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Love Stories from The Mahabharata  
Sumukh and Gunakeshi – 2

Looking up with tearful eyes Aryaka says, “Even after murdering my son Chikur Naga recently Garud, enemy of Nagas, is not satisfied. Garud has vowed that he will not rest untill, within a month, he has also slain my grandson Sumukh. You know, Matali, that encouraged by the protection he enjoys by the grace of Vishnu, intoxicated with what implacable blood-lust Garud is going on destroying the Naga race. How terrible is his racial hatred! Garud does not feel the slightest compunction in ripping open the breast of a Naga infant happily nursing at its mother’s breast. Yet another unbearable tragedy is about to befall me, friend of Vasav, Matali. Naga-hating Garud’s claws will rip apart this last solace of my life, my beloved grandson Sumukh.

“I have been pleased to hear your proposal, Matali, but I cannot agree to it. He whose death is impending, what is the use of welcoming into his life a momentary evanescent festival of joy? With the blowing out of the lamp of the wedding night, the lamp of his life will go out. It is doubtful if he will get even a day’s respite to be entranced by the beauty of his beloved’s face glowing with love. I can never ask you to give your daughter into his hands, Matali. That is my sorrow.”

Matali keeps sitting for some time depressed and worried.

Then he speaks in a voice throbbing with hope, “Grant your assent, Aryaka!”
Astonished, Aryaka says, “What is the meaning of your peculiar enthusiasm Matali? Do you desire your daughter’s untimely widowhood?”
Matali: “No, Aryaka. I desire the end of the cruel arrogance of Naga-hating Garud.”
Aryaka: “But...”
Matali: “Be assured, revered Aryaka, I shall leave nothing undone for securing the life of your grandson Sumukh. I hope that with the help of the king of the gods, Indra, my efforts will be fruitful.”
Aryaka: “Then do so, Matali.”
Matali: “But I wish to return to the kingdom of the gods taking your grandson Sumukh along with me, Aryaka.”
Aryaka stares terrified: “In that city of the gods, Amaraavatee, who will shelter my Sumukh?”
Matali: “I will.”
Aryaka: “But I fear, Matali, that still Naga-nemesis Garud will find a chance of sating his blood-lust.”
Denying this Matali says, “Do not worry, Aryaka. I am hopeful that Garud will never get such an opportunity.”
Aryaka: “Do not speak of hoping, Matali; promise me.”
Suddenly, it is Sumukh himself who interrupts excitedly, “Why do you vainly ask for a promise from Matali, the friend of the king of the gods, grandfather? There is none in your Bhogvati city who can protect me from Garud’s attack. If I stay here there is no hope at all of my life being saved, grandfather. By going to the city of the immortals, with the help of Matali, friend of the king of the gods, there is still hope of life. I hope that if Indra, king of the gods, is pleased, then it is he who, by gifting nectar, can make your grandson immortal. Grant me permission to go to that land of hope, grandfather.”
Aryaka says, “You may leave.”

– Continued

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