By Shristee Singh
‘Don’t worry about me Ma, I am safe here.’ Aarush beamed over the phone. The joy on his face was inexpressible. It seemed as though he was locked down somewhere in heaven.
I looked at him feeling disgusted.
I will be locked down with him for twenty-one days…. in this *ashram. Why the hell did I agree to come with him, in the first place. I cursed myself.
‘Aarush, come what may, I am leaving.’
‘Bro, all modes of transport have been cancelled. Besides, you will be all crammed up in your hostel room. Just think how lucky we are to be present in this pristine atmosphere during the lockdown.’ He said inhaling the air, feeling the bliss as though every particle in the air was permeated with nectar.
‘Twenty-one days! Do you realize … what are we going to do here?’ I vociferated.
‘What we are going to do? Rajesh, we are so blessed to be here with *Guruji. This is a life time opportunity to soak into knowledge and wisdom.’
Talking about knowledge and wisdom, eh! I don’t know what was wrong with my friend. How he fell into the trap of these *Baba jees. But I was adamant. I will not get influenced by his talks.
Since there seemed no way to go out, I decided to stay back.
Aarush took me to a hut in the ashram. It was going to be our abode for the next couple of days. Reluctantly I settled myself in the room. Setting up my laptop and connecting it with my mobile data, I made myself comfortable watching Netflix before going to sleep.
Dawn had just cracked. I got up hearing the birds. For a minute I was befuddled, looking at the mud baked walls of the hut. Pulling aside the sheet, I turned to see Aarush. His bed was empty and neatly made.
Where did he go so early in the morning? I pulled up my sheet covering my face, trying to go back to sleep again. But the birds seemed to challenge me, that we are outside enjoying the beautiful morning and you are still sleeping. Taking the challenge head on, I got up.
Outside I could see a couple of people sitting near the pond. Aarush was there too. As I walked towards them, I realized Guruji was also there. Aarush sat adorning a wide smile. People were sitting near him maintaining distance.
Damn it! Why is Aarush so fascinated by this godman. Be on your guards Rajesh. They will try to indoctrinate you too. Just be careful. You are not going to be a part of any religious cult. I reaffirmed as I walked towards them.
I stood in the farthest corner, trying to maintain a social and spiritual distance.
‘Welcome. Why don’t you sit down with us.’ The Guru said gently.
Ok I will sit. But I am not going to be swayed by his soft-spoken demeanour. He cannot convert me.
Aarush smiled looking at me. At this moment, I felt as though he was literally conspiring with his master to include me in his believes. But I was aware and adamant. I would not let myself be influenced by anyone. I was here only because of the lockdown. Else I had no interest whatsoever to hear any sermons or practice any rituals.
The morning rays of the sun reflected in the pond, making the water shimmer with its golden hue. The birds seemed to play an opera. From parrots to peacocks, sparrows to myna, all were busy weaving melody in the air. No doubt, the flora and fauna rendered the ashram a paradisiacal hue.
‘We are all quarantined here. Let me tell you, this is one of the safest place to be. During these days, I will guide you all to develop better health and immunity.’
Yeah yeah… So, he thinks he is a doctor too…These people, they have a remedy for each and everything. What does he know about COVID-19?
‘Today the entire world is facing a threat from an invisible enemy. The only way to defeat this enemy is to let the chain break. By maintaining social distance, washing hands and not touching our face we can help in not spreading this contagious virus.’ He went on talking about the pandemic in his mellifluous voice.
Hmmm…he sounds quite informed.
‘Now let us do some meditation.’ He said with a smile.
There, he is setting the trap for me. But I am not going to get caught.
‘Let us all sit comfortably and close our eyes.’
I sat there, and deliberately kept my eyes open. I saw Aarush, sitting diagonally opposite to me. His eyes were closed and he wore an ecstatic smile on his face.
As the Guru went about giving instructions, for a moment I thought of indulging in it too. After all I had heard great reviews about meditation. It was highly recommended to keep stress low and immunity high. A much needed comrade to fight the pandemic.
Closing my eyes, I automatically started following the instructions he gave. Slowly I drifted into deep meditation. The soothing voice of the Guru took me to some implausible realm. Tears flowed all throughout, cleansing my heart and soul.
‘Feeling your surrounding, you can open your eyes.’ He said softly.
What was that! As I opened my eyes, I was absolutely blank. My mind had become calmer and quieter. The experience was simply mesmerizing. Some kind of harmony replaced the anxiety that was within me.
