Rukmini walked up the steps, with excitement and fear in every step. Outwardly she was confident, but inwardly, anxiety had hit her. She did not know how she would escape. Suddenly she doubted her own master plan. Would they be able to escape Shishupal and Samrat Jarasandha? What about her brothers? What about her parents? What would come of them? How would Bhrata Arjun escape? What would happen after they ran away? Would Kaundinyapuram be in trouble?
All the doubts that had been suppressed started coming out as she climbed. She almost faultered her step and lost her balance only to be held on time by Kanika.
'Shree! Are you alright?', she asked.
'Kanike! Thank you! I don't know how I lost my balance.', Rukmini replied, holding her hand to her chest to stop panting out of anxiety. She breathed to calm herself down.
'Shree! I know. Don't explain, all those doubts have started creeping back to your mind. But I am sure Shyam will handle everything. Just don't worry!', assured Kanika.
Reassured by her words, Rukmini smiled at her gratefully and before she knew it, reached atop the temple. The temple basked in the golden hues of the morning sun, its marble complex gleaming for the hope of a new tomorrow. Dew-kissed petals of the flowers in the garden beside the temple glistened like precious jewels. There were lush green Kadamba Trees adorning the temple complex, making it shine in a simplistic grandeur amidst natural beauty. Just a mere glance at the temple gave her all the ammunition to overcome the butterflies in her stomach.
She smiled in hope and turned around. All the guards that followed her, lined up from the base of the steps to the top till the entrance of the temple. They were not just lined up, but had filled the steps completely. There was absolutely no space. And far below, at the base, were her family and citizens of Kaundinyapuram. The whole of Vidarbha had come at one place. And right behind them stood Jarasandha, his armies, the armies of Kaundinyapur and Chhedi and was lead by Rukmi. It was an ocean of people. Sighing, she asked all the guards to wait outside, while she and Kanika proceeded to go towards the inner chambers of the temple.
The way to the inner chambers of the temple felt sacred. Every step she placed towards the temple, filled her with enthusiasm, something that she had felt before, but not to this extent. She surprisingly felt a drizzle of fresh air that caressed her cheeks, in the hot summer. Every corner of the temple was brimming with positivity, increasing her hope with every minute passing.
'Kanika, would you mind stopping here and let me go in alone inside? I want to savour this moment!', she said, stopping.
'Oh, thank you so much for saying that. I wanted to do that myself. Offer your prayers, meet Shyam and run away from the back entrance. Nobody knows of this back entrance.', said Kanika. Rukmini nodded at her gratefully and walked into the temple.
The temple was beautifully decorated with flowers, making the air fragrant and fresh. As she walked in, her favourite, Mother Ambika, glistened in all her glory as she sat, on the ferocious lion, her arms studded with jewelled weapons like the conch, the trishul, the chakra, the bow and arrow, the kamandalu, the axe and the sickle. Her pleasant face shone, reassuring Rukmini that her desire would be fulfilled. There was another Brahmana there, waiting for her along with a few other materials, who handed over the materials, saluted to her and left the place.
Rukmini sat down at the feet of the idol of her favourite goddess and placed the plate she held at her feet. She first washed the feet of Mother Ambika with a pot of water already present at the temple. She took the conch and blew it and the pious sound rang all the way to the Mantapam below, shaking the will of Shishupal a little. He did not know how to take it, but it caused some fear in him. Even Jarasandha for a second trembled. After that, she went on to perform the Arati with the lamp she had and finally she proceeded to place the hibiscus flowers at the feet of the Mother, and prayed fervently,
YOU ARE READING
Krishna! - Part 2
Historical FictionRukmini constantly dreams of Krishna and has made up her mind to wed him. But will her brother Rukmi allow it? Would she be able to wed the man of her dreams amidst schemes of Kings like Shishupala and Jarasandha?
