Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm

King Pandu, due to his own mistakes, found himself unable to have children, even though he had two queens. However, the gods blessed him, and the five Pandavas were born to his family as a divine gift. Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra's hundred sons, especially Duryodhana, came into the world surrounded by ominous signs. After Pandu's untimely death, his widow, Kunti, returned to Hastinapur with her five sons. Vidura and Bhishma welcomed them warmly and escorted them to the palace. With Dhritarashtra ascending the throne of Hastinapur, a sense of unease began to settle over the kingdom as the Kauravas and Pandavas grew up side by side.

One sunny afternoon, a group of young princes gathered near a large pond. A voice rang out, brimming with excitement, "Listen, everyone! Today, we will play a new game. See this pond? Whoever can dive in and cross it in one breath will be the winner. Is everyone ready? Can anyone really cross such a big pond in one breath?"

The voice continued, teasingly, "Look, Bhima, your own brother is scared. What kind of game is this for Prince Duryodhana? It's nothing, right, elder brother Arjuna? Arjuna wasn't scared at all. Your elder brother is brave enough to dive into deep waters, isn't he? What an insult! I, Duryodhana, can't do it, but Arjuna can?"

With a determined look, Duryodhana declared, "Watch my strength!" He leaped into the pond with a splash. Arjuna, standing by the water's edge, looked concerned. "Oh no!" he said. "He jumped into the pond. Arjuna, don't let anything happen. Please, elder brother Arjuna, bring Bhima back right away. I'm very worried. Go now, brother."

Bhima emerged from the water, grinning widely. "Look, elder brother," he announced triumphantly, "I won. Duryodhana couldn't do it, Duryodhana lost. Where is Prince Duryodhana? Where are you, Prince? Your brother is now peacefully drinking the cool water of the pond."

Dushasana, Duryodhana's brother, tried to intervene. "Dushasana, don't stop him," Bhima said with a mischievous smile.

"What did you do, Bhima?" Arjuna asked, his voice stern.

Bhima shrugged, trying to look innocent. "I didn't do anything, elder brother. I just gave him a little push with my hand, and that was enough to end all his bravery."

Arjuna frowned. "Be quiet, all of you! Laughing after doing something wrong? You shouldn't have done that, Bhima. What if something happened to Duryodhana? Go, go help Duryodhana get out of the water right now. Go, Bhima, that's my order."

Bhima nodded, his playful demeanor replaced with seriousness. "As you say, elder brother," he replied, heading back towards the pond.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the palace, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa watched the unfolding events with a thoughtful gaze. Though he had renounced worldly desires, his connection to Hastinapur through his mother, Satyavati, and her lineage kept him tethered to its fate. "I had already sensed the dark clouds gathering over Hastinapur," he mused. "Even if I am not there in person, Hastinapur never disappears from my sight. Its past, present, and future shine brightly before me like stars. However, I am not a creator, just an observer. Therefore, I have no desire to change anything. I simply watch what unfolds."

In the garden next to his room, Duryodhana sat alone, his face as dark as a night with no moon. Lost in deep thought, he didn't notice anything around him, not even when his uncle, Shakuni, approached.

"Dear nephew," Shakuni said softly, placing a hand on Duryodhana's shoulder. "Who else but your uncle Shakuni can be by your side in tough times? I know everything about you. But I want to hear from you why you are so sad. Tell me what's going on in your mind. Maybe I can help you find a way."

Duryodhana looked up, his eyes filled with doubt. "Will you really guide me, uncle? Aren't all the elders the same? You won't understand me either."

Shakuni nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I know what happened, Duryodhana. Can't you trust me?"

"How can I?" Duryodhana replied, frustration in his voice. "I went to grandfather for help. When he turned me away, what new thing will you say, uncle? Maybe you'll just repeat the same old advice."

"Did grandfather Bhishma turn you away, dear?"

Duryodhana nodded, a hint of bitterness in his words. "Not only did he turn me away, but he also made it seem like I was the only one at fault."

"I know you went to Bhishma, dear. And I have a pretty clear idea of what he might have said."

"You know everything, uncle?" Duryodhana asked, his voice tinged with hope.

The conversation continued, the weight of Hastinapur's future hanging over them like a storm ready to break.

