Chapter 4 :The saviours have come
Three days had passed. Seeta had settled down amicably with the forest-dwellers and her sisters. Together they have managed to bring back the rhythm of normal life. Her sister after learning her decision refused to leave her alone and return back to royal comforts. We won't let you have the fruits of virtuous doings all for yourself including blessings of the great Brahmarshi! They teasingly voiced, you have to share with us."
Seeta had smiled complacently at their antics. She knew in her heart that no matter how afraid or vulnerable they felt,they would never leave her behind alone. At that moment she was the proudest elder sister in the entire world.
The place where the hermits took refuge was one of Brahmarshi's bolthole. Siddhashram, it was named. Nobody knew its exact location. Surrounded by tall mountains from all sides except east this tiny valley was practically invisible. On the east, river Trambakosh springs from a staggering height of 600ft to a dark chasm forming a magnificent waterfall. The force of water hitting the rock surface at the bottom created a shroud of mist that hovered over the valley practically hiding it from plain sight. The sun loved to play hide and seek with this serene, grassy, flower-covered meadow.
Such breath taking beautiful and peaceful location would make any person feel safe. Yet the villagers couldnot just let their fears go. Air was thick with apprehension of attack on any moment, the fear of death was apparant on everyone's face. Seeta and her sisters tried their best to lift their broken spirits and get their minds off such depressing thoughts. As they nursed the wounded, fed the hungry, and played with the terrified children,they mended the heart of those suffering people with hope and courage .
Their spirit restored, the hermits decided to light up their ritual fire here and sing vedic verses in the morning inspite of all harrowing trials. Life began to fall back in its normal fabric. Still brahmarshi did not return. Then one afternoon, just as seeta sung the children to sleep, Uddath came flying.
''Raj nandini ! Hail to thee! Rishi vishwamitra is back.''
''Oh. Thank Lord! Did he bring with him an army as he had promised?''
''Army?'' Uddath stopped for a moment. '' No, I didn't see any. But I must say you, Devi, he was mightily pleased when I saw him. Perhaps he has found a way to get rid of those savages from this sacred land.
''Without soldiers?'' Seeta stared at him. How nonsensical that could be !
''Yes, he is a great man, princess. Perhaps gods have shared secret mantra with him to drive the Rakshashas away."
Somehow, seeta didn't feel that convinced.
She gathered her sisters dutifully and together they approached rishi vishwamitra to pay respect and make their presence known. If vishwamitra was surprised at the sudden appearances of princesses, beautiful like forest nymphs in his ascetic abode his calm inscrutable face betrayed nothing.
Brahmarshi really looked relaxed and at peace. As if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. As if he had already done his work, now it was time to sit back quietly and watch.The sisters touched His Holiness's feet, exchanged pleasantries and after few moments of confused silence, decided to leave. Seeta however decided dally a little longer.
Rishi Vishwamitra sat ramrod straight on sukhashana,his eyes on distant horizon, his mind immersed in thoughts. At first he didnt even notice Seeta's hesitant lingering.She seemed restless with lots of unanswered queries. Feeling the great sage's eye on her Seeta nervously joined her palms together.
''I beg your pardon, maharshi for disturbing you.''
''No my dear...tell me what is disturbing you.''
''Gurudev! My uncle has returned to Mithila to bring back a large army to help you fight with the Rakshashas. He would come back within a few days. I hope he could actively help you with your quest against Rakshashas.''
Vishwamitra led out a laughter. ''I do not need an army any more, dear. I already have one with me.''
Seeta was thoroughly surprised.
''You already have an army?''
''Army ? No. Saviors? Yes.
What puzzle was that. Vishwamitra looked at her and spoke complacently, ''I have with me two mighty warriors, O daughter of janak, the most valiant and skilled of this era. Although I would not say they are fully prepared. They are still learning. Under my tutelage they would become than enough to destroy this sorry band of savages.''
In the meanwhile urmila came to call Seeta as they were getting things prepared for evening meal. She heard the end part of the conversation and thought, ''Two men against an army of Rakshashas ? Isn't that unimaginable !''. And she thought that quite aloud. Seeta winced. Urmila had a peculiar knack for upsetting things ! Unfortunately, Vishwamitra heard her too.
His voiced boomed, ''Ofcourse it would be an unimaginable feat for any ordinary warrior. But the men I have chosen for this mission are extraordinary too. They are the best among the khsatriya caste. They only lack experience and certain trainings which I am about to provide.Imagine when I will offer them the knowledge of divine weaponry, train them further skills of divine warfare.'' Maharshi went on with feverish restlessness,'' They are unstoppable now, they would be invincible then.They are exceptional and it's time world knows about them.''
