THE CURSE OF BRAHMA Read Free Page B

fact that we came here with a marriage proposal is known to all our kinsmen. If we go back empty-handed, it will be an insult for us, and our people will not be able to live with it. There will be years of animosity, which will not be good for either of our kingdom. It is better to settle this once and for all. Let Vasudev meet me on the battlefield. And if he wins, my kinsmen and I will accept his right to marry Devki. There will be no further wars; no long-lasting ill-feeling between two kingdoms.’
    Ugrasena took his time to think over this. Finally he said, ‘What if Vasudev refuses to fight? He doesn’t have to, you know. Devki will marry him anyway. And Madhuvan is well equipped to fight Bahlika, if we need to.’
    Somdatta’s face lit up with an evil smile. ‘Then let it be known that Vasudev was a coward who did not have the courage to fight Somdatta for the woman he claims to love. Let it also be known that the mighty Kansa allowed his sister to marry such a coward. And yes, if Vasudev refuses to fight, there will be war, but not one war. There will be a series of wars till either Madhuvan or Bahlika is decimated completely.’
    Kansa interjected just as Ugrasena was about to say something. ‘Devki will not marry a coward, for Vasudev is not one. Vasudev will meet you on the battlefield and he shall defeat you. And then the world shall know that Devki marries a man worthy of her.’
    King Vahlika, who had been quiet all along, now spoke. ‘I expected nothing less from you Kansa. But we need to be sure that you and your brother-in-law, Jarasandha, will not support Vasudev in this fight. For if you do, we will have no recourse but to call for my nephew Bheeshma’s help. And if Bheeshma, Jarasandha and you participate in the battle, there will be a war among all the nations of Bharat. All of Bharat will be destroyed.’
    Kansa nodded at Vahlika. ‘Neither Jarasandha nor I will fight alongside Vasudev in this battle.’ Then he glared at Somdatta. ‘But know this Somdatta—if by any chance you do defeat Vasudev, I will personally fight you and grind your face in the mud before I allow Devki to be married to a man like you.’

    Vasudev paused in his pacing. The battle with Somdatta was scheduled one week from now. Somdatta was a mighty warrior who had won several battles against innumerable kings and princes. Some people had lately begun comparing his abilities to that of Bheeshma, the warrior who had once defeated the great Parshurama himself. His prowess was likened to Jarasandha, the undefeated King of Magadha and brother-in-law of Kansa, and his valour on the battlefield was comparable to the mighty Kansa.
    But none of this scared Vasudev. Vasudev himself had been trained by the best gurus and he had full faith in his abilities. He could handle a sword as well as Kansa and he could ride a horse more swiftly and deftly than anyone else in Bateshwar. It was not the thought of being fatally wounded or losing the battle that bothered Vasudev. He was more worried about the soldiers on both sides, dying to satisfy the ego of one man, Somdatta. He had pondered over this matter for the last few days, ever since Kansa had apprised him of what had transpired in the discussion with Somdatta and King Vahlika.
    Vasudev had also sought his father’s views on it. Surasena’s judgement had been clear. ‘Fight Somdatta, defeat the upstart and bring Devki home,’ Vasudev turned around as he heard the light tap on his door. Sini Yadav, his closest friend and confidante entered the war room and stepped around the huge table where Vasudev was standing. ‘My prince!’ Sini Yadav bowed slightly as a mark of reverance towards his future king and then smiled and embraced his dearest friend. Vasudev grinned back at him. He was glad he had called Sini. Merely having him around lifted Vasudev’s spirits. Sini was not only his closest friend; he was also the most accomplished warrior in Bateshwar and the youngest senapati