𝕰𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊 | ✔

Chapter 13 : Her Contentment.

In the city of Hampi :-

Kishkinda-kshetra also called Pampa-Kshetra or Bhaskara-Kshetra was situated in the Kingdom of Vijayanagara in the region of Andhra. The capital city was called Hampi. It was said that the Tribhuvaneshwari Mother Parvati once mediated and pursued her ascetic lifestyle in this place so she could marry Mahadeva and bring him back to Grihastha ashram (household life) . From then on, this place was also known as Pampa-Kshetra. Pampa was another name of Mata Parvati.

The Hemakuta Hill was said to be the place where the Shailaja once mediated. The Pampa river, named after Mata Parvati, flows by the Hill. At the top of this hill, a beautiful temple for Mahadeva resided, said to be made by the Shailputri herself.

A breath of air escaped Amba's lips, as she looked towards the Hemakuta Hill, which could be seen from her room. Her hands, laden with exquisite gold bracelets of her late mother's and a simple gold ring, stayed clasped resting on the cool slab of the window as she leaned  to take in the fresh and moist air.

It had been years, yet her time spend in doing austerities had left it's effect on her body. It is a rarity that she wore heavy clothes and jewelleries as it reminds her of the days past when she was in Kashi. She rarely bring forth those unpleasant memories and delve into it's depth. Her contact with her sisters - Ambika and Ambalika had been going strong for years though they exchange letters once in two years. When Amba had been immersed in mediation, then it would hardly be a letter in five or six years.

Kashi, Magadha, Pundra, Anga, Kuntibhoj, and finally Andhra. 

Amba had reached this place after going past the region of Utkala and Mahendragiri mountains. The road was bumpy and filled with moist dewy forests that hid an auspicious land behind. Somehow, she was attracted to come there. There weren't many people then. In Satya - Treta Yuga, this place was where the Vanara King Bali and Sugriva ruled. Later on, it had fallen in tatters. As coming here wasn't easy, trade happened less. Even the current King at that time had been old and without heir. He was on death bed when she had met him. 

He was out hunting and had laid dead amidst his soldiers after being shot by a poisonous arrow. He told her then, that there was a prophecy given by their village teller, that a woman belonging from one of the Saptapuri would come and be the salvation of this place, that she would be from the land of Mahadeva.

Amba had been suspicious at that time but later never regretted the decision of staying back.

Her grandfather joined her when she spoke to him about going towards the Pampa-Kshetra. He wasn't happy as the place wasn't safe but he accompanied her, nonetheless. Calling forth all those tribes whom she had met and made friends with, she had asked them to make their home in the Kingdom of Vijayanagara.

Then came the sweetest experience and lovely surprise of her life. It was something she never expected - a child. Amba adopted him legally when the illustrious Bhagirathi handed the newborn baby over to her and asked her to take care of him.

Karna was born of an unwed mother who made a mistake of using her boon before marriage. He was a child of Suryadev. She never asked the mother's name, because in the end, he was her child, legally and emotionally too. Amba had never hid his truth from him and he was well aware he is adopted, not that it made a difference in their relationship.

A soft smile spread across her red hued lips, at the thought. She had spoken to Lord Parshurama regarding her son's tutelage as her Mātāmaha had once suggested.

No matter how much they bickered, Karna and Mātāmaha Hotravahana loved each other a lot.

Amba was jerked awake from her thoughts, as she blinked rapidly, hearing the voice of her student, "Guru Maa!"

Turning to face a vivacious woman, wearing her long black curls open and adorned with the softest silk, the colour of the fresh blooming Kachnar, Amba gave a brilliant smile.

"Devika," She gestured her to come forward, "Come here!"

She bent down to do a charanaparsha, as she blessed, "Kalyan Ho!"

Devika was the daughter of the Maharaja of Shivi and his first wife, who was no more. King Chandrabhan of Shivi had four wives. His first wife died at Devika's birth. His second wife was the senior most and the current Chief Queen. She did not like Devika much, while the King was also forgetful about his daughter - driven by the available reason like almost all the males of Aryavarta, their need of having a son to continue the lineage. Devika was almost sold to slavery by her stepmother if she wasn't rescued by a tribal girl - Sukriti. Now, Devika and Sukriti were two peas in a pod.

Sukriti was the daughter of a tribal chief whose tribe specialized in gruella warfare and spies. Amba had known the tribal chief before as he was the one who supplied her with her chief messenger bird - Avrah. He brought Devika along when he was traveling to Hampi, answering to her summons to settle in the kingdom of Vijayanagara.

From then on, everything was history.

"Guru Maa!" Amba was shaken away from her memories again by Devika, who looked worriedly at her. She heard her ask, "Mother, are you alright?"

"Yes, I am well." She replied, going to sit on the bed, patting beside her, non-verbally asking her to sit, "Is there any problem Devika?"

"No Mother," Amba heard her reply as Devika glanced at her inquisitively, "- just that the Raj Guru had asked to meet you regarding Karna's royal crowning."

The Royal Crowning! That boy had ran away with a flimsy excuse when this topic was breached four-five days back.

She exhaled at the thought, getting up from the bed, striding towards the writing desk in her bare room. She quickly wrote a short letter, and handed it to a curious Devika.

"Would you mind handing this to that stubborn son of mine? He is probably in Hastinapura to meet his friend."

Amba noticed Devika's curling lips, as she said fondly, "Smile all you want, my child. That friend of yours is notorious."

She smiled watching her student giggle at her words. She knew Devika had never gotten out of the hurt she had felt at the nonchalance of her father and the cruel actions of her step-mother. It was gratifying to watch her laugh and smile. Karna had played a huge role in this matter, becoming her friend and confidant. He was the one who brought her out of her shell, helped her get up when she fell, simply be a good friend and stick by her.

"I will see that the message reaches him, Mother," replied Devika, as Amba nodded back in response. Devika bent to take her blessings before leaving for her monthly routine of checking the outpost and spy network, which was actually managed by Sukriti.

She sighed, glancing at the setting sun. Amba had imagined her life to be without any colours since that day. She had thought that her life would be spent in austerities, charities and perhaps penance. After that day, choosing the most toughest decision of my life, she expected nothing  from her fate. But fate had other plans, for Amba was sure, it wasn't done playing with her. 

It makes her afraid and wonder what else was awaiting her in the future.