Chapter 1: The Invitation

The sound of soft, melodious music filled the air as Mirza began his special presentation, "Times of Old." His voice echoed with wisdom as he imparted a lesson to his son. "Knowing about the strength of old enemies in advance is not called fear, my son. It's called caution."

The people murmured among themselves, pointing fingers not at Purochan, but at him for the incident that had occurred. Even if Drupad could be stopped, stopping Krishna would prove to be the hardest task. "I cannot consider something I agree with as wrong," he mused. "But before their power grows even more, they need to be stopped soon."

The Mahabharata, an eternal epic penned by the great sage Vedavyasa, had been translated into Bengali by many learned scholars such as Haridas Siddhanta Bagish, Kaliprasanna Singha, and Rajshekhar Basu. From these popular translations and traditional interpretations, a simple version of the Mahabharata had been crafted, just for entertainment.

In the Swayamvara ceremony, Arjuna emerged victorious and won Draupadi, returning after defeating other kings. Yet, to honor Kunti's words, the five Pandavas decided to marry Draupadi together. Krishna and Balarama, with their discerning eyes, recognized the Pandavas in disguise. Meanwhile, Dhrishtadyumna secretly watched as Draupadi entered someone's house.

He approached the doorkeeper with urgency. "Then, doorkeeper, I want to meet the king. Go now and get the king's permission. Go."

The doorkeeper nodded. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

Inside, King Drupada awaited news with bated breath. "Come, come, Dhrishtadyumna, come inside," he urged, his voice filled with both hope and fear. "Where is my Krishna, my Krishna? She hasn't been disrespected, has she? Well, has she become the bride of a noble family? Krishna is my very dear daughter. Tell me, son, tell me everything so I can be at ease."

Dhrishtadyumna reassured him, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Krishna is happy. She is among five brave warriors, like flames, and she shines like the sun. She serves them with a content heart. But, Your Majesty, from their behavior, none of them seemed like ordinary Brahmins. I've heard that the five Pandavas survived the fire at the house of lac. Now they roam different cities in disguise. Your Majesty, perhaps your wish has been fulfilled. It seems no one but Arjuna could achieve such a difficult target."

King Drupada's eyes widened with realization. "You say, my Krishna, my Krishna has become the Pandava queen. Tomorrow morning, the royal priest will visit the potter's house. He will inquire about the identity of the great hero who hit the target. Pandu's son, Pandu was my dear friend. If my Krishna becomes the pride of his family, there will be no one happier than me in this world."

At the request of King Drupada of Panchala, the royal priest journeyed to the potter's house. Recognizing him, Yudhishthira instructed Bhima to welcome the priest with great respect. After honoring him properly, the priest declared, "King Drupada wishes for his daughter Panchali to become the daughter-in-law of his dear friend Pandu. He hopes Arjuna will marry her according to the rules of dharma."

Reassuring the priest, Yudhishthira replied, "Great King Drupada truly follows the path of righteousness. That's why he set such a difficult condition for his daughter's swayamvara, which no unknown person could fulfill. You will soon see that the king's wish has come true. Please convey my message to the king."

Just then, a voice called from outside. "Dear elder brother, a royal messenger is waiting at the door to meet you."

Yudhishthira nodded. "Alright, bring him in."

The messenger entered, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, I am the envoy of King Drupada. The king wishes to formally marry off his daughter and host a feast for the groom's side. A grand meal is prepared at the palace. He has sent a golden chariot decorated with lotus designs to bring you all with honor. King Drupada invites you and the bride to the royal court immediately."

Yudhishthira accepted graciously. "Very well, I accept the king's invitation. Our royal priest will go first, followed by our mother and Panchali. Then, we five brothers will go together. Please make the arrangements."

The messenger bowed again. "As you wish, I will arrange everything," he replied, hurrying off to prepare for their grand arrival.

Chapter 2: The King's Dilemma

The royal priest returned to King Drupada with news that set the palace abuzz with activity. The king, eager to honor the groom's side, instructed his servants to prepare a grand welcome. Soon, Kunti, Panchali, and the disguised Pandavas arrived at the palace gates, where they were met with warm smiles and respectful bows.

