Vishnu's Initiative

The Trinity was in a dilemma. The Dwapar Yug has lost its value. Its consequences needed to be faced. Kaali Yug needed to be ushered in. Once again it was time for Vishnu to take human form and purify the earth of all evils. Ram had removed evil from Treta Yug; it was now time for Krishna to be born. A meeting was called upon to all Devas and Gandharvas, Demons and Nagas who reached Swargalok. Vishnu spoke to the eager crowd that gathered to hear the Trinity.

Vishnu

“It’s time again all devas; it’s time to remove evil from Dwapar once and for all… I have decided it’s time to take birth as an Avatar once again, you all have helped Ram usher in Dwapar and I hope that you volunteer to do the same with Krishna.” He added happy looking at his family in the crowd, “Laxmi will join me as Yajnaseni Draupadi, and Anant Naga as my elder brother Balaram.”

“I have already heard that you have blessed Hirannakashipu to be Shishupala, Narayan.” Brahma smiled.

“Yes, and Sanghallad will be born as Shalya, King of Madra. Kalnemi will be born as Kansa to be killed by me for his sins. Viprachitti will be Jarasandha, King of Magadha.”

“Narayan, demons Dirghajibi and Kalketu will be Kasi Raj and Matsya Raj respectively. Kasi Raja will father Amba, Ambika, Ambalika and Matsya Raja will be born out of a fish with a twin sister.” Shiva smiled.

Dev Guru Brihaspati spoke now, hands folded, “ Respected Trinity, I want to be part of your Dharma Sthapana as well, order me, my lords!”

“You will be born as Dronacharya, Dev Guru, your role will be an important one”, Vishnu instructed.

“My ansh will be born as Kripacharya, the great learned man, and Ashwathama, son to Drona,” Shiva ordered.

Asta Vasu now stepped forward, “ We have already been cursed for our misdeed and Maata Ganga has been ready to be our mother. Our ansh will also be born as Drupad, King of Panchal, and our youngest brother will be reborn as Devabrata.”

Dharma Raja, Yama, offered his part, "My ansh will help bring peace and prosperity. They will be Daasi Putra Vidur and Samrat Yudhisthir.”

The Gandharvas wanted to participate too. “We will be born as Kritavarma and Raja Virat of Matsya.” A Gandharva called Subaru informed, “ I am already cursed so I will be Dhritarashtra, the blind prince.”

Pulastya volunteered, “I will give my ansh as the 99 sons of Dhritarashtra.”

“I will be the eldest Duryodhan”, the vain Kaali demon roared. " I will win over Dharma."

Chandra and Rohini

Yogamaya appeared before the crowd. “Narayan, allow me to be part of your Dharma, let me be born as your sister.”

“You will be Subhadra Devi, my sister, mother to the bravest warrior.” Narayan smiled.

Chandra and Rohini stepped in," Our curse has to be fruitful, so let us be of some use too” They pleaded.

“You will be born as Abhimanyu, who is the greatest warrior and his wife Uttara.” Vishnu granted.

Goddess Siddhi and Dhriti too wanted to participate. “We will be Pandu wives Kunti and Madri.”

“I will be born as Gandhari.” Replied Maati, the goddess of Intelligence.

Kama Dev stepped forward, “I will be Pradumnya.”

Vayu Dev, Pavan, blessed his ansh to be born as Bheem, the second Pandava. Indra blessed his ansh as Arjun the greatest archer, and Surya blessed his ansh as Karna. Ashwini Kumaras gave twin ansh in Nakul and Sahadev.

Dwapar the Demon reincarnated himself as Shakuni.”I will help Dwapar end and help Kali.”

Thus began the plan for the greatest war Bharat would witness in the future; the war that would usher in Kali Yug and the fight that would rip apart a whole clan of warriors, princes and learned men; the saga of the greatest sacrifices, the women who sacrificed their everything for the greater good. The epic teaches man the ways of Dharma and teaches us to rectify mistakes. Mahabharata.

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Symphony of Love

A week was enough for the master to be pleased enough with the new student to tell the Sultan that she was ready for her first performance. The Sultan was extremely pleased and rewarded him with a gold chain. As the master bowed to leave, the guards announced the arrival of the chief queen. Sultan Baz Bahadur sat upright. She was his first bride, a childhood alliance his father had forced upon him when he did not even know what marriages implied. Now he only saw her face when she had complaints about the inner palace and its inhabitants. Honestly, he expected her there since Roopmati arrived. His queen did not like changes especially if those changes were threatening to her position. The Chief Queen arrived with her maids, dismissed them at the threshold and came up to her husband to bow and greet him. “What brings you here?” Baz Bahadur asked, with a lingering smile on his lips. The queen could hear the hint of taunt in his voice. She forced a smile. Her marriage to this reckles...

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