Seeta felt brahmarshi was no more talking to them. He was in a state of frenzied ecstacy. His brain was furiously working with all the ideas he had for his chosen ones. He just needed an outlet to pour everything out of his head. There was strange gleam in his eyes. She decided to leave him with his thoughts and was about to take leave. Bur Vishwamitra hardly noticed that. Like a man in trance he droned on,
''They hailed from a distinguished royal family. They are descendants of Raghu, sons of Koshala king Dasharatha, O daughters of Janak.''
Seeta felt extremely lightheaded for a moment, as if everything was spinning in front of her eyes. She felt urmila jumped behind her.
Brahmarishi chose that moment to turn and face them. The girls felt as if his searing gaze pierced through their bodies and looked straight into their hearts. Urmila gulped nervously and held Seeta's hand.
''The princes have decided to camp on the steep slope of the hill above the falls. Seeta's eyes involuntarily fell upon the colossal wall of waters and glided towards the peak. Maharshi continued, ''they felt it is a perfect spot to keep eye upon the whole area. Detect unusual activity.''
Vishwamitra singled Seeta particularly and said, ''They are royal born like you, Princess. Will you be kind enough to send some of your attendants to look after their necessities? Ofcourse they are acquainted with physical hardships...but they are my guests here. Do I ask too much if I request you to take personal care of their food and comfort ?''
Seeta nodded in compliance. The two Videha princess walked out of Brahmarshi's cottage as if in a dream.
Urmila was 1st to break the silence. ''Jyeyaa, the Koshala princes are here ! Can you believe it !''
''So what, urmila ? Didnt you hear, they have unmatched talent and skill to fight Rakshasas.''
''Jyeyaa do you remember our conversation regarding your dream? Who knows,Jyeyaa your dream prince might be one of them.'' Urmila was already feeling thrilled with the prospect.
''Now don't get carried away by your fanciful dreams, Urmila'', her sister gently chastised,'' We have foods to prepare.''
But no matter how much she fought for control, Seeta couldn't calm her mind. Or tame her eyes. They behaved as if they had grown a mind of their own and wandered continuously to that ever flowing cascade. Its thundering crash reverberated inside her own heart. . The ladle slipped thrice from her sweaty palm during cooking, almost injuring her once.Her sisters never saw her that distracted. Mandavi was alarmed, Urmila pleasantly amused.
That night Seeta couldnot sleep. After tossing and turning several times she gave up the pretense and came out of the modest hut. The moon was in her waning phase. Pale moonlight gave the whole area an eerie outlook. Everything was quiet except for the deafening roar of falling volumes of water.
She lighted a reed torch and went near the stream. Wasn't that a strange whim of nature, after creating such ruckus high up the hill, the river flowed calm and idly through the valley. Her own mind had become tumultuous like the waterfalls. She sat down on the bank and sprinkled some cold water on her face. For some reason she felt extremely warm and breathless. Sitting on the bank, her eyes went searching again on the fountain head.This time she detected a hint of fire.
Perhaps the Koshala princes had camped there. A sense of giddiness overcame her. She strained her eyes to see more. But it was too dark and far away to see anything.
She sighed and returned back to her stuffy pricky bed of rushes.
''Jyeyaa where have you been so long? I was worried for you.''She woke up urmila too.
Seeta turned to face her and opened her mouth to utter some soothing assurance. But urmila spoke 1st.
''Something big is going to happen, jyeyaa, something life changing. I feel it in my blood. Do you feel it too?''
This time seeta couldn't chide her younger sister.she nodded in darkness and closed her eyes.
High up in the mountain, a young man detected a tiny spot of light moving towards the fountain bed at unusual hour of night. He grew alert instanly. It was his hour of watch. He had just sent his tired brother to sleep. They were taking turns to keep watch upon the village. He took time to train his eyes in dark and then looked closely. A woman! She had a fire torch in her hand. The youth frowned. Perhaps that was one of ashram dwellers, wife or daughter of some hermit. But something caught his eye. He looked again. Something was gleaming in fire on her head. Jewels ! A noble woman in the hermitage? Or was she an imposter?
The youth waited.But nothing suspicious happened. She sat still for long time and then got up gracefully and walked towards a hut. What on earth was a noble woman doing in this terrorized land. He took mental note of asking this to his younger brother. He apparently had much more knowledge about the happenings in the village.
