HARIHARESHWARI 14 : CHANDRA CHAYAYAM SINGHASANAM

CHAPTER 25

After the solution to save Bharatvansh was approved by Bhishm, Satyavati began thinking about Krishna Dwaipayan Vyas. And just like he had promised, he appeared at once.

Though he blazed like the sun in radiance, he was in an unpleasant condition. Ved Vyas had come directly from Himalayas, where he was undertaking harsh ascetic vows while interpreting Vedas. As a result he was unwashed and unkempt.

Satyavati welcomed her son in accordance with the proper rites. Then she embraced him with her arms and bathed him with her tears, since she had seen her son after a long time. Dwaipayan smiled and wiped her tears away.

Bhishm too came forward and touched the feet of the sage, paying his humble homage and offered him a seat.

When he was seated, Satyavati asked him about his welfare. After making the usual inquiries, she looked at him and said, "Putra, tum Mata ki oor se Vichitraveerya ke Jyesht Bhrata ho, jis prakar Bhishm pita ki oor se. Bina santaan ke Vichitraveerya ka swargvas ho gaya, aur Bharatkul par aapda aayi hai. Bhishm pran ke karan Ambika aur Ambalika ko putra pradaan nahi kar sakta, parantu tum kar sakte ho. Iss liye kripiya Vichitraveerya ki patniyo ko santaan ratna do, jisse Bharato ka vansh bach jaaye."

Vyas said, "Mata, aapki buddhi sadev dharm mei rami rehti hai. Mai Vichitraveerya ke liye awashya uski patniyo ko santaan ratna pradaan karunga. Unhe aise putra pradaan karunga jo Mitra aur Varun ke bhaati ho. Parantu uske liye, unhe ek varsh tak mere dwara bataye ek vidhivrat vrat ka palan hoga. Isse woh shudh ho jaayengi. Bin vrat ka palan kiye, koi bhi stree mere sameep nahi aa sakti." 

"Kintu putra, Rajya bina Raja ke hai. Ek varsh toh bahut lamba samaye ho jayega. Kya shigreh putra praapti ka koi upaaye nahi ?" Satyavati asked worried.

"Mata, yadi woh dono ek varsh ka vrat nahi rakh sakti toh unn deviyo ke liye ek uttam vrat yeh hoga ki woh dono mere asundar roop ko dekh ke bhayebhit na ho, aur shaant rahe. Yadi Vichitraveerya ki patniya, mere gandh, roop, vesh aur tan ko sahan karle toh aaj hi mai unhe uttam santaan pradaan kar sakta hu." He said.

Having uttered these words and pending the time of union, Ved Vyas disappeared.

Satyavati then went and met her daughters-in-law in private and told them what was in accordance with dharma and artha and for the sake of welfare.

Keeping her hands over the shoulders of Ambika, she said, "Kousalya, mai tum se jo dharmyukt baat kar rahi hu, use dhyaan se suno. Humare kul ka annt na ho, iske liye Bhishm ne niyog ka maarg sujhaya hai. Iss sarvochit yukti ko sarthak karna, tumhare upar hai. Bharatvansh ka punah uddhar keval tum kar sakti ho. Indra-samaan putra ko janm do, jo iss kul aur iss rajya ka bhaar sambhaal sake." 

Ambika looked at Ambalika, both looked unsure. They were still grieving the loss of their husband, yet they did yearn for sons. But at this moment, Ambika didn't know if she was prepared for undertaking niyog. But Satyavati somehow managed to obtain the concurrence of that virtuous one to the proposal.

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At the time of her season, when Ambika had purified herself through a bath, Satyavati led her to the bed. The daughter of Kashya, was well-adorned and well scented. A translucent saree hung loosely over her delicate body that was ornamented with expensive jewels.

Making her sit on the ivory bed, Satyavati softly spoke to her, "Kousalya, madhya-raatri mei tumhare Jeth iss kaksh mei aayenge. Unki pratiksha karna aur so mat jana."

And then Satyavati left the room, leaving Ambika alone. The daughter of Kashi-raj stared at her once-again adorned self. Her mind drifted sadly back to the days she had spent with her husband.

Despite the fact that they had enjoyed so much pleasure together, after seven years of marriage they had not produced a child. Without leaving an heir the king was guilty of neglecting a prime duty. How, then, would he be able to reach the higher lokas ?

But after having lain in Vichitraveerya's powerful arms, how strange to now be preparing to meet another man. Wouldn't it feel like a betrayal ?

"Pata nahi kaun Kurushresht aane wala hai." Ambika muttered, "Mata ne 'Jeth' bola hai toh kadachit Bhishm ho."

Contemplating the mere possibility of Bhishm's arrival, Ambika's heart began to find solace. She believed that her union with him would not be a betrayal of the love she held for her late husband, but rather a selfless act of service to him and their kingdom.

Bhishm, a man of immense power and unwavering righteousness, seemed to be the only suitable candidate to father the future king. Ambika resolved to ensure that he felt the utmost honor in her presence. With a mix of anticipation and modesty, she laid herself upon the bed, eagerly awaiting his arrival.

After a while, a gentle knock echoed through the room, causing Ambika to raise her gaze with shy anticipation. As the door creaked open, a tall figure stepped inside.

However, upon laying eyes on him, Ambika's anticipation turned to ice. Standing before her in the bedchamber was not Bhishm, but a wretched ascetic, his appearance repulsive and unkempt. His matted locks hung loosely around his gaunt face, and his fierce eyes bore into her soul.

Draped around his waist was a tattered and stained loin cloth, serving as his sole garment. His body, caked with layers of grime, bore witness to his harsh austerities. He approached her and settled himself beside her. The repugnant odor that emanated from his being caused her to instinctively recoil in disgust.

As Ambika found herself in such close proximity to him, a surge of fear coursed through her veins, compelling her to tightly shut her eyes. However, driven by the duty to fulfill his mother's wishes, Vyas united with her and she with him.

But alas, the princess of Kashi, paralyzed by her own trepidation, remained unable to pry open her eyes, even for a fleeting moment.

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A/N

Was Ved Vyas actually ugly ?
You know the saying you're not ugly you're poor.... Similarly Ved Vyas is not ugly, he was following rigid ascetic vows 😂

But Ambika closed her eyes and hence she'd give birth to the blind Dhritrashtra.

Also to anyone wondering why Ambika and Ambalika are called Kousalya.... It's because their mother's name is Kaushalya.