First among 11 Rudras is Manyu, the war god, wielder of thunder and Slayer of foes. He is the one who brings wealth and health.
Through him Vidur and his wife Sulabha beget a son, named Manvendra, who was fierce, queller of foes, follower of Dharma...
Manvendra was lying down on his bed, his eyes fixed on his window, watching the heavy rainfall. The sound of raindrops for some reason sent him into a peaceful trance as the sweet scent of earth pervaded his room.
The glistening drops of rain caressed the leaves of the trees, creating a symphony of harmonious rustling sounds in the air. Each raindrop falling was like a melody played by nature.
The sudden, dazzling flashes illuminated the darkness momentarily. It seemed as though the sporadic lightning was nature's way of teasing the night sky. Like a heartbeat that skips a beat, each bolt of lightning ignited a spark of excitement in Manvendra.
The lightening was followed behind by its thunderous sound. To Manvendra it appeared fierce yet passionate. It echoed through the very depths of his being, stirring something primal within.
While he enjoyed the sight outside, his mind reminded him of his wife. Remembering her, his eyes began to sparkle and seemed to crinkle at the corners.
His relaxed lips parted slightly, and a gentle curve formed at the corners of the mouth. A small smile it was, but perfect indeed. A heartfelt expression of warmth and joy. The smile which was deemed the most charming one in Hastinapur, was once again embracing his face, like how two lost friends embrace each other after a long time.
"Oh Narayan." Manvendra whispered as he closed his eyes.
Outside his room, from a small gap at the door, Duryodhan was watching the son of Vidur. He was standing with Dushashan who was holding a basket, containing venomous snakes.
"Will this work ? Last time it didn't." Dushashan asked in a whisper.
"Last time Bheem had killed all the snakes." Duryodhan said in half knowledge, "This time I shall make sure they bite Manvendra." He told.
"How long will he take to sleep ?" Dushashan groaned.
"He has closed his eyes. We shall wait for few more moments." Duryodhan said.
Both the sons of Dhritrashtra waited for a while, when Duryodhan saw Manvendra had gotten still, he assumed that the Vidurputra had fallen asleep.
"Come." Duryodhan whispered to Dushashan.
Gently opening the door, both the sons of Dhritrashtra tip toed their way towards the side of Manvendra's bed, they both froze for a moment seeing the smile on his face, after years.
Duryodhan got worried and uneasy seeing this. If the curse is broken, then it shall make him only more worthy to the throne.
"The smile still has the same charm." Dushashan commented.
"Shut up !" Duryodhan whisper yelled.
He opened the basket which was in Dushashan's hands, and took out the virulent snakes, who were hissing in anger, ready to bite anything in their way.
But just as Duryodhan brought them near Manvendra's neck, the snakes became became still. A frown appeared on the face of the eldest Gandhari Nandan. He brought the snakes near his arm but the snakes didn't react there as well.
"Put them down, perhaps." Dushashan suggested.
Duryodhan kept the snakes on the bed, seeing them slither over to him and rolling themselves in Manvendra's neck, arms and legs, the sons of Dhritrashtra became happy for a moment thinking now the snakes shall bite him or if not choke him to death.
But to their dismay the snakes just stayed their, causing no discomfort to him. Duryodhan and Dushashan looked at each other with confusion.
"Why are they refusing to bite him ?" Dushashan asked.
"I don't know." Duryodhan said.
"Because I am the son of Manyu." Manvendra said opening his eyes.
Seeing that he was awake, Duryodhan got startled. He was about to take out his dagger but stopped as he felt a sword on his neck. He looked at Manvendra, standing tall in front of him, holding the sword.
"You !" Dushashan was about to lunge at him but Manvendra caught him by his neck, choking Dushashan in his grasp.
Duryodhan wanted to help his brother, but was rendered helpless himself. He looked at Manvendra, with snakes coiled around his limbs and especially around his neck, he seemed to be a subtle image of Nageshwar. Indeed he was the son of Manyu.
"Now this can go two ways. Either I end you both here in my defence. Or you both may leave just as you had come." Manvendra said.
Duryodhan and Dushashan looked at each other, exchanging a look of understanding.
"We shall leave." Duryodhan said.
Manvendra released Dushashan who coughed, and then removed the sword from Duryodhan's neck. Both the sons of Dhritrashtra began leaving with faces lowered in shame.
"Remember one thing now, my misguided cousins !" Manvendra said causing them both to stop and turn around to look at him, "I won't give an option next time." He said.
Neither sons of Dhritrashtra said anything, they just turned back on their feet and left.
Manvendra then looked the snakes who were peacefully coiled around his limbs. He gently grabbed them and one by one released them in his balcony.
"You may go now, my friends." He told the snakes who then slithered away.
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ A/N
MANVENDRA SMILED ! I REPEAT MANVENDRA SMILED !
Btw here's the AI art of Manvendra smiling -
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Also, two words for Dury Bhai -
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