#satyaki

[stxrrynxghts]

Krishna: you fainted, do you remember anything?

Arjun: only the ambulance ride to the hospital

Satyaki: that wasn't an ambulance, I drove you

Arjun: but I heard a siren

Krishna: that was Nakul

Nakul: sorry I got nervous

[suvarnarekha]

Havan | Day - II

• Minor/Underrated Character •

Yuyudhāna (युयुधान lit. Warrior)

Better known as Satyaki, Yuyudhana was a powerful Yadava chieftain of Narayani Sena, belonging to the Vrishni clan to which Krishna also belonged.

A valiant warrior, the Son of Satyaka was devoted to Krishna and was a student of Arjuna.

The mighty Yadava had a crucial role in the Kurukshetra war.

The fourteenth day of the war can be dedicated to this mighty warrior where Satyaki had a prominence fighting Drona, nullifying his nefarious design of holding Yudhisthira as prisoner.

Satyaki not only preempt Drona but also turned invincible for mighty and crooked Drona who at one point says "This fellow fits to be the perfect disciple of Partha."

He was one of the survivors of the war, later to die as part of Yadava clans's conflict due to the curse of Gandhari.

@agnisuta | Havan 2022 | Day #2

[sambhavami]

The Lost Flute - Part 13 (Brotherhood)

Krishna closed his eyes as he lay his head on the table. While the cool air gushing in through the window overlooking the ocean brought with it some respite, Krishna felt the exhaustion of the past few weeks creeping up his bones. After all, all he wished to do was run back to Rukmini's chambers, play with his little daughter, and smell her tiny head, while his wife played with his bonny curls. At the same time, even though he had left Manmatha in charge of guarding Rukmini's room, Krishna still felt uneasy.

The pile of pending papers requiring approval rose a foot above his head, threatening to topple with the gentlest touch of the minutest draft. He sighed loudly, carefully plucking a paper from the top of the pile. It read - "Reimbursement Request for Gifting of Four Cows each to Seven Brahmans". Krishna plopped his head back onto the table. At least the wood was a welcoming coolant. 

At this moment, Krishna looked up as footsteps shuffled into the room and settled in front of him. It was Satyaki.

Krishna waved the paper in his cousin's face with an exasperated look, "What even is this?! Who gave cows and for what?!" He exclaimed.

Satyaki shrugged as he extracted the paper from his miffed cousin's hands and put it in a separate bin.

"The Hastinapura reports I gather, brother." Satyaki held out another stack of papers, "Uncle Akroora had them delivered to me for discretion. I didn't open the seal." He smiled.

Krishna laughed as he carefully balanced the papers atop the existing tower, "Feel free to open them next time. I hardly have any secrets from you."

 Krishna exhaled loudly as he eyed the growing stack. Turning to Satyaki he asked, "Did no one think to send at least half of these to Rama while I was busy tending to my wife?"

Satyaki grimaced. He looked rather embarrassed, "Um, so how do I put this? Brother Rama has been out celebrating the birth of the little angel with a drink...or two...or more? Congratulations, by the way!"

Krishna sighed again, "And where might he be...celebrating?" 

Satyaki picked silence to be the best course of action as he fidgeted with a flower etched onto the table.

"Satyaki, think again," Krishna leaned forward, "Who do you fear more- me or him?"

"You. Anytime." Satyaki drew a sharp breath, "But I am not sure...one of the bars near the beach maybe?"

"Good choice. Now come," Krishna captured his cousin by the elbow despite the latter's weak protests, "Let's find out together."

---

As Krishna marched down the road along the beach, Satyaki nervously tagging along, he found his mind wandering back. 

To a humid summer night, about a decade back. 

When the war with Jarasandha had consumed their lives, raging like a storm right outside the gates of Mathura city.

That night, he had woken up, strewn on a straw bed, after a long day of battle. Feeling a litany of wounds scattered on his body, he had confusedly called out a couple of times- to his brother. Even as the grey outline of the tent roof had come into focus, Krishna had heard a voice to his left.

