Mahabharata Katha

Her Birthday

"I have something for you." He smiled knowingly.

"What?" She did not show much curiosity while helping him to get rid of his heavy crown.

Yudhishthira handed her over a scroll, eagerly looking at her lovely face to see her first reaction.

"Nakula's letter?" Devika's face lit up as she saw the seal at the bottom first. Her most pampered brother-in-law had finally sent a message after a long time.

"Won't you read what he has written?" Yudhishthira's copper eyes twinkled.
Devika's eyes returned to the body of the letter, and as she finished reading, her doe eyes rested on Yudhishthira, widened in surprise and awe.

"Nath! Is this true?" She could not still believe it.

"Well, Nakula can do a prank with you, but I would not." Yudhishthira grinned. Such an open expression of happiness was so rare for him.

"It's true, Devi!" He brushed her hair that fell on her forehead, "Your Shivi is no more in Jayadratha's hands! Nakula has conquered Shivi to be a part of our empire."

Devika closed her eyes in relief. How much she had waited for this day!

"Now tell, did you like the gift?" He whispered in her ear. She opened her eyes with another surprise.

"You thought I forgot your birthday, didn't you?" He smiled again.

Embarrassed, Devika lowered her eyelids coyly. "I know the pressure of responsibilities on your shoulders, Swami. I could not even imagine that you are going to fulfill my most cherished dream today!"

"Could I ever give you anything small, Devi? My Queen deserves the best!" He cupped her face, "She deserves to be showered with the greatest gift and all the happiness of the world!"

"Do you even know that you are her very world, Maharaj?" She closed her eyes peacefully, resting her head on his chest.

"I need nothing more than this world of mine!"
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Happy birthday, Devika Chandravanshi!

Kanaka champaka gaurim Cha Shaivyaam mriganayanim
Govasanasutaam divyaam Veeranganaam yashaswinim
Yudhishthira gatapranam tadguna shravanpriyaam
Tadkarye samarpitaam nama Dharmapranayinim

[I bow to the beloved of Dharmaraj, who is fair like a golden champaka flower, the one who has doe eyes, the daughter of Govasana and the clan of Shivi, the one who is divine and a glorious warrior. I bow to her whose very life is Yudhishthira, the one who loves to listen to his virtues and who has dedicated herself to his work.]