MAHABHARATA — THE STORY OF AN AGE Novel PDF Free Download

THE MAN WHO CARRIED A STORY

Naimisha Van — Sandhya

Naimisha van mein shaam dheere-dheere utar rahi thi.Unche pedon ke beech se thandi hawa guzar rahi thi. Sukhe patte hawa ke saath dheere-dheere hil rahe the.Door kahin ek nadi beh rahi thi. Uske paani ki halki awaaz poore van ki khamoshi mein ghul rahi thi.(Dusk was slowly settling over the forest of Naimisha.A cool breeze moved through the towering trees, gently stirring the dry leaves.Somewhere in the distance, a river flowed quietly, its gentle sound blending into the silence of the forest.)

Naimisha van mein kai ashram base hue the.Kahin rishi yagya ki agni ke paas baithe the. Kahin shishya apne guru ki baatein dhyaan se sun rahe the.Shaam ka samay tha, lekin van abhi poori tarah andhere mein nahi dooba tha.(Several hermitages stood scattered throughout Naimisha.Some sages sat beside sacred fires, while disciples listened carefully to their teachers.It was evening, but the forest had not yet surrendered completely to darkness.)

Yagya ki agniyan abhi bhi jal rahi thi. Mantron ki halki awaaz hawa mein tair rahi thi. Naimisha shaant tha.Lekin woh khaali nahi tha.Yeh woh jagah thi jahan log duniya se door hokar duniya ko samajhne ki koshish karte the.(The sacrificial fires still burned, and the faint sound of sacred chants drifted through the air.Naimisha was peaceful.It was a place where people had withdrawn from the world to understand it.)

Tabhi—Door jungle ki ek patli si pagdandi par kisi ke kadmon ki awaaz sunai di.Ek shishya ne apna sir uthaya.(Then—The sound of footsteps came from a narrow path deep within the forest.A young disciple lifted his head.)

Phir doosre ne bhi jungle ki taraf dekha.Kadmon ki awaaz dheere-dheere kareeb aa rahi thi.Kuch hi pal baad pedon ke beech se ek vyakti bahar nikla.Uske pairon par lambi yatra ki dhool jami hui thi.(Then another looked toward the forest.The footsteps were slowly drawing closer.A few moments later, a man emerged from between the trees.Dust from a long journey covered his feet.)

Kapdon par safar ke nishaan the aur chehre par thakaan saaf dikh rahi thi.Lekin uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si shanti thi.(The marks of travel were visible upon his clothes, and the weariness on his face was unmistakable.Yet there was a strange calmness in his eyes.)

Woh tha Ugrashrava Sauti.Ek kathavachak.(His name was Ugrashrava Sauti.A storyteller.)

Ek aisa vyakti jo rajdarbaron, ashramon aur door-door ke rajyon mein ghoomkar mahaan kathayein sunaya karta tha.(A man who travelled through royal courts, hermitages and distant kingdoms, carrying great stories from one place to another.)

Sauti kuch pal wahin khada raha.Usne saamne jalti hui agni ko dekha.Phir usne dheere se saans li aur ashram ki taraf badh gaya.(Sauti stood there for a few moments.He looked at the sacred fire burning before him.Then he took a slow breath and walked toward the hermitage.)

Ek vriddh rishi ki nazar us par padi.Unhone use pehchanne mein zyada samay nahi liya.(An elderly sage noticed him.It took him no time to recognize him.)

THE ELDER SAGE

"Sauti?"

Sauti ruk gaya.Usne dono haath jodkar sir jhuka diya.(Sauti stopped.He folded his hands and bowed his head.)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Pranam, Rishivar."(My respects, revered sage.)

Rishi ke chehre par halki si muskaan aa gayi(A faint smile appeared on the sage's face.)

THE ELDER SAGE

Tum bahut samay baad Naimisha aaye ho."(It has been a long time since you last came to Naimisha.)

Sauti ne halka sa muskura kar jawab diya.(Sauti answered with a faint smile.)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Haan... is baar raasta kuch zyada hi lamba tha.(Yes... the journey seemed longer than usual this time.)

