Suhasini sobbed uncontrollably in her room, the weight of her losses pressing down on her young heart. First, her father was gone, and now her mother and aunt had left her too. It felt as if no one loved her anymore.

As her tears flowed, she felt a gentle touch on her head, a comforting presence amidst her turmoil. She looked up to see the same kind woman she had met in the court earlier.

"Who are you, Aunty? Why are you here?" Suhasini asked, wiping her tears with trembling hands.

The lady smiled tenderly. "I am your Devaki Bua, sweetheart. Why are you crying? You have your grandfather, your brothers, your sister, your uncle, and me. Am I not like a mother to you?"

Suhasini gazed at her in wonder. How could this woman, whose children were taken by her father, be so gentle and loving towards her? It seemed almost angelic.

"Let’s go and have lunch. I will feed you with my own hands," Devaki said softly.

Lifting Suhasini in her arms, Devaki carried her to the dining room and placed her gently on a chair. As she lovingly fed Suhasini, the young girl noticed the same girl from earlier, smiling warmly at her. Although Suhasini didn’t want to smile back, she did so out of politeness.

After lunch, Devaki helped Suhasini wash her hands. "Now, my little one, go and play with your brothers and sisters," she encouraged, her eyes twinkling with affection.

Suhasini nodded and ran off to the playground. There, she saw her brothers pushing the same girl on her favorite swing. For the first time, she felt a pang of jealousy.

She marched over to them, her arms crossed over her chest and her face puffed up with anger.

Balram, or Dau as she called him, saw her and laughed. "Arey, Sona! Come here. Look, this is our sister Subhadra. She’s a year older than you," he said, introducing the girl with a broad smile.

Suhasini pouted, then managed a smile. She thought, "Ah, this girl is my elder sister, and I was jealous for no reason."

"Come, Sona. Let’s swing together," Subhadra invited cheerfully.

Suhasini’s heart melted. "She’s so kind," she thought.

"Yes, Jiji, sure," Suhasini replied, calling Subhadra by the affectionate term for an elder sister.

They played together on the swing, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. From that day on, Suhasini and Subhadra became inseparable. Suhasini quickly became everyone’s favorite, especially adored by Devaki, who loved her more than her own children. King Ugrasen cherished her deeply, but her closest bond was with Krishna. Their relationship mirrored the one she had shared with her father, full of warmth and affection.

Suhasini wrote letters to her mothers regularly and visited them every two months. However, she disliked her grandfather Jarasandh, who constantly scolded her and tried to turn her against Krishna and her family. Despite this, he cared for Suhasini deeply, almost as if she were his own daughter.

Years passed, and Suhasini grew into a lively ten-year-old. Jarasandh’s frequent attacks on Mathura caused Ugrasen to worry. He feared that if Suhasini visited Magadh too often, Jarasandh might refuse to let her return or use her as leverage. However, Ugrasen was also bound by his promise to Suhasini’s mothers and acknowledged their right to see their daughter. One day, he called a family meeting with a solution in mind.

"I believe it’s time for the children to go to Gurukul. I suggest we send Hasini and Subhadra to Kanyakul and Krishna and Balram to Rishi Sandipani in Avantipura," Ugrasen proposed.

"But what’s the hurry, Pitasree? Hasini is so young; let her stay a bit longer," Devaki protested gently.

"No, Devaki. It’s important for them to receive proper education on time," Ugrasen insisted firmly.

"But Pitamah, I don’t want to go to Kanyakul. I don’t want to learn just stitching and painting. I want to study the Shastras and the Vedas. I want to learn how to wield weapons. I want to be a warrior like my father," Suhasini pleaded, her eyes filled with determination.

Ugrasen looked at her thoughtfully. "Then whom do you want to learn from, Hasini?"

"I want to learn from Shree Parashurama," she replied confidently.

"But he doesn’t teach anyone other than Brahmins, and he particularly dislikes Kshatriyas," Ugrasen cautioned.

"Leave that to me, Pitamah. I will convince him," Suhasini replied with unwavering resolve.

"Be careful, my child, not to anger the great teacher," Ugrasen warned.

"Trust me, Pitamah. I will," Suhasini reassured him.

With a heart full of determination, Suhasini packed a small bag with simple clothes, some food, water, and a little money. She chose a sturdy horse, gently stroking its mane as it neighed in response.

"Hello, Mr. Horsie. How are you?" Suhasini asked, her voice filled with affection.

The horse neighed, and Suhasini smiled. "I’m good too. My name is Hasini. Will you be my friend?"

The horse neighed again and licked her face, making Suhasini giggle. "What is your name, buddy? Can I call you... Dhavanshu?"

The horse neighed approvingly and nuzzled Suhasini’s stomach, tickling her. "Aww, my naughty Dhavanshu," she said, kissing him on the nose. "Let’s go."

Together, they embarked on their journey, passing through hills, lakes, and forests until they reached the Mahengiri Hills, where Shree Parashurama’s ashram was located.

One day, while Suhasini was drinking water from a lake, she heard rustling in the bushes. Instinctively, she grabbed her dagger, ready to defend herself against any wild animal.

But instead of an animal, a boy emerged from the bushes. He was radiant like the sun, with beautiful gold earrings and a warm smile. He looked about 21 years old, handsome, with a wooden bow slung over his shoulder and a quiver full of arrows.

"Hey, little girl, what are you doing in this forest?" the boy asked with a friendly grin.

"Who’s the little girl here?" Suhasini retorted, puffing up her chest.

"You, of course," the boy teased, chuckling.

"I am not a little girl. I am a big girl, and my name is Suhasini," she declared, trying to sound mature.

"I am Vasusen, and you are definitely a little girl," the boy laughed warmly.

"I am not! And what are you doing here, oldie?" Suhasini shot back playfully.

"I am not an oldie. I’m here because I am learning from Shree Parashurama," Vasusen explained.

"Really? That’s wonderful! We should be friends then. I came here to ask Shree Parashurama to teach me too," Suhasini said, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Is that so? That’s great news. Let me lead you to Guru Parashurama’s ashram," Vasusen offered, his smile welcoming.

They reached the ashram, where Shree Parashurama stood waiting for Vasusen. Suhasini approached him and bowed deeply.

"Pranaam, Gurudev. I am Suhasini, and I have come to learn the art of warfare from you," she said respectfully.

Parashurama looked at her with surprise. "How is that possible? You are a girl."

"Gurudev, true dedication, not gender, determines one’s ability to learn the art of warfare. Please accept me as your disciple," Suhasini pleaded earnestly.

Impressed by her determination, Parashurama asked, "What caste do you belong to?"

"I am a Kshatriya, but above all, I am a human being, Gurudev," Suhasini replied confidently.

Parashurama’s face softened with admiration. "I don’t usually teach Kshatriyas, girl."

"But you taught Gangaputra Bhishma, who is a member of the Kuru clan. Please, bless me with your teachings as well," Suhasini implored.

Parashurama thought for a moment and then said, "I will teach you, but on one condition."

"What condition, Gurudev?" Suhasini asked, eager to prove herself.

"You can use the skills I teach you only against Kshatriyas, not against Brahmins. If you ever use them against a Brahmin, you will forget everything you’ve learned for a day when you will be helpless," Parashurama warned.

"As you say, Gurudev," Suhasini agreed solemnly.

"Vasusen, ask your Gurumata to arrange a room and food for our new disciple," Parashurama instructed.

Vasusen nodded and led Suhasini into the ashram, ready to begin her journey as a warrior.

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Words : 1400
Date : 08/06/2024