Tuesday 18 June 2019

The pen that writes from the other end

Not always are survivors the heroes  as we comprehend
And it may take a pen that writes from the other end
To complete the oft heard popular tales with facts so shy
Though they may go unread, or worse, construed as a lie

Most of the wars fought in ancient India are attributed to the female protagonist of the stories. From Sita , whose desire for the magical deer to Paanchali's laughter in the palace, the reason for the wars has always been  ascribed to a woman. But scrape the surface and many an unexplained bone make their appearance.

As the bride of Arjuna – The mighty warrior
I assumed that life would have not a barrier
But my joys lasted only until we reached
The gates of the palace where Kunti unknowingly preached

Yudhistra, in the name of upholding his mother's words, chose to shatter the kshatriya dharma of winning the bride in a swayamvara. This perhaps was the breach of dharma that has never been spoken of! What was more blood curdling was the dictatorial manner in which he drew up a schedule for the five brothers to follow in sharing her.

Alas, no one can predict the ever changing future
And happiness is but a bubble waiting to rupture
Kunti's fervent pleas to spare the girl went unheard
The rest could only direct their prayers heavenward

Any non-compliance in the regard was punished with a 12 year exile! Yes, you read it right. Yudhistra started the culture of sending his brothers on exile, not Duryodhana, as we popularly believe. Aruna, as fate would have it(?)  was the first one to be exiled. It was during his exile that Arjuna learnt the Brahmastra, married Krishna's half-sister, Shubadra and earned the wrath of Urvashi.

Some facts lay burried within a protected cage
To protect a lone man's ego and his endeared image
Does the generation next dare to set them free
If you care to, then just place your ears on any old tree
Unravel the stories that the world is waiting to know
Humanity would liberate itself from morals so low
Do not sell the woman that you vowed to defend
A plea from the pen that writes from the other end!

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