THE CURSE OF BRAHMA Read Free Page A

downwards, as he tried to go over the events of the past few days in his mind. Everything had been going fine until recently. His father, Surasena, the king of Bateshwar, had spoken to Ugrasena and asked for Devki’s hand in marriage for Vasudev. Ugrasena had whole-heartedly agreed. Surasena was his dearest friend and Vasudev and Devki had known each other for several years now, first as play mates during periodic visits of both families to each other’s palaces, and later as young lovers, adoring each other from afar. Kansa had been elated at the news. Vasudev was a close friend. His character was known to be untarnished and Kansa knew Devki would be happy with him. In fact, just a month ago, Ugrasena had planned to announce their marriage. And then everything started to go wrong.

    King Vahlika, from the powerful kingdom of Bahlika had come to visit Ugrasena a few days back, and before he could announce that Devki’s marriage was being solemnized with Vasudev, Vahlika proposed his son, Somdatta’s name for Devki. Ugrasena had not expected this and he was caught off guard. He told Vahlika that it would not be possible for Devki to consider Somdatta’s proposal as she intended to marry Prince Vasudev.
    Vahlika nodded in understanding, but his son Somdatta who had accompanied him, was furious.
    ‘You insult us Ugrasena. What does Vasudev offer that I don’t? There is no warrior in all of Bharat Today, apart from Bheeshma or Jarasandha or your own son Kansa, who can claim to be my equal. And yet you stoop to give away Devki to that coward Vasudev; to a man who has never lifted a sword in the battlefield?’
    ‘Vasudev loves Devki, and she loves him too,’ Ugrasena countered. He was furious at Somdatta’s words but he didn’t want to get into a pointless argument. Somdatta was Bheeshma’s cousin. Bheeshma was the most powerful warrior in Bharat and Ugrasena didn’t want an unnecessary war.
    ‘Let Vasudev demonstrate his love for Devki then!’ roared Somdatta. ‘If he is a man, let him fight for Devki’s hand.’
    Kansa had been sitting quietly thus far. At the latest insult to his friend Vasudev, he could control himself no longer. He got up and looked Somdatta in the eye. ‘Devki is not an object Somdatta, to be betrothed to anyone who wins her in a war. She will marry the person she desires to marry and no one else. And if you have any disagreement with that, I would be happy to settle that for you right now, or on the battleground.’ He towered above Somdatta, who was a massively built warrior and stood well over six feet in height. But he was no match for Kansa, who at about seven feet, was twice as wide as any other warrior of repute. However, Somdatta was afraid of no one, and he too got up and unsheathed his sword.
    Ugrasena and Vahlika were horrified at the turn of events. Neither of them wanted war, and this was quickly turning into one. Vahlika took the initiative. ‘Prince Kansa, no one doubts your courage, and your love for Vasudev and your sister Devki. But let’s not get agitated. Let’s try and settle this without a fight.’
    Vahlika’s words, said in a calm tone had a temporarily soothing effect on both Kansa and Somdatta. They sat down, with their hands still on their swords. Vahlika addressed his son, ‘Somdatta, Devki’s marriage has already been fixed with Vasudev. Can’t you forget this and bless the two of them?’
    Somdatta looked scornfully at his father. ‘We came here with a marriage proposal. The announcement of Devki’s marriage to Vasudev wasn’t yet made public. How do I know that Ugrasena is not using this as an excuse to put us down and marry his daughter to that coward, Vasudev?’
    Ugrasena’s mouth tightened in silent fury. He looked at Somdatta with fire in his eyes. ‘You doubt my words, prince?’ he said in a tone that left no doubt about how infuriated he was with Somdatta.
    ‘I don’t doubt your words, great king,’ Somdatta countered. ‘However, the