If you like this story, I request you to before reading ahead. 😊

*****************************************************

The Pandavs, Kunti and Drisana was walking through the villages and towns of Matsya for several days. Attired in barks and animal skins, the Pandavs had the appearance of ascetics, while Kunti and Drisana wore simple clothing. Sometimes the Pandavs found some work and in exchange took food items or gold coins, or collected fruits from tress to eat. They were passing through the small town of Matsya named Alwar. The Pandavs left Kunti and Drisana with Bheem near a well to find some work.

Yudhisthir, Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev were roaming around the town when they saw a bull was running through the roads. While running the big bull passed a cart that was fully loaded and getting pushed the cart was going to fall at its side where a small boy was standing.

Reacting immediately, Nakul got the boy out of the falling carts path.

"Are you okay, boy?" He asked the boy.

A woman came running to them and hugged the boy tightly, checking the boy repeatedly for injuries. She then looked at the four Pandavs and said,

"Many many thanks to you. For saving my son."

"It's okay. Be careful next time." Nakul said.

"Who are you? I've never seen you here before." The woman asked.

"We're Brahmans. We've come here recently. We're in search of work."replied Arjun. Yudhisthir chose to remain silent most times thus days as he could not lie.

"I'm greatful to you all. If you don't mind, I'd like to invite you to my house for meal. Please don't refuse." The woman said.

"But we're not alone. We've our Mata, sister and one more brother with us." Arjun said after looking at his brothers.

"No problem. I'll be happy if you come with your whole family to my house." said the woman with a smile.

After getting a nod from Yudhisthir, he nodded. The woman showing the direction of her house left. The four Pandavs returned to the place where they left Kunti, Drisana and Bheem. They told them about the invitation. Bheem became happy hearing it.

"Then we'll get delicious food to eat." Bheem said.

"Bhrata Bheem, please keep a little control. Barna kahi aisa na ho ki hume vojan karwane k cakkar mei unhe viksa magna par jai. (Otherwise they'll have to beg alms to satisfy your hunger)." Sahdev said.

"Adhik mat bolo tum. Barna tumhara vojan bhi mai kha lunga. (Don't say too much. Or else I'll eat your meal also)." Bheem threatened Sahdev.

Kunti was looking towards her sons with a sad expression. What days they were facing. Those who used to eat 56 'bhog' (dishes), now barely got enough to eat. Those who used to sleep on soft mattresses, were sleeping on bare earth. Those who were known in the whole Aryavart as mighty warriors, were begging and doing small works to earn one meal. Those who could conquer countries, were running from country to country.

Drisana noticed the look at Kunti's face and asked through eyes what happened. Kunti shaked her head with a sad smile.

They went to that woman's house after sometime. The woman was the wife of a rich merchant named Ganjupal. He and his wife welcomed them and was repeatedly thanking them for saving his son. They all were seated when Ganjupal asked them their names and whereabouts.

Pandavs were in a fix thinking what to answer. They couldn't say their real names. It could create suspicion.

Drisana thought to answer.

"Name. Their names are Janardhan, Bajarang, Achyut, Narendra and.. Shambhu. And I am Drisana." Said Drisana with a forced smile. The pandavs remained silent while Yudhisthir gave her a glance which she royally ignored.

"Okay. How have you come in these area?" Ganjupal asked again not suspecting anything.

"Actually we were passing through Alwar. We've no definite destination in mind." Arjun said.

"Do you have any place to stay? There is no dharmsala in this area."asked Ganjupal.

"No. We stay where the day ends."answered Arjun.

Just then the food arrived and they started eating. Everyone finished eating while Bheem continued with no sign to stop. Ganjupal and his wife were looking worried.

"Actually, my this son gets a little bit more hungry." Kunti said to them with a slight smile.

"No. No. It's okay. Satisfying a Brahmans hunger is an act of virtue. Don't worry. You eat. There are more." Ganjupal said reassuringly.

Thankfully Bheem stopped soon after.

After that they wanted to leave while Ganjupal stopped them saying as they had no place to say, he'd like to offer a place to stay as long as they were here. The pandavs tried to deny but Ganjupal said this was the least he could do. At his insistence, they agreed. The next day the pandavs left again leaving Sahdev behind to look for alms and work.

