Treta yug, Ayodhya,



Bharat stood by the railing, looking at the clear twinkling sky, a pair of hands wrapped around him from behind. He wanted to turn around and embrace her but she tightened the hug when he tried so.

Bharat :- Mandavi....

Mandavi :- Shhh.... no need to say anything or move, cannot we spend a moment in silence, savouring this delight. How much I've waited for this moment.

Bharat :- 14 years I guess.

He slowly turned around and cupped her face, looking into her beautiful eyes, he softly kissed her forehead.

Bharat :- All these years, wern't easy without you, it....

Mandavi :- It felt like I was in an open prison, where I was just left to wander helplessly, I was breaking from inside but had to pretend to be strong, I had to suffer silently and make sure others don't have to, it....

He kept a finger on her lips.

Bharat :- It felt as if I am breathing, but no longer alive, I could see things but already blind, my body did all the everyday chores but lost the soul.

She smiled through moist eyes and slightly quivering lips, they hugged each other safely in their protective embrace.

Mandavi :- Swami.

Bharat :- Hmmm....

Mandavi :- I need a promise.

Bharat :- Whatever you say...

Mandavi :- Then promise, you'll always be there for me, always love me like you do.

Bharat :- There's no need for this Mandavi, you reside in my heart, whether or not I am with you, no matter where I am, how I am, I just have to close my eyes and you'll be in front me. And I promise, I will love you till my last breath, in my next birth, and in any life I am going to be born, I'll be incomplete without you.

He lifted her up in his arms and moved inside, closing the curtains behind. ----------------------------------------------------------- Present, Dwapar yug,

Karn touched Kunti's feet, she caressed his head as a tear rolled down her eye.

Kunti :- Not only of yourself but your brothers too, they are now your responsibility.

Other 5 came and stood beside him.

Nakul :- Don't worry mata, we will take care of each other.

Arjun :- We will fight alongside each other.

Bheem :- We will protect each other.



Sahdev :- We will face all the problems together.

Yudhisthir :- Most importantly, we will be together in every situation of life.

Kunti smiled through the teary eyes and embraced her 6 six gems proudly. Then she turned to Draupadi and caressed her face.

Kunti :- Putri, these six are not just my sons but my life, their happiness and contentment is all I wish for, please, don't let them fall apart, I trust you to motivate them in life.

Draupadi :- Mata, I will try my best to be what you want me to, I will perform all my duties as your putra vadhu with all my heart.

Kunti embraced her and patted her head. Turning to Awantika, she held her hands.

Kunti :- Putri, you're like a family member to us, like a daughter to me. I don't know what's your plan for future but if there's any chance, you can think about joining our family.

She said winking at Nakul, who bit his tongue in embassasment. Kunti then looked at Krishna, who stood with an ever smiling face.

Kunti :- Please Krishna, guide my sons as they will need you more than anyone, please don't be angry at their foolishness and show them the right path.

Krishna :- I am always with dharm bua, my job is only to advise, it's upto the person to listen or not. I can just explain, everything depends on the person listening, what he/she does will be his/her karm.

She noded with a soft smile and gestured them all to proceed.

They they to their chariots, Karn helped Draupadi climb up. Before taking his seat, he glanced at Kunti for one last time, she had tears in her eyes and waved her hand. He ran to her and hugged her tightly,



Karn :- One day, you will be proud on me mata, I will come to take you there, I will, for sure.

She caressed his cheek with shaky hand, he wiped his tears and climbed his chariot. Cronch shell was blown as chariots started off one by one. ----------------------------------------------------------- A huge crowd of people, almost half of the population, packed all their stuffs, belongings, luggage and followed them untill the borders of Hastinapur, when Karn came down and urged them to stop.

Man :- Maharaj, please take us with you, we cannot stay in Hastinapur any more, we want to be subjects of Jeystha Pandu Putra.

Another man :- Yes Maharaj, our condition is becoming miserable here, we want to give a hand in establishment of a new kingdom.

Pandavs were delighted to know that people were supporting them.

Yudhisthir :- Everyone please calm down for sometime.

