Dwarka

The first rays of dawn filtered through the latticed windows, casting soft, golden patterns on the floor of Suthanu's chambers. She sat at the edge of her bed, her eyes distant, lips pressed into a tight line. Though the incident in the court had concluded the day before, her mind remained restless.

Vajra's wisdom, though innocent, had stirred something in the court—something that both made her heart swell with pride and tremble with unease. The men had exchanged looks, veiled in smiles but laced with discomfort. Some were impressed by her son's unexpected insight, but others—those with power, those with influence and corruption—had not hidden their irk.

Her four-year-old boy had unintentionally wandered into the heart of political intrigue. At this tender age, he was still supposed to be playing, not unraveling deceit in a royal court. Suthanu's heart clenched as the image of those men flashed before her eyes, their calculated glances filled with an unease she could not ignore. She could feel the silent tension, the tiny ripple Vajra's presence had caused. What if they sought to draw him into their schemes? Or worse, what if they perceived him as a threat?

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and before she could respond, the door to her chambers creaked open.

"Maiya!" Vajra's small, excited voice filled the room like a burst of sunlight. The little boy rushed in, his feet barely touching the ground as he bounced towards her. His curls were still tousled from sleep, and his innocent eyes sparkled with the joy that only a child could have so early in the morning.

But Suthanu was still deep in her thoughts. "Vajra!" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "Why did you run into the court yesterday like that? Have you not been instructed to not run away anywhere like that?"

Vajra stopped in his tracks, blinking up at her with wide, startled eyes. His excitement faltered, replaced by confusion. He tilted his head, as if trying to understand what he had done wrong. "But maiya... she was crying," he said quietly, his little face crumpling. "I just wanted to help."

Suthanu felt her heart soften, but she couldn't let go of the worry that gnawed at her. She knelt down, gripping his small shoulders gently but firmly. "Vajra, the court is no place for you. You're too young to understand these things. There are people—" she hesitated, her voice trembling, "—there are people who will not be kind if you meddle in matters that don't concern you."

Vajra blinked up at her, his eyes round and innocent. "But I didn't meddle, maiya," he said softly. "I only asked why she was sad. And then I hugged her. I didn't do anything wrong, right?"

Suthanu's breath caught in her throat. How could she explain the complexities of politics, of power, to a child so pure, so full of goodness? She tried to harden her heart again, but her resolve was slipping.

Before she could respond, Vajra stepped closer, his small hands wrapping around her fingers. "Maiya," he said, his voice gentle, "you always tell me that when someone is sad, we should help them. Isn't that what Pitamaha used to do?"

Suthanu's heart melted at his words. Her son spoke of his grandfather, Krishna, with such reverence, such love. And in that moment, she realized that in Vajra, there was a piece of Krishna's morals—his wisdom, his compassion, his willingness to see the good in everyone.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she pulled Vajra into a tight embrace. His small arms wrapped around her neck, and for a moment, the world felt simple again, as though there were no court, no scheming men, no looming threats—only the love between a mother and her son.

"I'm not angry at you, Lal," Suthanu whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm just scared. I want to protect you, always."

Vajra pulled back slightly, his face serious in that peculiar way only a child could manage. "Maiya , you can never be scared. I have only heard about your bravery time and again , my mother is a Veerangana. Also , I'm trying to learn - to be strong like Pita, and wise like Pitamaha." His words were innocent.

She smiled through her tears and brushed his hair back from his face. "Yes, my Lal," she said softly. "You will."

He grinned, a wide, gap-toothed smile that made her laugh despite herself. "And one day, I'll be even stronger and wiser, just like you."

Suthanu laughed, the tension lifting from her heart as if blown away by the wind. She cupped his face in her hands, planting a kiss on his forehead. "You're already strong and wise, my little prince. And no matter what, I will always be proud of you."

Vajra beamed, his earlier worries forgotten, as he wrapped his arms around her again. "I love you, maiya."

"I love you too, my precious Lal," Suthanu whispered, holding him close, her heart filled with both love and a renewed determination. She would protect him, no matter what. But in that moment, as his laughter echoed through the chamber, she let herself revel in the joy of his innocence—an innocence she hoped would last just a little longer.

" Maiya , Pita always says every women is a form of Devi Shakti and you say I am always the child of god first " , Vajra looked with wide eyes , " In that case , a son would always want the mother to be happy and I'll always do what I can do to make anyone like my maiya ; smile maiya ". 

Suthanu smiled drawing him closer to her heart. Her son was rising to be a protector but the heart of a mother was drowning. What was his future? 

The air was still as Suthanu made her way through the sacred groves that led to the hermitage of Rishi Gargi, the Kul Guru of the Yadavas. Her mind raced with questions, her heart heavy with restlessness. 

