The Lord's Son

He was dark and handsome. A younger reflection of his father some said. A valiant warrior since his teens. His skills with the bow arrow and spear were second to none. His warrior skills were trained by his father the Lord himself. His birth was to kill a demon that tortured the people and drove the Devas away from Indralok. He was the eldest son travelling all over Aryavarta to spread his father's teachings from north to south. His peacock was his best friend away from home and he stayed in southern cities away from his home at Mt. Kailash to spread the worship of the lord. He led the devas to war against the Asuras and killed Taraka, the demon who had the boon to be killed by the Lord's son. He won the war and the gods urged him to be their leader. His father however gave him the task of spreading knowledge to the south and restored Indra as the King of gods. As he went south the insecure Indra send his daughter as a spy behind him to make sure he never had the plan to overthrow the leader. He instructed his daughter " Devasena, Travel south in disguise and befriend him, make sure not to reveal Your true Identity. He wanted to be the leader of the Gods and will not befriend my daughter. Stay close to him and know his moves. Keep informing me about them." "But why Father? He will not do anything against his father's wish. " "Do as I say, I command you!" She followed him through the journey, in disguise. He on one hand killed a deer for sports but gave the meat of the same deer away to hungry children. She was mesmerized by his handsome figure, generous heart and archery skills. She followed him into cities and villages and heard him speak wisdom to sages and common people. She followed him to Princess Meenakshi's palace and stayed as a maid. He was alone with his peacock in the gardens resting when he asked for water. She walked up to him and their eyes met. " I have seen you somewhere o lady in waiting...where I cannot relate..."

" I don't know my lord."

" Please call me Murugan. Everyone calls me that here."

"And what do they call you at home?"

" Home... My mother named me Kartikeya..."

" You must miss home a lot."

" I do... what is your name? you don't look from down south"

"I am from the East, my lord."

"Not Lord again! That's what they call my father."

"Ohh!! " They shared a laugh. From the palace window, the Princess saw and smiled. That night she called on Sena and asked " You love him don't you? "

" Who , My Lady?"

" Murugan. Devasena..."

Shocked she stepped back. How did the princess know who she was? Will she be punished?

" Don't worry I did not inform him that you are Indra's daughter. But I will have to inform your father that you chose a husband."

" But how did you...??"

" A princess always recognises another."

Back in Mt. Kailash Indra stood with his hands folded before Murugan's Parents. The Lord and Devi were pleased with the proposal. Indra on the other hand... this is the last thing he wanted.

The news reached Murugan. He realised that lady was Devasena in disguise. Anger filled him. She who was a spy of that man now claims to love him and knowing everything his parents agreed to the marriage. His mother told him " When a girl goes against her father's wish to marry a man he does not approve of it means she truly loves this man and wants to fight the world for him."

The marriage was a huge celebration. They together travelled back to the South to teach the people.

They travelled to the kingdom of Nambirajan where he met Princess Valli. It was love at first sight and with Sena's consent, he approached her in disguise to talk. Valli was unwilling at first. Later when he saved her life in the forest from a wild elephant and asked for her hand in marriage she agreed.

Source Wikipedia

Thus the god has two consorts. One from an arranged marriage and another from a love marriage. It is popularly said that the marriage to Sena helps keep his touch with the practical world and makes him the god of the Earth. Valli keeps his romantic side alive and helps fulfil his duties as the god of Heaven. He is worshipped as a bachelor in some parts of India, especially in the East where the news of his southern wives had not reached. He is worshipped as Skanda in West Bengal seated on his mother's lap. She is Skandamata. He is worshipped as a son of the Lord by couples wanting children. His birth faced many difficulties hence he removes difficulties from others' paths it is believed. His consorts are goddesses only with him and not in their own right. Hence they are worshipped with him and not separately. Princess Meenakshi is the goddess of the Meenakshi temple in the south, the protector of the land.

Note: Pictures are from Wikipedia. The Direct conversations and happenings are the author's interpretation with no reference to any such occurrence in religious texts. It is a way to show Murugan's great character and to let the readers know his consorts better.

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...

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 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...

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 ...

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 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...

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...

Charumati's Love

T his is written based on folklore. This is a representative work of fiction and not claiming any historical happening in the conversations. This is to show the spirit of the women of Rajputana. The year 1657. Shah Jahan had taken ill and was rumoured to be dying in Agra Fort. He was about eighty and the pressure of having an empire had taken a toll on his body. The seat of power was slowly shifting from Agra to Delhi since the prominence of the Laal Quila had increased and if the news spread was to be believed his sons were in a battle for the throne already. It was time each king chose sides once again. Dara Sikhoh was the eldest and the righteous Heir to the throne. He was believed to be a man who held high morals and was hence respected by the enemies and alliances as well. Aurangzeb was his sibling and the youngest of the brothers. Short tempered and cunning he was always dreaded by the court. As Shah Jahan took ill, Aurangzeb took this as a golden opportunity to wage ...

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 Navroz Incident

This popular folklore has been recreated from Col, James Todd's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Names I have added, from my own historical research. This one is especially for Garima to thank her for the books and love! Yet another Veer Gatha from the dessert! Ps. This is folklore with no evidence of history, please remember that Bikaner, lying in the western part of the Thar, was a small yet independent state ruled by a clan of Marwari Rathores until Raja Kalyanmal surrendered to Akbar's Rajput Policies in 1571. His fourth son Prithviraj Rathore, being a great warrior and poet was respected as one of the "Nine Gems" in Emperor Akbar's court. Prithviraj, was the son of Kalyanmal's first wife and queen Rani Songaribai Rainawati, a cousin of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai of Mewar. Hence he was cousin to the valiant Pratap Singh of Mewar. He was also married to one of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar's daughters from his other wives, sister to Kunwar Pratap, Baisa Ja...

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