Karn :- As you all know, Khandavprasth is a cursed forest land, first we'll have to make the conditions favourable for living, then we will surely welcome you there.

But the crowd was too much to handle, finally brothers gave up, the crowd went with them and tents were set near Khandavprasth borders. ----------------------------------------------------------- Arjun and Krishna were taking a walk near the borders of forest, getting known to the surroundings.



A brahmin came upto them, he looked thin and weak, and was covering his face.

Brahmin :- Will this brahmin get some help vatsya.

Arjun :- Sure brahmin dev, I'll be grateful if you give me a chance to help. But will you please give your introduction.

Brahmin removed the cloth covering his face, Arjun noticed all the wrinkles and bruises.

Brahmin :- I am Agni dev.

Arjun :- Agni dev ? In this condition ? Here ?

Agni dev :- Yes vatsya. Once Maharaj Swetki did a yagya which continued for about 12 years, during that time, so much amount of ghee was sacrificed in it that my digestive system turned weak and I became like this. When I went to Parampita Brahma to seek for any cure, he told me to go and eat Khandav forest on earth. But this forest here is inhabited by nags under Takshak and asur army under Mayasur. But the real problem is, they have protection of Devraj Indra. I tried to burn this forest many times but was stopped by Devraj. So vatsya, now your are my hope, will you help this needy.

Arjun :- (joining his hands) No, Agni dev, you shouldn't beg like this in front of me, I'm a mere human you are dev, if you've chosen me for this work, I'll do my best to help you.

Krishna, who stood quiet till now decided to speak.

Krishna :- But Agni dev, as you said Takshak has Devraj Indra's protection, he will surely come to help them next time too. So in order to help you, we'll have to confront him, but he ain't any other opponent who can be subdued easily. Parth will surely need some help, atleast he should be able to use celestial astras in the fight, are you getting what I meant to say.

Agni dev smiled before closing his eyes, a bright light flashed leaving Varun dev behind.

Agni dev :- Varun dev, as you know Pandu putra Arjun is going to confront Devraj Indra tommorow, I request you to give him the Gandiv dhanush of Parampita Brahma.

Varun dev :- (nodding) Foreward your hands vatsya, accept it.



Arjun forewarded his hands, Varun dev began chanting a mantra. Next moment, bright golden dust accumulated on his hands, slowly taking shape of a beautiful bow.

Varun dev :- This divine Gandiv dhanush is made by bones of Maharishi Dadhichi. Parampita Brahma kept it with himself for thousands of years, then gave it to Prajapati, who gave it to Devraj Indra, who gave it's responsibility to Som dev, finally it came to me and now I am handing it down to you.

Arjun touched the Gandiv to his forehead and thanked Varun dev, who dissapeared, Agni dev too walked away. ----------------------------------------------------------- At night,

Karn, Bheem, Sahdev, Nakul and Yudhisthir were in a tent discussing about the forest and its solution.

Bheem :- Jeystha, the major part of this land is covered by this forest, I think we need to clear this forest to move further.

Karn :- Yes, but this forest is inhabited by Takshak and his nag tribe, also Mayasur resides here with his asur army, clearing the forest might end up in a fight and I don't want to risk all these lives of our subjects.

Yudhisthir :- But bhrata, will Takshak agree with us, I mean he will either tell us to leave or attack us.

Nakul :- Bhrata Yudhisthir, we are trained warriors, we can fight them off.

Sahdev :- That's ok but what about the public, we can either save them or answer the attack, we're severely outnumbered.

Those words had a point, all of them were in deep thoughts when Krishna and Arjun entered the tent.

Arjun :- Jeystha, Madhav and I were out on a walk when Agni dev disguised as an old man told us that he is sick, and he wants to eat the Khandav forest, he also gave me this Gandiv dhanush to confront Devraj Indra.

Bheem :- Then fight is inevitable I guess.

Krishna :- Okay, lets see what we can do, tommorow we will start the bhumi pujan, for now you all go and take some rest.

Karn :- If you say Madhav.

They all retired to their respective tents, Arjun was awake as someone had to put up at watch, so it was decided that all of them will be awake in shifts for everyone to get some sleep.

