Story Unfolds :
At a sloppy green mountain road near Himalayan region: 2 yrs back:
One girl was trying tiredlessly to roam in the Himalayan region. To discover the way. To reach to the secret coven of Bhagwan Parashuram. But all her efforts were fruitless as she lost the direction several times. She had come here One year ago yet failed to see the Ashram. She came today again. As the Madra Naresh Shalya had helped her and gave her a map. To reach there. Shalya was also a devotee of Bhagwan Parashuram and he often came here to meet with him. Mind it, this was the same person who was appointed as the charioteer of Karna in the epic war of Mahabharata and was uncle and father-in-law of Sahadev. He was the elder brother of Madri, mother of Nakul-shahadev. Nakul married with Kaurnamati, daughter of mighty King of Maagadh, Jarasandha. Sahadev had married with Shalya's daughter Vijaya who was in relation his own cousin sister. She and her brother Arun, son of Shalya, liked Sahadev and his wise predictions very much.
The girl looked at the direction of sky. The time was summer and dawn. The Sun was hot over her head. The rays fell directly on her face. She felt warm and dizzy. Her throught was dried up as she was thirsty. Her both palms felt sweaty and legs felt quite numb. She was walking through the sloppy and muddy mountain roads for hours. Without taking a rest. She even lost the count of time. She did not know that for two years she was roaming madly in the same road. Over and over again.
She lifted her left palm and put it over her eyes. To see clearly. Her face was drenched with pearl like sweat drops that were dripping to her black eyes and blurring her vision. She made a face. By narrowing her eyes. To the Sun God or Surya Dev. It was a blazing hot Sunny day. She felt hungry, tired and thirsty. She did not know how far she had to walk now.
She wiped her sweat with the torn end of her Saree and opened her map. She was concentrating hard over it when a gust of hot wind came from nowhere and took the map away from her sweaty palms. She ran behind it. To catch it in vain. It toppled over the air and then disappeared somewhere. She suddenly stopped running and due to the sloppiness of the mountain region twisted her left ankle. She fall down on the floor limply. In depair. Her physical health was falling down. So also her mental strength. She had only one hope left!!! The map!!! That also now gone!!! How to reach to her destination now?!! She did not know that a little bit!!!!
Her head spinned. Due to hunger. She did not eat anything. After living the palace of Madra. King Shalya was very kind man. He welcomed her cordially and talked gently. He even instructed his Babwarchi or chef to make dinner of her liking. She had to reside in his palace for a week with heavy heart. As she did not know the way and she needed his help. In the meantime the became fast friends with Vijaya and Arun. They dotted upon her. As their own sibling. Shalya also loved her as his own daughter. That was another reason why Shalya took the offer of being the charioteer of her husband Karna so easily. As he considered him as his own son-in-law. This was the same Shalya who had to be soaked in the blood of Karna at the battlefield and to inform Duryodhan about the brutal murder of Karna. Kindly try to remember that Shalya was not a bit an evil man like his father Shalwa who misbehaved with Devi Amba (the details are written in my story on "Amba"). He was a truly righteous man who considered as a sage king, like King Janak of Treata Yug, unlike his father. He loved all and all loved him.
Madra King Shalya
Devi Vijaya (Wife of Sahadev)
His son Crown Prince Arun
Her head felt dizzy and she felt quite nauseous. She recalled the day of her starting of the joinery. From Mardra. Vijaya was reluctant to let her go. She hugged this foolish so-called sister of hers and warned her about the roads. The roads leading to the Ashram of Guru Parashuram was very puzzling. Till now none could remember it by heart. It seemed more difficult to be reached by a girl. Only Devi Amba was successful to go there. None else. Before her or after her. Supriya with a smile bade farewell from her. Arun, Her elder brother, had given her a cronch or Sankh. To use at the rime of her distress. When she would face any kind of difficulty in the roads, she was adviced to blow it. So that the border security guards of Madra could rush to help her.
