Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti
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PART 3
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When the delightful sunrays of the morning had filled the imperial palace with bright happiness of a new day, Rajmata Mura trotted towards the new captive queen's room in a sloth, measured and dignified pace.
"May I come in, dear?"
She turned back. The aged lady was standing outside the door which is guarded by the armed women soldiers with a decent, elegant yet proud smile in her lips. Strange! Nandini is house-arrested by the king and the king's mother is seeking permission to meet her! How these people can act so decently with their worst enemies! Arranging her dresses swiftly Nandini nodded in hurry. Mura smiled again and got in. Nandini was sitting on the bed, her brows bent in a hesitating frown, and eyes unable to meet Rajmata's eyes. She was gasping in a suppressed excitement from inside. Mura sat beside her, forcefully picked her face up holding her chin. Her eyes filled with a shine of satisfaction. Nandini's eyes are not burning in fire like the last night. The flood of tears is the evidence of her break-down. Her gestures tell that she has been tamed down a bit, and her fire of vehemence has been cooled down with the touch of icy reality of failure. Now she is cold, stony and aimless. She closed her eyes tightly when Mura was observing her face like a stubborn little girl. Mura touched her cheek with calculative affection.
"Look at yourself! Is it the way a queen should look?"She told while rubbing the mark of kohl from her cheek. "I have brought your new dress and jewelleries. Get up and prepare for the rituals that are going to be conducted now." She was able to maintain the warmth of affection throughout, but her voice had such a gravity of her usual authority that her command cannot be taken casually. Nandini looked at her; her swallowed lips shivered in an uncanny excitement, but could not say anything.
"Your mother and sister-in-laws will be brought in pujashtal for the woman-rituals. Before that I will allow you to meet them in prison. Get ready Nandini." Mura told. Nandini stared at her eyes with surprised gratitude. She could remember those days when she had witnessed this woman for countless times in the special prison, chained like a dog, being whipped by the soldiers more than often and time to time cursing her father with a strange confidence in her eyes. Her father had countless number of prisoners, Nandini did not care to see them or to know about their past- prisoners are prisoners, they are bad people and are getting right punishments- this was her concept from childhood; however, Mura was the single one who used to attract and distract her at the same time... "A monster has chained me here..." She had told her for the first time when she was only 5 years old. And after that she realised she was referring her father as the monster! The same day she has heard her curse and blabbering- "My son will come to rescue me and to eradicate your entity from the world!!!" Bad woman, how can she say something against her father! She started hating her from core, but could not ignore her existence... Time and again, in many instances she had to meet her, and her calm and elegant utterance of curse against her family with the full belief on her never-existing son to come back for revenge! She is not special than other frustrated prisoners, Nandini used to convince herself; but the strange aura surrounded by this woman did not let her to believe that. Her curse had such a strange strength that it often shivered Nandini's heart- it used to feel like the destiny is declaring her verdict in Mura's form! And at last everything changed in an instance... a storm came in the name of Chandragupta- Mura's son Chandragupta! Mura proved her willpower, and eradicated Nand dynasty! She cannot be a mere random criminal captivated by the king. How can she? While staring at Mura's face suddenly his words flashed in her mind... "You did not get back even the one-tenth of the pain and humiliation that my mother had been bearing for 21 long years." Those words gave her a strong jolt from inside again...
Mura stood up for leaving. Before leaving the room she again looked at Nandini. "May I ask you a question Nandini?"
With a load of hesitation Nandini nodded. Mura came closer.
"Who are you? What is your actual identity?" Mura stared at her trembling glare. "I expect an answer Nandini."
"I am Nandini... daughter of Magahnaresh..." while answering her in a trembling voice suddenly she stopped... "...daughter of former king of Magadh- Mahapadmanand's daughter Rajnandini..." she looked for once in Mura's face. She was gazing at her calmly, and her eyes are not expressing any kind of grudge, but still she understood it is not the answer the Rajmata wants. "I am the queen of Magadhpati Samrat Chandragupta Maurya." She concluded with a sheer antipathy choking her tone.