Kunti led Panchali and the youngest Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva, inside the palace. Meanwhile, King Drupada personally greeted Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. "Welcome, noble warriors," he said, beaming with pride. He offered them fine clothes, an array of delicious foods, drinks, and comfortable seats.

As a gesture of goodwill, King Drupada presented the brothers with numerous gifts: baskets of agricultural produce, items for sports and entertainment, sacred fruits, flowers, garlands, leather goods, cows, ropes, high-quality armor, chariots, jeweled golden decorations, and a variety of weapons. But it was the weapons that caught the brothers' attention, and they gravitated towards them with barely contained excitement. Observing this, the king and his ministers exchanged pleased glances, for it was clear they were in the presence of true warriors.

However, King Drupada had a pressing concern. He needed to know more about the family of the Pandavas before giving his daughter, Panchali, in marriage. Yudhishthira, sensing the king's unease, spoke calmly. "Do not worry, King. Your wish has been fulfilled. We are the sons of the great Pandu. I am Yudhishthira. This strong and mighty warrior is Bhima. The one who won Panchali at the swayamvara is the third Pandava, Arjuna. Nakula and Sahadeva are with our mother, Kunti. Your fortunate daughter is joining another noble family. She has not been dishonored, King. I am so overwhelmed with joy that I can hardly speak."

King Drupada listened intently, his mind racing with thoughts of tradition and duty. Yudhishthira continued, "Today, I feel at peace. This is a very special day. I wish to arrange the formal marriage of Arjuna and Krishnaa today. Please give your permission. We must conduct this marriage. You may choose to marry your daughter to me or to any of my brothers. However, your daughter must marry all five of us brothers. Our mother has instructed us this way. Whenever we receive a special gift, all five of us share it. This is our tradition, and it will be the same for marriage."

The king's eyes widened in surprise. "How can such a thing be?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Is it rightful for one woman to have many husbands? I have never heard of such a thing. You are wise in matters of law and religion. How can you suggest something that seems so wrong? It is not right to go against traditions and holy texts."

Yudhishthira nodded respectfully. "I never act against what is right, King. I do not even think of such things. Our mother’s command is like an eternal law to me. This law is very delicate. We are simple people. How can we understand its ways? So, we must follow the ways of the ancients. That is what I do. What I am telling you now is all about what is right. Do not be troubled. Happily arrange for your daughter’s marriage."

King Drupada sighed deeply, caught in a web of tradition and new possibilities. "Please forgive me for counting," he said. "Right now, I can't make any decisions. You are Devi Kunti, and whatever you, Drishtadyumna, and everyone else think is right, I will accept."

Turning to his son, Drishtadyumna, he commanded, "Go, my son, and respectfully bring Devi Kunti from the queen's palace to this meeting. Long live the King of Panchala! Today is a day of joy. I am quite surprised to see such a serious atmosphere in this gathering."

Just then, Sage Vyasa entered the room, his presence commanding respect. King Drupada greeted him warmly. "Sage Vyasa, greetings to you. We warmly welcome you. There is a big problem here regarding Panchali's marriage, and we are looking to you for a solution."

The sage nodded wisely. "I know everything, King Drupada. First, I want to hear what everyone has to say about this complicated matter."

The king spoke earnestly. "Sage, in my opinion, anything that goes against tradition and the Vedas is wrong. No ancient or modern religious person would support the idea of one wife having many husbands. So, I can't decide anything on this matter, Sage."

Drishtadyumna also expressed his concern. "I can't find a solution for how an honorable elder brother can share a wife with his younger brothers, my lord. The ways of religion are indeed subtle, but none of us can fully support the idea of Krishnaa being the queen of five husbands."

The room fell silent, waiting for Sage Vyasa's wisdom to bring light to their dilemma.

Chapter 3: The Wisdom of Sage Vyasa

The room was still as Sage Vyasa turned his gentle gaze towards Yudhishthira. "Yudhishthira, my child, now it's your turn to speak," he invited.

