Chapter 82: The Marriage of Maidens
The morning after their reunion, the air around Karna's house felt peaceful. For the first time, the Pandavas and Karna sat together without tension. No battles, no pride, just simple talk over cool buttermilk and roasted til.
Yudhishthir spoke gently, "Karna bhaiya, after Kalapradarshan, everything changed. Guru Dronacharya asked for Arjun's eyes as guru dakshina."
Karna frowned slightly, surprised.
Arjun added calmly, "I gave them. I thought it was my duty. But maybe, I also didn't want to see the world anymore. It had become too confusing."
Yudhishthir continued, "Then Maharishi Ved Vyas came to us. He said our answers lie here, in Mahishmati... with you."
Karna thought for a moment. Then he stood. "I don't think I can give those answers. But someone else can— Guruvar, Today, he will conduct the Bhoomi Sena's wedding. Come with me. You should see it for yourselves."
---
Mahishmati was glowing. The streets were filled with flowers, music, and joy. People bowed respectfully as Karna passed with the royal guests.
Duryodhan walked beside Karna, watching him carefully. "I only saw you once, during Kalapradarshan. But... something about you feels familiar."
Karna smiled slightly. "Maybe some people are meant to cross paths again."
Arjun asked, "Bhrata Karna, what is this Bhoomi Sena? Why such a grand wedding?"
Karna explained, "Some-time ago, Narakasura captured and imprisoned 16,100 princesses. Guru Rudra and Devi Satyabhama fought and defeated him. But when the princesses were freed, society still looked at them with shame."
He paused. "So Guruvar gave them choice and dignity. Ten thousand warriors were created by Bhoomi Devi's blessings—strong, pure, and righteous. The Bhoomi Sena. Not born from mothers, but from the earth itself."
He paused then continued "This Bhoomi sena is not ordinary they are titled as 'Throne's Trishul' of Mahishmati, and it's rumoured that, Gurudev has given them a Boon when they are born and no-one knows what it is"
All of them were Surprised by this Story and became curious about the Boon but they also know that they can't ask what they shouldn't, Karna was not just their Brother but also the Senapati of Mahishmati and Student of Rudra first.
Sahadev asked, "And today, they are marrying the princesses?"
Karna nodded. "Yes. But this is not an ordinary marriage. Each princess chose her groom. Some warriors were chosen by one princess. A few were chosen by more than one. Then it was the warrior who decide. No force. Only mutual choice."
Yudhishthir said softly, "That is rare. And beautiful."
Karna nodded. "This is Mahishmati's way."
---
The Vivah Mandap stood tall and grand. Golden silk canopies waved gently in the wind. Holy chants echoed through the air.
The Bhoomi warriors stood in golden-brown sherwanis, calm and proud. The princesses, dressed in deep red sarees with golden veils, looked graceful and full of joy.
At the center of it all sat Rudra. He wore a simple yellow dhoti, with a chandan tilak on his forehead. He looked peaceful, focused on arranging the samagri and checking every detail himself.
Yudhishthir whispered, "This is the same Rudra who once roared like Bhairav?"
Kunti said, "Yes. Today he is calm. Tomorrow, he might be fierce again. But both are him."
A soft voice broke the moment.
"I see someone still can't take her eyes off the priest."
It was Ishita. She smiled at Dushala, who quickly looked away.
"I wasn't looking like that," Dushala said quickly.
Ishita laughed. "Of course not. You were admiring the ritual, not the man leading it."
Then Ishita gently ran her fingers on the back of a tall warrior standing beside her. His name badge read: ABC Veer. No one noticed. Warrior who was trying to hide his shyness with straight face.
Ishita just smiled to herself 'Wooden man'
---
The rituals began. Rudra chanted calmly, asking the gods to bless the union.
"Agni, be the witness. Vayu, guide their breath. Bhumi Devi, bless them. Varuna, purify their hearts."
Then, Bhoomi Devi appeared. She was glowing, dressed in green and gold. Her smile was soft and motherly.
She moved among the couples, fixing a warrior's turban here, helping a bride adjust her bindi there.
"Raghav, stop blinking so much. She won't run away."
"Madhav, your sword is on the wrong side. Again."
The Bhoomi warriors smiled nervously. Their brides giggled. Even Rudra chuckled softly as he moved from one couple to the next, tying sacred threads and guiding the vows.
Arjun whispered, "Even though I cannot see, I can feel the energy here. It's powerful. And peaceful."
Yudhishthir said, "This is not just a wedding. It's a new beginning—for all of them."
Just then, a soldier came to Suresh Pratap and whispered something in his ear.
His face changed.
He looked at Rudra, then up at the sky.
The wind slowed. The air shifted.
Something had changed.
The wedding continued... but destiny had already turned.
To be Continued....