"Yes. Don't forget that. You are not the daughter of Nand anymore... You are now the daughter-in-law of Maharaj Suryagupta and Maharani Mura; you are the life-partner of the monarch Chandragupta Maurya." Mura stated with a dignified authority in her voice. "And my son has not forced you to accept this title. You yourself have accepted this marriage; with your full consent you have been accepted in the Mauryan family. Being an educated and sensible girl you should know that conspiring secretly from back after accepting someone is called treachery. I don't know what your father has taught you about principles and dignity of a princess, but according to the principle of Mauryas this treachery is the most unforgivable offense!" She pressed her hand tenderly. "And a Mauryan queen cannot be treacherous! We will expect you to understand and ponder over my words, Rajnandini!"
She left the room. Nandini gazed at her path. There was a storm inside her heart and conscience!
I am glad that Rajmata drives some sense into Nandini and leads her to think in those areas to which her intellect never proceeds. Nandini willingly got into this marriage for whatever reasons. That is an irrefutable fact and a part of her identity. She deals Nandini with an iron hand because the soft touch is simply not going to work with her. She also has to be always wary, careful and on her toes around this Nandini. Given the slightest bit of freedom, this Nandini is going to willfully misuse it and pull up another stunt in her inexorable quest for revenge. It has become a thirst which Nandini has not been able to get rid of. All of them have to be careful around her until this thirst for revenge is finally quenched with dawning knowledge and wisdom.
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"Maa?" holding the bar of the prison, Nandini called out. Avantika looked back and rushed to her. "Nandini? How did you come here?"
"Rajmata gave me the permission Maa!" She sighed in agony looking at the emotionless guards surrounding her. "No, I am not free to meet you all. I am even not free to roam in my room without these guards observing my each and every step! But still, I should be thankful to her for giving me permission to see you all once." She could not hold her tears as Avantika had touched her palm through the gap of the bars. "I am so sorry Maa! I could not!" She uttered with suppressed tear choking her voice.
"I had told you. It is not so easy..." Avantika stated, but immediately stopped herself understanding that it is not a time to show her frustration and blame her daughter. She is furnished with all priceless jewelleries and the new look of a married woman is perfectly going with her, but she is utterly disturbed. She is devastated and broken from her heart! She pulled Nandini's hands and kissed on her palm. "Forget it Nandini, you have to live from now on!"
"My father and brothers have been killed, my mother and sister-in-laws are left to rot in prison! And you expect me to live a queenly life happily!"
"Nandini, all our happiness lays in your happiness my dear! Your father would have wanted the same- your happiness!" Avantika pursued her.
"But I am not happy Maa! I will never be happy! I can never pacify myself with the compensations I am getting from my defeat!" Nandini grudged out. "I will do something! I will obviously do something! Else I will die in strangulation of this palace!"
"No my dear! Calm down!" Avantika pressed her hand as the guards were looking at them with suspicious eyes. "We will not get any second chance! Another fault of you and we all will be finished! Admit it Nandini, it is almost impossible to take revenge from Chandragupta. Forget about this!"
Nandini lowered her unconvinced eyes... Chandragupta's cold threat of last night was ringing in her ears. Chandragupta is too much mighty opponent than she had imagined. She is trapped, and she is being alive as Chandragupta wants. Something bigger is going on and Nandini is a mere pawn of his hand! But she cannot allow this to happen! She cannot waste her life crying for her defeat! But what can she do! What the hell can she do all alone! She suddenly remembered Mura's words- What she is doing is called treachery, and a queen can't be treacherous. But she had agreed to marry with an oath of taking revenge; if she does not fulfil commitment to own, will not she betray herself?
"What are you thinking Nandini?" Avantika called her back from her thought.
"I want to ask you something Maa..." Nandini suddenly asked changing the topic. "Ask!" Avantika told.