"What's a 'dau'?" A soldier laid similarly on the bed beside him had asked.

"Nothing. By chance did someone send for Prince Rama?" Krishna had asked him.

The soldier had smirked, "Oh you poor thing. How hurt are you?"

Krishna had mustered up a small smile, "My arms feel numb, otherwise I seem fine."

"Then, clearly you didn't see who rescued you, did you?"

Krishna had shaken his head weakly. The soldier had laughed again, "This is a prisoners' tent you see," He had said, jingling his arms to draw Krishna's attention to his hands, which were chained securely to the edge of the bed.

Krishna had thrown his head back on the bed, terror creeping up his spine. Turning as much as he could towards his roommate he had whispered, "Does Jarasandha know I'm here?"

"I'd assume not, unless he gets a report for every random boy his men capture!"

It had been the soldier's turn to be surprised as Krishna had smiled, "Then you must not know who I am."

The soldier's demeanour had predictably changed once Krishna had introduced himself.

"Now I am surprised that the elder prince hasn't stormed this camp yet!" He had said.

"Rama must not have noticed I am gone." Krishna had shook his head, "Just as the boy that cried wolf, I too have disappeared far too many times in the cover of the night. I don't think anybody would think to look for me until sunup. But wait, I thought taking prisoners was illegal? I read it in the pre-war agreements!"

"Welcome to the real world, your grace." The soldier had replied sarcastically.

"Please tell me this is not happening!"

"Not like we don't have prisoner camps!" The soldier had retorted.

"No, we don't!" Krishna had exclaimed.

"Oh, but we do. I should know, I was on guard duty there until a couple of weeks ago!"

"That can't be true, we had all signed that agreement-"

Hardly had Krishna finished his sentence, when Jarasandha had entered, accompanied by his bodyguards and a doctor.

Jarasandha had taken a seat beside Krishna, "I assume your arms feel numb. It's just a normal reaction to the poison- No!" Jarasandha had placed a hand on Krishna's chest pushing him back down, "It's just to cauterize the wound."

Jarasandha had then slipped his hand under Krishna's head and gently propped him up, with his other hand tracing a long cut running along his chest. 

He had spoken, "This is a poison of our doctors' devising. When used in minor doses, it helps cauterize particularly nasty wounds. You're in for a rough night though."

---

In the morning, Krishna had woken up in a pool of sweat, the poison having burnt through his blood all night, albeit feeling better. Once the sun had risen above their humble lodgings, guards had taken him to Jarasandha's private tent. 

In that tent, he had had a conversation that rang in his ears, still bringing him to the brink of anger, even a decade later.

Upon entering the tent, Krishna had found Jarasandha in the middle of breakfast. Several empty thrones were laid out in a rectangular fashion. Jarasandha had sat at the head, sipping on a bowl of payasam. In his left hand, he had held a letter, perusing it casually between sips. Jarasandha had given no indication that he'd even seen Krishna, even though, with a mere flick of the hand he had immediately dismissed the guards, leaving Krishna to stand awkwardly before the King. After some deliberation, Krishna had settled down on the tiger-motif throne to the left of the Emperor.

The table had been laden with regal food. After a long night rendered tougher with unplanned fasting, Krishna quietly took a bowl and served himself some of the payasam from the King's bowl.

After a while, Jarasandha had broken the silence, "Stop stealing glances at the letter like a lovesick puppy, boy. It doesn't contain any state secrets."

The emperor had continued, "It's just a letter...from my daughter Asti. You may have heard of her. Here-" He had slid the piece of paper towards Krishna, "Read for yourself. No? Why, Krishna? Well, no problem either way, allow me to summarize. So my eldest, widowed daughter has been declared inauspicious and debarred from participating in a festival that she has looked forward to ever since she was a toddler. Why? Because someone in this room killed her husband. What's more? She writes- Prapti, my younger one, is going hungry for days because she thinks that absolves her of the sin of being unfortunate enough to have lost her husband so early. Say then Krishna, what should I write back?"

