KRISHAVYAYAM

90. The Conclusion

Fury shimmered in her veins like celestial ichor. The daughter of fire was half deity, half destruction. She was the picture of mordant death in the moments she swallowed her wrath and defiantly stared at the sacrificial flames. Static buzzed in and around her, in melange with the fyrgebraece and in smoke. Thunder crackled in her sylph fingers, itching to act and the reticence of an impending storm sealing her lips of a mystical seer.

The dusky empress keenly watched her sister, then drew her mouth into a thin line. She glimpsed at her blue bestfriend who shrugged, somehow making the action seem graceful. I won't let the yagya be tainted, Sakhe, his elysian smile promised.

Shishupala unleashed a torrent of invectives, stunning the symposium hall.

“Surely the Mahamahima Bhishma’s mind is nebulous that he accepts this insult by letting the wicked Krishna claim his place. What is amiss in the valorous Shalya, Rukmi, Drupada, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhana and Vinda-Anuvinda of the Haiheya clan that you venerate him with the prathama arghya? They are endowed with immense strength and know true virtue. He who has serenaded with espoused milkmaids of the village he was given a refugee in, is now the one considered higher to all of us? He’s a thief who has stolen butter and robes from poor innocuous maidens!”

Dare you?! Kamalnayani’s exasperated fickle eyes darted to Kanha who already was looking her way, curious as if she'd never been his. Curious, for he could gaze to the ends of eternity if she were the oeuvre. She was placated and distracted by a blinding charm of lotus eyes but not for too long. Satyabhama was clenching and unclenching her war-like grasp on the hilt of her hidden dagger; while Jambavati kept her quietude with a rough scowl. Rukmini resolutely maintained a stoic composure and she did not wish to think of Karenumati’s plight for the Chaidya had openly shown his disregard for all moral boundaries.

“Chedi Maharajah, in my opinion Vaasudeva is indeed the only recipient to achieve this glory for his prowess, intelligence, compassion, sinlessness and numerous attributes have played a crucial role in the welfare of Aryavarta’s subjects. I have no qualms with the ceremony that worships him, the finest among men, and so shouldn't you,” The Mahamahima added with a calm smile on his face while the former paid no heed and jabbered agitatedly.

“—Aghasura, Bakasura, Trinavarta, Keshi, Putana, Mushtika and Chanura: there's no limit to the ones who have fallen prey to his maya. How could a mere child have vanquished such formidable Rakshasa warriors? And even if he's done so, he ruthlessly murdered them and eventually took the life of his own maternal uncle, Kamsa. Assembled kings, our emperor's wit is clouded by the manipulation of this scheming machiavelli!”

“I WILL BRING DOWN YOUR HEAD SHISHUPALA!” Arjuna thundered with the formidable Gandiva in his scarred archer fingers, threatening to nock an arrow but the son of Yamadharma soothed his rancor. Partha resentfully let the weapon dematerialize for the moment when his Madhava did not move a muscle. Bhima shared his sentiment and wished Krishna would break his word, but the almighty had decided against it.

Karenumati silently apologized to her aunts who could do nothing but grimace her way. Heart thudding in her chest and palms sweat glazed, the princess kept her head low and shed tears as the gatekeeper neared his destiny.

The Satvata king was a hyena in the flesh of a man. His laugh was acid pouring into one's ears and he mocked the third Pandava who had surpassed countless Kshatriyas in gallantry, “Aren’t you the Arjuna who deceitfully asked for Ekalavya’s thumb? Oh, how could I have forgotten . . . you have resorted to the ways of your sinister father who slew the faultless Rishi Kindama and his wife who wished to conceive a child!”