A Journey To Discover Life

Parikshit has returned triumphant from the hunting expedition. He came to his Grandfather and sought his blessings.  "Pranipat. I have returned triumphant, and as per your instructions, I met with Maharshi Jaimini and sought advice."  " What did he say, Putra?" " He was pleased to know my idea on rewriting and reviving the lost Gyan of the Vedas." " God Bless You, my child, at this age, you talk more gravely than we, reminds me of your father."  Adhirathi Arjuna's face grew sad at the memory of his son.  " Go see your Mother. She is waiting."  In the Andarmahal, Queen Uttara sat surrounded by her mothers-in-law and maids. The gossip was about the marriage of the Prince. Uttara had asked the elders to look for a bride. She wanted to do away with her duties towards her family. Thirty-three-year-old Queen Uttara was feeling old. She had now spent most of her life alone in the crowded palace. She wanted to be free and engage herself in ...

The Prince was born in Dwarka. He grew up at his Uncle's place, learning the art of weapons from him. He proved a worthy heir to the warrior prince. Wherever he went, he was praised for his archery skills. People said he inherited it from his father, the son of Indra. He also learned to use the Mace and Sword. When he was fifteen, news arrived that his father's exile was over, and he had decided to marry his son to the princess of Matsya. His mother was pleased. The grand wedding followed the preparations for the battle. What excited him most was meeting his father, uncles, Rajmaata Panchali and his cousins for the first time. The young prince spent a few months in the Matsya capital of Viratnagar with his new bride. A few months later... at Kurukshetra... The Battlefield was getting ready. It was the Twelfth Night of the battle, waiting for the Thirteenth day. Bheema Sena had killed twenty of the Kauravas the day before, and he was content. The Pandavas were making battle plan...

We have all heard of the famous immortals of Hindu Mythology. Hanuman to Vyas Dev to Ashwathama. The  Immortals of Hindu mythology  are called  Chiranjibi,  meaning "one who lives forever". However, it is in Hinduism itself that it is mentioned that no mortal body can be immortal; they pass on after a certain time on earth. Even Brahma is not free from this cycle. His earthly body collapses. Then who are immortals? What does it mean? First, let's start with the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar. Brahma, the creator, resides in the minds of all creators. Scientists, Mothers, artists, everyone is a part of Brahma. He who creates. Brahma is immortal through every creation on earth. Vishnu is the protector and preserver. He resides in every mortal. They protect their families, their morals, and their cultures. All reflect the aspects of Vishnu. Hence, it is the common belief that Vishnu resides in all mortals. Hence, we touch our feet or Pranipat our elders to worshi...

This is part of the "Uttara Series", which you will find under the Mahabharata. The series is also available on Wattpad. She was clad in white attire. Her churamani and jewellery were all taken away. She sat numbly in front of his dead body for a whole day, pregnant with his heir, looking at his face as though he was asleep. He had told her more than once that this day could come and that she had to protect their heir. He feared her future without him. That one day turned the fifteen-year-old  Princess of Matsya  into an aged lady. She became quiet and aloof. Her only concern now was her baby. Her baby wiggled in her womb. She remembered him saying,    " I will always be with you." All she wanted now was a son like his father. But she knew all Hastinapur wanted was an heir to the throne. The war had ended five days after his death, and they were back in the palace of Hastinapur victorious. She, for the first time, entered her real in-laws' home, but without him....

This is an excerpt tale from the Ramayana I had retold in 2014, on my Facebook notes page, and hence thought of resharing here with you all, an excerpt close to my heart! Ram was known for following the rules. Sita, for questioning the age-old traditions. Ram followed Dharma above all, and Sita followed her Heart. They were different. Yet, they were two parts of one soul, destined to be together and apart, like a sea and its shores. It was an age-old tradition to practice polygamy in the Royal Families. Ayodhya was no different. Raja Dasaratha himself had three main queens. Most Kings had many. No one ever questioned it. It was never believed to be wrong for a man to have many wives if he could take responsibility. But Rajkumari Sita was not just anybody. She had questioned him. The Valmiki Ramayana describes a scene where one morning, when they were sitting in the aangan of the Ranimahal of Ayodhya, feeding her favourite pigeons, Sita, the newly arrived teenage bride, Rama was discove...

It was the thirteenth day of the war. Bhadro Amavashya of the Year. The wives of all the warriors were up before dawn performing pujas for their husbands' well-being. Panchali, Subhadra, and Uttara lead them to the Shiva temples to pray to the god of destruction. Before the god, the Queens and wives placed their offerings and prayed for the well-being of their husbands and children. By the end of the day, some more will become widows. Some more will never come back to their families. The thought scared them. Today, Uttara was happy. Her baby moved. She could feel it. She rushed to her husband and saw him tired and asleep. She watched him sleep until Panchali called her for prayers. When they got back, it was almost dawn, and the horses and soldiers were getting ready again. Uttara searched for her husband and found him waiting for her at their tent. He was dressed for the day in armour, holding his sword. They smiled at each other as she put vermilion on his sword and forehead. ...

She knew him as Brihannala, her dance teacher. She learned the skills of graceful dancing from him. He turned out to be Arjun, the greatest of warriors. She still could not believe that the lady who did her mother's makeup was, in fact, Samragni Draupadi. Her twin brother Uttar was quite excited to know that Maharathi Arjun would teach him archery at their palace. She was sitting in the Palace Gardens with her brother when a guard came in. " Princess of Matsya, your father has called you to the Chambers. It is urgent." Both the twins made their way to the chambers where their parents sat with the Pandavas. Their father announced to "  It was a pleasure having you people at the Palace of Matsya. I proposed the marriage of my daughter to Maharathi Arjun. He accepted it for his son. Next week, we will send a letter to Dwarka asking Vasudeva to arrive with the groom and Subhadra ."She was surprised. Marriage to her teacher's son? Who was he? She sat in her chamb...