Jarasandha had then stood behind Krishna, with both hands on his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh, "I am not a monster, Krishna, no matter what you've been told," the emperor had continued, "I see you, Krishna. I see the guilt, the second thoughts. They made you do this. Told you lie after lie. It's almost midday, so why hasn't anyone come looking for you?" Jarasandha had smirked, "You know, at first I thought I would exchange your life for Mathura's throne. I thought. But then, Krishna, they wouldn't save your life by exchanging even an expired penny! Don't you know that? Don't you feel it? But you?! I am confident, my boy, that the moment that I turn my back, you'll be out of here. Maybe you'll even take out a chunk of my army while you're at it!

"You think I made Kamsa what he was?! That I was behind his heinous crimes?! Go ask your grandfather what he did to your uncle! Ask your grandmother why my daughters do not live in the family house they are legally entitled to! I get that you were raised a slave, but why is it so hard for you to shed these shackles in your mind now? You clearly know your worth. Even imprisoned, you dared to take my son's seat and partook from my sustenance with such ease. I've known the Yadavas far longer than you have, I know their pulse. They will never appreciate you. They will keep you leashed like an attack dog, one that is to be unleashed at any undesirable entity. You will spend your life protecting them, and they will not lift even a finger in your favour. You will never achieve anything in their midst, but if you wish, with your permission, I offer my meagre help. I never wished to antagonize you. Never! In fact, I am amazed at your valour. I'd be honoured if I am allowed to give you a place in my army, a throne at my side, and an opportunity to rule the Yadava people exactly like they deserve to be!"

Gathering himself to smile as sweetly as he possibly could, Krishna had whispered, "Is this the same pitch you gave my uncle?"

He had immediately felt the emperor's fingers tightening on his shoulder, slipping closer to his throat. 

"Smart boy!"  Jarasandha had sneered.

Krishna had still smirked, "Jig's up, Jarasandha. You're not getting me. Not now, not ever. I'll admit that it was a good try, but alas not good enough. If you had really understood me, you would know that I don't give a damn about my so-called family. I fight for my people. The people whose houses your army would pillage. The people whose women they would take. You'd have to kill me before you get to any of them!"

Jarasandha had guffawed, "You know what they call the warriors who wear their hearts on their sleeve, Krishna? Fools! I had clearly overestimated your acumen. You've got a lot to learn, boy! I wanted your support, but you gave me a target!"

Krishna had cursed himself then, for being so frank, however the damage had been done. Jarasandha had relinquished him, albeit with a shove that had left him at the edge of his seat, wincing. The emperor had then sat down, with a pen in his hand.

"You know what Krishna, I was planning to leave you alone once I had defeated you, but no! You had to go and piss me off. So you will die. I had high hopes for you, but it seems the nurture was stronger with you. People like you are not even worth enough to us, the Kings and Princes of this celebrated land, to sully our hands with your blood. I have another boy in my army, just like you. Ekalavya or something, he is called. Some nishada. An excellent shot despite that impediment of his birth. I'll have him finish you off. But not now," Jarasandha had smirked, "It wouldn't be fun if we did it now. So, go! Get out! Heal up, and come back. You'll be killed then, and your kingdom burned to the ground. Guards!"

Krishna had stood up, "Fine then. Release my man, and I'll be out of your hair."

Jarasandha raised an eyebrow, "What about this interaction indicated that this is a negotiation?"

"By our agreement, you cannot keep prisoners during war."

"You have more prisoners than me, Krishna. You don't see me making a fuss."

"I'll release them as soon as I return. Release my man."

Jarasandha nodded, "For what it's worth I wasn't lying about your family. If you heed my advice, stop shielding them from me. After all, ulterior motives aside, I come bearing only the consequence of their actions."

"Yeah, that's why you offered to spare them if they handed my brother and me over to you," Krishna smirked back.

"In my defence, you weren't supposed to know about that. May Mahadeva pardon me," Jarasandha said, "But you do remind me of my second son, Jayatsena. You both have the same youthful misguidance and a pesky little thing called morals. I'll be waiting to see how long that lasts." He smirked, "Anyway, tell the guard on your way out, he'll bring your man out."

