Five years later,
Another hectic day at the Royal Court of Mahishmati drew to a close. King Mahendra Baahubali had listened and attended to the problems and issues his people had brought to him. He had signed several royal orders and ordinances. He had conferred with his cabinet of ministers and learnt even minute details about his people and their needs. He had punished the criminals by awarding them punishment befitting their crimes in consultation with the legal experts who offered their advice based on the Legal Code of Conduct of Mahishmati.

In these five years, he had learnt the ropes of kingship. He had been a quick learner. He committed a few mistakes in the beginning but he learnt from them too. Kattappa stood behind him as his rock solid support during the initial days of his rule. He had helped him in solidifying and consolidating his rule. Queen Mother, Devasena guided him through the minefield of administration with her excellent counsel. Avanthika, his Royal Consort had been unwavering and unflinching in her loyalty and quiet support to her husband.

A number of things had changed in this time period. All the traces of that evil tyrant had been wiped out with the passage of time. Nobody spoke his name. Even if they did it was either with a shudder or to threaten truant kids into discipline, "If you don't eat properly and behave, we will give you to Him when he returns!" Not that 'He' was going to!

The only regret he continued to nurse all these years was that he had allowed Bijjaladeva to slip between his fingers. He was no longer within Mahendra's reach. Bijjaladeva had sought refuge with his daughter-in-law, Shodasi Devi, the Empress of Vijayapuri. Mahendra had sent a number of diplomatic missions to Vijayapuri asking them to handover Bijjaladeva to his custody for public trial and impeachment.

But while Shodasi Devi categorically refused to handover this criminal of Mahishmati citing her ethical and moral responsibility of protecting a person who sought shelter from her, she assured him that neither she nor Bijjaladeva would interfere or cause any problems and issues for Mahishmati. He was forced to reluctantly let this go at this point.

His people had already suffered a lot at the hands of the former ruler, Bhallaladeva. He wouldn't push them into the inferno of another needless and mindless war for the sake of one cripple. Public welfare should be his foremost goal. This was what even Kattappa and the Queen Mother, Devasena suggested. But he was still a bit wary about the possible ramifications that could result from this.
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Another cause of concern for Mahendra in the recent times was the failing health of the Queen Mother, Devasena. She was given the best of medical treatments and care. But none of these physicians had been able to detect the exact cause of her physical maladies. "It must be those long years of imprisonment and incarceration that are taking a toll of Her Highness' health", they said.

It seemed highly plausible too. Devasena's indomitable spirit and quest for revenge had kept her going in times of trial and tribulation. Now in luxury, peace and comfort, her reserves of strength and health perpetually kept reasserting their need for rest and a retired life just like sleep takes over a sleep-deprived person.

The torture that had been inflicted on Devasena during those twenty-five years of incarceration had left indelible imprints both on her body and soul. Even if the person who tormented her was no more, her nightmares at night refused to understand this fact. There were countless times when she got up with a clammy and parched throat and a creased brow full of wrinkles and sweat.
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Mahendra's foster mother, Sanga said at last, "Son, your father and I want to go back to the forest and rejoin our tribe. Please let us go. We have seen you as a mighty king. We are very happy for your sake. But we feel out of place in this Royal setup. This constrained atmosphere suffocates us. We want to return to our original home, the forest."

He was forced to reluctantly let them go for their own happiness. For a single weak moment, he was on the verge of throwing everything to the winds and following them. But he knew he didn't have that luxury. He couldn't have the best of both worlds. This was his duty and destiny. He couldn't run away from it.
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It was not as though these five years had given Mahendra only problems and issues to ponder and deal with. He had also been blessed on many counts. Fortune had blessed him with a bright, beautiful and vivacious daughter, Bhagiradhi. She was the light of his life. He promised to himself, "You will have the best of everything, my child. You will never lead the kind of life I lived or face the kind of problems I did. I will protect and shelter you from everything as long as I live."

The palace of Mahishmati resonated with her innocent, childlike laughter and pranks. She would keep running the length and breath of the Royal palace outrunning all her maids and guards who tried to catch her and get her to stay steady within her chamber. She was a naughty, playful and rebellious child with a mind of her own.

Avanthika had a tough time controlling her and teaching her about her limits. As she ran behind her shouting, "Child.....child....come here. Don't run off like that. When are you going to learn your rules and limits?" She would playfully reply, "Rules are meant to be broken, Mother. The sky is my limit!"

To evade her mother, Bhagiradhi would run into the Royal Court and affably sit on her father's lap listening, watching and observing how her father ruled the kingdom or solved the problems of their people. Another favorite haunt of hers was the State Armory where she would inevitably find her Kattappa Thatha who would allow her to hide behind the stacks of weapons stashed in the corner with a playful wink in his eyes whenever her maids or mother came for her. If not in these two places, Bhagiradhi would be pestering and poking her grandmother, Devasena with her unending questions and curiosity. Her desire to learn about new things was immeasurable.

Kattappa, despite his advancing years, continued serving Mahendra in his capacity as the Sarvasainyadhipathi (Commander-in-Chief of the Army) and Principal Adviser to the King. There was still none in Mahishmati to replace and fill in his place if Kattappa retired from his duties. Kattappa, Devasena and Avanthika were the three strong pillars on whose strength and support Mahendra's rule rested while his daughter, Bhagiradhi was his pride and very soul.
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Rajmata Devasena was doing some of her regular chores before retiring to bed. She lost her balance and was about to fall. But Mahendra was at her side, prompt enough to support her from falling. She nervously laughed at herself as she remarked to Mahendra, "Your mother has become old and weak, Mahendra!"

