KRSNAA PANCHALI An epitome of femininity

Transcription

1 KRSNAA PANCHALI An epitome of femininity

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3 KRSNAA PANCHALI An epitome of femininity Pranavi Jay

4 Notion Press 5 Muthu Kalathy Street, Triplicane, Chennai First Published by Notion Press 2015 Copyright Pranavi Jay 2015 All Rights Reserved. ISBN: This book has been published in good faith that the work of the author is original. All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free. However, the author and the publisher disclaim the responsibility. No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. My blogspot id flowersandfallenleaves.blogspot.in

5 Dedicated to My mom, dad and the one who stands by me through the thick and thin Shri Krishna.

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7 AUTHOR S NOTE In this 21 st century, being a feminist fighting for the rights and equality isn t a big deal but before 5000 years it requires immense courage to be one. Mahabharata is an epic deals with lot of characters and their struggle, but it was this woman who held me like a magnet. She was oracular and to perceive her the way she lived requires a strong heart and deeper understanding. As a girl of this century where people hardly know me yet they criticize me, they have never walked my path but give me instructions to walk mine. I now have a voice to demand and to question which my mother or her mother hardly had. I am given equality and rights and I am respected for who I am. In this case, when I read Mahabharata no one but this woman got hold of me and bewitched me by the way she lived. She had been through all the things that women are going through now and then. She is a mystifying woman who is often referred as the Queen of Pandavas, but she is not just their queen. Tales depicts her in different perspective but when I perceive her, she appeared to me as the strongest woman of all the ages as she withholds herself both the soft and tough nature of a woman. She took a courageous step in fighting for her life in an age where women were kept dumb and equality was far beyond their reach. One thing that made me spell bound was her relationship with Krishna. They both shared a beautiful bond of love and care, faith and friendship and he was the only one who understood her as she was. Not many of us know Panchali as a friend, a mere woman. My heart completely resonated with the ups and downs of her life. Panchali is a warrior princess who sacrificed her life for the welfare of the people, who faced innumerable struggle in attaining the equality she deserves but never uttered a word of the trauma she went through to anyone. She revealed her true self through her hardships. Despite the dishonors and drudgery she faced she should never be treated as an object of commiseration because she was never a symbol of pity. She represents passion, strength and courage that is harbored in every woman s soul-all of which may be dormant, sometimes subdued and sometimes aloud.

8 Author s Note Their relationship has no name and no end. It was like an ocean that never gets drained nor could be increased, like the sky that has no end and no beginning. It was neither full nor empty. Even after everything, their last words remain unsaid. After accomplishing everything fulfillment is left. The relationship between Krsnaa Panchali and Krishna has ended only to begin. When and How? That is when creation itself is obliteration. That is when the eternity is mighty Time, infinite and eternal. To narrate her story is a pride by itself and to have a chance to walk her life with her through pen and paper is bliss. She forever will remain an idol in the hearts that is neither full nor empty, neither be questioned nor be answered. viii

9 CAST OF CHARACTERS BHISM: Grand Regent of the Kuru lineage, son of King Santanu by Sacred Ganga who took the oath of celibacy and relinquishment his claim to the throne as a precondition to his father marrying Satyavati, a fisher woman. Dhrirsahtra: The eldest son of Vichitravirya who died childless and hence Dhrirashtra was born to Ambika by niyoga. He was born blind. He was the father of Kauravas. Pandu: The second son of Vichitravirya, born to Ambalika through niyoga. Due to a curse he was incapable of fathering children and hence by the boon of his wife Pandavas were born to him through Niyoga. Vidhur: The third son of Vichitravirya but was born to a maid by the same process of Niyoga. He married Pravashi who was of non-royal lineage. Gandhari: Daughter of Subala who was supposed to marry Dhrirsahtra, she took the oath of covering her eyes as a symbol of portraying her chastity. By her boon from Mahadev she bore 100 sons, the Kauravas to Dhrirsahtra. Shakuni: Gandhari s brother, who was cunning and vicious to destroy the Kuru lineage, a master mind in plotting and back stabbing. He is known for his intelligence in the game of dice. Kunti: Real name was Prada, adopted daughter of King Kunti Bhoja. She received a boon from Rishi Dhurvasa to bore sons through Niyoga, married to King Pandu. Krishna: Has many names as Govind, Madhav and Vasudeva, born to Vasudeva and Devaki. Vasudeva was the brother of Kunti. Hence, Krishna is the nephew of Kunti and a cousin of Pandavas. Shubadra: Krishna s sister and has married the middle Pandavas Arjun and bore Abhimanyu. Pandavas: The five sons of King Pandu, Yudhistira, Bhim, Arjun and Nakula- Sahadev who are born to Lord Yama, Lord Vayu, Lord Indra to Kunti and to Ashwini-Kumaras to Madri who was the second wife of King Pandu.

