"The Princess".......... Part One...and Two….

Dear Reader,

My Blog “ The Princess “ is nothing but simple scribblings of my wandering thoughts based on a story describing Panchali’s secret fascination towards the Star of Mahabharata – Karna ……Infact I read that few months back in a weekly.As per them, it was described in Puranamanjari.I don’t know whether its correct or not.Any way, the base of my blog is the above said thread.To feel the freshness, I have made certain deviations from the original text.And finally, that my blog has nothing to do with the Great Epic.

Since it is lengthy, I wish to publish it in few parts.Need your evaluation.

Request: If U don’t have time to read it in one sitting, Pls don’t read it.....The feelings are given to experience....

To get along the continuity, I have clubbed Part One and Two…

Best Regards

Love

Aditya Das Menon………

“THE PRINCESS” –PART ONE AND TWO………

The evening climate was bit more cooler than the previous one….The quilt of darkness brood over the palace much before the normal time…So the lamps were set on early…Indraprasta was crowded by the visit of Lady Vrishali who was on her way back from forest after sparing few days with Rajmatha Kunthi, Gandhari and Maharaja Dhritarastra…She was heading towards her village where the old aged parents were alone there…In between she made a brisk visit to the palace too…

Folding the hands, she stood in front of me……

“So u wish to travel during the night itself”…? .looking at her,I enquired….

She replied with a  smile ……..

“Madhu, we have made all arrangements for her safe journey.Nakul will ride on another chariot to lead her and Sahadev will follow both of them…”Realizing my concern of the night journey,Maharaja Yudhistir, my husband replied….

“ Can I send Vyjayanthy too, my most loyal servant”?…I asked her…

“ Not required Rajmathey….I am safe….you need’nt worry at all”…..

Moving forward, I cuddled her……

“ Don’t you know, that I keep genuine concerns for you…and don’t you know that, you are blessed as always….”?….I muttered into her ears…..

Her silence calmly accepted my wishes…Along with Maharaj, me too walked down to the entrance of the palace……and finally she left to the village…….

Clasping my hands, Maharaj walked back to my room and sat on the bed…..My eyes peeled him….The silver growth on the hair even at the beginning of the old age reflected the restless mind….The continuous sadhanas helped the body to be more flexible and thinner…… From the face,I sensed  an array of disturbing thoughts passing through his mind…Looking at me,he whispered…..

” When ever I meet lady Vrishali - the widow of Maharaja Karna, my own elder brother ,the  mind rewinds back …..and…. I feel, like  my Prince stands in front ….Keeping the hands on my shoulder, the gorgeous figure reminds about the tough path of commitment, and basic knowledge of Rajneethi….I feel as if he hugs and advices how to rule the country yet keeping the commitment in search of truth….I feel as if we both walk down to the shores of Ganges…and offer arkhya to Lord Sun………Its impossible to forget those feelings as they linger in the memories for ever…” His throat horsed and he paused  for a minute…Then continued…..

”Madhu,…I feel him …….even now, after twenty years of war….and I realize him too…..I know that  am not the legitimate Ruler…Nevertheless, I rule for him…..Like him, me too is trying to stick the path of commitment…”

Turning back, I gazed at the sky….He spoke again…

“ Madhu”….” “We fought a war for justice…..How many years we dwelled in the forest? Though we lacked the basic comforts,we were never in short of mental calmness….The vanavas period rather helped us in meeting thousands of saints, learning their lives,their experience in search of truth, and mixing with different cultures…Everything helped  in realizing the essence of eternal life….. I sorely miss those treasures after becoming the ruler….Now, I am carrying a heavy heart which is growing further …I try to find solace on the shores of Ganges….Yet, I am tired…..”

