*╔═══❖•ೋ° °ೋ•❖═══╗*

Kalinga Nagri

*╚═══❖•ೋ° °ೋ•❖═══╝*

Huge gates of Kalinga were shining artistically welcoming the guest for their princess's swayamvar. And our three heroes were riding their horses majestically towards it. But not as Karna, Duryodhana and Yuyutsu. But as traders Vasusen, Suyodha and Vyom. Now they don't want war even before entering the kingdom.

Soldier at the gates : Who are you all and what is your reason to enter Kalinga?

Karna : I am Vasusen. And these two are my brothers Suyodha and Vyom. We are traders. We heard about swayamvar of the princess and are here to gift her and the kingdom our best wishes.

Soldier: Okay. You will get visiting permission for a day. Till swayamvar is not over. And then you have to leave our kingdom.

Duryodhana: Ji Shreeman.

I will leave for sure. And not alone. Thought duryodhana with a smirk. And they were given a permission scroll for attending the swayamvar.

And they entered Kalinga. Kaling was a prosperous country. Not as prosperous as Hastinapur but still. The structures and culture was beautiful there. Karna, Duryodhana and Yuyutsu started their journey towards palace.

*╔═══❖•ೋ° °ೋ•❖═══╗*

Kalinga Palace

*╚═══❖•ೋ° °ೋ•❖═══╝*

The majestic palace of Kalinga was situated on the elevated stone structure which can be resembled as hill between the city. The hill has it's own beauty and security reasons. Inside of the palace was as majestic as outside.It was decorated like newly wedded bride as it was their beloved princess's swayamvar. And finally three of them reached the Sabha Gruh.

Yuyutsu : Bhrata Suyo....Lagta hai bhabhishree bhi itni hi sundar hogi jitna yeh mahal hai.

( It seems like sister in law will be as beautiful as this palace.)

Duryodhana nodded in pride.

Karna : Yuyutsu outer beauty doesn't matter. If she is gonna be first kulvadhu of kuru, then she should be as intelligent and strong as Rajmata kunti.As caring,wise,witty and capable as Mata Gandhari. Because then only she can manage whole palace and family of Hastinapur.

And listening to his words Duryodhana smiled in understanding.

Duryodhana: Don't worry mitra. I have a feeling that she will be all of that. I am sure you will approve of her.

And karna beamed at his friend.

Karna : You are the best Suyo. And you deserve the best.

Yuyutsu: Agreed.

And duryodhana smiled.

Announcer : Saavdhan!!! Kaling Naresh Kandhanrav , Yuvraj Maheshwar tatha Mahrani Mayavati padhar rahe hai!!!!!

And there came the King, his son and the queen. And the sabha started. All three of them were observing it with great interest. What are their thoughts and traditions.

Kandhanrav : As you all know this sabha is also for my daughter's swayamvar. Many of the potential grooms are invited in this sabha.

At that duryodhana scoffed and karna and Yuyutsu snickered looking at potential grooms.

Duryodhana in mind : Circus ke joker hai sare ke sare. Rajkumari ki zindagi barbaad kar denge sasure.

(All of them are jokers in the circus. They will destroy princess's life.)

Kandhanrav: So the things are simple. The one who will be able to debate with princess successfully and will satisfy her with their answers will be her groom.

Mahraj completed. And all the potential grooms started laughing.

Jaydrathh: Mahraj! What will we debate with a woman? About sarees and jweleries?

And everyone laughed again. Three friends frown at that. Because they were themselves sons of great women like Mahrani Gandhari, Rajmata Kunti, Radha ma and had an excellent sister and friend like Dushala and Vrushali. They all were talented even in warfare and vedas. Both Shastras and Shaastra. They were strong willed and intellectual.

Mayavati : This is not a matter to laugh Maharaj Jaydhrath. In kalinga women are equal participant in court. My daughter is skilled in Vedas, Scriptures, 16 languages across the bharatvarsh, arthshastra, kutniti, yudhniti too. And she has fought many war along with her father and never once was defeated. She is kalinga's pride and joy. Her father's honor.

So I request you to debate with the topic that is worth her time.

Queen Mayavati retorted sharply. And all the people in the sabha were stunned.