10 Cast of Characters Guru Drona: Teacher of both Pandavas and Kauravas who was an old friend of King Drupad and Ashwatama s father. He has a superior claim to his knowledge. The poverty of his early life haunts him. Drupad: The son of Prsata, born through Niyoga. The heir of Puru line and rendered motherless and wife less. Sikandini: The eldest daughter of King Drupad who was received as a boon to kill Bishm. She later turned into a eunuch by transferring her sex with a Yaksha. She is Amba reborn. Krsnaa Panchali: Born from the sacrificial that was conducted by King Drupad to obtain a son. Rendered motherless and was thrust to marry Pandavas all together and bore a son to each of them commonly known as the UpaPandavas. Dhristyumana: The twin brother of Krsnaa Panchali who was born with the only destiny of slaying Guru Drona and satisfy his father Drupad s grudge. x

11 PRELUDE Father, what are you writing? asked Pradyumana in excitement. It is about the life of my beloved friend who remained an epitome of femininity I, Shri Krishna said. Who is it, father? What is special about her life? Her life is a saga of suffering and disgrace but she took everything in her stride and vanquished each one of her perpetrators of her humiliation and agony. This unforgettable Kshatriya woman is no less than Bhim and Arjun in valor and virtue, strength and spirit. She left behind an unrevealed glory of feminism through her battles. This woman is enigmatic for the hardships she has been through and her untiring perseverance in the journey of withstanding her will and being a feminist. Legends might present this woman of substance as Princess of Panchal or Queen of Pandavas, it is not so often that she has been seen through a kaleidoscopic eye- a mere woman who was born to live a destiny she didn t design. She is Panchali, my beloved Saki Krsnaa I explained to my son. This long drawn tale is of life brimming with tears and laughter that lies under my crumbling body. My Saki was a mystifying woman with a powerful voice-a voice that is vulnerable yet strong. It requires a deeper understanding of her life and of the decisions she made. It is enthralling to comprehend Panchali s emotions in several ways. Her story is not an ode to the holocaust of Mahabharata or a eulogy to the clout of womanhood. Neither is it a commentary of her royalty and astuteness. Her story is the tale of a woman, of what hardships she faced, how she handled the tough situations she encountered, what disgrace she was put up to. I, Shri Krishna will narrate the saga of her life, not as a chronological sequence of events but as a knitting of thoughts. I pen down this saga as a letter to my priya Saki with blood dripping from my heart for all the struggles she has been through. I could do nothing to stop her fate s design but give her a helping hand. From the day when Abhimanyu s son Parikshit is anointed as the King of Hastinapur, Krsnaa Panchali will be counted as one among the Pancha Kanyas, renowned for chastity. Panchali will be a painful truth to people who perceives a woman and the way she handles all the relationships only by physical aspect. She is an epitome of femininity, for she has triggered the sakthi that resides within every woman.

