The day had finally arrived. Everyone prepared themselves for the journey ahead. Draupadi and Nisha were in yudhisthirs chamber but yudhisthir was not their as he was busy in a temple for some rituals of his coronation, in the chamber Draupadi was getting ready. Since Nakul had occupied the mirror in Nisha’s chamber and was busy with the mirror, she had come here instead. Nisha busied herself, helping Draupadi choose ornaments, while the maids draped her saree and braided her hair with precision.

After some time, everyone gathered in Mata Kunti’s tent—except Nakul. Bheem looked around and frowned.

"Nisha, ye mera anuj nahi dikh raha?"he asked. ("Nisha, I don’t see my younger brother?")

Before Nisha could answer, Sahadev smirked and replied,

"Woh toh apne aapko sanwarne mein vyast honge na, Bhratashree!" ("He must be busy adorning himself, dear brother!")

A chuckle passed among them. Arjun then turned to Nisha and said,

"Acha Nisha, tum apne shastra bhi rakh lo. Kaam aa sakte hain." ("By the way, Nisha, keep your weapons with you. They might come in handy.")

Nisha nodded in acknowledgment. "Ji, Bhrata Arjun." ("Yes, Brother Arjun.")

But even after a while, there was still no sign of Nakul. Nisha huffed in irritation, muttering the last part under her breath,

"Aap sab rukiye, main unhe lekar aati hoon… Kitna sajta hai ye insaan bhi na!" ("You all wait here, I will go and fetch him… How much time does this man need to get ready!")

Her words, though spoken softly, did not go unheard. A burst of laughter echoed behind her as she strode off toward her chamber.

But as she walked through the corridor, she spotted Nakul approaching from the opposite direction. The gentle breeze tousled his strands of dark hair, making them fall over his forehead. His royal blue attire, adorned with golden embroidery, gleamed under the morning sun. He looked ethereal.

Nisha, however, composed herself, folding her arms across her chest. Raising an eyebrow, she asked,

"Arya, aapko itna samay lagta hai tayyar hone mein? Us Khandavprasth mein kaun hai jo aapko dekhega?" ("My Lord, why did you take so long to get ready? Who in Khandavprasth is there to admire you?")

Nakul stopped before her, mirroring her posture with an amused smirk.

"Toh Hastinapur se jab niklenge, tab toh rajya ke log dekhenge na? Aur tab toh thoda sundar dikhna padega… Aakhir main hoon bhi toh Aryavart ka sabse sundar Rajkumar!" ("But when we leave Hastinapur, the people of the kingdom will be watching, won’t they? And I must look handsome, after all, I am the most charming prince of Aryavart!")

His playful smile held undeniable charm, but Nisha simply rolled her eyes. Turning away, she walked ahead, her voice light and rhythmic as she teased,

"Gore rang pe na itna guman kar, gora rang do din mein dhal jaayega." ("Don’t be so proud of your fair skin, it will fade in just a few days.")

Nakul laughed heartily at her words before replying with mischief in his voice,

"Ye jo mera tej hai, Nisha, ye toh tumhare prem ke liye hai. Jab manushya ko uska priyatam milta hai, tab woh apne aap chaandi ke bhanti chamakne lagta hai! issliye na mera tunhare liye pyar kabhi dhalega na ye rang" ("This radiance of mine, Nisha, is for your love. When a man finds his beloved, he begins to shine like silver itself! That's why my fairness will never fade as my love for you will never faid")

Nisha turned to him, shaking her head with amusement.

"Waah waah! Kya baatein karte hain aap… Ab chaliye, Mata Shree ke shivir mein sab humari apeksha kar rahe hain." ("Oh wow! You certainly know how to speak… Now come along, everyone is waiting for us in Mata Shree’s tent.")

With that, they walked together toward the awaiting family, ready to embark on the journey to Khandavprasth.

Nisha and Nakul arrived at Mata Kunti’s chamber, where everyone had already gathered. Mata Kunti stood beside Draupadi, who, in turn, stood to the right of Yudhishthir. The rest of the family stood nearby, waiting in silence for the rituals to commence.

As Nisha and Nakul stepped forward, they bent down to touch Mata Kunti’s feet. She placed her hands over their heads, blessing them with warmth and love. Then, turning towards Draupadi, she instructed,

"Aarti karke tilak lagao, Draupadi." ("Perform the aarti and apply the tilak, Draupadi.")