Yudhishthira, known for his unwavering honesty, spoke with a calm conviction. "Great Sage, I never lie. No wrongdoing ever enters my mind. Therefore, I can't consider something I agree with as wrong. You know about the virtuous Jatila from the Gautama lineage. Sage, she married seven sages. There are many such examples in the ancient texts. Scholars say that the instructions from the spiritual world are the highest law for humans. Among the spiritual guides, the mother is the supreme teacher. Since she has commanded, following her command is my only duty."

Sage Vyasa then turned his attention to Kunti. "Sage Bhadri Kunti, do you agree with Yudhishthira?"

Kunti nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "What Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, said is what I have said, Sage. But I didn't know anything at that time. However, my words have never been false until today. Will these words, spoken unknowingly, turn out to be false, Sage? No, no, I am terribly afraid of falsehood. Please, please show me a way out of this fear, Sage."

Sage Vyasa offered a reassuring smile. "Do not be afraid, dear one. You will find the relief you seek. Even though this practice is not common in society, you have not said anything wrong. Your duty remains intact, Kunti."

Drupada, the King of Panchala, leaned forward, his voice filled with urgency. "Sage, please solve this crisis. Whom should I marry Krishnaa to?"

"What Yudhishthira has said is the eternal law," Vyasa replied. "Although not everyone can follow this law, except for those with special rights. I want to tell you a deep truth, King, but not in front of everyone; you will listen to me alone."

"As you wish, Sage," Drupada agreed. "Please come to my resting place."

As the others left, the room fell silent, and the two men moved to a quieter part of the palace. Drupada ensured they would not be disturbed. "Come, Rajan, while we are in this building, make sure no one else comes here before us."

"Maharshi, no one else will come," Drupada assured. "You can be at ease."

Sage Vyasa began his tale with a deep, resonant voice. "Listen, let me tell you an ancient story. Long ago, there was a great priest named Yama who conducted a huge ritual for the gods. Because Yama was busy with the ritual, no living being was dying. Worried that this might cause chaos in creation, Indra, the king of the gods, went to the place of the ritual with some companions to speak with Brahma."

The story unfolded like a tapestry of old, and Drupada listened intently. "On their way, they saw an amazing sight by the river. Indra saw a girl crying in the water, and each of her tears turned into golden flowers. When Indra asked her who she was, the beautiful girl took him to the peaks of the Himalayas. There, on the mountain top, two dazzling young people were playing a game and didn’t even look at Indra."

Indra's pride was like a storm, rising as he shouted, "How dare you! I am Indra, the king of the gods, and you ignore me?"

But the young people were undeterred. "Oh Indra, why are you so proud? Stand there until our game is over. Young one, you will learn to respect Indra. You will see through my eyes. Girl, bring him to me by the hand, and I will crush his pride."

Indra's voice faltered as he recalled his humiliation. "What is this! As soon as the girl took my hand, I became so weak..."

The memory of his fall from grace surged through him. "What happened? What is this? What happened to me? What happened to King Indra? You didn’t recognize me? Look at my true form."

The scene revealed itself in Sage Vyasa's words, and Drupada felt the weight of Indra’s lesson. "Great Lord Shiva, forgive me, Lord, forgive me. I have wronged you, Lord, forgive me. Please forgive me."

Shiva's voice was as unyielding as the mountains. "You must face the punishment for your arrogance. Come, come into this cave. See with your own eyes who is here."

Drupada shivered as Vyasa described the vision. "What is this? Here, there are four more Indras like me sitting here. They were just as proud as you. They are suffering for their pride. You will stay here too. You all must die and be reborn."

"Forgive me, Lord, forgive me," Indra pleaded. "I will not do wrong again. I accept your command. But, instead of dying myself, I will create a man from my own strength and send him to die. I beg you, please allow this one exception, Lord, please allow it."

The story hung in the air, a lesson of humility and the eternal cycle of life, leaving Drupada in silent contemplation.

