The Rose of Adharma

Foreword.

 - The Rose of Adharma - 

Set in the backdrop of the great epic Mahabharata, this tale captures the perspectives, emotions, and the great life of the forgotten queen, Bhanumathi. Being the wife of the oldest of the Kauravas, she is adored by her family and the citizens of Bharatvarsh. In spite of the unjust situations that take place in her fragile heart, her beautiful smile remains on her face, enticing readers into her boundless and unfathomable story.

However, nothing can remain forever, and as tensions rise between multiple points of her short-lived life, her ideals, capabilities, and duties as a daughter, wife, mother, and queen were questioned and dynamics changed rapidly. Throughout the shifting balance of power between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, her loyalty, trustworthiness, and splendor are tested through constant trials in the horrible world of war and heartbreak. During these times, there existed no place for harmony, instead a shattered world of death and misery was about to transpire and no one knew of the lasting consequences.

And stuck in the middle of it all is Queen Bhanumathi. Mother of Lakshamana and Lakshmanaa. Queen to Hastinapur. Daughter of Kalinga. The Mother to her subjects. The wife of Duryodhana. She became the rose to his adharma. The rose that led him to glory and glued the broken pieces of his soul back together. She was his sunshine that kept him from slumbering in the dark dreams of the past. 

Throughout her life story, with Bhanumathi being interrogated at every crossroads, she finds herself through trials of love, peace, war, and disharmony. She finds herself on the edge of a knife at every decision but back in the arms of her true love at her proven kindness. She finds herself as the beacon of justice, but also as the sunshine to his darkness. The Rose of Adharma she became to be. 

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- Characters -

Bhanumathi: Wife of Duryodhana. Mother of Lakshmana and Lakshmanaa. Daughter of Chitrangada. Crown Princess of Hastinapura. 

Duryodhana: Husband of Bhanumathi. Father of Lakshmana and Lakshmanaa. Son of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Crown Prince of Hastinapura.

Lakshmana: Son of Bhanumathi and Duryodhana. Twin brother of Lakshmanaa. 

Lakshmanaa: Daughter of Bhanumathi and Duryodhan. Twin sister of Lakshmana.

Krishna: King of Dwarka. Source of light for Bhanumathi. Lord of the three worlds. Greatest avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Karna: Best friend of Duryodhana. Close friend of Bhanumathi. King of Anga. Eldest son of Queen Kunti.

Vrushali: First wife of Karna. Childhood friend of Karna.

Supriya: Second wife of Karna. Best friend of Bhanumathi. 

Gandhari and Dhritarashtra: Parents of Duryodhan. Elder in-laws of Bhanumathi.

Pandavas(Yudhistira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva): The sons of Kunti. Greatest enemies of Duryodhana. 

Chitrangada: Father of Bhanumathi. King of Kalinga.

Kauravas(Dushasan, Dushala, Vikarna, ...): Brother/sister in-laws of Bhanumathi. Greatest enemies of the Pandavas.

Ashwatthama: Son of Dronacharya. Close friend of Duryodhan.

Shakuni: Uncle of Duryodhan. King of Gandhar.

Parent figures(Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, ...): Close parent figures of Bhanumathi.

Draupadi: Wife of Pandavas. Destroyer of the Kshatriyas. 

Vrishasena, Vrishaketu: Sons of Karna among 9. 

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An aesthetic portrayal of the protagonists.

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This is a story based on the figments of my imagination and the logical facts presented in the Mahabharata. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, is a mere coincidence. 

I am aware that Bhanumathi was not an official character in the BORI Mahabharata, however, this story does abide by the facts and structures of the Mahabharata. 

I am up for positive and meaningful criticism, but insults and bashing will not be tolerated. This is a space where we can bring thoughts to light, not a place for rude comments.

P.S. Gratification goes to my dear friend @Tiddlytoes for being one of the best friends ever and supporting me through the course of this story. Also, the aesthetics are amazing! Some applause over here, people!