Krishna had walked back in from the door, for one last time, "Letting me go. This is the biggest mistake of your life, Jarasandha. One day your widowed wives shall curse the almighty for allowing you such lapse in judgement, I promise you that."

Upon being released outside the campground, the soldier had immediately wrapped Krishna's arms around him. Krishna too, as surprised as he had been, found himself slumping despite all efforts to remain standing. "H-how did you know?" He had asked the man.

"Watched you all night. There's no way you were staying upright any longer. Come on now, our camp's a mile to the west. Considering your speed and my imagined weightlifting trophies, we should get there in an hour or so."

Krishna had grimaced, "Just find Rama, and take me to him."

And so the soldier had done.

---

Immediately, upon entering Balarama's tent, the prince had rushed to them immediately, clasping Krishna's damp body to his chest.

"What happened to you?" Balarama had asked, himself sweating worriedly.

"My-my charioteer, Subahu, got killed and all of a sudden an arrow-" Krishna had pointed to his chest, at the scar still glistening blood-red against his dark skin, "I didn't think anyone other than me knew this trick. I was so worried that they got you too!" Krishna had extended an arm, pulling Balarama into a thankful embrace.

"It's almost evening, Dau," Krishna had sat up despite Balarama's protests, his eyes squinted, his palms shaking. His voice almost a whisper, he had spoken, "How come none of you noticed I was gone? Forget about the others, Dau, why didn't you?"

Balarama had averted his eyes, hemming and hawing till Krishna's eyes had found a glass, still half full, "Dau, please tell me you did not drink so much that you forgot about me?" Krishna had pressed, his voice shaking with emotion, "You're all I have, Dau! Tell me, you didn't forget me!"

"I...am sorry, Kanha."

"You are all I have," Krishna had repeated, almost mechanically.

"You're all I have too, Kanha," Balarama had cried, "You know that I'd give my life for you, don't you? Any day, any time, no questions asked! You know that, right? I'm just so...scared. All the time." 

He had cupped Krishna's face, running his fingers through his hair.

"It's me or...that, then." Krishna had replied in a steely voice.

"You," Balarama had replied, no hesitation in his voice, "Always, you." 

He shook his head, "You don't believe me? See!" Balarama had picked up the half-empty glass of wine and emptied it over his carpet. 

"See!" He had picked up the large pitcher and began pouring that as well over the floor, a thin stream of wine happily skipping out of the tent gate.

"Please stop," Krishna had whispered.

"No, I'll dispose of everything, right now! I will never let you down again!"

"No!" Krishna had shouted finally, "I am running on some really disgusting payasam, I will it throw up. Please stop."

Balarama had finally collapsed into a chair, looking more defeated than anything else. "I am so sorry," he whispered, "I should have checked in on you. I am the oldest. You were my responsibility, and I failed you so utterly."

Krishna had shook his head, holding his sides with a hand, "No, you didn't. We are in this together. I too should have taken better care of you. I let it...get this far. At least half of this is on me. What's more important is that we leave. Guard! Get Satyaka's kid here, urgently!"

As soon as Satyaki had entered, Krishna had stood up, although on shaky feet. Steadying himself with his arms on Satyaki's shoulder, even before the boy had had time to process what he saw, Krishna had whispered, "You once told me you will do whatever I tell you to, no questions asked. Do you still abide?"

Satyaki had nodded. Krishna had spoken, "Gather all the aahir, gopa and naga people. Escort them, respectfully, into the citadel, and find them someplace to live. Use our palace if need be. I wish for you to tend to them personally."

"Sure brother, but will the ministers allow it? You know they are not permitted to enter past the city gates!"

Krishna had taken a long breath, "If anyone has anything to say, meet them at the city centre, with a sword. Can you do that?"

Satyaki had nodded as he had ran out.

"Leave...where?" Balarama had asked after a while.

"Just somewhere that is not...here. I'll have my eagle-flagged chariot prepared. We'll take the Arab horses."

"Do you want to get caught?"