Though Vajra had been the source of her greatest pride, the weight of the court's politics and the uneasy glances thrown his way still troubled her deeply added to a resolve to protect others that he can take up so with much a determined mind. 

She needed guidance, and there was no one wiser in the kingdom than Rishi Gargi, known for  his deep understanding of destiny.

As she approached the humble ashram nestled under the banyan trees, she saw the elderly sage sitting in quiet contemplation, his form a picture of stillness amidst nature's serenity. His eyes were closed, yet his presence exuded a power that made her feel as though he already knew of her arrival.

Taking a deep breath, Suthanu folded her hands and bowed low. "Acharya," she greeted softly, her voice a whisper in the calm of the forest.

The sage opened his eyes slowly, as if waking from a long meditation. His gaze fell upon her, deep and knowing, as though he could see the turbulence that churned in her soul.

"Rajkumari Suthanu," he said, his voice calm but resonant. "Rather , the mother of the Rajkumar Vajra comes with a burden upon her heart."

She straightened, her brows furrowed. " My son... his wisdom and questions far exceeds his years, and though it brings me joy, I cannot shake the fear that he may be drawn into matters beyond his childhood. I wish to know of his future—what path lies before him, and how I might protect him."

Rishi Gargi listened quietly, his expression serene yet contemplative. He gestured for her to sit before him, and once she had, he produced a small, worn scroll—a copy of Vajra's kundali, his horoscope. The lines of fate, woven into the stars, were spread out before him.

The sage's fingers lightly traced the symbols, his eyes half-closed in deep thought. After several moments, he spoke, though not in a way Suthanu expected.

"A child born of such a lineage," he began, "bears not only the blessings of his ancestors but also their burdens. His path... is not one that can be easily hidden from the world."

Suthanu's heart skipped a beat. She leaned forward slightly, her voice laced with urgency. " Acharya, what do you see? Will he be safe? Will he be—"

Rishi Gargi raised his hand gently, silencing her with a calm but firm gesture. "Safety, my child, is a fleeting concept, much like the wind. No mother can forever shelter her son from the storms of the world. But listen closely to what the stars whisper."

Suthanu swallowed hard, her eyes fixated on the sage's face as he spoke, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

"Vajra's destiny," Gargi said, "is written not in the soft sands of a child's play, but in the stone of warriors' deeds and a ruler's path. He will rise with the wisdom of Krishna and the strength of the Pandavas, yet his path will not be without shadows. There will come a time when this power will become both his shield and his sword. And when the world seeks to test him, it is not through might but also the strength of his heart , his morality in every phase will have to thrive in the raging fire"

Suthanu's brow furrowed. "You speak in riddles, Acharya."

The sage smiled, his eyes twinkling with a wisdom. "Ah, such is the nature of truth—it rarely arrives in straight lines. But know this: while many may seek to shape his future, Vajra's light will not be easily dimmed. His fate is his own, and no man, no court, no ambition can bend it to their will. He is Dwarka's little mischief prince today Suthanu but he will be soon be the little lion and one day , a man all of us would seek"

She felt a lump rise in her throat. "But what can I do in this journey , Acharya? How do I protect him? How do I guide him?"

Rishi Gargi leaned forward slightly, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes. "A mother's love, Suthanu, is a powerful force, but it is also one that must learn to let go when the time is right. You cannot shield him from all that will come, but you can prepare him. Guide him, nurture the purity that already shines within him, and trust that the gods who placed him in this world have not done so without reason."

He paused, then added cryptically, "Vajra is named for the thunderbolt, the weapon of Indra. Yet, in his hands, that thunder will roar not in destruction, but in illumination for the mankind. It will strike when needed most, and it will light a path through the darkest storms."

The words hung in the air, their meaning elusive but powerful. Suthanu's heart, though still burdened, felt a strange sense of calm wash over her.

"You must not fear the future, Rajakumari," Gargi said softly. "For the boy you hold so dear is already watched over by forces beyond this world. His soul carries within it a flame that will not easily be extinguished."

Suthanu bowed her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes now. "Thank you, Acharya," she whispered with folded palms, though the weight of the unknown still pressed on her. Yet, she knew now that her son's path, however uncertain, would be guided by something greater , something divine. 

As she rose to leave, Rishi Gargi spoke once more. "Remember this, Suthanu—just as the rain falls upon the earth, only to nurture what lies beneath, so too will the trials your son faces serve to strengthen him. His heart, like the diamond he is named for, will emerge unbroken, no matter how heavy the storm."

The sun was setting ; slipping into the folds of the ocean slowly even as it casted a golden hue over the courtyard where the laughter of children echoed. Vajra, full of energy, ran after his dear friend Agastya - the son of Neerja and Dhruv, his small feet kicking up the dust as they played around. 

As the evening drew to a close, the children of the palace workers gathered for their simple meal in the open courtyard. Wooden bowls filled with lentils, rice, and fresh fruits were passed around, the aroma inviting after a long day of play. Vajra, without a second thought, darted toward the group, eager to sit among them.