Chapter 2: Whispered Schemes

In the dimly lit chamber, Duryodhana sat across from his uncle Shakuni. The air was thick with tension, and the flickering torches cast long shadows on the stone walls.

Shakuni leaned forward, his voice a soft murmur, "Even if I don't know everything, I can guess. I also know that your grandfather won't see any fault in Bhima or the other Pandavas. To him, you are always the wrongdoer. He won't admit that any injustice could happen to you."

Duryodhana's eyes darkened with frustration. "That's right, uncle. But how am I at fault? Bhima tried to drown me in the pond. Arjun was with him. If Yudhishthira hadn't come, something terrible could have happened to me this morning, uncle. Is that my fault?"

Shakuni nodded, his expression understanding yet cunning. "Yet, your grandfather says, 'Duryodhan, what are you doing, my son? You will be the prince of Hastinapur. Tears don't suit you. You must be as strong as iron, dear. Who are you upset with? Your grandfather? Haven't you realized he isn't truly your well-wisher? If he cared for you, he would have punished Bhima. But he didn't. Instead, he blamed you. Is that fair?'"

"No, this isn't fair," Duryodhana replied, his voice filled with a mix of anger and helplessness. "Yet everyone respects your grandfather as the lord of justice. They're mistaken. Because of the schemes of Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and Vidura, your father, my dear relative Dhritarashtra, could not become king. You might not know this. Is it anyone's fault to be born blind? Yet, for this very reason, your innocent father was denied his right. They took away his claim to the throne and made his younger brother, Pandu, the king. The entire kingdom didn't protest. And today, how can we expect him to be fair to Dhritarashtra's son?"

Shakuni placed a reassuring hand on Duryodhana’s shoulder. "Duryodhana, listen, my child, now... you're growing up. Let me teach you something. In this palace, those you respect because they are older, those you think are your true guardians, none of them actually want you. They have no sympathy for Dhritarashtra and his family. Son, they are all obsessed with the Pandavas. Except for your uncle Shakuni, you have no other ally in Hastinapur, Duryodhana. Remember my words."

Duryodhana listened intently, the words sinking deep into his heart. "But today, Yudhishthira has scolded Bhima enough. Dushasana said," Shakuni continued, chuckling, "that he thought you had grown wise, but you still seem like a child. And since Dushasana is your brother, there's no reason to trust him. Stop thinking of Yudhishthira as great, my child. The whole kingdom praises him as the son of Dharma, but it's all a facade. Yudhishthira is the leader of the Pandavas. Can any of the Pandavas do anything without his permission?"

"What happened by the lake today was nothing but a farce. Yudhishthira made himself look great in your eyes. You saw how you trusted him. That means it's all part of their plot. They want to remove you by any means, taking advantage of your trust. Yudhishthira returned to Hastinapur to become king. And Bhishma wants the same. Just as he denied your father, he wants to deny you too."

Determination flared in Duryodhana's eyes. "I will not be Duryodhana if I don't send Yudhishthira and those four followers away from Hastinapur."

Shakuni raised a calming hand. "Slowly, son, slowly. Too much excitement isn't good. You need a strategy before any action, or you won't succeed. Achieve your goals one by one. Removing Bhima should be your first goal. His size matches his strength. He alone is the shield for the other four Pandavas. If you remove him, the others will become weak. Then your task will be easier."

The young prince nodded, understanding dawning on him. "You are absolutely right, Uncle. I hadn't thought about it that way. Bhima needs to be punished. Hit him with a club—"

"Son, what's wrong with you?" Shakuni interrupted, shaking his head. "Is hitting the only thing you can think of? If you beat Bhima in front of everyone, do you think the other Pandavas will let you go? And what about Ganga's son? He's waiting to punish you. Then it will be clear how unfit you are. Didn't I just tell you that using strategy is important? Learn to think of a plan, son. Hitting is a fool's weapon."

"But, but I can't think of any other plan, Uncle," Duryodhana admitted, his voice tinged with desperation.

Shakuni smiled, a plan already forming in his mind. "Alright, you don't have to think. I'll do the thinking. You just need to follow what I say. Can you do that? Do you trust me?"