She tried to swallow her own saliva. As she had nothing to drink with her. Her throat was already dried up. She could not try to blow the cronch as it was not possible in her condition. She could not have a power to do that. She saw a big boulder near the roadside and with difficulty she went to it. To sit down for some times. She with her numb limbs sat over it and took a deep breath. She felt quite good now. Then she looked sadly at her torn up Chappals or shoes. Those shoes helped her a lot. But they were not suitable for a long journey. Of two years. She could change them at Madra. She was offered with new clothes and shoes but at that time they were intact and she did not understand that they could be torn down. Her Saree was too torn up now at several places. She fell down on the sloppy and muddy mountain roads. Her knees were hurt and blood came out of the wounds. It was a difficult journey yet she was not disheartened. A little bit. Hat's off to the dedication of Supriya!!! She was truly comparable with Devi Amba!!! The difference was that Amba wanted to destroy Bhism while she had only a desire. To save Karna. Her husband.
Devi Supriya (2nd Karna Wife)
She looked at the lamp that she had brought with herself and protected from every gust of wind till now. It was burning up. A small smile now appeared on her beautiful lips. She understood that he was alright!!! Even if she was Far away from him, Her thought was around him. Only him!!!
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Far East Coast: At the balcony of Anga palace:
One man's face was in dark. Yet his eyes were blurred in tears. He had to embark on a journey. To go to his own motherland. Hastinapur. His best friend Duryodhan had called for him. Yet he looked gloomy inside. He was missing someone near and dear to himself. She did not come back to him for two years. Yet his love for her did not decrease a bit. He was missing her very much. He wanted to know about the well-being of his Devi.
He looked at the direction of the sky and asked in his mind "Kahan ho ap, Devi?!! Uttar dijiye. (Where are you, my Goddess?!! Answer me.)" His tone of voice sounded strange indeed his own eardrum. It trembled slightly at the end.
He heard her voice in his eardrum instantly "Ham apke hriday main hi hain, Swami. Chinta mat karna. Main Karna Sangini Supriya hoon. Hame apni kheyal rakhna ata hain. (I am residing at your heart. Don't worry a bit for me. I am the wife of Karna. I am Supriya. I know how to take care of myself.)" with a sigh at the last. It seemed she also missed him so much.
Another voice rang to his eardrum almost immediately "Jiji, apni kheyal rakhna. Apni Uru ke liye. (My dear Big sister, kindly take care of yourself. For the sake of your Uruvi.)"
"Aur Padma ke liye bhi. (And for your sister Padma too.)"
He heard the voice of his first wife in his ears. Form his behind. He with a jolt sharply turned back. He saw her smiling at him. Her lips were silent yet her moister in eyes proved that she was also talking with her Su in her mind. Just like himself.
Karna (above) & Padma (below)
Both of them looked silently at each other. They both realized how much they were missing Supriya. They had both loved that naive girl's naivety so much that it seemed impossible to forget about her. For a single moment of their lives. Even if she was now not there but she was in between them. Forever. As a biggest devotee of Karna and as a beloved baby sister of Padma.
As elder sister of Uruvi too.
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At the same mountain side: 1 hour later:
Supriya was sitting reluctantly. She had nowhere to go. The map showed not the exact direction to her. Her big beautiful black eyes were blurred in sweat. She was sitting upright yet she was huffing hard. Her breath was now catching up. She put her hands on her chest. To steady Her heart beat. It often happened to herself. When her near and dear ones recalled her in mind.
She heard his pleadings "Kahan ho ap, Devi?!!"
Uruvi's voice rang in her eardrum at the next moment "Jiji apna khayal rakhna".
Then she heard the choked up tone of her jiji Padmavati "Aur Padma ke liye bhi."
She smiled brightly. By seeing how much she was loved and cared by her family. Her hunger subsided. She had to cope up with hunger. To end her journey. To save his life. From God's. And only Bhagwan Parashuram could help her. In this endeavor. She was now more determined than before.
"Putri, bhojan karogi?!! (Will you eat food, my daughter?!!)"
She broke up from her dreams by hearing the sound of a lady. Standing before herself. With a big smile on her beautiful face.
