Hastinapura

A half-hearted Devika walked ahead along with the maid she was sent with. The palace looked so different from that of her own Shivi or Dwaraka. There was no warmth of love, no welcoming vibes, no friendliness in the atmosphere. Despite of everyone's efforts, all the greetings and welcoming gestures appeared too cold to her.

As if the entire palace was lifeless!

"This way, Rajkumari!" The maid pointed to the path ahead, in downcast eyes.

Hiding a sigh within, Devika nodded at her. As she took a turn to follow the maid, something made her eyebrows met.

On her left side, there was a chamber whose door was closed and locked from outside. It looked like no one had opened this door since a long time.

"Rajkumari?" The maid called again.

"Dasi, whose chamber is this?" Devika looked at the maid.

"Cannot say, Rajkumari! I am new in Hastinapura. As Yuvarani's chief maid in Kashi, I have come here along with her only, after her wedding."

"Have you never seen this chamber open?" Devika asked, glancing at the door again. She did not know why that closed door was pulling her irresistibly.

"No, Rajkumari!" The maid replied, "Even during the wedding days of Yuvaraj, this particular chamber was not opened."

"Strange!" Devika remarked, "Did not anybody ask why?"

"I heard some old maids saying that this chamber is considered inauspicious. Opening this might cause misfortune to the Yuvaraj. Hence we are not allowed even to clean inside this room."

Inauspicious? Devika looked again at the door. This was the only place she was getting good vibes from, rather than the rest of the palace.

Why does everyone here feel exactly opposite to what I do?

"Rajkumari, may we proceed?" The maid interrupted, "Yuvarani is waiting for you."

Devika nodded, tearing her gaze forcibly away from the mysterious door.

Curiosity was high in her mind now. She had already decided to find out the hidden mystery of this room.

Finally, something to do in this idle, unwanted wedding ceremony!

Rakshasavarta

"Why do I have to learn Raaj Dharma first, Taata?" Ghatotkacha's young eyes shone in curiosity and eagerness.

"Because Raaj Dharma is not just a lesson, Putra!" Yudhishthira explained with a smile, "It is a way of service to mankind. A responsibility that makes a ruler prioritize his subjects above everything else!"

"What should one do for that?"

"First, you need to realize that it is the king who is supposed to be a servant of his subjects, and not the other way round! A ruler who cannot come down to the level of commoners, cannot deserve to rule either."

Ghatotkacha listened with rapt attention.

"Remember, son, a king needs to sacrifice a lot for his people if needed. He should not be so attached to his personal favourites that it cannot be given away for human welfare!"

"Why so, Taata?"

"Putra, being a ruler is not easy. Have you ever thought what a huge responsibility Sun God fulfills everyday? He burns himself to bless the world with light. Because he himself takes the pain, we get enlightened. King is also like Sun, Ghatotkacha! He has to be strong enough to bear it all for the sake of others!"

"Sadhu, Vatsa, Sadhu! Blessed will be the land that will have you as its king, Yudhishthira!"

Both uncle and nephew turned and saw an aged sage with dark complexion and long white beard.

"Maharishi Veda Vyasa!" Yudhishthira rose respectfully and touched his feet.

"Take his blessings, child!" Yudhishthira looked at a surprised Ghatotkacha, "He is your great-grandfather."

Ghatotkacha obeyed immediately. Giving him his blessings, Maharishi said, "Yudhishthira, I have some urgent talk with you."

"As you wish, Maharishi!" Yudhishthira joined his palms.

"Putra Ghatotkacha! Go to your father for the training of weapons now. We shall continue these lessons later."

Bowing to both his uncle and the Maharishi, Ghatotkacha silently left. Keeping his gaze fixed on the departing Rakshasa boy, Vyasa slowly uttered, "Yudhishthira, you are intelligent, son! I believe you are able to understand why I have come here!"

Yudhishthira nodded slowly, looking down. A heavy sigh escaped his heart.

"Vatsa, now it is time that you all have to leave this land of demons!"

Hastinapura

"Heard a lot about you, Princess of Shivi!" Bhanumati said with a smile that appeared somehow artificial to Devika.

"Heard that you can wield swords and bows, can ride on horses and even do not get afraid of traveling alone! Surprising indeed!" Bhanumati widened her eyes and smiled with a shrug. Devika did not miss a hint of subtle taunt in the Yuvarani's tone and lips.

"Pardon my curiosity, Yuvarani! But I really wonder how I am so well-known in Hastinapura." Devika said with a formal smile.