Chapter 4: The Divine Revelation and the Grand Wedding

In the sacred realm where the fates of gods and men intertwined, the destiny of the Pandavas unfolded. Lord Shiva's voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the air, "The four Indras and the fifth one created from your essence will be born as humans on Earth. They shall be known as the mighty, virtuous, and righteous Pandavas. You will gain human form through Dharma, Vayu, Indra, and the two Ashwini Kumaras."

Shiva paused, allowing his words to sink into the hearts of those present. "The beautiful girl you see, who resembles the goddess Lakshmi, will be the wife of all of you. In her past life, she prayed to me five times for a husband with all virtues. By my grace, she is blessed. These five Indras have been reborn as the Pandavas. The girl, who looks like Lakshmi, is Krishna, born from the fire, and she is destined to be the wife of these five husbands."

King Drupada, standing in awe, felt his heart swell with a mixture of reverence and joy. "I am giving you divine vision, King," Shiva continued, "You can see where your daughter and the Pandavas have come from with your divine eyes."

Drupada's eyes widened as the divine light filled his vision. "I am overwhelmed, great sage," he exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. "I have seen the divine brilliance of Indra and the goddess-like Lakshmi with my own eyes. Your kindness is unmatched, great sage. My life, my life has become blessed. My family is blessed."

A sense of clarity and purpose washed over King Drupada. "There is no more doubt, King," Shiva assured him. "Now, with a joyful heart, start preparing for Draupadi's wedding."

With newfound confidence, Drupada declared, "With your blessing, I am now free of doubt. I will begin the preparations for the auspicious ceremony right away."

Excitement buzzed through the kingdom as King Drupada happily agreed to Shiva's wishes. The grand preparations for Draupadi's wedding began in earnest. Relatives from far and wide were invited, and a grand festival enveloped the entire city. Sage Dhaumya took his honored place as the priest in the wedding pavilion. The air was filled with the scent of fragrant flowers and the sound of joyful music.

After completing the sacred bathing and auspicious rituals, the five Pandavas, resplendent in their attire and adorned with sandalwood, arrived at the wedding ceremony. With solemnity and grace, they participated in the chanting of mantras and offerings to the fire. Krishna, radiant and serene, was first married to Yudhishthira. Then, one by one, she married the other brothers, fulfilling the divine prophecy.

As the narrator of these events, I, Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, played a special role in this extraordinary wedding. After each marriage, I had to restore Draupadi's maidenhood and arrange her remarriage, a task both sacred and miraculous.

The celebrations continued with King Drupada bestowing numerous gifts upon the invited guests. As dowry for the Pandavas, he gave them ornaments, luxurious clothes, countless servants, golden decorations, elephants as grand as mountains, and one hundred splendid chariots from the Panchal kingdom.

In the royal palace of Panchal, there was great excitement as everyone gathered to meet Kunti, the revered mother of the Pandavas. The queen and her companions praised her greatness and respectfully touched her feet. Draupadi, newly married and eager to serve, quickly honored Kunti by touching her feet. Kunti, with a gentle smile, blessed her, saying, "May you be the jewel of your husbands, dear daughter. Be cherished by your five husbands and bring forth brave sons. May your love and devotion for them remain strong. You are full of virtues; may you live happily for a hundred years, like a treasure of the world. Be kind to guests, sages, and Brahmins, my daughter. May you never tire of serving the gods and guests."

With the Pandavas as his allies, King Drupada felt secure, his fears of enemies vanquished. The news of the Pandavas' marriage spread swiftly, reaching the ears of Krishna and Balaram, who sent many valuable gifts from afar. Yudhishthira warmly accepted these gifts, grateful for their support.

Upon Drupada's request, the Pandavas, along with their mother and wives, spent joyous days in the kingdom of Panchal. The story of how the Pandavas won Draupadi reached all the kings who had attended the swayamvara ceremony. Relief washed over them, knowing that Purochana's sinister plot had failed. Yet, whispers of criticism began to circle around Dhritarashtra and even the wise Bhishma, as people questioned how such a wicked scheme could have been conceived with Bhishma's presence. The air was thick with speculation and condemnation, but amidst it all, the Pandavas and their allies stood firm, united by bonds stronger than any conspiracy.

