Babhruvahana - The Son Who Killed His Father

Dadi: "Beta, have you ever had to do something difficult because it was your duty, even though it hurt you deeply?"

Guddu: "Like when I had to tell the teacher that my friend copied from me, Dadi? I did not want to get him in trouble, but it was wrong."

Dadi: "Yes, beta, exactly like that but much, much harder. Let me tell you about a son who had to fight his own father - and what happened because of an ancient curse."

Guddu: "A son fighting his father? That is terrible!"

Dadi: "It is, beta. The son's name was Babhruvahana, and his father was the mighty Arjuna. But Babhruvahana had never really known his father."

Guddu: "How is that possible?"

Dadi: "During the Pandavas' thirteen-year exile, Arjuna had traveled to many places. In a kingdom called Manipura, he met a warrior princess named Chitrangada and married her. But her father had one condition - any children born must stay in Manipura to become heirs to that kingdom."

Guddu: "Arjuna agreed?"

Dadi: "He did, beta. So when Babhruvahana was born, Arjuna left, knowing he could not take his wife or son with him. The boy grew up as a prince in Manipura, hearing legends of his great father but never meeting him."

Guddu: "That must have been hard for Babhruvahana."

Dadi: "It was. But there was also a curse hanging over this family. Long ago, when Arjuna used a warrior named Shikhandi as a shield to defeat the great Bhishma in battle, the goddess Ganga was furious. She cursed Arjuna: "You will die at the hands of your own son.""

Guddu: "So Babhruvahana was destined to kill his father?"

Dadi: "The curse was set. But the gods also arranged for redemption. Arjuna had another wife - Ulupi, a serpent princess from the underwater kingdom. She knew about the curse and she had a plan."

Guddu: "What plan?"

Dadi: "Years later, after the great Mahabharata war was won, the Pandavas performed a special ritual called the Ashvamedha Yagna. A royal horse was released to wander freely, and any kingdom that captured it was challenging the Pandavas to battle."

Guddu: "And the horse went to Manipura?"

Dadi: "Exactly. The horse wandered into Babhruvahana's kingdom, and Arjuna followed it. Here was the moment - father and son meeting for the first time in years."

Guddu: "Was Babhruvahana happy to see his father?"

Dadi: "He was, beta! He welcomed Arjuna with great joy and offered to surrender his entire kingdom. But then something unexpected happened. Ulupi appeared and told Babhruvahana, "A true Kshatriya does not surrender. If a horse from another kingdom enters your land, you must fight. This is your dharma!""

Guddu: "She wanted them to fight?"

Dadi: "Arjuna himself scolded his son. "You call yourself a warrior? You should have challenged me the moment I entered your kingdom, not offered surrender like a coward.""

Guddu: "That is confusing - his father wanted him to fight?"

Dadi: "Babhruvahana was torn, but his duty as a king and warrior was clear. He captured the horse and prepared for battle. The fight that followed was epic - father and son, two of the greatest warriors, clashing with all their skill."

Guddu: "Who won?"

Dadi: "The arrows flew back and forth, each warrior striking the other. Finally, Babhruvahana released arrows that hit Arjuna in the shoulder and chest. The great Arjuna fell, and this time, he did not rise. He was dead."

Guddu: "Babhruvahana killed his own father!"

Dadi: "When he realized what he had done, beta, Babhruvahana fainted from shock and grief. Chitrangada, his mother, rushed to the scene crying. She blamed Ulupi: "You made my son kill his own father! You are a serpent indeed - poisonous and cruel!""

Guddu: "But Ulupi had a plan, did she not?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. Ulupi revealed everything. She explained about the curse and how the only way to break it was for Babhruvahana to defeat Arjuna in battle. Then she produced something precious - the Mritasanjivani stone, a magical gem from the serpent realm that could restore life!"

Guddu: "She could bring Arjuna back?"

Dadi: "She instructed Babhruvahana to place the stone on his father's chest. With prayers and hope, the young prince did so. The sky showed auspicious signs - and Arjuna's eyes opened! He was alive again!"

Guddu: "The curse was broken?"

Dadi: "Completely. Arjuna embraced his son, and this time there were tears of joy. The battle had fulfilled the curse - Arjuna had died at his son's hands - but the revival meant everyone could live on. The curse was satisfied, and no lasting harm remained."

Guddu: "Ulupi planned all of this?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. She knew the only way to free Arjuna from the curse was to let it happen, then undo the damage. What looked like cruelty was actually the deepest love and wisdom."

Guddu: "What does this teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "So many things, my child. First, that sometimes we must do painful things because duty demands it, even fighting those we love. Second, that curses and bad destiny can sometimes be overcome through wisdom and planning. Third, that things are not always what they seem - what looks cruel may actually be kind. And finally, that true family bonds survive even death and conflict."

Guddu: "Babhruvahana must have felt so relieved when his father came back!"

Dadi: "He did, beta. After that day, father and son were finally united. Babhruvahana returned with Arjuna to the Pandava kingdom, and all was forgiven. The son who killed his father became the son who was blessed by his father's full love."

Guddu: "That is a strange story but also beautiful in the end."

Dadi: "Many stories about duty are strange, beta. Doing the right thing is not always easy or comfortable. But when we trust in dharma and act with a pure heart, even the most difficult situations can find resolution."