33 Side Story-Devi Amba (Injustice)
[Note: this chap is for Ice monarch who is confused about the story of Devi Amba and Pitamah Bhisma. So, he's the scapegoat~ Enjoy reading~]
Prithvi's P.O.V,
I am Prithvi, the mother of all creatures living on my body.
I have experienced many things, from the separation of Mahadeva and Devi Sati to the destruction of the mighty king of Lanka, Raavan.
Though my knowledge pales in comparison to Devi Niyati, Devi Prakriti and Samay (Time). Despite this fact, the tales I've observed weren't less than those of them.
Among them, there's a certain tale that can be termed as the tale of misunderstanding, a tale of no proper good or evil, a tale filled with the ire and rage of a mistreated woman, the tale of Devi Amba!
...
A Long time ago,
The Kuru Kingdom had faced certain difficult times and witnessed certain unbelievable events in the recent decades. Namely the death of their King Shantanu followed by his first born son with Devi Satyavati, Chitrāngada, who died without any heirs. Additionally, Ugrayudha Paurava-the usurper of Panchal, lusted after Devi Satyaki's beauty and demanded to send her to his kingdom otherwise, he will destroy the Kuru Kingdom!
Sigh! He was a fool! There is no doubt about it as he lost his powers due to his lust. Following which, Maharathi Bhisma killed him. Despite all of them being my child, I had already experienced the death of my countless lovely children.
Their death had made me strong. Strong enough to remain unaffected by these little events...
Back to the story,
Now, The throne of Kuru Kingdom was empty, making the subjects of Hastinapur to worry about their future.
Furthermore, Due to the oath of the Maharathi Bhisma, he couldn't be crowned as King, leaving only his younger brother, The second child of Devi Satyavati, Vichitravirya- who was still a child to be crowned as the King of Kuru Kingdom.
When he reached adulthood, Devi Satyavati and Bhisma wanted to marry him as he was the last man of Kuru lineage, who could leave heirs.
Therefore, Bhisma searched whole Aryavarta to find the princess or any female befitting of the Kuru lineage.
After searching for a long time, Bhisma came to know about the three virtuous princesses of the King of Kashi, King Kashaya. He found that King Kashaya had organized Swayamvara for his daughters- a practice where a woman of great stature chooses a man befitting of herself as her husband.
With the intention to win their hands in marriage for his younger brother, Bhisma entered the palace of Kashi, where the Svayamvara was held and declared his intentions to take (kidnap) the three princesses for his brothers, under the stupefied gazes of other Kshatriya Kings and princes-the suitor of the princesses.
[Note: In Swayamvara, it is necessary for the Groom to win the heart of the maiden. Technically, he can send someone else in his place but Maharathi Bhisma clearly kidnapped them.]
"Maharathi Bhisma! You can't live with them!"
"Bhisma!!! Duel me!"
"Me!"
"I will defeat you!"
...
At that time, the hot-blooded Kshatriyas showered the mighty Bhisma with their arrows, neglecting the power of BHISMA!
[Note: Maa Prithvi is calling him Bhisma because he is her nephew.]
Bhisma remained unaffected under the threat of arrows and placed the three princesses in his Chariot despite their resistance.
Following which, he retaliated against the kings and left them only with their lives.
Wherever he pointed his bow, the individual saw Kaal (Death) itself in him. They dropped their weapons and surrendered to his might, except a certain king.
He was* the secret lover of Devi Amba, King Salva from Salva kingdom. He challenged Maharathi Bhisma into a duel of honor to release the three princesses, Devi Amba, Devi Ambika and Devi Ambalika.
Thud!
And, as expected, he lost thoroughly against Maharathi Bhisma. He was left with only life in his body, aside from that, he was completely broken whether it was his childish thought of defeating Maharathi Bhisma or getting his love back...
...
This was but a small episode for Maharathi Bhisma who had many great things to consider like the threat of surrounding kingdoms (If they ever dared) or the heir Kuruvansa.
With these thoughts in mind, he brought the kidnapped princesses to Hastinapur, who were grieving for their future life.
Fortunately for Devi Ambalika and Ambika, Devi Satyavati cleared their doubts about their future and were promised the status of respected Queens of Hastinapur.