Yudhishthir looked at his mother, his brows slightly furrowed in concern.

"Mata, aarti toh sadaiv aap karti hain. Mata shree, isliye aarti aur tilak aapko lagana chahiye." ("Mother, you have always performed the aarti. That is why you should be the one to apply the tilak today.")

Before Mata Kunti could respond, Arjun remarked with a teasing smile,

"Aur ye keval tilak thode hi hoga, Mata Shree! Ye toh aashirwad bhi hoga bade bhaiya ke liye." ("This is not just a tilak, Mata Shree! It is also a blessing for our elder brother.")

Mata Kunti looked at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. Then, shaking her head gently, she spoke with wisdom that only a mother could possess,

"Mera aashirwad toh sadaiv tum logon par hai, putra Arjun. Tilak na lagane par, aarti na utaarne par ye kaam nahi ho jaayega. Ghar mein bahu aane par vishesh adhikar maa aur patni ke beech bat jaane chahiye. Putra, ab se tum tino ko tilak lagane ka adhikar Draupadi ko hai aur Nisha ka Nakul par. Jo putri, Yudhishthir ka aarti utaaro." ("My blessings are always with you, my son Arjun. Without applying the tilak or performing the aarti, the duty will not remain incomplete. When a daughter-in-law enters the home, certain rights must be shared between a mother and a wife. From now on, Draupadi has the right to apply the tilak to you three, and Nisha to Nakul. My daughter, perform the aarti for Yudhishthir.")

Draupadi bowed in acknowledgment and took the aarti plate in her hands. Stepping forward, she circled the lamp around Yudhishthir in reverence, the soft glow of the flame casting flickering patterns across his face. Then, dipping her thumb into the red vermillion, she pressed it gently against his forehead, marking him with a tilak—one that symbolized power, strength, and responsibility. Afterward, she bent down, touching his feet as a gesture of respect.

Mata Kunti then looked at her eldest son, her voice filled with both pride and a mother’s deep-seated concern.

"Ab raja hone ke baad, Draupadi ki raksha karna tumhara kartavya hai, putra Yudhishthir. Aur Draupadi ka daayitva tumpar tumhare bhaiyon se adhik hoga." ("Now that you will be a king, protecting Draupadi will be your duty, my son Yudhishthir. And her responsibility will rest upon you more than upon your brothers.")

Yudhishthir nodded solemnly, fully understanding the weight of his mother’s words.

Mata Kunti then turned to Bheem and instructed,

"Putra Bheem, apne bhratashree ko rajya sabha ki aur le chalo. Aur tum sab bhi jao, mere jyesth putra ke rajyabhishek ke liye." ("My son Bheem, take your elder brother to the royal court. And all of you, go to witness my eldest son's coronation.")

Just as everyone began to leave, Nisha hesitated and turned back to Mata Kunti. With a soft voice, she asked,

"Aap nahi chalengi, Mata Shree?" ("You will not come with us, Mata Shree?")

Mata Kunti smiled, a nostalgic yet resigned expression on her face. She reached out and gently caressed Nisha’s head before speaking,

"Nahi, putri. Jab main yahaan aayi thi, uske turant baad Arya vijay yatra par chale gaye the. Aur uske baad toh mera aadha jeevan van mein beet gaya. Jis rajsabha mein main Maharani hone ke samay nahi gayi, ab jaakar kya karungi? Putri, tum sab jao." ("No, my daughter. When I came here, my husband left for his conquests immediately after. And after that, half my life was spent in exile. The royal court where I never set foot even when I was the queen—what purpose would it serve for me to go there now? My daughter, you all go ahead.")

Nisha looked at her, a deep emotion swelling in her heart. She lowered her head in respect before finally turning away. As she walked beside Nakul, she carried the weight of Mata Kunti’s words with her.

The grand coronation of Yudhishthir was a momentous occasion, filling the royal court of Hastinapur with an air of jubilation and solemnity. The citizens gathered in large numbers, their faces reflecting a mix of emotions—some beamed with pride and joy at the ascension of their rightful king, while others bore a shadow of sorrow, knowing that their beloved Yudhishthir would soon leave for Khandavprastha, away from the heart of Hastinapur.