Karn was standing outside his tent, having a look at the land when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder.



Draupadi :- Don't stress yourself much arya, have some faith in God, everything will be fine.

Karn :- I'm not stressed, I'm just trying to figure out a strategy that might help us in fight tommorow.

Draupadi :- You should come and have your dinner.

Karn :- Have others finished ?

Draupadi :- Yes, I came after bhrata Bheem ate all the sweets.

Karn :- (chuckles) Well, nothing less can be expected from my dear brother, lets see what's left for me.

He went in with her as crickets continued to chirp, filling the atmosphere with various tunes. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next day started with bhumi pujan by Draupadi, soldiers and the brothers were on gaurd.

When puja was completed, Draupadi took the Kalash and was about to drop some water on land when a snake came flying to bite her but Karn sliced it with his sword. Nags began attacking them from all sides.

Karn :- Nakul, Sahdev, protect the crowd, take them away. Yudhisthir, Avni, give them cover, Arjun, Bheem, lets fight them off.

Nakul, Sahdev and Draupadi guided the crowd away, Yudhisthir and Awantika killed the snakes which tried to attack them, Karn, Arjun and Bheem started to wipe out the nag and asur army.

Seeing his army on back foot, Takshak himself appeared there and started releasing poisonous snakes, they were too much to control, snakes started biting the public, rendering them unconsious, Arjun shot an astra and injured Takshak but he fled away.



Awantika was helping a lady when a snake bit her on the back of neck.

Nakul :- Avni!

He came running and caught her in his arms before she could fall.

Nakul :- Avni, Avni open your eyes, say something...

He patted her cheeks and kept calling her but she didn't respond, Sahdev came and checked her pulse. All of them gathered there, but it was too late.

Draupadi :- Arya, this is too much to handle, we need to do something soon or they all will just die.

Karn :- Sahdev say something, is there any way ?

Sahdev :- Jeystha, they all are bit by mayavi snakes, they can only be cured if snakes themselves come and take their poisons out.

Yudhisthir :- But how we will find them in such a huge forest.

Krishna :- And not to forget that Takshak has the protection of Arjun's father Indra dev.

Nakul :- O come on, there's gotta be some way, I can't just let her die like this.

Karn :- Arjun, last night you told that you met Agni dev who is sick and wants Khandav forest.

Arjun :- Yes Jeystha.

Karn :- Then burn down this forest, Takshak will come out and summon Indra dev, and when he does you confront him, he is your Godfather, he won't kill you, meanwhile I and Bheem will defeat Takshak and Mayasur and bring the snakes back. Nakul and Sahdev you both be here with others. Yudhisthir you stay with Draupadi and also lookout if any asur or snake attacks. And Madhav can you go with Arjun. If they've already started then we gotta do it the hard way, kill anyone you need to, don't think twice.

All nod in yes, Arjun invoked Agneyastra and set the forest on fire.



----------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile in forest,

Takshak became anxious, and started praying to Devraj for protection.

Takshak :- O lord Indra, humans have come and attacked us, they are here to snatch our rights, I Takshak, the king of Khandavprasth summons you Indra dev.

A blinding light shines and Indra dev appeared

Indra :- What's the reason of summoning me Takshak ?

Takshak :- Have you forgotten your promise you gave me and my tribe.

Indra :- I haven't forgotten anything Takshak, this land was protected by me for such a long time so that no one except you and your nag tribe can reside here. But the humans who have attacked you are not common, the person who wounded you is my son he has taken birth with my blessings. With the essence of 6 superior Gods, these 6 sons are born to devi Kunti. Remember that in no condition you can defeat them.

Takshak :- But you can, they are humans and you are dev, or you got blind in love for your son.

Indra :- Speaking nonsense will not help Takshak, instead of that see the truth.

Takshak :- But still I bind you with your promise, you have to stop them even if it means taking your son's life.

Indra :- Ok I will fullfill my promise, but remember, being a dev dosen't mean I am invincible, I have been defeated many times, also eldest among them Karn defeated me once. If today my son Arjun defeats me then your state will be even worse.

Indra disappeared. ----------------------------------------------------------- Suddenly black clouds hovered over the forest to stop the fire but Arjun blew them away using Vayu astra.



