Chapter 101: Birth of Draupadi
The morning sun rose gently over Mahishmati casting golden rays across its marble palaces and tall gates. Birds sang on the palace walls and the faint hum of the morning rituals drifted from the temples.
In the courtyard Rudra prepared for departure. Divya dressed in a simple royal attire stood beside him her eyes occasionally drifting to the distant mountains. Beside them stood King Drupad his expression solemn yet hopeful as though the weight of his lineage hung on this journey.
The chariots stood ready. Horses neighed restlessly sensing the long road ahead.
Rudra turned to Divya. "Are you ready Divya?"
She nodded quietly though her eyes still searched the horizon one last time. She hoped to see him—Eklavya—if only for a moment. But he was not there.
What she didn't know was that far above on a quiet mountain ridge Eklavya stood alone. The morning wind tugged at his garments as he looked down upon the departing chariots. His eyes softened when they fell on Divya but he did not move did not call. His heart ached but his pride and restraint held him still.
"Farewell" he whispered to the wind his voice carried down silently unheard by her ears but perhaps reaching her heart.
With the sound of rolling wheels and neighing horses the chariots began their journey towards Panchal.
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Arrival in Panchal
The journey was long but when they finally entered Panchal the kingdom was alive with anticipation. Priests prepared the grounds the agni kund was cleansed and purified and the air carried the fragrance of ghee sandalwood and sacred herbs. Drupad's eyes shone with determination.
Rudra oversaw the arrangements personally his every action precise ensuring that nothing was lacking.
"Everything must be in perfect balance" Rudra instructed the priests. "The yagna fire reflects the heart of the sacrificer. If it falters the ritual fails."
The priests bowed deeply. "As you command Maharaj Rudra."
As the yagna began chants filled the air. The flames in the agni kund rose steadily smoke curling toward the sky like the breath of heaven itself. Drupad sat beside the fire his face calm yet resolute. Divya sat nearby her hands folded in prayer her gaze flickering with unease.
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The Critical Moment
Hours passed. The ritual reached its critical juncture. The air grew heavy the fire burning higher with each chant. Rudra finally turned toward Drupad.
"King of Panchal" Rudra spoke gravely his voice carrying the weight of dharma "to complete this yagna you must sacrifice your most beloved possession. Only then will Agnidev grant you equal return."
The priests froze the air trembling with the intensity of his words. Divya's eyes widened. What could her father sacrifice?
Drupad rose slowly his eyes unwavering. He drew his sword—his weapon of kingship polished and revered. He stepped forward and placed it into the flames.
The sword hissed the fire swallowing it whole. Gasps rose among the priests. For a warrior a sword was no mere metal—it was identity pride and honor.
Rudra however frowned. Though the act was noble it was not enough. A sword however precious was not a divine weapon. Would Agnidev be moved?
Before he could speak Drupad shocked them all.
Without hesitation the king extended both his arms into the fire.
"Pitashree! NO!!" Divya cried half-rising.
The flames roared devouring flesh. The hall echoed with the sickening hiss of burning skin. Drupad's body trembled violently beads of sweat rolling down his face. Yet he uttered no scream no cry—only clenched teeth and silent endurance.
The smell of scorched flesh filled the air and even the priests turned their eyes away in horror.
Rudra rose to his feet eyes flashing with disbelief. His voice thundered "Enough Drupad!"
But it was too late.
Withdrawing his arms Drupad fell back. The flesh below his shoulders was gone—his hands burned away entirely reduced to nothing but vanished ash.
Silence gripped the hall. Divya rushed to his side tears spilling. "Pitashree why?! Why go this far!"
Drupad looked at her his voice trembling but proud. "For my lineage for Panchal no sacrifice is too great."
Rudra stood still for a long moment his heart heavy with respect. Finally he spoke his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "King Drupad… this yagna will not betray you. Your sacrifice will echo through ages. The gods cannot turn away from such devotion."
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The Descent of Agnidev
Suddenly the flames of the agni kund erupted skyward turning crimson licking the heavens themselves. The very ground trembled as the fire twisted and swirled.
From within a colossal figure emerged.
A god of flames towering and resplendent. His body blazed red like molten iron his four arms stretched wide his eyes burning like suns. His presence alone forced all to bow their heads instinctively.
It was Agnidev—the deity of fire.
"Drupad" his voice boomed like a thousand crackling pyres "your sacrifice has moved even the divine. I am astonished by the price you paid and I am pleased."
Drupad handless yet unbending bowed low tears of pain and gratitude in his eyes. "Agnidev… I only wished for the grace of an heir."
The god extended his hands. Two fiery lotuses bloomed in his palms radiant with divine light.
In one lotus sat a boy skin brown like earth his hair wild and blazing red. His entire body glowed with vigor but his arms—his arms alone shimmered crimson carrying the wrath of fire itself.
In the other lotus sat a girl her complexion dusky and radiant. Her eyes deep and luminous like lotus petals held an undeniable dominance. A beauty that could enchant the hearts of mortals and gods alike.
The entire assembly watched in awe.
Agnidev's voice thundered once more. "To you Drupad I grant not one but two children. A son who carries my wrath in his arms and a daughter who carries my fire's dominance in her eyes. Raise them well. They are my gifts to Panchal."
He placed the lotuses on the ground. The divine children stepped forth their first breaths carrying the essence of fire itself.
Then with a final nod to Rudra Agnidev vanished into the rising smoke leaving behind silence and astonishment.
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The First Embrace
The two children looked upon Drupad their newly created hearts instantly recognizing him. They walked forward bowed deeply and spoke together.
"Pranam Pitashree."
Drupad's lips trembled. His handless arms reached instinctively but he could not embrace them. Tears streamed down his face.
"Pitashree cannot hold you" he whispered "but my heart will never let you go."
The children smiled their innocence shining brighter than the fire they were born from. They turned next to Divya.
"Pranam Didi" they said sweetly bowing.
Divya's tears overflowed but her lips stretched into a smile. She pulled them close wrapping them in the embrace her father could not give. "Come here… my brother my sister."
The hall filled with the sound of weeping joy and sorrow mingled as one.
Rudra stepped forward his face unreadable yet eyes reflecting quiet pride. "The ritual is complete. The gods have blessed Panchal. Let me return to Mahishmati."
Drupad nodded weakly still trembling but his heart now lighter than ever. His lineage had been saved—not by power or conquest but by fire and sacrifice.
And so the chapter ends with the flames of Panchal still burning not of destruction but of hope reborn.
—Chapter End—