The Guru looked at me with a smile. ‘All well?’ He asked amicably. Surprisingly I noticed myself folding my hands and bowing down before him in gratitude.
Dropping all my prejudices, I sat in anticipation of exploring new dimensions. It was the first day of the lock down. We were not allowed to go out, but I was now ready to go in. Ready to open up during the lockdown.
by
Shristee Singh
Glossary:
Ashram: A hermitage
Guru: Master
Baba Jee: Priests
2)The Lie
Standing on turf for centuries I had lost count of the years. But I can vouch that I had seen
a thousand times sun rising and spreading its auriferous glow on the planet. I had seen
numerous clear nights. Nights without haze, filled with stars, when the moon glowed like a
silver ball. And it was during the stillness of such nights she would come down, sprinkling the sphere with stars. Stars that shimmered like sequins in the horizon.
I would stand in awe and look at her weaving magic in the welkin. She tip-toed the zenith quietly from one end to the other. And just before the arrival of the dawn she conjured up with Ersa* sprinkling dews with elan. The dews fell like a magic potion making everything fresh and vibrant, preparing them for another day.
It has been quite some time now, more than decades… I wonder why she did not show up? I could not move around to find her whereabouts. So, in quietude I opened up my heart to
Zephyrus*. He understood my pain and promised me to look for her. One day coming from
the north, Zephyrus whispered that she does show her presence but on the mountains.
“The plains are now infested with pollution.” Said Zephyrus coughing. The pollution had not
spared his health and made him weak too. “Upon the mountain tops the air is clean. I go
there to rejuvenate myself. Milky Way still shows up there.”
How I yearned to be crested upon the hills, to get her glimpse. I wanted to show her my new boughs and my tender leaves. I wanted to show her that I had survived all these years even when my own saplings which I tended so fondly were torn down. I knew she would
understand my pain for she was there from the primordial time and had literally seen me grow.
“How can I see her again?” I heaved with the pain of my immobility.
“You are bestowed with the power to purify. That is the greatest strength you have got. Go ahead, sieve the toxins!” Zephyrus said dissolving into the thin air that he was.
Smog stretched over the land, dimming the visibility. Standing still, I reminiscence the days when everything was so clean and pristine. The overpowering pollution empowered by soot blocked my cells. A few days ago, some men were standing under my shade. I overheard them discussing about a flyover and how my trunk obstructed its way. I knew my days were numbered.
In that choking ambience, I inhaled the poison relentlessly, making my tender leaves burn. Not for anyone but for her, I kept inhaling the pollutants to purge the sphere so that I could have a glimpse of her before I fall. Zephyrus had reassured me that I could see her again…but I think it was a lie.
Shristee Singh
GLOSSARY
Ersa: Greek Goddess of Dew
Zephyrus: Greek God of wind
3)The Divine Intervention
The treasury room had a lone priest. Dressed in a white dhoti and saffron kurta, his head
smeared with chandan, panditji* was busy listening to music on his earphones. This made
the task simple for Rajwati Devi and Rama. As his attention wavered to see the time, Rama
placed a handkerchief laced with chloroform, covering his face. Within seconds he was
unconscious and slumped on the floor.
Quickly the ladies picked up the huge box and tiptoed away towards the backyard. It wasn’t
an easy task but they executed it neatly as planned. It was a pooranamaasee* night. The full
moon was not very conducive for robbery but it was one of the auspicious days when
devotees from far away would come and offer their wealth and money to the deity. Devotees came either with the intention of having their wishes fulfilled or when their wishes had been fulfilled.
Conches were blown and bells rang reverently in the temple. The corridor slowly filled with the aroma of the aarti*. Everyone in the temple was so engrossed in singing
the aarti that no one noticed Rajwati Devi and Rama fleeing with the treasury box.
Throwing the steel box in the jeep, Rama revved up the engine. Rajwati jumped inside to
take her seat. Rama drove as fast as she could, towards the river, without switching on the head lights. The moon illuminated their way. They did not want to attract attention by switching on the headlights. Clutching the handle on top of the jeep, Rajwati craned back her neck to see if anyone was following them. Thankfully, no one was. They had pulled off a clean heist.
Upon reaching the river bank, Rama headed straight to the boat
waiting for them. The river was bloated up by the monsoons and the swollen banks lay deluged.
Quickly they offloaded the trunk in the boat and Rajwati Devi bid Rama goodbye.
“Be safe and meet me at home once things settle down. Keep me informed on phone.”
Rajwati whispered to her.
