𝙉𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞

●Chapter 13● An oath ●

Silence prevailed in the court as the inhabitants heard the words of the Agnikanya. Such cruel words for someone so young. A terrific promise which was given amongst them weighed them down as they begin to think about its consequence.

Some tried to shrug it off and called the promise as bluff. But deep down everyone knew the truth. They knew she was not bluffing. They knew Niyathi is meant for great things. Her name will be forever etched in the pages of history. Whether it will for her cruelty, defiance, kindness or for her sheer determination, but she will not be forgotten by the people.

She will be immortalized.

As she saw the silence prevailing she started again, "Then what was your question? Hah! Who will marry me was it? Who will marry a girl who practices weaponry?"

She said mockingly and laughed in the end. She stopped laughing and looked at them with a scathing look.

She said, "That's my issue and my families issue. Whether I marry someone, or remain unmarried or become a widow is none of your concern. You all have no say in it. I think my father also thinks the same. Isn't it right father?"

She looked straight at Drupad's eye and asked. Drupad didn't utter a word. He neither agreed nor denied her claim. Seeing that her father won't answer her question she continued her talk.

"I do not want a husband who honours me as a queen, if he does not love me as a women. And I know Respect is the greatest form of love. If I don't get that what is the use of me being married?"

And what did you all say? That we woman are meant for what? To remain in home and take care of kitchen and their family. Then get this thing clearly in your minds. If we have the ability to give birth to a life then we can take a life too. If we can bear the pain of labour during child birth I think the wounds from the battle are nothing for us. I don't know one thing, you all pray to Ma Parvati, Ma Saraswathi and Ma Lakshmi for protection, knowledge and wealth but you can't respect the woman of your household? Wow! Just wow! Shame on your beliefs! Shame on your traditions which restrict woman! But I am not going to be like that. I am the daughter of Agnidev! His very essence flows in my veins! And let me tell you no one in this Sabha can stop me from pursuing my dream!"

As she finished her talk. The courtiers find were filled with doubt and confusion. There beliefs and traditions are being called out by the girl in front of them. They didn't know whether to accept their fault or deny it. Niyathi surely had planted a seed of doubt in their mind.

Drupad saw these and understood that the situation is going put of his hands. He signaled his trusted Minister Devdutt, and asked them to go with their plan.

Devdutt approached Niyathi slowly. He too was scared but his male ego couldn't bear it and he appeared to be nonchalant about it. He addresses the raging daughter of Agnidev and said in a sugar coated voice.

"We all accept your answer Rajkumari. We also wish that your dream comes true. We all will be so proud if you are trained by some renowned Guru and it will be beneficial for our kingdom. But there is an slight issue Rajkumari."

She raised her eyebrows and asked him, "What might that be Minister Devdutt?"

He replied sweetly, "What if you are not accepted by any guru of Aryavart? What if you are rejected by every guru you approach? You see Rajkumari, it's not a matter of your pride but also the pride of our kingdom. Even if the Maharaj asks us not to reveal anything regarding your journey, it may come out. Remember Rajkumari the truth can be hidden only for a certain period of time, it is bound to be revealed at some point in our life."

Niyathi knew something was fishy behind his words. She knew it had to do something with her father's plan to stop her from going to Gurukul. Nevertheless she gave him a chance to challenge her decision.

She asked the Minister, "Please don't beat around the bush Minister Devdutt. Come to point quickly. What do you want me to do?"

The Minister grinned widely and said, "I have a perfect solution for the problem Rajkumari. We will give you an option regarding your Gurukul Rajkumari. And you have to abide by it."

She gave him an amused smile hearing the last sentence.

'Does he think I will stand by his word? How delusional he is?'

Nevertheless she gave him the benefit of doubt. She raised her eyebrow and asked him, "And the said option is?"

Devdutt took a deep breath and sought acceptance from the King and said loudly, "Either you remain here and continue your weapons training or..."

He gulped down seeing the cold look on Niyathi's face.

"Or you shouldn't enter Panchala until you find a guru and finish your training."

The sabha was once again silent but by Devdutt's condition this time.

Many courtiers murmured their agreements to this. Though some were reluctant to let this injustice happen. They were already impressed by Niyathi, they had seen the determination in her eyes. But this condition made them worried.

Drupad who saw this commotion smirked internally. He knew Niyathi would never leave Panchala as long as people she loved remain here. The thought to never see them would have scared her. Surely she would back off.

He looked at his daughter who was deep in thoughts. Then their eyes met. Till then Niyathi's showed uncertainty but now it showed her sheer determination.

And Drupad knew the decision was made.

Niyathi took a small dagger which was hidden under her clothes. This action drew the attention of the courtiers who were curious to know the Rajkumari's decision. They were so sure that she would chose the former.

She looked in Drupad's eye and slice the dagger swiftly on her right palm. The courtiers gaped seeing her action but Niyathi didn't even flinch while doing this.

She slowly went near the burning torches and let the blood trickle down her fingers to the fire.

She stared at the fire and announced loudly, "I, Rajkumari Niyathi, the youngest Princess of Panchala, the spiritual daughter of Agnidev, daughter of Maharaj Drupad is taking an oath in front of you!"

The sabha thundered with her words. The fire in the torches not one the one she was holding but the others also started blazing. Everyone present there was astonished seeing the things unfolding before them. They never expected the Princess to take this extreme decision.

Niyathi voice reverberated in the silent walls of the court, "My father is one of the purest in the world, in front of him I am taking this oath. As long as the sun rises, as long as the rivers flows, as long I breath, I will not give up my dream! Till my last breath I will strive hard for it! If at all I fail to get a guru who will teach me wholeheartedly without looking out for any personal reasons and passes down his knowledge to me..."

They anticipated her words. They feared it. Another oath. Oaths were never a good thing in Aryavart. Hastinapur's peace was destroyed by Bhisma's oath. Now they didn't know the result of their Rajkumari's oath.

"I will not enter Panchala. This is my oath."

And finally an oath was made which sealed Niyathi's fate.

Whether it is good or bad only time will tell....

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Another chapter. Another Drama.

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Ramsri
xx