THE ELDER SAGE

*chuckled softly.* "Toh zaroor kuch aisa lekar aaye ho jo raaste se bhi zyada lamba hai."(Then surely you have brought something that is longer than the journey itself.)

Sauti ki muskaan ek pal ke liye gehri ho gayi.Usne kuch nahi kaha.Bas agni ki taraf dekhta raha.(Sauti's smile deepened for a moment.He said nothing.He simply looked toward the fire.)

Kuch hi der mein Sauti ke Naimisha pahunchne ki khabar poore ashram mein phail gayi.Rishi aur shishya dheere-dheere yagya-shala ke paas ikattha hone lage.Beech mein ek pavitra agni jal rahi thi.(Within a short while, news of Sauti's arrival had spread throughout the hermitage.Sages and disciples gradually gathered near the sacrificial hall.A sacred fire burned at the centre.)

Uske saamne baithe the Rishi Shaunaka.Naimisha mein unka bahut samman tha.Unki umr kaafi ho chuki thi, lekin unki aankhon ki teekhi roshni ab bhi kam nahi hui thi.(Sage Shaunaka sat before it.He was deeply respected throughout Naimisha.He was advanced in age, but the sharpness in his eyes had not faded.)

Sauti unke saamne jaakar ruk gaya.Usne gehra pranam kiya.(Sauti stopped before him.He bowed deeply.)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Pranam, Rishi Shaunaka."(My respects, Sage Shaunaka.)

Shaunaka ne use kuch pal dekha.Phir apne paas ki jagah ki taraf ishara kiya.(Shaunaka studied him for a few moments.Then he gestured toward the place beside him)

Rishi SHAUNAKA

Aao, Sauti. Baitho."(Come, Sauti. Sit.)

Sauti chupchaap baith gaya.Ek shishya uske liye paani lekar aaya.Doosre ne uske saamne bhojan rakh diya.Sauti ne vinamrata se sir jhukaya.(Sauti quietly sat down.A disciple brought him water.Another placed food before him.Sauti bowed gratefully.)

Kuch der tak kisi ne usse koi sawaal nahi kiya.Yeh Naimisha ki maryada thi.Pehle mehmaan ko aaram diya jaata tha.Sawaal baad mein pooche jaate the.(For a while, no one asked him anything.It was the custom of Naimisha.First, guest was given rest.Questions could wait.)

Lekin Shaunaka ki nazar Sauti par bani hui thi.Aakhirkaar unhone poocha—(But Shaunaka's eyes remained fixed upon Sauti.Finally, he spoke.)

Rishi SHAUNAKA

Tum Maharaj Janamejaya ke yagya se aa rahe ho?"(You have come from King Janamejaya's great sacrifice?)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*nodded* Haan, Rishivar.(Yes, revered sage.)

Rishi SHAUNAKA

*leaned forward slightly.* Wahan kya dekha tumne?(What did you witness there?)

Sauti did not answer immediately.His eyes settled upon the burning fire.The flames reflected in his eyes.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Maine ek raja ko dekha...(I saw a king...)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*paused* Jo apne ateet se jawab maang raha tha.(Who was seeking answers from his past.)

Shaunaka's expression grew serious.

Rishi SHAUNAKA

Kis sawaal ka?(Answers to what question?)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*took a slow breath.* Kabhi-kabhi sawaal jigyasa se paida nahi hote, Rishivar.(Sometimes questions are not born from curiosity, revered sage.)

His fingers unconsciously brushed against the edge of his garment.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Kabhi-kabhi woh dard se paida hote hain.(Sometimes they are born from pain.)

A spark rose from the fire.And disappeared into the darkness.

Shaunaka remained silent for a while.Then he asked quietly—

Rishi SHAUNAKA

"Aur tumne wahan kya suna?"(And what did you hear there?)

Sauti raised his eyes.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Bharaton ki kahani.(The story of the Bharatas.)

