The day of the swayamvara had at last arrived and I was very much eager to see it. So was Krishna.....
The whole kingdom was cheerful and happy .They were waiting for their beloved Princess to come .....
The palace was decorated with various floral decorations and the royal chefs were busy in preparing the grand meal .King Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna ,Draupadi's brother ,were busy in welcoming the guests and suitors. The royal Musicians were playing the most melodious music ,consisting of different ragas .The dancers were dressed brightly and danced gracefully ,celebrating the event .
Krishna too was supervising and appreciating the works and decorations .I accompanied him everywhere .Actually ,I was admiring how beautiful and regal my beloved Madhava was .He walked graciously through the royal corridors and he looked like the king of kings .Today he was dressed up so beautifully ,that I could barely keep my eyes off him .His earrings were making a tinkling sound ,his turban was decorated with many jewels . He was wearing yellow silks (Pitambar) .I felt proud and happy when I was walking beside him .I kept looking at his face ,when I suddenly banged my head towards a pillar ,which I never paid attention to .
"Careful dear ! Did you get hurt ?" Krishna got hold of me .
Again I forgot about my pain and the situation .My eyes looked straight into Krishna's eyes .His beauty was beyond words ,beyond everything .His curly black hair ,his sharp bow shaped thick eyebrows ,his majestic tilaka on his forehead ,his bluish black complexion ,his sweet nectar like lips ,his sharp nose ,his eyes like lotus petals in which the eyeballs were of golden colour and it reflected the whole universe at times ,fish like earrings (Kundals) hanging on both the sides .I was totally mesmerised and lost in his magical aura .My eyes refused to see anything else ,except Krishna's beauty .My ears refused to hear anything else ,except Krishna's melodious voice .My nose was attracted by the smell of honey and turmeric from his body and the fragrance of the flower garland (Vaijayanti Mala) covering his broad shoulders and chest .My hands and my legs were getting impatient ,for they were ready to serve the lord .
"Godha ? Godha !? Are you lost ? Answer me !!!" Krishna kept calling my name ,for he knew that I was extremely lost .
I woke up all of a sudden from my dream world .
"I AM SORRY KRISHNA !!! I .....I GOT DISTRACTED....." I became embarrassed .
"Yeah ,I can see that .....But be careful at least ....." Krishna raised his eyebrows and gave a half smile .
But he was looking at me ,as if he had read my mind thoroughly .
I kept on staring him .....because I felt that nothing was important and beautiful ,than my Krishna .
(Credits to the creator ð)
"I want to see Draupadi...." I asked
"She must be getting ready .....you can go and see in her chambers ...Do you know the way ? The palace is quite big , don't get lost ....." Krishna added "I too must go and help the king in welcoming others ......I'll meet you soon ." He rubbed my hair and slowly left .
I walked through the palace corridors .Everyone were rushing here and there with big plates in their hands ,some for decoration and some having tasty delights .I was walking at tcorner ,for I didn't want to bang or hit against someone .Another thing I observed was ,that everyone were much taller .It is believed that people of that times were taller than those of Kaliyuga .Krishna was much taller than me ....that's I always feel secured when I stand beside him .
I was totally unaware of the way .After every turn ,there emerged a new corridor and many staircases as well .I followed into every path and now it was getting confusing .
Oh Krishna ......I should have asked him the way earlier .
Then I saw a group of young girls having plates with auspicious things for rituals ,and many make up (Shringar ) items .I followed them ,and I finally entered into a big room .Many young maidens were standing in a group .I saw Draupadi ,who was getting ready .She was draped in various heavy silks .Her hair was being decorated by her maid servants .Jewels of pure gold ,ruby and sapphire were brought .I went to get a closer look of her .Her eyes were very enchanting .Her eyebrows were thick and beautifully defined . But she looked somewhat sad and disappointed . Something was bothering her heavily .Then suddenly she asked her maids to leave for sometime and turned to another person who was standing just behind .
"Sister ,please do come ......" Draupadi called out to a strong woman ,a warrior woman in-fact .
