Suta's Samragini

Chapter 5

It's been a week since the death of their beloved son. Both adhirath and radha haven't eaten anything and their condition has started deteriorating rapidly. Shona was their lifeline who was born after many years of their marriage. They have served many sages visited many temples to get a child hence he was the most precious part of their life.
Rudra who was silent since that horrible incident. He was blaming himself for that. Why did he do that. Why did he plant those ideas in his mind. He had not even a slightest of hint that shon would do something like that . His cousin who would always come to him seeking solution to his every childish problem. For Shon he was his great uncle who can do anything . And whenever some one bullied shona he would go out and teach that boy a lesson that shine pride and happiness in his nephew eyes  that would make him emotional. For shona he was his best uncle who can never be wrong and whatever came out of his mouth it was a gospel for him. He would try ro follow blindly even if his own parent deny him to do it.
He would say my chachu can never be wrong. I believe in one things ma baba that even if am in trouble my chachu will fix everything and hewill not allow any harm to befall upon me.
But alas how could he has known that he would fail his nephew when he needed him the most.
He had tried to fight at the royal court but was tied in pashashtra of mahamahim. He had never felt so helpless in his life.
But he had to rise again this what a warrior does.
First he should get his bhaiya and bhabhi to eat something. They arenot in a good health.
So he took two plates of food and  went ro the chamber of them and knocked on the door.  When no respone was heard he pushed the door open and went inside .
The food plate fell out his hand he was shocked becuse their laid the lifeless body of his dear bhaiya and bhabhi.
No no no this can't happen bhaiya bhabhimaa please wake up please he requested hoping they would respond to his distress call.
But alas dead can never comeback.
So two pyres were arranged and he lit fire to those two pyres the tears in his eyes has dried up. One of his friend asked amitra( his other name ) why are you not crying?
Because i have cried my share of tears now its the turn of someone else.
The reflection of buring fire of pyre could be seen in his eyes.
After the complete decimation of his family he decided to to leave this cursed land which engulfed his whole family.
As he was preparing to leave he could see a royal chariot stopping near the gate of his house.
Maharaj pandu could be seen stepping down. All the suta community was shocked as it was uncommon for a member of a royalty to visit them.
But Maharaj walked towards the house of Adhirath.
And Rudra seeing Maharaj his blood boiled but he calmed himself and said welcome maharaj to my humble abode.
To what does i owe this good fortune of your visit? Not even a tinge of sarcasm can be identified from his words.
Pandu - I know what happened to your family was unfortunate. But it was never my intention to hurt your family.
As a king you sometimes has to take decisions which even if you are not very proud of.
Rudra- is that so maharaj ? But till now i knew that king is reflection or representatives of god's authority on this earth. His decision is final and noone can dare challenge him so he has to bear the ultimate consequence of those decisions. Just like the victory of an army is the victory of the king and the defeat of army is also the defeat of that king it is the king that gets the praise of victory as well the blame of defeat too.
Pandu- You talk like a warrior even if you are a suta.
Rudra- everyone is a warrior who faces the up and down of their life simply holding weapons in the hand doesn't make one a warrior. But the courage to face the adversity make one a warrior.
Pandu- so to lighten my heart which drowningin guilt i have come here with a proposal.
Rudra- What proposal?
Pandu- you see since i have become the king I can't use my horse often. I have to use my chariots and i have heard of your chariot skill from your deceased brother. So i want you to be my charioteer.
Rudra- is this a proposal or an order Maharaj.
Dakshin ( a friend of pandu and a courtier) - a king's request is itself an order for his public. Consider this an order.
Pandu signaled him to keep quiet  and said you have three days to respond to my proposal.
And with that he left with his friend
Maharaj you will definitely see my skill. I will make sure of it.
So at night he changed his clothes ; appearance and whisked away clandestinely.

Here at GANDHAMANA HILLS
A lady of middle age could be seen indulged in severe austerity standing on one leg with her half body immersed under water chanting OM NAMAH SHIVAY
suddenly the atmosphere in the surrounding started to change strong winds blew dust could be seen flowing and dark clouds appeared in the sky along with it cane a sivine light which expanded itself to assume humaniid form alongwith a trident in his hand his face has such a calmness and radiance that by mere look at it will get you rid of all your sufferings.
It was mahadeva who was impressed by the tapasya of this lady so he decided to grant her the boon.
He in his divine melodious voice said hey devi open tour eyes. Your tap is successful. I have come to bless you.
Amba finally opened her eyes and was thrilled to bits that her tap was successful she exclaimed mahadeva its really you.
You have come mahadeva.
Whoever with utmost belief and faith in me calls out i am obliged to come before that one replied mahadeva.
Amba pranipath her folding her hands.
Mahadeva raised his hand and blessed her.
Ask for your boon.
Amba - nothing is hidden from you mahadeva i have spent all my life harbouring only one rhing that is revenge against bhishma.
Mahadeva - i don't support the notion of revenge believe in justice vatsa
Amba - no mahadeva i want revenge and for that i want a son who will fulfill my wish. So i want your son. He will be as valorous as you. Everyonecwill bow down to him.
Mahadeva - smiled and said what you are asking is impossible. The trinity or tridevas can't give a son to their bhakta.
Amba- no mahadeva please don't do this you can't waste my lifetime  of austerity. She pleaded

Mahadeva - But it is not in my hand to give what you are asking.

Amba- with a sense of dejection and hopelessness settling in her murmured if that's the case then please go back as i don't have any other wish. If you  can't grant it. Probably now is the time for me take agnisnan( fire bath)

Mahadeva - no amba a devotee bhakti can't go wasted . So i will grant you a boon that you can call any three devta of your choice beget the son of his essence.

Amba- with hope and confidence returning in her. She smiled and became happy and said i am ready to accept this boon.

Mahadeva - tathstu .