The King of Mahishmati

It's great to know that people who you don't even know are loving you and accepting you as their king.

But am I worth it?

Before the war, I was Siva, a barbarian who lived in a tribal village with no care in the world. But now I am Mahendra Bahubali, son of the great Amarendra Bahubali and Devasena. My coronation was completed two days ago but I am not confident enough to rule this great empire with greatest history. I may look like my father but I'm not him.

That's why I am here at a lake in the forest, to entwine with nature and clear my mind. This is what I am good at. I am dressed as a common man and slipped out of the palace without saying anything to anyone, even to Avantika. She will be mad at me by the time I return to the palace. I decide to take a swim in the lake, to get a break from the ideas swarming my mind, when a voice interrupts me.

"You will be a great king."

I frown and turn back to find an old man. He has a serene smile on his face and an aura which is making it clear he is not a common man. He is wearing a saffron dhoti and angavastra. His white hair is matted high on his head. I join my hands in a namaskar automatically at the sight of him. He raises his hand in blessing.

"May I know who you are?" I ask respectfully.

"That's not important my son. The important thing is you shouldn't doubt yourself. You will be the greatest king that Mahishmati has ever seen." He says with such a sureness in his voice.

"But how are you so sure?" I ask bewildered.

"I'm a saint, son. I know past, present and future. Do you want to see the future of Mahishmati? Then you'll have no doubts about your rule." He says surprising me. Should I do this? I wonder.

Yes. A voice in my head says. Then I will stop doubting myself and can concentrate on the empire.

"Sure." I answer.

"I will send you into future for an hour." He says and chants a mantra. There is a blinding light and I am standing in front of the royal palace. But everything has changed. People are dressed very differently. Vehicles are running at unconceivable speed. I can't even name what are they. There are no horses and trees are very few. I look down at myself and is shocked to find myself in the weird clothes these people are wearing. I know I am in the future.

A group of people are following a man into the palace who is explaining them about the architecture of the palace. Unsure of what to do, I follow them.

"This is the renowned palace of Mahishmati. 500 years ago, a great king named Mahendra Bahubali, ruled this place with his queen Avantika. He is the son of the great warrior king Amarendra Bahubali. People lived with peace and prosperity during his reign. Still, to this day, he is named as one of the greatest kings in India." He says. All the people in the group are nodding their heads with admiration.

A satisfied smile forms on my lips. My question is answered.

Mahishmati! Here I come.