Shaivyaa : Sword Of Justice ✓

A Revealation

Rakshasavarta

"Do not be dejected, son!" Vyasa affectionately said, seeing Yudhishthira looking down.

"Just now you were telling Ghatotkacha how hard a King's duties are! Your life can be no exception, Yudhishthira! As a Yuvaraj, you know that it requires sacrifices for the greater cause, don't you?"

"I am not thinking for myself, Maharishi!" Yudhishthira slowly uttered, "I knew this would happen. I was mentally preparing myself for this day. But..." He hid a sigh within, looking away. "Bhima would be heartbroken severely! Mother would also be in grief for her daughter-in-law and grandson! I am not prepared to see them in pain!" He closed his eyes.

"I know." Vyasa put an arm on Yudhishthira's shoulder, "Worry not. I shall talk to them."

"And the others? What will happen to Hidimbaa, Maharishi?" Yudhishthira's voice was so soft as if he was asking himself only, "What will happen to Ghatotkacha, who still is a boy and needs love of his family? How can we make them deprived of what they deserve?"

"Hidimbaa has that strength within her to overcome this, Putra. Keep trust on her ability. I shall coronate Ghatotkacha as the King of Rakshasavarta before your departure. Hidimbaa will look after him and this land as Rajmata."

A heavy-hearted Yudhishthira slowly nodded, sighing.

"Vatsa," Vyasa smiled, "You are just leaving the physical company, not ending the bonding with them! Do you think it is compulsory to stay close physically for loving someone?" He smiled again knowingly.

The exiled Crown Prince of Hastinapura was the one who had already been silently enduring the pain of seperetion from his lady love! Devika's lovely face surfaced in Yudhishthira's pained heart. Unable to speak, he lowered his gaze to the Maharishi's feet.

"Be a little more patient, Yudhishthira! I promise you, this pain will not last long! Destiny will favour you very soon! Know that your Bhagyalakshmi is eagerly waiting to welcome you!" Vyasa said, "You will get back everything that you have lost, once she comes in your life!" 

***

Hastinapura

"Pranam Gurumata!" Princess Valandhara bowed to Devika with mock courtesy, making the latter frown.

"This is not fair, Sakhi!" The Shivi Princess rolled her eyes.

Valandhara burst out giggling. "Apologies, Shivi Kuma..." she bit her tongue seeing Devika's glare and uttered immediately, "Sakhi Devika! Now happy?" She blinked innocently.

Devika smiled, nodding at Valandhara. This cheerful, ever-smiling Princess of Kashi had already won her heart. It did not take them long to become friends. Valandhara was so sweet-natured, yet so mature and bold in her thoughts that Devika could not help but adore her unique personality. In this formal, cold, lifeless Hastinapura, this girl of her age was Devika's only place to take a deep breath of relief, to feel a warmth of friendliness.

"Now if my dear Sakhi kindly starts the lessons, I can collect few gems of knowledge from her!" Valandhara's large eyes twinkled in amusement.

"I am all ready." Devika said, looking around, "But we need a proper place for the practice. Some open area or a large, spacious room which will be empty."

"Understood. Come with me. I have seen such a place." Valandhara pulled Devika's hand.

***

Rakshasavarta

"Worry not for me, Swami!" Hidimbaa's calm voice surprised everyone.

"I am taking this responsibility willingly. And I promise to fulfill it to the fullest!" She spoke with confidence, "No one will ever get the slightest chance to complain that the firstborn of Pandavas was not raised with the values of his ancestors because of a Rakshasi mother!"

"Hidimbaa! Priye!" Bhima was emotional, "I too have responsibilities to you and Ghatotkacha!"

"But you have a greater duty to establish a Dharma rajya in Hastinapura, Swami!" Hidimbaa patiently said, "Without you, Jyeshtha can never regain his throne from the hands of adharmis! Realizing this, I cannot stop you here, Nath!"

Seeing all of them silent, she added, "When such conflict of duties arise, it is wife's duty to share the burden of her husband. I will do your part of work here, on your behalf. You go without a worry, Nath!"

Speechless, the six humans kept staring at the demon girl who appeared to be no less than a Goddess right now. Where did she get such a strength from? Where did she get such a selflessness to do this sacrifice which even many human women could not do?

"Hidimbaa! Putri!" Kunti's eyes were moist.

"I am Rajarshi Pandu's Putravadhu, Mata!" She had no tear in her eyes, "I am the sister-in-law of Dharmaputra himself, and the Sahadharmini of a protector of Dharma! How can I ignore Dharma's call?"

"Hidimbaa, you have lowered my pride of Dharma, sister!" Yudhishthira smiled affectionately, "May Bharatavarsha never forget the worth of your sacrifice! May you be remembered forever in this land, not as a demoness but as a Goddess!"

***

Hastinapura

Devika's eyebrows met as Valandhara brought her in front of that mysterious closed door she had seen much earlier.

"Why here, Sakhi?" She could not help asking.

"This place is almost abandoned. No one comes here. And this room is never opened." Valandhara explained, "Should be an ideal place for us."

Devika could not pay much attention to her friend's words. Her concentration had shifted to the door soon.

"Valandhara, have you also never seen this chamber open?" She asked, "Did you never even feel curious to know why?"

"I did. But expressing too much curiosity in my sister's marital home does not look good, Sakhi!" Her smile fainted, "Bhanu Didi also does not want to talk about this."

"I see." Devika's eyebrows met. It seemed to her that Bhanumati knew something about this room but did not want to express.

"But why coming here then? Would not they object?" Devika looked at Valandhara.

"Everyone is busy with the preparations right now." Valandhara smiled, her eyes shone in excitement, "Let me see if I can collect the key!"

"Do you know where the key is?" Devika thought aloud.

"I have seen it with an aged maid who keeps it always in the pleats of her cloths. Let me see if I can find her now." Valandhara said, keeping Devika in her thoughts.

"Rajkumari! You need something here?" A maid's voice made Devika turn. She saw an elderly lady staring at them. Valandhara moved closer to her.

"Aarye, do you have the key of this chamber?" She asked, "May we have it for a while? We would not take long inside the room."

The maid observed Valandhara's face with sharp eyes, her gesture betrayed disbelief.

"You...you want to get inside this room?"

"Yes, cannot we?" Devika's gentle smile assured the maid a bit.

"It has been over a year that no one has opened this door, Rajkumari!" The maid's eyes were sad now.

"That I have heard." Devika nodded, "This place is considered inauspicious, right?"

"No!" The maid strongly protested, making both the Princesses surprised.

"If there is still any piety, any auspiciousness left in this entire palace, it is here and nowhere else! This is not just a room! This is temple for us commoners from where none has ever returned empty-handed! This is the real treasure of Hastinapura where even we maids have once received respect and love from!"

Devika stood speechless, her heart raced. Was her guess correct then?

"Rajkumari, this room is Yuvaraj Yudhishthira's!"

______________________________________

Glossary:

Bhagyalakshmi: Goddess of fortune.
Aarye: Noble/respectable woman

A/N: So the room's mystery is clear now. What do you think Devika will find inside?