The Swayamvara of Bhanumati

The grand hall of Kalinga's palace shimmered with opulence, its marble pillars draped in silks and garlands, the air fragrant with sandalwood and jasmine.

Kings and princes from across Aryavrat filled the vast chamber, their armor gleaming, their eyes alight with ambition for the hand of Princess Bhanumati, renowned for her beauty and wisdom.

Duryodhana sat with Bahubali and Karna, and Angaraj. The hall buzzed with anticipation as Prince Shurthayuda, Bhanumati's brother, stepped forward, his voice commanding silence.

"Pranipat, noble kings and princes of Aryavrat," Shurthayuda announced. "My sister, Princess Bhanumati, will choose her husband today. She will ask each of you a question, and if your answer pleases her, she will garland you. Respect her choice, as Kalinga honors dharma."

The assembly nodded, murmurs of agreement rippling through the crowd. As the curtains parted, Bhanumati entered, her sari shimmering like moonlight, her grace captivating every gaze.

Duryodhana's breath caught, his eyes fixed on her, unblinking, his heart ensnared. Bahubali, noticing, nudged him, his voice teasing. "Mitra, it seems Princess Bhanumati has captured your heart already. Your eyes betray you!"

Duryodhana blushed, looking away, his voice flustered. "Bahu, it's nothing like that! She's… striking, but I'm here for alliance, not romance."

Karna, at Bahubali's other side, grinned, his tone playful. "Oh, Duryodhana, your face says otherwise! Mesmerized like a deer before a flame—admit it, mitra, she's stolen your senses!"

Duryodhana spluttered, his cheeks reddening further. "Karna, you too? Enough, both of you! Let's focus on the swayamvara."

The swayamvara began, Bhanumati moving gracefully among the suitors, her voice clear as she asked each, "What will I gain in this marriage?" Kings boasted of riches, palaces, armies, and jewels, their answers dripping with extravagance.

Shishupala of Chedi promised, "A palace of gold, filled with treasures."

Jayadratha of Sindhu offered, "An army to conquer Aryavrat for you."

Yet Bhanumati's expression remained neutral, her heart unmoved.

When she reached Duryodhana, she paused, her eyes meeting his. "Yuvraj Duryodhana, what will I gain in this marriage?"

Duryodhana, his voice steady but fervent, spoke from his heart. "Princess, I offer you my heart, wholly and forever. I vow to never marry another, to cherish and protect you as my equal, through joy and strife. Hastinapur's throne is yours, but my love is my truest gift."

The sincerity in his eyes, the depth in his voice, stirred Bhanumati. With a gentle smile, she lifted the garland and placed it around his neck, her choice declared.

The hall erupted in murmurs, some cheering, others bristling with envy. Bahubali clapped Duryodhana's shoulder, his voice warm. "Well done, mitra! Your heart won where riches failed. Congratulations!"

Karna grinned, his tone proud. " Duryodhana! Bhanumati chose wisely—a true Kshatriya's heart."

But the harmony shattered as a group of kings, led by Shishupala, stepped forward, their faces dark with resentment.

Shishupala sneered, "This is an outrage! A Kaurava over us? We'll take the bride by force, as Kshatriya tradition allows!" Swords were drawn, and a hundred kings advanced, intent on seizing Bhanumati.

Bahubali and Karna stepped before Duryodhana and Bhanumati, their stance unyielding.

Bahubali's voice boomed, laced with authority. "Halt, Kings and Princes of Aryavrat! It's unbecoming of warriors to force a woman who has chosen her husband. Bhanumati's garland is her will—respect it, or shame your Kshatriya code."

A king from Avanti scoffed, "What do you know of Kshatriya honor, sutaputra? You're Magadha's upstart, not our equal!"

Shishupala spat, "I despise when lowborns preach! You're no better than that trickster and gwala. Step aside, or face our blades."

Other princes echoed, "It's tradition! A swayamvara allows the strong to claim the bride. Stand down, Magadha Naresh!"

Bahubali's eyes blazed, his voice cutting like a blade. "Your arrogance blinds you. Tradition doesn't justify adharma! This marriage will happen, and I'll see who dares stop it. If you crave battle, I'm Duryodhana's champion. Face me, and test your pride against me!"

The hall tensed, swords glinting, as Bahubali, Karna, and Duryodhana stood ready to defend Bhanumati's choice.

The kings, enraged, retreated to prepare, vowing a fight before the wedding. Bahubali and Karna left to ready themselves, while Kalinga's court buzzed with tension.

---

At dawn, the battlefield outside Kalinga's capital teemed with spectators—royals, maids, servants, and commoners—drawn by the commotion. They learned of the kings' defiance and were dismayed, siding with Bhanumati's choice.

Bahubali and Karna stood alone on Rashmi and a golden chariot, wielding Ajaydhansu and Vijaya, their quivers inexhaustible. Facing them were over a hundred kings, including mighty Maharathis—Bhurisravas, Rukmi, Shishupal, Shalya, Keechak—yet the duo showed no fear, their faces resolute.

Kalinga Naresh, standing with Duryodhana, asked, "Yuvraj Suyodhana, won't you aid Magadha Naresh and Angaraj? They face a hundred warriors, including Bhurisravas, Rukmi, Shishupal, Shalya, and Keechak."

Duryodhana laughed heartily. "Maharaj, there's no need. My mitras are more than enough."

Kalinga Naresh frowned. "Their valor is legendary, but these are Maharathis, famed across Aryavrat. Are you certain?"

Duryodhana nodded, his voice confident. "They chose to represent me, and I trust them fully. Watch, Maharaj—they'll prove their might."

A conch shell blared, signaling the battle's start. Bahubali and Karna loosed arrows with lightning speed, their bows' twang filling hearts with dread, each shot flashing like thunder.

The opposing kings fired back, but the duo's arrows overwhelmed them, felling dozens in moments. Spectators gasped as the pair fought like lions among sheep, their chariots unscathed, their bodies untouched.

Within a prahar, the hundred kings dwindled to a few Maharathis, the ground littered with broken weapons.

Bhurisravas, bloodied but impressed, lowered his bow. "Lions among men, your valor humbles me. I withdraw and offer friendship."

Rukmi and Shishupal followed, bowing. "We accept defeat and extend our hands in alliance." Bahubali and Karna nodded, accepting their retreat.

Only Shalya and Keechak remained, their egos unyielding. Shalya, seething over his nephews' deaths, which he wrongly blamed on Duryodhana, roared, "I'll never let a murderer wed happily!"

Keechak, lusting for Bhanumati, snarled, "She's mine!" Both grabbed maces, leaping from their chariots.

Bahubali and Karna, wielding Vayuvajra and another divine mace, dismounted. The duel was fierce, maces clashing like thunder, but the duo's skill prevailed. Bahubali's blows shattered Shalya's defenses, while Karna's crushed Keechak's resolve, leaving both defeated but alive.

The spectators, awestruck, cheered. Kalinga's royals marveled at the duo's might, while Duryodhana, beside Bhanumati, boasted proudly, "See, my mitras are unmatched!" Bhanumati laughed at his boyish excitement, blushing at his flirtatious remarks, seeing his deep admiration for his friends.

Bahubali and Karna joined Duryodhana, who clasped their shoulders. "Mitras, you've secured my happiness. Thank you."

The marriage ceremony began, Bhanumati and Duryodhana wed under Kalinga's sacred rites. King Chitrangada offered Bahubali and Karna guest quarters for the night, which they accepted, retiring as the stars rose, their bond with Duryodhana stronger than ever, dharma's light guiding their path.