The attention of every sage around him was now fixed upon Sauti.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

"Rajaon ki kahani." "Yoddhaon ki kahani." (A story of kings. A story of warriors.) *He paused* Lekin sabse zyada.. (But more than anything...)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*His voice grew quieter.* "Ek parivaar ki kahani."(A story of a family.)

The firelight flickered across his face.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

"Ek aisa parivaar jiske paas rajya tha." "Shakti thi." "Samman tha." (A family that possessed a kingdom. Power. Honor.)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*He paused.* "Lekin phir bhi..."(And yet...)

He slowly looked toward the fire.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

"Aakhir mein unke paas kuch bhi nahi bacha."(In the end, they were left with nothing.)

For a moment, it seemed as though the wind of Naimisha itself had stopped.

Rishi SHAUNAKA

*asked quietly—* "Kya yeh wahi Bharata hai jise Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa ne rachit kiya?"(Is this the Bharata composed by Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa?)

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*bowed his head.* Yes.

One name.Just one name.Yet that name seemed to carry the entire story within it.

Vyasa. A sage.A seer.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

Aur Kuru vansh ke ateet se gehre roop se juda hua ek vyakti.(And a man deeply connected to the history of the Kuru dynasty.)

Shaunaka remained silent for a while.

Then he spoke to Sauti.

Rishi SHAUNAKA

"Toh batao, Sauti."(Then tell us, Sauti.)

Sauti looked at him.

Rishi SHAUNAKA

"Yeh kahani shuru kahan se hoti hai?"(Where does this story begin?)

Sauti gave no answer.Before his eyes, the forest of Naimisha seemed to slowly disappear.Another world began to emerge in its place.

Kingdoms.Palaces.Warriors.Chariots.Rivers.

And among them all— A dynasty.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

*spoke softly* "Is kahani ki shuruaat Kurukshetra se nahi hoti.""Na hi Pandavon se."(This story does not begin at Kurukshetra.Nor does it begin with the Pandavas.)

The flames rose sharply once again.

UGRASHRAVA SAUTI

"Iski shuruaat us samay se hoti hai..."(It begins at a time...) *He paused.* "Jab Hastinapura ke bhavishya ka naam tak kisi ne nahi suna tha."(When no one had even heard the name of the future that awaited Hastinapura.)

KAHIN DOOR...(FAR AWAY SOMEWHERE...)

Far away from Naimisha, a river was flowing.It was morning.The first rays of the sun touched the surface of the water.

The air carried the scent of wet earth and grass.

A horse stood upon the riverbank.A king stood beside it.

A bow rested in his hand.Royal garments rested upon his shoulders.His eyes were fixed upon the forest across the river.

He was—

Shantanu, the King of Hastinapura.

That morning, he had set out to hunt.He did not know that this day would be unlike every other day of his life.He did not know whom he was about to see.

And most importantly—

He did not know that one encounter would change the destiny of the entire Kuru dynasty.

Suddenly, Shantanu heard a sound.Very faint.As though someone's laughter had drifted across the river with the flowing water.Shantanu slowly turned.

His eyes came to rest upon the far bank.A woman stood there.Dressed in white.

Beside the river.Completely still.

Yet there was something in her eyes that Shantanu could not understand.The king slowly lowered his bow.For a moment, it seemed as though the entire world had stopped.

The river continued to flow.The wind continued to move.

But for Shantanu—

Time had stopped.And he still did not know...that the woman he was seeing for the first time—

was not merely a woman.

She was Ganga.

And with that encounter—

The story of the Kuru dynasty was about to begin...

...a story that would one day end upon the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

()

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THE WOMAN BY THE RIVER

The river flowed gently beneath the morning sky.The first rays of the sun touched the water, making its surface shimmer like gold.

Shantanu was still standing there.

His eyes remained fixed upon the woman.She stood silently beside the river, the morning breeze gently brushing against her garments.

Shantanu had seen many beautiful women in his life.But there was something different about this woman.