"Amma, why do you strain yourself? Why can't you take help? Aren't there servants and helpers enough to do your chores? For god's sake, your son is the King and you are the Queen Mother", expostulated Mahendra.

"You will never understand why I do it Mahendra. I don't want to be a burden on this earth. I want to be independent and do my things myself. Your father too would have wanted me to be like this only" replied Devasena. "Anyways, quit complaining. Tell me what happened at the court. I would have attended if I was in better health."

"I know that mother. Everything at court was the same as usual except that I missed your presence", said Mahendra. "I just came to check on you and see that you are taking good care of your health. You neglect yourself a lot, Amma."

"Don't worry, Mahendra. I am taking good care of myself. And why are you here wasting away your time with me when you ought to be with Avanthika and Bhagiradhi? I wonder why Avanthika never protests against all this", said Devasena in a jocular vein.

"Perhaps she understands that by serving you like this, I am trying to make up for all those twenty five years I lost.......And so does my little princess, Bhagiradhi though I don't give her the time and attention she actually deserves", spoke Mahendra in a voice resonating with sadness.

Devasena, as though stuck by a sudden and interesting line of thought, "Mahendra, do you know whom this naughty daughter of yours, Bhagiradhi .......resembles? She is a picture copy of your grandmother, Rajmata Sivagami. You have never seen her. So you wouldn't have known.........She had the same regal pride, the same decisive turn of countenance, the same commanding voice, the same magnanimity and generosity....."

"I have heard Kattappa Thatha tell the same thing", quipped Mahendra.

Devasena reprimanded Mahendra, "Go now, Mahendra. At a time like this, when Avanthika is going to become a mother again, you ought to spend your whole time with her. I am alright."

"Yes, Mother. Your wish is my command", replied Mahendra playfully.
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"Ala vaikuṇṭhapurambulō nagarilō nā mūlasaudhambu dā pala mandāra vanāntarāmr̥ tasaraḥprāntēndukāntōpalō tpala paryaṅka ramāvinōdi yagu nāpannaprasannuṇḍu hvalanāgēndramu"pāhi pāhi" yanam̐ guyyālin̄ ci sanrambhiyai"

In Vaikuntha, in a beautiful palace, near a lotus pool full of flowers, sat Lord Vishnu playing dice with his consort Mahalakshmi.

"Sirikiṁ jeppam̐ ḍu śaṅkha cakra yugambu jēdōyi sandhimpam̐ ḍē paripārambunu jīram̐ ḍabhragapatiṁ bannimpam̐ ḍākarṇikāṁ tara dham'millamum̐ jokka nottam̐ ḍu vivāda prōd'dhata śrī kucō pari cēlān̄ calamaina vīḍam̐ ḍu gaja prāṇāvanōtsāhiyai"

Lord Hari rushed to the rescue of his devotee Gajendra as soon as he heard his pleas for help. He neither remembered to take his weapons the conch, the discus, nor his mace along with him; nor did he take his vehicle the Garuda to reach him; nor did he notice that he was still holding the end of Mahalakshmi's saree in his hands. Such was his alacrity and hurry to rush to Gajendra's help.
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Avanthika was sprawled on her queen-sized bed. She had dozed off to sleep. Kattappa was seated on a huge divan beside her, reading out of the scriptures and Puranas so that the positive vibrations of these tales would influence the character and thought processes of the forthcoming child. Bhagiradhi was seated on her great-grandfather's lap, still awake, eyes opened in wonder, listening with avid and voracious interest.

The tale that was being read and narrated was the "Gajendra Moksham" from the Bhagavatam. As Mahendra walked in, Bhagiradhi gestured him not to make any noise or sound telling, "My little brother Gajendra is listening from Amma's stomach. Hush! You will disturb him."

Mahendra sat down quietly and waited patiently for Katappa to complete the narration. The whole scene looked like a very picture of familial attachment and comfort. A great-grandfather reading out from the Puranas to his daughter and still unborn child in his wife's womb.

Kattappa promised Bhagiradhi after this telling, "Your father is here now. I will come again tomorrow and we will read something else."

The child was disappointed. She wanted to be read something else. But looking at Kattappa's expression, she realized that he was not going to appease her. So she reluctantly agreed to this but not before reiterating, "But you must promise me that tomorrow you will read and narrate two more stories to me."

Kattappa promised, "Deal! I will read two more stories tomorrow. Can I afford to antagonize my little princess.....Ha! ha! Ha! .......Now permit me....."
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After Kattappa departed from the chamber, Mahendra took his daughter to his side and said, "I could read to you now if you want."

Bhagiradhi hastily refused, "No, you do not read in the way Thatha does. I like to listen from him only."

Mahendra laid Bhagiradhi on bed, in between him and Avantika as he said, "Alright, you listen to your stories from your Kattappa Thatha only. I will not spoil them for you. But tell me one thing. You were telling your small brother Gajendra was listening to the story. How do you know it is a brother?"

"I know. Just put your hands near mother's stomach. Can you feel it?" said Bhagiradhi. Mahendra felt a slight jerk. Yes, his son was kicking in his mother's womb. Happiness and bliss radiated all over his face.

Bhagiradhi expressed, "Now you know why? Will a girl kick so hard? My brother is so strong, isn't he? My....My......How hard he kicks! Achu Gajendrudi la! (Just like an elephant in power!)"

Mahendra hugged his daughter in his happiness as she hugged him back. That was his son.......his little strong son......with the might of an elephant......even while he was just in his mother's womb.......Gajendra.......Gajendra Baahubali!
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