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Love Stories from The Mahabharata  
Sumukh and Gunakeshi – 3

Passing through the city gates of the city of immortals, the Naga youth Sumukh gazes with entranced eyes at the Parijat garden. The unfading Parijat—as though even in the very beauty of the flowers of the abode of the gods the joy of immortality blooms. Their leaves never droop. There is no decay, no disease. In the life of the heavenly city there is no pain of separation or estrangement. Here all is ever fresh, ever blooming, ever alive. Verily like the constantly honey-dripping Mandar tree, youth is here ever luscious. The breeze of the city of immortals carries only the waves of laughter of lovely lips. No sighs, no tears. The nectar-drenched heart of the abode of immortals, free from pain, is ever vibrant with joy.

Sumukh keeps staring unblinkingly, as if his imagination has grown thirsty to drink deep of the beauty of this city of gods blessed with immortality. A heart of Bhogvati, distressed with the anxiety of an endangered life, grows greedy and excited.

Sumukh says, “I beg a promise of you, charioteer of the king of gods, Matali.”
Matali: “Speak, what promise do you want?”
Sumukh: “It is amrita, the nectar of immortality, that I want.”
Matali starts, “How can I promise to bring you amrita, Sumukh?”
Sumukh: “If the king of the gods wishes, he can easily gift me amrita.”
Matali: “Yes, the king of the gods can.”
Sumukh: “By pleasing and gratifying the king of the gods, obtain amrita for me, friend of Indra, Matali.”
Matali: “But what if the king should reject my prayer?”
Sumukh: “Then give me leave to depart, charioteer of Indra. Then I shall have no desire left for accepting your daughter.”
Hurt, Matali says, “I am pained to learn of your resolve, Sumukh.”
Sumukh: “Why?”
Matali: “I cannot but be pained to see your reluctance to marry Gunakeshi, Sumukh.”
Sumukh laughs, “What do you desire, charioteer of Indra?”
Matali: “I want that you should live long. I wish that safe from the threat of Garud’s terrible vow you should be my daughter Gunakeshi’s husband.”
Sumukh: “Who will grant me long life? Who will protect me from Garud’s attack?”
Matali: “I hope that at my request the king of the gods shall grant you long life.”
Sumukh: “And if he does not? What if you perceive that the life of this short-lived Naga youth of will be torn to shreds in but one more day?”
Matali: “What then?”
Sumukh: “Then will you gift your daughter to me? Can you give me that promise, charioteer of Indra, Matali?”
Suddenly ashamed and embarrassed Matali replies, “No.”
Again Sumukh laughs aloud: “Why this reluctance, friend of the king of gods, in placing your daughter’s hand in mine?”
Matali says, “I do not know what fate has in store. Hereby I promise that for your sake I shall beg amrita of the king of gods. If I find the opportunity, then I shall approach Lord Vishnu too and say to him ‘Lord, make immortal by gifting amrita that beauteous Naga youth Sumukh who shall be my daughter’s life-partner.’”
With a gladdened heart and eyes bright with hope Sumukh says, “This promise of yours to try is enough. It is my faith that your effort will succeed, O Indra’s charioteer, Matali.”   

– Continued

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