Kunti uttered countless endearing words and beseeched the divine sun, yet her efforts proved futile. As she failed to sway the one who banishes darkness, fear of the impending curse gripped her heart, compelling her to ponder deeply for a long time.
She was worried about the well-being of her father and Rishi Durvasa, both of whom were under the threat of being cursed because of her childish folly.
"Dev, mere Mata-Pita aur anya bade gurujan ke rehte mai swayam ko aapko kaise arpit kar du ? Kya yeh Dharm aur shaashtra ka ulanghan nahi hoga ? Kripiya iss baare mei sochiye. Fir aapko jo dharm-anukul lage, mai wahi karungi, jisse mujh par kalank na lage." Kunti said.
Suryadev said, "Bhadrey, tum ek kanya ho. 'Kan' shabd se bane 'kanya' shabd ka arth hai woh jo sampurn roop se swatantra ho. Kisi ki kaamna karne ki swatantra hone ke karan, unhe kanya kaha jata hai. Kunti, tum koi bhi adharm nahi karogi. Bhala, mai lokik kaamvaasna se ghrasit ko koi adharm kaise kar sakta hu ? Iss sansaar mei pratyek stree aur purush sabhi bandhano se mukt hai. Manushya ka toh swabhaav hi swatantra hai."
Kunti still looked rather afraid, Suryadev gave her an assuring smile and said, "Bhayebhit na ho, Pritha. Mujhse samaagam karne se paschat tumhe apna kaumaritva punah praapt ho jayega. Mujhse mila putra, mahabahu aur jag-prasiddh hoga."
In a moment of profound clarity, Kunti's heart sank as she confronted the harsh reality: retreat was simply not an option. Neither she nor he possessed the means to escape their intertwined destinies. Thus, with a heavy heart, she acquiesced to the inevitable course that lay before her.
"Dev, yadi mujhe aapse putra praapt hota hai, toh woh divya kundal aur kavach se sushobhit veer ho." She requested, as she resigned herself to fate.
"Bhadrey, jaisa tumne kaha, tumhara putra waisa hi amritmayi kavach aur kundal ke saath janmega. Jo kundal mujhe Mata Aditi ne diye hai, wahi mai usko, divya kavach ke saath pradaan karunga." Suryadev said.
"Yadi mera putra aapke kahe anusaar amritmayi kavach aur kundal ke saath janmega, toh aapke saath samaagam hetu sajj hu. Aapke dwara diya yeh putra, aap hi ke bhaati veer, tejasvi aur sundar ho." Kunti said.
Then Suryadev used the self he had created through yoga to enter her. Gently, he reached out and caressed her delicate navel. Overwhelmed by this divine encounter, the young princess succumbed to his overwhelming energy, collapsing onto her bed, her senses momentarily lost in the abyss of enchantment.
After he was finished, Surya said, "Devi, tum mere putra ko janm dogi, parantu tumhe apna kaumaritva punah praapt ho jayega."
Kunti bowed down to him, and then Suryadev disappeared the very next moment. She once again fell down on her bed, overcome with confusion, like a broken creeper. Having confounded her with his fierce rays and having inserted himself in her through yoga, he did not taint her.
------
"Kunti ki aayu bahut kam hai." Srinav said, his face etched with worry, "Aise mei garbh mei shishu ko paalna, atyant kathin karya hoga."
"So toh hai." Amarsri said.
Srinav gazed back at her, a frown of contemplation was on her face and she seemed lost in some deep thoughts.
"Kya soch rahi hai ?" He asked.
"Apne aur apne kul ke samaan aur pratishtha hetu Pritha ko apne garbhvati hone ki baat chhupa ke rakhni hogi." She said.
"Chhupana kyu hai ? Satya kyu nahi bata deti ?" Srinav asked.
A dry chuckle escaped her lips, "Ek avivahit Rajkanya, garbhvati hai. Iss baat ko samaaj kaise dekhega ?" She then gazed down, and sighed, "Kadachit use apne iss shishu ka tyaag karna pade."
"Anarth. Yadi Kunti uss shishu ka tyaag karti hai, toh keval woh balak hi nahi apni Mata se dur rahega, apetu Kunti bhi matritva ke adhikar se dur ho jayegi." Srinav said, feeling unsettled.
"Dukh toh Kunti ko bhi hoga. Parantu Rajkumari hai woh, kul aur rajya ki pratishtha uske liye sarvoch hai." Amarsri said.
"Kya kul aur Rajya ki pratishtha, Maa aur shishu ke adhikaaro se bada ho gayi ?" Srinav asked.
Amarsri smiled sadly, and glanced at him, "Iske uttar bhi ek prashn hai. Ki kya Rajdharm, swadharm se bada ho gaya ?"
At that Srinav fell silent, as it dawned upon it what she was trying to say. Indeed, the ones burdened with the duty of governance, should never keep personal happiness or gain, above the matters of their kingdoms.
"Nahi." He shifted his gaze and said, "Rajdharm se bada swadharm nahi."
Amarsri kept a hand over his shoulder, and in a gentle tone, she said, "Kunti se bhul huyi hai, aur uska bhugtaan bhi woh awashya karegi. Parantu iss samaye, use Rajdharm ko sarvoch rakhna hoga."
"Dharm bhi kitna.... Kitna vichitra hai Devi...." Srinav said glancing back at her, "Kabhi satya dharm ban jata hai, kabhi asatya. Dharm kabhi ahimsa hai, toh kabhi himsa."
Amarsri shrugged, "धारयति इति धर्मः।"
(That which sustains is dharm.)
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A/N
For sustainance of the greater goal, one may resort to truth or one may resort to lies. Like the story of Sage Kaushiki.
That's the subtle nature of Dharm 🙃
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HARIHARESHWARI 14 : CHANDRA CHAYAYAM SINGHASANAM
Historical FictionThe stage is set for another leela of Bhagwaan Vishnu, where all the gods and goddesses play a significant role. Now starts the saga where heartbreaking curses, graceful boons and divine mercy combine to write a history to be remembered through the...