She was Shikandini ,who was Princess Amba in her previous birth .Unlike other woman ,she looked very serious and resolved .Her attitude was strong and robust .And for a woman ,her voice was very commanding .She smiled very rarely .The main reason for her birth was to take revenge by killing Bhishma ,which she couldn't achieve in her previous birth .It seemed that she was an emotionless person ,always planning to achieve her desired objective .But for Draupadi ,she was very close since she treated her more than a sister .
Shikandi :"What seems to be the trouble ,sister ?"
Draupadi: "I feel tensed and worried ,somewhat .....I ..I don't know why ?"
Shikandi: "Why are you stressed ?"
Draupadi: "Princes and Kings of all powerful dynasties of Aryavarta are going to participate . But my heart yearns for the one about whom Shri Krishna told .....I don't know whether he'll come or not ..."
Shikandi :"You mean the famous archer ? Dear Panchali ,he'll come .Do not worry so much .Have faith and be brave .Today is the day where each one shall come to know about your identity for the first time .You must have the courage to face it .I am there for you ...."
Draupadi :"I am extremely grateful for that sister .Having you beside me gives me more confidence and courage !"
Shikandi :"Of course dear princess ....now you must get ready .I shall be waiting for you outside..."
Saying this ,Shikandi left the chamber .
All the while ,Draupadi was in a dilemma.
I then moved outside .There was noise all around .Kings and Princes of various powerful dynasties were entering .Just then I saw a man entering the palace entrance ,who looked rather arrogant and wild .He had a muscular body and strong mind .His physique was very much similar to Bhimsena .He was draped in royal silks and big necklaces and chains of gold and ruby had covered his broad chest .People who encountered him on their way ,bowed down to him with fear .Even some kings bowed before him .It was as if they treated him as their lord .He was indeed over confident and selfish .
"Come fast Dushassana !" Duryodhana roared at his second brother ,who was walking behind him .Dushassana was ever obedient to his elder brother .He was also accompanied by his best friend ,Karna .He was the son of a charioteer. Duryodhana had made him the king of Anga Desh in return to his loyal friendship.Unlike the Kaurava Prince,he was humble and greeted everyone whom he met .But his life was unfortunate towards the end .Karna was a philanthropist ,who never denied to help or fulfil a person's wish .He gave charity to many .But still ,he supported Duryodhana till the end in his acts of adharma .His friendship was powerful and intact..
Duryodhana's evil uncle Shakuni ,ruler of Gandhara had also come .His face and his attitude was never good .He seemed to plot plans every second ,only to get rid of the sons of Pandu .In reality ,he had no true affection towards the Kauravas .His main aim was to bring a disaster in the Kuru Dynasty and for achieving this he used Duryodhana as his instrument .Once his father and his brothers were put in the prison by Bhishma due to a big misunderstanding .The punishment was that they were given food in such a way that it's quantity would be decreased day by day . This led to many fights ,arguments and rivals between them .Food was becoming scarce and it was difficult to divide among them equally .Finally ,it was decided that any one of them must have all the food and take revenge for this humiliation .Shakuni was selected among his brothers .He ate all the food .Others died one by one out of starvation .His father told him to make dice out of his limb bones ,which were filled with the anger and humiliation and were yearning to take revenge at any cost .The dice would act according to his wish respectively ,in any situation. And like this ,Shakuni was all set to take revenge by breaking the Kuru Houesehold into two .This is how he became the greatest villain in this epic .
"So you are aware of all this ?!" A sudden voice interrupted me from my thoughts .
"You frightened me ! What are you doing here ?" I shouted as I saw Krishna standing very close behind me .
"I am done with my work .Everyone are heading towards the arena now ,so I came here to take you .What are you doing here ,anyways ?" Krishna questioned
"I ....I ..I am standing just like that ,thinking ."
"You got lost ,weren't you ?" He questioned me
"No ...no..no ,I was good only .."
"Really ? The palace is like a maze ,how did you know the way ?" He asked
"Somehow I managed to ......I got lost in between actually ....."
"I see .....so you know what is the history of Shakuni's dice ....."
"Yes Krishna ....I saw him with Duryodhana now .His Face is too much wicked ."
