Samyukta 1&2-Dharam and Veer-Story so far

OSR~Samyukta~.::Dharam and Veer::.

A historical tale...of brotherhood…of love...and of ideals

I have dedicated this story to the name Samyukta which signifies togetherness, unison and interdependance. This story is set in 13th century Northern India. It is a story of two cousin brothers - one royal, the son of the ruling monarch (Dharam) and other one brought up as a royal (Veer). The story is no doubt about the trials and tribulations that the brothers face, about their ideals, their relationships and their circumstances - However, the underlying message of the story being that unity is victory!

Hence named - Samyukta of Dharam and Veer

Hundreds of years ago, in about the 13th century AD; there were independent peaceful clusters of cities situated towards the Northern boundaries of the Indian subcontinent. These cities governed by local chieftains, were primarily inhabited by Shramiks; the very name reflecting their class and livelihood (Shramik = worker) The arid climate signified that the society's economy depended principally on metallurgical, sculpting and constructional skill trading, in exchange for spices, grains and cotton.

Eventually, the harmony of these clans was threatened with constant invasions by more powerful neighbouring kingdoms. One such powerful kingdom ruled by a dynasty called the Aryavarts (derived from the word Arya-noble i.e. people who considered themselves Aryan descendants) were successful in asserting their power over a large area. Time and again, rebellious chieftans were ousted and one large kingdom was formed – the kingdom of Aryanagar; with its capital, the city of Aryanagar.

Originally, what seemed to be a genuine attempt at maintaining unity within the Shramiks and organizing trade, helped to maintain a brief consistency in the economy. However, one after the other; as monarchs became increasingly indulgent in royal pleasures, they raised taxes on the commoners and gradually usurped even their basic rights. Shramiks were reduced to no more than slaves used in construction of lavish structures. This gave rise to blind hope in the form of folklore amidst the Shramiks about the arrival of a saviour or a messiah to rescue them from eternal bondage.

The 15th century saw the crowning of an underachieving monarch Aryavardhan, who was a mere puppet at the hands of his vindictive older brother Jaivardhan. Aryvardhan was controversially chosen for the throne due to a fall out between Jaivardhan and the assembly nobles when they questioned him about the escalating brutality in his governance.

The torturous rule led to the immediate thwarting of mounting pockets of resistance by disgruntled Shramiks. One such brave rebel leader Mahadev was brutally murdered in front of the entire city to see, including his pregnant wife, Pari and young daughter, Sakshi.

Few days later, during an eve of royal family celebration with the monarchs' firstborns Dharam (son of Aryavardhan) and Agnivardhan (son of Jaivardhan); a soothsayer approached Jaivardhan to reveal a dark vision. He uncovered his fears about the birth of a Shramik child that would be capable of bringing an end to the menacing rule of the Aryavart lineage. To ensure that the words of the soothsayer were never proved true, the vicious Jaivardhan covertly ordered the death of all Shramik newborns to take place during the middle of the night.

Trying to flee from the cruel havoc caused in the cities and villages, Mahadev's wife, Pari; was one of the many mothers who tried to escape with her two children that night. The long winding pursuit took her to the powerful Aryavart temple of Shankarnath. Fearing for the safety of her children, the desperate mother offered her child at the Lord's feet, crying out to him to protect her son and the Shramiks from the torturous regime. However, the hastening soldiers left the grieving mother with little choice but to place the baby in a flower basket and let go of it in the river nearby. Unable to give up her brother, the tearful young Sakshi follows the course of the basket along the banks of the river, not minding the calls of her worried mother.

At a considerable distance away in the same river, the widowed sister of Aryavardhan and Jaivardhan, Nivritti; stood defeated as she drowned her miscarried infant in the cold water. Having lost her two sons, husband and her kingdom to rival fractions, she decided to end her woeful lonely life along with her baby in the strong currents. As she waddled lifelessly in chin-deep water, a basket gushing through the water caught her attention. As fate would have it, she grabbed on to it and was shocked to find it cradling a healthy new born baby, wailing aloud. In a frenzy of deprived maternal emotions, she hugged the baby tearfully, wanting to claim it as her own.

The puzzled sister observing this spectacle from the other end of the bank felt a wave of inexplicable relief, as she saw her brother subjected to luxuries and emotions that she was never fortunate enough to be blessed with.

Suddenly distracted by the distraught cries of her maid servant Sunanda, the horrified Nivritti decided to rush back towards the bank, with the bundle of joy and the new responsibility in her arms. After rescuing and reprimanding her mistress for worrying her family and palace residents, the shocked maid; Sunanda noticed the Shramik child in Nivritti's hand. The desperate Nivritti then took an oath from her alarmed maid, ordering her to maintain the secrecy of her child's origin.Thus began the fateful pledge of an Aryavart mother that would change the course of history of the Aryavart dynasty.

