Suta's Samragini

Chapter 7

MAGADH

A knocking was heard on the door ,rajpurohit went forward and opened the door. The royal soldiers were seen and they asked where is your son in law?

What's the matter? asked Ahishrava a bit worried.

A royal decree gas been issued against him and we are here to arrest him. He has been accused of molesting a woman.

What ! exclaimed the daughter this is impossible my husband is innocent and a very pious man he can't do no such things.

This is for the raj sabha to decide we are here to carry out the order said one of the soldier.
As he moved forward to arrest her husband she tried to stop them by standing in front of them but her husband stopped her and cusping her face in his palms he said lovingly " don't worry priye. If i am innocent nothing will happen to me."

Now let me go. She was reluctant but he implored her to leave him and he went with the soldiers.

She was worried she asked her father now what will we do ??
I am petty sure this must be the doing of that womanizer Sahadeva.  He is seeking his revenge against me.

Her father even though worried for his son in law comforted her saying believe in god.

And they both set out for the court. And in the court they could see a girl was crying and accusing him of molesting her.
Rajpurohit vividly remembered she is the very same girl who has visited angraj and yuvraj many a times to their chamber to provide her special services in the night.

He now can make 2 and 2 is 4 . Be could very well see that it was all a set up to trap his innocent son in law who was now chained and was ordered to be thrown in dungeon with his fate to be decided tomorrow morning.

All the pleadings of innocence went on deaf ears no one bothered to check for evidences and witnesses. When the game is rigged whether you play it or not you are bound to lose.

Purohit' s daughter malti was dejected and lamenting on her fate and cursing herself why did she go that day to bring the flowers. She decided to visit angraj and ask for mercy if not atleast give the punishment of banishment. They will leave this city. So she went to the king' s palace and requested for an audience with the king to which she was readily granted as if it was expected of her.

She entered the king' s chamber it was dimly lit and the king was having a nice massage by his dasis and was sipping madira in between.

He said welcome welcome lady to what do i owe the pleasure of your visit. If you are here to request me to show leniency on your husband. Then i am sorry you know i am a very just king i don't differentiate between an ordinary citizen or the son in law of Rajpurohit. He has committed a sin so he will be punished.

What do you want asked malti.
King was surprised for a moment then he erupted in a fit of laughter..and said very wise see this is so easy to talk to an intelligent person who knows what to say and when to say.

So you see i can't change my decision but if i am ordered to change my decision i have to change it.There are persons who are in upper authority who can make this charges go away. You just have to pay for that .

Only the order of yuvraj Sahadeva can save your husband.So if you want to save your husband you have to make a deal with him.
You want something from him and you have something which he wants.
So i would suggest Just do a fair barter and all your problems will go away.

Maharaj thundered malti don't take my silence as a sign of weakness. I am a sati and a devoted wife. I will die before i let anyother man to touch me.

Ofcourse what's the use of this devotion when it gets your husband killed asked the king with a smirk.

In order to make a yagya successful sacrifices have to be made and maybe this sacrifice will lead to the ultimate cleansing of this anga bhoomi.- malti

You are leaving in a fool' s paradise no one is coming to save you and these people your fates were sealed the moment you were born on this land. Samrat jarasandh is all powerful even the lord of devas indra is afraid of him. He dares not mess with him that's why the devtas have abandoned you all . The only way ro survive is to bow down to samrat jarasandha and his offspring - angraj

May be devas are afraid of samrat jarasandha , may be devputra bhishma is wary of jarasandha but remember for every sword there is a shield. Clouds cover the sun and think they are powerful enough to hide sun but they don't know that the sun will ultimately come out.
The devatas have abandoned us but who knows there might be a devil who will frighten your samrat- Malti

Angraj  - laughing hysterically and said no one is above samrat jarasandha and get out before i changed my mind and have you for tonight instead of this dasi.

With a lost expression she returned home her father who was sitting quietly asked did you talk to maharaj? Will he show mercy? But looking at her expression he understood and slumped to his seat.

Next morning
The verdict was announced it was capital punishment a public hanging.
Soon everyone gathered in the colossium where all the arrangements of hanging were already made.

everyone in the public has tears in their eyes they knew that it was all wrong but they couldn't do anything.

Malti' s husband - don't let any tears be flown this not my death let it be a catalyst of change. Let it be a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. Let it inspire you to fight for your rights.
And malti my dear please promise me one thing you won't commit sati. You will leave to see the end of this cruel king and his arrogant son. Promise me.

Malti could barely say yes as she was weeping bitterly.

Angraj - this man has lost it. He has gone insane that's why he is rambling nonsense. And whom are you asking to rebel these urchins who survives on the crumbs of bread thrown at them by us. They will never rise.
Do tou think you are rhe first one to be hanged or going to be the lastcone to be hanged.

Hang this man ordered  the king.

With that the man was devoid of his life and malti fainted.