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Ishtart!!

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Author's POV

17 days later

Seventeen days after setting out from Satasringa, the Pandavas, Ijay and Kunti along with some sages reached the gates of Hastinapur. The sages took upon themselves to drop Pandu's scions to their right place.

For a while the princes stood there, stunned, gazing at the gigantic doors of the city. Their hearts overwhelmed with a million emotions. They were finally here. The noble city about which their father could talk even in his sleep. But, the irony being he was not here , they could imagine his expression here at the moment, his eye to eye smile, the proud he held for his motherland was not a regular thing to see.

While, everyone was having a stroll down the memory lane, there was this 9 year old who was anxious, for he knew what destiny had in store for his family. All the events that were going to take place between theses gigantic doors flashed infront of his eyes. His insights were torturing him since the last 17 days with the guilt that he could not save his brothers from this disastrous experience. Seeing the city ahead his conscious compelled him to bind in a promise. He looked at the city and then to his brothers and understood his reason for being in Dwapar

"I IJAY, BROTHER OF THE MIGHTY PANDAVAS, SON OF MAHARANI KUNTI AND LATE MAHARAJ PANDU AND MAHARANI MADRI VOWS THAT I WILL DO WHATEVER IS IN MY CAPACITY TO PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM THE ABOMINABLE CIRCUMSTANCES THEY WILL FACE AND THE TRAPS OF THE KAURVAS. EVEN IF IT MEANS GOING AGAINST THE DESTINY, I SHALL DO IT. I WON'T HESITATE GIVING UP MY LIFE OR EVEN TAKING ANY LIFE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEM.FOR I FEEL THIS IS MY REASON TO BE IN DWAPAR" With new found strength he moved towards his brothers and mother while the entire trilok became a witness to this vow AS THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF A NEW END, THIS WILL THE BEGINNINF OF THE "PURSUIT OF THE INEVITABLE"

Yudhishtira then nodded to Bheem. Bheem stepped forward and rattled the city gates which lead the guards to run out in fear, as they thought an army attacked. But they were suprised to be meet by only a few rishis, a regal lady in widow's white and six young men in foresters' grab. They bowed to the revered sages followed by the lady. The guard's heart and mind were at conflict for the heart said that they had the aura of aristocracy but the mind countered by saying that these people cladded in forester's grab cannot be Nobles. Only if they knew that this lady in white is their Queen who renounced the world 18 years back and happily went to the forest with her husband.

The eldest rishi ordered the guard "Send word to Bheeshma and The King that they have visitors, whom they must come out and receive."

Though unwillingly but the guard fearing the sage's anger sent the word to the reagent of the kingdom. Bheeshma's happiness knew no bounds after listening to the word. His voice echoed throughout the sabha "Kunti has come home with her sons! "

At once Bhishma along with Dhritrashtra, Satyavati, Vidur,Gandhar Raj Shkuni and some of the kaurava's left for the gates to welcome the Lost Queen and the little gems of the kingdom.

AT THE GATES

Everyone took the sages' blessings while their eyes eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of Pandu's family. The people of the kingdom after listening to the news came out in huge number to see their Maharaj, Maharani and the princes.The eldest rishi said loudly, so everyone heard him, "You all know that Pandu renounced the world because of a rishi's curse. He was living among us in Satasringa, with his wives Kunti and Madri. Five sons were born to this kshatriya family in the wilderness. " The Munis moved apart and the Pandu family came into view.

They saw Kunti in white and untold grief upon her. Yet she glowed like an arani with six flames around her. Her sons were clad in deerskin, but, unlike Dhritarashtra's pampered princes, they were radiant. Seeing six sons a wave of gossip rose in the crowd with questions like "where is King Pandu? , why is Queen Kunti in whites? who is this sixth boy?" thousands of questions like these voiced from the crowd. This made Ijay anxious. But, as always his brothers were there for his rescue. Arjun took his hand in his an gave him a nod ensuring his brothers are there.

An impatient Bhishma immediately questioned " Oh holy one! Where are my nephew Pandu and my putravadhu Madri"

""Seventeen days ago, Pandu left for heavenly abode and Madri committed sati on his pyre."

He pointed to the covered mud pots they had carried with them from Satasringa. "We have brought the mortal remains of Pandu and Madri, so you can honor them with a proper funeral."

A shocked silence fell. Then a wail went up from the crowd and Kunti began to sob. The people scrambled forward to pay homage to that simple pot in which Pandu's ashes lay.

While everyone was paying tribute to their late King, there stood Gandhar Raj along with the kaurvas with dark faces giving a reflection of their envious hearts. Gandhar Raj continuously staring at the nine year old accompanying the Pandavas and Kunti while rubbing his mustache. He did not resemble anyone in the family. Neither did anyone know about this sixth son.

"OH! How can fate be so cruel to Kuntibhoj's kanya. Ever since the day she has been wedded, she never got the fortune to spend time with her husband alone and know fate took his husband away. Oh god! Why such an injustice?" he said faking a cry.