Her beauty could hold the gaze.But the calmness in her eyes held the mind.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*slowly set his bow aside.*

Then he walked toward the river.He stopped a short distance away.

The woman looked at him.

Their eyes met.For a few moments, neither spoke.Then a faint smile appeared upon the woman's lips.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Aap kaun hain?"(Who are you?)

The woman did not answer immediately.

UNKNOWN

"Kya ek raja ko har anjaan vyakti ka naam jaana zaroori hai?"(Must a king know the name of every stranger he meets?)

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*A faint smile appeared on Shantanu's face.* "Nahi."(No.)

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*He took another step forward.* "Lekin jab koi anjaan vyakti is tarah kisi raja ka dhyaan rok de... toh uska naam jaanne ki ichchha zaroor hoti hai."(But when a stranger captures a king's attention like this... one naturally wishes to know her name.)

The woman looked at him.This time, her smile was slightly deeper.

UNKNOWN

"Toh pehle apna naam batayiye, Rajan."(Then tell me your name first, King.)

Shantanu studied her for a moment.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Main Shantanu hoon." (I am Shantanu.)

The woman gently lowered her head.

UNKNOWN

"Hastinapura ke Raja Shantanu."(King Shantanu of Hastinapura.)

Shantanu was surprised.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Aap mujhe jaanti hain?"(You know me?)

UNKNOWN

"Aapko kaun nahi jaanta?"(Who does not know you?)

Shantanu was about to speak when the woman looked toward the river.

UNKNOWN

"Lekin aaj aap raja se zyada ek thake hue yatri lag rahe hain."(But today, you seem more like a weary traveller than a king.)

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*smiled faintly.* "Shayad aaj mujhe bhi kuch der ke liye raja rehna achha nahi lag raha."(Perhaps today, I do not wish to be a king for a while either.)

The woman looked at him.For the first time, something gentle appeared in her eyes.

The morning slowly moved forward.The sun had risen above the trees.But Shantanu had lost all sense of time.He continued speaking with the woman.

Sometimes they spoke of kingdoms.Sometimes of the river.Sometimes of life.And sometimes they simply fell silent.Even that silence seemed to carry a meaning.Finally, Shantanu asked the question that had been in his mind all morning.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Aapka naam?"(Your name?)

The woman looked at the river for a few moments.Then she looked back at Shantanu.

Ganga(young)

"Ganga."

A flicker of surprise crossed Shantanu's eyes.The woman standing beside the river...

And her name— Ganga.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*Shantanu repeated the name silently in his mind.* Ganga...

Ganga said nothing.She simply looked at him.

Several days later.

Shantanu returned to the same riverbank. Then the next day. And again after that.

Hunting had become little more than an excuse.His heart knew why he came.He came to meet Ganga.Ganga was there each time.As though she already knew he would come.

The distance between them slowly began to disappear. And one day— Shantanu finally spoke his heart.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Ganga, main chahta hoon ki tum mere saath Hastinapura chalo."(Ganga, I want you to come with me to Hastinapura.)

Ganga remained silent.

For the first time, there was no royal command in Shantanu's voice.There was only the desire of a man.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Main tumse vivaah karna chahta hoon."(I wish to marry you.)

Ganga looked at him.

There was neither joy nor surprise upon her face.As though she had been waiting for this moment.

Ganga(young)

"Main aapse vivaah karungi."(I will marry you.)

A spark of happiness appeared in Shantanu's eyes. But Ganga had not finished speaking.

Ganga(young)

"Lekin meri ek shart hai."(But I have one condition.)

Shantanu answered without hesitation.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Kaho."(Tell me.)

Ganga looked directly into his eyes.

Ganga(young)

"Aap mujhse kabhi koi sawaal nahi karoge."(You will never question me.)

Shantanu was slightly surprised.

Ganga(young)

"Main jo bhi karun, aap mujhe rokoge nahi."(Whatever I do, you will not stop me.)

Shantanu's smile slowly faded.

