• Symposium •

Arise! awake! approach the great and learn. like the sharp edge of a razor is that path, so the wise say—hard to tread and difficult to cross. 

Katha Upanishad

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Backdrop:

The King of Swamaribhas has been killed by Abhīstāda, making Rāthnānathi win. Establishing their supremacy.

Characters:

Abhīstāda- Yuvrani of Rāthnānathi
Keśava- Yuvraj of Smaraṇāgarh
Adyānt- King of Rāthnānathi
Íra-  Queen of Rāthnānathi
Yuvraj of Swamari- Helding the regin as a King.
Indraneel- Personal Advisor to Keśava
Śubhaṅkara- Abhīstāda cousin brother
Vijāya- Miltary commander of Rāthnānathi
Prasenachandra: Prime Minister of Rāthnānathi

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"Jyeṣṭha."

Śubhaṅkara called Abhīstāda as she had the squirrel curled on her lap and her fingers exquisitely running through her furs. Her lips enthralled with a sweet smile, as her curls keep on hiding it from others. Keeping safe within the boundary of their embrace. Her eyes inundated in love as they slowly looked at him questionably.

He stared at her amazed. As she comes across as exotic to her surroundings. But one question he had was about occurrences in the war. "How did you get there when you were in the middle of an array protected by thousands of soldiers?"

She turned and looked at him as softly mumbled, not to unnerve the squirrel in her lap. "I was never there. Just an illusion, the reflection of mine played with your eyes, and your mind. I was away, waiting for the time to attack."

Śubhaṅkara was perplexed. "But why?"

"I knew that he wouldn't come out, the only means to win was his death. That was my target and I chose to win."

He was pleased but was disheartened about him not being warned. "You didn't— tell me."

Her expression softened as she bestowed him a swoon smile and her eyes illustrated to him the susceptibility to losing him. "It's better if the plan is concealed till last, that it's so sudden that even the wind should be able to catch and study those thoughts. And now thousands have been saved."

He smiled at her and tried to hold the squirrel but it curled more into her. She looked at him and the delightful harmony of her laugh spread around. "It's not her; near whom you are required, she waits for you; go."

It was ample to make his tendencies restful as he hurriedly got up and moved away from them. Abhīstāda noticed other squirrels around and comprehended it was time for her to be left with her friends. She went to her father after this.

She greeted her father. "Pranāma, tāta."

"Putrī." He held her in his embrace and praised her for her valour, for leading the army and winning over. 

She noticed the smile twinkling on his lips and eyes twinkling with happiness for her, or maybe for her saving thousands of lives but he saw the hesitation in her. He put his hand on her head, asking her of all her doubts. 

His gesture was enough for her to discern, his father would discern her. "Tāta why distinguish between the two, who had been already inundated in love. When two of them have held the promise of being together, why remain separated."

Her father nodded as he continued. "The water you see has its property but soon it submerges the surroundings in her. And when we look at them it appears to be the same. But at times that water had to depart so life could sustain, so has to be disentangled. But what appears to be physical separation, doesn't always mean separation as the hearts are always held together."

All the members of the family were aware of Śubhaṅkara. Yet why does everyone choose to be silent? "Then if they aren't separated why doesn't Śubhaṅkara makes her known to all. And let her be always with her. Let every tear and smile of love be known."

Sometimes things are understandable, not everyone can interpret the equation of their relationship. "It's not always easy, who say they aren't separated, their words are still living in a delusion. They need to interpret the secondary elements of a relationship, not to keep their feelings subtly inside reserved."

His words made her think deeply but presently it wasn't what she was compelled to do. He was aware of her other obligations so he said. "Don't let those qualms be inside you. I would talk to him."

He seriously looked at her and instructed. "The war hasn't ceased yet, it's the start of a new battle. The quarrel to ascertain stability again."

The court was called where all the ministers were to discuss how administration in Swamari was to be maintained. After thinking a lot he presented a demand in front of all. "I want Śubhaṅkara to take the crown of Swamari."

As soon as Śubhaṅkara heard he objected. "No. Till the last breath, my reverence is with Rāthnānathi. I pledge my devotion to Abhīstāda."

He was younger than her. He left the comfort of his parents' palace so he could be here in Rāthnānathi. From the outset, he had pledged protection to her. The promise was made in her childhood but now he wanted to carry it till death.

Prasenachandra understood that Prambhattakar wished to test him. So the people don't give much attention to his words, he put forward the suggestion. "We could divide the territory and province governed by Uparīkas."

"I agree with the demand, whoever objects, keep your views forward."

One the minister still had concerns as the division and governing would require some to preside over it. "Yet, who would supervise it?"

Adyānt looked at her daughter as he announced. "Let Abhikhāya look after it." And then he glanced at his ministers. "Does anyone have an objection?"

