Disclaimer: This work doesn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings and religious beliefs. This story is inspired from religious texts and famous folklores.
RAMAYAN
Whenever we hear the name of the greatest epic of the Indian history, a few things come i...
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Day, months and years passed swiftly for Mandodari. Being a mother always kept her busy but elated at the same time. It was as if she was living a better version of her childhood with her son. His every wish was fulfilled by his father before he could even complete it. Being the first grandchild of Kaikesi, she pampered him immensely telling him bed time stories and making him a his favorite dishes.
Mandodari didn't leave a chance to pamper her son. She tried to be the best version of herself, trying not to commit any mistake with her son. She would tell him stories about their ancestors, teach him all the things and habits that would make him a brave and courageous man later in his life. From the break of dawn to the time until her son fell asleep, she would take care of his each and every need. Whenever he would learn something new from his teachers or gurus, he would run to her and rant everything he learned. Whenever he would get hurt while practicing warfare, the first person he would call for is his mother.
Even Ravan was extremely proud of his son. With his capabilities as a leader and warrior already starting to show, he knew that he would attain a higher pedestal than his father. Being a father was a new feeling for Dashanan which he couldn't define in words.
It was as if the three of them were living in the small bubble of their personal solace.
Mandodari walked around the royal kitchen with all the servants on their toes at the sudden arrival of their queen. Mandodari picked up the box of spices and inspected each of them with precision. She turned to the head of the kitchen who immediately bowed in front of her.
"Last time the meat you cooked for Dashanan was under cooked with the spices not in appropriate proportion. Even the rice were extremely soggy. Maharaj was extremely furious." She stated softly while keeping the box of spices aside.
"I sincerely apologize for the mistake Maharani. We had appointed a new cook for Dashanan but unfortunately he fell ill and in his place, his naïve brother cooked meal for Dashanan." Mandodari clicked her tongue in distaste at the stupid argument of the cook.
"Is there just one good cook in this entire army of servants?" The servants bowed their heads in shame at her words. She shook her head and wiped her hands with a piece of cloth Sohanika offered her.
"Maharaj is returning tomorrow. I want everything to be absolutely perfect. No mistakes this time." She ordered in a gentle yet stern voice.
On her way back to the chamber, Meghnad ran towards her mother and hugged her waist tightly. Mandodari smiled and bent to her son's level before pulling him in a bon crushing hug.
"I missed you maa." Meghnad mumbled into her shoulder making Mandodari smile like a star twinkling in the night sky.
"I missed you too my baby." She caressed his head and kissed his temple. Meghnad immediately pulled away from her mother and began rambling about his day.
"You know maa, guruji today told me why pitashree was given the name Dashanan. Pitashree really picked up kailash on his own. He is so strong and brave maa. I wish to be like him when I grow up so that I can protect you from all the bad people." Mandodari chuckled at her son who vowed to protect his mother proudly.
"I'm sure you with son. I am sure." She held his hand and led him to her chamber where another servant brought his lunch of fresh greens, curry and some rice. Mandodari sat on the settee while Meghnad kept on rambling about his day, what his gurus taught him, what he found on a forest expedition with his friends and so on. Mandodari fed her son and nodded at him as he spoke.
Whenever she would spend time with Meghnad, she would realize that soon her son will go away from her to become a warrior. The guru of asuras, Shukracharya has taken the responsibility of making Meghnad one of the greatest warrior after looking at his caliber. Mandodari couldn't help but think what would happen to her son once he leaves. Everything is perfect now, nothing is wrong.
Right now Meghnad is her son and she is there to guide him to the right path but what would happen once he's away from her. Not that she didn't trust the learned sages an Guru Shukracharya but a mother is a mother. Who would tend to his wounds when he will be injured? Who would take care of his meals once he's away? Who would he talk to about his day? As a queen, she always knew that her children would be sent away to become ferocious warriors and she was always mentally prepared for it.
But now, when she was in that situation, she couldn't help but worry about her son. To be honest with herself, she was never actually prepared for this. No one is ever prepared for a situation until one is in the situation. Meghnad filled the void in her life that she never knew existed. He was his father's pride, everyone loved him like their own son. Imagining Lanka without their little prince was nearly impossible now.
Mandodari yet again shook her head at her own thoughts and focused on the present, on her jubilant son who was trying to show her the new archery skill he learned today.
Next day, the corridors of Lanka were busier than usual. The servants scurried to and fro to get their queen ready. Since Ravan was not in the palace, Mandodari didn't dress like a bride. In absence of her husband, the only jewelry that adorned her were just two bangles in each of her wrist and her chudamani, the most important jewelry for a married woman. She always dressed up in a simple saree rather than her usual extravagant sarees.
Today, as her husband was coming back to the state, she adorned her like a bride with her hair properly braided and decorated with fragrant fresh jasmines. The servants painted her hands and legs with red lac dye while a few other decorated her with precious jewelry studded with diamonds and pearls.
A dasi entered by the time Mandodari was ready and announced.
"Maharani, Maharaj's caravan has almost reached the palace gates. Rajmata Kaikesi has requested you to come and welcome him" Mandodari didn't let her complete the sentence and jumped on her feet, dismissing the servants. The dasi stopped her in tracks and spoke further, crushing all her expectations and happiness at once.
"Maharani, please take this thaal to welcome Maharaj's new bride."
