Raghuvamsam - 13 (E)
Raghuvamsam-XIII
(Written by:Santhipriya)
Kusa
Marries
Naga
Princess
Thus with the exit of Rama and his brothers in Raghu’s line,
their sons in order chose as their leader Kusa, who in all respects was valor and mighty
amongst them to guide them and reined
their respective states in unison. Once when Kusa was in discussion in his
chamber, he was confronted with an unknown voice that blessed ‘Goodness surround
The’ whence Kusa saw a stranger woman standing
before him and asked her ‘Who are you, respectful
lady, how did you enter my chamber when the bolted doors barred others entry into
my room and for what purpose have you come? Who is your lord (husband) ?
The shabbily robbed women whispered 'Look King, I am lord of self and guardian Goddess of your ancestral capital Ayodhya after your
father demised. Though your folks are
happy race under your splendid rule everywhere, but I am pained to see you remaining mute spectator to the subjects in
Ayodhya that remains shattered of its beauty and serenity in contrast to the
scene under your ancestral rule. What exists today is the desolation of her streets
and ruined houses, ever green grass
grown spongy streets now carpeted
with rough leaves that scratches feet, veils of fair women turned into spider
webs barring all, streets are unsafe to venture in night as jackals howls (meaning rogues and ruffians) and evil spirit
engages, lo, the river-banks of Sarayu
is scattered with the remainders of buffalo and sheep left over by the wild animals. Oh, King, return, quickly engage your attention
on Ayodhya and revive its status’. Thus spoke the lady
and vanished. Kusa shocked though to hear the news and unable to see
reason, still in mind thanked for her message and immediately set out motion with schemes generated,
and got readied his mission with a big force to proceed to Ayodhya. As his mighty army crossed
mount of Vindhya and river Ganges, turning dust to mud and again mud to dust, on reaching Ayodhya with speed, he set
out to clear the mess, by bannering himself in the city outskirts in a tent to
supervise the operation rescue. The fair town swarmed by his men repaired the buildings,
deslited the rivers and ponds driving away the snakes and reptiles there in
hiding, and restored the city as if bloomed afresh from green groves. His folks
were ecstatic dwelling in the renewed city.
Thereafter he ensured that there was no bar to his folks
meeting him anytime to get redressal. Each and every declaration remained not on his lip, but
every action spoke of his genuine intent and not law of jungle but law of
justice prevailed in redressing the grievances of folks. None of his action or
reactions were whimsical, but were as pure as gem and borne out of proper counseling from elders in court. Agent network was strong enough to help him
rule with wisdom. He performed Ashwametha Yahya too.
Then came the grievous heat of
summer when Kusa with his consorts went forth to bathe and play in river when an ornament held in one of his Princess body, a precious bracelet was lost in water. On command of the King,
the fishermen searched up till deep inside the river and found it to be resting on
the body of Naga Princess Kumudavathi, sister to the King of snakes, Nargaraja dwelling deep
inside water pool. When the ornament was sought back, Nargaraja refused to part
with and turned back the messengers of Kusa, empty handed.
Enraged by the reply, Kusa set out
powerful arrows to drive away the reptiles and snakes dwelling deep inside the
water simultaneously engaging Vishnu’s
vahana (Carrier vehicle) Garuda to
finish off the snakes. Feeling nervous with Kusa's anger and Garuda engaged, serpent King Nargaraja came out of the river, paid handsome tributes to Kusa and not only restored the
ornament, but also offered his sister Kumudavathi to wed to him which
Kusa joyfully accepted and soon wedded Kumudavathi to spend long years in happy
union. In few years Kumudavathi bore for her lord a noble son who was named Athithi.
...........Continued /14
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