Introduced to the relieved family as Nivritti's own, the baby is then officially named in a formal ceremony as Veervardhan i.e. Veer.

As the months go by, scenes of Veer holding the little finger of Dharam while taking his first steps, agni hiding a saddened Dharam's toys and Veer pleading innocence to all mischief; echo laughters of joy in the palace rooms. The princes grow up to be the apple of their parent's eyes enjoying all comforts of the palace, while the life of the Shramiks outside is anything but. Veer's Shramik family are reduced to catching a few glimpses of him growing up, as the young royals are rarely allowed to step out of the royal gardens.

As they approach their sixth year, the princes are sent to the Ashram of the revered sage Brahmadatta to gain knowledge in all aspects of politics, language, literature, war, art and religion. Dharam, true to his name and upbringing; excels in politics and shastras, thus displaying stiff competition to Agni and all other fellow Gurukul members in lessons and scriptures. Veer on the other hand grows to be rebellious, consequentially suffering punishment many a time at the hands of his Guruji. However, his unsurpassed courage and intelligent instincts on the play-fields make him a fiercely competitive warrior, leaving even his tutors amazed. Dharam and Veer remain inseparable and supplement each other's weaknesses when and wherever necessary. Much to the dismay of Agni, the brothers grow up to become incredibly protective and fiercely defensive of the other. They also strike friendship with a fellow Aryvart noble's son, Balaram i.e. Bhalla.

On the day of their departure from the ashram, their tutor blesses them to be together for ever and to take their kingdom to greater heights – one like Shri Ram, following promises and duties and the other like Lord Krishna, fighting for the right cause.

The three princes come home to a royal welcome and celebration, where the onlookers include Veer's jubilant Shramik family. They spend their initial days in fun and frolic, occasionally joined by Bhalla too; where their games and adventures chiefly include competing with and distressing Agni and his disgruntled group of friends. In this process, many-a-time they end up undoing the propaganda of the irked king, having to consequentially make up for all of it. Their shielded and spoilt youth results in the fact that they hardly pay second thoughts to the immoral happenings in the kingdom around them. Many months pass by in such frisky mischief, until one fine day, one of their pursuits; bursts their bubble and leads them a few steps closer to reality...

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This is an outline of the family and the characters (for those who dont follow the serial)

Characters of Dharam Veer

Dharmavardhan (Dharam) – Dashing, handsome, matured, patient, obedient, responsible, truthful, a perfect gentleman proud of his lineage. He is a very good fighter, but duty always comes before anything else for this true prince. Of traditional beliefs, he believes that a well-organized class system works for the betterment of society.

Veervardhan (Veer) – Vivacious, naughty, adorable, brave, short-tempered, adventurous, impatient, impulsive, protective, emotional and a courageous prince, who has no qualms about questioning authority; if the situation demanded it. He is an excellent fighter but tends to use his heart over his head on some occassions. He admires simplicity, even though his bringing up was in a royal household.

Aryavardhan – The king of Aryanagar! Though not cruel at heart and always seeking to set an ideal organized society, he is weak and always depends on his older brother to make his decisions for him. He blindly trusts his older brother in the running of the empire, thus unable to be an independent strong ruler.

Jaivardhan (Jai)– Extremely ambitious, evil and a hateful monarch, jealous of his younger brother's accession to the throne. He is cruel to the Shramiks, greedy for power and protective of his son. He would go to any lengths to achieve what he sets out to.

Agnivardhan (Agni) – Jealous of Dharam and Veer's friendship and popularity, the son of Jaivardhan doesn't think very different from his father. He is as cruel, if not more than his father. He lacks any conscience about committing every crime that would lead to the destruction of Dharam and Veer, and lead to his succession to the throne.

Nivritti – She fears for Veer day and night, as she is aware that if the truth of his birth is known to her brothers; they would destroy him in no time. A loving and caring mother to Veer, with great respect for Dharam too.

Swathi - Of traditional beliefs, Swathi is affectionate towards her family and an ideal queen for Aryanagar. A good friend to Nivritti, she manages both her affairs and her family with equal ease.

The original family of Veer -

Mahadev – The Shramik father of Veer – a rebel leader, killed in his youth

Pari – The Shramik mother of Veer who is very protective of her children. She doesn't want Veer's origin to be known to anyone, in fear of the fact that he might be killed by the Aryavarts, once revealed.

Sakshi – The shramik sister of Veer, who is as rebellious, independant and short tempered as he is.