Rajkumar Kashyap and Rajkumari Viswa watched in awe as Maharishi Atharvan placed the last pot into its position. He had cut the mass of flesh into hundred pieces and placed each piece into a pot filled with clarified butter. The pots were then taken to a cave where there was no sunlight or flow of air. In the stifled atmosphere of the chamber, the pots were placed carefully. Rishivar told them the pots needed to be placed in such a space so it could work as an incubator and provide the atmosphere to develop into a fully grown human child. It was a good thing that they were staying at the ashram or else they would have no idea what to do.

"Now in the next nine months, these embryos will develop and grow into hundred human child. By the grace of Mahadev, you'll be able to hold your children after nine months." Maharishi Atharvan said as they came out of the cave.

Rajkumar Kashyap and Rajkumari Viswa both nodded their head gratefully and thanked him for his help. Maharishi Atharvan left the place, instructing one of his disciples to watch over the cave assuring Kashyap and Viswa that no harm would come near their children. As he left, Kashyap noticed an unnerved expression on Viswa's face.

"What are you thinking about now, Viswa?" He asked her.

"Arya, we will have hundred sons." Rajkumari Viswa said worriedly.

"Yes. Soon. We will have a hundred sons!" Rajkumar Kashyap replied with a broad smile.

"But Arya, we have only prepared for one. How will we manage a hundred?" Rajkumari Viswa asked.

Rajkumar Kashyap's smile deemed as he realized what his wife was talking about. It was no easy task to raise one, let alone a hundred! Moreover, they would need a house big enough to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat and most importantly the affection and care of their parents. How would they manage!

"Koyi baat nehi. Pachas ko tum sambhal lena, baki pachas ko main sambhal lunga.
(It's ok. You may handle the fifty of them, I will look after the rest fifty.)"
He said, smiling nervously.

"Satru paaksh ke saath yudh mein nehi jana hai, jo aap pachas pachas baatte phir rahe hai!
(We are not going for war that you're dividing them in fifty fifty for leadership.)"
Rajkumari Viswa replied with a mocking smile.

"Aab Maa ka ashirbad hain, toh yohi raah dikha dengi.
(This is the blessing of Maa. She'll show us some way too.)"
Rajkumar Kashyap said finally with a sigh.

As they neared their hut, they saw Senapati of Amvasthapuram, Rajkumar Jayaditya waiting for them. The news of Rajkumari Viswa's unusual birthing had reached the palace too. Jayaditya came to meet his brother thinking he must be feeling devastated. However, he had no idea that a hundred Princes were on their way.

"Prarnipat, Jyesth." Rajkumari Viswa greeted him with a smile which surprised him. He nodded at her in reply though and looked at Kashyap in question, to know if he was alright. Rajkumari Viswa excused herself and went inside the hut to give the brothers some privacy. As she left Rajkumar Kashyap told him all that had happened.

"Hundred sons!" Rajkumar Jayaditya repeated in shock after hearing everything.

"Yes." Rajkumar Kashyap confirmed with a short laugh. He himself wasn't sure if it was a laugh of joy or fear. Jayaditya stared at his brother for a while before nodding.

"And here, Rajmata Vilasvati is worried about the next generation of Vajravansh!" He shook his head in exasperation.

"Pitamahi? What has she done now?" Rajkumar Kashyap asked with a frown.

Rajmata Vilasvati had ruled this kingdom for twenty five years until Maharaj Vriddhakshatra was prepared to take the responsibilities. But power is addicting and after getting a taste, it's hard to let go. Same thing happened with Rajmata Vilasvati. She couldn't let go of the power and started overshadowing her son. Maharaj Vriddhakshatra though understood everything, being an obedient son was unable to oppose her. That reflected on her decision of announcing Jagadeesan the heir instead of Jayaditya too.

However, things took an ugly turn when she understood the mistake she had made by siding with Jagadeesan. Because unlike her own son, Jagadeesan made it very clear that he would not be controlled by her. That was the time when the woman had tried to manipulate Jayaditya against his brother too. Anyhow as her attempts had not been fruitful, she had now made it her mission to produce as much threat as she could to Jagadeesan's throne.

"Nothing much. She just convinced Yamini to beget a son by summoning Dharmaraj Yama." Jayaditya replied casually.

"She has actually done that?" Kashyap asked in surprise.

"Yes. It has been three days since the birth of Yamini's son, Dharmesth." Jayaditya informed him.

