A Great Act or True Being?

A profound silence enveloped the chamber, and the servants refrained from even exhaling audibly. Startled, I mused to myself, 'Damn, I haven't even properly organized my memories, and I doubt I can do so anytime soon.' I replied, "Inform her that we can meet during the morning ritual." The servants had finished their tasks, and I ordered them to depart. As they exited, I began to contemplate my situation. First and foremost, adapting to this body was no easy feat; it was unparalleled compared to the typical human form on Earth. It was akin to transitioning from using a Nokia 3310 to suddenly having a OnePlus 7T Pro—a truly remarkable transformation. Now, I could fathom the joy Bella experienced in Twilight after her transformation into a vampire. Ah, this goddamn habit of overthinking.

Although I still hadn't recollected everything, I could remember the general direction of the palace and the faces of people related to me. Getting up, I began to walk toward the puja hall, relying on my memory. According to what I remembered, as soon as Jayadratha returned after suffering a humiliating defeat from the Pandavas and had his head shaved, he entrusted the kingdom to his main wife, Dusshala, and embarked on penance (tapasya) to gain a boon from Lord Shiva for vengeance.

He had recently returned to the palace after obtaining a boon from Lord Shiva, which allowed him to detain all the Pandavas for one day, except for Arjun. Damn, if only I could have been transmigrated back in time. Forget about getting a boon; I would have been satisfied just by witnessing the appearance of the God of Destruction, Mahadev (the god of gods). Anyway, I still have a chance to meet the very Preserver of the Universe himself.

As my thoughts began to wander, I arrived in the corridor that connected the royal chambers and the puja hall. Rows of guards bowed as I walked past them. I couldn't help but admire the architecture of the palace. Though I had Jayadratha's memories, seeing it through my own eyes was a different experience.

From the fragments of memories I've pieced together so far, it seems that the Sindhu Kingdom was established by his ancestor Vrishadarbha, one of the sons of Raja Sivi. As the firstborn and heir to the throne, he was the pride of his father, Viddhakshatra. Unlike the power struggles of Hastinapur, Jayadratha rightfully inherited his throne, and his siblings held great respect for him. Their relationships were harmonious because Jayadratha's power was so unquestionable that they never even entertained the idea of challenging his claim to the throne.

After inheriting the throne at a young age from his father, who sought a path of spirituality, Jayadratha reigned supreme in the kingdom. He even conquered two neighboring kingdoms, the Sauviras and Sivis, both ruled by distant relatives, merging their borders and expanding the Sindhu Kingdom. This expansion brought greater prosperity and favor among the citizens. Although he wasn't a beloved king, he was a feared one, and the citizens held a deep respect for him.

Blessed with capable ministers and counselors, his kingdom thrived. He even secured his first wife, Dusshala, with relative ease. The prince of Hastinapur, Duryodhan, sought to defy his great-grandfather Mahamahi Bhisma, so he decided to marry his only sister to the king of Sindhu, who had strained relations with Hastinapur. Dusshala cherished her brother and, intrigued by his appearance, agreed to marry him. Consequently, this alliance with Duryodhan solidified Jayadratha's relationship with Hastinapur, further bolstering his strength and influence.

Later on, he entered into marriages with two more princesses, Mandakini, the princess of Gandhara, and Kumudvati, the princess of Kambhoja. He also had a promising son named Suratha with Dusshala. Indeed, this guy seemed to have a rather fortunate streak.

The constant string of successes and the easy path he trod filled his head with arrogance and lust. He indulged in relations with anyone who caught his fancy and didn't hesitate to eliminate those who defied him. On his way to Shalva, he happened upon the hermitage of Maharishi Trinabindu, where he saw Draupadi. Jayadratha had been one of the contestants in Draupadi's swayamvar but had failed the challenge. However, his obsession with Draupadi persisted.

Jayadratha expressed his desire to marry Draupadi finding her alone. At first, Draupadi welcomed him due to his status as the husband of Dusshala, the cousin sister of the Pandavas. However, when she firmly declined his proposal, he flew into a rage, forcibly abducting Draupadi and heading towards his kingdom.

Upon their return, the Pandavas were furious and pursued him relentlessly. The resolute Arjuna, who had recently received a boon from Mahadev, swiftly defeated him, and Bheem handed him a resounding thrashing. Just contemplating that event still sends shivers down my spine. This guy truly had his ass handed to him. If it hadn't been for Draupadi, who wanted to prevent Dusshala from becoming a widow, the Pandavas might have put an end to him right then and there. Despite the severe beating he received, he endured the humiliation of having his head shaved as punishment.

Such a level of humiliation was unforgivable for Jayadratha. Soon after, he departed the kingdom and ventured deep into the forest to engage in penance and seek a boon from Mahadev to avenge himself. Due to his intense penance and unwavering devotion, Mahadev had no choice but to appear before him. Jayadratha requested the power to defeat the Pandavas, but Mahadev declined, explaining that he could only grant the boon of restraining all the Pandavas except Arjuna, as Arjuna was under the protection of the Preserver himself, and his destiny couldn't be interfered with. Anticipating the impending war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Jayadratha accepted this boon and returned, shortly before I took over his body.