Both sisters agreed to marry Vichitravirya quite happily as they didn't have anything against the Kuru Kingdom. Furthermore, they were conquered by Maharathi Bhisma rightfully after defeating their suitors at the Swayamvara.
Sadly, there was one sister that didn't agree with them. Devi Amba was in love with King Salva.
"O' great Maharathi Bhisma and respected sages, I'm in love with the King of Salva Kingdom, Salva Kumar. Is it fair for me to marry King Vichitravirya?"
"No Devi, it isn't right. I, Gangaputra Bhisma, promise to send you the Salva Kingdom with due respect!"
Shri Bhisma agreed to her pleas and sent her to Salva kingdom, respectfully. Forgetting the manner he won her in a fair duel!
"My true love! I've returned for you!"
"Devi, I apologize! I can't accept you! Maharathi Bhisma had won you in a fair duel! I can't accept you no matter what!"
"Why????!!!! Was it my fault that he took me?! Ahhh!"
"Devi, Please leave at once! You belonged to Maharathi Bhisma!"
...
"Why have you come here?"
"Ah! PitaShri!!! Maharathi Bhisma released me!"
"Putri, I apologize to you. But... I can't accept you! The moment Maharathi Bhisma took you, you were no longer my daughter. You belong to him. So, leave at once..."
"Nooo!!! PitaShri, I have nowhere to go!"
"Return to Bhisma, he is your Swami..."
....
As a consequence, when Devi Amba returned to Salva or her father, both Kshatriya refused to take her in. They were bound by their own Dharma and rules of Swayamvara.
She pleaded before them, but her pleas were unable to melt their hearts of stone. They fell on deaf ears...
Dejected by their refusals, She returned to Hastinapur and went straight towards the abode of Shri Bhisma, with a heavy heart.
"O' great warrior please come out!"
"What do you want, Devi?"
"O' Gangaputra Bhisma, I was rejected by love and father! They had abandoned me due to your action! Since, you had won me at Swayamvara, you are my swami! Please accept me as your wife!"
"Devi, I can't! I've sworn to follow Brahmacharya (Oath of Celibacy)! I can't fulfill your desire! I apologize for my mistake!"
"Apologies! Apologies! Apologies! Apologies!! Enough of these Apologies! No other man will ever accept me! You are my swami! I beg you! O' son of Devi Ganga! Accept me as your partner!"
"Devi! I am bound by my oath! I can't marry you! Please leave...."
"No!!! Don't go!"
This was the moment when her spirit started to break down. She started losing her faith in herself, the world, justice...
Maybe due to the little bit of wisdom remaining in her, she visited countless warriors to take revenge for her or accept her!
But, they also rejected her to not attract the ire of Maharathi Bhisma, the fearsome warrior!
Exhausting her spirit, she wandered aimlessly with her hollow eyes and unsteady steps. During that time, she thought about the true culprit of her state, was it her who didn't escape the chariot of Bhisma? Was it her father who arranged her Svayamvara? Or, Was it her lover who was unable to defeat Bhisma?
Ultimately, she reached the conclusion! Maharathi Bhisma was the true culprit of her demise!
According to her discovery under the guidance of Devi Niyati, She reached the abode of ascetics and narrated her tale to them.
Due to many coincidences, She met a disciple of Maharishi Parshuram and Ultimately convinced Maharishi Parshuram to slay his disciple Bhisma and bring justice for her.
Maharishi Parshuram summoned Maharathi Bhisma at Kurukshetra, where the Bhisma paid his respects to his teacher. Pleased by his actions Maharishi Parshuram said, "My disciple, I have given my word to Putri Amba to slay you. To be fair, it wouldn't solve her problem. So, I ask you to take her as your other half."
His speech was filled with great patience considering he had never been this patient with an Adharmic person who had sinned.
Sadly, Maharathi couldn't fulfill this request of his. Thereby, he politely refused, "Guruji, I am bound by my oath. Even my life isn't truly mine. I have to serve the kuru King till my last breath, therefore, please ask for anything aside from either of them..."
When the respected Maharishi heard these words of refusal, he showed great anger at his choice to not make up for his sin!
He forgot about his previous relationship and character of his disciple and declared him to be Adharmi! Nothing more nothing less!
He decided to enact punishment on Adharmi, so, he fought with him for twenty three days!
On the twenty fourth day...
***
Oh NOO!!!
It's another cliffhanger!