**************
''Jyeyaa wake up!'' Urmila was trying to rouse Seeta with vigorous shakes, ''I have a great idea''.
Oh Hari no ! Seeta thought groggily, Urmila's morning plans were always senseless.
''Let's go up the hill and meet the mysterious princes. That way our curiosity would be appeased and this restlessness of yours will go away. what say ?''
Seeta's eyes flew open and she sat up with a start.''Urmila do you even know what you are saying?''
''What's wrong in it?'' She pouted.
''Apart from being totally inappropriate? The rock is too steep to climb.''
''Jyeyaa don't fool me'', Urmila rolled her eyes. ''we have climbed thousands of cliffs all our lives. You have literally forced us to do that. Now it is your turn to taste your medicine, Jyeyaa.'' She slapped her back benignly and smirked.
''Urmila, plz I am already enough unsettled, I don't even know why ! don't make me go more insane! ''
''Jyeyaa for once in your life, act impulsively.'' Urmila felt a pang of conscience when she thought she might be pushing her celestial sister to do something immoral. But then she overruled it. Clearly these men were not ordinary. Even maharshi vouched for that. So why tie themselves with ordinary protocols ?
''Remember what Gurumata Gargi once said?'' Urmila's eyes sparkled with heartfelt earnestness. ''Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary measures.This is one such. Please jyeyaa, don't just let it pass.''
A pleasant tingle passed through her.Urmila saw her elder sister's protests were crumbling. She needed one final push.
''And you are not going alone. We all shall accompany you. As always.''
What ! All 4 of you? What excuse are you going to give to Mandavi and Shrutkirti?''
As if on cue, the cousins entered smiling. They had gathered basket full of purple wildflowers and now sat down to decorate their hairs with them. Mandavi started tending Seeta's long thick mane with an wooden comb.
''What are you discussing with such seriousness?''
Urmila dropped the bomb. ''We have decided to climb the trail that goes to the top of the waterfalls.''
''What !'',Shrutkirti shrieked? ''That cliff? That is impossible to climb.''
''Dnt be a ninny, Kirti! It's not that hard. The princes are climbing that all the time.'' As soon as words escaped her mouth, Urmila bit her lips.
Mandavi was very fast. ''Prince? What prince? Oh you mean the princes who accompanied Brahmarshi Vishwamitra?''
''Good lord ! Are we going up to meet them.'' Kirti's eyes almost popped out of their socket. She stood up in excitement. ''Oh ! what are we going to wear ?Hey wait ! Isn't that highly improper? Who's going to announce us?'',she blabbered on rapidly, ''Surely we won't introduce ourselves. They would think us uncultured and ill mannered.''
''Aah to hell with your courtly etiquette!'' Urmila raised her voice to stop her, ''They are not some random men, get that? Even brahmarshi has so much respect for them. He thinks 2 of them are enough to finish an army of Rakshashas. So they must be someone exceptional. Surely, we can make exception for them. Moreover we are not going up to gape at them. We would thank them for coming to save the hermits and bid them Good luck for their mission. That is all.
Now can we leave? The trail is very steep and it would be better if we start early.''
Seeta got up and without any word started putting on her sturdy mountain shoes. Urmila sighed in relief and pushed her cousins signalling them to hurry up.Yes ! They were going.
*********
''Can I have one information please''. Kirti spoke breathlessly.They had been on the trail since morning. Infact they didn't followed the thin path, they took some strenuous shortcuts too. Now they were exhausted,thirsty and short of breath and the peak way no way near.
''Are these great princes of Ayodhya even good-looking?'' All other sisters looked up at her shocked.
''What I am asking are they worth this pain ? Shrutkirti clarified as she countered their glares with her quick wit.
Urmila face broke into a mischievous grin. ''Well, as far as their looks are concerned Kirti, I am sorry I have no idea. Seeta jyeyaa thinks since they are so distinguished it is immaterial how they look. More over if dreams ever come true, one of them is bound to be the proud owner of a handsome stallion.''
''A horse ?'' Kirti looked horrified. But Mandavi shushed her.''What dream ? Jyeyaa are you hiding something for us ?''
Seeta sighed in resignation. ''Urmila since you have created this uproar do the honor and finish this nonsense.''
Urmila was only too glad. She hugged Mandavi by her shoulder and began, ''Oh that's nothing serious Mandavi. Jyeyaa often sees a horse in her dream. Infact she thinks last time she saw its rider too. You remember the horse she nursed back to life, a few months back. We think it is possible that the horse traders went to Ayodhya.''
''And you think one of these illustrated princes might be him ?'' Mandavi concluded as she slyly wriggled her eyebrows.
