ARYAVARTA

chapter 3

Veer and Pandu roamed the market of Hastinapur in disguise. The market was flooded with people as after some days it will be sivaratri The shops were decorated in order to attract the customers children were running around without minding their surroundings He saw a woman with a child arguing in front of a stall From her attire he understood that she is a widow Veer and Pandu walked towards them
" Please I will pay you afterwards
My child hasn't eaten anything please show mercy to me" said the woman
" I am sorry but I can't I too have a family I have to feed them too" replied the vendor

" What's the problem " vendor and lady look towards the direction they saw 2 young men walking towards the shop
" it's none of your business" replied the vendor
" Do you know to whom " veer raised his hands stopping Pandu from completing the sentence
" I don't have enough money to buy the food i asked him for a credit but he denied my son hasn't eaten anything from yesterday" the lady cried

" I will pay for you my lady"
" Thank you God bless you"

Veer turned towards vendor and asked the price
"1 gold coin and 20 copper "
"Isn't price too high common people won't be able to afford such high price"
" I know but what can I do we all have to pay the new tax "
" What tax?"
" You are not from here ?"
" Me and my brother are travelers from Chedi "
" I see. The priest has increased the temple tax for some new construction, I don't know why we have to pay since we aren't even allowed to enter that region and the ones who are allowed hasn't has to pay"

Veer payed the amount and left but the words of the vendor stuck with him he always believed that the biggest offering to god is to lead a good life and helping each other . But here in the name of God poor people are suffering making them to become selfish and not caring about others

Veer and Pandu reached near a border village They saw a large group of men standing together from the looks of it Veer understand that the village head is conducting a trail so he walked towards the arena .He was shocked to see the accuse it was a 6 year old boy .The boy was very frightened and his mother was crying and his father was begging for mercy.The scene shattered Veer's heart

" What is happening here " asked veer everyone turned towards him
" Who are you young man can't you see a trail is conducting " said the village head
" But why is this boy accused what crime did this child commited "
" This low cast worm pollute my well " said a brahmin
" How did he polluted your well brahmin dev"
" He drink water from my well now I can't use it for anything "
" I was thirsty I won't repeat it I promise" cried the boy

The boy looked towards veer .veer just looked at the boy and his heart broked seeing the fear in his eyes

" He is a child he was thirsty I don't see any point in conducting this trail He only drink water from the well he didn't mix anything He has every right to drink that water like every other high caste people " everyone gasped hearing this

" Stop it , low borns are not allowed to drink water from high borns it's the tradition this boy will be punished for this 20 beatings with iron rod and if next time anyone do these I will drown him in that well itself whatever your age is .And you young man leave this village now " said the village head

Veer was fuming with anger after hearing the verdict he know that the boy won't be able to bear those beatings but before he could do or say anything Pandu dragged him away from those people

" Leave me Pandu"
" What are you doing brother we are near the borders don't create a scene "
" Pandu he is just a boy they are going to kill him he won't be able to bear those beatings"
" You can't do anything that boy broke the law he break tradition he has to suffer , come on brother no one can change the tradition"

Veer saw the dispersing villagers He saw some men dragging the kid away from his mother

' I will , I will change this tradition" veer murmured to himself

After some days they reached kuntiboj On traveling he saw the plights and sufferings of low borns caused in the name of tradition . This made his resolve to change the tradition more strong

It was Shivaratri when they reached kuntiboj . During sivaratri the temple was opened to everyone no matter what your caste is

Pandu and Veer entered the temple After offering their prayers they were about to leave when they heard the announcement to move aside as the royal family was coming

He saw a girl with dark blue eyes in a red saree walking towards the temple carrying the offerings to the god

He was mesmerized by her beauty for a second she tilt her head towards his direction .He offered a smile to her but he was surprised when she returned his gesture with a beautiful smile

" Who is she " asked veer to a man standing beside him
" She is daughter of king shurasena KUNTI "

" KUNTI" whispered Veerdath