VASUDHA

ORIGIN

(Note : Whatever laws or cultures are mentioned here are written for the sake of the story-line. Whatever similarity it has or does not have with reality, is completely coincidental)

- NO!!

Shrieks the princess passionately

- I can not be responsible for such a task right now, Surya- dev. What will my father think of my character if I suddenly show up with a child  unmarried ?!

Surya dev answers grimly

- You should have thought that prior trying to invoke me by Sage Durvasa's boon. I am bound by his promise to you and can not return until I gift you with the price you sought from me.

- There must be.....must be some way. 

The princess appears a bit crazed and also quite eager to get herself out of her current predicament she has managed to find herself into because of her mercurial mind.

Having an epiphany , she turns towards her trusted right hand

- YES!! I have got it.

 With a pause she declares

I am sharing this boon with my sakhi and you can provide her with the child instead.

- WHAT?? That can not be possible , Pritha.

- Why not, Radha ?!  Have you not been sad since last few years because you and bhrata Dhi did not manage to conceive one ?

Radha's heart soars at the mention of her hidden wound. Still she forces out her opinion

- OF COURSE! But that is of my flesh and blood; also of my husband's.

- Is it not the same? You will have the child from the boon of a god. Were  you not trying the same  by offering prayers to practically every temple in Kuntibhoja  ??

- It is not the same and you know it.

Radha still tries to remain firm in her decision.

- Besides after what you have demanded as the qualities of this child how can they be raised among  family of charioteers ?

The Sun God injects 

- What Devi Radha is saying , is true. What you have demanded , I am bound to provide.

..............................................................................

( Flashback)

( Royal chambers of Princess Pritha, Kuntibhoja Palace)

Princess Pritha sits near her wide open window at west  combing her dainty fingers unmindful through her black gorgeous mane and stares listlessly at the setting sun. She sits with a leg folded at knee and the other dangling in air. A few moment ago her most trusted sakhi has been done with her looks which matches the radiance of the sun at dusk  in simplicity and mystique.

Her sakhi is busy puttering around the kaksh picking after the scattered things the impulsive princess has picked up and  discarded on a whim. Suddenly she hears her angelic voice-

- Sakhi, do you think the sage's boons might come true one day ?

She adds a bit wistful

- That I might be able to call upon any God and  have their ansh in my womb ? Just think Sakhi ! I can ask them to shower my children with powers that will be unimaginable in a normal human child!

Radha has been a constant companion for the princess many years by now and has been well aware of her Mistress's fickle mind. She says soflty

-  Should not you wait a bit more to dwell upon that boon? Your father has just been starting to think upon your Swayamvar after all. Besides , you are very obviously going to marry a Khastriya. What need you have to rely upon Devas for a valorous son?