 Standing from the bed he continued “Madhu, I experience the richness of a wandering youth during Vanavasa period and emptiness of an aged Ruler now…The time has thrown a question to me ….. Am I eligible to rule ?  or winning a war is the only eligibility , when a bare handed Yudhistira and his brothers were allowed to kill the great leaders of this majestic land…..??..I rule for them who loved this land more than themselves and accepted the death rather than killed by us…I rule for them who sacrificed the comforts and moved towards the path of perfection…….and….. I rule for them who blessed me to achieve the material wishes and then to realize the reality, that all those comforts are noting but simple bubbles only….Once it breaks, human mind too falls down to earth…The life has become a journey from one desire to another…The moment we achieve something,the emptiness of achievement turns the heart to feel vacuum..….Suddenly , from somewhere, another bubble of desire appears and we, the mere mortals run after it…..The so called foolish act continues till the end….Even death too fascinates with the desire of living in heaven afterwards…..But I have never heard of a heaven or a hell in any other world…..I realize the fact that, the so called glittering heaven or the most dreadful hell are noting but the simple creation of mind only….According to each thought, karma changes and the heaven and hell too….Nothing is constant here including my current thoughts too….Emotions, feelings, heaven and hell change on thoughts….And they continue to intrigue me”….Keeping disquieting silence for few minutes,  he whispered again….

“I don’t know , You too have tied up yourself in this room…Why can’t u make a visit to Hastinapura and spare some days..??…..At least that will help you to regain some sort of lost joy….”??

“ Regaining the lost joy?…. that too at this age?….No Maharaj…..that is not required at all….I find solace in this room…..No other place can console me like this ….”

Taking a deep breth,I again gazed through the window…..The chilled weather and  embracing wind made the body nippy….A feeble song echoed from the shore of Ganges….Like me and like my five husbands-The Pandavas,….some one too was trying to find solace on her shores………..

“ Madhu…”  ….

Turning back,I stared at his eyes which were distorted with parched dreams……His face appeared pale due to the onslaught of emotions and feelings….Keeping me close to him, he glared….Then, keeping the left hand around my shoulders, he caressed me with the right one.…..A drop of tear appeared in the eyes…….He kept the lips on my forehead….I could well feel the radiating heat from it….The eminent King of the Kuruvamsh, Maharaj Yudhistir stood there for few minutes….Then, he walked down to the central hall……………..

I pained at his expressing feelings that were inexpressible in words…After the war, most of the days were like that only….Feeling desolate after his leaving,I was in an overwrought state of mind……Yet I tried not to clutter my mind with all those vibrations…...

Time was nearing the midnight….The palace seemed slipping into deep silence…I moved towards the window again…Normally nights during the month of “Margasheershka”, were always chilled……Since it was the previous one to Pournami,the gleaming sky glittered with numerous stars embraced by the full blue moon……..How many nights , I spent like this??…… I stared enthralled at the magical effect of the moon and the stars in kindling the vibrations of soothing for those piteous hearts and romance for those blessed few……..

“ What is my feeling ……….now?………” I asked myself  ? “ soothing or Romance? …..Romance? , at this age?..after meeting lady Vrishali ? or after feeling the perennial pain of Maharaj Yudhistir???  “

Through the window, I tried to find my little star which normally appears on the northern side of the palace …..For the last many years, the little one with a beaming smile, had become my panacea to the disturbing thoughts….During the sleepless nights, I stood near this window, and looked at it. Cladding my soul with it’s cool blue rays, it caressed my heart with the velvet touches……..

” Hey, where is my star?..”..the dry throat asked to the skies…..The wet eyes searched it through the thousands present……I knew, that my little star was kidding with me by hiding somewhere among the others….I eagerly searched it all over the sky……Finally I found it...............,Standing alone over the eastern side of the palace….and smiling at me….It then traveled further down and embraced the marble memorial of the Lone Prince of the epic who rest over there……Keeping my chin on the iron rode,and without moving the eyebrows, I stared it…..the immortal star of the epic………The Prince Karna……

“ Hey, star , how long you can hide yourself from me?…. Don’t you know that , I have reached the final phase of life….? Don’t you know, that I have become old?… Don’t you know, that I try to search solace in you?… I know, that you are immortal….and memories of you too….” I became totally oblivious to my surroundings…

“Rajmathey,kindly have the food”…The sound of a request touched the ears…

It was from Vyjayanthi ,my most loyal servant .She had been with me for the last forty five years….

