3 Tossed Into A River(2)

Priyamvada's P.O.V,

I am Priyamvada, personal maid of Princess Kunti of this great Kunti kingdom.

Our Yadav kingdom has been flourishing under the rule of our King Shurasena. We, the people of Mathura, contain immense great gratitude and respect for our motherland.

Under our king's care, we all are at peace inside Mathura, When the demons had been killing and slaughtering peoples in other places.

Our King had three children, two sons and a single daughter who had been spoiled by both brother and parents alike. 

I have been with princess Kunti for a long time, therefore I understand princess Kunti very well. She is my master and I have to listen to her every order and I have been doing just that. Never questioning the morality of her order. I had always thought that as a part of this righteous Yadav kingdom who places 'Dharma' above anything else, surrounded by great Father and Brothers, nothing bad can be done by Princess Kunti.

However...

Some days ago, My princess was blessed by Maharishi(Sage) Durvasa, a boon in the form of a divine mantra.

By using the divine mantra, My Princess could invoke any deity to ask for a son. Who would be more or less equally powerful to that certain respected deity. This is the best boon a princess could ask for since it will clear any obstacle in her way to be the qualified queen. She would be coveted by every capable man as her bride. What more a woman in the royal family could ask for other than awarding their kingdom with a capable heir!

Originally, this incident was supposed to be a merry occasion for the entire Yadav Kingdom. Unfortunately, my princess was curious about her newfound boon. Hence, under the influence of naivety, she invoked the mighty deity of the Sun, Surya Dev and asked for a son. Only to test the credibility of a boon granted itself by Maharishi/Sage Durvasa! He, who is the partial incarnation of Lord Shiva himself!

At first she was very happy that the divine mantra worked but when she saw a newborn child in her embrace, she realized her mistake. Her smile vanished from her face. Her face lost all colour as she almost fell onto her knees after recalling the grave taboo she had committed! Regrettably, there's n o medicine for regret.

Due to her mistake, she became a premarital mother, a grave taboo for any women in Aryavarta(Land of Aryans). If this news is to be known by another person, Whole Yadav kingdom will face the ridicule and insults of the masses! The Royal family would be dragged down to the lowest level of society. Never to be redeemed from this sin!

Thankfully, Princess Kunti is wise. She understands the gravity of her childish fault. So, to cover her one mistake she wants to commit another SIN!

And not an ordinary one at that, it's the gravest taboo for a mother. She wants me to toss this newborn child named 'Vasusena' who was supposed to be a prince into Ashwanadi, which could potentially cause the death of this innocent life. Her thinking is that some childless parents might adopt him, which have very small chances of success.

Before reaching them, he might drown in the turbulent river or die of hunger as princess Kunti didn't or couldn't feed this newborn child! 

Her solution is nothing more than a nicer way of ordering 'Dispose this Child.' Even Asura's mother will never kill their children and yet she is doing just that!

If she isn't my master, I would never agree to cover her sin! Honestly, she is the insult on the title of 'Mother'! She defiled the mother-son relationship with her actions! As for me? I am equally guilty of this taboo. Something that will kill the mother inside me every second. 

'Oh Lord Narayan! Please take care of this innocent child.'

'Why will this child have to bear this cruel fate?'

...

I prayed for this child sleeping inside the basket, wrapped by silky clothes. 

Princess Kunti had put some valuable gems and gold as payment for this child's adopted parents, if there were any? Truthfully, it was a vain effort of her to show her love towards this innocent child.

Rumble!

Shiii!!

These thoughts disappeared from my mind as I approached the riverbank of Ashwanadi.

I looked down at the tender face of this child, carrying two golden earrings on his either ear. His face is very pleasant to look at, drawing my motherly side out. She wants to protect him. 

Seeing his innocent child and the raging flow of Ashwanadi, The mother inside me wants to betray my master and escape to another kingdom. Where I would raise this child all by myself.

Unfortunately, I couldn't. I could only look at his glowing face and touch his soft pink palms. I... am bound by my loyalty towards my master and royal family. For I know that this child would bring disaster for the whole 'Yaduvansha'. Even then, I believe if king or princes knew about this child... they would never allow the princess to abandon him.

Haa...'

I could only sigh and wonder, how much courage would a mother have to gather to part with her newborn child. 

Moreover, to toss your newborn in a river, unsure of his life and death, how could someone live with this sin. Even this mere thought builds infinite guilt inside me. 

And here, I am betraying the dharma of a mother and human to follow my 'Dharma' of servant. Honestly, since Princess Kunti had ordered me, my mind had been unable to define what the DHARMA is! A mother and servant are in a state of conflict for hours. And, they would remain like that till my death...

Splash!

'May lord Vishnu protect you!'

I gathered my courage and put the basked in the turbulent waves of Ashwanadi.

I stood still like a statue while looking at the basking going away with each passing second. Inside my consciousness cursed me again and again...

With various negative thoughts inside me, my eyes turned lifeless as I watched the child disappearing from my sight...

Seeing that the child had gone far, I headed back to the castle to inform princess Kunti about the 'success' of her plan...

'I had sent the c-child on his way of a-a... good* life...'

....