THE CURSE OF BRAHMA (3 page)

Ugrasena looked fondly at his eldest son and knew he had done the right thing in getting Kansa with him. The boy was just fifteen but he was older beyond his years and he would take care of Devki as he had told her he would.

Devak took one last look at his daughter and waved goodbye to all of them. He would now give up his royal clothes and change into the simple garments of an ascetic as he prepared to leave for the forest where he would take samadhi and depart from this world, knowing his daughter was loved and safe with his brother’s family.

At the gates of the palace, Airawat waited patiently for his master. He would accompany Devak to the forest and stay with him till the king’s soul departed from his mortal body and ascended to Swarglok, to be united with his wife.

Fourteen years passed.

Devki sat relaxing on a low couch. Three of her personal attendants were moving around the luxuriously set room, engaged in various activities to please their princess. A fourth one, dressed differently and looking unlike any of the other attendants, was busy rubbing scented oil in Devki’s hair. Mandki was more of a friend and companion to the princess than an attendant. She had been with Devki ever since the latter had left her father’s palace and came to live with Ugrasena’s family fourteen years back. Devki had been three years old at that time and Mandki was eight. Devki’s father was Ugrasena’s brother and had been the ruler of Haripur while Ugrasena was the king of Madhuvan. After Devak took Samadhi and departed from the mortal world, Haripur and some of the neighbouring kingdoms that owed allegiance to Haripur also passed to Ugrasena. Ugrasena belonged to the Andhak dynasty of the Yedu clan. The Andhaks were one of the most respected families among the powerful Yedus at that time. The other prominent family among the Yedus was the Vrshni, with King Surasena as their head. Surasena ruled over Bateshwar. Both Ugrasena and Surasena were close friends and there was peace between the two powerful families.

‘How does it feel to be the most sought-after bride in Bharat today?’ Mandki asked jokingly, as she gave a final tug to Devki’s hair.

‘Feels like being a prized cow waiting for the right bull to come claim her,’ Devki said with a wry smile. Mandki looked at her with a worried expression. Devki had not been her usual cheerful self for the past few days, ever since the incident with that vile warrior, Somdatta.

Devki had just turned seventeen, an age which was considered almost old for young princesses, if they weren’t married by that time. It didn’t matter that Mandki was five years older to Devki and still unmarried. After all, she wasn’t a princess. It wasn’t that Mandki didn’t have her share of suitors. There had been several men who had tried to woo her and begged for her hand in marriage; but Mandki had been firm. She would not consider marriage till her best friend and mistress was married first. Devki had tried persuading her to tie the knot with one of the many handsome youth who had come to Mandki with earnest proposals, but this was the only thing that Mandki refused Devki, and the princess loved her even more because of it.

Ugrasena was always kind towards her and she received unrestrained love from her cousin Kansa. But, she didn’t get along too well with the other sons and daughters. Neither was she particularly close to Kansa’s two wives, Asti and Prapti, sisters of Jarasandha; the powerful King of Magadha. Lately, Ugrasena had started keeping unwell and she saw very little of him. Due to Ugrasena’s illness, Kansa had become more involved in leading conquests over surrounding kingdoms, which had not yet accepted Ugrasena’s dominion or who had moved their allegiance away from Madhuvan in the wake of the king’s illness. Consequently, Devki didn’t even get to see her favourite brother near as often as she would have liked.

Having Mandki with her made her feel she had a close companion. This was especially true in the past few days, considering the recent events. Somdatta’s challenge to Vasudev filled her with dread. She didn’t doubt Vasudev’s courage, but she knew he didn’t like to fight, unless there was no choice. Would he fight now? Would he fight for her hand? Would he win? Would he survive? She had scores of questions and no answer. And having so many unanswered questions bothered her.

‘Where are you lost?’ Mandki asked her. Devki shook her head in a futile attempt to dispel the disturbing thoughts. But Mandki knew what was bothering her friend.

‘Vasudev can take care of himself, Devki. He will teach this upstart Somdatta a lesson in manners. And then he will come and ask you for your hand,’ she said, holding Devki’s face in her palms.

Devki nodded, trying to share her friend’s optimism. ‘I hope so Mandki. I hope so.’ She hugged her friend and whispered, ‘I don’t want anything to happen to Vasudev.’ Mandki held her tightly like she used to when they were both children and her friend was afraid of the dark. Only, it wasn’t the dark Devki was afraid of this time. It was the fear of knowing that a ruthless Prince wanted to fight her beloved Vasudev, and the knowledge that if Vasudev lost, she would not only lose the one man she loved most in this world, but would have to marry his murderer, as the law of the time dictated.

Vasudev paced pacing across the room, his hands folded behind his back and his head tilted downwards, as he tried to go over the events of the past few days in his mind. Everything had been going fine until recently. His father, Surasena, the king of Bateshwar, had spoken to Ugrasena and asked for Devki’s hand in marriage for Vasudev. Ugrasena had whole-heartedly agreed. Surasena was his dearest friend and Vasudev and Devki had known each other for several years now, first as play mates during periodic visits of both families to each other’s palaces, and later as young lovers, adoring each other from afar. Kansa had been elated at the news. Vasudev was a close friend. His character was known to be untarnished and Kansa knew Devki would be happy with him. In fact, just a month ago, Ugrasena had planned to announce their marriage. And then everything started to go wrong.