“Rajmathey, you look so tired”?….She asked politely….

I stared at my star again…….and turned back, to answer………..

“ Vyjayanthi, You have been with me for the last so many years….You have grown up to the level of a friend, rather than a servant …..and I have allowed you to mingle with me freely…I am glad that you have never crossed the limits….Your doubt is correct…I am not feeling well….You know, we fought our final war exactly twenty years back during this month...The thoughts of pain, missing and loss seem to be riding back again….I am neither feeling hunger nor sleep…I wish to stand near this window, and feel my little star…Let my memories start rush in…..coz they too offer me a lot of space to find solace…..Let my mind again wander in thoughts……U too wish to wander with me?….”

Vyjayanthi’s eyes wide opened……

“Your face shows the growing interest. To wander in the skies of imagination,I tell you a  story of a young Princess who shared the absolute material comforts, yet missed the quintessence of life sorely….Again it is the story of a young Princess who was forced to betray her soul first and body later….and the story of her, who loved romance yet lost the feelings by a whisker…….”

Through the window, I gazed at the memorial again…..Sitting on the tip of the obelisk,my little star seemed inviting me towards there………

I was born with most irresistible physical features.Like a butterfly, I danced all over the palace.When I grow to koumara,the news about my glowing physical beauty spread like fire.Other rulers dreamt to marry me.But Father wished to choose a Prince from Kuruvamsh coz of the supreme command and respect enjoyed by them.It was on that day, after the return of my brother from Hastinapura who was invited as a guest to watch the moke war contests of the Yuvarajas of Kuru Vamsh,I accidentally reached the room of my father who was in deep discussion with my brother….Without bothering my presence, they continued their chat…”

“How can it happen, a young man that too neither belong to the royal family,can compete with  Yuvraj Arjun and win over him….? Its impossible…” My father denied in shock …

“Father,I can well read your concern, but it was true.The boy, has a kavacha on his chest and kundala on both the ears from birth onwards…..But it’s the truth…After meeting him,I personally verified it….More than Kavacha or Kundalas,He mesmerized us with his glowing and unbelievable marks of physical beauty which reflected like the Full Moon, while he looked like a Crimson Sun.It was felt as if Kamdeva was standing in front of us…His dreamy eyes,and the romantic look resembled of Lord Vishnu…..His smile replicated thousands of glittering stars…..I have never seen anyone with such passionate level of beauty….The young girls of Hastinapura fell unconscious on his look…The boys too failed to divert the eyes.….”

My brother continued…. “In warfront too he was so daring..…In bow and arrow contest,while blindfolded Yuvraj Arjun,failed the first chance to hit the arrow in the eyes of a running horse , the charming young man with much easiness , performed that….In fighting with club, Bhim lost his weapon in five minutes time..and with in another five minutes the second Pandava was seen falling down by his brutal punches….In fighting with sword, both Yuvrajas Yudhistira and Nakula lost pathetically…..Drona was seen running in anxiety…..Maharaja Bhisma was forced to intervene while declaring the winner…..Yet,sidelining the young guy, they declared Arjun as the winner….”

“Who is he??..I have never heard of him…What is his name?”

“ His name is Karna - the son of a chariot driver - Radheya”

“Son of a chariot driver??Then he should be a chariot driver only..How he became a warrior? How he competed with the Yuvrajas?…Who allowed him to participate….?? And who initiated him the rare mantras and thantras which should only be in the warfront? …Don’t they know that the war secrets should not be parted with those who are neither Brahmins or Kshatriyas because of the fear of misuse?? It means, the so called Gurus have forgotten the principles of chathurvanya?….But I am happy on Drona’s helplessness with his so called famous students….I want to enjoy his piteous condition again and again…….”

“Karna was invited by Yuvraj Duryodhana.Because of his rivalry with Pandavas,the young Prince of Hastinapura vowed to retaliate to the ego of Arjun.And he believed that, only Karna can compete with the Third Pandava and wins over him.The whole week’s exercises confirmed that too.Any way,At the time of return, Maharaja Dhritarastra requested me to visit there again along with you, mother and Madhu to spent few days with him…..He has handed over a gift too to Madhu….”