Nandini took a long breath before asking. "Who is Rajmata Mura Maa?"
Avantika's eyelids trembled. "What do you mean Nandini?"
"I always knew she is some random prisoner who is getting her punishment for her crimes. But after looking her from close I cannot believe that she is an ordinary criminal minded woman. Who is she Maa? Why was she arrested? Why she was yearning for her son to come back and rescue her for long 21 years? What is the secret of Chandragupta Maurya and his mother?"
"She was..."Avantika gulped before telling. "She was the queen of a small state named Pipplivan! They were involved in the conspiracy of the former king's assassination. Your father killed Chandragupta's father Suryagupta and captivated his queen before getting on the thrown. That's all..."
"But... where was Chandragupta then. How did he come back this way...why was he referring to 21 years long torture and humiliation of his mother? Why there was such vehemence inside Mura for 21 long years if she was the one who was guilty?"Nandini asked with dissatisfaction. "Is this the whole story Maa?"
It was not the whole story. And none knows the whole story better than Avantika. But how will she reveal that shameful past in front of her daughter? It happened many times when Avantika has tried to show the real face of her father vividly to the pampered daughter, but could not tell her, as she had the equal partnership in that blasphemous crime that had been committed 21 years ago! And even now she is unable to confess in front of her daughter. So she nodded hiding her eyes.
I am happy with this Nandini because she does have some questions in her mind. She is not so blind and unseeing. It is sad that her mother does not answer her questions and chooses to gloss over them. Similarly, I liked the fact that she was guilty about being responsible for the sorry state of her mother and the other women on their side. She realizes that she has badly failed them.
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"Rajkumari Nandini is not at all my headache Acharya." Chandragupta stated quite confidently. "I know she will try to create a lot of hazard in my life, but I am least concerned about those. After all she is completely without any resource and companion, and is watched by the soldiers twenty four hours. And if even after this she manages to harm me," A smile slowly appeared in his lips, "I think I am capable enough to handle her childish efforts! Right now I think we should concentrate on Nand!"
Acharya nodded with a deep frown showing his anxiety regarding the recent situations. "Our men have caught the group of soldiers that was going to be used against us. The spies have listed some of the kings who were going to team up against us on favour of Nand, but no trace of Padmanand still now!"
"He must be very much wounded, so cannot be carried too far from that battlefield..." Chandra looked thoughtful. "Strange! Where can he flee?"
"Mudrarakkhas is a very insightful person Chandra. There are a lot of hidden passages and chambers all over the state; Nand must have been hidden in one of them! Our spies are still not able to find those chambers." Chanakya sighed. "Damn to my callousness! If I had been a bit careful, we would not have to see these days!"
"No Acharya, it can never be your fault! You ordered the soldiers to carry his body to his family and arranged for his cremation too. What could you do if some of the soldiers turn out to be betrayer and Mudrarakkhas's man and the others to be extremely inefficient?" Chandra tried to pacify his Acharya. "And you always taught me to learn from mistakes. Here we have mistaken to depend solely on those soldiers; next time we won't repeat the same." He smiled. "Your Sishya has never failed to proud you Acharya, this time too he will come up to your expectations. I swear." The usual charm of confidence sparked from his eyes. "Nand will never be able to raise his head again; I will offer his head in my guru's feet, and that is the oath of Chandragupta Maurya."
"I have trust on your ability, Chandra. But with the spark of confidence one needs to think about both positive and negative sides." Chanakya said with a slight smile. "First we have to find Nand's whereabouts as soon as possible. Then only we can execute our final plan with Nandputri as the trump card. Nandini is your married wife now, hence she will work as your shield from the supporters of Nand; and she will be our last weapon to catch him!"
Chandragupta nodded. "Acharya, should I go and interrogate personally the group of soldiers of Nand who had been arrested today morning?"
"You may, but I don't think it will be fruitful." Chanakya told. "Well, we can hope for the best. But yes, keep in mind that none should know other than you and me that Padmanand is alive..."