"No. Jarasandha wants to play hide-and-seek. His onslaughts upon the city are going to keep on coming. Rations are at an all-time low, and so is morale. We cannot keep doing this forever. To be honest, Dau, I misjudged today. In doing so, I made an error that put a lot of people's lives in danger. I must correct that, at any cost. Jarasandha's got us cornered, no way out. So, let's play his game. He wants Krishna, I'll give him Krishna...well, almost."

"As you wish," Balarama had nodded, although he didn't look very convinced.

---

Satyaki had returned, just as Krishna and Balarama had reached the clearing where the grand chariot had been parked. Its curves and grooves sparkled in the clear moonlight.

"I got 'em all, brothers! Except just a few."

"Who'd you leave out?" Krishna had asked, surprised, squinting his eyes to count the number of enemy tents lit up by torches in the distance.

"This is tricky. Um, they are your father, mother, friends...the entire Gokula village. Also, one, um, some, specific people from Barsana. They bade you luck, and promised that they will watch your back."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Krishna had exclaimed.

"I said that already...albeit in softer terms."

Krishna had slumped against the chariot, "They cannot be doing this to me right now!"

"Let me convince them," Balarama had spoken up, having contemplated silently until then, "It's the least I can do. Krishna, you proceed. Satyaki, you return to the city, and lock it down. I'll catch up when I can. No, Krishna, do not stop me. It's been long since I've seen them anyway."

"Fine," Krishna had said, his voice betraying his worries nevertheless, "One last problem then. My charioteer was killed in the battle yesterday, may God rest his soul. Currently, Rama insists on going to Vrindavana, and I am in no state to drive-"

"Your graces," The soldier had spoken up suddenly, startling all three.

"You haven't gone to barracks yet?" Balarama had asked incredulously. Then he had added, after a moment's contemplation, "Ah, I forgot to pay. Please do not take this delay in expressing my deepest gratitude to heart, I got overwhelmed."

"It's not a reward I seek, Sir. I am salaried." The soldier had smiled slightly.

"Then?" Krishna had asked.

"A soldier doesn't leave his post unless dismissed, Sir."

"Oh God," Krishna had laughed sincerely, for the first time since the previous night, "Well. Well, you're just great, no? Um, what's your name? Pardon me, I forgot to ask in all this hubbub!" 

"Daruka, it's Daruka." The soldier had replied, with a short bow.

"Well then, Daruka," Krishna had grinned, "How would you like a useless promotion?"

---

"Hey Krishna! Look, there he is!" Satyaki exclaimed, breaking Krishna free from his chain of thought. Balarama was fast asleep, glass in hand, even as he cradled a half-empty pitcher in the other arm. Daruka too stood there, with a helpless expression on his face.

Krishna gently ran his fingers through his brother's hair, whispering to him.

"Just go away already," Balarama complained in a muffled voice, without ever opening his eyes.

Satyaki and Daruka exchanged a look. However, neither of them dared utter a word, having both observed Krishna's shoulders tightening. 

Slowly, Krishna turned, his eyes red.

"I am done." He whispered, his voice shaking, "You two get him home, or not...whatever. I have work."

[hasarjunadoneanythingwrong]

i found a thread where someone counted up the data of wins/losses of all the major fighters of the kurukhestra war on twitter based off the bori critical edition and... 😭

the author of it did note after that they missed some of bhisma's (1 victory, 1 loss, and 1 NR (not recorded)) but when they had counted those they also noted that one of the ones of duryodhana's they counted as a NR was actually a loss on his end. he literally had a 4:21 win:loss ratio in the kurukhestra war someone stop him

[wounds-seen-and-unseen]

Augusnippets Day 14: Path of Comfort- Gift

For @augusnippets day 14. Tagging @ba-bhump and @dreamer-in-sleep .

This is not a universe I have posted yet. Basically, in an alternate close-to-modern universe, Bhishma mandates Subhadra’s marriage to Arjun as the price of the ‘many political favours’ he has done Subhadra’s family. Both Arjun and Subhadra are teens here.

