The borders of Magadha stood silent under the midday sun, the vast Pandava army arrayed in gleaming ranks, their banners fluttering in the breeze. Bahubali strode out from Rajgir's towering gates, his presence a tower of calm strength in a simple white dhoti and angavastram, Ajaydhansu slung across his back. The Pandavas—Yudhishthira on a golden chariot, Bhima with his mace, Arjuna with Gandiva, Nakula and Sahadeva armed and alert—watched from their lines, their faces a mix of determination and arrogance.
Bahubali spoke. "Pranipat, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, mighty Pandavas. I am Bahubali, Naresh of Magadha. Welcome to my borders, though I sense your purpose is not one of peace. Speak—what brings you here with such a force?"
Yudhishthira, his regal bearing steady, stepped forward, his voice formal yet commanding. "Pranipat, Magadha Naresh Bahubali. We come as part of the Rajasuya Yagna, to unite Aryavrat under Dharma's banner. As emperor-to-be, I seek your kingdom's submission, to join us in prosperity and justice. Though you know this, let us discuss as allies, not foes."
Bahubali's gaze swept over Yudhishthira and his brothers, noting Bhima's clenched fists, Arjuna's grip on Gandiva, and the twins' eager stances, their army sprawling behind like a sea of steel. He smiled faintly, his tone measured but unyielding. "Dharmaraja, your yagna is noble, a call to unity under dharma. Yet Magadha stands sovereign, its people thriving under reforms that honor all. I will not join your empire, nor bend to conquest. If war is your path, I'm ready—but let's spare the common soldiers suffering for your ambitions. Face me in a one-on-one duel, or all five brothers at once. The choice is yours, Yudhishthira. Let dharma decide, not bloodshed."
Bhima's face reddened, his voice booming like thunder. "Insolent sutaputra! You dare challenge us all? I'll crush you alone!"
Arjuna, his bow raised, snarled, "Gandiva will silence your arrogance, Bahubali!"
Nakula and Sahadeva drew their swords, their expressions furious, "You underestimate the Pandavas!"
Yudhishthira raised his hand, silencing them, his voice calm but edged with authority. "Brothers, hold. Bahubali's offer is bold, but I have faith in our strength. We accept one-on-one duels. Arjuna, step forward—show Magadha the might of Gandiva."
Arjuna nodded, his eyes blazing, mounting his chariot, his charioteer whipping the horses toward the open field.
Bahubali willed Rashmi forward, its white horses charging with ethereal grace, the chariot gleaming gold.
The armies watched, tension thick as the conch shells blew, signaling the duel's start.
Arjuna began cautiously, loosing normal arrows to gauge Bahubali's skill, shafts whistling like vultures.
Bahubali countered effortlessly, his Ajaydhansu singing, arrows clashing mid-air in bursts of light. For an hour, the field echoed with the twang of bows and the thud of collisions, Arjuna's face hardening as Bahubali matched him shot for shot.
Bhima muttered, "Arjuna's testing him—soon he'll crush that sutaputra!"
Yudhishthira nodded, "Patience, Bhimsen. Arjuna's Gandiva will prevail."
Frustrated by the stalemate, Arjuna invoked divya astras. He loosed the Agneyastra, arrows blazing like comets, igniting the air.
Bahubali countered with the Varunastra, summoning rain to quench the flames in a hissing steam.
Arjuna's Vayvayastra whipped up a gale, dust swirling like a tornado, but Bahubali's own Vayvayastra countering it.
The Pandavas watched, Bhima growling, "That bow matches Gandiva! How?"
Nakula whispered, "He's toying with Arjuna, Bhrata!"
Sahadeva frowned, "His counters are perfect."
The duel raged till the sun hung low, one hour from setting. Fed up, Arjuna chanted for the Brahmastra, a golden arrow of catastrophic power surging toward Bahubali.
But Bahubali, unphased, invoked the Brahmadanda Astra, a counterforce that neutralized the weapon in a blinding explosion, the shockwave rippling across the field.
The Pandavas staggered, Arjuna's face paling. "Impossible!" he gasped.
Bhima roared, "That sutaputra's astras rival ours!"
Bahubali, ending the play, grew serious, loosing arrows at triple speed, each shaft a blur.
Arjuna countered desperately, but the collisions crept closer, the impact jarring his chariot.
Bahubali accelerated further, arrows hailing like monsoon rain, overwhelming Arjuna's defenses.
The Pandavas watched in horror—Yudhishthira murmuring, "His speed… It's unfathomable!"
Bhima clenched his fists, "Arjuna, fight back!"
Nakula and Sahadeva exchanged worried glances, "He's too fast!"
Finally, Bahubali chanted for the Nagpash Astra, serpentine ropes coiling toward Arjuna.
Arjuna tried to counter, invoking the Garudastra, but Bahubali's speed prevailed—the astra bound him, Gandiva falling from his grasp.
Arjuna slumped, defeated, as the crowd gasped.
Bahubali lowered his bow, his voice echoing, "The duel is over. Arjuna, you fought with honor."
The Pandavas rushed to Arjuna, Yudhishthira chanting a mantra to dispel the Nagpash, the ropes vanishing.
Arjuna gasped, rubbing his arms. "Brothers… he's unbreakable."
Bhima fumed, "That sutaputra toyed with you!"
Yudhishthira, his face grim, whispered, "We underestimated him. But the yagna demands Magadha."
Nakula said, "He's fast, but we're five."
Sahadeva nodded, "Let's tire him tomorrow."
Approaching Bahubali, Yudhishthira said, "Magadha Naresh, the sun sets in two hours. We propose continuing tomorrow. Let dharma decide over days."
Bahubali nodded, his tone gracious. "As you wish, Dharmaraja. But accept Magadha's hospitality—stay in the palace tonight."
Yudhishthira shook his head. "Our tents are set, and as rivals, it's unfit. We'll meet at dawn."
With a final pranipat, the Pandavas departed, their army retreating to camp.
Bahubali returned to Rajgir, his heart steady, knowing tomorrow's battles would test not just strength, but dharma's true path.