anchal.

Karn proceeded and stringed the bow with ease. Everyone could see his well sculpted muscles when he bent the bow. He took the arrow and moved towards the pool, glancing at Draupadi for one last time, she smiled at him, he then fixed the arrow, looked at the fish's eye and shot.



Everyone was beyond shocked, how was he able to do this ? Brahmins began celebrating. Draupadi couldn't control herself and a bright smile appeared on her face adding to her beauty, all the other kings and princes gritted their teeth.

Driystadyumna :- Brahmin dev has won my beloved sister's swayamvar, now I request my sister to come down and put the garland on his neck.

Draupadi came down accompained by Krishna and Srikhandini. She smiled and lowered her eyes in shyness, Karn looked at her and smiled, she made him wear the garland, and he too did the same.



All the priests and brahmins started raining flowers on them. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

How was the swayamvar part, stay hooked as next part will give you the answer for, will Draupadi marry all six or only one.

And a fight awaits ahead, ready for Amrit Karn second faceoff ?

Will destiny change this time or will remain as cruel as before ?

Target :- 73 votes.

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