Krishnavatara II: The Wrath of an Emperor by Munshi K M

Author:Munshi K M [K M, Munshi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Published: 2020-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

26. BALARAMA EMBARKS ON AN ADVENTURE

King Kukudmin was a tall man- taller even than Balarama - and gaunt. When Guru Sandipani, Balarama and Krishna arrived at the cave where he lived, he was sitting erect, his gnarled arms folded firmly, looking like an ageless tree dominating a stretch of desert, and weathering the storms of ages in solitary grandeur. He sat motionless, while Sandipani introduced his two disciples. He looked at them coldly; evidently he was not interested in mankind.

Sandipani told Kukudmin about the exploits of the brothers. The old king heard him without interruption, his eyes flashing with fire only when some extraordinary feat was narrated.

In the meantime Kukudmin's daughter came in and waited for his orders. Her eyes were fixed on her father with tender, protective respect, and Balarama's eyes furtively sought hers in vain.

Krishna understood the change that had come over Balarama. So far, women, all so tiny compared to his size, had had no appeal for him. He was not happy with any of them. He had kept company with the Garuda young women only in a desperate attempt to escape boredom; but he had evinced only a passing interest in them. At the same time Krishna had known throughout hat his Big Brother had been unhappy. He never gave expression to his unhappiness, for he lacked the subtlety to analyse his feelings and explain them, but it was there all the same.

For the first time Balarama had now met a young woman matching him in size and strength and yet full of beauty and grace, and Krishna immediately saw that his Big Brother was attracted to her. Never before had he seen his brother looking back ardently to catch the eyes of a woman. Now it had happened.

For a considerable time Krishna was acutely conscious that the triumphs, popularity and worship were his alone. Balarama was too large-hearted to feel envious about it; in fact, he was only too ready to give credit to Krishna. But the fact was there; with him as a constant companion, Balarama was always overshadowed. All along, therefore, Krishna had been waiting for an opportunity when his noble-hearted brother could feel reassured by achieving great triumphs himself and escape from his growing sense of inferiority.

So Krishna intervened. 'Noble King, tomorrow we want to stage a mock fight with maces between the expert disciples of Gurudeva. I hope your daughter, who is already proficient, will join us,' said Krishna.

Revati looked up, annoyed a little at what she thought was a joke at her expense. Krishna saw it and added seriously, 'Gurudeva says that she is already an expert.'

'Revati does not fight mock fights. When the time comes she will fight to real earnest,' said Kukudmin grimly, to a guttural voice, with an effort as if he had lost the habit of speaking.

'But my Big Brother is the greatest expert to mace-wielding. He will teach her a trick or two,' said Krishna.

Balaram was thrilled, but he sat silent looking at Revati with unfeigned admiration.

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