Friendship in Epics

The world knows them as the Trinity of Hinduism. Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. They create, preserve and destroy together. Opposite in beliefs yet their respect and friendship are immense. At Shiva's wedding, Brahma becomes the priest, and Vishnu is his brother-in-law for the rituals. Time and again they stand together to save the world. Time and again Vishnu tries to calm Shiva's Rudraroop. Brahma is cursed by Shiva for being vain but that does not make them enemies. Their better halves, Parvati, Laxmi and Saraswati too are often regarded as sisters such was their friendship.

He left his own brother to join the man who wanted to save his wife. He gave him secret news of the skills from his home side, and in return he was grateful, such was his dedication towards their friendship that he asked his friend to use Brahmastra to kill his own son in the wars. In return, after the war, he was made king by the man who saved his wife. They were Vivishana and Shree Ram. Such was their friendship that Vivishana sacrificed the life of his own son in Rama's hands. Sometimes friendship is made out of deals. Rama helped Sugriva kill Bali, in return he got an army of monkeys to attack Lanka, and thus began his friendship with Sugriva.

The Queen of Lanka knew the price she had to pay for her husband's sins. Yet, she became friends with his captive Princess of Janaka Nagar. She stood by the Princess through her difficult time and supported her against her husband's will. Although like a daughter, this Princess told her tales of the life of the Jungle. She was in awe of this beautiful princess who knew so much. They were Mandodari and Sita, foes turned friends. They cried and stayed together throughout the epic battle.

The Prince of Hastinapur watched his Guru humiliate their Charioteer's son. The Ambitious Young Teenager, slightly older than them all has come to seek knowledge of the weapons. He was a self-taught Archer. He had challenged the Prince's cousin to a duel when their Guru interrupted. The Prince who knew archery and his Guru were too vain to display their skills in a fight with a Suta Putra. The Suta Putra was adamant to prove that he was better than the Kshatriya prince. His ambition and high dreams impressed the Prince of Hastinapur. He went up to the insulted Archer who was fuming with rage.
" What is your name?"
" Vasusena sir." He stood up. Tensed. He bowed to the Prince.
" No, no, don't bow to me, you are a great archer, warriors never bow." Suyodhan held his hand.
" Thank you for your appreciation, I am honoured that you saw beyond my Suta lineage."
" Call me Suyodhan, Mitra!"
" Mitra?"
" Why not? Come with me to the Palace, and I will arrange for your lessons."
The Suta Putra hugged the prince in joy. His tears were not stopping. He had roamed from Guru to Guru and Royal to Royal waiting for his chance and this Prince came as an angel to him. Thus at an early teenager, these two started the greatest of friendships the world witnessed. Suyodhan stood with him against the world and Vasusena with his friend. Suyodhan's urge made his Grandfather send Vasusena to Parasurama who alone accepted Suta students. He learnt the use of Ashtra and Sastra. He came back stronger and again asked for a duel which went undecided. Suyodhan made him king of Anga, to uplift his status as a King. At Drupad Nagar, when the Princess was insulting Vasusena for coming to a Swayambhar despite his Suta lineage, Suyodhan without any thought protested. Time and again they stood beside each other, in their own Dharma and Adharma. Such great was the friendship that even after knowing that he was going to fight against his own Half Brothers, Vasusena did not leave his friend's side, he was the power on which his friend decided to fight wars. Today the world knows them as Daanveer Karna and Duryodhan, the greatest warrior, and the greatest of villains.

She met him at her wedding preparations. He was called on by her father for advice. She was a princess and he was the greatest politician. He knew what lay ahead, she trusted him blindly. When the world played with her dignity, He stood by her when her own husbands stood shameful and speechless. He supported her and prepared her for the worst. He was there whenever she was in trouble and she needed his help. Even when she lost her children and father and brother in the war for her husband's throne, he was there to console her. He made her believe in the greater good. She was the cause of his tears. She was the reason that could fulfil his purpose of life on earth. He was Vishnu, She, his Laxmi. They were Vasudeva Krishna and Panchali Draupadi. The greatest friendship that could exist between a man and a woman.

All friendships are different, some purposeful some innocent, some seeking help, others helping, yet each one is as important and dedicated as the others. These are the few examples of respect, support, and helpful friends we find in our Mythology and yes, even today their friendship is cherished and remembered and used as examples of great friendships.

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The Queen of Mewar

There have been many versions, folktales and local stories in Rajputana on their Kings and Queens. None of these versions is, however, historical as history only mentions her as wife to Maharana Pratap, his consort and Queen Mother to Amar Singh. She was busy making a garland when Ratnawati rushed inside, hardly able to breathe. Concerned, the elder sister stopped her work and looked at her panting young sibling. " What is it? What's wrong?" "Jija maa sa is not letting me go to the haat mela alone. Please come with me, I need to buy some bangles." The spoiled younger one pleaded. " Wait, let me do my aarti first, then we can go." The reluctant Ratnawati sat down impatiently. In another room, their mother was helping their father get ready for the day. He was the Samant of Bijolia, the representative of the Rana of Mewar. Throughout the day he had to deal with administrative problems in Bijolia and give people justice, but today he had something...

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