Suddenly an attendant sought attention. "Come in..." Chandragupta ordered. The attendant came inside and bowed down in respect. "Queen Mother will be expecting his majesty in pujasthal today for some rituals." He told.
"Convey my respect to queen mother and tell her that I will be present at right time..." Chandragupta told.
I was pleasantly surprised by this apparently simple explanation you gave for Chanakya letting Nand off the hook. He is really not at fault. He has ordered Nand's cremation but Rakshas proved to be more wily and clever than he had banked on him to be. How could be predict that he would be let down by their own men? Well thought out!
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In the grand hall attached with the temple there has been an arrangement of a puja which always has been a custom of Mauryans. All the events were taking place more than perfectly under the supervision of the queen-mother. The new queen Nandini entered- rather was brought in the hall, surrounded by four armed guards as usual. The present women in the hall stood up out of respect and courtesy when she entered; while wearing a courtesy smile throughout Nandini could not help giving a stern glare to her expressionless guards. They are always there to remind her that she is nothing worthy than a prisoner, and all actually pity her by giving her respect for which she is not worth of!
"Come Nandini." The elegant queen mother took her hands and made her to sit in the place in front of havaan-kund. She instructed guards to go back until the rituals are over. "Bring the former queens here for the women-rituals." She commanded then. After some moments Avantika and Sunanda were brought here in the chains. They were sat beside Nandini with all the guards covering them. Nandini's heart was sinking in pain and humiliation. All happened because of her! If she had been a bit more careful!
While the priests were taking the rituals forward, Nandini's eyes were unmindfully roaming here and there in the grand hall, and she distinguished a striking difference in the arrangements. In their time, each and every single functions used to be conducted grandly... the devotions usually got to be completely hidden under the resplendence of wealth! But here the Mauryans have cared very less about the splendour; the whole arrangement looks like more than ordinary to Nandini, but here one can easily feel the touch of heart. It was something soothing, heart-warming! All are happily doing their works, smiling, chatting with each other in a light manner... From the attendants of the temple to the maids to the priests all are looking happy like never before! Did Nandini ever get to see a genuine smile in any random maid's face from her birth? No! Simply she used to think that to be impossible. But the whole environment changed her whole view. She could understand everyone of this world is happy with the drastic change in politics held in Magadh, except her! There is a change, certainly a drastic change in everything, but the change is only for good, for betterment! The feelings stung in her heart deeply..."I devoutly hope Nandini, that one day you will understand how much silly and negligible is your pain in front of the welfare of this vast world surrounding you!" He told her last night... Maybe she grasped the meaning partially now... Her tears looked too much dull in front of the bright smiles of those mere maids, her own entity looked almost negligible in this ambiance of holiness and joy.
To prevent herself from sinking in those thoughts again, Nandini tried to keep herself busy in looking around. Helena is beside Mura, perhaps eagerly trying to understand the Indian customs from her mother-in-law. Durdhara and Chhaya are sitting nearby, chatting endearingly; Durdhaha is delightful as always, she passed a friendly endearing smile to Nandini when their eyes meet, which spontaneously removed the cloud of her face partially. The festive ambience was so hearty that Nandini's heart pacified slowly.
Announcement was made and everyone stood up when the majesty of Magadh entered into the hall. Passing his eyes through the arrangements for once he moved towards his mother and greeted her with utter respect. "Long live the king!" Mura blessed her son with a saturated smile. "I have remembered you for a special Yagna that is held the next day after the marriage to be blessed with a happy life of bride and groom." She touched his cheeks with a gentle affection and controlled voice tending to sink in emotion. "I could not celebrate my son's naming ceremony, rice-ceremony or first birthday- even I could not relish the moment of taking him in my arm for the first time after his birth!... so I don't want to leave any little gap in the functions of his marriage!"
Chandra held her mother's hands tighter and touched those on his forehead closing his eyes. Mura inhaled deeply, trying to cope up with the bubble of tear that was suddenly strangulating her throat. This was a very little instance of an emotional scenario between the mother and son and there was not any scope to express much in public, so Mura controlled herself turning the topic. "Helena... Durdhara..."
