• Tribunal •

"Yesterday is but a dream,Tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

Kālidāsa

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Backdrop:

Abhīstāda asked Keśava to let his soldiers come out and let him wondering about her skills. Whereas, in Rāthnānthi Prasenachandra guided his daughter Vrīnda, that helped her with her feelings.

Characters:

Abhīstāda: Crowned Princess of Rāthnānathi
Keśava: Crowned Prince of Smaranāgarh
Sridhara: Youngest Prince of Smaranāgarh
Indraneel: Personal Advisor to Keśava
Vinaya: Daughter of Senapati and Mahārani's friend, assisting Abhīstād
Rajadhidevi: Elder Sister of Keśava and Sridhara
Vishna: Daughter of Rajadhidevi

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Keśava was attending the court when one of the ministers informed about the visit of Yuvraj.

"We have been informed that Yuvraj of Swamari is going to visit in a few days."

He was perplexed about the predicament, his sudden visit wasn't something that could be overlooked. The relationship they have shared was more diplomatic than affection. He reflected his grief at the moment when they were recuperating and going back to their previous state was sceptical.

Had he conveyed his concern earlier, it wouldn't have been a matter to be worried about. However, his strategy was something that has always stunned him. He hides and then strikes others. No one was convinced about this move.

Before he could question more about the consequence he was informed of another important piece of information. "It has come to our notice that before coming here he is going to spend time with his soldiers and as one has already noticed him there it is a matter of concern. Besides, the hustle near the border has been enhanced."

Meanwhile, the Senapati notified him about the actions that had been taken by him after he came to know about it. "I had taken note of this and am working to ensure the protection. To provide security to the border, I have increased the force and exceptional attention has been given to the border shared with his Kingdom."

He was impressed with the swiftness of his action but to be sure of the internal security he inquired. "It would be satisfactory if some soldiers are deployed at the path from which they would pass to confirm no unjust work is performed and-" He stopped to continue further and ended his statement with the following words. "Well, for now, that's all. We will discuss it later. The court is dismissed."

When he had departed from the court he summoned Indraneel and asked the attendants to leave both of them in isolation to discuss in secrecy. "Send our spies to evaluate the matter, not only they should verify the news but inspect every province of Smarnāgarh and see if there is something unusual."

He agreed and discerned his friend, thinking deeply he questioned. "What is now entailing you? Is there anything in which I can assist you, maybe you can share?"

He was reluctant to share but he was his close assistance and friend. "I am not sure why he would visit right now."

The considerable peril, he comprehended, was going to come from the outside and he was mindful of it. After the attack on Mahārājā, he first ensured the security of the border.

"His frequent visits to the army don't appear favourable to me. Also, he is himself receptive to it, that the Kingdom is well guarded and there is no way he can defeat us now."

Indraneel nodded and realised the solemnity of the matter. The conclusion can only be reached once they know about it from the ground information. "I would look into the consequences and assure no one learns that we are suspicious about it."

As the heats of the sun had dwindled. Rajadhidevi with Vinaya stopped by the chamber of Abhīstāda from there they together moved to the other side of the Palace where there was a river that passed near the palace.

Abhīstāda and Vinaya were near the river while Rajadhidevi was a little far from them looking after her daughter when Rajadhidevi asked a question. "What do you think about this beautiful landscape?"

She implored while looking at the scene in front of her eyes. It was profound that in all sense the city of Smaraṇāgarh was striking in the natural resource. The Royal Palace was positioned precisely beside the river and one could invariably look at serenity. Though the fort was enclosed by the walls around it one could always enter and look at glorious panoramas. 

Right now the sky was painted in the titian stroke with the tint of dark blue. Abhīstāda twirled and saw Rajadhidevi gazing at her realising the question was directed at her.

"Well, indeed it's exquisite. Yet myriad things like this have to be captured. The heart is apprehended into the upheaval of the feeling, the body indiscretion of senses. As this water follows away from all constraints let all these things be free."

She put her hand in the water of the river and felt the stillness that was now disturbed by the external forces. Every year the new plants nourish near the river yet when its flow increases they get carried away with the flow.

Rajadhidevi finger was held by her daughter's hands who took her near the water, she also sat near her and felt the calmness. "Though I understand that things have to be rectified if let go then it is harder to catch them. If society is to flourish one needs to follow rules for the state. Imagine a man killing and looting without getting punished for it, aren't then these regulations compelled. For us to pursue, and to be formulated by us."