But as he approached, the children grew silent, their giggles fading into an awkward stillness. They shuffled their feet as they rose to their feet, their gazes cast down, unsure of how to act in the presence of the young prince.

Vajra, noticing the change, paused, confused by their sudden hesitation. "Why aren't you sitting?" he asked, looking from one face to another, his voice innocent, but carrying a genuine curiosity. "Come, the food will get cold!"

One of the older boys, his hands nervously clutching the edge of his bowl, finally spoke up, his voice timid. "You're... you're a Rajkumar.We can't sit with you."

Vajra tilted his head, his brows knitting together in confusion. "A Rajakumar?" he repeated, as though the title meant little to him. His gaze swept over the group, the children now looking at him with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

He took a step closer, his eyes softening. "But does being a prince make me less hungry?" His voice was filled with the simplicity of a child, yet there was a profound weight in his words. " We're all tired and hungry. Why should that be different?". Agastya smiled at Vajra before he sat down. 

The children exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes, but slowly, one by one, they began to sit. Vajra smiled, his heart light as he lowered himself onto the ground beside them. "See? We're the same," he said with a small laugh, reaching for a piece of fruit and breaking it in half.

The tension melted away as the children, their hesitations fading, began to eat. Laughter soon filled the air once more, the sounds of clinking bowls and shared stories blending with the crackle of the evening fire. Vajra, sitting amongst them was a prince but who didn't want it displayed, he was no different from any other child in his heart. 

Later that night, after the stars had begun to twinkle in the sky and the palace was quiet, Vajra lay nestled between his parents, Suthanu and Bhanu. His small body curled up beneath the soft silks, his mind still buzzing from the day's events. But there was a question that wouldn't leave his thoughts.

Suthanu, sensing her son's restlessness, turned toward him. "What troubles you, Lal?" she asked softly, her hand brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.

Vajra stared up at the ceiling, his eyes wide with the kind of innocent wonder only a child could possess. "Maiya , Pita," he began, his voice a soft whisper in the quiet night. "What is a prince?"

Bhanu, who had been dozing lightly, stirred at the question and opened his eyes. He exchanged a glance with Suthanu, their expressions reflecting the depth of their son's question.

Suthanu's voice was gentle as she responded. "A prince is someone born to lead, to care for the people of the land, and to serve them with wisdom and strength like a son serves his mother. It is a Tapa , a penance in itself. The one who abdicates rights of his own life is a sage and only a sage turns into a king. Royalty is not a right but a responsibility Lal , it is a sacred duty. The one who breathes patience , whose shoulders can bear weight , the one whose feet is as grounded and firm as the roots of a tree , the one whose heart has a strength to be undettered like the Kailasha - only such a man is a king. A prince whose penance rises to serve people and not rule people such a prince one day becomes a king. "

Vajra furrowed his brow , it was very deep for a child's heart, he was unsure. "But today, when I wanted to eat with the other children, they didn't want to sit with me because they said I'm a prince. Maiya your words direct towards me being one with them but they are hesitant to even share meal? They feel I am different from them , have I done something wrong?"

Bhanu shifted, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked down at his son. "No, Lal," he said, his voice warm. "You have done nothing wrong , my son. Being a prince does not make you different in the ways that matter. Your hunger, your joy, your laughter—those are the same as any other child's."

Suthanu smiled softly, her hand resting on Vajra's chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. "Being a prince means you have more responsibilities, Lal. But it doesn't make you more important. It means that you must care for the people, protect them, and understand their needs."

Vajra thought for a moment, his young mind grappling with the weight of their words. "So being a prince means I have to look after everyone? My journey is to become a part of them?" he asked, his eyes wide with realization.

Bhanu nodded. "Yes, and not just with power, but with kindness. Like how you did today when you sat with the other children. You showed them that you were no different from them, that you cared for them."

Suthanu's heart swelled with pride, but there was also a flicker of worry. The world he was destined to navigate was not as simple as a shared meal, and the path of her son had started. It was time she accepted it. But for now, in this moment, she cherished his purity, his innate sense of justice and equality.

Vajra's voice broke through her thoughts, soft and thoughtful. "So, if being a prince means I have to care for everyone, then it's not about having more things or being better than others?"

Bhanu smiled, brushing his hand through his son's hair. "No, my lal. It is about serving with a full heart and understanding that we are all connected, no matter what titles we bear."

Vajra's face softened, his eyes closing as a wave of peace washed over him. "Then I want to be a good prince," he murmured sleepily, "so that no one feels left out. I want everyone to be happy"

Suthanu kissed his forehead, her eyes turning to Bhanu. Bhanu got up from his bed as he quickly went near the open space of their chamber. 

