Mallayuddha

Declining his challenge would not only be construed as a personal affront but also deemed a dishonor as a king, leaving me with little recourse but to acquiesce. As the atmosphere grew tense, a voice brimming with confidence resonated through the room, shattering the uneasy silence.

"How about I take up that challenge?"

The declaration, coupled with assured footsteps, heralded the arrival of another individual, their demeanor exuding an air of confidence that reverberated through the grand hall.

Making a majestic entrance into the hall was a young man in his twenties, his arrival accompanied by an unmistakable aura that emphatically proclaimed his esteemed royal lineage. Standing with regal poise and an imposing stature, his posture embodied not only vitality but also the grace inherent to nobility. His eyes, sparkling with a captivating blend of curiosity and confidence, hinted at an inner fervor and determination that added depth to his princely demeanor. The warm hues of his sun-kissed complexion painted a vivid picture of a life intimately acquainted with the opulent splendors of his kingdom.

Adorned in resplendent traditional attire embellished with intricate symbols of his distinguished princely heritage, he carried himself with a blend of elegance and youthful exuberance. Vibrant silks and meticulously crafted jewelry adorned his form, further highlighting his youthfulness and the undeniable charm that accompanied his royal lineage. His physical prowess was a spectacle to behold, manifested in the way he moved—an agile and lithe frame exuding a palpable sense of potential and a readiness to confront any challenge that might cross his path.

The countenance of the prince bore the unmistakable imprint of unyielding determination, framed by a crown that served as a symbol not only of his illustrious heritage but also of the weighty responsibilities he willingly shouldered for the prosperity of his realm. His carefully groomed black hair, disciplined physique, and immaculate attire bore witness to the meticulous care befitting someone of his exalted stature.

Advancing purposefully, he strode toward me with a sense of determination. Our gazes intertwined, and a radiant smile graced his face as he executed a gracious bow. "Pranam (Greetings) Bhratashri (Elder Brother)," he expressed warmly and respectfully.

He was Vikranta, the younger brother of Jayadratha. Although the Mahabharata doesn't explicitly mention him, drawing from Jayadratha's memories reveals that Vikranta was a formidable warrior.

Since his youth, Vikranta held great admiration for his elder brother. Every word from Jayadratha was akin to an order from heaven for him. When Jayadratha returned, humiliated by the Pandavas, Vikranta was swift to take the forefront, bow in hand, ready to engage in a battle of life and death against the mighty Pandavas. Nevertheless, Jayadratha intervened, harboring a personal desire to exact vengeance himself.

After exchanging greetings with me, Vikranta turned toward the guests, extended courteous salutations, and then continued with a grin, "How about it, Prince Dushasana? Allow me to accept your challenge instead."

The sight of Dushasana and Duryodhana contorting their faces in displeasure was particularly satisfying for me. While Vikranta may not have held the prestigious rank of Atirathi, he was a formidable Rathi, capable of taking on multiple warriors of his caliber simultaneously. It's worth noting that a warrior's ranking wasn't solely determined by raw strength but by their overall fighting capabilities in a war. Although not a celestial genius, Vikranta possessed the potential to ascend to the esteemed rank of Atirathi with sufficient time.

Regarding a hand-to-hand fight with Dushasana, I'm skeptical that he could emerge victorious, but he would undoubtedly prove to be a formidable opponent, a tough nut for Dushasana to crack.

Now, I had the option of passing on this challenge to Vikranta. While I was grateful to him for appearing at the opportune moment, I couldn't discern whether it was Jayadratha's egoistic personality influencing me or my own personal disdain for Dushasana that made me want to beat the living daylights out of this guy.

Placing a hand on Vikranta's shoulder, I expressed, "Prince Dushasana is an enthusiastic man, and I believe you will surely get a chance to compete with him. However, since he wishes for a friendly bout with me, I will gladly accept this proposal. After all, I haven't exercised my body for quite a while."

Duryodhana smiled with satisfaction while Dushansana was grinning cockily. "Of course, of course, we can have a match anytime, Prince Vikranta," chimed in Dushasana. "Let's move to the arena then," I declared, signaling the transition to the battleground with anticipation of the impending clash that would unfold. 

Mallayuddha, deeply intertwined with Indian culture, stands as the oldest codified form of combat in the region, reflecting a rich history and cultural significance. In its early roots, competitions held for entertainment attracted participants from all social classes, including kings and royalty. Wrestlers, acting as representatives of their kings, engaged in matches between rival kingdoms, offering a means to settle disputes and prevent large-scale wars. The esteem for professional wrestlers was notably high, extending to pastoral communities where individuals would even wrestle against formidable opponents like steers and bulls.

The term "mallayuddha" finds its first written mention in the epic Ramayana, recounting a wrestling match between the vanara-king Vali and Ravana, the king of Lanka. Lord Hanuman is revered as the patron of wrestlers and displays of strength. The Mahabharata epic further contributes to Mallayuddha's legacy with a detailed account of a wrestling match between Bhima and Jarasandha. Stories surrounding Lord Krishna depict his engagement in wrestling matches where various techniques, including knee strikes, punches, hair pulling, and strangleholds, were employed. Krishna's victory over Kamsa, the king of Mathura, in a wrestling match led to his ascension as the new ruler.

