Mahabharat - The Changed Fate

Chapter 2 : The Search For A Teacher

Location: Mithila

The kingdom of Mithila was a land of prosperity, wisdom, and peace, but it had not always been so. For three long years, the kingdom had suffered under a devastating drought. The rivers had dried up, the crops had withered, and the people had begun to lose hope. Yet, with the birth of Avika, the first child of King Janaka and Queen Sunaina, everything changed. On the very day Avika was brought into their lives, the clouds that had refused to shed a drop for years suddenly darkened the skies, and the heavens opened with a downpour that soaked the parched earth.

The people rejoiced, seeing Avika as a divine blessing. The royal couple loved her deeply, unaware of her celestial origin, and raised her as their own daughter, showering her with all the affection and attention she could ever need. Avika, too, had no knowledge of her adoption. She grew up in the warmth of her parents' care, believing herself to be the eldest daughter of Mithila's revered king and queen.

A New Era in Mithila

Three years after Avika's birth, the royal family was blessed once again—this time with two more children. Draupadi, a radiant little girl with sharp eyes and a spark of curiosity, was born first, followed by her twin brother Drishtadyumna, whose strength and gentle demeanor charmed everyone around him. The arrival of these two children completed the family. Avika was no longer an only child, and she immediately took to her new role as the elder sister with enthusiasm and love. Draupadi, with her fiery spirit, looked up to Avika with admiration, while Drishtadyumna often followed his older sisters around the palace grounds, content to be in their presence.

King Janaka and Queen Sunaina were overjoyed, their family now complete. As rulers, they were wise and just, and as parents, they were nurturing and affectionate. They knew that to shape their children into future leaders of Mithila, they needed to provide them with the best education possible.

Mithila, renowned across Bharat for its peace, wisdom, and progressive policies, held great respect for education. It was a land where wars were unheard of, where knowledge was the greatest power, and where the arts, sciences, and spirituality flourished. Janaka himself was a learned man, often engaging in deep philosophical discussions with scholars and sages. He wished for his children to receive the finest education, one that would not only teach them about governance and the world but also instill in them the wisdom to rule justly and with compassion.

The Search for a Teacher

When the time came for Avika and her siblings to begin their formal education, a contest was held to select the best possible teacher for the royal children. The news of the contest spread far and wide, and all the great gurus from Mithila and beyond were invited to participate. Mithila's reputation as a land of learning and peace drew the finest minds from all over Bharat, each eager to share their knowledge and wisdom.

The contest was a grand event, held in the royal court, where scholars debated, demonstrated their teachings, and displayed their vast knowledge before King Janaka and his advisors. The criteria were strict, for the chosen teachers had to be not only wise but also patient, compassionate, and capable of nurturing the unique strengths of each child.

At the end of the contest, two names emerged as the most suitable for the task: Rishi Yagnavalkya, a sage known for his deep understanding of the Vedas, philosophy, and governance, and Gurudevi Gargi, a renowned philosopher and scholar, whose knowledge rivaled that of the greatest minds of her time. Gargi Devi, as she was affectionately called, was one of the few women in Bharat to hold such an esteemed position in the world of learning, and her teachings were known to be as sharp as her intellect.