The ceremony was conducted in the esteemed presence of the two royal preceptors, Guru Kripacharya and Guru Dronacharya, their eyes observing everything with the wisdom of those who had seen many kings rise and fall. Among the distinguished attendees were Shri Krishna and Balram, whose divine aura radiated through the assembly, their expressions unreadable yet reassuring.

Mata Gandhari stood with an air of quiet dignity, her veiled eyes concealing the depths of her emotions, while beside her, Duryodhan clenched his fists, his face a mask of forced composure. He struggled to suppress the storm of resentment brewing within him, his pride wounded at the sight of his cousin ascending a throne he had always believed was his birthright.

Shakuni, ever the cunning strategist, watched the proceedings with a practiced smile, his expressions betraying none of the jealousy that gnawed at his insides. He had long envisioned a different future, one where Duryodhan reigned supreme. And yet, here he stood, witnessing Yudhishthir’s crowning moment, powerless to change what had been ordained.

Karna, however, stood apart from these conflicting emotions. A man of unwavering belief in karma rather than fate, he bore no bitterness at Yudhishthir’s achievement. His face remained steady, his heart neither filled with envy nor joy, but with a quiet acknowledgment of the dharma that had played out before him.

The coronation concluded with sacred chants and the ceremonial anointment of Yudhishthir, marking his transition from prince to ruler. As he sat upon the throne, the weight of his new responsibility settled upon his shoulders—not just as a king, but as a leader who would shape the destiny of many.

Later, in a private discussion with Maharaj Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthir spoke of his plans.

"Pitamah, Khandavprastha ko basane ke baad, hum Hastinapur ke nagrikon ko wahan le jaane ka vichar kar rahe hain." ("Respected King, once we have made Khandavprastha a livable land, we plan to take the citizens of Hastinapur there.")

Maharaj Dhritarashtra, though reluctant to part with his Pandava nephews, nodded in agreement.

"Tumhare yeh vichar rajya ke hit mein hai, putra. Tumhara naya rajya bhi itna hi samruddh ho, yehi prarthana karta hoon." ("Your decision is in the best interest of the kingdom, my son. I only pray that your new land flourishes just as much.")

With this understanding, the preparations for departure began.

Shri Krishna and Shri Balram, ever the protectors and well-wishers of the Pandavas, stepped forward, their presence bringing a sense of reassurance.

"Hum bhi apke saath chalenge, bharata Yudhishthir," Shri Krishna said, his eyes gleaming with a knowing smile. (*"We will accompany you, brother Yudhishthir.")

Beside him, Balram nodded in agreement.

With everything set, it was time to take leave.

The story now turns toward Khandavprastha—the land that would soon become the karmabhoomi of the Pandavas. A barren, desolate land awaited them, but with their vision and perseverance, it would soon transform into a thriving kingdom.

For the people of Hastinapur, this journey was not merely the departure of their princes; it was the shifting of the very soul of their beloved city. The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—people from all walks of life—had already resolved to follow Yudhishthir once Khandavprastha became habitable. Their loyalty was unwavering, for they knew that where Dharmaraj went, righteousness and prosperity would follow.

The procession was grand, yet solemn in its significance. Leading the way were the revered elders and guides—Guru Dronacharya and Guru Kripacharya, whose wisdom would serve as a beacon in this new beginning. Accompanying them was the embodiment of dharma himself, Shri Krishna, and his elder brother, Haldhar Balram, their divine presence lending both strength and assurance to this sacred venture.

Pitamah Bhishma, the guardian of Hastinapur, also prepared to depart. Though his heart was bound to the throne of the Kuru dynasty, his blessings and wisdom were indispensable in consecrating this new land.

Among them were Mata Kunti, a mother who had endured countless trials and yet stood unshaken, Draupadi, the queen who would rule beside her husband with fire in her soul, and Nisha, alongside Nakulwalking alongside the Pandavas, her spirit unyielding, ready to embrace whatever fate had in store.

Together, they embarked on this fateful journey, carrying with them not just dreams of a new kingdom but the very essence of dharma, determination, and destiny. Khandavprastha awaited its transformation, and with it, the next chapter in the saga of the Pandavas was about to unfold.

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Hope you guys are enjoying this chapter because I think people find these parts of Mahabharata boring. Vote target for this chapter - 35