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13 PART-1

14 Krsnaa Panchali I was said that I ve born unwanted as my father was interested in a son rather than fostering another sinful daughter mourned a young lady looking at herself into the mirror. The mirror lined with gold and studded by diamonds throughout its length which exemplified royalty reflected a teen who has got such flawless structure, gold toned skin, hair as dark as a mid of the night which flowed beyond her slender waist, forehead that resembled the moon on its third day with her lotus eyes portraying virtue and valor yet filled with an untold misery. Her scent could be sensed even around a distance of 2 miles as that of a blue lotus. She has got that beauty that every woman would be jealous of. Krsnaa Panchali on the whole was fanatic and feminine, elegant and exquisite. Krsnaa then came out of her serail which had golden pillars that were perfectly coupled with white marble flooring. The glossy floor reflected the young lady on her yellow colored outfit who came floating on air as she walks to reach the door. She placed her hand on the door arch to see the country s diorama that was as wealthy as there were no poor men till the horizon. She was gratified by her father King Dhrupad s rule. She then took another step and called out Nayantri..! Where are you my friend? in her ever gentle voice which sounded like a dew drop on a flower. Her eyes gave a wave into the nook and corner of the serail balcony and saw another young lady came running to her. She was dressed in common clothes that depicted her non-royal lineage as she was the Princess s maid. But she showed no sign of being discriminated as she stood so close to the Princess and said Here I am Princess what would be my order? Krsnaa embraced her that evidenced her non-discriminative attitude towards a maid and said Nothing my dear friend just come and have a chat with me Nayantri. Nayantri smiled and they both sat out in the balcony. When Krsnaa asked Nayantri to tell the story of her birth, Nayantri started Dear Princess Your father King Dhrupad, though he was a great King the crown gave him a lot of loftiness that eclipsed his friendship by discriminating in the name of justice. Guru Drona the great Acharya was a childhood friend of your father s, though he was bestowed with wisdom in abundance that couldn t feed his poor family s hunger. He then came to our Kingdom in seek of help from his good old friend who has now turned into a King. Guru Drona pledged for a cow to feed his son, your father said 2

15 Pranavi Jay You poor Brahmin how do you possess the gut to ask me? Plead to me I shall give you 100 cows, for it is right to plead a King and not to ask him But I m no Brahmin for you Dhrupad; I m your friend Drona. King burst into laughter and said You Poor Brahmin how could be friend to a king? Learn your standards Drona...You could never be my equal...beg to me or just get lost. The ministry laughed in the disgrace of Guru Drona, his head held low in shame. He then took the oath of removing the prideful crown from your father s head by teaching the princes of Kuru Kingdom and making them to take up a war on Panchal. As a result of his oath, Prince of Kuru line the Pandavas (5 sons of Pandu) and the Kauravas (100 sons of Dhrirsahtra ) took a war against us. The Kauravas failed to prove their valor but not the Pandavas. The 5 valiant warriors had our army under their spell, while the middle Pandava arrested Our King Dhrupad and took him hostage to his Guru Drona as a Gurudhakshina. Guru Drona removed King Dhrupad s prestigious crown and placed it in his son Ashwatama s head. Since your father was a hostile he couldn t respond. Guru Drona divided our kingdom in to two equal halves leaving Kampalya and Panchal to us and the rest to be ruled by his son. Engulfed by the defeat your father vanquished your sister who was our Commander-in-chief pointing it was her mistake for losing the battle. His words of hatred carved her heart from within and she was exiled to the forest. He despised women race for he thinks they are worth nothing. Never say that Nayantri my father is a great person and he do respects women...good people commit bad things and that never makes them bad, it says that they are human too explained Krsnaa. I don t know Princess because your father s resultant actions weren t right. In grudge he conducted the most substantial yaga -A sacred fire sacrifice and pleaded the Lord to bore him a Son who could re conquer his lost glory. The saga was lead by the priest Upjaya. The Lord was pleased and he gave a son to him, he proud fully named him Dhristyumana and embraced him with love as he got him with everything he want. He was given a boon to ask for a son just as he wants and your father made certain wishes. Wish? What are they Nayantri Interrupted Krsnaa in eager. 3