Indra appeared in front of him.

Arjun :- Pranipat pitashree.

Indra :- Putra Arjun, please step back I don't wish to fight you, these nags and asurs here have my protection.

Arjun :- We are competent warriors pitashree, if you'll stand against us, you will need to fight, so attack or accept defeat.

Indra :- Putra, don't force me, why you all want to burn the home of innocent nags.

Arjun :- These nags have comitted sin by poisoning innocent people, and protecting them will be adharm.

Indra :- Don't teach me dharm adharm, you are kid in front of me, go away or meet your death.

Arjun :- I am your son pitashree, this life is your blessing, I will be blessed if you give me death, but by laying down my weapons, I can't tarnish your reputation.

Indra :- Enought Arjun, now fight.

Both of them started fighting. Indra released a giant energy ball, Arjun answered it by creating a vortex in air, absorbing it.

Inside the forest,

Karn and Bheem searched for Takshak, many powerful asurs and nags attack them but were defeated and put down.

Sahdev helped the remaining people, gave them first aids, their condition was worsening with time.

Yudhisthir killed the asurs and nags which tried to reach others, Draupadi helped him with a sword, he was amazed to see her fighting so well.

Mayasur was defeated and captured by Bheem. Karn subdued Takshak after a fierce sword duel.

Karn :- Your time's up, now order your snakes to take their poison back.

Takshak :- I will not. This is my land and you humans have come here uninvited.

Karn :- I am warning you one last time, order your snakes or else.

Takshak :- Or what you can do ?

Karn :- You wanna see ?

He closed his eyes, veins in his right hand began glowing, invoking a fire whip, but he immediately opened his eyes, jerking his hands, then pressed his right wrist.

Karn :- (mumbling) It's not a good idea I guess.

He looked up to see Takshak, who didn't seem to understand what's happening.

Karn :- (clearing his throat) See this.

He summoned an astra which created a fire pit, it began pulling nags inside and burn them to ashes.

Karn :- I will simply wipe out the entire nag community.

Nags came and requested Takshak, he gave in and send them, all the snakes took their poison back and the people started gaining consciousness one by one.

Here Arjun and Indra dev were fighting, they both invoked many astras and destroyed.

Indra released a huge boulder at Arjun, who shattered it using Mustikastra. Indra called lightning to attack Arjun with full power, who simply used Antardhan astra and dissapeared.



Indra :- Enough Arjun! now face my vajra.

Saying so, he raised his hand summoning vajra and hurled it towards Arjun. Arjun raised his Gandiv, chanted the mantra invoking brahmastra and fired it towards vajra.



Before both the weapons could strike, Krishna's Sudarshan chakra came in between, both astra bowed and dissapeared.

Arjun :- Madhav.

Krishna :- Pranipat Indra dev.

Indra :- Pranipat Vasudev.

Krishna :- Indra dev you should be proud on your son, his valour added to your glory.

Indra :- Vasudev, I have promised protection to the nags here.

Krishna :- Your son has also promised the cure to Agni dev.

Indra :- Whose promise has more value Vasudev ?

Krishna :- Both the promises have their own values. A father's success gives knowledge to his son while a son's success gives pride to his father.

Indra :- Vasudev, snakes of this forest have been living here for many years and now their rights have been snatched by humans, what about them ?

Krishna :- I, Vasudev Krishna assure you on the behalf of Pandavs that snakes will also be well taken care of.

Suddenly Takshak appeared there, looking angry.

Takshak :- I don't need protection of you humans who snatched our rights, I will return to take my revenge. (pointing to Karn) Specially this man.

He along with his nag tribe went away.

Indra :- I am impressed Arjun, state your wish.

Arjun :- Pitashree, we seek your help to build our kingdom and it will be named after you.

Indra :- Ok Arjun, your kingdom will be build by architect of gods, Vishwakarma and it will be remembered as Indraprasth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvpCsJjXCuQ

(BGM)

Brothers watched as entire Khandav forest was burned down to ashes.

Bheem :- What to do of him ?

He forewarded a tied up Mayasur.

