Epic Retold: The Mahabharata in Tweets by Chindu Sreedharan Read Free Book Online Page A

It burns like the sun. I see his fingers tighten on the bowstring, I see Drishtadyumna’s drawn sword.
    In that moment, when her brother’s life hangs in the balance, Draupadi speaks. Softly, but it stills her suitor’s hand.
    ‘Wait!’ she says, stepping in front of Drishtadyumna. I marvel at her composure as she faces Karna, her eyes holding his effortlessly.
    Her voice is firm, unyielding as flint. ‘Before you shed blood for me, king, tell me your clan. Who is your father?
    ‘Surely a maiden has the right to know her suitor?’
    What is your clan? Who is your father? Once again, I see Karna wilt under those questions. Once again, I feel sorry for my bitter foe.
    When he throws down the bow, it sounds like a thunderclap. As Karna heads straight for the door, I see Draupadi watching.
    For a long time, nobody steps into the arena. Yudhistira looks at the bow, then shakes his head. There is disappointment in his eyes.
    ‘Go,’ I tell Arjuna. ‘This is your day.’



ARJUNA’S DAY
EPISODE
10
TWEETS
61
    When the crowd notices Arjuna, there is laughter. With his hair in a topknot and his brow smeared with holy ash, he does not look an archer.
    Arjuna takes his time with the bow. Surprised applause rings out as he slowly raises it, using an off-centre grip to correct its imbalance.
    Carefully, Arjuna reaches for the string attached to one end and, in one swift motion, loops it across. The bow remains steady in his hand.
    When he pulls the string back, I see the bow bucking. Arjuna pauses, his arm muscles taut, struggling to bring it under control.
    It seems like ages before he succeeds. The brahmins in front have stood up. As I jump to my feet, there are shouts from the audience.
    Arjuna has hit the target.
    The next moments are a whirl. While the spectators stand in shocked silence, Draupadi walks up to my smiling brother. He bows his head.
    The garland catches in Arjuna’s topknot before Draupadi gets it around his neck. Laughter from the princess. My brother looks mesmerized.
    Recovering, the spectators begin to applaud. Before it takes hold, though, there is commotion.
    Raised voices. Duryodhana and some other kings have surrounded Drupada and Drishtadyumna.
    ‘You said this was only for kshatriyas,’ Duryodhana is yelling. ‘What right has this brahmin to contest then?’
    An elderly brahmin next to me shouts: ‘Brahmins are of higher caste than any kshatriya. He has the right!’
    Seeing Drishtadyumna signal to his army chieftain, I rush forward. Several people fall as I push my way past to where Arjuna stands.
    Pulling out a long pole used to hold up decorations, I roar at the kings: ‘Talk to me if you are unwilling to accept my brother as winner!’
    Among those who rush me is Sakuni. The one who hatched the plan to burn us alive in Varanavata.
    I grab him by the throat, slap him hard. With great satisfaction, I watch him fall. As I advance with the pole, the agitators give ground.
    Duryodhana is attending to Sakuni. As he looks up, I see a flash of recognition in his eyes. No, cousin, the Pandavas are not dead.
    I tell Arjuna to make his way to the door with his bride. Turning to Drishtadyumna, I say, ‘A chariot! We must leave now!’
    Behind me I hear Arjuna bidding a hurried farewell to Drupada. ‘We will return soon,’ he says. ‘Trust me, no harm will befall the princess.’
    Outside, a chariot is waiting. I look around for Yudhistira and the twins. They are not among those spilling out of the wedding hall.
    While Arjuna helps Draupadi in, I grab the reins from the charioteer. The crowd scatters as I whip the horses and drive straight through.
    Behind, I hear the twang of bowstrings. A few tired arrows fall into the chariot.
    Meeting no resistance, we speed through the streets, out of the city gates. Draupadi looks at me doubtfully when I stop the chariot.
    ‘You are safe,’ I tell her. ‘We are not alone.’
    We head towards the village where we had agreed to meet after the contest.