Since there was no objection Abhīstāda took hold of her responsibility. The first step she did was to cover the Swamari administration with trusted ministers, and asked to share the report about the work. Besides that, she asked his spies for the strict observance of their duties.

Besides it, when a report was given to her to understand the working she called for a meeting with Swamari ministers, officials and nobles. She took them under the certainty of her words and she tried to win over their trust. Her words were a covenant to them.

"Letting go of your king does mean that now you would be under harsh treatment. You all matter to me as do my people. Now you all have become a part of me, serving you with all my power. Righteous Dharma would prevail here."

She attempted to gain their confidence by giving attention to the works, bestowing rewards to them, remitting taxes, giving gifts, and bestowing honours. Besides it, she gave rewards to those who stranded the enemy army, and she sent the rewards to Smarnāgarh for the help that was offered.

Her heart remembered Keśava. It had been more than a month since she had heard anything from him. After the war, Indraneel left hurriedly and she didn't get the time to write. In the midst of the night, she would sometimes imagine him playing the sweet harmony of his Veena.

She would gaze at him, and her fingers would nuzzle his cheeks as the curls of his hair would keep falling on his face. Slowly would her eyes meet with him as she confessed that indeed her heart was him. Left with the melody of his music and his heart she would be roused by the certainty of alienation.

The previous king was assassinated; she was aware of it, causing distrust in the area. People were disappointed she was conscious of that so she acted against those who had acted against the will of the people as they have now become unreliable. They were given the punishment, as required by their law, or as their minister would decide. 

Imposition couldn't be done and so couldn't she force them, as it would cause disharmony. So the same mode of life, the same dress, language, and customs were continued as they were desired by the people. She tried to understand their festivals, their congregational amusements, so the appropriate gifts could be sent by the king to them, and they could help them in celebration.

The spies informed her about the reaction of leaders of provinces, villages, and corporations who seemed a little confused. She wrote letters to them, gave gifts, remitted the taxes, and provided security to them, winning their trust. The security would keep surveillance on them. 

A meeting with learned men, and orators was called where they exchanged the thoughts, they made her learn about their thoughs. She made land grants to them. 

She abolished those transactions and alterations that were made in recent times against Rāthnānathi, calling the army that was deployed near Smaraṇāgarh, establishing the righteous rule and regulations she appointed new chief officers according to their capabilities. The territory was divided into four provinces each coming under Uparīkas.

After weeks she got time to rest as she was curled in the bed of her mother. She laid her head in her mother's lap. Íra brushed her fingers through her hair, and she mumbled. "Abhikhāya never let the burden to forget your Self. Whenever you feel tired, just sit down and try to remember Bhagwan. The peace itself may find its way into your heart.

She looked at her. "Maa, at whatever I had been, it has always been your guidance. I give all the credit to you."

She smiled at her as she added. "Indeed but you have always been the best. Best because of the practice and ability to make quick decisions. Yet, look at your hair you have put them in such a poor condition. Let me tie them beautifully."

She sat near her feet at the edge of the bed when she noticed her father entering. When he entered he smiled at her and his daughter. "Tāta, maa is scolding."

"And why would she do it?" He sat near her and put her middle and index finger on her cheeks of Íra and nuzzled her skin as he questioned her. She with one hand clutched his finger, causing him to glare at her.

Abhīstāda, unaware of this, replied. "Because I don't take rest." Suddenly she turned around glancing at her parents and she giggled.  Adyānt nodded agreeing with her mother.  "But I have a condition."

"Now you have started diplomatically dealing with us. Putting conditions like a king."

She shakes her head. "No, Tāta. It's been months since I heard you play the flute, let its magic be back again." Hurriedly she brought the flute and placed it in his hands. Her eyes wielding all the faith, not wanting to disappoint her, he nodded. 

He slowly brought the flute near his lips. As his lips slowly kissed its surface, the wind from his mouth started making its place on the hollow surface of the flute.

The hollowness was all enchanted, what made the way out was the sweet harmony. The camaraderie spread in the air, dissipating the enchantment of the tune. Holding both of them into the wrap of the music. 

This all came to an end when they were informed about the sudden visit of Indraneel. The court was called and all ministers were informed. Abhīstāda saw a letter in his hand.

Indraneel waited for the command of the King, when he got the permission he started. "Māhārāja has send the proposal of marriage—"

Abhīstāda noticed the Brahma Kamal in his hand. Her lips glittered with a small unnoticeable smile. Maybe Keśava has sent— her thoughts wavered as he announced. "For Vrīnda."

Jyeṣṭha: Elder sister

Pranāma:  Arespectful greeting made by putting one's palms together and often touching the feet of the person greeted.

Tāta: Father

Putrī: Daughter

Maa: Mother

Dharma: The righteous duty

Bhagwana: God

Brahma Kamal: A species of Lotus

Uparīkas: Governor of a province

Māhārāja: King

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