HARIHARESHWARI 14 : CHANDRA CHAYAYAM SINGHASANAM

CHAPTER 32

"Kya mantra se vastavikta mei kisi bhi devta ko bulaya jaa sakta hai ?" A girl in her early teens thought out loud. She was none other than Pritha, daughter of Shurasen, adopted by Kuntibhoj.

She, who was famous in the kingdom as Kunti, had served Rishi Durvasa with all her heart and patience, when the revered sage graced the kingdom with his presence and expressed his desire to sojourn in the King's palace, the disciplined and soft spoken princess wholeheartedly dedicated herself to his service.

But it was not an easy task, for Rishi Durvasa, in his enigmatic ways, would occasionally test her resolve by throwing tantrums and presenting her with arduous requests. Yet, undeterred by these trials, Kunti remained composed and resolute, going above and beyond to fulfill each demand to the best of her abilities. Even if the he censured her, found fault with her or spoke unpleasant words, Pritha never did anything that displeased him.

Impressed by her unwavering humility and unyielding spirit, Rishi Durvasa, as if guided by the hand of destiny, bestowed upon her a divine mantra. This sacred incantation held the power to summon any deity and grant her the boon of bearing a child from their divine essence.

Durvasa had said that when she invokes any god with this mantra, whether willing or unwilling, that god will be under her control, pacified by the mantra, and will be like her servant.

Today, before the break of dawn, Kunti found herself unable to resist the allure of the mantra. The weight of anticipation hung in the air since she had arisen from her slumber, her mind consumed by thoughts of the mystical words that had been entrusted to her.

Intrigued and filled with a burning curiosity, Kunti pondered the true power of this mantra while lying on her bed. Would it truly beckon forth a celestial being? The allure of the unknown gripped her heart, overpowering any trepidation that may have lingered within her.

As Kunti's mind paced restlessly within the confines of the room, her gaze fixated upon the majestic sight of the sun ascending into the sky. In this solitary moment, she realized that a more opportune occasion would not present itself.

Determined, she ventured onto the balcony, closing her eyes and clasping her hands together. With unwavering resolve and mind fixed on Suryadev, she commenced the recitation of the sacred mantra, her voice resonating with fervor and intensity.

Suddenly, to her utter astonishment, the mighty God, materialized before her. Initially, Kunti struggled to comprehend the sheer brilliance of his form. It was only after he gave her the divine sight, she was able to look at him. Even then his presence was overwhelming, and Kunti could hardly believe her eyes.

With his mastery of yoga, he effortlessly split himself into two entities. While one blazed through the heavens, the other materialized before Kunti, leaving her in awe of his extraordinary abilities.

His complexion gleamed like golden honey, radiating a mesmerizing aura. His arms were powerful, exuding an air of invincibility. His neck resembled the graceful curve of a conch shell, adding to his regal presence. Adorned with bracelets on his upper arms and a majestic diadem, he truly appeared like a divine being.

The smiling Suryadev said, "Shubhey, mantra se badhya ho mai yaha aya hu. Mai tumhare aadhin hu, Rajkumari. Batao, tumhara kaunsa karya karu ? Mai wahi karunga jo tum kahogi."

The intensity of the moment rendered her speechless, as if time had stood still.

"Bhagwan, aap jaha se aaye hai wahi laut jaaye. Maine aapko apni jigyasa se bulaya tha. Prabhu, mujh par kripa kariye." Kunti said with joined hands.

"Bhadrey, jaisa tum keh rahi ho uss anusaar mai chala toh jayunga. Parantu, kisi devta ka darshan vyarth nahi jaa sakta. Iss liye mantra ka fal swikar karo." Suryadev said.

Kunti's eyes widened. The fruit of the mantra was begetting a son. This shouldn't be happening, she thought to herself. Afterall, it's only been a few months since she had gotten her menses, and she was also unmarried !

Extending his arms Surya said, "Swayam ko mujhe arpit kardo, Prithey."

Overwhelmed by fear, Kunti took a hesitant step back, her eyes reflecting her terror. She vigorously shook her head, denying the reality before her, causing the sun god himself to furrow his brow. He was aware of her hesitance but couldn't help it, because he was bound by the power of that mantra.

"Kunti, tumse samagam kar mai punah laut jayunga, parantu yadi tum mera kaha nahi maanogi, toh krodh mei mai tumhe, uss Brahman ko aur tumhare Pita ko bhi shraap dedunga ! Tumhare karan mai sabhi ko bhasm kardunga, visheshkar tumhare Pita ko jo tumhare iss kritya ko nahi jaante aur Durvasa ko jisne bina tumhara sheel aur sadachaar dekhe hi tumhe mantra ka gyaan de diya !" Suryadev said angrily.

He glanced at the heavens for a moment, and clenched his fists. He looked back at the frightened girl and said, "Devraj ke saath sabhi devta, yeh dekh ke muskura rahe hai ki tumne kis prakaar mujhe chhala hai. Jo Divya drishti maine tumhe di hai, usse dekho ! Dekho unn devtao ko !"

Kunti then saw the thirty gods, all
stationed in the sky in their respective places, as resplendent and beautiful as the great and dazzling Aditya. On seeing them, the girl was overcome with shame.

Terrified she said, "Dev, aap apne vimaan par baith laut jayiye. Mai ek Kumari kanya hu. Iss bhumi par, apne tan ki mariyada ki raksha karna, stree ka sarvoch dharm hai. O Vibhavasu, maine toh mantra ki shakti parakhne hetu aapka awahan kiya tha. Ek anjaan balika ki bhul samajh, mujhe kshama kar de !"

"Tum balika ho iss liye tumse itna nivedan kar raha hu. Dusri koi stree, iss avsar ko praapt nahi kar sakti. Tum apna tan mujhe arpan kardo, iss hi mei sabka hit hai." Suryadev said.

He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and calming himself. The one in front of him was a child, a girl as delicate as an unbloomed lotus, he knew that. Yet, the weight of that mantra held him captive, its power undeniable. He found himself trapped, devoid of any choice or escape.

Suryadev said, "Kunti, mai mantra ki shakti se badhya hu. Yadi mai chala jaayu, toh sansaar mujh par hasega. Sabhi devta mera uphaas udayenge. Sabke drishti ke samaksh mai nindaniya ho jayunga. Iss liye shubhey, mere saath samaagam karo. Tumhe mere hi samaan putra praapt hoga, isme koi sandeh nahi."

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A/N

You know Kunti was just around 13-14, when she accidentally summoned Suryadev. She was a literal child, who had just gotten her menses (after Durvasa Rishi had given her the mantra).

Still she is thinking about dharma and mariyada.

And bechaare Suryadev is also bound and can't help much.