The Bygone Empress

Chapter 2 - Reflections

Mandodari sat at her usual place, near the pond. It was her favorite place where she would spend most of her time. The ambience of this place was soothing and calming. Her father designed this place especially for her.

Mandodari, her name means the one with a soft belly sat there looking at the exquisite flowers and admired them. She sighed as she recalled what she heard. Her father fixed her wedding with Lankapati Raavan.

She was neither elated nor was saddened by the news. She was rather confused.

Growing up with without a mother was not easy. Growing up without a mother's affection, love and her support is not easy for a girl. No doubt her father loved her to no end and her brothers loved her too but while growing up, a girl needs her mother the most.

Mandodari was the daughter of king of demons Mayasur and a celestial nymph, Hema. Hema bore three children with Mayasur, two boys and a girl namely Mayavi, Dundhubhi,  and Mandodari. After the birth of her children, Hema left them with their father and left for Swarg (Heaven).

Growing up with males, without the support and warmth of a mother was not easy for Mandodari. No matter if a girl is her father's princess but a girl needs her mother the most especially while growing up, during her teen years.

But Mandodari settled for the situation and never complained as she had her father and her brothers who loved her to no end.

She thought about her wedding while she played with flowers in the water, lost in the essence of the place and her own thoughts.