Mayasur :- Please don't kill me, please.

Karn :- Okay, I give you a chance. What will I get, not killing you ?

Mayasur :- I can take you to treasury of asurs, you can use all the wealth for development of your kingdom, I myself will help you with it.

Karn :- Treasury of asurs ?

Mayasur :- Yes.

Krishna :- Can you take us there ?

Mayasur :- Yes prabhu, I will.

Bheem untied his hands and he led them to the secret cave in the other section of forest, which left unburnt.

Arjun :- How is this still here ?

Mayasur :- It's not really a forest, just an illusion.

Walking in the dense creepy forest, they stood near a cave entrance. Mayasur rotated a statue and door lifted open to allow light to enter.

Mayasur :- Please, this way.

Arjun took a mashal from nearby wall and lighted it to reveal old dusty rock walls, a dark way lead them inside. Soon they could see a golden light flashing ahead, glancing at each other, they kept walking towards it.

Entering the chamber, surprise took on their features, mouth open in shock, it was filled with gold coins, jewels, clothes, crowns, costly decorative items, display statues etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPzv_T6xisM

Mayasur showed them a golden radiant chariot, a huge orange flag rested on top of it and a small statue of Lord Hanuman supported it.

Mayasur :- Prabhu, this golden chariot, Kapi dhwaj was once used by Maharaj Swetki, it can take you to your desired place.

He pointed to a huge mace, kept on a rock.

Mayasur :- This is divine Kumod mace, unbreakable, utter powerful, it can only be lifted and weilded by Pandu putra Bheem.

Bheem joined his hands, then lifted the mace in his strong hands.

Mayasur :- I've invented this mace myself.

Now he removed the cloth from a table to reveal a beautiful, brownish black bow with a glowing string.

Mayasur :- Vijay dhanush, it was constructed by architect of Gods, Vishwakarma. It was used by Jamadagni nandan Parsuram to slay adharmi kshtriyas from this earth 21 times. He left it here before retiring to Mahendragiri mountains.

Krishna :- It's for you bhrata Karn, this Vijay dhanush will help you in your journey to conquer the enemies. It'll be with you till your last breath, after this, you won't require any other shastra, using this very dhanush, you can summon and release any astra ever made.

Karn joined his hands in front of bow and picked it up like nothing. It glowed with a bluish light and looked extremely divine.



Mayasur :- Not only this dhanush Pandu putra, this Kapi dhwaj is also yours, it'll be with you and help you in your campaign against greatest of warriors and asurs.

Krishna :- We are grateful to you Mayasur, you gave us a big help in form of all this.

Karn went foreward and hugged him.

Karn :- I apologise for my words, you're truly a being worth respect.

Mayasur :- No need Pandu putra, it's you brothers who showed me that I was supporting wrong side till now.

He joined his hands to Krishna and dissapeared, others went out to check the situation. ----------------------------------------------------------- People began praising thier names as their condition began improving. Nakul had placed Awantika's head on his lap as he gave her some medicines. Sahdev was cleaning a wound on a man's back. Yudhisthir helped soldiers carrying the injured ones. Draupadi saw them approaching and smiled.



Draupadi :- Wow arya, you all did it, this land is now curse free.

Karn :- Yes, but wouldn't have been possible without the help of my brothers and not to forget Madhav.

Brothers shared a group hug. Thick black smoke rose in the air and flew away. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

A long chapter after such a long time, hope I didn't dissapoint you with this one.

Now you would be having some idea who Suchitra really is.

Reason for this sudden flashback is, many of my readers didn't like me keeping Karn and Suchitra away.

So I am changing the plot line and making her entry sooner, but everything has a side effect. If I come up with something logical in future, then it's fine, if not then don't blame me if some scenes won't make any sense at all.

You will know the reason for their seperation very soon and after that I will bring her back.

One thing should be clear, if you want me to make her the samragi of aryavarth, then you might have to be dissapointed as it's not happening. She will live with him but not as samragi, you'll eventually know as the time comes, I don't need to explain in detail.



Guess who ?

Vrushali, princess of Tilprasth.

Meet you in the next part.

Target :- 75 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.