Chapter 5: News in Hastinapur

In the opulent halls of Hastinapur, the news of the Pandavas' triumph at the swayamvara reached Vidura. His heart swelled with joy as he hurried to the royal court to share the momentous tidings with King Dhritarashtra.

"Long live the King!" Vidura exclaimed, bowing respectfully before Dhritarashtra, who sat upon his throne with an air of curiosity.

The king acknowledged him with a nod, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "Does Chief Minister Vidura have any special news today?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I do have news," Vidura replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "By great fortune, the glory of our lineage has increased."

Dhritarashtra leaned forward, intrigued. "What do you mean, Vidura? What good fortune is this? Has Duryodhana won Draupadi?"

Vidura shook his head with a smile. "No, Your Majesty. It is the great hero Arjuna, of the Puru dynasty, who has won the contest at the swayamvara. Draupadi is now wed to the five Pandavas. By God's blessings and the elders' good wishes, they have escaped the danger at Varanavata and are living happily in the kingdom of Panchal."

Dhritarashtra's face lit up with delight. "Go, Vidura, make arrangements to welcome Draupadi with great honor. Create jewelry for her that no one in the three worlds has ever seen. Prepare to welcome King Drupad properly. Ah, my joy knows no bounds, Vidura."

Vidura nodded, pleased with the king's response. "You have brought truly joyful news, Your Majesty."

As Vidura left to carry out the king's orders, Dhritarashtra reflected on the news. "I am very happy to hear that the Pandavas are doing well. Yudhishthira and the five Pandavas are like brothers to me. Just as they were dear to me, I was dear to them too. I felt great joy knowing they have gained a strong ally. I hope this good news about the Pandavas will inspire my misguided sons to think wisely."

Meanwhile, the news reached Duryodhana, who sat with Dushasana, Shakuni, and Karna. To them, the news felt like a sharp arrow to the heart. Duryodhana's face turned dark with frustration.

Dushasana spoke first, unable to contain his anger. "How did the Pandavas survive despite Purochana's efforts? Whose bodies were found in the burnt house with the five sons and a woman? And what about Purochana? Why did he burn to death when he was supposed to set the fire and escape?"

Duryodhana clenched his fists, his mind racing. "There's no point in thinking about these things now. Instead, think about how the Pandavas escaped. Who informed them? And who helped them find a way out?"

Shakuni, ever the schemer, nodded thoughtfully. "Purochana was supposed to guard the main entrance of the house, so how did they get out? That's the biggest mystery. Son, even the elephant spies couldn't find another way out from inside the house."

Karna, who had remained silent, finally spoke, his voice low and troubled. "Are you suggesting that someone is helping the Pandavas from outside? Is someone leaking our plans to them?"

"I'm not saying that," Duryodhana replied, frustration lacing his words, "but how else would they know such secret things? It seems like divine help is with the Pandavas."

Dushasana slammed his fist on the table. "Uncle, we've tried so hard to defeat the Pandavas using our strength, but we haven't been able to harm them at all. At the swayamvara in Panchala, Arjuna, disguised as a Brahmin, defeated all of us in battle. And despite being so many strong warriors, we couldn't do anything."

Shakuni placed a calming hand on Dushasana's shoulder. "Divine help is a thousand times stronger than human effort. Uncle, I curse our efforts."

Karna frowned, his pride wounded. "Stop, Dushasana, stop. Don't say such things. Draupadi insulted me by calling me the son of a charioteer, so I had to put down my bow and leave halfway. What effort are you criticizing? But could Angaraj defeat Arjuna, who was disguised as a Brahmin, in a direct fight?"

Duryodhana raised a hand to silence them. "Be quiet, all of you. You'll have plenty of time to argue among yourselves. Our enemies, the Pandavas, are no longer alone. They have gained a powerful ally like Drupada. On top of that, they have the support of the Yadu clan from Dwarka. Have you thought about how strong the Pandavas have become now?"

