Fragments from a Shattered Image

Fragment 5

She watched with misty eyes, the coronation of her youngest son. Vichitravirya was young, having just turned sixteen. Yet, Bheeshma and the priests had deemed he was old enough to assume his responsibilities as King.

Her worries should have been over, but they were not. Vichitravirya had not been trained for Kingship. He was indolent and pleasure loving and had been pampered too much. Chitrangada had his brother’s firm but loving hand to guide him throughout his life. Vichitravirya was left to her, and she had indulged him too much.

It was only after Chitrangada's death that Bheeshma had started taking Vichitravirya to hand. And his firmness had had its effect, but Satya worried that with Kingship would come the disinclination to follow his brother's advice. Bheeshma could advise, but no longer impose his will.

We should have waited, she thought. We are being hasty. We should have waited till he is more mature. Physical age isn’t everything.

"You are worried, mother?" Bheeshma asked as he came near her. "You are frowning."

"Yes, Bheeshma," she said. "I fear he is too young. The power and authority may go to his head. He is not duty bound to obey you or me any longer. We are duty bound to obey him!"

Bheeshma nodded. "You are right. Maybe we should think of getting him married. Marriage will teach him responsibilities, and if we choose wisely, his wife may be able to guide him too."

Satya opened her mouth to say the number of wives who guided their husbands were so few. But she did not. Vichitravirya was so young. If he marries a woman slightly older, she might try to guide him and he might actually listen to her too.

"The King of Kasi has announced the Swayamvara of his daughters," Bheeshma said. "The Kasi Princesses would be suitable wives to the King of Hastinapura."

Satyavati nodded. "What do you propose? Vichitravirya has not been invited."

"No. The King of Kasi has slighted us by not inviting us to the Swayamvara. I propose to go to Kasi as my brother’s representative and win those princesses for him. That would avenge our honour too."

She nodded. "May you be victorious."

The blessing was only tradition. Bheeshma was going to be victorious anyway.