Suta's Samragini

Chapter 8

Today the air hung heavy in magadh. There was a bit of melancholic tune to it. The dark clouds emerged and soon it started to wet the land which has engulfed countless no of innocents in its embrace. The nature itself seems eager to wash the blood on its hand.

But that heavy rain was unaware of the fire that has ignited in the heart of a particular man. That man was looking at a lady lying lifelessly before him. His eyes were cold devoid of any emotion . Silently keeping his hand on her forehead he mumbled softly- beti ( daughter) i am sorry. I couldn't perform the role of a father.
I was unable to protect your suhaag.
I was helpless but now i have nothing more to loose and a man who nothing to lose is the most dangerous.
You were right no one helps the person who is unable to help himself. I was a fool to believe that someday god will incarnate on this land and will free us.
You have always asked for a devil to come and save us.
So i agnihotra brahman Ahishrava father of a lifeless daughter father in law of a murdered son in law pledges to bring a devil to this land and end this cycle of oppression and tyranny.
I will bring someone who will raise the flag of magadh so hig that every kingdom in this world will become small in its shadow. I will not rest until i find that one .
This is my promise to you. You have to live to see their end . They will beg for their life . They will run for their dear life. Death will seem to be an easier option than life.
But they will not have that mercy.
I pledge it.
Thunderbolt could be seen in the sky. Winds picked up their speed. Rivers started inundating its coast.
But with firm determination that old man started his journey to find that warrior. After ensuring his daughter's safety to a relative in the nearby city.
He set out not knowing the path but certainly knowing the destination. He moved out of magadh.

Meanwhile near Kamakya forest a handsome young man could be seen sharpening his arrows. His well chiseled body and broad shoulders with a strong biceps were at full display. He seemed to be a divine or a devta who descended on the earth. But his face told the other story which was bereft of any emotions.

Suddenly he heard a cry for help. Along with it a huge laughter of a group of people could be heard. He at once got alert as it could be a trap; he very well knew the magic of this forest but as a warrior he couldn't ignore the cry for help so without making any noise he moved forward in the direction of the sound.

When he was close enough he hid himself in the bushes and peeked through it.
He saw a man of middle age cladded with animal skin and a strange kind of horn out of his head. With his face covered with a different king of colour which he couldn't guess was fighting single handedly against a group of rakshas soldiers. But the group was very swift in its offence and they seemed to be extra powerful in this mayavi van.

He immediately understood that this forest belonged to these rakshas group and they are drawing their strength from this wilderness of this forest. Surely they are trying to kidnap this other rakshas. But why?? thought Rudra.

But now was not the time to think rather it was time to act. So he without wasting any time took his bow in his hand and stretched its string near to his ears and released the arrow. The arrow was simple and he thought it would at most will mildly injure the rakshas but to his surprise that arrow pierced the chest of the rakshas and he fell down not having any chance to say a word. Other rakshas got alert and challenged to come out and face them.
Instead another arrow came out and struck another rakshas and he too was dead. The remaining rakshas got panicked and they thought of using the captive as the prisoner and keeping a dagger at his throat they challenged the attacker to  come out but instead a group of arrows came and all the other rakshas were dead except the one holding the captive . He was frightened to no end but he can't show his fear especially in his territory.

Finally the attacker came out of his hiding with a bow in his hand and the rakshas said - so you are that coward who was sneak attacking us. How disgraceful of you. You should be ashamed of yourself. You are not worthy of calling yourself a warrior.

Rudra- so attacking a single man with a group is a very brave act you must be congratulated for it.
I believe in tit for tat. Because there is a very fine line between bravado and stupidity. I am not certainly stupid. So if you aren't stupid leave him and get out before i change my mind.

Rakshas- no I can't leave this man  and go otherwise hidimb will kill me. He wants this man at any cost. So its either me or you.
Rudra - So be it. With that he released an arrow and the rakshas fended off .

So he started raining arrows but it all proved futile. Suddenly the captive signaled him at his navel .So rudra understood what he meant with a firm look he released the arrow pointed towards his navel and it struck there and soon cry of pain disturbed the tranquility of forest. And finally that rakshas was killed.
He went near that captive and freed him.

Rudra - you are safe now.Btw who are you ? Why does that Raksharaj hidimb wants you so desperately?

Captive - because i have something which he wants. I am vajradeva king of mahavan near the western side of yamuna.
Our group was attacked and all my bodyguards were killed by them. I was taken hostage to get the information about that thing.

But it my sheer good luck that you came and saved me. But i must warn you now since you have helped me that hidimb will come after you and he is the most powerful of us. It is very dangerous to stay here.

Rudra - i know but right now this is the only path which can lead me to my destination.

Where exactly is your destination asked Vajradeva.

To asurguru Shukrarcharya. I intend to learn from him. I want to become the best that world has ever seen replied Rudra.

Fire seemed to be spitting atvhis each and every word.

Vajradeva- it seems that we two were destined to meet.