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Love Stories from The Mahabharata  
Parikshit and Sushobhana – 10

Drops of honey from the mango flowers kissing his forehead seem to console him. The infatuated singing of the cuckoo fills the garden with music. Still, the agitation in Parikshit’s mind does not subside. Can it be that this Baishakh evening moon has appeared only to create a loveless void in his life through some curse?

Unable to withstand the anxiety, the next moment with hasty, quick strides Parikshit again goes and stands beside the lake, “Dearest!”

His call becomes an outcry. There is no praying form on this lonely and empty shore. There is no female form covered in a white veil.

Parikshit’s two eyes slice through the surrounding vacancy like a sharp sword. Looking at the lake he suspects that its waters might have grasped his beloved. The next moment he could spy on the opposite shore of the lake as if the corpse of a dead swan lay bathed in the moonlight. Some shadowy figures came and in an instant disappeared with the body of that swan.

It is unbelievable. The entire incident and the scenes appear suspicious. Perhaps they are mirages cast up by his pained heart and bewildered consciousness!

But Parikshit did not waste another moment. Summoning the guards of the garden he smashed the dam and drained out the lake. But within it he found no drowned female body.

Rushing to the royal stables, Parikshit races off on horseback towards the other shore of the lake.

But despite hunting all along the shore and in the woods Parikshit found no trace of that female form. Despairing, he turns back towards his empty, dark, depressing begemmed chambers. As the body of the tired horse streams with perspiration, so do the two eyes of redoubtable Parikshit stream with unending tears.

Again King Parikshit enters the path to the garden. Suddenly he notices a shadowy form hiding behind a tree like a spy. Drawing his sword out of his belt Parikshit rushed towards the shadow but could not catch it. The shadow sped away and, jumping into a stream, disappeared. But Parikshit was able to make out clearly the appearance of the spy. It was a manduka.

In the chamber of the Manduka monarch’s moss-coloured stone palace the princess’ tinkling anklets no longer become musical in dance as before. Even the thrill of a successful conquest could not make the honeyed wine as intoxicating as before. As though the deceiving beloved Sushobhana has returned with thorn-pierced feet.

One afternoon the world of the Mandukas was suddenly riven apart with shrieks and tormented cries. Standing at the window of the palace chamber, Sushobhana strains to plumb the mystery of this strange outcry, but fails. It seems a dust-shrouded whirlwind is rushing forward to attack this Baishakh afternoon.

“What is this fresh disaster you have precipitated, princess?”

Not without, but from within the chamber the whiplash of this accusing voice startles Sushobhana. Turning back she sees the plain-speaking servant Subinita. Frowning, Sushobhana demands angrily,

 “What is the matter, maid?”
“Mighty Parikshit has attacked the Manduka kingdom. Having taken hundreds of Manduka lives, he is going back. The subjects are wailing in agony and King Ayu is shedding tears. The Manduka households are filled with blood and sighs. For what new enjoyment have you brought about this catastrophe of the kingdom, callous one? Deceiver, why have you come away revealing your identity to mighty Parikshit?”
“Do not make false accusations, you fool. Even for instant, even by mistake, never have I revealed my identity to King Parikshit.”
The maid-servant Subinita is embarrassed, “Pardon my suspicion, princess, but...”
“But what?”
“But I cannot understand why great Parikshit should, without any cause, set upon the destruction of the peaceful Manduka people? I am going to the court, princess.”

As if going to inform the Manduka king Ayu of this news, the maid Subinita leaves hastily.

– Continued

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