The room fell silent, each man lost in his own thoughts, realizing the formidable challenge that lay ahead.

Chapter 6: A Plan Takes Shape

The room was tense with the weight of Duryodhana's words. He spoke with a determination that made everyone listen. "You talk about Dwarka, Uncle," he began, his voice steady. "Balarama, who wears the yellow robe, is very kind to me. But remember, Balarama doesn't command the armies or the friends of the stars. That strategy lies only in Krishna's hands. And Krishna, as you know, is the greatest ally of the Pandavas. On one side is Krishna, and on the other is King Drupada of Panchala. With these two strong allies, harming the Pandavas is nearly impossible. Perhaps you are forgetting, Uncle, that my name is Duryodhana."

His uncle, wise in the ways of the world, responded with a calm demeanor. "The protector god Gandharva fears no one. Compared to him, the Pandavas are very small. Fear is for the weak, not for Duryodhana. But knowing the enemy's strength in advance is not called fear, son. It's called caution. I'm saying this for your own good. Don’t view the entire world through the mirror of pride, Duryodhana. You need to sharpen your mind before you sharpen your weapons, understand?"

Karna, Duryodhana's loyal friend, nodded in agreement. "Uncle is right, my friend. If we don't know the enemy's strength beforehand, it's very hard to defeat them. None of us are afraid, but we do need to be careful."

Duryodhana couldn't shake the restlessness that had settled over him ever since he heard about the Pandavas winning Draupadi. The tired, defeated look on Dushasana's face haunted him, and the praise for the Pandavas from King Dhritarashtra only added to his frustration. Fearing that the king might consider the Pandavas as allies on Vidura's advice, Duryodhana decided to confront his father. He took Karna with him and headed to the king's chamber.

As they entered, King Dhritarashtra was alone, and their sudden entry surprised him. "Who has entered my chamber without permission during my rest? Who dares to do this?" he asked, his voice echoing in the quiet room.

"Greetings, father," Duryodhana said, stepping forward.

"Is that you, Duryodhana? Come in, son, come in. What brings you here so suddenly?"

Duryodhana gestured for Karna to follow. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Radhe and Karna, come in, King of Anga. You both arrived at such an odd time. Is there a serious problem?" Dhritarashtra inquired, sensing the urgency in their demeanor.

"The problem hasn't become serious yet, Your Majesty, but if you support it, it could definitely become a heavy burden," Duryodhana replied, his eyes fixed on his father.

"King, what impossible thing are you saying, son? What problem have I supported?" Dhritarashtra asked, puzzled by his son's words.

"By allowing the Pandavas to grow stronger, you are benefiting, Your Majesty. The Pandavas are our enemies. You are supporting the enemy's progress. Thinking about the Pandavas, you are neglecting your royal duties. What kind of judgment is this, King?"

Dhritarashtra sighed, trying to remain patient. "Son Duryodhana, the king you have come to is also your father. There is no question of supporting any enemy over the welfare of my son. Why are you making such accusations?"

"Your Majesty, you praised the Pandavas to Minister Vidura. Isn't that reason enough for this accusation?" Duryodhana challenged, his voice rising.

The king chuckled softly, a knowing smile on his lips. "Not yet, my son. You still have a bit to learn about strategy. Vidura is an ally of the Pandavas. If you praise the Pandavas in front of him, he might become suspicious, and I don't want that. But Vidura isn't here right now. Feel free to tell me what you think about the Pandavas, my son."

Duryodhana leaned closer, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "The Pandavas escaped the fire at the house of lac in Varanavata by sheer luck. But before they grow stronger, we need to act quickly and eliminate them. That's why I've come to you, Father. I have a few plans."

