Princess Of Vidharbha(Winner Mythomagical Awards Contest 2)

Chapter 3

Bhishmaka was looking at the final arrangements that were being made to welcome King Jarasandh. Jarasandh visited his vassal kingdoms once a year. He expected extreme subservience from the vassal kings. They had to ensure all his needs are taken care of. The food he eats, the room he sleeps everything had to be perfect. In addition, the kings had to ensure beautiful damsels and alcohol to entertain the king. If that was not enough Jarasandh loved wrestling and the king also had to arrange wrestlers so that Jarasandh can practice. If there was any flaw in the arrangement the kingdom was fined and they had to pay a hefty amount as penalty.

Bhishmaka had always ensured Jarasandh never had any complaints. He didn't want any additional burden on his subjects. Already due to drought for the past two years the farmers were struggling. One thing that went in Vidharbha's favor was the fact that Prince Rukmi was liked by Jarasandha. Though Bhishmaka didn't approve of the ways Rukmi took to be in Jarasandha's good books he didn't correct his son as at that point his methods helped the kingdom.

"Father is everything ready, Jarasandha would be arriving any time soon," came in Rukmi and Bhishmaka nodded in affirmation.

"Father make Rukmini welcome the king this time," mentioned Rukmi.

"Rukmi why would Rukmini welcome the king. She is only eight years old. Also, I am not interested in any marriage alliance with Magadha."

"Father this is not my suggestion. This is the request of king of Magadha. He had heard about the princess and want to meet her. Both of us very well know if he likes a princess whether we want or not he will make her his bride or bride to his sons."

Bhishmaka looked at his son with shock. He was sure Rukmi had something to do with what Jarasandha had wanted. He was shocked that his son had no hesitation to bargain the life of his sister for power. Bhishmaka couldn't imagine marrying his little daughter to Jarasandha or to his sons. He prayed fervently to Goddess Girija to protect his daughter as he had no option but to make Rukmini welcome Jarasandh.

Little Rukmini looked beautiful as she welcomed Jarasandha. Jarasandha was impressed with the girl. Her beauty was ethereal. Her manners were impeccable. She looked perfect to be the daughter in law of Magadha. He decided that he will talk to the girl on what she thought about Magadha before keeping the alliance in front of Bhishmaka. Keeping the alliance was just a formality he knew Bhishmaka can't refuse. Because if he refused, he will abduct Rukmini and make her his son's bride.

As the welcome party moved indoors Jarasandh asked Rukmini to sit beside him. Then he asked her does she knows who he was.

"Yes, father told King of Magadha is coming and I have to welcome him."

Then Jarasandh asked whether she would love to come to Magadha. He mentioned it had a bigger palace. She will get more luxury. With each word of Jarasandh Bhishmaka was getting worried. He knew Jarasandh had decided to take his daughter. He had to stop Rukmini from blabbering anything. But before he could intervene, he heard Rukmini's reply and was astonished by it.

"I don't want to come to Magadha. What will I do with so much of riches? I have enough of it in this palace. The only place I want to go is Vraj and then meet Krishna and listen to his flute." Rukmini was smiling innocently as she talked.

"Rukmini you are a princess. What would you do with a cowherd boy who plays flute? You need to be with someone who can fight wars and protect you, you don't know how powerful king Jarasandh is snapped Rukmi. He was fed up of his sister's fascination for the boy from Vraj for the past two years.

"How much powerful brother. Powerful than Krishna. Then ask him to dance on the hood of serpent Kaliya. You know the serpent Kaliya came to river Yamuna and poisoned the water. People of Vraj died drinking that water. Then Krishna danced on the serpent's hood and send him away from river Yamuna.

Also, Krishna can protect me brother. You don't worry. He had protected the entire Vrindavan when Lord Indra got angry and it rained seven days in Vrindavan. He lifted the Govardhan mountain and provided everyone shelter. One more thing he lifted that big mountain in his little finger. Wait I will show that picture," saying it Rukmini ran to her chamber.

Bhishmaka could see the anger in Jarasandh's face and he didn't know what to do.

"Bhishmaka whatever Rukmini told I will forgive her provided you agree to marry her to my son at the appropriate time. Also ensure she stops hearing the stories of Krishna. It would be better from now on you don't give your daughter much independence. She is going to be the future daughter in law of Magadha and I don't encourage such unwanted behaviours. So tomorrow itself let us make a formal engagement for Rukmini."

The moment Jarasandha uttered those words a strong wind blew and Jarasandh's crown fell on the ground.

"Oh King. Forgive me for telling this. But I want to warn you don't go ahead with the marriage alliance with Rukmini. The omen clearly tells she is not good for Magadha or the royal family," chipped in the royal astrologer of Magadha who always accompanied Jarasandh.

Jarasandh looked at the astrologer who was standing with bowed head and then lifted his fallen crown. He knew the astrologer always spoke for his welfare and decided to take his advice. He turned to Bhishmaka.

"King of Vidharbha. You have a very inauspicious daughter who can't be the daughter in law of Magadha. Anyways I am not in a state of mind to be your guest. So, we will plan the visit next year, "saying so Jarasandh proceeded to the door with Rukmi rushing behind to calm the king.

Bhishmaka felt relieved and thanked Goddess Girija for saving his daughter.

"Jarasandh Rukmini is the most auspicious girl on this earth. Prosperity will kiss the place where her foot falls. Nature will dance in the place where she resides. Life will thrive in the place which she manages. But Magadha is not that place. It's not the place for the Goddess of prosperity to set her foot in. She will come to a place which is yet to be created and will be the basis of all of its prosperity," smiled Krishna as he continued playing the flute and managing the cows. He knew his days in Vrindavan were now numbered. His larger life purpose would come calling to him any time soon.

Back in Vidharbha Rukmini was crying looking at the torn painting. Rukmi in his anger had torn the painting Rukmini had brought where a faceless boy was shown lifting a mountain in his little finger. Bhishmaka patted the shoulders of the little girl.

"Rukmini if one painting is torn make another one." The girl looked at her father and smiled the realization dawning on her. She thanked her father and rushed to her room to draw another picture. Bhishmaka didn't knew why he felt worried by his daughter's fascination for Krishna. Rukmini was still a child and as time goes children would usually outgrow their childhood fantasies. But somewhere in his heart Bhishmaka felt it was going to be different in Rukmini's case and that thought nagged his mind.