“We always respected the greatness of Kuruvamsh…I am glad at his heart of welcoming me….Show me the gift…”

“ Father,it is well packed…...we can ask Madhu to open it ….Only she has got the right to it……”

“Though they asked me to open it, I was not willing to…Keeping it close to my chest, I moved towards my room…That was the third day after the completion of routine rajaswala….When my thoughts tempted to enjoy material trans with a Prince,the body was longing to happen it fast…..”

“Crossing the dance hall,I walked forward…..My mom was seen sitting  there, and enjoying the celestial music of flute…..I Closed the doors and opened the packet….It was a doll of a Prince made out of Devadaru Wood with long hairs….Since the hair was glued to the doll, It looked absolutely majestic….It could move the hands, legs and neck. Interestingly it could open and close the eyes too…Taking it with both hands,we shared a kiss….Suddenly I underwent a surreal like experience with the appearance of a  Prince, in front….He looked like a Full moon, impatiently waiting to embrace the glittering stars….The room was brightened with blue rays emanated from his body…..His face reflected the true essence of romance….The lusty muscles symbolized the mightiness in war….The whiskers on moustache and chest revealed his unique ability to fulfill the burning  desires of teenaged girls…”

The most tempting raga “ Mohana” fondled on the ears……..

“Stretching both hands, he smiled…..Mesmerized at his beauty, I lured into him…..With both the hands, he embraced me…..I gaped at his dreamy eyes from where winds of romance conjured ripples of feelings inside my deepest soul….My fingers wandered through his moustache, lips,chin, chest, naïve and wished to traverse further down……Encircling his neck with my left hand, I smelled him so deeply….The unique aroma pulled me to the entrance of another world of material maya…..Our eyes exchanged the subtle nuances of the finest feelings….The flowing mohana raga added spice to the intoxicating interaction……His beaming smile continue to vibrate at my heart strings……”

“ Hey, Who are you?”….I asked him in a whisper….

“ I am a Prince……….”..He muttered….

“From where you appear now”?...........

“ From your heart…I stay in sweet girls hearts…………”

“Then why u delayed your presence”?……….

“ I have been waiting you to reach Kovmara”………….

“But you are a Prince …So you can appear at any time…..”?

“Yes…..But I hide in you as a different person….”

“Different Person??”………….

“ Yes, as a Romantic Yogi”……….

“ Means”?..........

“ A Yogi, who adores Absolute Romance, Elated ex-pressions and Fabulous Feelings………..”

“Means?”………….

“ One who paints your arena of dreams with silky touches to create scintillating vibes…………”

“Aha, your paintings would be of which shape then?”………….

“Shape of thousands and thousands of lips,creating impeccable impressions.Dont you know, that your body , being a colorful canvas with such passionate levels of ups and downs offers me the infinite scope to paint it with the feather touches of my silky lips to cross the threshold of the most sublime level of  Romantic Trans?”………….

My fevered flesh wished to burst into flames………….

“Hey Romantic Yogi,what is the difference between You and a Yogi?...I asked him……….

“ Well, the difference is limited only to the intrinsic nature……While a Yogi meditates on Spiritual Potency for self realization, I do it on Pleasure Potency….Though the paths seem different, the end point is one and same only……”

“ Then why cant u be a Yogi then?”….I raised a naughty question…..

He smiled at me….my tongue draw a soft line on his luscious lips…..The thin layer of cloth which resisted the coherence of my breasts and his whiskers finally melted by the rising temperature……Enthralled at his dazzling figure,I whispered to him……

”No….You should not be a Yogi at any time…..Please continue as a  Romantic Yogi , and meditate on the sensual pleasures offered by me to achieve the self realization…..”

Before slipping into a state of dizziness…..I asked him finally….“ Hey, Romantic Yogi, can you tell me who am I?”…

“ Yogini of romance, blessed with richness of age and sweetness of honey.”

