Kanyaka [Sequel to Durga] | ✓

8. Honour

Since it is Nayanthara's birthday, here's a special update. Enjoy reading!

(Continuation of Durga's dream)

***

"Prince Jeetendra, you have confessed that you love me. Then why can't you marry me?" Kanyaka asked and looked at their intertwined fingers.

"Actually, I am afraid His Highness won't approve this,” he replied, slowly removing his fingers.

"I have a plan. Just do as I say. Once King Shadakshari announces you the royal heir officially, make a statement that you're going to marry me. It's that simple,” she assured and tightened the grip.

He thought for a while. “Do you think this will work?”

“There's is no doubt that this will fail.”

***

The soldier announced, “Be alert! His Highness, Sri Sri Sri Shadakshari is coming to address the people of Sahasyabhumi.”

The king entered the balcony where he could see the people waiting for him to confirm the news they had received. “My dear people of this brave land, I am here to confirm the news about your beloved prince. Yes, the news is correct. Jeetendra is no more with us. May his soul depart to swarga.”

He glared at the rajadasis standing in the same room. He fiercely whispered, “What are you both doing here? You killed my son, aren't you happy with that?”

Kanyaka’s nostrils flared. “I didn't do anything. We both loved each other.”

“Oh! You think that being his father I never knew what my son wants?”

“Exactly my point! You never knew what your people expect from you. You never knew what happened to your family two centuries ago. In fact, you never knew what your wife wanted.”

“No one can talk ill about Queen Siyala. According to laws mentioned in our Griha Sutra, Prince Jeetendra decided to end his life rather than putting the whole kingdom into trouble by marrying a rajadasi,” smirked Minister Abhimanyu.

"Which law are you talking about?"

"I Adhyaya, I Khand of Griha Sutra states: When a pupil is going to return home from his guru's Hime, he should be allowed to keep that domestic fire on which he has put last piece of wood or he should keep his nuptial fire."

"What does that mean?"

"I knew that you dancers don't understand words of wisdom. In Karika, it is stated that if the engaged girl dies after the fire has been kindled, but before the marriage, the sacrifier is not to forsake his fire but to marry another girl; if he cannot find a bride, he should make the fire enter inyo himself according to the rules given by Sankhayana Grihya."

"He had an option."

"That option was a source of embarrassment."

Kanyaka clutched her stomach. A wave of nausea hit her and she quickly exited the balcony. Netravati followed her daughter and saw her emptying the contents of her stomach in a secluded area. Instructing a maid servant to clean the mess, they left for the abandoned Shakti temple through a secret passage known only to rajadasis.

The temple was a huge complex structure sprawling over acres of land. Adjacent to the temple, there was a tall building structure, within the temple complex. Kanyaka was taken to ayuralaya which was actually a room.

“She's pregnant,” declared the lady who held the right wrist counting the number of heartbeats.

Netratvati declared, “Until the infant is born and old enough to be taken care by woman living here, I am not going to allow you to leave this place.”

“But Amma, I must be in the palace, or else they will doubt you.”

“I have already cooked a story in my mind. You don't worry.”

“Amma-”

“Don't you dare to say no to my decision. Remember what happened when Queen Siyala left the temple? She was murdered by her own brother-in-law. When you left the temple complex, again Raghuveer spotted you. My effort to hide you was wasted. The fifteen year old secret that you're a girl and not a boy made all my attempt to save your honour futile.

Can't you have patience till the child is born? We have waited for 200 years, another 2 years won't make a big difference. The aim of my life was to protect your honour and restore the honour of our family. Now the opportunity is there with you. Protect your child's honour.

Why do you have to worry about your safety? We have created enough myths around the temple to safeguard the unfortunate souls residing here. But the only myth that is true is when you leave the temple without Devi Shakti’s signal, something bad is waiting for you. It could even be death.”

She took a deep breath. “Won't you ask me whose child it is?”

“If I am not wrong Prince Jeetendra?”

“How did you-”

“I saw it in his eyes. His feelings towards you. Pure lust. Pure greed.”

She saw her daughter’s eyes become big. She opened her mouth but closed it. Netratvati sighed. “Nobody loves us my child. We are born to satisfy them. But we won't die without claiming our rights. Not after such startling revelation.”

“Amma, do you think Abhimanyu’s ancestors had capacity to change the system? Like changing the female rulers to male rulers?”

“That's quite possible. Looking at Abhimanyu’s tactical thinking, I am sure those are in his genes. The story about Queen Sunaina is something which is similar to ours.”

“How can you say so?”

“Queen Sunaina was forced to be trained as royal heir. She always wanted to be in the world of dance. When her mother forced her to kill her dreams, she decided to fly. Elope with the son of Prime Minister then. They lived in the forest when they were caught. Her husband killed himself thinking that their family honour was shattered due to his lust. But she was made rajadasi to serve the needs of royal family member.

In our case, we are forced to dance when we want to go on field and  We are the victims of their greed. But not very long. This shall end soon. Minister Abhimanyu’s dream to be seated on the royal throne will be destroyed.”

***

The part mentioned about Griha Sutras have been taken from Max Muller's translations of Griha Sutras books.