Jai Ma Bhavani*, thankfully no one noticed us running away with this trunk. Wonder what the reaction will be once the theft is caught… Rajwati reflected, after settling on the boat. The moon danced on the surface of the river. The boat moved ahead creating ripples in the water. Rajwati was lost in her thoughts. She closed her eyes for a minute and without realizing drifted off to sleep.
Ma Bhavani was standing right before her. Smeared in vermillion, she looked radiant with a glow on her face which made her look so auspicious. She was holding the head of the
demon in one hand and the sword in another. Rajwati gaped mesmerized.
“Rajwati…What do you need in life? What do your actions support?” Ma intoned with her eyes flashing fire.
Rajwati pressed her hands together and bowed down. “All I need is your blessing Mother
Divine. I am your ardent devotee. Bless me with good fortune, Mother Divine, bless me. Jai Bhavani… Jai Bhavani.” She screamed loudly and was rudely jolted out of her sleep. The dream was so real that she actually shouted raising her hands with closed fist. Kanhaiya, the boatman looked at her in astonishment!
The boat was heading towards a dense forest. They were now miles away from the
town. The jungle looked beautiful and tranquil in the moonlit night. There was not a soul around. The only sound was the splash of the oars on the water.
“We are about to reach the shore. Do you need any help from me?” Kanhaiya asked as she
shook herself out of her reverie.
“No bhaiya* I will manage.”
“It looks heavy. Do you need my help in offloading it?” He offered again, looking suspiciously at her. He had never been paid so much to take a lone passenger to such an isolated area at night. Draped in a saree like most of the ladies in the region, the agility with which she moved showed a different level of confidence. Rajwati did not look like any ordinary person. A lady in mid-thirties, she spoke with a quiet authority and conviction.
“No bhaiya, it’s ok.”
Inspite of the refusal, Kanhaiya stepped forward to help her. As he bent down to pick up the
trunk at one end while Rajwati ducked to hold the handle, she felt his hands brush her back. Rajwati was taken aback. How dare he! The thought crossed her mind but she ignored the impertinence, thinking it must have been a mistake.
Kanhaiya said manipulatively, “It seems we are alone here.”
She fixed him with a withering glare.
“You have no conveyance from here.”
“Go back. And never tell anyone that you had ever come here.” She said assertively.
“Errrr sure… but what about sharing some loot with me.” Kanhaiya smirked looking at her
greedily.
“Hah! So… you want a share!”
“Yes…else you know, police may be looking for some eye witness and…” Kanhaiya replied,
letting the implication hang. He had sensed by now that the trunk was probably ill gotten
gains. He smelled money. Maybe his days of penury were over?
“Ok, here you go.” Like a flash Rajwati Devi took out a pistol tugged in her saree and
shot him point blank on the head.
Blood pooled around Kanhaiya’s head as he slumped on the ground, dead.
This was not the first time she had used her gun. Though her husband would never approve
of it but she was quite comfortable using it. Her tough life had made her a cold-blooded
person, who had little compassion for foes. Impassively she dragged Kanhaiya‘s
body to the river, weighed it down with some rocks and sank it.
Silence prevailed again. Only the sound of waves forming on the river could be heard. In that moment time stood still. She heaved a sigh of relief as she heard a motorcycle in a distance. She could make out that Dudhwa was approaching.
“Rajwati what was that sound?”
She looked at the water. The moonlight could not hide the blood soaked soil.
“Did you…”
“Say nothing Dudhwa. I did this for us, for our family.”
“But….”
“Dudhwa, don’t we need all the money to go to Dubai? Our children need to be brought up in a respectable manner. We cannot allow them to grow in the same filth as we grew. We need the money for Baba’s treatment as well. Otherwise the cancer is going to gnaw him up. This man was trying to eye our treasure. He was asking for a share. He was threatening to tell the police! How could I give him something which will ensure Baba’s life?”
“Rajwati… who are you to decide his fate? You have committed a murder. Do you even
know the consequences? If you are caught they will chase you to hell. You will take us down
with you too.”
“Yes, it’s a crime but I have done it for us not for me alone.” She blurted.
“Don’t put this on me or the family. You killed this man! I had given you the pistol to scare
off people and for self defense. Not to kill them. I hope the police don’t track you.” Dudhwa shouted in anger.
“Dudhwa, what’s done is done now. Let’s not fight over it. Hurry up and empty the box. We
will discard it here. In case police come searching, they will think this mallah* did the crime
and his companion ran away with the treasure.”
