The Epic Which made Another Epic

DATE: Around 5000 years ago,  LOCATION: Present-day Meerut  District, UP  

The atmosphere was ominous in the magnificent Royal Assembly. 

 The weather conditions outside were extreme as if they were reflecting the consequences of certain actions that were going to be performed that day.  

Five dashing princes sat with their heads bent in shame, on the floor devoid of their ornaments. The Blind king who was asleep for the past few hours,  didn’t show the slightest sign of waking up just as THUNDER BOOMED OUTSIDE.  

 The Prince whose body seemed to be carved out of diamond wore a smug expression on his face.  This was his hour of glory. He had finally got the better of his nemeses. To cap off their humiliation, he decided to do something which they would never forget.  

 “ BRING ME PANCHALI “, he roared addressing his brother DUSSASANA.  

At these words, Dussasana promptly set out to the royal chamber of Pandavas. There was a silence throughout as the elders mourned silently.   “FRIEND, please listen to me. Don’t do this. It is uncharacteristic of a kind-hearted person like you to behave such that.”, said a man seated beside the prince, whose aura resembled that of the SUN  himself. But the prince was in no mood to listen to him.  

(AFTER SOME TIME)  

As Dussasana dragged the most beautiful princess who was sobbing inconsolably into the hall,  This man in golden clad couldn’t take it anymore.  “ LET- GO –OF- HER, DUSSASANA. I love you like  my own brother but if you don’t let go of her now, I  will make sure you can never hold anything ever.”   Such was the command that Dussasana promptly obeyed it. Everyone turned their attention to the man  Including the prince. Before anyone could utter another word, he continued. 

 “ FRIEND, I’ve sworn my alliance to you. I’ll stand by you till my last breath. I neither have the power to oppose your decisions nor do I intend to displease you.  Nevertheless, I can’t stand the sight of a woman ..”  (INTERRUPTED BY THE PRINCE )  

 “ Did u forget that this is the wretched woman who  insulted you in front of all the kings of  

AARYAVARTA, by prohibiting u from taking part in the archery competition which was a child’s play for you, in her swayamvar by referring to your birth,  although the rules allowed any king to participate  ??”, bellowed the prince.  

 “No, I didn’t….(sighs) We have to maintain our ethics, even if the opposition doesn’t have any.”, he replied calmly.  

 The prince who was in no mood to let go  of that opportunity bellowed “ DISROBE her  DUSSASANA.”  

 “If this your final word, listen to mine too, I would  rather kill myself than watch this disgusting scene.”  Saying so, he pulled out his magnificent sword from its scabbard. 

 Just as he was about to bring it down heavily upon his neck, the prince caught it in mid-air & wrenched it away from his friend’s hand.  

“ Never -ever – do that”, he said holding back his tears. “ Do WHATEVER you please with those vermin  down there.”( The PRINCE loved his friend more than  any other person)  

 The entire hall was astounded by what they had just witnessed.  

“ FRIEND, your aim is to insult those pieces of vermin and I shan’t disappoint you. “  

Turning his attention to the eldest of the FIVE, “YOU  shameless pile of bird droppings, who gambled away women for your pleasure as if they are your assets, u  shall henceforth be enslaved to the KAURAVA royal ladies for 12 years. Now off u go. “  

“Well, well what do I have here “, he drawled casting the tallest of the FIVE an appraising look. “The wild beast which just a short while ago was about to kill its king just because he took a decision it doesn’t like, MY-MY!. Such animals are unfit to be out there in the open. You shall be tied up separately in the royal stables since your company is perilous even to the  poor faithful animals.” { KARNA was especially harsh on Bheema because the prince hated him the most.}   

 “The WHINE BABY down yonder shall start an archery school and teach any interested SHUDRA( the lowest varna) all the skills he possesses.  

Each day, before you start your classes you shall wash my Brother-in-law EKALAVYA ‘s feet with Gangajal and sprinkle that holy water on your head. Off u go,  you sadistic scullion.”  

{ KARNA married EKALAVYA’s sister. SOURCE OF  THIS FACT: MAHABHARAT}  

 “ The horse-faced beauties( Referring to NAKULA  &SAHADEVA’s parents ASHWINI DEVATAS) will  teach all the sensible things that they’ve learnt to the  KAURAVA princes .”  

 “ At the end of 12 years, the one’s whose service we are satisfied with would be free to leave. Others  have to do this all over again for 12 years.”   The prince was over the moon on hearing his friend’s verdict.  

 “ This lady along with lady Kunti & the rest of  the PANDAVA company will be escorted back to  INDRAPRASTHA with utmost care and respect.”   “ This is my friend’s wish & HASTINAPUR  shall abide by it.”  

 Saying so, he walked out, into the open just as the afternoon SUN made its way out of the clouds that had completely masked it a short while ago. 

REACTIONS:  

1) NYMPHS IN HEAVEN:  

URVASHI: Oh, what a sweetheart! I wish I could have him as my Immortal companion.  

 MENAKA: Stay away from him. He is mine.  

2) KRISHNA: Sorry guys, can’t find any loopholes in the solar kid’s Verdict at the moment. Nothing much I can do for now.  

3) INDRA: NO COMMENTS  

4) BHEESHMA: My eldest grandson has delivered a verdict for ages. BRAVO KARNA!

5)  SURYA: That’s my BOY!! 

Finally,

6) DRAUPADI: I wish he were my husband instead of these FIVE.