As Vajra's soft breathing filled the quiet of the chamber, his small body curled into Suthanu's embrace, she gently eased herself out from under him. The boy, now deep in sleep, murmured once more, "Everyone... happy..." before settling into a peaceful slumber.

Suthanu's heart swelled with both pride and sorrow, her eyes moist with the weight of what her son had unknowingly chosen for himself. She leaned down and kissed his forehead again, brushing away the curls that framed his innocent face. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked over to Bhanu.

Bhanu stood by the open window, his broad shoulders illuminated by the moonlight, his figure cast in a silver glow. His gaze was distant, lost in thought as he looked out into the vast sky, the stars above seemingly mirroring the heaviness in his heart now.

Suthanu rose quietly from the bed, the sound of her footsteps soft against the floor. As she approached him, she saw the tension in his posture, the subtle way his hands gripped the edge of the window sill. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek against his back. Bhanu stiffened at her touch for a brief moment, but then his body relaxed, and he let out a long, weary breath.

"He's chosen his path," Bhanu said, his voice deep but tinged with worry. "He doesn't even realize it yet, but that innocent heart of his... it already carries the weight of a king's burden , it is the path that leads to the throne."

Suthanu closed her eyes, holding him tighter. "I know," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "He's so young, Adi - he is our baby boy. I never imagined he would be drawn to this so early, that he would make such a choice before he even knew what it meant."

Bhanu turned slowly, his strong arms encircling her, pulling her close. Suthanu rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a sound that had always been her anchor. Bhanu lowered his chin, pressing his lips to the top of her head, his own heart heavy with the same love and fear that coursed through her.Only that he managed to hide it every time from every eye. 

"I see him with the people," Bhanu murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "The way he looks at them, the way he wants to protect them, to care for them. But Suthanu... what does it mean for us? For him?"

Suthanu's arms tightened around him, her tears silently falling onto his chest. "It means... it means we will have to let him go, one day. Let him become the man he's meant to be. And it won't be easy, Adi. It won't be easy at all for any of us but a task that our lineages have been doing since years"

Bhanu's breath caught in his throat as he stroked her hair, his own tears threatening to spill. "I don't want him to lose his childhood, Aaru. I don't want him to bear the burdens of a crown before he's even had a chance to know the world through a child's eyes. You know I didn't wish for a crown for him but I wanted a happy life for him first. I wanted it to be his choice on what he does with his life. But I see the way he's already becoming... something more."

Suthanu lifted her head and looked up into Bhanu's eyes, her fingers brushing the tears that now clung to the corners of his lashes. "He's already begun the path, Bhanu.He's chosen this, even if unknowingly. If he reaches the end , we will have to pass the mantle of a ruler down his hands."

Bhanu let out a shuddering breath, his fingers caressing her face,"But what if the world is too harsh for him? What if the weight of the crown is too much? How do we protect him, Aaru?"

She shook her head softly, her eyes glistening as they met his - his heart was very tender and loving when it came to Vajra. Sometimes she wondered if his heart had more love for Vajra than her own heart did. 

"We can't protect him from everything , Adi. But we can be here for him. We can guide him, love him, remind him that he's never alone. He will face battles—some on the battlefield, others in his heart. And when those days come, he will need to know that he has us, standing behind him, no matter how heavy the burden becomes."

Bhanu pulled her into a deeper embrace, holding her as if she were the only thing keeping him tethered to the earth. His lips found her forehead, lingering there as his own tears finally fell. "I'm afraid," he admitted, his voice raw with emotion. "Afraid that the world will take our little boy from us too soon."

Suthanu, her own tears flowing freely now, looked up at him, her hands cupping his face. "I'm afraid too, Adi. But we must have faith. Faith in him. He's strong, stronger than we know. And his heart... his heart is pure. This is his destiny, and we will walk beside him every step of the way, even when he feels the most alone."

Bhanu closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the night. For a moment, they stood like that, two parents—king and queen—holding each other in the shared love and fear for their son, for his future, for the unknown path that lay ahead.

After a long silence, Bhanu whispered, "He is our everything, isn't he?"

Suthanu nodded, her voice a fragile whisper. "He is."  It was time for Vajra to meet her parents in the land of Hastinapura, Suthanu thought in the back of her mind. It was during his birth that he had last been in Hastinapura though the Pandavas had visited them in turns in the past few years. It was time for Vajra to step out of the palace and she would never think twice before choosing her own home. 

Bhanu and Suthanu stood in the embrace of moonlight, two hearts beating as one, knowing that while the road ahead would be long and filled with challenges, they would face it together—with love, with strength, and with the hope that once they were given with by their parents. 

To be continued...

Yay , we will visting Hastinapura in the next chapter. 

As much as Vajra is picking up choices , he is a child yet to realize the choice itself and the weight of it itself. 

I hope you are enjoying the book so far. 

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