“Rajwati, don’t change the topic. The onus of your sins will have to be borne by you.”
His words shocked her. She had never anticipated that her husband would not support her. Something in her always told her that she had an unfailing support of her husband, come what may, but she was wrong.
Dudhwa broke open the trunk with a huge stone. The box was filled with money and
jewellery donated by the devotees. Rajwati’s eyes gleamed as she saw all that was
in the box. Quickly they transferred the money in a gunny bag that Dhudhwa had
brought. Discarding the box in the river, they quickly sat on the bike and headed
towards home. Dudhwa refused to speak to her. His anger smouldered between
them the entire journey back.
It took them more than an hour to reach home. Her father in law was awake, sitting in
anticipation of their arrival on his cot. He was quite unaware of the other side of Rajwati’s
personality, where instead of being a doting daughter in law, she was a ruthless, cold
blooded marauder.
“What took you so long to come back home?” Inquired the frail father in law coughing.
“Baba* remember I was planning to take everyone to Dubai for your treatment. I had gone to the town for some work regarding that.” She tried to cover up.
“Oh, so you are adamant to take us there?”
“Yes Baba! It is for the good of all of us.”
“But our roots are here… How can I leave this place? Once this old man dies you can go
anywhere. If you really want to go, GO! but leave me here. I am not going anywhere.” He further asserted.
“Baba… we’ll discuss this later. But tell me one thing Baba, if I do anything wrong like…. let’s
say murder… to provide for your treatment…will you not be equally guilty of the crime? After all I did it for you and you gained from it.”
“I have lived a simple life, so that I can die peacefully even with my deadly disease. Your misdeeds are your alone to bear. Ram. Ram. Ram.” He said touching his earlobes reverently.
“I may be a poor man, but I am known for my integrity in the entire village. Now go, take some rest.” He said showing his irritation.
In a pensive mood Rajwati entered the house. Dudhwa had lugged in the bag and hidden it safely. He was still angry and refused to look at her. He took his pillow and went to sleep
with his children.
She kept looking at him in a daze. She could not believe that Dudhwa would become so
indifferent towards her. She was always there for him supporting like a backbone. But today
he stepped back when she needed his support. She felt embarrassed how her father in law snubbed her too. How fervently she was collecting money for his treatment. To the extent she committed murder and crime. But he would not acknowledge this. For him his integrity was more important.
The entire event of looting had taken a toll on her. Planning it for days and executing it,
had caused her a lot of mental stress. She settled her pillow on the bed and gently lay her
head there. Thinking about how to please Dudhwa she dozed off to sleep.
“Rajwati… You took my treasure from the temple! I did not say anything! But how could you
kill a man who was my devotee?” Ma Bhavani emerged again in a cloud of vermillion.
“I did it for my family Ma. They are your children too.”
“Have you forgotten, just like you, he was my child too!”
“Ma I was desperate. I needed the money.”
“Rajwati… did your hands not tremble when you shot him?”
Rajwati was shocked to hear this from the Divine Mother. She was also rebuking her, the
same as Dudhwa.
“Did your ears not pain, on hearing the cry of the innocent? Repent Rajwati, repent… else
consequences may be so bad that it will take several lifetimes for you to come out of it. Your time is running out Rajwati. Repent before it is too late.”
Mother Divine faded into the vermillion puff from where she had emerged. This time her
eyes did not flash like fire, but her voice was aggrieved.
Rajwati got up in a shock. It was the Brahma Muhurta*. Mother Divine had blessed her twice tonight. However, during the second time Mother Divine
was not happy with her. She needed to amend her ways, come what may.
She was soaked in sweat and guilt by now. She got up to see her children sleeping with her
husband. How innocent they looked!
Then she thought of what their reaction would be if they get to know about her reality. She
had shielded them from the wild world but one day the truth may dawn upon them and
they may turn their back upon her like her husband did today. Baba also showed his annoyance! No, she did not want to degrade her image in front of them.
A bleak ray of light from far east predicted that dawn was about to crack. As the dark
horizon filled with the colorful hues of the morning, there was light in Rajwati’s
inner self. She felt a shift in her consciousness and made up her mind to change things for a better outcome.
She realized that her redemption lay in spreading the love of the Divine Mother to everyone. With this money, she would open a school for children in her village, give them a secured life by gifting knowledge and education.
Enlightened by Ma’s divine touch, Rajwati vowed to dedicate both her life and her ill gotten gains to social welfare.
The phone rang.