Ganga(young)

"Aap mujhse mere kisi kaam ka kaaran nahi poochoge."(You will never ask me the reason for anything I do.)

For a few moments, the wind itself seemed still.Shantanu looked at Ganga.Many questions rose within him.But his heart told him only one thing—

Do not lose her.

Shantanu slowly lowered his head.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Main vaada karta hoon."(I promise)

Ganga looked into his eyes.

Ganga(young)

"Chahe jo ho?"(Whatever happens?)

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*Shantanu answered without hesitation.* "Chahe jo ho."(Whatever happens.)

Ganga closed her eyes.As though she had heard more than a mere promise.As though she had just heard the verdict of Shantanu's future.

Hastinapura

Some time later, Ganga became the queen of Hastinapura.The palace celebrated.The kingdom rejoiced.

To Shantanu, it seemed as though his life had finally become complete.

Ganga was with him.And Shantanu never questioned her about her past.For a while, everything remained peaceful.

Then one day—

Ganga gave birth to a son.

Joy swept through Hastinapura.Lamps were lit throughout the palace.The people celebrated.

Pride filled Shantanu's face.His lineage would continue.

But that night—

Ganga took the newborn child into her arms.And without telling anyone, she walked out of the palace.Shantanu watched her leave from a distance.His feet longed to follow her.But his own promise echoed in his ears.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*IN MIND* "Main tumhe kabhi nahi rokunga."("I will never stop you.")

Ganga reached the riverbank.Shantanu stopped some distance behind her.

He watched—

He watched—Ganga lifted the child in her arms toward the river.Shantanu's breath stopped.Yet not a single word escaped his lips.His heart screamed.

Ganga released the child into the river.The waters rippled for a few moments.Then everything became still.

Shantanu's eyes widened.

Shantanu's eyes widened.Before him, his own child...had disappeared into the river before his eyes.Something inside him shattered.

Yet—

He said nothing.

Ganga turned and looked at him.Their eyes met.There was neither anger nor sorrow upon Ganga's face.There was only that same calmness.

Then she walked back toward the palace.And Shantanu...remained alone beside the river.That night, he had lost his son.

But something even more terrifying remained—he had kept his promise.

Several years later...

Another son was born.The same celebration.The same night.And once again, Ganga walked toward the river.

This time, there was more pain in Shantanu's eyes than before.He followed her.At the riverbank, Ganga lifted the infant into her arms.

Shantanu's hands trembled.One word rose to his lips.

"Stop."

But he forced himself not to say it.Ganga once again surrendered the child to the river.Shantanu closed his eyes.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*He told himself—* "Vaada..."(The promise...)

But this time, there was no royal composure in his voice.There was only the pain of a father.

And the pattern continued.

One son. Then the river. Then another son. Then the same river.

Each time, Shantanu remained silent.Each time, his heart broke a little more.And each time, Ganga returned with the same calmness.

After seven sons—Only one thing remained within Shantanu.His promise.But the eighth time...

When Ganga lifted another newborn child into her arms—the father within Shantanu began to fight against his promise.Ganga walked toward the river.Shantanu followed her.

Ganga reached the edge of the water.This time, his feet would not stop.She lifted the child.Tears filled Shantanu's eyes.

And then—for the first time, he broke his promise.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Bas!"(Enough!)

Ganga(young)

*stopped*

Shantanu's voice echoed across the riverbank.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Tum mere putron ko baar-baar kyun maar rahi ho?"(Why do you keep killing my sons?)

Ganga(young)

*slowly turned toward him.* *For the first time, a deep emotion appeared in her eyes.*

Shantanu stepped forward.His face was wet with tears.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Saat putron ko maine tumhare haathon kho diya."(I have lost seven sons to you.)

His voice was breaking.

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

"Ab is bachche ko bhi nahi."(Not this child as well.)

Ganga looked at him for a long moment.Then she spoke softly.

Ganga(young)

"Rajan... aaj aapne apna vaada tod diya."(King... today, you have broken your promise.)

Shantanu fell silent.

