PANDU'S FAMILY IS NO MORE?

"The Pandu family is no more," the maid solemnly informed the morning sabha, where Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra sat in their royal seats, their faces growing tense with shock and disbelief.

"WHAT?" Subhadra yelled, instantly rising from her seat, her voice filled with disbelief. "That's impossible!" she exclaimed, the shock evident on her face. "That wouldn't happen in a million years!" She quickly turned toward Krishna, her eyes pleading for reassurance. But Krishna remained expressionless, his silence only deepening her anxiety, the unspoken message between them making her heart race.

"How did this even happen?" Subhadra demanded, her voice trembling as she questioned the maid. The maid, lowering her head in sorrow, began to recount the grim tale:

"The Pandu family left Hastinapur for a family trip to Lakshagriha-the House of Lac. The palace, built entirely from materials that catch fire easily, was set ablaze. Tragically, the family couldn't escape the flames in time."

Subhadra gave Krishna one last desperate look, trying to decipher his expression, but found no answers in his calm demeanor. Without another word, she rushed to her room, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Meanwhile, Balarama sat in shock, devastated by the news. "We should go, Krishna. We need to see what's happened," he urged.

Krishna smiled softly and shook his head. "They're coming."

Balarama, confused, furrowed his brows. "Why do you always speak in riddles, Krishna? 'They'? 'It'? Can't you just say the names for once?"

Krishna smiled mischievously, almost childlike. "Nooo~ I quite enjoy seeing your surprised faces, to be honest. Get ready for a surprise."

Balarama rolled his eyes in frustration. "Our Bua and her sons have died, and you're here joking? Shame on you, Krishna!" He stood up, his voice rising with emotion. "I don't care if you won't come. I'm going."

Meanwhile, in her room, Subhadra was sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling as she lay on the ground, her head resting against the bed. Her cries filled the space, raw and painful. She wasn't just crying for Arjun-though she loved him deeply-but for her Bua Maa, and for all of Arjuna's brothers. Sahadeva, who always gave her the comforting presence of a younger brother; Nakula, who never failed to cheer her up when she was sad. She missed Bhima, who always devoured and praised her cooking, and Yudhishthira, who treated her with unwavering respect. Her sobs grew heavier as the memory of the first time she saw Arjun flashed before her eyes, intensifying her grief.

"This isn't true, tell me this isn't true, Arjun!" Subhadra cried, her voice breaking with anguish. "You went away from me, and I was okay with it because I trusted that nature would bring you back to me! But now-you're no longer part of this world, no longer in the nature! What am I supposed to do without you? Oh, Arjuna!"

"Nakul? Sahadeva? What was their fault? Why would this happen to them?" Subhadra's voice trembled with anger and sorrow. "Who did this? How couldn't they save themselves?! Those five Pandavas together can win any battle, yet they couldn't save their own lives? How is that fair?"

Krishna walked into her room, calling softly, "Subhadra-"

But she spun around, her red eyes blazing with anger. "Go away, Bhaiya," she warned, her voice edged with distress.

Krishna smiled gently. "Aren't you Yogamaya? Didn't you warn Arjun already? So how could they die?"

Subhadra looked confused. "When did I warn any of them? Arjun left without a word to me! THEN WHEN DID I WARN THEM? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Her voice echoed through the palace, filled with anguish and frustration.

Even Krishna felt a flicker of fear for a brief moment. "Okay, sorry-I'm leaving. Just come to the sabha in ten minutes; I have a surprise waiting for you."

"GET OUT, JUST GET OUT!" Subhadra shouted, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Don't forget to come!" he called out from a distance, ensuring she would definitely attend. Amid the turmoil, he was the only one smiling and giggling, a beacon of light in the heavy atmosphere of the palace.

After a few minutes, everyone gathered in the sabha, seated in distress. No one knew what Krishna might do next; Balarama and Subhadra understood their brother well-he could do anything without a moment's notice.

Finally, Krishna stood up as five saints entered the hall. "Meet Ajatashatru, Vrikodara, Kaṅka, Grantha, and Sauvira."

As soon as Subhadra's eyes fell on them, recognition struck her. She rose from her seat in shock and rushed toward Krishna, gritting her teeth in frustration. "I! Ugh! You don't even give warnings, do you?"

Subhadra turned her attention to the five saints, ready to scold them as well. "And you five! What kind of childish act is this? Couldn't you have informed us before anything happened? You could have at least let me know you were faking your deaths! And you, especially you," she said, turning to Grantha and pulling his ear. "I thought you would at least send me a letter or something!"

Poor Grantha could barely defend himself. "I'm sorry, it was Jyesth Kaṅka's plan!"

Subhadra immediately released her grip on his ear and turned her glare toward Kaṅka. Words escaped her as she shifted her gaze around the room, grappling with her frustration.

"I don't care what your Jyesth Kaṅka does anymore," Subhadra said, casting a glance at Grantha before turning away from them, still seething with anger.

Now it was Kaṅka's turn to explain. Subhadra had already given him so much support; it was time for him to return the favor. "Princess, I truly apologize," he began earnestly. "My apology comes from the heart. They say men aren't expressive, but I promise to be open with you. Thank you so much-you were the only one who gave me the strength to act, warned me, and even showed me the solution. I can't express how grateful I am."

"What do you mean?" she said coldly, rolling her eyes.

"I'll explain everything, but first we need to have an important talk with Madhav," he replied, his eyes pleading.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she responded, already knowing where to find him. Once again, without needing to discuss it, they both understood where to meet.

Ajatashatru, Vrikodara, Kaṅka, Grantha, and Sauvira.

Yudhishthir, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev.

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