Yuyutsu : Deva re Deva. Bhrata Suyo, bhabhishree toh aap se bhi zyada padhi likhi aur gunvaan hai. Patanahi phir aap kyu pasand aa gaye unhe?

(Deva re Deva. Brother Suyo, Sister-in-law is more educated and skilled then you. Don't know how she was impressed by you?)

Yuyutsu wishpered to karna and duryodhana. And both him and karna snickered. Duryodhana growled at both of them.

Duryodhana: Keep quiet both of you. Mein toh yeh soch raha hoon ki Maharaj apni aan,baan aur Shaan ko inn nalayako ko kyu deh rahe hai? Shakal se hi su-var nahi suvar lag rahe hai.

(I am thinking that why Maharaj is giving his pride and honor to this useless people? From face only they are looking pigs instead of grooms.)

Jaydrath : Ah Mahrani, my intentions were not to hurt anyone's feelings. But Aurte sirf chula or bache sambhalti hui achi lagti hai.

(Women only look good while maintaining gas stove and kids.)

Voice : Aapki yeh tuch soch sun kar laja aa rahi hai puri nari jaati ko Shreeman.

(Listening to your cheap thinking whole woman species is ashamed mister.)

And then came a strong melodious voice. Sharp enough to cut through the air and rang all over the meeting hall. But yet with feminity and grace.

And there comes a heavenly beauty in the swayamvar sabha. Not decked in jweleries and silk. But wearing gold and silver armor and maroon dhoti. Her long silk traces flying in the wind like darkest of night. Pale skin with structure of a warrior. Eyes so fierce and steps firm and confident that 70% people in the sabha shivered just at the presence of her. Regal and lethal.

Suyodhana Sangini Kumari Bhanumati

Announcer : Kaling Kumari Raj Rajeshwari Maharaj kumari Bhanumati devi padhar rahi hai!!!

And a stunned silence descended on the sabha. All were mesmerized by the fierce beauty though she was in armor with a sword in her hand.

Yuyutsu : Bhrata Suyo; Yeh apan ki aukat se Bahar hai.

(Bhrata Suyo; She is truely out of our league.)

Karna : Baba re baba. Sachi mai inhi ka khat aya tha na mitra? Lag toh raha hai Jaydhrath jaise 4-5 ko toh apne aap hi kacha chaba jay. Aapki toh koi zaroorat hi nahi hai.

(Baba re baba. Are you sure that the letter was from her only my friend? It seems like she can eat raw atleast 4-5 like Jaydhrath alone only. You are not needed here.)

But Duryodhana was so mesmerized by the beauty, intelligence and grace of the princess that he was tongue-tied.

Bhanumati: My formal greetings to each and everyone in this sabha. Now proceeding further what were you saying Shreeman Jaydhrath?

She asked sharply.

Jaydrath: Maharaj. Not Shreeman.

Jaydhrath retorted when he stuttered out of the trance.

Bhanumati: Sureee. Maharaj.

Bhanumati smirked and replied tauntingly. Duryodhana smirked in pride.

Yuyutsu: She didn't seem like committing suicide. Dusro ki jaan le le aisi lag rahi hai bhabhishree.

(She seems like she can take their life.)

Karna : The mention of ending her life if Suyo didn't reach here was just to ensure that he comes. Look. She is very confident that she is not going to marry that monkey.

Karna explained Yuyutsu.

Jaydrathh: You are too proudy for your own good princess.

Bhanumati : Yes. I am. Because I have things to be proud of. My father. My mother. My brother. And my Kalinga. And I want a husband that I can be proud of.

Jaydrath: Oh I am sure you will be proud of me.

He said with the smirk. Bhanumati smirked back.

Bhanumati: What do you have that I can be proud of Shreem-uh Maharaj.

She said. Jaydhrath was fuming.

Jaydrath: I have great army at my back and call. I have my father's vast treasure. I have boons of strength and valour from Rishis.

He sharply said.

Bhanumati: And I would be proud of this because? This is not what I want. I want to know your own skills that you earned. Not the things that are boon to you.

Jaydrath was tongue-tied. He was truely flustered and so was everyone.

Bhanumati: Let me help you there Maharaj. Every skill is based on thinking of a person. The skill with great thinking will be used in betterment of the world and with cheap thinking, the same skill will be harmful to this world and can eventually destroy the person.

