The other Janaki

The Meet

To be back in Mithila after a month, felt so refreshing but still Urmila couldn't swallow down the disgruntling feeling that had been killing her. The Ashram was attacked, by the demoness Tadaka. While her Khsatriya dharm, propelled her to stay behind and protect the residents, Vishwamitra ordered the four princesses to leave for Mithila. None of them wanted to. How could the four girls leave, after what they saw. Cottages  burning , kids injured , Sita was in tears seeing all that sufferings. 

"We can't leave now" Urmila fought back against her teacher. But Vishwamitra was adamant.

"You have to. I have promised your father, that you all wil be safe here. But now in this situation I cannot gurantee that"

Urmila was taken aback. What did the Rishi think ? The Four girls were petty damsels who couldn't look after themselves? They were daughter of the learned Janak, leaving the residents of Ashram in this dire situation was not in their morals.

" Our father, wouldn't want us to flee from here either"

"Donot vex me, young lady! Do as I say. The people here will shift to another ashram , for the time being. While I will make my journey to Ayodhya. Only Ram and his brother Lakshman can save us now."

Urmila looked in disbelief. With days, it seemed that somewhere their lives were getting entangled more and more. What was with these Kosala princes?!  How powerful were they ? And why did the Rishi insist upon bringing Ram and Lakshman and not the other two ?

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Mithila felt like a safe haven, unlike the dark woods they were staying for the past few days. Upon their arrival, they found their mothers, standing at the palace doors, all anxious. Since when were they waiting for their arrival? Once in their mother's arms, Urmila almost forgot all the thoughts that were troubling her. For those few minutes of embrace, she almost forgot Vishwamitra understimating her , or the Kosala princes , or Tadaka. It was a moment of pure bliss. 

Beside her , Shruta was animatedly talking to her mother , telling her about the experiences, showing her the arrow that Vishwamitra gave her.  Urmila's hands went to her waist, where her gift was securedly tied. Her sword , Ajay , gave her a sense power , that Urmila had never felt before. She felt anxious. She had to show it to her father. 

"Get fresh girls, we have the whole night to listen to your stories" Sunaina ushered them to change, as the girls were still in their riding dresses of plain dhoti and angavastram.

However the chirpiness and relaxation of their arrival in Mithila was short lived. It was the very next morning, that Urmila was summoned to her father's chambers. She wondered what was it that her father wanted to talk to her about in private? Was it another attack ? Or was he angry that they didn't stay back at the Vishwamitra Ashram ?

"Pitashree",she called once she reached the door. Her father had his back turned towards the door, turned around to her call. He had a grim face and looked tense. 

" We have an important event to organize", he said , even though his voice didnot sound much pleased with this event he was referring to.

" What is it father?"Urmila reflected her father's tense voice.

Janak took a long breath, then turned sideways, as if he were trying to avoid her eyes,

"A Swayamvar"

To say Urmila was shocked would be an understatement. A Swayamvar! The time she had feared the most, was finally there! One of the sisters, would finally get married! Urmila couldn't help but wonder whether her father was rushing things. Surely they weren't just ready to get married.  Or were they ? Urmila suddenly remembered the last conversation she had with her sisters in the Ashram. Sita and Mandavi had already decided , how their groom should be. But who was this Swayamvar for ? Surely, Mandavi wouldn't agree getting married, based on some conditions put forward by someone. Shruta was too young.. Then was it for....