''After all these hardwork,we are going to see a horse? Are you really insane?'' Kirti was nearly in tears. Urmila and Mandavi hugged each other as they laughed madly.
A clamp of evergreen trees stood on their way. As soon as they they walked past it, they were on the top.Apart from a deserted tent and few burnt logs nothing was there. The sister looked around.
''There they are, I guess''. Mandavi pointed down.
There were indeed some activities going on the other side of the waterfalls, on a rugged terrain. The princes seemed to take lessons from their master and listening to his instructions with deep concentration. From such staggering distance they looked more miniatures than actual human beings. Moreover their back was turned to them. It was impossible to figure out how they looked.
''See now our efforts went in vain. we neither saw the horse or the princes,'' Kirti grumbled.
The princesses descended slowly through that rough trail. They stopped for a while to cool their heels beside a serene blue lake. Seeta urged them repeatedly to get up and make haste. They were already late, the villagers might be waiting for them to start cooking their midday meal. But the sisters were too tired to comply.
''Urmila, isnt it wonderful that Seeta Jyeyaa always cares too much for others ? How can someone be so selfless all the time, I wonder !'' Mandavi pelted a stone at the lake.
''Who says, I am selfless, Mandavi?'' Seeta smiled affectionately. ''I do everything out of love. And you know what is the most promising reward of working out of love? The more you give away, the more it is returned back to you.''
''Yes,'' Urmila cut in, ''for example you showed selfless love and compassion to an injured horse. Now it is expected to love u back in form of its fair rider.'' Seeta's cheek burned crimson. She was appalled to see all of them glancing slyly at her. Mandavi and urmila laughed so much tears rolled out of their eyes.
When they reached the village, it was nearly the time of midday meal. In their absence Seeta's chief maid in waiting supervised cooking. They were just in time to serve foods to the sages.
Seeta packed the meals for the princes in decorated earthen pots neatly and called for the sevak, attending the princes. Apparently he was occupied in some other chores. His son, a precocious child of 8 took Seeta to the place where 3 large warhorses were tied. ''Wait here, princess ! One of them would surely come down soon. They often waited on brahmarshi during his resting hours.''
But seeta hardly heard him. Her eyes were fixed upon a particular silvery white horse.
''Abhra ! Is that you ? Dear Vishnu! Is that really you my friend?''
She rushed to it atonce and touched it hesitantly. The horse neighed gently and nudged her playfully. It had recognized her ! Seeta felt her heart rattling so loud,that it couldbe heard from miles away.
''So you got well, just as I thought ! And got a home too.'' Her heart swelled inside her chest. She was feeling incredibly happy for her friend.
''Kind and foresighted would be the man who have chosen you his companion. Is he one of the Koshala princes, Abhra ?'',She whispered in its ears gently stroking its white mane. ''Why do you come in my dreams, friend? Can you take me to him ?''
''Excuse me ! O lady, has our horse troubled you?'' A resonating male voice brought her back to earth.
She startled and turned back and found herself staring into a pair questioning eyes of an extremely wellbuilt youth.
No,I am sorry ! she faltered,''is this horse yours?''
'' Yes it is ours...''
Although the youth was fair and devastatingly goodlooking, he didnot look like the man who appeared in her dreams. Seeta felt her spirits falling.
''...more particularly my elder brother's. He has practically spoilt it with excess love.''
Oh ! he has a brother. The hopes soared again.
By then, the young man had observed her minutely. She was obviously not one of the villagers or ashramites. Taking in her simple but elegant clothes and ornaments, he could not help asking what on God's name she was doing in this land of terrors.
''Forgive my curiosity, O noble lady, why are here? do you not know it is not particularly safe now to visit this place. Those barbaric Rakshashas can strike any moment !And how is this horse familiar to you.
''Oh the horse traders from Arvashan were passing through my country.'' Seeta gladly filled in. She couldnt just let the thrill of hope go. Hope that the horse's owner might be the man she dreamt.Hope that he might live upto her expectation. '' I met this stallion there. It was sick then. I am so glad it is well now and has found his purpose in life. What more glorious could be the life of a horse than be the lifelong companion of a brave and compassionate man.''
For a few moment the youth stood spellbound staring at her with utmost awe and admiration. Then he beamed at warmly, '' very well said, Devi !''
Seeta suddenly remember she she kept the pots of food for the princes somewhere under the tree. She quickly retrived them and carried them to the young man.
''I have brought food for the Koshala princes. They have done a great service, accepting the responsibility to protect these frightened people. Maharshi has asked me to take special care of them. Have you come with them ?''