Devi Dhara (Wife of Parashuram)
"Ap kyon hain, Mate?!! (Who are you, mother?!!)" She asked her in shock.
The woman sat down. Beside her. At the small boulder. Then she opened her Jholi or bag. She brought two big Ladoo or sweet and shoved it to the palms of Supriya. Then smiled once again brightly.
"Khao. (Eat them.)" She insisted the girl with so much love that her eyes widen. She thought as if her mother was giving the food to herself.
She looked at the Ladoo held in her both palms once and then at the lady immediately after that. She looked like a mother-figure to her.
"Ap kyon ho (Who are you)?!!" She asked the lady once more.
"Main Dhara hoon. (I am Dhara.)" The lady answered her query truthfully. With soft voice of tone. She suppresed the fact that yesterday night she saw a dream. Mata Mahalaxmi came in her dreams and instructed her to bring the wife of her Radheya to herself. It was high time to introduce her. She was the dearly beloved wife of the mentor of Karna. His mother-figure. She was Devi Dhara, wife of Bhagwan Parashuram. She had come herself to bring Supriya to herself.
Yesterday night when she was asleep with a bright yellow light she saw her dark room lighten up. She opened her eyes wide in shock. What was that?!!
Within a second a lovely lady was seen to take shape in front of her very eyes. Bit by bit. She got up hurriedly. And sat on her hay bed with surprise. She understood something was going to happen.
Devi Mahalaxmi taking shape
Devi Mahalaxmi in original form
She folded her palms in respect. To the last. She understood that this must be some kind of Goddess. But when the lady transformated into her real form, she identified her immediately.
"Devi Dhara, apki pratiksha samapt ho gaya. Apke Radheya ki patni apse milne a rahi hain. (Devi Dhara, your wait is over now. The wife of your dear Radheya Karna is coming to you. Bring her to yourself.)" The lovely lady instructed her.
"Mata Laxmi, ham vachan dete hain ki wohi hoga joh ap chahenge. (I am promising you that your wish will be granted, Mother Luxmi.)" Devi Dhara informed her gratefully. She was till now hoping to meet with Karna and his wives. Tomorrow she would get the chance. So why she should not be happy?!!!
Mata Laxmi smiled divinely at her and then disappeared into thin air. She had to inform Lord Shiva that she had performed her own duty. It was all planned by Lord Shiva to meet Supriya with Dhara!!!! She was just a medium!!!
"Mata!!!" Supriya called for her. She was deep in thought when she heard her voice and with a jolt she broke up from her dreams.
"Mata!!! Ladoo bahat swadist hain. (O Mother!! The sweet is so tasty!!)" She munched the sweet with joy.
Devi Dhara tilted her head to the face of this naive girl and recalled a young teenage boy who loved to come to her every single day. To eat Ladoo from her hands. He adored her as his own mother Radha Ma and this childless woman loved him wholeheartedly. As her son. She was the person who had suffered most by her husband's curse on Karna. She till then talked very less with him. Neither he explained his own reason nor she wanted to heat it. As a devoted wife she completed her daily duty. As a Guru Ma she loved all of her pupils. As her own. Then she cried her heart out every night as she wanted to beg mercy of Karna. She wanted to meet with him. Once in her lifetime. Alas!!! This mother-figure of him could not meet with him again. She would die before that!!!
She lifted her hands and caressed the long disraveled hair of Supriya. With love and adoration. She was happy to meet with her Radheya's wife!!!
"Aur khaogi?!! (Want some more?!!)" She asked her lovingly.
Supriya, to her dismay, nodded her pretty head slowly. In agreement. She was never accustomed to love in her life. Except her sisters Bhanu-Charu. And her sisters Uru-Padma. She was craving for the love of her mother who died at childbirth. This lady God knew why seemed like her mother!!!
"Ao. (Come with me.)" Devi Dhara had instructed her.
"Main Supriya hoon. (I am Supriya.)" The girl somewhat unnecessarily had introduced herself. She wanted to pay tribute to this lady who saved her from hunger.
