Fragments from a Shattered Image

Fragment 6

Satya could hardly contain her joy. The two Princesses were beautiful and seemed quite docile. Unlike their eldest sister. Satya wanted to forget the unpleasantness caused by Amba. Vichitravirya's marriage was the perfect opportunity.

She smiled at her step son. Bheeshma's expression was inscrutable, but she felt that he was just as happy as she was.

She was grateful to Bheeshma for procuring such excellent brides for his brother. With two young and beautiful wives, her son would surely develop a sense of responsibility.

It was not long before all Satya's relief and joy evaporated. Her son seemed to be interested only in spending time with his wives. The affairs of state were left to be managed by Bheeshma and herself.

She had seen the worry on Bheeshma's face and knew it was reflected on her face too. She was steadily growing more anxious. But Vichitravirya seemed not to care.

Neither she nor Bheeshma could do anything other than counsel him. And yet, their words seemed to have no effect. Satya tried to get her daughters in law to counsel their husband. But they were too docile and too much in love with him. If they spoke, he overrode them with no difficulty.

Satya resolved that she would give her son a piece of her mind. It would not be meet. But she was Rajamata. And she had responsibilities.

She was on her way to her son's apartments when the soldier came running. "Rajamata," he gasped. "The King!"

She ran the rest of the way, heart hammering.

"Rajayakshma," the physician said, rising from the side of the bed where the lifeless body of her son lay.

Bheeshma stood impassive. The queens lay on the floor at the foot of the bed. They were beyond tears now.

Satya sat on the bed, stroking the cold face of her son.

"I am sorry mother," there was a finality in Bheeshma's tone. "My vow is irrevocable."

Satya slumped in her seat. Her last hope was gone. But she made one last attempt.

"Do it for Hastinapura, for your line,"

He shook his head. "I would die for Hastinapura," he said. "But I would not break my vow."

"Your death is of no benefit to Hastinapura," her voice held a touch of asperity. And your life is of no benefit too, she added silently. Not unless there was an heir to the throne. Bheeshma had refused to be King yet again. And he had also refused to impregnate his widowed sisters in law as per custom.

"Hastinapura needs a King. It needs an heir."

"I cannot provide that heir. But I can tell you how an heir may be possible."

She looked up at his words, hope fluttering in her breast.

"When my Guru, the great sage Parasurama, purged the earth of Kshatriyas, all the Kshatriya lines faced a similar problem. But the women were advised to approach sages or Brahmanas to impregnate them through the custom of Niyoga. Thus it was the Kshatriya lines were continued." He paused. "If you, mother, can think of a suitable sage or Brahmana, we may approach him for Niyoga on my sisters."

"Vyasa," she said. "My son, Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa."

And she told him about how her Krishna had come to be born.

"We are truly fortunate that such an illustrious sage is to propagate our dynasty," Bheeshma said. "Send word to him immediately, mother. Let us not waste any more time."

She sent for him, and he came, just as he had promised her. He had changed, she saw. His austerities had made him darker, thinner and his hair was now matted. He had never been very tall and next to Bheeshma, he really looked short.

He had agreed but insisted that her daughters in law should do austerities for a year. But Satya was in a hurry. She was not prepared to wait.

"Then, they will have to embrace me as I am," he had said. "For I cannot clean my body for them."

Satya had agreed. She would talk to Ambika and Ambalika. They would understand. They had to. It was their duty to Hastinapura and the Kurus.

It was Ambika who received the sage. But her son was born blind. Satyavati was distraught. What ill luck it was that plagued the Kurus! How could a blind man be King! In desperation, she sent for her son again.

Krishna agreed to go to Ambalika. She too gave birth to a son. But he was unnaturally pale and seemed weak.

Satya again sent for her son. On her pleading he agreed to go to Ambika again. He came to Satya in the morning.

"It was her handmaiden who received me," he said. "You must ensure that her child is given education befitting a prince too."

"But," Satya said, "You cannot go. I will talk to Ambika."

"For a sage," he said. "Being with a woman more than three times is forbidden. I am sorry mother. I cannot help you any further."

The maid gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby, leaving Satya to reflect bitterly on the perfidy of fate. But a part of her also rejoiced, for this child alone she could claim as her Krishna's.