Arjun - The Nara Incarnation

Chapter 7

Pandu frowned when he saw Kunti weeping as he arrived at their small hut. She was holding on to Arjuna tightly while trying to cocoon him to her warmth. Worried by the sight, he went towards them.

" What happened? Why are you crying? " He inquired.

Seeing her husband Kunti tried to hide her tears and started wiping them with the loose end of her saree.

" Nothing " her voice came out raspy, indicating her clogged throat.

" Won't you tell me Priye? " he again said while his hands reached to her slender shoulders holding her firmly.

Unable to hide more, she whispered " Arjuna "

" What happened to him? Why are you holding him like that? " Pandu couldn't help but ask.

" I remembered Padma's words. She said he would have a difficult life " She whispered.

Pandu sighed," Difficulties are a part of life Kunti. You can't expect existence to be always easy. It's not rainbows and sunshine. You have to toil hard to live. Like everyone else, our little one would also have to face it. Lord Narayan would help him. Don't worry "

Kunti nodded. Pandu looked at Arjuna who was smiling at him. A blessed smile graced Pandu's face.

" He didn't sleep? " He inquired. Well, it was almost midnight. The moon was shining in the dark fortnight while nature had taken the calm countenance. But dizziness was far away from Arjun's eyes. Even the Goddess of sleep huffed watching her mission to make him sleep failed.

" Hey, Narayan, over to you. This guy just doesn't sleep. My lullabies are not working with him. They don't fantasize him " She said tiredly. 

She glanced over Krishna, who was busy sleeping himself.

" Only you Arjuna, only you. " The Goddess of sleep whispered and then returned accepting her failure.

Kunti sighed," He doesn't sleep you know. Even Bheem got tired of playing with him and retired to bed. Yudhisthira also slept, after he came from the homas and learn about Dharma. "

" Bheem is quite protective of Arjuna. He didn't leave his side all day " She added.

" Bheem is born to be the protector of the family. Since he is small and everyone else is older than him, his protective instinct fell on Arjuna " Pandu said while caressing Arjuna's hair.

Arjuna giggled and raised his hands towards Pandu, indicating to pick him up. Kunti gave Arjuna to Pandu who cuddled with him.

" How was your day? Did you enjoy yourself with your brother Krishna? " Pandu asked in a childish tone.

Arjuna giggled in reply.

" Looks like you did " Pandu cooed.

Arjuna blinked his eyes while Pandu couldn't help but pamper the little guy with lots of kisses. He smelled and pecked his hair, then started kissing his son's face. Arjuna giggled, trying to imitate his father's actions his little lips gave Pandu a sloppy kiss on the cheeks.

Kunti's eyes brimmed with happy tears witnessing this serene scene.

" My little Krishna"  Pandu whispered.

Till a few years ago, he couldn't imagine being a father due to his curse. But God had been kind enough. He now had three mighty sons. He of course wanted more. He wasn't satisfied. He kept on wanting to feel the bliss of fatherhood again and again.

When he put forward his request to Kunti to ask for a son again, she refused. He didn't press the topic forward. He could understand her dilemma. It was not according to Dharma.

He sighed.  Well, he was not the only one who wanted a child. His  beautiful second wife, Madri also had this wish. Kunti was fortunate to have a mantra that helped her to bear a child through Niyoga. But Madri...

When Madri talked to him today regarding this topic. He couldn't help but appreciate her idea of Kunti teaching her mantra. He didn't appreciate the way she voiced her feelings though. He nevertheless agreed to her, to request on her behalf to use the mantra.

He turned towards Kunti and said," I want to talk to you tomorrow alone. It's important "

Kunti furrowed her eyebrows wondering about his words. She nodded.

" You can tell me now," She said

" Tomorrow " He answered back

" Right now I am busy. Right Arjuna? " he cooed while touching his son's nose with his.

" For how much time? I can't leave Bheem and Arjuna alone for long you know. Yudhisthira would be with sages, so I don't have to worry much about him. " Kunti inquired.

" Don't worry. Madri would be there. And also our little Bheem, till the time he is there no one can harm Arjuna " He said

Kunti smiled. 

Arjuna dozed off after playing with Pandu who placed him near Bheem. Bheem unknowingly put an arm over Arjuna resulting in Arjuna cuddling with him while Yudhisthira had his arm around Bheem.

Kunti and Pandu smiled. Kunti was left wondering what would happen tomorrow.