Ganga(young)

*held the child closer.* "Aur isi ke saath mera aapke saath rehna bhi samaapt hota hai."(And with that, my time beside you has also come to an end.)

KING SHANTANU (YOUNG)

*Fear entered Shantanu's eyes.* "Ganga..."

Ganga looked at him.

Ganga(young)

"Lekin jaane se pehle aapko sach jaanne ka adhikaar hai."(But before I leave, you have the right to know the truth.)

The river's waves reached their feet and quietly withdrew.Ganga looked down at the child.

Ganga(young)

"Yeh koi saamanya balak nahi hai."(This is no ordinary child.)

Shantanu's breathing slowed.For the first time, Ganga looked at the child as though an entire future lay within him.

Ganga(young)

"Iska naam Devavrata hoga."(His name shall be Devavrata.)

Shantanu heard the name.

Devavrata

A name that would one day—echo throughout the land of Bharat.But at that moment, to Shantanu, he was simply his son.Ganga held the child close in her arms.

Then she looked at Shantanu.

Ganga(young)

"Main ise apne saath lekar ja rahi hoon."(I am taking him with me.)

Shantanu tried to speak.But no words came.Ganga slowly walked toward the river.For a moment, Shantanu wanted to follow her.

But his feet remained rooted to the ground.Ganga turned and looked at him one last time.

Ganga(young)

"Jab samay aayega, main tumhe tumhara putra wapas de dungi."(When the time comes, I will return your son to you.)

And then—

Ganga and Devavrata disappeared beyond the river.Shantanu stood alone.The same river flowed before him.But that day, the river had taken more than just his son.

It had carried away a part of his life with it.And Shantanu did not yet know—that the son he had lost that day...would one day make a decision for his father—

That would change the destiny of the entire Kuru dynasty.

()

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DEVAVRATA —SON OF GANGA

Ganga Tat — Years Later

The Ganga was still the same.Its waters flowed with the same serenity, as though the turmoil of the world meant nothing to it.

But the young man standing beside it was no longer the same.The innocence of childhood no longer rested upon his shoulders.There was a remarkable steadiness in his eyes.

A bow rested in his hands.And before him flowed the swift current of the Ganga.

The young man raised his bow. He released an arrow. Then another. Then a third.

Within moments, a wall of arrows had formed, obstructing a portion of the river's flow.

Several soldiers standing nearby stared at one another in disbelief.

One of them whispered—

HASTINAPUR SOLDIER

Aisa dhanurvidya kaushal maine kabhi nahi dekha."(I have never seen such mastery of archery.)

Another soldier replied—

SOLDIER OF HASTINAPUR

"Yeh koi saamanya yoddha nahi hai."(He is no ordinary warrior.)

The young man lowered his bow.He turned toward the soldiers.There was neither pride nor arrogance upon his face. Only calmness.

Then the sound of approaching horses echoed from a distance.A chariot came to a halt beside the river.A man stepped down from it.

The King of Hastinapura.

Shantanu

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

*His eyes first fell upon the river.Then upon the arrows.And finally upon the young man.*

Shantanu stared at him for a few moments.Something stirred within him.A sense of recognition...But the memory was buried deep.

Shantanu slowly approached the young man.

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

"Tum kaun ho?"(Who are you?)

The young man set his bow aside.He folded his hands and bowed respectfully before Shantanu.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

"Mera naam Devavrata hai."(My name is Devavrata.)

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

*Shantanu stopped in his tracks.Something changed within his eyes.*

Devavrata. The same name... The name he had heard years ago beside the Ganga.

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

*voice trembled.* "Tumhari mata ka naam Ganga hai?"(Your mother's name is Ganga?)

The young man lowered his head.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

"Haan, Maharaj."(Yes, Your Majesty.)

Shantanu closed his eyes for a moment.It was as though years of buried longing had suddenly risen to the surface.Then he embraced the young man standing before him.

Devavrata remained still for a moment.Then he embraced his father in return.Tears slipped from Shantanu's eyes.He did not try to hide them.