Flashing a smile, he tipped……”Share a kiss, I will take you to a world of weightless, where we both will float like feathers…………….

His mouth closed over mine…I wriggled in his arms……His lips began to milk the honey in me….Clinging to his shoulders, I wanted to dissolve into him….The magical raga – Mohana touched the most exornated level….The bells on my anklets busy boisterioused….Transferring my whole body weight on him, we floated like feathers through the universe.Thousands and thousands of heavens crossed over us…………..

Somebody’s knocking on the door brought me back to the present…..It was my mom….

“What happened Madhu?....Why you are sweating?...Why your clothes look shaken and soddy?...........She was very much anxious….

“ Nothing mom…..I was enjoying myself….”…..I replied fast…..

Staring at me, she ridiculed….” Is it the time to find a Prince for u?…..Madhu, Show me the gift….”

I showed my Prince to her…..

“Wow…………..Gorgeous figure…..Have you found any name for it….” ? she exclaimed….

“No..”…

Rushing back to room, I searched my Prince who appeared in front of me…But nowhere I could find...Opening the windows, I cried….” Hey Romantic Yogi, please come back…I need you…. please come back…” But No body answered…..I desperately waited him…..But none appeared in front …I fell down the bed….His gorgeous figure continued to mesmerize me…..

Vyjayanthi, Still I can’t rate that as a mere hallucination……I paused for a while…..then continued……………

 That whole evening , I was dying to find an apt name to my Prince…..

Finally, during the night, I recollected my brother’s detailed description about a young man who displayed the miraculous authority in moke war exercises at Hastinapura…I remembered his unbelievable physical beauty too….After a short try,I could recollected his name……. The young man who was born with Kavacha on chest and Kundala on ears….

I took the doll again.Placing my lips on its ears,I addressed…“Karna” Opening the eyes, it looked me….I kept it close to my chest ..My fingers caressed through the long hair….I called it again…”Karna”…”Hey, show me your Kavacha and Kundala”????? Show me…”Kissing on its face, I asked  ”Will you accept me as your wife?”..The whole night,I blathered with it…

Vyjayanthi,………,I never believed in the birth story of the Prince with Kavacha and kundala ie too to a chariot driver…I was much sure that, there was a mystery behind his birth..But neither I enquired with anybody nor anybody tried to reveal that…….

That was my first virtual meeting with The ever fascinating Prince…The Prince of beauty, The Prince of Compassion, The Prince of commitment and finally, The one and Only complete Prince of this land………..Prince Karna, who was unconquered ever………

Days moved fast…..My fascination towards the doll reached the highest level…I spared more time with it rather than dancing all over the palace..Every day I waited the real Prince – My Romantic Yogi who stayed in my heart to appear in front……But I was disappointed continuously…..My parents and brother noticed the change in me..But no body understood the real reasons. My passion was ever escalating  towards him….

After a period of three more years,father finally decided to conduct my marriage…By that time, Arjun had become very famous.So Father Specifically wished him to decorate the designated post of my husband.….But  I didn’t care for any body…..I dreamt that, the Prince who was staying in my heart would appear in my front one day and marry me……So I waited him impatiently.

To maintain the cordial relation with other rulers, my father organized a  contest which could be won only by the most competent warrior...He made that very tough so  that only Arjun could win over it…..Invitations were sent to all over the places.The previous day of the scheduled day of competition,during night,father reached the room and clarified the procedure….He further confirmed of his wish about Arjun.....

“ Father, I believe that, one more person can win and marry me…..” I sounded the note of discord….

“ Who is he”?….Staring at me, he hissed…….

“ Do you remember Karna, who won the war exercises at Hastinapura three years back…? and who was born with kavacha and kundala ?..I believe he too can win the contest….”