"You're the only one I trust, Uncle. In all of Hastinapur, you're the only one who truly supports me. I'll listen to everything you say. Just tell me what I need to do," Duryodhana declared, his loyalty unwavering.

The room fell silent, the weight of their whispered schemes hanging heavily in the air, as the future of Hastinapur teetered on the edge of uncertainty.

Chapter 3: The Plot at Pramanakoti

Duryodhana's eyes burned with rage as he paced back and forth in his chamber. The memory of the humiliation at the lake was fresh in his mind, and his heart cried out for revenge. But his uncle, Shakuni, ever the cunning strategist, placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Patience, my dear nephew," Shakuni whispered, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Acting in haste will only bring suspicion upon you. Let the incident fade from memory. Then, when the time is ripe, you can have your revenge."

Duryodhana frowned, reluctant to wait, but he nodded. Shakuni's advice had always been sound, and he knew better than to ignore it.

While he bided his time, Duryodhana set about constructing a grand building by the river Ganga at Pramanakoti, a place secluded from Hastinapur. It was a domain meant solely for the princes—the hundred Kauravas and the five Pandavas. When the building was finally ready, Duryodhana organized a festival like no other, ensuring it was an event to remember.

The day of the celebration arrived, and the air was filled with the aroma of delectable dishes and the sound of laughter. Duryodhana and Dushasana inspected the preparations, their eyes gleaming with a plan that only they knew.

"Why all this celebration in the Udkiran building, elder brother?" Dushasana asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Duryodhana laughed loudly, "Oh, it's all for the five Pandavas. For those scoundrels."

Dushasana raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Why are you suddenly so kind, brother? They are our relatives, after all."

Duryodhana's expression darkened. "Forgive my rudeness, but I don't see them as relatives. They are our main enemies. Have you forgotten that?"

Dushasana shook his head, his voice teasing. "Oh no, younger brother, you're too restless. It seems you have little faith in me. I haven't forgotten anything. Let's leave it at that for now."

Duryodhana leaned closer, his voice a whisper. "Listen, Dushasana, I have a task for you. It must be done in secret. No one, not even a bird, should know."

Dushasana nodded, his expression serious. "Don't worry, elder brother. No one will know. Just tell me what to do."

"You need to collect a poison called Kalakoot," Duryodhana instructed. "But be careful. It's deadly, and any mistake could be dangerous."

"Rest assured, elder brother," Dushasana replied confidently. "By tomorrow, you will have the poison."

The festival at the Udkiran building was a grand affair. The halls were alive with music and laughter, and the air was thick with the scent of delicious food. Duryodhana, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, welcomed the Pandavas to the feast. The dining hall was a sea of vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas. Bhima's stomach growled in anticipation.

As the festivities continued, Duryodhana raised his cup, his voice carrying over the chatter. "I had a lot of fun today," he declared, his tone warm and inviting. "May our bond of brotherhood become stronger. Let's promise to always support each other and share this meal together. This memory will stay with us forever."

Arjuna hesitated, but Yudhishthira's trusting smile convinced him to join in. The princes began feeding each other in a show of camaraderie. It was then that Duryodhana seized the moment, secretly slipping the deadly poison into Bhima's food. Unaware, Bhima devoured the meal, savoring each bite.

After the meal, the princes decided to swim in the river. Once they finished, they returned to rest, all except for Bhima. The poison took its toll, and he lay unconscious by the riverbank. When the others retired, Duryodhana quietly bound Bhima with strong vines and rolled him into the water.

As the princes mounted their elephants and chariots for the journey back to Hastinapur, Yudhishthira glanced around, his brow furrowed with worry. "Where is Bhima?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Don't worry, brother Yudhishthira," Duryodhana assured him, a sly smile on his lips. "The third Pandava is safe. Perhaps he had urgent matters to attend to and left quickly."

Yudhishthira was not convinced. "Bhim never does anything without telling me. How could he leave without my knowing? Something doesn't feel right."

Despite his doubts, Yudhishthira followed the others back to Hastinapur. As soon as they arrived, he rushed to their mother, Kunti, with Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva in tow.

"Greetings, Mother," Yudhishthira said, bowing respectfully.

"Bless you, my sons," Kunti replied, her eyes bright with relief. "You've returned. Was your journey comfortable?"

