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.

Jauhar: All You Need to Know

“We have no Knowledge of the beginning and end of the world, the first and last of this ancient book has fallen out” Abu Talib Karim Rightly said by the poet laureate of Emperor Shah Jahan above, we do not actually know the beginning and end of anything in the universe, be it the traditions, culture or human race, or the world. What we know are fragments of the past we extract out of evidence. It is in vain to try and determine the first and last of something. For the past few months owing to some media hype on Jauhar, many of you had asked me questions. I tried to answer most of them. However, a lot remained unsaid and unwritten. Mostly because some things are impossible to put into words. But here I try my best. Today is a very significant day in history. On the 23 rd of February 1568, the world saw the last “Jauhar” of Chittorgarh, recorded in the medieval history of India. Akbar had invaded Mewar and the siege of four months ended in the Saka. There was no better day for...

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...

The Warrior Bride

Kelwa/Kailwa is a small village situated around two hours away from Chittorgarh and an hour from Lake Pichola. It was mainly inhabited by the Rathores and ruled by the Chundawat clan, who were once the rulers of Mewar. One chief of Kelwa, was Rawat Sihaji Singh Chundawat. He was a very close ally of Rana Sanga. His son Jaga Singhji too died fighting for Rana Udai Singhji in one war with the Afghans in 1555 AD. Kelwa’s heir was the minor child of Jaga Singhji and his widow Sajjan Bai Songara Chauhan. Being from the clan of the Chauhan Rajputs, she was a warrior at heart. From the early age of about four, her only son was brought up under his uncle Naga Singhji, to fight for his motherland and serve it like all other Mewaris. Fatta (Patta), as fondly called by everyone was a deft warrior even before he reached his teens. His name and bravery spread across the land, to Rana Udai Singh’s ears in Chittorgarh. He was also the nephew to Ranaji’s close aide Rawat Chundawatji. Upon the order of...

Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love. ❤️ Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to re...

Teeja Saka Chittor Ra

23rd February 1568. The sun rose on the eastern horizon, not with the hope of a new day. But, with the horror of what was to follow. The first rays of the Sun God were met by the chants of “Jai Bhavani!” that echoed in the air of Chittorgarh. The Mewaris knew it was time. Four months back, when the Mughals camped at the base of the fort, a helpless Chittorgarh had watched. Rana Udai Singh had left with his closest aides to make the new city westwards, his capital. If rumours were to be believed, he had left behind a cavalry of 8000 soldiers, under Rao Jaimal of Merta and Rawat Patta of Kelwa to look over the fort. He had also left behind some of his lesser queens and infant princes, as an assurance to the people that Chittorgarh was invincible. Their safety and hope had lived in Kunwar Pratap. Truth be said, they had already taken the crown Prince as their King. Ever since Ranisa had left with him till he became the Senapati, he had time and again proved to be a better lead...

The Queen Mother of Mewar

Let me start by saying, this is a representation of history and folklore in my own words, trying to show how great a soul this lady was. And let me start with a line here. “Naari Ki Balidaano Ko Sadev Bhulta Aya hai Itihas.” Yes, most women lay forgotten in the pages of history, only alive through the folklore and local tales that fail to reach the pages of books due to a lack of historical evidence. Their names don’t remain, but their haunting hand prints on the fort walls before Jauhar, their names on inscriptions as daughter, wife and mother, often make us wonder, who were they, how were they and how were their lives! Historically, the only thing we know about Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, princess of Jallore and queen of Mewar is that she was the first queen of Rana Udai Singh II, the mother of most probably her only son Maharana Pratap and daughter of ally of Rana Sanga, Akshay Raj of Jallore. Apart from that her entire life has no historical existence and is spun on ...

Kalbhoj: The Legend of Bappa Rawal

The Historical fiction is woven mainly from folklore from James Todd's semi-historical book. However, a very vague historical presence is found in Bhojraj the first king of Mewar. The year was 713AD. The Maurya decedents, Moris ruled over the Chitrakut area of west Rajasthan. The areas around Chitrakoot were ruled by many small Chieftains. One of them was Rawal Mahendra II a Guhilot descendent. (The decendent of Guha and Nagaditya) As most power struggles suggest, one of his ministers betrayed and killed him and made himself Rawal. Once, Kalbhoj was in the forests near Nagda close to the borders of the Solanki ruler, looking after his herds. The youngest Solankhini princess was out in the forest playing with her Sakhis. They were making failed attempts to make a Jhula on a banyan tree. Kalbhoj was watching them try when one of the Sakhis spotted him. Witty and charming he always grabbed everyone's attention. Mahendra II had two wives, his first being a Paramara princess from Mt...

The Princess of Marwar

Historically we know nothing about Phool Bai Rathore except that she was the daughter of Ram Singh Rathore, granddaughter of Raja Maldeo Rathore and fifth wife of Maharana Pratap. There is no historical evidence of Akbar's alliance with her in particular however Maldeo did give his granddaughters in a marriage alliance with Mughals and other major dynasties. Phool Kanwar's cousin Maanwati Bai (Better known as Jodha Bai or Jagat Gossain) married Salim, Akbar's son and later emperor Jahangir. The Princess was in her chambers. The Mehrgarh Fort was in a quiet dark state and everyone feared what lay ahead. The men of the Rathore clan had gone to ally with the Mughal emperor Akbar. Rao Maldeo had decided that it was the only way to save Marwar's future. His second son Udai and youngest one Chandrasen supported his decision to save the country. But his heir and firstborn Ram Singh Rathore was a rebel. He was not going to bow down before the Mughals and lose his dignity. A...

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came back...

Maa Durga: Weapons and Iconography

Mythology: Origin story & Chandi Path The Srimat Devi Bhagawatam , also known as the Devi Puran, a sub-Purana attributed to Shiva Mahapurana depicts the story of the “birth” and achievement of Devi Durga. The word Durga and related terms appear in the Vedic literature, such as in the Rigveda hymns 4.28, 5.34, 8.27, 8.47, 8.93 and 10.127, and in sections 10.1 and 12.4 of the Atharvaveda. A deity named Durge appears in section 10.1. 7 of the Taittiriya Aranyaka . But the most famous depiction detailed in mythology about the goddess comes from thirteen chapters of the Devi Mahatmya of Markandeya Purana . It is also famously known as the Chandi Path which is majorly referred to by the Bengalis for Durga Pujo. Though the Chandi Path starts from Madhu and Kaitava’s birth from Vishnu’s sleeping body and finally being slayed, we will focus on the story of Durga. Parvati’s association with this particular form of iconography comes from the story of Shumbha and Nishumbha, two A...

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