Chapter 50 - 48: Invitation To Drona And His Family...Travel To Mahendragiri Hills...
(A/N):
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Inside the quiet hut—Gandhari and Devara stepped forward together.
They bowed in respect to get Kripi’s blessing.
At the feet of Kripi.
She was caught off guard by the sudden bow.
But instinct took over—Her hands raised in blessing with a smile.
"May your life be filled with dharma and happiness."
Devara spoke in a excited tone.
"I’m getting married... in a week."
She paused hearing his words.
Then warmth spread across her face.
"That is wonderful news!"
She blessed them again with a kind smile on her face.
The kind that lingers.
As they continued to chat with each other.
Time passed...
Evening Falls as the sun was about to set.
The sun dipped—Golden light slipping through the trees.
Footsteps approached the hit.
It was none other than Drona. And beside him—Ashwatthama
Now grown. Stronger.
They paused at the entrance hearing the chatting voice coming from inside.
As they entered the hut. Saw the two unfamiliar peoples.
Who seems to be be dressed like royals.
Seeing—Royal figures inside their humble home.
A moment of confusion passed through their face thinking who were they.
Then—Recognition as Ashwatthama’s eyes locked—On—That familiar green gaze.
And a grin spread instantly.
-Grin!
"Devara!"
No doubt. No hesitation.
He rushed forward. And Pulled him into a tight hug.
A decade of being apart vanished.
"You’re finally back!"
Devara laughed hearing his friends excited voice.
"-Hahahaha!!!"
Returned the embrace.
Drona Watched Quietly as the two exchanging words.
Then stepped forward—A small, approving smile
His eyes scanned Devara—Posture. Presence.
"...."
Conclusion reached silently in his mind.
’He has grown... well.’
"Welcome back."
Devara nodded is head as he broke the reason for his sudden appearance.
-Nod!
"I’m getting married."
Ashwatthama Froze for a moment hearing his friend is getting married.
"...WHAT?"
Then—Laughter exploded with huge grin on his face.
-Grin!
"You disappeared for training... and came back with a bride?"
Then Light punch on shoulder of Devera.
"Not bad!"
While Devera shrug his shoulders.
"..."
What can he do he himself was shocked.
Devara Gestured towards Gandhari who was calmly looking at their interaction with smile.
"This is Gandhari princess of Gandhara."
Gandhari Stepped forward—Bowed respectfully for the introduction.
While Drona Blessed Her raising his hands.
"May your union be strong and righteous."
Then Devera moved to the main business for his arrival.
"Come with me to Gandhara."
Drona Hesitated hearing his invitation.
"...."
Not unwilling—Just thoughtful. Responsibilities. Distance.
But Devara didn’t step back as he continued.
"You have to come."
Not a command—A request that carried weight.
A pause
"...."
Then—Drona nodded with a gentle smile on his face.
-Nod!
"We will come."
Ashwatthama Smirked as he put his hands over Devera’s shoulder.
-Smirk!
"Of course we will. I’m not missing this. My
After some time...
Drona and his family packed their things needed to stay for a week.
The hut stood quiet again—
As Devara, Gandhari, Drona, Kripi, and Ashwatthama
Stepped out together.
Bags packed. While Ashwatthama carrying the things they had packed.
Since they were going to travel there is no chariot is waiting for them.
"...."
"...."
"...."
So Ashwatthama Broke the Silence.
"So... Gandhara? That’s at least a full day by chariot."
Devara Smirked hearing his friends question.
-Smirk!
Didn’t answer to him immediately as he just pointed upward to the sky.
All eyes followed his finger.
And then—They saw it.
Pushpaka
Floating at the sky. Majestic. Impossible to take one’s eyes if it fell on it.
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Then—Shock written on each face.
Drona’s Eyes Narrowed as he examined the
Recognition struck first.
As he found his words difficult to come out of his mouth.
"That is... Pushpaka
While both Kripi and Ashwatthama were Stunned.
Hearing Drona’s words.
Because they were seeing something historic. Nearly a legend before their eyes.
Because—This wasn’t supposed to be seen easily by anyone.
It is not good to their heart as they might have an heart attack taken back by its beauty.
Only heard about it from the story of Ramayana which Drona once told them about.
A legend... now hovering above them.
As Devara raised his hand while commanding in his mind to come down—The
To his call as it started the Descending gracefully.
Revealing its full form
Not just a vehicle—But A floating luxury palace.
Soon Devera guided them to the entrance of the Pushpaka
While Gandhari who had already travelled in it followed behind him.
They Dorna’s family all three boarded it. Still half in disbelief.
"...."
"...."
"...."
As they were boarding a Legendary
Ashwatthama Whispered in low voice as he catched up with Devera.
"You... really didn’t waste those ten years."
Devara chuckled hearing him as he put his hands on his shoulder.
-Chuckle!
As he revealed his next destination to others.
"We’re not going to Gandhara yet."
All turned to him As Gandhari as went in to fetch water for the guest.
"Mahendragiri Hills. I need to invite—Guru Parashurama And Karna who was currently his current student."
As soon as Devara mentioned their next destination.
Drona Froze Slightly hearing his guru’s name.
Because—That name carried weight.
Then another realization hit him.
"Guru Parashurama... is also your guru?"
Hearing Drona’s question Devara answered immediately.
"Yes."
Drona’s expression shifted. Not fear. Respect.
Hearing Devera has trained under his guru Parashurama.
And he completed the training in such a short time.
He felt little expectation.
Because—That was his Guru who he had not met for years.
As for sage Durvasa.
"I’ve already sent a prayer."
