After performing the final rites of Vichitraveerya, Bhishm along with Satyavati, Ambika, Ambalika and Kripacharya were returning back to the city. They were accompanied by some ministers and priests.
As they made their way through the streets of Nagasaharya, the air was even more heavy with grief and despair, the king's family felt the weight of their sorrow intensify.
The citizens, filled with worry and fear, had gathered in the city square to confront them. The crowd buzzed with anxious energy, their grief mingling with anger and frustration. The chariots halted, unable to move further due to the crowd.
"Aho durbhagya !"
"Duhaai ho !"
Voices rose in unison, an outpouring of grievances.
"Mahamahim, ab humari raksha kaun karega ?"
"Jis Hastinapur Rajya par mahantam se mahantam Raja aakraman karne se bhayebhit hota tha, aaj uss rajya ke nivasiyo ko tucch chor pratarit kar rahe hai !"
"Humare dhan aur praan ki raksha kya ab koi nahi kar sakta ?"
"Yadi Rajdhaani mei choro ka aisa atank hai toh seema par stith gaavo ki dasha sochiye."
The once safe haven of the kingdom had become a breeding ground for criminal activities as it's structures crumbled, and despair swept through every household.
"Adharm ke karan varsha nahi ho rahi, humare khet ujad rahe hai !"
"Bhoomi sookh rahi hai, upaj karna asambhav ho raha hai, Mahamahim !"
"Mahamahim, kya yahi Hastinapur ka patan hai ?"
Tears streamed down the faces of the citizens as they pleaded for protection, their voices trembling with desperation.
"Shaant !" Bhishm said raising his hand, "Aapke Raja ki mrityu huyi hai, shok dikhane ke sthaan par aap apna niji dukh jata rahe hai ?" He said in frustration.
"Mahamahim, shaant." Kripacharya whispered to him.
He then looked at the crowd and addressed them with joined hands, "Rajmata aur Maharaniya humare saath hai, kripiya maarg dijiye. Hum aap sabhi ko aashwasit karte hai ki hum awashya Hastinapur ko iss durgati se ubhaarenge. Hume keval samaye aur vishwas dijiye."
His words resonated with sincerity as he acknowledged the citizens' pain and anguish. The people longed to find solace but doubted that the fragile Kuru family could provide the protection they sought. They had seen what had happened with Chitrangad and now with Vichitraveerya.
Reluctantly, yet with a sense of respect, the citizens gradually parted, allowing the mourning family to pass. The weight of their doubts still clung to their hearts, but a sense of compassion for the bereaved queens compelled the people to grant them passage.
-------
The palace of Hastinapur was engulfed in darkness, much like the fate of the kingdom. The unfortunate Satyavati was grieving and had become miserable for she had lost both her sons.
But what plagued her mind now was the faces of the citizens, who were afflicted by theives and bandits. Their words were ringing in her ears. The wife of Shantanu knew that she did not have time to mourn anymore now.
"Dasi, Mahamahim ko yaha aane ko kaho." She told a maid.
Soon Bhishm came, and touched her feet seeking her blessings. Satyavati held his face and placed a kiss on his head. She felt guilty today, because if it had not been for her father's demand, Hastinapur would not be in such a precarious situation now.
As the eldest son of Shantanu, Bhishm was the natural heir to the throne, but the kingdom's good fortune had been thwarted by her father for her sake.
"Putra, ab param-yashashvi Maharaj Shantanu ke pind, unki kirti aur unka vansh, sab tum par aashrit hai. Tum kabhi dharm se vimukh nahi ho sakte. Tumhe sabhi shaashtra, Ved aur Vedango ka gyaan hai. Toh ab kya tum mera kaha ek karya karoge ?" Satyavati asked.
"Kya Mata ?" Bhishm looked at her uncertainly.
"Vichitraveerya tumhara Bhai tha, aur tum usse atyant prem karte the. Uska toh swargvas hogaya, parantu uski patniya santaan sukh se vanchit rehne ke karan atyant dukhi hai. Tum.... Tum unhe putra pradaan kardo Bhishm... Yeh Dharm karya kardo. Fir swayam ko Hastinapur ke singhasan par sthaapit kar, Bharato ki bhumi par raaj karo. Dharm ke anusaar, vivah karlo, aur apne purvajo ko nark ki agni se bacha lo." Satyavati said.
Bhishm had always been obedient to her, even more so after Shantanu's death. Satyavati thought that she could convince him, but this time Gangeya shook his head in exaperation.
He replied, "Aap ne jo kaha, woh awashya dharm-sangat hai. Parantu Maine aajeevan Brahmacharya ka pran liya hai Mata. Hastinapur ke singhasan par na baithne ka vachan diya hai maine. Mai trilok ka raaj thukra sakta hu, mai Indrasan thukra sakta hu, parantu apna pran aur apna vachan nahi tod sakta."
"Parantu Bhishm, uss samaye ki sthiti kuch aur thi aur ab paristhiti kuch aur hai. Hastinapur mei arajakta aajayegi." Satyavati persuaded.
"Mata, prithvi apna gandh chhod sakti hai, jal apna ras chhod sakta hai, prakaash apne vibhinn roop chhod sakta hai, vayu sparsh ke gun ka tyaag kar sakta hai, Surya apne tej ka, agni apne taap ka, aakash shabd ka, chandrama sheetalta ka, Indra apna parakram chhod sakte hai, Dharmraj dharm ki upeksha kar sakte hai, parantu mai apne pran ka tyaag nahi kar sakta."
Satyavati sighed, "Toh koi aisa upaaye batao, jisse dharm ki haani bhi na ho aur Maharaj Shantanu ka vansh bhi nasht na ho."
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A/N
Aapda aayi hai sar pe, RAJYA PE AAPDA AAYI HAI !
Lekin Bhishm ko swadharm ki padi hai, Rajvanshi hoke bhi he's never thinking about upholding Raj-dharm~
It seems like he doesn't know ki jab rashtra pe Sankat ata hai toh swadharm ka tyaag kar, rashtra hit mei karya karna chahiye 🙃
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HARIHARESHWARI 14 : CHANDRA CHAYAYAM SINGHASANAM
Historical FictionThe stage is set for another leela of Bhagwaan Vishnu, where all the gods and goddesses play a significant role. Now starts the saga where heartbreaking curses, graceful boons and divine mercy combine to write a history to be remembered through the...