Historical narratives also shed light on Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, as an adept wrestler, archer, and sword-fighter before his spiritual transformation. Such accounts trace the origins of exercises like press ups and squats used by Indian wrestlers to the pre-classical era. Notably, the Pallava king Narasimhavarman earned the moniker "Mahamalla," meaning "great wrestler," due to his exceptional passion and prowess in the art.

Within the Mallayuddha tradition, matches unfold in circular dirt pits, referred to as "akharas" or "arenas," meticulously prepared with mud and various substances. The battleground, measuring thirty feet across, boasts a soil floor mixed with ingredients such as ghee. Before each training session, the floor is meticulously raked to eliminate any pebbles or stones, with water added every few days to maintain the ideal consistency—soft enough to prevent injuries yet firm enough to facilitate wrestlers' movements. Wrestlers, donned in minimalistic loincloths, partake in a dance of strength and strategy, exemplifying unrestricted movement during the intense contests. The rhythmic cadence of Mallayuddha revolves around matches conducted in the best of three rounds, determining victory through controlled throws, pinning shoulders, or compelling an opponent to submit.

The essence of Mallayuddha lies in the artistry of grappling, throws, and strategic maneuvers, with striking restricted to open-handed slaps. Notably, the use of knees and elbows for blunt strikes is permitted. Vigilant referees oversee the matches, ensuring adherence to rules and resolving disputes to proclaim the triumphant wrestler in this ancient and revered form of combat.

We arrived at the training area of the palace, a location I frequented daily. A distinctive feature in this royal training space was the akhara or arena. Interestingly, there existed a more majestic arena at the rear of the royal palace, resembling a stadium, specifically designed for hosting the annual Mallayuddha matches, providing entertainment for the royal family. I selected this venue strategically, as these crafty brothers are capable of executing underhanded stunts. I aimed to minimize witnesses and potential risks.

Dushasana and I had prepared for the Mallayuddha, attired in nothing but bare chests and loincloths securely fastened around our lower bodies. These garments facilitated unrestricted movement as we advanced toward the arena. As a gesture of respect towards the earth, we performed a small salute to the soil upon entering the arena. Taking our positions in opposite corners, we stood ready to engage in the upcoming match.

To officiate the bout, I requested AngaRaj Karna to act as the referee. Dusshala and Vikranta assumed the roles of spectators, joining Duryodhan in watching the contest unfold. With a signal from Karna to commence, our match began.

The two of us circled each other, our eyes engaged in a silent exchange of threats. Dushasana, wearing a cocky grin, boldly took the first tentative step forward. With the grace of a predator, he closed the distance in an instant. I met his advance head-on. The initial lock-up resonated with shockwaves, a collision of our hands that reverberated through the arena.

Damn, it felt like the clash between Godzilla and Kong. I could distinctly sense the raw strength that Dushasana possessed. The saying that every Kaurava possessed the power of a hundred elephants wasn't an exaggeration. Although it was surprising at first, I quickly gathered myself and acclimated to Dushasana's formidable strength. I answered his raw strength with my own, and this is what true strength feels like, huh?

I grinned and deftly moved my hands to execute a headlock on Dushasana. Even with a slim margin, I could feel that I was clearly the stronger one for now. Though I suspected that Dushasana wasn't using his full strength, neither was I. With a swift motion, I successfully headlocked Dushasana, and a bit surprised, he attempted to break free, simultaneously trying to loosen my grip.I could clearly sense his strength gradually increasing, indicating that he was getting serious.

Initially, I had planned to keep a low profile, building my strength to a decent level before revealing my full capabilities, well, you could say I was adhering to the standard strategy employed by protagonists in novels or anime. However, a broad smile now adorned my face. Having experienced the taste of strength, I decided to savor the moment and enjoy the challenge.

Dushasana, unable to loosen my grip, resorted to punching my gut with one hand while attempting to yank my hair with the other—a lowly bastard, indeed. The slight pain unconsciously prompted me to loosen my grip slightly, and with a swift motion, Dushasana escaped my headlock. Stretching a bit, I swept my long hair backward—something I had always wanted to do—while fixing my gaze on Dushasana, who was audibly cracking his neck. Without a word, we once again engaged in a series of head-on locks, our bodies colliding and sending shockwaves through the arena. Seizing a fleeting chance, I gripped Dushasana's wrists, pulling him towards myself and sending him rolling on the ground. As Dushasana tasted the arena floor, he swiftly got back up and glared at me. I grinned, mocking him and signaling for him to come at me once again.

Dushasana dashed towards me, his speed noticeably increasing as we collided once again. It appears he's giving his all now. I attempted to pull him once more, but this time he was prepared. With a swift motion, he dodged my attempt and, capitalizing on the momentum, sneaked behind me, attempting to pull me off the ground.

Surprised and now at a disadvantage, I struggled to escape his grip. Even with my greatly enhanced senses, I could see his movements but couldn't react instantly. As I wrestled vigorously, Dushasana found himself unable to lift me off, but he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by.

*Thud*

A tight slap on the back of my head pushed me a few steps forward, and I fell to one knee. With a tingling pain at the back of my head, I turned towards the attacker. "I apologize, esteemed brother-in-law. My hand slipped," Dushasana spoke unapologetically, wearing a wide smirk. 

Now he has truly done it.