After roaming for a bit, they came near a place where a girl was chopping heavy blocks of woods. The girl was looking exhausted and panting heavily. Still she continued working. She was looking rather unhealthy and her clothes were ragged and torn. Yudhisthir looked closely and saw a chain was attached to her feet from a large tree.

The brothers went towards her.

"Who are you, devi? And why are you doing this work? Moreover who chained you like this?" Yudhisthir asked.

The girl looked at them once. Then again continued her work. The brothers were confused.

"This work is too heavy for you. Let me help you, devi. " Saying so Bheem tried to take the axe from her. But the girl stepped back and looked alarmed. Looking around if anyone was near, she said softly,

"Thank you for your offer. But this is my work. I'll have to do it only."

"Who gave you such work? And who chained you to this tree?"asked Yudhisthir not liking that a woman was treated this badly.

"I request you. Please leave and let me do my-" before the girl could finish a man came there screaming.

"Who are you talking to? How many times you've been told not to talk to anyone? Do your work quietly or you won't get any food today." The man looked at the four Pandavs and said, "Pranam. You people look like Brahmans. Have you come for alms?"

"Yes. But tell us something. Who is this devi? And why has she been chained like that?"Arjun asked.

"She's my dasi (slave). I've chained her so she can't go anywhere leaving her work." The man said.

"But this is not right. You can't treat her like this."said Yudhisthir.

"I'll do whatever I want. You've come to seek alms, right? Take it and leave." Saying so the man called someone to give them alms.

Bheem was angry and was going to step ahead to teach him a lesson. But was stopped by Arjun. They left from there without taking alms. All of them were disturbed by the girls condition. Yudhisthir was the most affected. He was unable to accept the treatment of the girl. Having slaves were common tradition in Aryavart. Their treatment depended on their masters. While some countries had rules considering it, others didn't. People like that man abused their slaves without a care. Yudhisthir had known that but watching it firsthand was effecting him severely.

Kunti and Drisana had helped Ganjupal's wife in household chores while her sons were out. She looked at the four as they returned. They were looking upset. Kunti asked what happened. They told about the slave girl. Hearing so Kunti was upset too. They got to know from Ganjupal that the girls father was a blacksmith. He took loan from that merchant. Later died in a disease without repaying as the interest was too high. At that time the girl was little. Her mother died giving birth to her thus leaving the girl to suffer at the hands of that evil.

"No one deserves to be a slave. Everyone should be free. If someone is unable to repay loan take his property, lands, give him work so he can repay by working. But making his family members slave is not right. What fault the girl has that she's suffering like this." Drisana said.

No one had the answer to that question. That night Yudhisthir wasn't able to sleep. Thinking about the girl, it was against his dharm to watch someone suffer like this and not help.

The next day he went to that man to talk and make him understand dharm. His brothers followed him. The man was very rude and strubbon. He was not understanding a word Yudhisthir said.

"It's against dharm. Why are you doing this sin? She's a human first. By treating her this way, you're insulting god." Yudhisthir said.

"Brahman dev, why are you concerning yourself for a mere slave. She's my slave. I'll treat her as I wish. If you're so concerned for her, then repay her loan and take her with you." The man, Aloknath, said to Yudhisthir.

"Look-" Yudhisthir tried to say.

"Don't waste my time. If you are ready to repay her loan, then only we'll talk. Otherwise take your leave." Aloknath rudely interrupted.

"How much she owes you?" Yudhisthir asked.

"Ten thousand gold coins." Aloknath replied with a smirk, knowing that a Brahman wouldn't be able to pay so much.

Yudhisthir was in deep thoughts along with his brothers. It was a big amount and there was no way for them to get so much coins. But there was no other way to free that girl too.

"Jyesth, don't worry. We'll surely get some way to free her." Nakul said to assure him.

"If you didn't stop me, I'd have broken his bones." Bheem was so angry.

"But what can we do?" Arjun asked no one in particular.

"Putra, don't worry. God will surely show you some way." Kunti said keeping her hand in Yudhisthirs shoulder.

"Mata is right, jyesth." Drisana too assured him. This course of events opened Yudhisthirs eyes at the injustice towards the slaves. There was no way that girls father took so much loan. Aloknath added as much interest as he wanted. He had no intention of ever freeing that girl.