This is a snippet of an incident shortly after their wedding.

TW: Child marriage, bullying, crying.

Some Hindi/Sanskrit words used are here:

Bhabhi: elder sister in law.

Mangalsutra: It is a ritual necklace that the groom puts on the bride’s neck, as a symbol of their marriage.

Snippet below the cut.

Subhadra bows her head, having no other choice. “My thanks,” she whispers, the jewels merrily, tinkling. Her husband’s elder aunt smiles brightly back at her. “Just because your husband’s side of the family are little more than paupers does not mean that I will let their carelessness embarrass you or the rest of the family, child.” Money is not the only wealth. Kindness is wealth, too, and love. But she would not understand, embittered as she was, and Subhadra keeps silent.

“Bhabhi. Subhadra should be on her way to school,” intercedes his younger aunt, her hand on Subhadra’s shoulder. “Hmm. Of course. Yet another indulgence given to the favourite grandson.”

Subhadra, still new to the undercurrents in the family, facing them alone for what could be the first time, does not know what to say. Usually, it is easier to let her speak what she wishes, Arjun holding her hand and covertly winking at her. Arjun, however, has already left, having extra classes for his boards. And no matter what she says, she is still an elder of the family, to be given respect, at least in name.

“My thanks for your blessings,” she says, sweet as honey, eyes demurely cast down, as she leaves. Arjun and she will have a laugh about this for sure.

Any thought of laughter has long since fled at the barrage of veiled insults she faces against in school. “How auspicious,” hiss her classmates, “that she need have no consideration for decorum?” She does her best to ignore them, but is not very successful.

“You think you’re so much better than us, don’t you? You’ve taken him all for yourself. He won’t stick around for very long, have no fear,” gloat some of the girls, and Subhadra’s self-control is finally overwhelmed.

She blinks past tears. At the very edge of her hearing, a familiar voice rings. “What is this commotion about?’ Some of them quieten as he nears, murmuring “the prefect. He’s here.” But more of them turn on to him as one, loudly beginning to complain. He cannot see me like this. Even as Arjun’s voice sounds nearer and nearer every second, Subhadra runs.

________________________________________________________________

Loud voices ring across the grassy field, too many at once to make sense of the words. Arjun frowns, getting to his feet, his lunch abandoned at his side. He walks quickly across to the bevy of girls. He makes sure to speak clearly and loudly, his voice easily cutting off theirs. “What is this commotion about?”

Some of them quieten at the sight of him. “What is the issue?” he asks, signalling to one of them. A large group of them turn to him as one, even as one of the girls breaks free at the periphery of his sight, running into the shrubbery nearby. That is someone I need to look out for, Arjun thinks. Before he can take a step in that direction, “No one is allowed to dress fancy in school, are they?” asks someone.

Arjun automatically shakes his head. “She was swanning around like she had any right to. We just taught her a lesson.” “There is no grounds for bullying. She might just have had a family function, hardly a punishable offence. You are expected to behave better than this.” “Of course you defend her.” hisses one of them. “Just because she wed you doesn’t mean she is deserving of you!” Subhadrey. Arjun has to work to sound some semblance of composed. “What right do you have to hurt anyone else, let alone Subhadra? The lot of you disgust me.” He shakes his head. “I haven’t the time for unimportant nonsense,” he bites out, restraining himself from striking the speaker with much difficulty. She matters not, Parth.

He runs towards the shrubbery, but is stopped by a hand on his shoulder. “Parth,” says Satyaki, his classmate, “recess is over. Bharadwaj sir’s class.” Arjun shakes his friend’s hand off. “I can afford to miss one class,” he tells him. “But I cannot leave her alone like this.”

He slows down inside the maze of shrubs, on alert. He hears jewels tinkling quite near where he stands, and he softens his footsteps. “Subhadrey.” No answer, but for a sniffle. He parts the shrubs quietly, and there she is, what looks like makeup smeared across her face.

He kneels on the sand, holding his arms out, holding her as she collides into him.