Yudhishthira's heart was heavy with worry as he spoke to his mother, Kunti. "No, Mother, thanks to your blessings, we had no trouble. But has brother Bhim come to you, Mother?"

Kunti shook her head, her face clouded with concern. "Bhim hasn't come here. But he was supposed to be with you all."

Yudhishthira's voice wavered, "No, Bhim... He didn't come with us. We were together until lunch and swimming. After that, we lost track of him. He didn't come with us. I asked, but everyone assured me that Bhim must have returned to Hastinapur for some reason. So, I came to you first, Mother, hoping you might know something."

Kunti's eyes widened with fear. "What are you saying, my son? Where could Bhim have gone? You didn't leave him in danger, did you? Don't waste another moment, my son. Start searching for him right away. Go to Vidur and tell him everything. Oh God, my Bhim!"

"Don't worry, Mother," Yudhishthira said, trying to sound reassuring. "We are going to Khulata Bhavan right now. Look, our elder brother is standing right in front of the building. Let's go, let's go, quickly."

They hurried to Khulata Bhavan, where Vidura stood, looking puzzled by their sudden arrival. "Greetings, Khulata Tato," Yudhishthira said urgently.

Vidura frowned. "Yudhishthira, what brings you here at this unusual time? Is everything alright?"

"We can't find Bhima anywhere, Khulata Tato," Yudhishthira explained, his voice laced with anxiety. "We went to Udkiran Bhavan at Duryodhana's invitation. After lunch, Bhima disappeared. Our mother is very worried and sent us to you."

"What! Bhima is missing?" Vidura exclaimed. "Come, let's search the city's gardens. Maybe Bhima is sitting in a fruit garden, enjoying some sweet fruits."

Vidura, along with Yudhishthira and Arjuna, searched all of Hastinapur's gardens. They even sent people to look in all the ponds and pleasure gardens. But Bhima was nowhere to be found. No one had seen him there either. So, where could Bhima be?

Vidura's worry deepened. Could Duryodhana's invitation to the Pandavas have been a trick? Did he harm Bhima? Maybe Grandfather Bhishma's suspicions were right. Surely, Shakuni gave Duryodhana some evil advice, and this is the result. But now was not the time to panic.

Vidura returned to Kunti with the two young princes. "Queen Kunti, please accept my respects," he said.

Kunti's voice trembled. "Where is Bhima? Did you find my son, Vidura?"

"No, Queen, we haven't found Bhima yet," Vidura replied gently. "I've sent people everywhere to look for him, but there's still no news."

Kunti's voice broke with despair. "What will happen, Vidura? If something happens to Bhima, I won't be able to live."

"Please, Queen, don't be so worried," Vidura said, trying to be reassuring. "You are known for your patience. Why are you so afraid? Wherever Bhima is, he is safe. Trust my words, Queen."

"Is Bhima still alive?" Kunti whispered, fear gripping her heart. "What if Duryodhana tricked my innocent son and harmed him?"

"What are you saying, Mother?" Yudhishthira interjected. "No, Queen, no. Nothing has happened to your Bhima. He will surely return. Please, never say such things again. Have you forgotten the blessings of Sage Vyasa? He said all your five sons will live long. Sage Vyasa's blessings will never be false, Queen. Bhima is alive. The whole of Hastinapur is searching for him."

But unknown to them, Bhima was in a place far from their reach. After being thrown into the river by Duryodhana, Bhima had sunk deep into the water and found himself in the land of the Nagas. There, the poison from the many venomous snakes countered the effects of the poison in his body. As soon as this happened, Bhima regained consciousness. He quickly broke free from his restraints and began defeating the snake warriors one by one. Fierce black serpents rushed at him from all directions.

The land of the Nagas was in turmoil. The Nagas captured Bhima and sent a message to their king. Bhima was to face judgment in the land of the Nagas. Bhima had an amazing experience there. Meanwhile, in Hastinapur, the royal princes began their education in knowledge and weaponry under Dronacharya.

On the other hand, a peerless archer, who had been unfairly denied his rightful place all his life, would become the center of the growing divide between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Silently, a woman's heart would cry out. Life would bring her to a great test.