"Tell me, son, what are your ideas?" Dhritarashtra asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Father, we can't let the Pandavas live in peace. We could use clever Brahmins to create a rift between Kunti and Madri's sons. Or we could arrange for Bhima to be killed. Bhima is the real strength of the Pandavas. Because of Bhima, Arjuna thinks he can look down on all of us. Or we could give many gifts to King Drupada to make sure Draupadi doesn't let the Pandavas return to Hastinapura. We could also try to make Draupadi angry with her husbands or create misunderstandings among the Pandavas because of Draupadi. Out of all these plans, whichever you think is best, we will follow. Friend Karna, do you have any objections?"

Karna shook his head, his loyalty to Duryodhana unwavering. "No objections, my friend. I stand by you."

Chapter 7: The Council of Elders

Karna stood firm, his eyes reflecting unwavering loyalty as he addressed Duryodhana. "No objections, my friend. I stand by you," he declared, his voice steady and resolute.

But another voice interrupted, one filled with skepticism and wisdom beyond the years. "No, my friend, I can't agree with your thinking," a voice chimed in, cautioning against the path Duryodhana wished to tread. "You've tried this many times before. Even when the Pandavas were just children, you tried the same thing. But each time, they were saved by some divine intervention."

The speaker paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "Creating a rift among the Pandavas is unimaginable. King Drupada is not swayed by wealth or gifts, so he can't be controlled. Besides, the poor Brahmin Arjuna was given the grand garland by Krishna. Now that they know who they really are, how can they hold any grudge against them, my friend?"

Duryodhana listened, a frown creasing his brow. "This won't work," the voice continued. "The best path is a warrior's fight. Before King Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna can join the Pandavas with their Panchala army, we should declare war against them. Remember, my friend, even if we stop Drupada, stopping Krishna will be the hardest."

"You’re worrying for no reason," Duryodhana argued, trying to dismiss the concerns. "Krishna is in Dwaraka now. Why would he come to the kingdom of Panchala?"

"You don't know Krishna well, my friend," came the reply, firm and certain. "If he suspects anything about Hastinapura, he will immediately come to the Pandavas' side with the Yadava army. He won't hesitate to give up comfort, wealth, or kingdom to help the Pandavas. Once Krishna stands with them, the Pandavas will become unbeatable in strategy."

The words hung in the air, heavy with truth and foreboding. Duryodhana turned to the speaker, acknowledging his insight. "Your arguments sound very wise, King of Anga. Your foresight is commendable. Now tell me, what do you wish to do, Your Majesty?"

The King of Anga, undeterred, spoke with determination. "Before the Pandavas become even stronger, you should launch a surprise attack. Allow us to start a battle with them, Your Majesty. If the vast army of Hastinapur attacks them suddenly, the Pandavas won't have time to protect themselves. We can defeat them in a direct battle. We shouldn't delay any longer, Your Majesty."

But Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapur, shook his head, his voice filled with hesitation. "No, no, I cannot make the decision to go to war alone, dear Angaraj. It is my duty to discuss this matter with our elders like Bhishma, Guru Dronacharya, and Vidura. I will soon call a council meeting. You should be there too."

True to his word, King Dhritarashtra called a special council meeting. The wise Bhishma and Dronacharya sat at the center of this gathering, their presence commanding respect. Vidura, ever the sage advisor, took his place at the advisor's seat. Karna and Duryodhana were also present, eager to put their plans into action.

As the meeting progressed, the topic of a surprise attack on the Pandavas was brought up. Dhritarashtra turned to Bhishma, seeking his advice. "What do you think, Bhishma?" he asked, his voice carrying the weight of the decision.

Bhishma, understanding the implications, spoke with conviction. "I have no desire to fight the sons of Pandu. To me, both the Kauravas and the Pandavas are of the same family. Just as Duryodhana considers this kingdom his inheritance, so do the Pandavas. Half of this kingdom belongs to Duryodhana, and the other half to Yudhishthira. Give the Pandavas their rightful share. This is the duty of the Kuru dynasty."

He paused, his gaze piercing through the room. "I felt great relief when I heard that Kunti and the Pandavas survived by divine grace. After the incident at the house of lac, I was too ashamed to show my face in public. Remember, Duryodhana, the people blame you, not Purochana, for that incident. They criticize King Dhritarashtra. So, it would not be wise to increase the people's dissatisfaction."

