Dharmyudh : The Rewritten Destiny

10. Dwarika

Treta Yug,
Ayodhya,

Admist the twinkling city, which reflected starry night, silhouette of a man stood by the balcony of his chamber.
Seemed like it had became a habit, coming there everyday and watch the city lighted by millions of lamps.
Though he missed his soulmate who used to stand beside him, he had the belief to meet her someday, and that time was near.

He turned around when gates opened, in the flickering light of mashals, he is revealed to be Lord Ram, flashing his usual eternal smile which is said to never leave his face even in hardest situations.

His younger brothers entered the chamber one by one and came towards him. He just observed them while they stood in front of him.
Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna glanced at each other to ask what was about to happen.

Bharat :- Bhaiya ?

Ram :- I was waiting for you only, have a seat.

Three of them sat on sofa surrounding a circular table and looked at their elder brother to continue.

Ram :- (sighs) I was thinking about it a lot lately, all our kids have grown up and are well experienced in all the responsibilities, peace is everywhere, balance has been restored. My time has finally arrived, time has come to handover all the responsibility to younger generation and return to my former abode. I called you here so that you can ask for any final wishes you want from me and I very well know you have plenty.

He completed his words with an expressionless face, while looking out from the window.
Lakshman was sad, Shatrughna seemed shocked and Bharat became emotional.

Bharat :- (standing up from his seat) Are you still angry on me Bhaiya ? You probably don't want to see my face. But for that you don't have to do all this, just tell me to leave and I will never show you this disgusted face again.

Bharat said as tears rolled down his eyes, Ram immediately hugged his younger brother, and caressed his head as a father.

Ram :- (emotionally) How can you say that Bharat ? How can you accuse me of such a thing ? To get a brother like you, a soul has to do penance of ages, I am the luckiest person on earth to have you all as my brothers. I can never be angry on you my little brother, if I am heartbeat you are the breath. It's just two bodies seperating us, your place is in my heart.

Bharat :- Then what all this you're talking about, time has come, departure, abode and all.

Ram :- (smiles) But my dear brother, whosoever takes birth as a mortal has to die one day or the other, if it won't happen, how will the cycle of life continue.

Shatrughna :- Rounding off the topic won't help Bhaiya, meaning is same, it is the same what I and you all understood a few minutes ago.

Ram :- That's the reason I called you all here, so instead of wasting any more precious time, think what you want from me before leaving this materialistic world.

Two of younger brothers fell into deep thinking while Bharat still seemed to be digesting the truth.
After a few moments, Lakshman decided to speak up.

Lakshman :- I have decided, I wanna be the eldest brother next time.

Ram :- Why ? Because I had you do most of difficult tasks, made you face difficulties, gave you orders.

Lakshman :- No, not that but because being the younger brother, I couldn't stop you from facing all that you didn't deserved. If I would have been the elder brother, I would've crushed all those hurdles and faced those pains myself to save you from them. So the only wish I have is being eldest brother in next birth.

Ram :- Tathastu. Bharat, you have anything to ask ?

Bharat :- Will there be a dharm yudh again ?

Ram :- There will be a dharm yudh in every yug. Everytime when dharm will be on stake, when human rights will be exploited, when woman's honour will be seen as a material for lust, when knowledge of Vedas will be misunderstood, a dharm yudh will occur. I will incarnate myself each and every time to ensure justice is preserved.