So I will open the questions to everyone present here irrespective to cast. Kalinga doesn't believe in Varna pratha (cast system). And if you're an able suitor then you should have no fear from someone who you think is your inferior.

She stated with authorization. Her last sentence shut uped every king who was not agreed with her to open the questions for everyone.

Bhanumati: So my first question is what are your thoughts regarding to women. What do you expect from your future wife?

The question was simple but the meaning the answer held was deep for each and every women. Karna admired the woman who can be his friend's wife. Can. Because Patanahi yeh gadha uttar de payenga yah bezatti karvayenga.

(Don't know if this donkey will be able to answer the questions or will be humiliated.)

Jaydrath: It's easy. Women are inferior then men. I expect my wife to serve me and give me hire. And take care of his and my needs.

Mayavati was furious. Bhanumati scoffed.

Bhanumati: I pity you. Anyone else who want to say something different.

She asked sharply. Her fierce eyes were burning hard with rage. If her father was not pressurized by Jaydrath with war she would have chopped his head. War was not a problem. But without any reason she didn't want her soldiers dying. Her father was helpless. But she was not. Not after her heart which was of someone much more capable.

She was mesmerised by his thinking about cast system on the day of Kala Pradarshan. She saw him from the top of the tower facing the arena. His strength that match the mighty Pandu putra Bheem. Who was son of wind God with boon of strength of 100 elephants.

His mace fighting skills. And especially his thoughts on equality and change for reform when he made a merry sutputra his friend and a king. And she was sure he was present here. She didn't know where. But she could feel him, his presence in every essence of her body. And she knew, everything was better now.

Karna nudged duryodhana who was still looking at her in trance. Duryodhana widened his eyes and stood up.

Duryodhana: Pranipat Rajkumar. I am Suyodha. A trader. I would like to answer if you permit.

And their eyes met. At the merry glance she recognized her heart. Her smirk widened even more. And his manners was oof!

Bhanumati : Permission granted.

Yuyutsu: Haan Haan ab aagya lena toh sikhna padenga bhrata suyo. Bhabhishree jo agyi hai.

(Yes yes. Now you have to learn to take permissions suyo. Sister-in-law has came.)

And both him and karna snickered.

Duryodhana: Women are not inferior then men. They can compete with men in every field. I know some of the great living examples of Aryavartha. Rajmata Kunti. Rajmata of Hastinapur. Without her husband's or any man's help she raised five children into great warriors. She taught them respect,morals and values.

Mahrani Gandhari. Queen of Hastinapur. She manages her family, 102 children and Hastinapur single handedly. She takes active participation in court matters just like Mahrani Mayavati here.

Rajkumari Shikhandini. Rajkumari of Paanchal. Drupad kumari is the best warrior and commander in chief of ek chakshuni great army of paanchal. She bravely fought many wars even 106 princes of Hastinapur alone.

So according to me, women are equal to men. And what I expect from my wife, She should love me deeply as I love her. She will be my strength and my honor. She will help me with right path and she will be my dharma. She will be part of every decisions in my life.I expect nothing more.

He concluded. A gentle smile was playing on Bhanumati's lips. Mayavati smiled content.

Bhanumati: I accept you Shreeman as my husband.

She declared. And gasps all over the court room were heard.
Bhanumati descended down the throne and duryodhana approached her. Yuyutsu and karna jumped with excitement.

Karna : Hayeee ab bhramachari nahi marenga kutta. Voh alag baat hai ki bhabhishree aukat ke bahar hai....

(Hayeee now he will not die a Virgin. That's another thing that Sister-in-law is out of his league....)

Jaydrath: This is not possible! I will wage a war!

He screamed and all pulled their weapons out. Duryodhana smirked and put Bhanumati on his shoulders while she laughed. He looked at both his brother and friend and said

Duryodhana: Tu ja maila bhago kamino! Varna yeh log yahi hamari samadhi ki taiyariya kar rahe hai !

( Run Stupids! Otherwise they have made arrangements for our pyre here only!)

He screamed at them playfully. And both of their eyes widened.

Karna and Yuyutsu: We thought we were here to fight? Pehle batana chahiye tha na sale ki bhagne ki planning hai! Kidnap! Kidnap! Kidnap!

And all of three with Bhanumati ran outside the palace dramatically. This is going to be a long run.....