CHAPTER 16: The beginning from the end

Amidst the lush embrace of the forest, a sense of tranquility pervaded the air as Pandu, Kunti, and Madri embarked on a leisurely picnic. The sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns of light upon the verdant landscape. Birds trilled their melodious songs, and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream provided a soothing backdrop to their outing.

As they settled beneath the shade of a grand old tree, a sumptuous spread of fruits, delicacies, and refreshments adorned the makeshift table. Pandu's eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and affection as he watched Kunti and Madri indulge in light-hearted banter and laughter.

Kunti: (playfully) I must admit, Madri, your enthusiasm for this picnic has truly breathed life into our day.

Madri: (grinning) My dear sister, what better way to enjoy nature's bounty than to immerse ourselves in its embrace? Besides, even amidst our royal duties, a touch of spontaneity is a welcome respite.

Pandu: (chuckling) Your spontaneity is indeed contagious, Madri. It brings a sense of joy to our moments together.

Their camaraderie and shared laughter echoed through the forest, a testament to the bond that had begun to form between the three of them. In their midst, the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers and the soft rustling of leaves painted a scene of idyllic serenity.

However, as the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the surroundings, a sudden movement caught Madri's eye—a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful deer grazing at a distance. Her eyes widened with excitement as she turned to Pandu.

Madri: (excitedly) Arya, look! A magnificent deer! Could you possibly catch it for me? Its beauty is truly enchanting.

Pandu's gaze followed Madri's outstretched arm, and a smile tugged at his lips as he beheld the graceful creature. His heart warmed at the sight of Madri's innocent request.

Pandu: (affectionately) Of course, Madri. Your wish is my command.

With a confident stride, Pandu retrieved his bow and arrow, his hunter's instincts kicking in. He approached the deer with the utmost care, his movements calculated and precise. As he closed in on his target, he expertly notched an arrow onto the bowstring, his gaze unwavering.

Kunti and Madri watched with bated breath, their eyes fixed on Pandu's every move. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the air charged with anticipation.

Pandu: (whispering to himself) Patience, precision… and release.

With a fluid motion, Pandu released the arrow, his aim true and unerring. The arrow sailed through the air, its trajectory guided by Pandu's steady hand. As it found its mark, a triumphant smile crossed Pandu's lips.

Madri: (clapping excitedly) You did it, Arya! You caught the deer!

As Pandu drew his bowstring, his focus intent on his target, he released the arrow with precision. The projectile sped through the air, seemingly guided by an otherworldly force. But just as it neared the deer, a miraculous transformation occurred—the deer transformed into an ethereal sage, Kindama, and his wife.

Kindama: (calmly) Noble Pandu, halt your arrow! You have unknowingly targeted a harmless sage and his wife.

Pandu's heart sank as he witnessed the transformation, his arrow halted in mid-air as if frozen by a cosmic decree.

Pandu: (apologetically) Sage Kindama, I beg your forgiveness. I acted in ignorance, and I deeply regret any harm I may have caused.

Kindama: (gentle) Your remorse speaks to your noble character, Pandu. But alas, my time in this mortal realm has reached its end. Before I depart, I must share with you a dire consequence of your actions.

Pandu's brow furrowed, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

Pandu: (anxiously) What consequence, noble sage? Please, enlighten me.

Kindama: (solemnly) Your arrow, once intended for a deer, now carries a curse—a curse that shall forever alter the course of your life. I curse you, Pandu, that the moment you touch your wife with the intention of making love, death shall claim you.

Pandu's heart pounded with shock, the weight of the curse crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. He looked to Kindama and his wife, his eyes filled with regret and sorrow.

Pandu: (anguished) Sage Kindama, I never intended harm. I beseech you, is there no way to lift this curse?

Kindama: (regretful) Alas, once a curse is uttered, its threads are woven into destiny's tapestry. But know this, Pandu, your life's path remains yours to shape. Seek virtue and dharma, and perhaps, in time, the consequences of your actions may be mitigated.