16 Krsnaa Panchali It was the most crucial wish that anyone would even possess the gut to ask for Princess, He wanted a son who should be valiant enough to kill Guru Drona and he should have the grudge against Guru Drona as much as he has got and dropped a blood in to the sacred fire for that and wished he should bring him glory in all his walks. But isn t it unethical? Why would my father do so? Having vengeance will burn yourself rather than destroying your enemy... mumbled the young Princess in grief. I never know Krsnaa...as soon as he got your twin brother he thought of leaving the yaga but a heavenly voice stopped him saying that he is about to get a gift and that gift is a girl child who is going to be an epitome of femininity and one who is going to be the reason for a new era by demolishing injustice from all the grounds and roots righteousness through her actions. But your father was never concerned about a girl child so he didn t give ears to it, When he took another step to leave he was compelled to make a wish... No...Don t say that Nayantri Your words may lay the seeds of despise in my heart on him...and I never want that because he is the one who has brought me into this world and it is my duty to accept him and be devoted to him no matter what spoke Krsnaa with the blip of worry in her words. Whereas Nayantri was awestruck to see the virtue Krsnaa possessed but she couldn t resist herself from feeling pity for her as the wish made by her father flashed her mind. King Dhrupad when ordered to make a wish he uttered The girl that is about to be born shall face all the dishonors that no women has ever faced. She should dwell in misery and sorrow and should go through several mishaps but should possess the valor of unveiling her individuality by outwitting all such dishonors. Nayantri was afraid of the terrible things that might happen to this naive beauty who was residing near her having a lotus in her hand and was admiring the flower s beauty. Nayantri said Dear Krsnaa, this lotus isn t that gorgeous when it is near you for I ve not seen any beauty like yours. Krsnaa smiled and replied Aw stupid girl a Women s beauty never lies on the skin, beauty is feminine it is a fire that resides within everyone of us...it s that fire of femininity that makes us beautiful and not this outside complexion, for a women s beauty is never skin 4

17 Pranavi Jay deep in a confident tone which made Nayantri to have a haunch that she indeed is an epitome of feminism. After a week of her nascence while Krsnaa was preparing herself to offer prayers to Lord Shiva in the temple. She overheard the guards who were gossiping about war. When she enquired she learnt that her father has made her twin brother as new commander-in-chief to take a war against his enemy Guru Drona. Krsnaa felt that it was her father s mistake to insult a friend who asked for help in the royal court by pointing his profession or caste. She wanted to stop her father from doing such a sinful activity concerning that this might lead a way to their end as grudge leads to nothing but self destruction. She ran to the palace where her brother and King Dhrupad were all set to the war. Father I want to have a word with you called out the Princess. King Dhrupad walked away without giving ears to her words. He never bothered her presence and he treated her as an unasked gift that is a mere sinful creature. But Krsnaa moved forward and stood before him and said Father, please don t take a war against your friend, for there has been never a good war or a bad peace. Let us be content with what we have. How could one be happy with the wealth that comes from mere bloodshed? Please father you are our hero and you should be teaching us things that will only help us grow. King Dhrupad interrupted and yelled at her You lame creature! You don t have the right to stand before me and who are you to advise me? You are a mere soul in this palace You could never be my daughter or I am your father You came as an unwanted burden so just stay quiet forever or you shall be punished accordingly in a harder tone. Dhristyumana stood still when his twin sister was being treated harshly as he was proud in being gratified by his father and even he considered Krsnaa as a lame creature and had no respect for her. Krsnaa went crying into her room and stood before the mirror starring at her reflection and uttered 5

18 Krsnaa Panchali What am I destined for? Why should I be given hatred by the ones I love the most? Am I not qualified enough to be my father s daughter? Why this soul gets nothing but only hatred? A tear rolled down her cheeks and fell down on the floor. It might be this tear that has made her father to fail in the war. Krsnaa called out a guard and enquired about the war. The guard said Princess all our men have been taken hostage by Acharya Drona s army and now our King and Prince are summoned for a head to head fight with Drona and his son Ashwatama. Krsnaa then ordered her guards to take her to the war field where she saw her father and brother standing alone with their head held low. Though King Dhrupad has lost the war he didn t seem to lose his pride, he said Drona my son is your slayer and this is true as I have got him as a gift from the demigods just to kill you count your days Drona for your death is not far in a forceful voice. Dhristyumana then took his sword out to fight Drona who was built, majestic and a great warrior who is skilled in all fields. Both King Dhrupad and Dhristyumana failed to realize that Drona is the son of Acharya Bharadwaj and it is not a simple task to take his life away. Though Dhristyumana was a valiant soldier he failed against guru Drona. He was left weaponless and stood with his head low. Ashwatama then took his sword out and gave it a wave against Dhrupad s neck. His sword s force was reduced as it faced an interruption to its target. The sword stood still before a girl who Ashwatama was thrilled to see. He saw a girl with such beauty standing in the bloodshed field with extreme valor and never seemed to bother the sword in her neck. When he gave a puzzled look at his father, Drona said Krsnaa, why did you come here? with neither grudge nor vengeance. She replied with utmost pride Isn t it a daughter s duty to spare her life to her father s when she was made to see him being murdered before her eyes Guru Drona? and she continued Slay me first and then move your sword towards my father Ashwatama. 6