Today, he was not a king.Today, he was simply a father.

After some time, the two sat beside the Ganga.Shantanu kept looking at Devavrata.As though he were trying to read all the years he had missed in his son's face.

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

"Tumne itne varshon mein kya seekha?"(What have you learned all these years?)

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

*Devavrata answered calmly.* "Bahut kuch, Pitashree."(A lot, Father.)

A faint smile appeared on Shantanu's face.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

"Mata ne mujhe dharma ka arth samjhaya.""Rishiyon aur acharyon se maine Ved aur shastra ka gyaan prapt kiya."(Mother taught me the meaning of dharma.From sages and teachers, I learned the Vedas and sacred knowledge.)

Shantanu listened carefully.

Devavrata glanced toward his bow.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

Aur yuddha-vidya..."(And the art of warfare...)

For the first time, his voice carried a deeper seriousness.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

"Woh mujhe Bhagwan Parashurama se mili."(I learned it from Lord Parashurama.)

Surprise and pride appeared in Shantanu's eyes.

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

"Parashurama se?"(From Parashurama?)

Devavrata nodded.

DEVAVRATHA/BHISHMA PITAMAH (young)

"Unhone mujhe keval dhanush chalana nahi sikhaya.""Unhone mujhe sikhaya ki ek yoddha ke haath mein shastra se pehle vivek hona chahiye."(He did not merely teach me how to wield a bow.He taught me that before a warrior can wield a weapon, he must possess wisdom.)

Shantanu remained silent for a moment.He looked at Devavrata's hands.There was power in those hands.But there was restraint as well.

Shantanu understood—

Ganga had not taken his son away merely to raise him.She had prepared him for a life in which strength and dharma would have to walk together.

Towards Hastinapur

Shantanu began the journey back to Hastinapura with Devavrata.People watched them along the road.Many still could not believe that King Shantanu's son had returned.Devavrata treated everyone with respect.

He looked down upon no one.Shantanu watched him.

Only one thought remained in his mind.

THIS IS THE FUTURE OF HASTINAPUR

Hastinapura— ROYAL COURT

Devavrata was formally presented before the royal court.The ministers and leading figures of the kingdom were present.Shantanu sat upon his throne.

Devavrata stood beside him.Shantanu looked across the court.

KING SHANTANU/HASTINAPUR

"Aaj main Hastinapura ko uska yuvaraj wapas de raha hoon."(Today, I return to Hastinapura its rightful prince.)

Joy spread throughout the court.Devavrata bowed his head.To him, this was not an honour.It was a responsibility.

With time, Devavrata began to understand the affairs of Hastinapura.He observed military training.He sat with ministers.He listened to the concerns of the people.And he discussed the future of the kingdom with his father.

Those were happy days for Shantanu.

After many years, his family finally felt complete.But destiny had something else in store.

ONE DAY — AT YAMUNA

One evening, Shantanu went hunting.There was a strange fragrance in the air.The fragrance was so captivating that Shantanu stepped down from his chariot and followed it.A boat stood beside the Yamuna.A young woman stood beside it.

She held the oar of the boat in her hand.

Her name was—

Satyavati.

Shantanu stared at her for a moment.

He did not know—

That after this meeting, the destiny of Hastinapura was about to turn toward a path...where Devavrata would one day have to make a decision...that would make him immortal in history.

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YOUR AUTHOR

Hello beautifuls......🥰

YOUR AUTHOR

I want to tell you all something important which I forget to tell u earlier

YOUR AUTHOR

As I know some of u have watched mahabharat on TV so u are free to think the characters as same as shows in TV.... Whatever u liked

YOUR AUTHOR

And tell me one more thing like the mahabharat released in 2013 on TV like this should I also leave a lesson like in that shree krishna gives us lesson at the end of the chapter....

YOUR AUTHOR

So do comment and share your thoughts with me 😄

YOUR AUTHOR

And do LIKE. SUBSCRIBE. COMMENT. VOTE.

YOUR AUTHOR

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