Two Bodies, One Soul: The Shakti Spear

6. Brothers (Bharat and Shatrughan)

"Did I hear it correctly? This monkey who was flying over Ayodhya just said 'Sri Ram'. O Lord what have I done?" said Bharat looking at Shatrughan who is equally shocked and they ran to the unconscious monkey.

"O Mighty monkey! pray wake up to tell us who are you?", but all they got as a response was the monkey chanting Ram's name.

They give him a slight shake but still got no response. Shatrughan sprinkled some water at the monkey's face but again, no response. That's when Bharat said," Divine powers of this world, hear me out! If I've always loved Sri Ram with my heart and soul and forever remained devoted and faithful to him, then let this monkey be free of all his pain and exhaustion".

Hearing those words Hanuman sprung up like a spring surprising Bharat and Shatrughan.

" Valiant monkey! who are you? After so many years we heard the name of our Bhaiya Ram from someone's mouth! You were reciting his name while being unconscious, please inform Bharat and Shatrughan of your identity. ", spoke Shatrughan.

"Bharat! Shatrughan!", said a surprised Hanuman while pointing at them respectively. "Are you two really Bharat and Shatrughan? I can't believe my luck! My lord ram would often speak greatly of his Bharat and Shatrughan. Today I have finally met them", continued Hanuman.

"Yes, I really am Bharat and this really is Shatrughan! And did you Bhaiya Ram speaks of us? Please tell us who are you?", asked Bharat.

"Prince, I am Hanuman, a servant of Prabhu Ram and yes he frequently mentions the two of you", said Hanuman.

"So must know where Bhaiya is? right? Then, then tell us how is Bhaiya? and Bhabhi? is she well? And that fortunate one Lakshman? is my twin all well?", fired Shatrughan a volley of questions.

Hanuman was in a dilemma. Which was understandable because how was he tell his Lord's brothers of all that had happened? And what a delicate condition the lord is currently in? 'What should I include? and what do I leave out?', thought Hanuman in his mind. He came to a conclusion and ranted out the entire tale as fast as he could.

"Sriman Bharat and Shatrughan, Mata Janki was abducted by Ravan, king of Lanka. My Prabhu Ram had reached Kiskindha looking for her where with the help of our Maharaj Sugriv we located her in Lanka. Our army marched to Lanka with Prabhu Ram and Lakshman Bhaiya and a fierce war started. There we defeated all the mighty warriors of Lanka, but Meghnad, their Crown Prince used his most powerful Shakti spear on Lakshman Bhaiya! He is critical, in a coma. I was sent to procure the herb Sanjeevni to heal him and if I don't reach back in time then, then the unwanted and unbelievable will happen. Lakshman Bhaiya may not survive. And Prabhu, he's inconsolable and on the verge of giving hope. He doesn't want to fight anymore and wants to surrender".

It was like a bomb that exploded on the faces of Bharat and Shatrughan. Their expression just changed from 'eager to know' to 'what just happened and how?'.

"May not survive you say! No way! Lakshman won't just leave us this way! Will he Shatrughan?", said Bharat collapsing to the ground with tears rolling down his eyes as Shatrughan provided him support.

Lakshman his younger brother with whom he used to constantly argue and compete with for the love of his Ram Bhaiya, was critically wounded. Bharat couldn't breathe, the air suddenly felt scared and the world faint.

Shatrughan didn't answer straight away, he first held himself together and then said,

"No Bhaiya, no, he won't go alone. And if he thinks he can, we'll prove him wrong", Shatrughan continues looking at Hanuman," Noble Hanuman, go, go to Bhaiya and fulfil your task first. You are more needed there. We'll, we'll manage. You go".