Abhīstada conceded with her words but added her doubts. "But with time and situation; occurrences change then would these rules be applicable or valid?"

"For humans, these rules keep changing and aren't static. Certain barriers are to be retained irrespective of circumstances. If you swim in the water without knowing how to swim then you drown no matter whether it's a deep lake, river or ocean. Where water crosses a certain limit you make a distinct boundary."

Her daughter also came to sit in her lap and struggled to touch the water, she threw some water on her Abhīstāda after which she ran away. Abhīstāda also steered behind her, embarking to chase her, playing with her.

Before she could be caught by her, Vishna was caught by her mātulaḥ Keśava. "Where have you been running, my dear?"

Her eyes innocently looked at him and she hugged him. "Where could I be? I was looking for you, mātulaḥ."

He giggled at her and caressed her hair with fatherly love and went near her sister. With one hand he held her and he touched her sister's feet. "Pranāma jyeṣṭhabhaginī."

She endowed him. "Pranāma bhrāta. May you be blessed and be an able king."

Vinaya also came forward and greeted him. "Pranāma jyeṣṭhabhrātā."

"Pranāma." He communicated as Abhistada also addressed him.

Meanwhile, he was fiddling with the child, Abhīstāda saw and picked the nūpur giving back to her. "Here you dropped it."

Keśava put his hand forward and took it from her as he made Vishna wear the ornaments. "The soft feet like yours look great in the sweet sound of this nūpur. They always make me aware of you."

Her mother's lips lifted seeing them together, her brother was overburdened with the responsibility but here he was trying to make all of them prosperous. His lips shone with that smile as he talked with her and made her wear the nūpur. It's when Rajadhidevi recollected to thank her.

"Anugṛhitāsmi... Devi." She said not knowing her name. She thought to ask her as previously she didn't get the opportunity. "What's your name, Devi?"

Her expression dulled as she was shrouded by the turmoil of what to tell her. She retorted what she thought was apt for the moment. "Isn't Devi itself adequate, what name will amplify further to me. At present I treated Sridhara and in future, I would be accomplishing something else. Would it make a connotation to you if you identify me with a name today and tomorrow it wouldn't conform to me? What if you only affixed the relationship with that name? And tomorrow I turned out to be someone else. Would it break our ties?"

Rajadhidevi and Vinaya were themselves not certain about the essence of her words. She acknowledged that the identity of a person keeps on altering neither this body survives nor this life, so what she said was right. Rajadhidevi nodded. "You are correct, let me call you-"

"Omajā." Keśava finished the sentence for her sister. His eyes were observing her while she was glancing at her sister as speaking.

But his words enticed her attention and she perplexedly looked at him as both of their eyes meant for a few seconds and he looked away to continue. "Her name, you can call her by this."

He just passed a smile to her sister and averted from asserting anything and Abhīstāda went near Vinaya and put her feet under the chilled water.

"Where are you nūpur?" She asked Abhīstāda.

She glimpsed. "I removed them, they make noise and disturb others a lot." She indirectly orchestrated her words at him.

He couldn't keep quiet as he affirmed. "The sounds and tune is a way to pertain and a mind that's often under the spell is always disturbed. But to some it's a guide and furnishes as a reminder, they look beautiful."

She never anticipated him to answer, she gazed away from all as a complexion of pink colour appeared on her cheeks and her eyes fluttered and lips lifted on her listening to his words.

Her sister came to him and took her daughter from him and stared at him, questioning him. He instead shrugged. "The sound is indeed beautiful, either of nūpur or you speaking of nūpur." She gave him a lopsided grin. "And of you paying attention." She added softly for him.

"Jyeṣṭha."

She turned away and just once looked back at him. "The boundaries are for you to be retained and though you can convey what you feel. Let the enigmas of words be slighter and take care of this obligation and let affirm what you feel."

A few words of great advice to him. She wanted him to make a decision that she thought would be best for him. She had heard from his father and she comprehend his responsibilities would intensify. So, he had to formulate the choice right now only.

The complications expedite with time, one tries to manage them while some static in one place.

Yuvraj: Crowned Prince

Senapati: Military commander

Devi: literally meaning Goddess, a respectable way to call woman

Mātulaḥ: Maternal Uncle

Jyeṣṭhabhaginī: Elder sister

Jyeṣṭhabhrātā: Elder brother

Anugṛhitāsmi: I am blessed, a way to thank

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How was it?

Hey, you all take care of yourself. Meditate for a few minutes, take a deep breath.

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