Krishnatmika Rukmini

chapter 3 - Demise

The palace was filled with people of all categories but none saying a word. The atmosphere was grief-stricken. There was an unspoken heaviness roaming around the halls of the palace.

It was obvious since it was the day Maharani has left the world forever leaving behind her six children and all her responsibilities and duties to her beloved husband. It was a silent death that she herself didn't know of. she, after a brief conversation about casual things with her husband, went to sleep, a sleep from which she never woke up, a sleep during which yamraj decided to take her to yamlok.

Such is the nature of death or tragedy in general. It shooks our entire world and takes away the little light which was present in life. But it does teach us to be stronger and experienced in the thousand ways in which life throws stones at us.

Surely, the kingdom will take some time to revive from this tragedy. She was a person well respected around the kingdom and the first-ever queen who went on to be among the citizens, hearing and being part of their sadness and plies and doing her best to give them hope and happiness.

All her six children were standing together, close to where their mother was kept, wrapped in red clothes. They were all dressed in white clothes, which reflected their state of mind. Devoid of colours and frozen. Rajkumar Rukmi was occasionally summoned for different purposes.

Rukmini, who was just seven at that time was witnessing such an environment for the first time. A sudden change in the aura surrounding her made her scared from within. And the fact that her Matashree was not present to calm her down, to protect her made her feel unsafe.

But she kept her composure, as she have observed the dejected faces of her Pitashree and her brother and do not want to trouble them more. She gradually accepted that she have to be stronger for the people who loved her. She have to accept that even though her Matashree won't be with her physically, the soul and blessings of her Matashree would always be with her. Her Matashree would live through her.

But still, the overall gloominess was affecting her mentally. A tear slipped from her innocent eyes. All of a sudden, someone embraced her tightly. She, coming out of her trance realised its her Pitashree. She unleashed all the emotions she was holding in. She rested her head on Pitashree's shoulder.

"My dear child. I am so sorry I couldn't give you enough attention today. Pitashree was busy with all the arrangements here. Forgive me"He said as he caressed Rukmini's hair. Rukmini didn't reply but kept on sobbing. They stood there for a solid five minutes

Again, mustering the little courage she had, she said"I am sorry Pitashree for troubling you. I shouldn't have cried. I know you are so distressed".

"No, my child. When you are sad, you should cry. There is no point in holding back your emotions. It just makes you more depressed. And how can you trouble me? You are the most obedient kid I have ever seen"he said trying to calm Rukmini"and your Matashree... We will pray for her to get moksha. We should be relieved that she can now be mukt from all the worldly responsibilities. I am sure she will preside over us from up there"he continued by signalling to the skies above.

And with a pat on Rukmini's head and an assuring smile, he got up and went to do his duties.

Rukmini felt more relaxed after hearing her Pitashree's words. She ran towards the Devi Girija temple situated inside the palace to pray to the Goddess to grant her Matashree liberation and peace. Mayurika accompanied her.

Rajkumar Rukmakethu who went on to check on her saw Rukmini, eyes closed and in deep meditation, chanting mantras in low tone to please the Goddess. Rukmakethu not wanting to disturbe her went from there without informing her about the procession towards the cremation ground. Mayurika saw this but kept silent.

It was already dusk when everyone returned and Rukmini was still in the temple reciting with utmost dedication. Rajkumar Rukmanetra patted her shoulders and brought her to reality. She was bit dazed to know it's already evening. The time went by leisurely no one speaking a word, everyone settled in their own room in their own thoughts.

At night, when it was time to sleep, Rukmini did an evaluation of all the events that just happened in her life. A sense of responsibility rose in her. She realised, as the only woman in the family now, all the duty that her Matashree used to do was her's now. She realised that it is not years but rather situations which becomes the reason for your growth as a person.

With a memories of her dear Matashree and all the happy times, she slowly drifted off to sleep

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Glossary
•Yamraj - God of death
•Yamlok - Abode of Yamraj
•Moksh - Liberation
•Mukt - Freedom
•Devi - Goddess

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I apologise if there is any kind of mistakes in this. It is mentioned in scriptures that Rukmini's mother passed away in her childhood but in some it is said otherwise. But I decided to go with the former. Hope you'll like this...❤️❤️

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