His face became red….With much hatred he out cried ….“Madhu, Don’t u know that he is a soothaputhra who won the contest just because of luck??.….. And that happens once in a lifetime only….There is nothing great in that…You are a Princess…U have to keep generations old culture and hereditary of this kingdom…..Like you, your next generation too must hold it…The basic existence of our kingdom lies in that….Its easy to commit a mistake….For a girl, once the mistake is committed, then the chance is finished….She could just waste the balance life in repenting on it…By that time, much water would have flown under the bridge…You have to look back and realize the great tasks accomplished by our ancestors…You have to follow them only…….not your immature dreams…Think of Arjun, who is the grand son of the Great Maharaja Bhisma, son of Maharaja Pandu and Rajmatha Kunthi…..and who is the ultimate in war……Who can compete with Kuruvamsh where starts like Bhisma, and Kripa lead their mighty military power??…..Forging an alliance with Kuruvamsh will raise our name to new heights….My ancestors, though tried for it, never got succeeded.…Now it is my turn….Don’t think and commit any foolishness…Shut down your myopic views about life…..”

“Father, I respect your dreams about me and our nation….I accept your modus operandi in choosing my husband too…But, then why you wish that only Arjun alone can win over it???When the basic condition to marry me is to win over it, why do you keep a partiality towards him…..Being a girl,please allow me to choose my husband from the winners… If a young man can compete with famous Arjun,and wins over him, please reckon with his other amazing abilities too….I believe that, he can easily take care of me..…Apart from a great person as husband,what extra do I need ? I am blessed with all material comforts..Since he is born with a kavacha and kundala, the simple logic suggests that, there is a definite mystery behind his birth..I am sure, that he is not the son of Radheya…But I don’t have any records to prove it…Father, it was my brother, who informed you about Karna’s greatness, and look , And if you believe in that, please try to unravel the mystery behind his birth….please……”…..I made an eloquent appeal…

He stared at me …..I could envisage the burning flames of anger in his eyes…Moving further closer , he murmured…….

“Madhu, So you have learnt how to talk back to me logically…isnt it?…..I declare that, it is none of my job to find the kula of a soothaputhra…..He was born as a soothaputra , lives as a soothaputra and dies too….He has nothing to loose…..What ever he gets from the warfront, will be an extra to him…I am the King of Panchala..and you are the Princess….Don’t forget that…Your job is to simply obey me…ie all………”

Miffed by my attitude, the visibly broken father rushed towards the hall where the contest was scheduled to stage…I fell down to the bed…..My hopes, which I had been knitting for the last three years were shattered in few minutes…..Closing the doors,I took the doll in my hand…..It smiled at me….Hugging it , I cried a lot…No body heard my noise………Keeping it in standing position on the table,I picked a yellow thread from my wardrobe, tied both ends of it and fixed in the hands of my Prince….With so much of care, I pushed my head through it….Finally the thread fell around my neck…Closing the eyes, I prayed….

” Hey Prince, consider this as my symbolic marriage with you………I may or may be yours in this life…But, by performing this Gandharva Vivaha, I have become yours by heart, mind and soul ………and will be yours for ever………”I cuddled it warmly…My Prince seemed embracing and consoling me……It’s long hair fondled in the wind………The night moved so fast………..

During the early morning, few ladies reached my room and helped to bath and dress up…By the mean time , mother brought a huge jewel box….I could well hide the yellow thread in between the numerous jewells…

Young rulers from different places reached the palace….The streets were congregated with local people who created sounds of joy and happiness ….My parents and brother were seen busy inviting the respected guests….Among all the noise, Me - Panchali - the daughter of Drupada, stood over there with a dead heart where the soul was already submitted to my first husband – The Prince who had been thriving on my dreams for the last three years….I presumed that my hopes were shattered almost…Yet, I managed not to cry…….

My parents finally reached the room …...

Bending forward, I touched their legs…My father’s eyes, which fumed with the flames of anger seemed glittering again with love and affection …Caring me, he kissed on my cheeks…Then, holding my hands, he walked towards the main hall. The young rulers who sat over there rushed to have a look at me….With my glowing skin, scintillating face and body, I captivated the whole audience ….