Both of the queens came hearing the queen-mother's call. Mura affectionately looked at Chandra. "Your previous marriages were conducted in hurry and shortcut I guess..."
"Yes Maa! Actually there was no experienced woman, and no pre or post wedding-rituals took place! They just arranged the marriage in morning and my father conducted everything within the evening to marry me off with your son!" Durdhara blabbered in excitement, as to very much of her sorrow, her maiden dreams about a dreamy wedding ceremony had never got any span to be true!
"So I want you both to sit for the yagna with Chandra also once the rituals with Nandini get finish." Mura patted on Durdhara's shoulder being amused with her childlike gestures, then looked at Helena. "I know you are eager to perform these rituals; I am so glad to see you getting accustomed with our customs so fast, and also your eagerness of being involved in everything."
"Of course Rajmata. I find all these rituals very interesting. And I always have a special interest on Indian culture." Helena told with a sweet eagerness.
"Don't call me Rajmata Helena; it's too formal."Mura told with an enchanting smile. "You are like my daughter. Call me Maa, okay?" She looked at Chandra. "Okay, Chandra... Take your seat and follow the priest's order."
Chandragupta took sit beside an unmindful Nandini and with the priest's order put his palm on her palm. With a sudden shock Nandini looked at him. His eyes met her eyes, he gazed at her eyes for a moment- perhaps to examine the change in her glare, then removed his eyes. Nandini could not. In the seraphic atmosphere of the pujastal, the holy smoke of the fire, the candles and joss-sticks, and Chandragupta's lowered eyes shining in the divine ray of the flame... Nandini felt herself lost in the divine aura surrounding Chandragupta. The young man seems to be completely drowned in his prayer, glowing in a strange gleam of purity in this ethereal environment, as if he is not an ordinary man... he is a divine deity, fallen from heaven... How can a man of blood and flesh, who is not less than a blood-thirsty slaughter in war-field, have such a divine aura surrounding him?
The ritual was finished, the other rituals conducted with Helena and Durdhara was finished too. Then a long boring ordinary day started, and the imprisoned life of the former princess of Magadh started too... She lied on the bed in her vast room vacantly, while the guards keeping an eye on her each activities all the time, and she was trying to think something constructive... She was trying to think how to get rid of this situation, how to save her family from Chandragupta's prison, and also how to step ahead carefully to fulfil her unfulfilled revenge from the murderer of her father... but she was unable to think anything about it. Only the face of Chandragupta was flashing in her mind, and she could not help but to think about him. His devoted face in front of the holy fire, his calm and benevolent style of speaking, his icy rock personality all are very much unique. Unique and extraordinary... It is really difficult to believe that this man is evil! That this man can do any wrong! It's not easy to hate him... It's not easy to be calm and unmoved while maintaining a revengeful mentality against him...
Nandini does see the things around her. They have their impact on her. But again her anger and vengeful mentality clouds her judgement. It will take a great deal of goodness and patience from Chandragupt's side to shake off this upbringing of Nandini. This girl is at such a disadvantage both genetically and by upbringing. I sincerely hope Chandra's goodness rubs off to her,
Just at the moment that horrible scene flashed in front of her eyes... Her father's slashed body; and Chandragupta's vicious eyes gleaming in the thirst of blood!!
Nandini closed her eyes and sighed with all her strength out. No matter how great Chandragupta maybe, truth is he is the slaughter of her father! And this truth will not going to be altered by any other truth ever! While taking the vows of marriage she had taken an oath of lifelong revenge, and that she is going to fulfil in her whole life...
She is highly conflicted. She keeps on reliving the same scenes again and again. She allows her wounds to keep on festering. She is not willing to allow them to heal. I feel really sorry for the girl. For her Hell is nothing but the Other; and that Other is none other than Chandragupt!
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
