#kichak

[hinduimages]

The place where Bhima killed Kichaka. This is in Jhapa near Kechana, the lowest altitude place of Nepal.

[avani008]

 AU Brihannala is the one who got molest by Kichaka not Malini

1. Brihannala is no stranger to romantic overtures–was it not one, imprudently refused, that led to her very existence?–but always in Matsya’s inner court, her mild demurrals are accepted. The princess’s dance-bells needs oiling, she pleads sometimes; or the steps for her next performance must be carefully adjusted to reflect her limited skills, and Brihannala’s suitors retreat.

The Queen’s brother, though, is different. 

2. It begins because Kichak is drunk, and the Queen, trying to divert his attention from her newest and shyest maidservant, makes an imprudent joke; Kichak, though, rises to the challenge and slurs an invitation.

Brihannala looks him square in the eyes and, with none of her previous prevarication, says simply: “No.”

Kichak’s eyes narrow; his breath catches. There, one might suppose, is his mistake. 

3. “I had not thought,” Brihannala wonders after the fifteenth request, cajoling this time instead of commanding, “that Kichak was a man of such tastes.”

Sairandhari rolls onto her stomach, chin in her hands. “He’s not, I imagine,” she says, “or does not have to be. For such men, a woman’s protests can be the only provocation possible, and he won’t be satisfied until you surrender. Simple honest lust has nothing to do with it.”

She does not sound angry, or anything at all save accepting; and yet Brihannala thinks of Hastinapur’s assembly hall, of the Empress of Indraprastha’s humiliation there. 

“I see,” Brihannala says slowly. “I am sorry for it.”

4. “Wine!” exclaims Sudeshna, eyes darting back and forth. “I’ve come into possession of fine wine, and wish to send some to my brother. You will take it, Brihannala.”

She raises her eyebrows in response. “I, O Queen? But the Princess’s lessons are to begin in–”

Sudeshna flinches; she looks like nothing so much as a deer caught between the cliff and the hunter. “Would you rather I sent Sairandhari instead?” she demands in her fear, and it is the one thing Brihannala will never forgive her; not now, not ever. 

5. Kichak is dragged to his brother-in-law’s court, his hands broken and useless. He will lead men into war no longer–wait with the women and advise, perhaps, but never keep his iron grip on Virata’s will or his lofty position. 

The King starts; the ministers gasp; and Kanka swears, softly and slowly, under his breath.

Brihannala lets the man drop, and folds her hands, demure dancer once more. “I served as Prince Arjuna’s charioteer,” she explains. “He taught me a thing or two.”

And if it had been Vallabha in the kitchens, or Kanka with the keen eye, or even Granthik or Tantipala in the stables, one might have made much of it; but to suspect Brihannala of secrecy? Next one would be claiming her to be Arjuna himself. 

[avani008]

bhaginī (2/2): (Sanskrit) a sister; “the happy or fortunate one”

More of my favorite siblings from the Mahabharata:

(from top to bottom)

Shakuni and his sister, survivors of the Gandhara kingdom.

Shalya and Madri, rulers of the land of Madra.

Sudeshna and Kichack, backbone of the Matsya Kingdom.

Pritha and Vasudeva, raised apart but no less devoted to one another.

Dushala and her brother Duryodhana, plus ninety-nine unseen others.