I sat near the father….He presented a brief introduction about me lavished with praise…Keeping his left hand around my shoulder,he confirmed that I hadn’t done anything against his wish….For a moment, tears rolled down from my eyes…….I gazed at him from whom I hide the fact of my marriage, performed during the previous night.…But I didn’t feel guilty…The realization of the near impossible task of marrying him freezed my blood…I just wished to see my Prince……that all…I knew, that my fate to marry him would be buried for ever in the hall.Yet, mind was impatient in meeting him….The eyes glanced through the guests presided over there..But nowhere I could find him…and even Arjun too…But I saw five handsome men standing among the invited Brahmins……Near them I saw Lord Vasudev, sitting along with his elder brother….They both were invited as special guests by father coz of our family’s relation and respect to them….Me too loved and respected them like my own brothers…Folding my hands, I offered pranams….They replied with  gentle smile….Suddenly, the building got vibrated with the noise of a number of chariots rushing inside.Jumping from them, few men reached the hall….Each ruler who sat over there immediately stood up in respect and fear…..My father walked down to the entrance to invite them…My mother, who was sitting near me confirmed of the arrival of Kowravas……Father was seen hugging with each one of them and inviting to the hall… My heart beat doubled….I stared at each new entrant to locate my Prince…..But nowhere I could find….The young man with Kavacha and Kundalas was seen missing……Coming back to the podium, father again sat near me….The sound of the bell confirming the beginning of the contest , resonated through the palace….Suddenly, Yuvraja Duryodhana stood up and raised a question…..

“ Maharaja, I have a doubt..can you clear it?”

“ Yes..”….My father calmly replied………

“What is the basic requirement of a person to attend this contest?”

“ He must be a ruler…..”

“ It means anybody, who is a ruler can participate?”

The question was a real tricky one….My father stared at each one who came along with Kowravas…Then, with much relief he answered…” Yes”………

Pointing his finger to one of his brothers, Yuvraj yelled…..” Ask Angaraj Karna who is waiting forty yojanas away from here, to reach to this hall and attend the contest…..”

That was much more to my father…His face crumpled and body began to tremble….Clasping his hands to the chair, he tried to maintain the physical balance…Eyes suddenly looked fearful…Yet, he managed not to loose temper….I could exactly read the emotions which were rushing through his mind…But, my mental state was different…..Since Arjun hadn’t reached the hall, I knew, only Karna could win over it…..Keeping the eyes wide open,I impatiently waited him….A frisson of excitement ran through the mind…With in few minutes, the might Prince arrived there….My eyes peeled him….Resplendent in a red cocktail dress, the finest male creation on the earth entered the hall.He bowed my parents , which was not done by any of the rulers who gathered over there including the so called Kids from Kuruvamsh…I had never met such a human being blessed with unbelievable level of beauty…….His dreamy eyes scripted the unwritten romantic saga…The famous kundalas on both ears danced along with his neck….He looked like the Blistering Sun….Our eyes finally intercepted….I was in elysium…The slow wind which flew from his side carried his unique aroma , which I had been enjoying for the last three years….

“Hey,you amazingly resemble the Prince who appeared three years back…..Hey, are you that Prince??….Yes…You are , You are the one who appeared in front of me….Hey Romantic Yogi,I know you, I know you very well….. still I smell you……and still I feel you…..”My quivered lips quietly muttered….I wished to run towards him…and hug …..

My father,who was physically down by then,was in a state of wonder on seeing him for the first time in his life…

The contest began….Many rajas tried their luck.But nobody could well find the success.The failure of the Kowravas were more than a blow to the yuvraja…Time moved fast….It was nearing afternoon…..In between, My eyes kissed numerously on my Prince’s beautiful face, kundalas, chest and wished to travel further down…..

Finally , Yuvraja Duryodhana invited Prince to try his luck….My father looked so sad…..Keeping his arms over my shoulder, he fumbled few words…” Madhu, Now its his turn….Since I haven’t met Arjun yet,I feel Karna would end up as the lone winner….And being a Maharaja, I can’t withdraw my words… If he wins, u have to marry him , and even if you don’t want to, you can’t change the rule of the contest once he wins….I have nothing to say..”….His voice suddenly became determined….and he continued…..” Madhu, If you marry him, Your father will not see the sunrise of tomorrow…I swear”…….