The next day, they heard Ganjupal cursing and shouting. They went to see the matter.

"I'll be ruined if the tiger doesn't leave the place." Ganjupal was saying with tension.

"What happened Ganjupal ji? You're looking worried." Yudhisthir asked Ganjupal.

"Brahman dev, I bought a mine sometimes before that contains silver. But recently a man-eater tiger has taken up residence in that mine. My men are afraid to go there. I hired people to kill that tiger. But those never came back. And now no one is ready to go there no matter how much I'm ready to pay them. I'll face a big loss if this problem doesn't get solved." Ganjupal explained.

"Don't worry. Your problem must be solved." Yudhisthir said thinking a little. "I'll go there."

The Pandavs, Kunti and Drisana were all surprised to hear this. It wasn't unlikely if he wanted to help. But he declared he himself would go.

"What are you saying, putra?" Kunti asked being concerned.

"Trust me, mata." Yudhisthir assured her than looking back at Ganjupal asked,

"I'll go there and kill that tiger. But you'll have to promise to give me ten thousand gold coins in return." Yudhisthir said to him.

Everyone immediately caught up his reason behind doing this. Yudhisthir wanted to save that girl.

"Not ten, I'll give you thirty thousands if you help me. But will you be able to do this, Janardhan ji?" Ganjupal said.

"I'll do it. But I want ten thousand gold coins only."said Yudhisthir.

"Okay. I'll show you the mine." Ganjupal nodded.

"Jyesth, you don't need to go. I'll go there." Bheem said stopping Yudhisthir.

"No, Bheem. Only I'll do this." Yudhisthir said with determination.

"But you don't need to go Jyesth. Order us and it'll be done." Nakul said.

"Don't you trust my ability?" Yudhisthir asked looking at his brothers.

"No, jyesth. We've no doubt in you. But-"

"No but Nakul. I'll go. Mata, give me permission." Yudhisthir said touching Kunti's feet.

Kunti blessed him for success.

"At least let me come with you Jyesth." Arjun said. Yudhisthir nodded finally.

Yudhisthir and Arjun left while the rest waited. Drisana wondered on Yudhisthirs behaviour. It was good he finally saw slavery as a problem. She hoped he would be able to free that girl. She thought about the girl. Who was the girl that made even Yudhisthir restless?

It was nighttime when Yudhisthir and Arjun came back after successfully getting rid of that tiger. They came to know from Arjun that Yudhisthir hadn't killed it. Rather made it unconscious and left it in deep forest. Kunti was relieved to see him back unharmed. Not that she doubted her sons abilities. But she was a mother after all.

Ganjupal thanked him and handed him the gold coins as promised. Even though Yudhisthir wanted to go right then to free that girl. He decided to go in the morning.

The next morning, Yudhisthir left with Arjun and Nakul to free that girl. They went to Aloknath's house and saw the girl washing clothes near a well, the chain was still attached to her feet. The girl wondered why they came here again. Her master would never release her.

She had never known her mother. Her father was her only support. She lost him to a disease too. And then Aloknath brought her here. Since childhood she had known only to obey, or else there'll be punishment. Be it either starving for days or getting whipped or beatings with a broom or stick. No one had ever cared for her existence. Then why this Brahman did? She had heard him talk to her master. He was so mad after those Brahmans left. She got another beating for talking to them. She tried to tell her master that she only told them to leave but he was convinced it was her fault. As she watched them going inside she steadied herself for Aloknath's anger again.

Yudhisthir handed Aloknath the coins. Aloknath was gritting his teeth in anger. He asked where he had gotten the coins. Yudhisthir told him it wasn't any of his concern and he had to release the girl now.

Having no other option, Aloknath came outside and opened the chain around the slaves feet. He told her that Yudhisthir had bought her. She was shocked and confused. They left from there silently. After coming back at Ganjupal's place, the girl looked around nervous and afraid, thinking what they're going to make her do.

Kunti and Drisana smiled watching the girl. They felt a pang in their heart to see the girls condition. Even with ragged clothes, being underweight and exhausted, there was an innocence in her face. She looked frightened.

Kunti went towards her and keeping a hand in her head asked gently,

"What's your name, putri?"

"Devika" said the girl in a soft voice.