With those solemn words, Kindama and his wife began to fade, their ethereal forms merging with the forest's aura. Pandu stood there, his heart heavy with the weight of the curse, his thoughts racing as he contemplated the ramifications of his unwitting actions.

Returning to Kunti and Madri, Pandu's countenance was one of grave seriousness. His once cheerful demeanor had been replaced by a somber resolve.

Kunti's expression turned thoughtful, her instincts attuned to the shifting currents of destiny. She exchanged a knowing glance with Madri, their shared intuition hinting at the unfolding of a greater narrative.

Madri: (curiously) Arya, is something troubling you? You seem… uneasy.

Pandu: (softly) My dear Madri, Kunti, what I am about to reveal pains me deeply. This deer—its true form was not that of a mere creature. It was a sage, Kindama, and his wife, cursed to inhabit this shape.

Kunti and Madri exchanged startled glances, their concern mirrored in their eyes.

Kunti: (worried) Arya, what do you mean? What has transpired?

Pandu: (regretful) As the arrow struck Kindama, his form shifted from that of the deer to that of the sage. Before he and his wife passed from this world, he revealed his true identity and the curse he placed upon me.

Madri's brows furrowed, her voice trembling with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Madri: (shakily) A curse? What curse did he place upon you, Arya?

Pandu: (voice heavy with regret) Kindama's curse foretells my fate. He cursed me that the moment I touch my wife with the intention of making love, I shall meet my end.

A heavy silence settled over the trio, the weight of Kindama's curse casting a shadow over their idyllic surroundings. Kunti's heart clenched with a mixture of sorrow and empathy, her gaze never leaving Pandu's troubled visage.

Kunti: (softly) Pandu, this curse… it is a heavy burden to bear. But together, we shall find a way to navigate its implications.

Madri:yeah Arya, we will face this together and we will always be with you.

After that they went to palace of hastinapur and they told the curse to their family members bhishma, Satyavati,ambika, ambalika,Dhritarashtra and vidur.pandu told them that he decided to requinsh his throne because of curse and want to go for vanavas with his wives,they family members try to comfort him but pandu didn't listen to anyone.

In the opulent halls of the palace of Hastinapur, the air was heavy with an unspoken tension. The Kuru family members had gathered, their faces etched with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. King Pandu stood at the center of the grand chamber, flanked by his wives Kunti and Madri. His gaze was resolute, his voice steady as he prepared to reveal a decision that would reshape the course of their lives.

Pandu: (addressing his family) granduncle Bhishma, grandmother Satyavati, My dear mothers,my dear brother dhritarashtra and Vidur, I stand before you with a burdened heart, burdened by a revelation that fate has woven into the tapestry of our lives.

Bhishma's brows furrowed, his piercing gaze fixed on Pandu. Satyavati, the matriarch of the family, sat with an air of quiet authority, her eyes holding a depth of wisdom that transcended generations. Dhritarashtra, Ambika, Ambalika, and Vidur exchanged concerned glances, their curiosity piqued by Pandu's somber demeanor.

Satyavati: (softly) Speak, my dear Pandu. Share with us the weight that rests upon your shoulders.

Pandu: (taking a deep breath) It is a tale born from a moment of ill-fated impulse. During a leisurely sojourn in the forest, I encountered a deer—majestic and alluring. At the request of Madri, I aimed my arrow to capture the creature. But alas, the deer was no ordinary animal. It transformed into a sage named Kindama, and with his dying breath, he cast a curse upon me.

The chamber was filled with a collective gasp, the family members exchanging incredulous glances. Bhishma's expression darkened as he absorbed the gravity of Pandu's revelation.

Dhritarashtra: (incredulous) A curse? What curse, Pandu?

Pandu: (his voice heavy) A curse that foretells my doom. Kindama's curse decrees that I shall meet my end the moment I touch my beloved wives with the intention of making love.

The words hung heavily in the air, a palpable silence enveloping the room as each family member absorbed the implications of the curse. Kunti and Madri exchanged pained glances, their hearts heavy with the weight of destiny's cruel twist.