19 Pranavi Jay Ashwatama remained bewildered and King Dhrupad stood with such guilt trip inside him opining the love Krsnaa has got for him. Drona then said Dear daughter Krsnaa, I never wanted a war against your father as I still consider him as my friend but I couldn t stand still if he takes a war against us. Krsnaa said I m sorry for my father s actions Guru Drona though this was just his external greed that made him to take a war, for he has such a loving heart inside. And I hope he will reunite with you and we shall rule our kingdoms under peaceful terms. King Dhrupad saw Krsnaa as a messenger from God who came to teach him the meaning of life and was gratified to have such a valiant young lady as his daughter. He then said My dear Drona, I m sorry for my rugged behavior as I ve committed so many sins lately. It was my daughter who had now opened my heart. And I wish we could be friends just as we were in our childhood and confessed But curse me Drona as I ve got a slayer to your death as my son in a low voice. Oh Dhrupad, I m an Acharya and I have a future vision. Dhristyumana is my slayer and I ve perceived that a long ago. It was never your fault; it is the result of our past actions which we have sowed to reap. And I would like to teach him with all that I have got as I consider it an honor to die in the hands of my student with my skills said Drona and embraced Dhrupad. King Dhrupad and Ashwatama were left nonplussed by Drona s words on his own death. But they somehow reckoned that Drona is an Acharya who possess uncontaminated knowledge and his perception on future is not a surprise. They all then reached Panchal and dined together as a symbol of their reunited friendship. During which King Dhrupad had his regret on making such a wish for Krsnaa. He was petrified by his own words and felt guilt trip inside him for the dishonors that this beautiful flower of God is about to face. Dear my girl I ve no idea how I am going to replicate the love you have on me. For I have been such a heartless father than anyone in this world would be, ask 7

20 Krsnaa Panchali me anything Krsnaa. I shall at least try to wash my sins by granting your wish said King Dhrupad with his head hung low as he lacks the power to look into the eyes of that naïve beauty. O, father you are the best father indeed. Time changes and so do the people. I want nothing but only you and my brother forever behind me protecting me from the sins I may commit, nothing else would I ask for uttered the young lady holding her father s hand that gave him the confidence of fostering a strong woman who possessed clear knowledge of rooting something prestigious into this chauvinistic male dominant society. King Drupad then learned to respect women and felt guilty for exiling his daughter Sikandini to forest. He then ordered his guards to search for her and bring her back home as soon as possible. When the guards left to persuade the order the other guard came running and said Hail the King! Prince of Dwaraka Vasudeva Krishna is approaching the palace. King Drupad looked amused on my arrival without any prior information. Father, is He going to take a war against us? asked Dhristyumana thrilled. Brother, who is He? And why are you and father look so exalted to meet him? demanded Krsnaa with no less thrill. Krishna A Yadhava prince whose real name was Kannaya is the son of King Vasudeva and Devaki who spent their life in prison house since the day one of their marriage life because of Devaki s brother Kamsa. Kamsa was a demeanors King with cruelty as his motto and as an upshot of his past actions the demigods thrilled him by uttering that his slayer will take birth as 8 th son of Devaki and He is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He has taken birth not only to end Kamsa s fate but to give a dawn to a new era explained King Dhrupad. Father you mean He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu? asked Krsnaa in eager. Yes dear Krsnaa, it is not a fable for he has proved it through his actions. He thinks and does things that are humanly impossible. His justice is far beyond our knowledge and he possesses the valor that could destroy the entire universe, yet his eyes speak the language of love that will make anyone surrender to him. And he is the cousin of Pandavas, as their mother Kunti is a sister of King Vasudeva. 8

21 KRSNAA PANCHALI An epitome of femininity