"Great yet noble personalities cannot know about their fame getting spread, Rajkumari!" Bhanumati commented, maintaining the same weird smile on her face, "Sindhu Yuvaraj has told us everything about you! We know what an excellent warrior you are, especially how you have routed the Sindhu army singlehandedly!"

"If you know this much, then I believe you also know that I could not save my motherland from coming under Sindhu's sway!" Devika coldly said. She could guess that it was nothing but Jayadratha's way to let everyone know about his victory over Shivi. She knew that in the name of spreading her fame, all he was doing was demeaning her warrior and patriotic self that still cringed to remember that shameful defeat of Shivi.

"Is not whatever you did more than enough for a woman, Rajkumari?" Bhanumati's lips curved more. Devika realized that her intention was not respectful at all. All she wanted was to scrutiny a warrior woman that evoked surprise and curiosity in her. Maybe a little jealousy too, for not being able to do something she desired secretly.

"How so? Just because it is unconventional for women to fight, her failure is not to be counted as one?" Devika smiled in a diplomatic way, looking straight into her eyes.

"I did not mean that, Shivi Kumari." Bhanumati said, "We women are residents of antahpura, the inner apartments. We are not even allowed to see the sunlight alone, without our male guardians present with us. In such a society don't you think that it should be more than enough that you could learn warfare? What is the need of showing off the same everywhere?"

Devika's mouth tasted bitter. She could see Jayadratha and Duryodhana's mindset in Bhanumati's words. Those ones who thought that raising weapons in a female hand would hurt their male ego. Maybe this was all Jayadratha wanted. Praising her skills he ensured that she was looked down upon in the premises of Kuru household where women never trained in such things.

"It is more about our own outlook, Yuvarani. We only can change this system, but sadly we choose not to." Devika calmly replied, "Instead of pulling other women out of their skills, if we could draw inspiration from them, that would have made Aaryavarta a much better place for all of us."

"Maybe you are right. But what is the need, Rajkumari? While we have great warriors around to protect us?" Bhanumati shrugged, smiling a proud smile.

"Excuse me, Didi! But I cannot agree with this!" A young maiden sitting beside Bhanumati interfered.

"If we can learn singing and dancing despite the presence of uncountable courtesans in our homes, what is the objection in learning weapons?" She firmly remarked, "Are we only entertainers of men and not meant to be their true counterparts to assist them in battle field?"

Bhanumati tried to speak something but could not. The other woman continued, "Sahadharmini is the one who can be there to assist her husband in every situation. Why should we shy away from that responsibility?"

Amused, Devika looked at her. She was younger than Bhanumati but shared her features remarkably. Must be the younger Princess of Kashi. Her large eyes shone in confidence and spark of strength. Something that Devika could connect with.

"Sister!" Bhanumati grimaced, "You do not need to pass a comment in this. You are still much young to understand everything."

"Forgive me, Bhanu Didi! But I strongly feel that you could have been much happier today if you learned warfare! At least no one could dare to abduct a..."

"Dhara!" Bhanumati glared, her voice being unusually louder. The next moment she controlled herself and turned to Devika, "Apologies, Shivi Kumari! I just remembered I have some preparations for the wedding to look after. You two talk. I am coming in a while."

She finished quickly and went out in hurried step. Devika shook her head with a slight sigh. She knew that Bhanumati had been abducted forcefully from her swayamvara. Still, she could not face her sister's remark on that. The Princess of Kashi had compromised so soon to echo Duryodhana's thoughts?

"Shivi Kumari!" She heard the other woman, "It is a great opportunity for me to learn few tricks of sword-fighting from you in these days! Only if you agree to teach me!" Her doe eyes were shining in enthusiasm and a cheerful smile played on her red lips.

"I would be glad to teach you, Kashi Kumari!" Devika nodded with a smile, "Only if you can manage time from this busy schedule of wedding preparations!"

"That I shall manage!" She was excited, "And yes, no need of formality!" She smiled cordially, "You can call me Valandhara!"
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Glossary:

Taata: Elder uncle
Antahpura: Inner chamber of a house
Sadhu: A term used for appriciation

Author's note: Mahabharata says that Duryodhana's first wife was a Kashi Princess but does not mention her name. The name of Duryodhana's wife was given by later Sanskrit poets. Bhasa named her Malavi in Urubhangam play, and Bhattanarayana named her Bhanumati in his Venisamharam play. Since the later is more popular, and Venisamharam is one of my references, I'm using Bhanumati only. Her characterization will also be taken from the same source which somehow maintained Vyasa's portrayal of her.

So as you can see, another PandavaPatni enters the story *plays conch and showers flowers* Hope you liked her entry.