Bhishma: (grimly) why did my kuru family have to suffered always? Mahadev why are you doing this to us?

Satyavati's gaze remained steady, her eyes holding a mixture of empathy and resolve. She had seen many twists of fate in her lifetime, and her wisdom guided her understanding of the complexity that now unfolded.

Satyavati: (softly) Pandu, my dear grandson, fate's designs are often enigmatic and unforgiving. But know this—you do not face this alone. Our family stands united, bound by the ties of blood and loyalty.

Pandu: (nodding) I am humbled by your words, Pitamahi, but I have made a decision that I must share. In light of this curse, I have resolved to relinquish my throne and embark on a journey of vanavas, accompanied by my wives.

The room was filled with a stunned silence, the weight of Pandu's decision reverberating through the hearts of each family member. Dhritarashtra's gaze flickered with a mixture of surprise and concern.

Dhritarashtra: (uncertain) Vanavas? But Pandu, you are our king. The kingdom relies on your leadership.

Pandu: (his voice resolute) bharata Dhritarashtra, my duty as king must not blind me to the greater duty I owe to my family. I cannot bear the burden of knowing that my very touch may lead to disaster. The safety of our people is paramount, and I will not endanger them with my presence.

Ambika and Ambalika exchanged glances, their concern for their son's well-being evident in their eyes.

Ambika: (softly) Pandu, your decision speaks of great sacrifice, but have you considered the consequences? Who shall lead the kingdom in your absence?

Pandu: (with conviction) I have thought long and hard, mother. In my stead, my eldest brother Dhritarashtra shall assume the mantle of kingship, guided by granduncle Bhishma's wisdom and Vidur's counsel.

Dhritarashtra's expression shifted, a mix of humility and trepidation crossing his features.

Dhritarashtra: (humbled) Pandu, I am honored by your trust, but the burden you bear is immense. I cannot help but feel a sense of guilt at assuming a role that was rightfully yours.

Vidur stepped forward, his presence a pillar of steadiness amidst the swirling emotions in the room.

Vidur: (calmly) Bharata, Bharata Pandu's decision is born out of necessity, not desire. He acts in the best interest of the kingdom and his family. Our duty is to support him in this path, just as it is his duty to ensure our welfare.

Bhishma: (firmly) Pandu's resolve is unwavering, and his decision is a testament to his strength and selflessness.This kingdom is always wait for you return my son.

Satyavati's gaze softened as she observed the interplay of emotions among her family members. She had seen kingdoms rise and fall, destinies unfold in unexpected ways, and through it all, the bonds of family remained the bedrock of their existence.

Satyavati: (gentle yet resolute) Pandu, my grandson, your path is one of sacrifice, but it is a path guided by love and duty. The mantle of leadership may change hands, but the unity of our family remains unbroken. Let us stand by your side as you embark on this journey, facing whatever challenges may come.

Pandu's eyes glistened with a mixture of gratitude and determination. He looked at his family, each member holding a unique place in his heart, and knew that their unwavering support would sustain him through the trials ahead.

Pandu: (emotionally) Thank you, my beloved family. Your understanding and support mean more to me than words can express. Together, we shall navigate the currents of destiny, bound by love and duty.

After gandhari heared this new she went to see kunti and kunthi hugged her and cried and at that time.

Gandhari: Kunti, Don't lose hope, I didn't tell you before but some one near us is always guarding us I can't introduce him to you now because of this bad circumstances but one day I will introduce to you when you see him your worries will leave you.

when gandhari telling about someone hear thought straightly went to her first born she can't help but when gandhari talking about this person her child came to her mind. But the two don't know whom they talking and thinking about is the same person who is now sleeping in the lap of his mother.After some preparation pandu and his two wives went to vanavas and Beginning of the Epic story.....

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In somewhere dark place in patal lok,a asura is meditating so focused and with full of devotion, who is he? Why is he so hardly meditating? To what boon to get?To which god he is meditating for?............

To be continued........