Oh please hand me those bowls, kind lady ! I am sorry, I should have noticed earlier. Let me introduce myself. I am one of the princes you are assigned to take care of, Devi.'' Seeta had already guessed that part, she greeted him with a polite namastey. He smiled adorably, '' I am Laksman, descendant of Raghu, son of King Dasharatha.'' He greeted her back, ''I am here with my elder brother Rama, the crown prince of Ayodhya.''
''Your elder brother ?''
''Yes, that horse, it is his beloved friend. He is the bravest,gentlest, kindest man you would ever meet. His thinking, his compassion, his sense of justice is unparalleled.''
Unquestioned affection and dedication for his brother was oozing out from each word he used to describe him.
Seeta couldnot stop commenting, ''Looks like you love him the most in your life.''
''Well there is really no choice. He is such a loveable person.'' His voice grew thick, ''We are inseparable since birth. Once you get to see him,I promise u would instantly fall in love. Everyone does that.''
Seeta looked aside as a pleasant tingling sensation overpowered her and heat crept into her face turning her cheeks scarlet. Lakshman looked at her surprised. Did I say something ! Then it hit him. Oh he was speaking to a young maiden, and his words definitely suggested double entendre ! ''I am sorry'', he stuttered,'' I didn't mean to...''
Seeta couldnt help liking him. Even with such towering height and muscular stature, he was so gentle, nice and boyish. And quite immature too. He just got carried away.Subtly she changed the subject.
''I have come with my sisters here to serve Rishi Vishwamitra and take care of the villagers. We would be grateful if we could be any service of you. If you need anything please let the attendant know...or you may ask for me directly. Ask anyone for Seeta, princess of Mithila and I would know. I wish you goodluck for you mission. May both of you return home safe and victorious''. She smiled sincerely,''Adieu, prince Lakhsman.''
And she turned her heel to leave.
But looked like laksman didnot hear her farewell at all. He stood stupefied, his eyes wide with disbelief.
''Wait. He called her. ''Did you say Seeta ? As in Seeta, the princess of Videha ?''
"Yes,'' she turned to face him, ''but why are you so surprised?''
Laksman shook his head in disbelief.
''You exist ? I mean in reality ? You are not a fairy-tale ?''
''I am sorry I cannot apprehend your words.''
''Did you nurse that horse? What that piece of cloth we found tied on horse's knee, yours ?''To say he was overjoyed would be an understatement. Lakshman was too ecstatic to stop and let her talk. He wanted to jump and dance in joy or hug his brother and show him what he had found. Unfortunately he could do neither of them ! Instead words poured on from him like frenzied floodwaters. Seeta gazed at him wide eyed in confusion. What exactly happened to make him such elated ?
''Oh how silly of me. Ofcourse it was yours. It has the same motif painted like the one you are wearing now. Oh by Brahma! I think I will go mad. Oh why didn't you tell first ! I could have...'',then he narrowed his eyes and paused at last. ''Can I invite you to come uphill with me? Please ? I think my brother would be greatly pleased to meet a wonderful lady as you.'' He had the look of an adorable young boy pleading for more suger candies !
''Oh I went uphill today, rather we all went to wish you luck and thank for coming.''
''You came ?'' He shrieked. ''Oh where were we?''
''You were on the other side of the valley with brahmarshi.
''Ohh! What bad timing.'' He groaned in frustration and kicked a shrub. ''Can you come again, please?''
''I am sorry but I can't come alone.I mean with you alone...without chaperone to meet another ... you know it is against protocol.'''' Seeta felt extremely bad to put him down.But she had to inspite of her traitorous heart urging her to go. ''I am extremely sorry. I do not wish to offend you or your brother...but I can't.''
Laxman's face fell.He felt like a rebuked school boy.He hung his head in shame and uttered in a low voice, ''Devi, ofcourse. I understand. Ofcourse it is highly inappropriate. I should not have asked you first place. It was only that ... Anyway, I hope you would meet with my brother one day... now that both of you are here.Infact I cant wait to relate all this to him !'' Then he remembered the claypots he was still holding,''I take your leave, Devi ! My brother must be waiting for me and the food is getting cold.'' And with a gracious bow, he was gone.
I hope to meet your elder brother too, Prince of Ayodya ! Seeta said inwardly as she watched him ride uphill with practiced ease.
Infact she couldnt wait to meet the handsome, kind compassionate crown prince of Koshala, the brother Lakshman spoke so highly of!
[to be continued...]
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