“Rajwati, they have tracked me down. Better watch out, before they reach you.” Rama said huffing, as gun shot echoed over the phone.
Rajwati had to take a call now, either run away and live in seclusion or face the harsh reality, and bring shame to her family. Mother Divine’s words reverberated in her mind.
“Repent, before it is too late.”
Picking up the bag, she walked out of the house. Going to surrender. She sent an sms to Dudhwa. She knew what consequences will percolate with her decision. But that did not bother her anymore.
******
Glossary:
Panditji: priest
Pooranamaasee: full moon
Aarti: A hindu ceremony in which light with wick soaked in ghee are lit and offered to
deities.
Ma Bhavani: a Hindu deity
Bhaiya: brother
Baba: father
Mallah: boatman
Brahma Muhurta: A period before sunrise
By : Shristee Singh
4)STARDUST
‘Here we go, éna dýo tría!’ The seven colors of the rainbow chortled transforming into fairies. Laughing they flew off towards the forest.
As they landed daintily on the terra firma, a whiff of air laden with the sweet aroma of alyssum welcomed them. It was a rare phenomenon when the fairies visited the woods. Only the centuries old oak tree perched on the cliff could vouchsafe of their existence. Rest, all thought they were just lore.
The fairies ran from one end to another touching everything; breathing in fresh color to whatever they touched.
‘Don’t forget the reason why we have come,’ Kitrino, the yellow hued fairy said. ‘We have to collect the stardust. Remember*Asteria’s promise?’
‘Yes, we will not let her down,’ other fairies said in unison and moved towards the crater in the middle of the dense forest.
Asteria, the night queen had been ruling the shooting stars. Of late, one of her favorite shooting star, *Perseid had landed on Earth’s surface and turned into dust.
Asteria was petrified when she got the news.
Each night the celestials would gather, twinkling and shimmering to please her. But her heart sank thinking of Perseid.
She knew of a way to bring him back to life. But for that, she needed to get the stardust before*Zeus, the only person who could illumine Perseid with life.
She wanted to get Perseid’s remains herself. But when she tried to go to Earth, she was stopped by Earth’s guarding angel, Atos.
‘Behold Asteria! Dare you enter my domain. I shall turn you into dust.’
Asteria was too broken to fight with Atos. She pleaded with him to let her go and collect the stardust, but Atos stood strong, holding his guard.
For a minute Asteria thought to show her strength. She knew that Atos would not be able to hold her energy. But her compassionate heart did not want to hurt the beings thriving on Earth.
The seven colors of rainbows were hanging in the welkins witnessing all this. They heard Asteria lamenting for Perseid. The rainbow cried too hearing her longing for the star.
They came forward to help her.
‘Milady, if we get the stardust for you, will you take us on a tour to the universe.’ They requested innocently.
Asteria was more than pleased to hear this.
‘Get the stardust before the nightfall. I shall make you discover all the space between the heaven and earth.’ She promised them wiping her tears.
The color fairies had witnessed Perseid zooming towards Earth. Happily, they alighted in the forest to collect the stardust.
Perseid was reduced to dust, but there were sparks of hope in Asteria eyes for his life.
Lore is that now once in a year Perseid comes to thank the fairies. He puts a grand show in the sky in gratitude and takes them for a ride to explore the universe.
Glossary:
Asteria: Greek goddess of shooting stars
Perseid: name of meteor showers
Zeus: King of Gods in Greek mythology
5)Little Tully
The sun was high Wrapping the clouds around. Little Tully ventured to town To buy groceries, candies sweet n sour. Bidding Mother goodbye he went Carrying a list long Hopping along. The brook cajoled With its aqua pristine. Little Tully went to its shore, And forgot to get done the market chore. He splashed water all around him Besotted by brooks call Under hot sun. A boat he made To sail by the brooks side, Of the list mother gave to him To buy from store, in the market nearby. And in all the fun he let go Task which mother had told He did not one!
6)The Bloody Moon
‘TRANSssssssFORMmmm….’ A small string of light emanated from the wand like an electric current. Derek moved forward anticipating to fly. He fluttered his hands like wings, but to his dismay, he couldn’t.
‘Hah Derek, you failed again!’ Derek froze hearing the crafty voice from behind.
‘Grrrr… how did he find me here?’
‘How do you know I failed… I was just looking at the flowers.’ Derek tried to camouflage.
‘Derek... Derek…and his lame tricks!’ Oliver started teasing him. ‘I heard you saying Trrraansfrommm. Boy, that will not help. If you want your magic to work you have got to trust me with what I tell.’