"Well, at least Bhabishree will be happy." Kashyap commented with a sigh.

"Why don't you come back, Kashyap? You will need help in raising your hundred sons. Think of them." Jayaditya said reminding him that he was no longer exiled.

After the coronation of Jagadeesan as the Maharaj of Amvasthapuram, he had renounced the order of exile issued by his father. However, Rajkumar Kashyap refused to return. In his perspective, he would be insulting his deceased father if he went against his decree and returned.

"My sons are coming by the wish of the goddess and I believe, all the help I'll need in raising them will be provided by Her only. Don't worry, Jyesth. She'll, Herself watch over my sons."

***

A soft melodious voice could be heard from Raani Yamini's chamber. After Rajkumar Somesh's death, this was the first time this chamber was filled with light and happiness.
Raani Yamini smiled looking at the adorable face of her son, Dharmesth.

Yamaputra Dharmesth.

Yamini had been hesitant at first to use the boon given by her Matamah. Seeing the anger of her mother-in-law had scared her. But Rajmata Vilasvati stood by her and encouraged her to use the boon. True it was that after Jyesth Jayaditya lost his son, despair had surrounded their lives. Moreover, Rajkumar Kashyap's wife had birthed a mass of flesh after her prolonged pregnancy. So unfortunate it was!

That's why Yamini finally decided to use the boon and provide a much needed heir to Vajravansh. She had wanted to invoke lord Surya for a son at first. But in excitement and nervousness, she recited the mantra wrongly and the son of Suryadev, the lord of death and justice, Yama appeared.

"Yamini, you have summoned me for getting a son of my qualities. Hence, I bless you with such a son who will be the beholder of dharma. Who will always be just and kind. At all phases of life, in all situations, he will remain steady and choose justice."

The God of death and justice had blessed her with a child who held a part of his aura within.

Yamini was satisfied. The blessing of motherhood made her forget all her sorrows and worries. A commotion had started in the palace. Whispers had started. Some were talking with excitement and joy while some frowned in disbelief and displeasure. But nothing mattered as long as she got to hold this little bundle of joy.

***

As days passed, weeks passed and months went by, Rajkumar Kashyap and Rajkumari Viswa remained busy in preparation. They were preparing to welcome their sons. Near the ashram, on a stranded land, a big hut was made. Rajkumari Viswa made large beddings and collected clothes to make baby clothes with the help of the women of the ashram. Stacks of woods were stored, big cradles divided in sections were made and joined in such a way that if one got pulled, the others moved in unison too. Even Rajkumar Jayaditya was impressed with his brother's invention. He had even come up with the idea of making a reservoir to store water. However, it was easier said than done. Surprisingly, a well was dug near their new house. The workers informed Maharaj Jagadeesan had ordered a well to be built here for passerbys. The king also donated a hundred cows to the ashram while taking care of all the arrangements to house those.

On the other hand, Rajkumar Dharmesth was growing up under the warm embrace of his mother. He seemed to steal hearts with his cute smile and calm nature. Though his parentage remained questionable to some, everyone accepted him as the deceased prince's son with one word from Maharaj Jagadeesan. However what irked Jagadeesan was Rajmata Vilasvati's open proclamation on the day she heard about the hundred upcoming princes.

"Dharmesth is so lucky for us. Now, soon he will have hundred brothers to serve him."

Jayaditya had unnecessarily cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention towards him while Jagadeesan looked at him impassively.

But as days passed, Raani Yamini was feeling like her son needed someone beside him. The sons of Rajkumari Viswa were going to be so lucky! They would all grow up together, never feeling alone. But what about Dharmesth? An unknown insecurity was gripping her too. As she heard everyone excitedly talking about the upcoming birth of the hundred Princes, she somehow felt like her son's existence was getting ignored and overshadowed.

And thus, to everyone's surprise she decided that it was time for begetting another son from another God.

"Isse shub toh aur kuch ho hi nehi sakta! Aapne bardan ka prayog karo, putri.

(Nothing can be more blissful than this. Use your boon, putri.)"

Rajmata Vilasvati had said hearing her decision.

And thus on the same night the first son of Rajkumari Viswa took his first breath on this earth, Raani Yamini summoned the epitome of strength, the God of air, wind and breath, Vayudev!

***

Hello people!

How was it?

In the next chapter, our hero is coming!

Let's welcome our first kaushava!

Excited?