By ending the tyrannical King Kamsa in a fierce battle, Shri Krishna restored peace and justice to the land of Mathura. But the aftermath of Kamsa's downfall sent shockwaves rippling through the Vrishni and Bhoj dynasties, casting a shadow of fear o...
As the elaborate crowns of Yuvraj were placed upon the heads of Vinda and Anuvinda, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The grandeur of the palace only added to their sense of entitlement, the magnificent chandeliers casting a golden glow on their faces as they accepted their crowns.
King Jayasen watched his sons with a stoic expression, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the sight of his sons displaying their greed and ambition so openly. Neither of them was ready to step down, or make a sacrifice for the other, and hence both were being crowned as the Yuvraj.
Jayasen remembered his younger brother, Dilipsen, the one he had instated as his rightful heir to the throne, who had selflessly stepped aside for the sake of his nephews. Jayasen could still hear the echoes of Dilip's departure from the kingdom, the emotional turmoil that had torn his family apart. The memory weighed heavily on his shoulders as he watched Vinda and Anuvinda revel in their newfound power.
Beside him, Rajadhidevi, his wife, forced a smile to mask the pain she felt for Aarvi. Aarvi, the wife of Dilip, who too had chosen to leave for the forest, shunning the royal life and its politics.
As the young princes were adorned with the symbols of their new status, Rajadhidevi's gaze swept over the women in the corners of the hall, their finery a stark reminder of Aarvi's absence. She remembered how gracefully Aarvi used to dress, how her presence added a touch of grandiose to Haiheyas, how people used to say that the Yuvrani dresses more extravagantly than the Maharani.
Vinda and Anuvinda couldn't contain their elation at being one step closer to the throne. Their eyes gleamed with ambition as they basked in the glory of their new titles. They exchanged a triumphant glance, unbothered to the turmoil their ascension had caused within their family.
Despite the grandeur of the occasion, a sense of unease lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of power and succession. And as Vinda and Anuvinda were hailed as the future rulers of Avanti, Jayasen and Rajadhidevi couldn't shake the feeling of loss that hung over the palace like a shadow. . . . . .
Miles away, in the humble ashram of sage Sandipani, the aroma of spices and simmering lentils filled the air as Gurupatni, the venerable wife of the sage, bustled around the kitchen. The other Brahman women assisted her, their practiced hands moving in harmony as they prepared a meal.
"Gurumaa ?"
Into this domestic symphony strode a royal figure, his saffron robes a stark contrast to his regal past. Dilip, the former crown prince, entered gracefully carrying a bundle of firewood for Gurupatni.
A small smile played on his lips, but his eyes betrayed a lingering sorrow, "Yeh lakdiya jo aapne mangwayi thi."
She accepted it with a nod of gratitude, her eyes filled with understanding, "Dhanyawad vats. Ab tum jaao vishram karlo. Bhojan ban jaaye, toh tumhe bulawa aajayega." she urged gently, sensing the weight of his burdens.
Dilip nodded silently, his head bowed in respect, before departing with a sense of humility that belied his royal lineage. The Brahman women glanced at him with pity.
One of them said, "Dekho toh, yeh ek samaye par humare Yuvraj the. Sahastro daas-daasiya hongi inke paas, kintu aaj ? Sabhi karya swayam karte hai."
"Mujhe toh aaj bhi vishwas nahi hota, ki woh Yuvraj jinhone Jarasandh jaise samrato ko parast kiya hai, woh aaj talvaar chhod lakdiya utha rahe hai. Sar jhukaye sabhi karya kar rahe hai." Another woman said.
"Rajniti sabko pees deti hai." Gurupatni said as she used the woods to intensify the fire, "Samaye Samaye ka yog hai. Sab niyati ke aadhin hai."
As Dilip stepped into the thatched hut assigned to him, his stoic expression softened, where his wife Aarvi was lighting the lamps. The glow of the flames illuminated her face, now adorned with humility instead of opulent jewelry.
Aarvi, who as Yuvrani was once known for her lavish attire, now wore simple garments with barely any jewelleries befitting her modest surroundings. Dilip's heart ached as he saw her living a life devoid of the luxuries she once enjoyed. The contrast between their past and present lives was stark.
Years had passed since they had shed their royal garb for this simple existence, yet the ache of her lost grandeur still lingered in Dilip's heart. Despite their efforts to embrace this new life, the memory of their former glory weighed heavily on his soul, stirring a poignant longing for a life they once knew.
"Padhariye Arya." Aarvi greeted him with her usual smile, laying the mat for him to sit.
Sitting down on the mat she had laid out for him, he felt a sense of peace envelop him. Aarvi noticed his wistful expression and quickly fetched a glass of water from the corner of the room. Handing it to him with a gentle touch, she met his eyes with understanding, knowing exactly what was bothering him again.
Dilip accepted the glass gratefully, taking a sip as he reminisced about the grandeur of their past life, where all this would be done with maids and servants and he would enjoy his time with her.
"Aapko swikar kar lena chahiye." Aarvi said as she settled beside him, "Varsho ho gaye hai hume Rajkul chhode, kintu fir bhi aap dukhi rehte hai."
Dilip sighed, "Guruvar Sandipani toh vanprasth aashram ki mahima toh batate hi rehte hai. Ki kaise vastavik sukh saralta mei hai kintu...."
"Kintu ?" She asked.
He replied, "Kintu na jaane kyu, vanprasth ko mai man se swikaar hi nahi paya.... Aisa lagta hai ki jeevan mei aur bhi bahut kuch tha karne ko, aur mai use thukra ke vanprasth mei aagaya."
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Bahut kuch karne ko baaki toh hai Dilip ji, iss liye aap swikar nahi paa rahe iss jeevan ko 🌝
Also.... Is it just me or Vinda Anuvinda highkey give Jolly brothers vibes from tees maar khan-
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