Home | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Workshop | BoloKids | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact                                               Shop Online

Love Stories from The Mahabharata  
Parikshit and Sushobhana – 6

A handsome young man comes riding over the garden path. Perhaps he has lost his way, or is thirsty. Hence, he is proceeding slowly towards the garden in search of cool water. His bejewelled crest gleams in the sunlight. Who is this powerful young man? It seems he is some great king.

Sushobhana stands up. The radiance scattered from that crest seems to awaken in Sushobhana’s eyes the delirious dance of harsh lightning.  The maid Subinita asks fearfully,

“Do you know the identity of this visitor, princess?”
“I do not know, but can guess.”
“Who is it?”
“Probably that glory of the Ikshvaku dynasty, mighty Parikshit. I have heard that today he has gone hunting.”

Surprised, Subinita enquires in a voice brimming with respect,

“The glory of the Ikshvakus, Parikshit? Lord of Ayodhya, supremely loving of his subjects, famed for his generosity, protector of the fearful, refuge of the distressed, that Ikshvaku?”
Sushobhana laughed, “Yes, maid. Powerful as the king of the gods, glory of the Ikshvakus —Parikshit. Look! Resplendent with bow and quiver, a long sword at his waist, astride a spirited steed, that finest of heroes, Parikshit. But I do not wish to amaze you any further, Subinita. You are a fool and merely a servant. You cannot even imagine the thrill of shattering by a single glance the heart of that powerful, armoured male.”
Apprehensive, Subinita catches hold of Sushobhana’s hand. “Stop, princess! You have gone far enough. In your deceitful love-gamble the lives of so many heart-broken kings have lost all their happiness. Do not also destroy this Ikshvaku, beloved of his subjects.”

Rippling with arrogant laughter, Sushobhana removes her maid’s hand. Picking up the bejewelled waist-chains and strings of pearls, she decks herself with her own hands. Then she takes up a seven-stringed vina. Ready, Sushobhana says,

“I go, Subinita. Do not look so foolishly miserable. You will only remain happy if you perform the duties of a maid ever smilingly.”

Going up to the entrance of the leaf-hut Sushobhana pauses and muses on something for a moment. Turning to Subinita she orders,

“Do not forget, maid, to despatch attendants and a conveyance in utmost secrecy every evening to the forest skirting the Ikshvaku’s palace.”

Coming out of the creeper-covered hut, Sushobhana keeps advancing towards the garden under the shades of the trees. Tearfully, with bowed head, Subinita keeps sitting silently for a long time in the hut.  Looking up at the garden-path, she cannot see Sushobhana any more. From the hut Subinita returns all alone to the moss-green palace chamber of the Manduka King.

– Continued

Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Top | Love Stories from The Mahabharata