Snapping out of my reverie, I found myself approaching the puja hall. Here, the number of guards was fewer, and one could spot priests intermittently attending to the hall's cleaning. The hall itself was quite spacious, filled with the auspicious scents of incense and ghee, creating an ambiance of spirituality and reverence.

As I neared the puja mandala, I noticed a group of people accompanied by their servants. Among them was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his 50s. Despite his lean physique, he exuded a commanding and regal presence, reminiscent of his past. With a grey beard and long hair, he carried an aura of tranquility around him. Behind him stood three exceptionally attractive women.

In the center stood a mesmerizing lady, her long, lustrous black hair framing her oval face, creating the illusion that the night sky was embracing the moon. Her captivating black eyes possessed the ability to hypnotize anyone, complemented by a petite nose and lips as tempting as cherries, with a well-proportioned and enticing body that exuded an air of nobility, as if she represented her superiority. She was Dusshala, the princess of Hastinapur. Accompanying her were two equally beautiful ladies on either side, although not quite as stunning as the first, they possessed their own unique allure. With matching black hair and eyes, they were undeniably attractive and seemed particularly close to each other. They radiated a noble yet lively aura, both possessing their own kind of beauty. They were Mandakini and Kumudvati, the princesses of Gandhara and Kambhoja.

I approached them with determined steps, and at the sight of me, the servants bowed deeply and offered their greetings. The three ladies also joined their palms and gave a slight bow. "Pranam (Greetings), Swami (husband)," they said in unison. I nodded and acknowledged their greetings, then shifted my gaze to the middle-aged man. I clasped my hands and greeted, "Pranam, Pitashri (father)," to which he responded with a warm smile and blessed me.

"Come, putra, let us commence our prayers to Lord Shiva," he invited. We all sat cross-legged in front of the Shivling, and the rituals began. Viddhakshatra was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva and had established a rule in the family that, if not occupied, we should all pray and dine together.

Once the ritual concluded, we rose and prepared to head towards the dining hall. Dusshala approached me with graceful yet hesitant steps and said, "Swami..." I glanced at her and raised my hand, saying, "We will talk after breakfast." I wanted to delay the conversation as much as possible to gather my thoughts and avoid acting out of character. Then I gestured, "Pitashri" inviting him to lead the way. We all proceeded toward the dining hall. Jayadratha held profound respect for his father, who had carefully orchestrated his life and succession with devoted subjects to guarantee a seamless future. Jayadratha was genuinely thankful for this. I surmised it might have been the sole commendable quality of this man.

Our walk was notably quiet. Jayadratha's temperament had undergone a transformation after his humiliation, and it had become more conspicuous. Unlike the citizens and guards, his family was well aware of this change and took great care not to provoke him. On that fateful day when Jayadratha's temper flared, the guards who had accompanied him were mercilessly slain by his hand to hush up the incident.

Viddhakshatra and I sat cross-legged on the mat, a small elevated table adorned with various dishes served by the servants. The three wives sat beside us and began to fan me and their father-in-law. In ancient times, wives refrained from eating until their husbands and elders had finished their meals, a gesture signifying their respect and loyalty.

The meal was quite delightful, featuring wheat pancakes, side dishes, and a dessert reminiscent of payasam. I noticed the absence of spices, yet the flavors were appetizing. After breakfast, I bid farewell to Viddhakshatra. Dusshala approached, and I gestured for her to follow me. She silently accompanied me to my chambers. Once inside, I asked, "What is it?"

She fidgeted slightly and then inquired, "Are you alright swami?" Concern was evident in her voice. I hadn't expected this question, but relying on the fragments of detailed memories, I replied, attempting to mirror Jayadratha's character, "What can happen to me?" I couldn't help but muse inwardly, 'Apart from getting my ass kicked by your foolishness.'

"No, I meant you weren't allowing any of us to visit or talk," she said softly, her tone gentle.

"I just wanted some alone time," I replied.

"I see," she responded, then remained silent for a moment, "Is that all?" I asked, sounding displeased.

"No," she replied cautiously, "Bhrata (big Brother) Duryodhan sent a messenger saying he will visit next month." And... she dropped the bomb. I did my best to maintain my character knowing that the central antagonist was soon to meet with me. Well, I did have some time on my hands, I supposed.

"I see," I said, turning my back to her, implying that our conversation was over. After a brief hesitation, she called out, "Swami..." I gave her a sidelong glance, and she continued, "Is participating in the war really necessary?"

Silence hung in the air. "Are you suggesting that I should not participate on your brother's side or that I should simply swallow the humiliation?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"No, that's not what I meant," she replied softly, suppressing her sorrow and fear.

"Then the discussion is over. I want some peace," I said, dismissing her with a cold shoulder. She remained silent for a moment, attempting to regain her composure, then bowed slightly and left.

I breathed a sigh of relief, not wanting to break character, and interacting with someone close was currently off-limits. I sat back on the bed, attempting to sort through the memories. It got me thinking; I considered myself a decent actor, but I wasn't Oscar-worthy by any means. Still, I was certain that I couldn't impersonate someone so accurately.

I clapped twice and summoned a servant. I intended to say, "Can you please bring me a writing pad?" but instead, I uttered, "Bring me a writing pad." It was then that the realization hit me like a lightning bolt. I wasn't in full control of this body!?