The Arrival of Kusuma
In the previous part:
The walls of Chandangarh Palace were impregnable, but even walls of stone give way to disguise and ingenuity. While Suvarna, blindfolded, fought her destiny, destiny had already reached her doorstep in a unique form.
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Today, as usual, the Princess was returning from the temple when, in a deserted area of the city, a woman suddenly fell into the path of her chariot. The noble-bred horses, seeing someone fall, neighed and came to a halt. Chanda, the Princess's companion, moved the curtain and asked, "Subhadra ji! What happened? Why has the chariot stopped?"
The charioteer Subhadra replied, "Daughter! A woman has suddenly come onto the path. She appears to be in a pitiful state and is weeping incessantly."
Just then, the sound of mournful sobbing echoed, causing the Princess's gentle heart to melt. She told her companions, "Go, console her and bring her to me." Both companions—Chanda and Madhavi—descended from the chariot and approached the woman. Subhadra was also trying to quiet her, but she continued to sob. Seeing this, Chanda stepped forward, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said kindly, "Sister, calm yourself! Who are you? And what grief do you hold? Why are you weeping in the middle of the path like this? Tell us, perhaps we can help you."
The woman sobbed, "No one can help me... it is better that I die! Forgive me, I wandered into your path by mistake. I couldn't see anything through my grief, so I fell. I will move aside now; please proceed." Saying this, she stood up and sat by the roadside.
The curtain of the chariot was lifted again, and the Princess signaled Madhavi to come to her. She ordered that the woman be brought onto the chariot. Madhavi realized that the Princess's arrival at the palace was being delayed and it wasn't wise to cause a scene in the middle of the road.
She went to the woman and said softly, "Sister, do not be afraid. This is the Princess's chariot. She is inviting you to accompany her to the palace. It is best that you obey her command. Come with us... do not fear." Finally, Chanda and Madhavi sympathetically quieted her and helped her into the chariot.
During the journey, knowing the Princess's wish, Madhavi asked the distressed woman, "Sister, our Princess wishes to know who you are. What is your story? What sorrow causes you to lament so?"
The woman (the Prince in disguise) said in a tearful voice, "What can I say, friend! I am an unfortunate soul. My parents named me 'Kusuma' with great love and sent me off with high hopes after marriage. My husband had not seen me before the wedding, and when I reached his home, he turned away the moment he saw me. He desired a woman of extremely delicate and fragile form, and as you can see, I am tall and of a sturdy build. For this reason, he abandoned me and left me here so that I couldn't return to my parents."
Kusuma sobbed for a while, then continued after their encouragement, "Humiliated by my husband, I am now wandering from place to place. I do not want to go back to my parents and make them even sadder. Now, I will either end this life or spend it serving in a good household. But no matter what happens, I will never return to that door where I was insulted. Just thinking about all this, I was crying over my fate when I unknowingly stepped before your chariot. Forgive me... if a helpless person like me can find refuge somewhere, I will serve with all my heart. If I can just get two meals a day and clothes to cover myself, my life will be saved." Saying this, she began to sob again.
During this conversation, the chariot entered the palace. Thus, Prince Vikramaditya successfully reached inside the palace in a woman’s guise. Upon arriving, the Princess went to her parents' chamber to pay her respects. 'Kusuma' was told to wait outside. The Princess bowed to her mother and asked, "Mother! Has Father gone out again for some urgent work?"
The Queen replied, "Yes, daughter! State affairs and duties do not let him rest. I give you blessings on his behalf. He said he would surely meet you in the evening."
Then the Princess briefly recounted the incident on the road and, with her mother's permission, called 'Kusuma' into the chamber. The Queen looked at Kusuma intently and asked, "Daughter! You do not look unattractive, so why such treatment? However, in what the Princess told me, you gave no introduction of your home or your husband’s family. Where have you come from?"
Kusuma bowed her head humbly and said, "Forgive me, Queen Mother! I am unfortunate, but I will not shame my parents further by revealing their names. Nor will I give the address of the man whose face I do not wish to see even in my dreams. You be the judge, Mother! If the Creator has given me this stature, what is my fault? Was it right to throw me on the road like an animal for this reason?"
Sobbing, she continued, "Since childhood, everyone has mocked me... but no more. God has given me strength and limbs; I can feed myself. I am not afraid of hard work. Truthfully, seeing kind souls like you and the Princess today has restored my courage. Earlier, I thought of ending my life, but now I feel, why not dedicate the rest of my days to your service? If you give me one chance, I will prove my worth. Perhaps my life will find meaning through this service." After saying this, Kusuma fell silent.
The Queen was left without an answer to Kusuma's arguments. After thinking for a moment, she spoke, "Daughter! It is the Princess's wish that you be appointed to her service. Although we do not allow strangers near the Princess, seeing your condition, we are giving you this opportunity. You shall obey the Princess's commands and prove your loyalty. From now on, all your needs are our responsibility. You may stay with the other companions. Now go, Chanda will explain the rest of the palace rules to you."
The Queen signaled everyone to leave but directed 'Bhama,' the Princess's clever and trusted companion, to stay. After everyone left, the Queen said in a worried tone, "Bhama! Whoever this woman may be, you must examine her closely. From her words, she seems educated and well-born, and perhaps embittered by the world's mockery of her physique. Warn the other companions not to laugh at her. We must not make her more miserable. Now go and take special care of the Princess... by blindfolding herself, she has made herself helpless, so your responsibility has increased."
Bhama said firmly, "Do not worry, Queen Mother! I will be like the Princess's shadow, and I will keep a sharp eye on this new maid, Kusuma." With permission, Bhama also departed.
'To be continued...'
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In the next part:
Kusuma has gained entry into the palace, but will she be able to escape the discerning eyes of 'Bhama'? On one side is Suvarna's unwavering resolve, and on the other, the Prince's search hidden in the guise of Kusuma—will this new face unravel the mysteries of the palace or find herself caught in a new trouble?
'To be continued...'
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✍️ From the pen of ‘Nishabd’
🖌️ Images created with the assistance of Gemini, ChatGPT, & Copilot
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