Kaal Chakra

22. देशालेख्यपत्रम्

 देशालेख्यपत्रम्  - Meaning map

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Dwarka

Panchami, Chaitra Shukla Paksha, 5000 BCE

It had been seven days since she arrived in Dwarka and five days had passed since she had met Nishath and Ulmuk, five days of bubbling laughter and innocent mischief from the young sons of the Yuvraaj and Yuvarani of Dwarka.

She had also fallen into a comfortable routine by now. Her day began with one of the maids waking her up at brahmamuhurta, which she was still not used to because she always ended up feeling drowsy for at least an hour afterwards. Afterwards, she would bathe, get dressed and then make her way towards Krishna's chambers. Even though he had told her that there was no need, she would still insist on taking his blessings everyday.

"I have dreamt of keeping my head on your lotus feet for my entire life," She had simply told him when he had stopped her halfway while she was bending down to do so. Upon hearing her words, Govind had simply retracted his hands and let her continue. But later, he had reminded her that he was simply her Kanha, her best friend and that she shouldn't forget that fact. She had tried to do the same to everyone else but they had sternly told her it was not necessary at all and she had complied after a few protests. After all, if she was taking blessings from the mighty Vishnu himself, wasn't it as good as getting blessings from Mahalakshmi herself?

The whole day would then be spent flitting here and there around the palace, well, as much flitting around her family would allow her to do. Though the pain had subsided greatly, she was not allowed to move much. Essentially, she was confined to sitting in one place; only this time, she was always in the company of different people. Most importantly, she had been introduced to the members of Krishna and Balarama's most trusted council of ministers. Though her official presentation as a Yadava princess to Dwarka and the rest of Aryavarta was still ten days away, the royal family thought it best to introduce her first to the council in order to avoid further conflict in the royal court.

Even though she had to do a lot of meet and greet at random times of the day, she still had a lot of free time on her hands. So she tried to learn some small things she had never quite learnt back in her time. Like making flower gajras, for example. Her maternal grandmother had tried to teach her when she was younger, but she neither had the patience nor any time for it. Malini, Rukmini's handmaiden, was quite helpful in this endeavour of hers and under her experienced hand, she had become quite the expert in weaving jasmine flowers into beautiful garlands.

She had also discovered a map of ancient India in Balarama's study chamber and had explained, with great pleasure and excitement, where she lived in her times.

"In my time, I live about right here," She had told her family, jabbing a finger onto a spot on the eastern side of the Sahyadri range.

"Oh, so you live in Pamsurashtra," Uddhava commented, leaning in a bit.

"It is near Vidarbha as well!" Rukmini exclaimed happily.

"It is. The present day city in which I live is called Pune, previously known as Punyanagari. The Bhimashankar jyotirlinga," She began, searching for the famous temple on the map when a strong, lean finger pointed out the shrine  to her and she looked up, smiling at Krishna who smiled back, "Is quite close to us. I think it is about a hundred kilometres from where I live. So, my exact location would be about here." She finished, pointing a centimetre or two down on the map from Bhimashankar.

"Kilometres?" Balarama echoed, sounding confused and Lakshmi looked up at him, looking confused as well.

"Huh? Oh right. Right. Distance is measured in yojanas in this era. But I don't know what the conversion rate is? I had read it somewhere but I am not able to recollect it." Lakshmi said, scratching her nose.

"Why don't you try eight kilometres as one yojana?" A warm voice whispered in her ear and she smiled in response before turning to face her best friend who winked at her.

"Hundred divided by eight, that would be 12.5. So about thirteen yojanas from my house in my time?" She tried again and this time, everyone nodded in understanding.

"And which kingdom does your city come under in your time?" Satyabhama asked, peering curiously at the place she was pointing to.

"We don't have kingdoms in my time. All of Aryavarta comes under one kingdom or country known as Bharat, which is divided into different regions called states. For example, I live in the state of Maharashtra, which includes this entire area," She clarified, tracing the borders of her state with her fingers.

"Does that mean monarchy no longer exists in your time?" Jambavati mused and Lakshmi shook her head.

"No. We don't have any rulers anymore. I mean, the royal families still exist, but they do not have the powers to rule."

"If there are no kings, how is the country administered?" Revati questioned her, looking puzzled.

"We elect representatives from amongst us through a process called voting for different posts. Like the head of state is called a rashtrapati. He or she is like the monarch of the country. Then comes the upa-rashtrapati. He or she is like the heir apparent of the state. Afterwards, comes the pradhan mantri. He or she makes the major policies for the nation and takes decisions with the help of their council of ministers and the two sansads. Then come the mukhyamantris of each state with their upa-mukhyamantris. And at last, come the different officers of the various departments and ministries, overlooking various functions." Lakshmi said in one go before gasping a breath.

"Don't forget to breathe, Lakshu." Krishna teased and she huffed out a laugh. 

"The world has changed so much in your time," Satyabhama murmured and Krishna turned towards her.

"It has to. For only change is permanent. It is the very nature of our society. Without adaptation of new things, we become obsolete." The lord of Dwarka said, keeping a hand on her shoulder.

"You are right, Arya. Lakshmi, you must tell us what your world is like." Satyabhama said, looking at the younger girl.

"Hmm, I will. Definitely, I.." Lakshmi trailed off when the door to the chamber opened and two tiny whirlwinds ran in her direction.

"Pitruvya! Pitruvya!" Came Nishath and Ulmuk's sweet voices, demanding her attention.

"Arre, arre, calm down. What happened?" Lakshmi said, laughing as they pulled at her robes.

"Will you come and play with us? That basket thing is ready!" Nishath exclaimed, almost bursting with excitement.

"What basket thing?" Rukmini questioned curiously.

"Once we go down to the gardens, I will explain." Lakshmi answered before turning to her nephews. "What about the ball, boys?"

"It's ready too!" Ulmuk squeaked in his babyish voice, vibrating with anticipation.

"Fantastic! Come, let's go! Everyone, follow me!" She declared gaily, holding the toddlers' hands before marching out of the room.

The rest of the royals looked at each other bemused before walking out one by one behind the three youngest members of their family.

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Hey guys, I hope you are doing well and hope you enjoy the chapter!!

Thanks to everyone who voted and commented, although I would love some more interaction!!

Sorry for not updating in so long but August was a hard month for me so I didn't feel like writing for a bit. I needed a break from everything.

Anyways, now for the big announcement!!!

I am going to be publishing a new book, that's right, you have read it correctly, a new book covering the friendship of Krishna and Arjuna!!!!

The duo has always been my favourite and I have been wanting to write about them for quite some time.

I am still working on the cover and blurb, so it will be up in a few days time. So, don't miss it!!

P.S. Do you think that it's time to open an Instagram account? Do let me know!