Because Sage Durvasa travels frequently and its very hard to predict where he will be at.
But one thing Devara knew was.
Wherever he is... he’ll know when he hears his student’s prayer.
With that Devera commended the Pushpaka
As soon as it received it’s master’s commend.
It started to Ascent the sky.
No more waiting.
The Vimana responded to his will—Rising into the sky smoothly
Clouds parting. Wind bending.
Below—The world shrank.
Above the cloud bed—A new path opened.
After few hours...
Hours passed in quiet wonder.
The sky stretched endlessly—Stars like scattered embers.
The moon watching silently.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Inside the Pushpaka
Gandhari who, Took charge of the kitchen to cook food.
Simple food. But cooked with Warm. Shared to everyone.
Everyone sat together at the table.
Eating. While Watching the sky—As if the journey itself was part of the celebration.
While chatting happily.
While they were chatting Mahendragiri Appears in their view.
At last—Mahendragiri Rose beneath them.
Ancient. Silent.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Since the destination arrived. The
Hovering just above the land—Too grand to fully descend.
But enough for them to get down from it.
They stepped down one by one.
And it rose again after everyone descended from it—Waiting in the sky.
Like a loyal shadow.
Inside the Cave...
A presence stirred.
Lord Parashurama who was sleeping. Opened his eyes.
Sensing that someone as set their foot on the Mahendragiri hills.
Not startled. But Aware
He stepped outside—And looked who is the one who came to the Mahendragiri hills.
Recognition came instantly as soon as his eyes landed on two faces.
"...."
As Devara approached—So did Drona
Both bowed deeply. Touching his feet.
Lord Parashurama put his axe down and smiled as he blessed them.
"Rise."
His gaze lingered on them. Measuring. Understanding.
As each seems to have grown well. Well one started to have grey hair.
Lord Parashurama asked them with a raised eyebrow.
Even he didn’t expect this combo.
"Two of my students... together?"
Devara scratched his head. Awkward.
But now he needs to break the truth about his visit now.
"I came to invite you..."
A pause as his face turned slight red in embarrassment—
"...to my wedding."
Silence descended as soon as this words left Devara’s mouth.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Then—Laughter. Deep. Unrestrained.
Lord Parashurama laughed heartily looking at his embarrassed student.
"You went to train under new guru... and return with a marriage?"
Another Presence Arrives while the conversation going on arrived.
From the cave—It was none other than Karna
Eyes sharp—Then—A grin spread across as soon as he saw Devara.
"Devara!"
He walked forward... And pulled him into a strong embrace
A bond forged in respect.
But when he heard Devara is getting married. While he was avoiding his gaze.
"You’re getting married?"
Karna asked again to get the confirmation.
Karna laughed whole heartedly.
"You don’t waste time, do you?"
Then Devara decided to Introduce both Ashwatthama and Karna.
Since both will be meeting for the first time.
Devara turned to look at his friend and called him forward—
"Ashwatthama."
As Ashwatthama still looking at the new guy who was acting buddy buddy with his friend.
"Karna."
They looked at each other
No smiles. No words. Just recognition.
As Devara as spoken about each other to each other.
So both of them were curious about other and wanted to meet.
Now they were standing face to face.
Both felt it.
Not of friendship—Of equals. Of rivals.
The Air Tightened Slightly
Two paths. Two flames.
Waiting to clash... someday to earn each other respect.
Devara stepped aside as he looked back—Gandhari who got his signal.
Moved forward beside him.
Together—They bowed at the same time.
At the feet of Lord Parashurama
The Warrior Sage Watched the couple.
"...."
Not just their gesture—But their intent.
Then placed his hand on their head in blessing.
"May your union stand unshaken."
A blessing heavy with power.
Devara Spoke Again as he extends his invitation and tells them the purpose of his visit.
"Come to Gandhara. Stay for a week... for the wedding."
Hearing Devara’s request.
Lord Parashurama Paused. Then Shook His Head
Not refusal—But for the sake of Discipline
"I will come... On the day of your marriage."
Because training does not wait for celebrations. And Karna needs it.
While Karna stepped forward and placed his hands on Devara’s shoulder.
"I’ll come too."
Then added with a sigh—
-Sigh!
"But I can’t leave now. This stage... is critical."
Devara Looked at Him. No disappointment. But Only in understanding.
"I know. I understand."
Warriors don’t pause at the edge of growth.
Promises Exchanged. Simple. Firm.
They will come at the day of his wedding.
Since the purpose of their arrival achieved.
Drono along with Kripi and Ashwatthama got their share of blessing from Lord Parashurama.
Then...
Devara raised his hand—The sky answered.
As Pushpaka Vimana Descending once more.
They boarded together. Taking One last look.
At the mountain. At the guru.
At the friend who would soon walk along side him in his path.
Then—Pushpaka Vimana Ascent into the sky.
The Vimana rose—Cutting through the night clouds.
Mahendragiri faded below
But its presence and what happened—Remained with them.
While Devara decided to visit the near by Lord Shiva temple, Then Lord Vishnu and Then Lord Brahma’s old temple.
Since Lord Brahma’s temple were far older than before due to the curse he obtained from Lord Shiva.
That no new temples can be easily builded for him. And worship him through it.
In the past due to certain events which led to Lord Shiva cut one of the Lord Brahma’s head.
Which represents the arrogance of the ego, untamed desire, false knowledge, and vanity.
When lord Brahma started to loose himself in it.
As for visiting the temple.
Is To tell them and invite them to his marriage.
Since they were his parents too. It’s their rights to attend it.
He can’t take it away from them.
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(Author note:)
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