King Vahlika, from the powerful kingdom of Bahlika had come to visit Ugrasena a few days back, and before he could announce that Devki’s marriage was being solemnized with Vasudev, Vahlika proposed his son, Somdatta’s name for Devki. Ugrasena had not expected this and he was caught off guard. He told Vahlika that it would not be possible for Devki to consider Somdatta’s proposal as she intended to marry Prince Vasudev.

Vahlika nodded in understanding, but his son Somdatta who had accompanied him, was furious.

‘You insult us Ugrasena. What does Vasudev offer that I don’t? There is no warrior in all of Bharat Today, apart from Bheeshma or Jarasandha or your own son Kansa, who can claim to be my equal. And yet you stoop to give away Devki to that coward Vasudev; to a man who has never lifted a sword in the battlefield?’

‘Vasudev loves Devki, and she loves him too,’ Ugrasena countered. He was furious at Somdatta’s words but he didn’t want to get into a pointless argument. Somdatta was Bheeshma’s cousin. Bheeshma was the most powerful warrior in Bharat and Ugrasena didn’t want an unnecessary war.

‘Let Vasudev demonstrate his love for Devki then!’ roared Somdatta. ‘If he is a man, let him fight for Devki’s hand.’

Kansa had been sitting quietly thus far. At the latest insult to his friend Vasudev, he could control himself no longer. He got up and looked Somdatta in the eye. ‘Devki is not an object Somdatta, to be betrothed to anyone who wins her in a war. She will marry the person she desires to marry and no one else. And if you have any disagreement with that, I would be happy to settle that for you right now, or on the battleground.’ He towered above Somdatta, who was a massively built warrior and stood well over six feet in height. But he was no match for Kansa, who at about seven feet, was twice as wide as any other warrior of repute. However, Somdatta was afraid of no one, and he too got up and unsheathed his sword.

Ugrasena and Vahlika were horrified at the turn of events. Neither of them wanted war, and this was quickly turning into one. Vahlika took the initiative. ‘Prince Kansa, no one doubts your courage, and your love for Vasudev and your sister Devki. But let’s not get agitated. Let’s try and settle this without a fight.’

Vahlika’s words, said in a calm tone had a temporarily soothing effect on both Kansa and Somdatta. They sat down, with their hands still on their swords. Vahlika addressed his son, ‘Somdatta, Devki’s marriage has already been fixed with Vasudev. Can’t you forget this and bless the two of them?’

Somdatta looked scornfully at his father. ‘We came here with a marriage proposal. The announcement of Devki’s marriage to Vasudev wasn’t yet made public. How do I know that Ugrasena is not using this as an excuse to put us down and marry his daughter to that coward, Vasudev?’

Ugrasena’s mouth tightened in silent fury. He looked at Somdatta with fire in his eyes. ‘You doubt my words, prince?’ he said in a tone that left no doubt about how infuriated he was with Somdatta.

‘I don’t doubt your words, great king,’ Somdatta countered. ‘However, the fact that we came here with a marriage proposal is known to all our kinsmen. If we go back empty-handed, it will be an insult for us, and our people will not be able to live with it. There will be years of animosity, which will not be good for either of our kingdom. It is better to settle this once and for all. Let Vasudev meet me on the battlefield. And if he wins, my kinsmen and I will accept his right to marry Devki. There will be no further wars; no long-lasting ill-feeling between two kingdoms.’

Ugrasena took his time to think over this. Finally he said, ‘What if Vasudev refuses to fight? He doesn’t have to, you know. Devki will marry him anyway. And Madhuvan is well equipped to fight Bahlika, if we need to.’

Somdatta’s face lit up with an evil smile. ‘Then let it be known that Vasudev was a coward who did not have the courage to fight Somdatta for the woman he claims to love. Let it also be known that the mighty Kansa allowed his sister to marry such a coward. And yes, if Vasudev refuses to fight, there will be war, but not one war. There will be a series of wars till either Madhuvan or Bahlika is decimated completely.’

Kansa interjected just as Ugrasena was about to say something. ‘Devki will not marry a coward, for Vasudev is not one. Vasudev will meet you on the battlefield and he shall defeat you. And then the world shall know that Devki marries a man worthy of her.’

King Vahlika, who had been quiet all along, now spoke. ‘I expected nothing less from you Kansa. But we need to be sure that you and your brother-in-law, Jarasandha, will not support Vasudev in this fight. For if you do, we will have no recourse but to call for my nephew Bheeshma’s help. And if Bheeshma, Jarasandha and you participate in the battle, there will be a war among all the nations of Bharat. All of Bharat will be destroyed.’

Kansa nodded at Vahlika. ‘Neither Jarasandha nor I will fight alongside Vasudev in this battle.’ Then he glared at Somdatta. ‘But know this Somdatta—if by any chance you do defeat Vasudev, I will personally fight you and grind your face in the mud before I allow Devki to be married to a man like you.’