"Yes I know .And you know what ,I am going to meet him now ...." Krishna answered with full enthusiasm.
"But he is almost like your enemy ....."
"I know .....but still it's my duty to pay respect to every person ,however that person may be ..."
"Hmm ,you're right ..." I agreed
"So shall we go ?"
"Yes !"
Saying this ,we headed towards the main arena .I held Krishna's hands ,for that place was very crowded and I did not want to get lost .
The arena was extremely big . The decorations made were beyond words .There was chaos ,everywhere .Names of dynasties and the kings were being announced as they entered . Seats for the guests were decorated nicely .As we went close ,I saw the big ,majestic bow kept ready in between the arena hall .It was very ,very big and powerful .Many minute designs were being sculpted on it and it looked very much heavy .
As Krishna entered ,there was a big round of applause coming from all sides .Krishna was indeed all famous in Bharatvarsha ,in fact the whole of universe . I felt extremely proud and grateful to be his devotee .He paid his obeisances to King Drupada and briskly walked towards the members of the Kuru dynasty .Duryodhana ,Dushassana, Karna and the others ,including Shakuni got up from their seats to pay their respects to the great Yadava leader .Still Shakuni's face was never good .He was plotting plans ,even when he was in a conversation with someone .
He looked too innocently at Krishna ,who was much taller than him .
But my beloved lord was always calm and cheerful .His beautiful smile never faded away .However ,he looked at the Gandhara king quite sternly .
Shakuni then cleared his throat and somehow started the conversation "Greetings ,Dwarkadhish Shree Krishna ! It's an honour to meet you .I am indeed grateful to witness you and your divinity ."
Krishna: "So am I ,Gandharnaresh (king of Gandhara) .I am very glad to meet you ! Greetings !"
Shakuni :"I must surely appreciate your wit and tactics ,Vasudeva .You are indeed the most intelligent ,shrewdest person in this whole country .You do really have a sharp brain .I really wonder how !?"
Krishna: "Ha ,ha ! Me !? Anyways thanks for your appreciation ,but I cannot be smart and intelligent more than you ,dear uncle
Shakuni's face suddenly drooped down .He in fact never wanted to meet Krishna .Again his face was becoming evil .....
Krishna paid his respects to him and proceeded .I turned to look at Shakuni's reaction .His eyes were literally burning with a mixture ego and anger .He was staring at Krishna from behind .
"What's wrong dear ?" My lord asked
"Did you see him ? He is staring at you ,like anything......
"Ofcourse he will do ....because he never had the intention to greet me .....don't bother these things anyway .Enjoy today's event ....."
A specially decorated ,golden and a beautiful throne was there for Krishna .He himself was dressed so royally ,that all the eyes were on him .He was shining like sapphire .My mind was singing the beautiful song Madhurashtakam ,a song that describes Shree Krishna's beauty .I kept on admiring my beloved lord ,whose eyes were always filled with nectar of pure love and compassion .
Krishna sat on the throne ,and I decided to sit near his feet .I touched his feet ,and he blessed me by caressing my head .
"You are looking extremely beautiful and handsome Krishna ! I can barely keep my eyes off you ! Your lotuses like eyes ,black ,thick and bow shaped eyebrows ,your enchanting smile ,your majestic and royal attire ,and your peacock feather which always carries Shree Radha's name and love . After seeing you ,I feel that there is nothing else important in this whole world for me . Oh Keshava ! Your black ,curly Kesha (hair) ,your tilaka ,....everything is so sweet .Just like how a fish is fully dependent on water for survival ,I am dependent on you for everything .I completely dedicate myself to you ,for I am your servant and without you ,I am nothing !" I spoke out the words in a hurry .
Suddenly I realised everything and shyly looked at Krishna ,who was watching me so keenly that he didn't even blink his eyes for once .
He pulled my cheeks and said in a compassionate manner "You are mine ,I am yours .....forever ..I love you immensely Godha .And I'll make sure that our love grows more and more....."
I was really ,very much fortunate to sit near his lotus feet .And I felt happy that Krishna had recognised and accepted the love of a common girl like me ,who is not perfect and does mistakes very often .
(Credits to the creator ð)