‘And what will that be?’
‘When the moon is not silver but red like blood. Drink the drops that trickle from it.’
‘When will that happen?’ Derek’s curiosity arose.
‘The night after two days will be the one when the red moon will show. Watch out for the sky, if you want to fly.’ Oliver walked away plucking an apricot from the tree.
Derek stood perplexed. He was not sure whether to give attention to Oliver’s words or not.
That night he could not sleep. He kept staring at the waxing moon outside his window. ‘Was there any spell to change its color, he wondered. What if Oliver is planning a trick on me?’ But somehow his desire to fly was so deep that he wanted to put all his trust in whatever Oliver said to him and go ahead.
The night turned into day and day turned into night and Derek kept pondering about the bloody moon.
The day arrived when the red moon was prophesized. Putting on his cloak he stepped out. The night was unusually cold. The sky was shining brightly with heavenly bodies. The moon was round and full. It looked bigger than usual.
Derek was full of anticipation for the drops that would fall at midnight. He was ready with his urn to capture them. He recalled the folklores about how drops were collected from the moon. Never had he imagined that the song was actually a way of passing the knowledge. He rehearsed playing the song in his mind so that he doesn’t go wrong.
The clock struck twelve.
Time had come. Derek started humming the song he remembered and followed the musical instructions.
The moon was gradually turning red and spreading its glow like fire. The cold breeze suddenly became warm. There was some kind of stillness in the air. Derek stood mesmerized.
“GENUS REPLETE MEAM”, he said on top of his voice, pointing his wand towards the urn, bending on his knees.
Within seconds the urn was filled with red drops. Derek looked at it with awe. How pretty they looked. Without wasting any time, he gulped down the drops.
Whizz! Boom! Whoossshhh…
He was flying zig-zag in the air… towards the moon itself.
‘Wait… did Oliver tell me how to stop flying?’
Glossary:
Genus replete meam: fill my urn (Latin)
By
Shristee Singh
7)The Masked Queen
The arena bustled with excitement. All eyes turned towards the person who dared to challenge Guru* Dronacharya, who spoke with pride and admiration about his favorite student Arjun. Everyone was thrilled with Arjun’s brilliant display of archery. Never in their life they had seen such a spectacular show.
As the young man made his way towards the podium, some looked at him petrified as they believed he had just hit the axe on his legs. They feared that this man was soon going to be publicly humiliated for challenging the brave prince of Kuru dynasty.
The young man, though clad in ordinary cloths was adorning an unusual armor and earrings. Swathed with confidence, his body language spoke loud and clear about his conviction. He inspired awe as he moved.
‘It is unfair to declare Arjun as the best archer. I… Karna… Challenge Arjun in the archery combat to prove his supremacy.’ He said, offering his obeisance to the king and all the elders present there.
People were shocked to hear this. How could someone challenge any one of the mighty prince of the Kuru dynasty!
‘Sure son… but first tell us about yourself. For Arjun is the son of the mighty king Pandu and benevolent queen Kunti. What about you? From which kingdom you come from? Who are your parents?’ Asked Guru Kripacharya amicably.
Listening to this Karna lowered his head. For he was brave, he was educated, he was talented, but he was not a royal.
He felt humiliated as questions showered upon him about his lineage.
Kunti, was sitting right in front of him on the royal dias. She was mesmerized looking at him. Something in him attracted her strongly. Scrutinizing him sitting from her chair she noticed the boy had a charming aura of gods. He wore a kavach* and a kundal* which scintillated like the sun in the sky.
The kavach and the kundal… is it him? My son! The one whom I abandoned and ever since carry an empty space in my heart. Her eyes filled up with tears.
It was a mistake she had made many years ago.
A mistake of invoking the celestials by the sacred utterance of a chant. The chant blessed her with a child. A child, whose birth she couldn’t rejoice. A child, she couldn’t take pride in calling her own.
What could she do then? She had no option but to do away with the baby. She placed him in a basket and made it flow in the gentle currents of Ganges.
The kavach and the kundal were his celestial gifts, that made him extraordinary.
But today as everyone pounced upon him to know about his lineage, Kunti sat quietly wearing a mask of a diligent queen. However much her heart yearned to tell the world that Karna was his son, that he was a royal and Arjun’s elder brother, the mask wouldn’t let her do so.
Author’s Note: Inspired from the grand epic Mahabharatha.
By Shristee Singh
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