AMRAPALI: the beauty of heaven

CH-4 Meeting of Amrapali and Shrimalu

Amrapali's hair was disheveled. Her clothes were also not in good condition and she had injuries in many places. In this condition, she lay down under the tree panting and started thinking, "Oh God, what kind of test is this? Why are you forcing me to walk on the path where I don't want to walk? Please take us to a safe place where both of us can stay safe."

"Ah, don't you worry Amrapali, I will think about it! And I will take you to a safe place!" Harshdev said groaning in pain.

On hearing this, Amrapali took a deep breath and said, "Which is the place where we can stay safe?"

On this Harshdev immediately replied, "Acharya Ji!! Because I am also hurt and you have also got some minor injuries, right now we need to apply ointment on these injuries. Otherwise we will not be able to walk much further. And in this condition it will not be possible for us to go to any doctor. Therefore there is no safer and more appropriate place for us right now. Even if we escape from the soldiers in this forest, by morning we both will definitely become food for wild animals."

"Hmm maybe this will be appropriate, then let's go!" Saying this Amrapali slowly got up and stood.

Harshdev also somehow stood up taking the support of the tree. Although he was not in a position to walk. So seeing him in such an injured state, Amrapali said, "Come, I will give you some support" and then somehow by supporting each other, they reached Acharya ji's house while avoiding the eyes of the soldiers.

As soon as Acharya ji saw them there, he quickly opened the door and said, "Hey Amrapali you!! And Harshdev you are here!! Come on come on! Children come inside quickly. If someone sees you here, there will be trouble."

After that, Acharya ji first applied ointment on Harshdev's wound and then both of them told Acharya ji about the tribe. Acharya ji asked him to lie down comfortably for some time, "You should not get up from here until I tell you to, otherwise if this wound grows more, it can be very fatal for you."

Hearing this, Harshdev shook his head and lay down there for some time.

And then Acharya ji went to Amrapali and said, "Sit comfortably daughter, but do you know what is the condition of this kingdom after you left?"

"There is chaos everywhere. I have never seen so much unrest in Vaishali before today. The king has sent his soldiers all around to find you. God knows how many stories are being made about you in the market. What has happened to this kingdom, where there was always an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, today noise and shouting are heard everywhere. That is why your father had stopped you from participating in that competition, but as a punishment for your one mistake, this kingdom has to see all this.

"If you listen to me then you should become the courtesan, otherwise who knows how many more lives will be lost. It is possible that the way the Magadh empire is expanding at a fast pace, it seems that in a kingdom in which we choose our own king, in some time Magadh may attack our kingdom and subjugate us.

"Now you are the only one who can protect the honour and prestige of this kingdom. And on the other hand your father has also been held captive. Who knows how he would be treated in the prison."

On hearing her Baba's name, Amrapali's eyes started to fill with tears. She was unable to understand what she should do in this situation. Where should she go and how would she handle all this. Who knows what all her Baba had to face because of her. But after hearing all this she decided in her mind that now she would go to such a place where after going there no person related to her would have to face any trouble.

And then Acharya ji said, "Daughter you will have to sit on the throne of Nagarvadhu otherwise God knows how many more disasters will happen."

On hearing this Amrapali started thinking for some time and then suddenly she said, "Now there is only one most appropriate place for me where I will go now."