She lifted her hands and tugged her chin towards herself. She kissed her face. With love. She liked this meek and timid girl with the exceptional strength of mind and stamina of body. She was apt wife of her Karna!!!
"Janti hoon. (I know you beforehand so you just don't need to introduce yourself to me.)" She told it firmly.
Supriya opened her black eyes wide in surprise. How could she know her when she meet with her for the first time in her life?!! However she felt at ease with her!!! As if she was with her own mother!!! Her tenderness had touched her young heart!!!
"Tum Karna Patni Supriya ho. (I have knowledge of your indentity. You are wife of Karna. Supriya.)" Devi Dhara replied her. With a big smile.
Supriya for a second stood motionless and thought about the absurdity of her life. She was roaming madly in the same road when from nowhere this lovely lady had appeared before her and offered her food. Now she was telling that she knew her. But how?!! She failed to comprehend that a bit!!!
"Apko kyse gyat hain?!! (How do you know it?!!)" She asked her in shock.
"Ap Ram ke Ashram dhund rahe ho na. (You are searching for the home of Parashuram.)" She dodged the query and lifted her hands to the mountain before her.
All of a sudden a miracle happened. With the falling of sunrays over the mountain top a lavish yet strong wooden building was seen to build up bit by bit. By sheer magic. With the red ray of Sun in looked red too while it was a yellow one. The top of the ashram was adorned with a golden pot that glittered like gold in bright sunlight.
Supriya opened her black eyes wide in horror. What was that?!! How could it happen?!! Was it a Magic?!!
A big wooden door had emerged out. Several men and women came down in a line and was seen enchanting a Mantra. Of Surya Dev.
"Aum Jaba Kushumo sankashan
Kashya pain Mahadyutin...
Dhantarim sarva papghno
Pranatasmi Divakaram..."
With a jolt she recalled the mantra. She was familiar with it. Her husband Karna uttered the same mantra at the dawn time. Every day. Her brain had told her that her search had ended. She at last came to the Ashram of Bhagwan Parashuram.
One bulky weighted, steady limbed yet strong shouldered man had to be seen emerged form the main gate. He was holding a plate of Arati in one hand and a fierce axe or Parashu at his another hand. It was rumoured that Bhagwan Parashuram had at the order of his father chopped off the head of his mother Devi Renuka. So he was punished. Even if his mother later revived but till that day the axe become inseparable part of his body. His father Maharishi Jamdagni was punished later. By dying helplessly on the hands of guards of Kartyabirjun. But that was a different story which was not necessary here.
The man had long white hair and long mustache. He wore white clothes. His hair was all white. But it did not a bit matched with his agility and speed. He came forward to the Dias where a lamp was burning in great speed. He looked old yet his agility could have toughest competition to any young man. That was why even Mahamahim Bhism could not defeat him a bit. In the war. His footsteps were firm and confident.
Bhagwan Parashuram
Devi Dhara looked at his direction with pride and suddenly called for him "Ram!!!" It was the real name of Bhagwan Parashuram!!!!
He stopped walking. He dragged his left feet to himself by hearing his wife's voice. She did not talk to him nowadays. She was angry on him. After his curse on her favorite son. Karna. She adored Karna very much. Like her own son. She did not ask his reasoning for cursing him. Unless she would realize his helplessness. He had to give the curse to him. To transform him from Radheya to Karna!!!! To make his legacy immortal!!!
He calmly looked at her face and a small smile appeared in his eyes. He had the tendency to smile with his own eyes. Like his best student. Karna who perhaps learnt it from his Guru and mentor!!!!
All of a sudden a name came into the lips of Supriya at the nick of moment
"Bhagwan Parashuram!!!!"
She at last identified him!!!! And his dear wife Devi Dhara too!!!! With whom she was talking to!!!
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What will happen now? Will his Guru help Supriya to go to Kailash? Will he beg mercy of her for cursing Karna? The answers will be given in next upcoming chapters. Enjoy.
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