The other Janaki

Enchantress

All eyes were on the man, who stood in front of the bow. His hands were folded, as he chanted some mantra-  something which Urmila from this distance couldn't comprehend. His hands then reached for the rising of Pinaka. Everyone was tensed. In her mind, Urmila found she herself was repeating, Please let it be, O Lord.

One..two..three...seconds which felt like eternity, the sacred bow was no longer in its stand. It stood high up in the air, As Ram had lifted it up in one effortless, move.Urmila looked at her sister, only to find her beaming with joy . Beside her, her father looked relieved. A great burden of humilation, already lifted off from his shoulders. 

But Ram was not finished. He pulled out the string of the bow, wound it across one notched, and with what felt like his entire strength, he pulled it , hoping to give it the perfect arch. But what followed, made the entire hall gasp in pure disbelief. It appeared that the Kosala , prince might have applied more force than what was necessary. Because, within a minute, with a thunderous sound, the great Pinaka was broken into two pieces.

Urmila was in horror, Pinaka was something that her father always adored, in fact he worshiped. It was , after all a gift from Lord Shiva himself , to his ancestors. 

Ram, with the two pieces in his hands looked mortified, "I am sorry Rajrishi Janak"he apologized," It was never in my intentions, to break the bow"

" I understand" Janak's face was solemn, but it soon morphed into a wide smile, " But it appears this was it's destiny. Oh dear, don't apologize. For now I ," He turned towards the entire crowd, " declare you , Prince Ram of Ayodhya, the righful suitor to my daughter's hands" 

The drummers started their beats , the people began chanting praises, Sita was beaming - this might be the happiest moment of her life. Urmila so wanted to run and giver her sister a congratulating hug. Sunaina, hurried an excited Mandavi and an overjoyed Shruta , to ready the Varmala and the plate for Aarti.  The royal family stood at the alter , as the eldest princess proceeded to garland Ram. Urmila cast a hasty look at Lakshman, only to find him beaming with pure joy , as Sita put the varmala across his brother's neck. He loved his brother, most dearly , and to see him get married must have been the best day of his life. Urmila suddenly a fizzity feeling inside her stomach , as she saw Lakshman smile , which was what she thought a rather unusual sight. 

But when she finally thought that it was a blissful end to an extraordinarily hectic day , it was a thunderous cry at the door of the hall that changed  her perspective. Clad in a monk's attire , an axe in his hand , looking vividly livid , was Lord Parashram. 

The aura of fight filled the entire room. Rishi parashuram, had a rather notorious popularity of killing thousands of kshatriyas with the axe he was holding. He was the most feared , personality in the whole of Arybharta and today he looked exceptionally angry. 

" Who is it ?" He roared," Who is the fool , who dared to break my Lord , the great Shiva's bow ?"

" I am afraid sir , but how is breaking a bow an act of foolery" Trust Lakshman to speak in the exact moment , when he was not needed.  While Urmila adored, his protectiveness towards his brother , what he was doing now was rather stupid.  This man , was too innocent , that he didnot understand that his words were just fueling the Rishi's anger.

" Shutup, you , imbecile fool. Don't you dare tell me interrupt me "

But Lakshman was not quietened. Instead he went , " I am sorry, Rishivar .But I find your unnatural fondness, for a wooden weapon so utterly uncanny. It is just another bow. When we were kids , we have broken countless number of bows, even the best ones gifted by our father. But why ? No one had ever made a fiasco over it, like you do it now"