Tears gushed out from his eyes….Holding his hands, I looked at him….I knew my great father, who loved me more than himself was in dire straits….I knew , that I have reached the time to pay back him for sharing the whole life’s love, affection and attachment showered over me…What all would happen if he commits suicide today night? My mom would become a widow, my country and my people will become orphans though my elder brother might manage it…..My paternal grand mother too will end up her life  for not bearing the loss of her son…Is it justified to tie the mangalyasoothra with the Prince with the risk of breaking the mangalyasoothra of my mother? Or by risking with my father’s life ??? What would be of my life after marrying the Prince then?..No…It should not happen……and Panchali will never allow it to happen…My conscious was so fast to respond to the thoughts….I don’t want to lead a married life by risking my parents life…No girl would prefer to…….He finally bend down. The Prince was seen walking down the center of the hall where the bow and arrow were placed on a table…After reaching near to it , he prayed for a while….Then he sat on his knees….

I realized, that was the time to salvage the pride of my parents and kingdom…Standing from the seat, I shouted….” I will marry either a Khstriya or a Brahmin..I wont marry any one else..”….For a minute,the hall seemed shocked….My father jumped from his seat…..Hugging me so dearly , he fumbled ….” Madhu, you have saved our kingdom and you have saved your parents too…U have become a Goddess by now and your name will be remembered throughout this yuga….”

I had insulted my Prince, the most bloodiest way…My quivering lips mumbled……

” Hey Prince, I have betrayed my soul to save my parents and people….and …I have betrayed your trust after inviting you to this hall…. I am on the verge of a collapse….I know,it is suicidal to insult you in front of others….I don’t know how many births  shouldI need to realize that pain….For such level of an abuse,a simple apology is nothing….Panchali can not sleep here after……until you realize that – You -as vibrations, as feelings,emotions and memories have already spread over my body , heart and soul…..Please be a breeze and embrace me, and console….Please be my breth,and realize me……………”

Tears gushed out from my eyes….and I cried with out any control….People thought that I was crying out of joy….No body understood me….Lord Vasudev throw a compassionate look…. For the last time, tilting my head upwards, I glanced at the Prince……..

To my surprise, My Prince displayed remarkable level of calmness……Without making a move, from the same position, he turned his face towards me….then smiled gently…It reflected the grace of comprehending the decision of a young and immature girl…His kundalas slowly danced with the neck…….I wanted rush towards him and wished to melt………

“Vyjayanthi,”…….”By doing that,he taught me one more lesson apart from the art of Romance and Passion…..The lesson of respecting the feelings of others.Infact, that thin layer of amazing attitude and unbelievable level of understanding differentiate the great one from the ordinary………And don’t you know that,he always stood above the few blessed and great people??”

 Sipping a glass of water, I gazed at my star….Then continued……….”You know some great men fascinate us throughout their lives…..Even after their death,the people who shared their passion continue to live with their memories…..Me too belong to that ordinary one…….”

I paused for few minutes………..The time was nearing mid night……

“Don’t you feel sleepy”???………..I asked her…..

Her body language expressed the growing level of interest… I continued…..

“Before anyone could act further, one young fellow from the Brahman side, rushed towards the hall, took the bow and arrow,hit the eyes of the revolving dummy parrot and won the contest….Holding my hands, father moved towards him, I bend down...and the Brahmin boy finally married me….My Prince, without sharing even a word, slowly walked towards his friend, Yuvraj Duryodhana….Yet, the romantic yellow thread , tied by him around my neck during the  previous night, was much safer and stronger among other jewells……

When other Yuvrajas tried to confront with the Brahman boy, another four young Brahmans created a kavacha around us….Though it developed to mayhem,my brother’s right intervention finally helped the situation to come back to normality……..I was slowly slipping into unconsciousness…..I just heard Lord Vasudev’s introduction to father that the Brahmin boy was none other Arjun.The elated father declared something, I didn’t hear at all….Finally I fell down on the shoulders of him…..  

To be continued…………….

Aditya das menon……………

adityadasmenon@gmail.com