Turning to Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra sought another opinion. "Does Acharya Drona feel the same way?" he asked.

Dronacharya nodded, agreeing with Bhishma's wisdom. "I agree completely with what the great Bhishma has said. Your Majesty, send someone to the kingdom of Panchala immediately to bring back the Pandavas. It is your duty to send a messenger with the message of how happy you and Duryodhana are about this marriage. Then, send Dushasana and Vikarna to bring Kunti, Draupadi, and the Pandavas back to Hastinapur. Your Majesty, when the Pandavas return, give them their rightful half of the kingdom. Besides, although I had enmity with Drupada in the past, gaining the support of the Panchala kingdom and the Yadavas will make Hastinapur invincible. That is my opinion."

The council room fell silent, each word echoing through the halls of power, setting the stage for decisions that would shape the destiny of kingdoms.

Chapter 8: The King's Decision

The council chamber was thick with tension as each advisor's words hung heavily in the air. King Dhritarashtra, seated on his grand throne, listened intently, the weight of his kingdom pressing down upon him.

"Did you hear everything yourself, Your Majesty?" Vidura spoke with a steady voice, his eyes meeting the king's blind gaze with earnest intent. "Please don't take offense. Great Bhishma and Teacher Drona have received wealth and honor from you. Yet, they remain silent when it's most needed. Isn't that surprising? You must decide who is honest and who is not, Your Majesty. None of them seem to want to keep your throne free from trouble."

Karna, standing defiantly, shook his head. "Why are you disagreeing with the wise words of these sage-like people?" he challenged, his voice rising. "If you don't heed Bhishma's advice, the Kuru dynasty will soon be destroyed. That disaster will rest on King Dhritarashtra's shoulders. Is that what you want?"

He took a breath, his eyes scanning the room, seeking support. "Such childish behavior does not belong here. Karna, do not overstep your bounds. What your well-wishers say will be good for you and Hastinapur. The Pandavas cannot be defeated by force. With Krishna advising them and strong allies like Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna, King Drupada, and others, you cannot harm them alone. Please think carefully, Your Majesty."

Another advisor stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Do not listen to the wicked plans of Shakuni, Karna, and Duryodhana," he implored. "Ignoring the words of the great Bhishma and Teacher Drona will bring misfortune to Hastinapur. They are unrighteous and lack wisdom. Reject them completely, O King."

King Dhritarashtra, though blind, seemed to see the truth laid before him. He nodded slowly, his mind made up. "Standing in my kingdom before my father, you and Teacher Acharya have spoken the truth. They are well-wishers of Hastinapur," he declared, his voice resonant with authority. "What you say is also true, Vidura. By great fortune, Purochana's evil plan did not succeed, and he met his end. With the blessings of our ancestors, the Pandavas have won Draupadi. Truly, these two pieces of news are very beneficial to me."

He turned towards Vidura, his decision resolute. "The sons of Pandu are like my own brothers. Vidura, follow the king's command. Take plenty of wealth and gifts and go to the land of Panchala as soon as possible. Bring back Draupadi, the fortune of the Kuru dynasty, along with Kunti and the five Pandavas, with honor to Hastinapur."

Duryodhana's voice cut through the air, questioning, "What order have you given, Your Majesty?"

Dhritarashtra's voice remained steady. "What I am saying is correct, my son. This will be good for Hastinapur. I do not wish to have enmity with the Panchalas and the Yadavas. Try to understand the importance of the situation, Duryodhana. Use your royal wisdom. Do not let anyone oppose my decision. Today's meeting is over. Long live the king."

With the king's orders issued, Vidura prepared to journey to the land of Panchala, bearing the invitation from Hastinapur. Meanwhile, in the halls of Hastinapur, an uneasy feeling settled over Queen Gandhari. She felt an unknown fear creeping into her heart. Summoning her brother Shakuni, she hoped to unravel the source of her unease.

What happened next with Gandhari would soon unfold, setting the stage for the next chapter in the saga of Hastinapur.