Uttara's 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 spiritual bliss. Her social life was like a cage for her now. Parikshit rushed in and hugged her.

" You have come back, Putra? What is this wound?" The mother in her grew concerned.
" It is nothing, Maata, just a scratch, from the thorns of the forests."
" Daasi, bring in the medicines, Quick!"

Seeing his mother concerned made him smile. His smile made her feel that it was his father smiling at her as she cleared his wounds. Her mind travelled back eighteen years to a terrible memory and a promise, " I will be with you forever." Gathering her thoughts, she told her son, "It's time, dear. I have asked your grandfather to look for a suitable bride for you."

" But mother? Bride? Marriage?"
" Why not? You are eighteen, and your father got married at sixteen."
" Because people were unsure of the future, whether he would be alive to give an heir."

Her son's answer startled her. She remembered that his father had actually not wanted to cause her this sorrow; he wanted to spare her this life. Draupadi came up to the worried Uttara, " Don't worry, let him meet the bride, he will be ready, he is like his father, reluctant to change." Uttara nodded in silence with a smile.

The wedding was a grand affair. Uttara gifted all the jewellery that she had worn only six months after her wedding to her new daughter-in-law. The churamani shone brightly as Uttara prayed to God about her deepest fear. Let her life not be reflected in her Daughter-in-law. May they be together. Uttara's prayers were answered as they lived in peace and had their first child. Uttara held her grandchild, " Janmejaya, one who wins over life." She called him. Her first grandchild. The future. She was sad that the Pandavas could not see this, as they had already left for heaven.

She arranged a grand feast in the palace of Hastinapur. She was happy. Parikshit was holding his son in his arms. He was smiling at his baby. The scene filled her heart. She remembered how much his father wanted to do this. How much he wanted to hold his baby and teach him. Uttara's eyes filled with tears. She ran away from the crowd and into her chambers and drew out a chest. In it were clothes and jewellery. She took out a crown. It belonged to him.

" Arya, see your grandchild is born. Our Parikshit can do what you dreamt of. All because of your sacrifice." She was in tears.
"Maata?"
" Putra Parikshit. Why did you come here?"
" Why did you come away, Mother?"
" I was just..."
" Isn't that father's crown?"
" Yes, I was just... I have something to tell you."
" Yes, maata?"
" Your father had a dream."
" What is it, Maate? Tell me, and I will fulfil it."
" He wanted to hold you in his arms and teach you."

Parikshit was shocked at this. His heart sank. He had always heard of how valiant his father had been; this side of him was unknown.

" He used to talk to you every day through me. He wanted the best for you. He would have been so happy today to see Janmejaya."
" Maata, I don't know what to say."

" Putra, take this crown. Give it to Janmejaya when he understands what this means. Tell him about his grandfather. Make him a valiant man."
" Maata, you will be there to teach him, he will learn as I learnt..."
" No, my Putra, Tomorrow at Pratakal I will leave."
" Leave? Where Maata?"
" To Maharishi Vyasdev's Aahsram."
" But why?"

Uttara smiled at her son. Only if he knew how lonely she had been, how her fight had been, how life had seemed like a cage at times.

" Because it's time I leave my social life and live in a hermitage, till death. But don't worry, your news will keep arriving there, and you can come to meet me."
" I will bring Janmejaya too; he should know his grandmother like I knew mine."
" But ..."
" And I am sorry you did not have a normal childhood."

Parikshit said nothing. He had always seen his mother quiet and composed. This side of her was different.

Uttara left for hermitage, where she got news of her son's several marital ties and the birth of his six other sons. She never returned to the place that stole her life for the sake of thrones. She was happy with her heritage. Peace was at her side at last. Her life was at last not involved in wars anymore. She was happy.

Maharana Pratap: The Evolution of an Icon

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