"Don't mourn for a kshatriyani who has six valorous sons like these princes. Take them into your palace and into your hearts. They are your charge from now; this is where they belong."he said pointing towards his six shiyas, the elderly sage's voice thundered while a small smile formed on everyone's face.

"Absolutely! But lord may The people know who this sixth son of Maharaj.... oops Late Maharaj Pandu is? and from which wife? who is his celestial father because no one had ever heard of him." Shakuni completed giving a vile smile.

"Oh king of Gandhar! He is the youngest and the mightiest son of Maharaj Pandu. He is a gift from gods to the glorious king. Though he is not the biological son of Maharaj Pandu and his wives but they love him second to none.He is a blessing to Kuruvansh for the penance done by their forefathers. He is a bull among the men. He is Ijay. The heart and soul of the Pandavas and the pride of Maharani Kunti."

When that muni saw the expression in the prince Duryodhana's hooded eyes he felt a pang of fear. But he knew fate must take her course, inevitably, whatever it was. Those rishis raised their hands in blessing over Kunti and the princes and next moment, vanished like a dream at waking. Gandhar Naresh stood their gritting his teeth.

The royals left for the palace and the folks returned to their houses with grieved hearts.

Palace Gates

The news of Pandu's death spread like a fire throughout the Kingdom. The entire family stood at the door dejected still hoping that the news is just a balderdash. Ambalika's soul was on jeopardy, all her strength leaving her, the only light, the only happiness of her life, who she had be yearning to meet for years is no more. An ocean of tears was there in her eyes threatening to fall any moment. She refused to believe her ears, her heart would never believe that the light of her eye is no more.

Standing at the entrance, everyone was impatiently waiting for Kunti to arrive.The much awaited moment finally came, the soldier came with the news that Maharani is about to reach the Palace with her sons, adding that she is barefoot and a large crowd has gathered on the way to pay their respect to the mortal remains of Maharaj Pandu. A groan escaped Ambalika's mouth.

After a few minutes, Kunti finlly came to view. The hands and feet that were once adorned by rose bengal were now bare, the vermilion that used to be her pride was missing, the hair that were once graced by the most fargrant flowers and were braided now laid open on her back, the chudamani that sat proudly on her head was nowhere to be seen. Her bright saree was replaced by a rough and dull cotton saree She looked like an injured lioness with six cubs around her, the aura of a regal Kshatriyani never leaving her.

Seeing Kunti in widow's wear Ambalika had nothing to rely upon. She fainted. She was immediately taken inside.

Kunti along with her children finally reached the gate of the palace. Finding herself in her own people, she finally let her guard down and broke down in Gandhari's arms. She sobed like a kid , for these tears had been burning her since the last 17 days.

No introduction took place between anyone. Pandavas and Ijay just took everyone's blessings and were shown their room, while Kunti was taken to complete the rituals.

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Somewhere In Hastinapur

A young lass, about 11years in age was busy reading a book on Arthashastra with utmost intrest.

"Ijaya! Ijaya! Putri are you ready? Oh Mahadev, this girl, she will make me mad one day. Why are you not ready Yet?" a woman in her late twenties entered and spoke while facepalming herself.

"Mata! Don't stress yourself and Mahadev unnecessarily. I have already made myself clear that I don't want to go to RajMahal. I don't like it over there, especially when they have those silly , show off programmes. " replied Ijaya

"Ijaya! The news just came that your tatshree Pandu passed away. Your Jeysth Mata Kunti came back with her sons. We have to go there to pay our respect and for their homecoming."

"Oh! Another reason to not go over there, I am not intrested in meeting any royal princes, they are just dumb heads with a male ego bigger than their size,"

"Enough Ijaya! Not a word more.You are making wrong use of the freedom you are getting by us. Let me make myself very clear, they are your relatives and sooner you accept the fact its better for everyone. And no more drama we have to go there and that is final." the woman roared out of the room.

" Yeah!Yeah! relatives who are always degrading hurting pitashree. Uff! gather up Ijaya you have to deal with a new group of egoistic princes today." she mumbled in a low voice and cribbed while getting up to get ready.

Only is she Knew she was going to meet someone special .

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lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala.......

*looks around, readers have arrived*

*sobers myself*

Yeah! So how was the chapter guys? was it any good?

Any favorite part?

Also, I told you guys to keep your eyes, ears, nose everything opened

So, tell me what did you observe? *evil laughter*

Was the chapter like boring? or did I use much time on this coming back chapter, like did I overdetailed? or did you guys liked it? tell me your views openly.

Did you guys liked that portion on Ambalika? Do tell me.

I felt that no body has ever talked about it from ambalika's view. So I took the risk. I might write something on that incident soon. Idk!

Also, Who is Ijaya ? What is your take on her?

Most importantly did you like her name?🙈🙈

*sighs in relief* I finally delivered an early update like I promised.

It took a lot of hardwork, so do tell me if you liked it or not.

*A few instances in this Chapter is inspired from my favourite Mahabharata book "The Mahabharata - A Modern Rendering by Ramesh Menon"

And if you liked it, then do vote and comment.

TATA!