________________________________________________________________

“Subhdarey,” calls Arjun’s voice, soft and worried as he nears her. He reaches her with ease, stopping short at the sight of her. She stiffens, anticipating something she cannot explain, when he sinks onto one knee in the sand. She cannot stop herself from running to him.

He holds her, warm and soft, and hers. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong? Let me see what I can do.” That is all the invitation she needs. Sniffling, she tells him everything. From his aunt’s taunts and the jewellery, to the bullying in the school. He does not say anything for a long moment, letting her cry herself out on his shoulder.

Then, slow and gentle, his hands remove every piece of the jewellery she is wearing. She stops him when his hand is at her neck, loosening the mangalsutra he had tied. “Your aunt said…” she whispers hesitantly, “that these jewels are symbols of our marriage. That they should be respected.” He looks at her, deftly unknotting the necklace. “So they do,” he accedes softly. “That, however, does not mean that they should be respected beyond your comfort. Besides, if it is symbols of our marriage you are looking for, well, here it is,” he answers, hand on his heart. “Living, breathing symbol of the same. And the Gods won’t mind me seeing to your comfort. I am supposed to protect you, after all.” She smiles. “There,” he teases, “a smile. You should get a move on, though, we’re in school, hardly the place for a romantic moment.” She snorts, swatting him. “Arjun!” He laughs with her, holding her hand.

That is all she needs, more valuable than any empty gift, walking hand in hand with him. Safe, protected, and loved.

[ex0skeletal-undead]

Recurrence by Satyaki Sarkar

[herpsandbirds]

Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens), family Megalaimidae, India

photograph by Satyaki Hosmane

[zeherili-ankhein]

Saw one more lol

“If Lord Krishna was not with the Pandavas, Karna would have ended the battle in one day”

Do you even read the actual version? 🥰

That guy? Seriously that guy? He ran away from Virat war because of Arjun.

And not to mention all the other times he fled because of Arjun.

His little ego was so hurt because of criticism he even refused to fight in kurukshetra while Bhishma was in command

Leave Arjun, he's even less capable than Satyaki, Abhimanyu or even goddamn Ashwathama for the records...

Even Bhima had defeated him once

I'm not even angry today just laughing at the pure dumbness of all the “wahh Karna so great” supporters 🫠

Also stop bringing in Krishna in each and everything Pandavas were more than capable to fight even without him

[theramblergal]

Oh my god I just finished reading To Love a Murderer and it was so good😭😭 Kanha and Lila AHSKDBSNABAN💗💗. Also Satya jiji and Lila the best girl duo to ever exist. Anyway I was wondering how everybody in Dwarka must have reacted to her death (🥲). They must have been so distraught, Kanha when alone sometimes just thinks abt her and remembers their time together (he also kept her mangalsutra with him), for a few months he skipped going to his daily walks at the beach altogether, or when Satya jiji is stargazing and she suddenly remembers Lila and how they first met, when Charumati remembers how Lila braided her hair, satyaki and kritavarma too remember her when they spar. When Kanha although knows the laws of karma better than anyone is still sometimes hit with sudden pangs seperation and grief , he too finds peace in Rukmini jiji's garden just like Lila did with him a long time ago.

I assume Lila had multiple births after that. And through each birth Kanha stood by her. Even tho he might not be physically there she feels someone's presence with her all the time. Or maybe presence of two people even, one more feminine. Each birth Lila feels a strong longing for someone and for Dwarka. She might not remember but the land of Dwarka does.

You maybe wanna expand on that or maybe even a small chap😏(no pressure tho I just wanted to share it with you because it's in my head 24/7)

Love all of ur writings btw💗💗😭😭

OH MY GOD I AM SCREAMING AND CRYING-

Thank you so so much for this anon! The validation is just pure bliss 😭

Also yeah, about the grief.. you've got all the details right. Here's a little something for the long and sweet message:

Grief is a myriad of things, my dear stranger. I have never known you yet somehow I feel like I do, by the shape of your absence in places you have lingered, like the way darkness is known without light. Grief is the sudden tears of Satyaa Nagnajiti, falling to her knees the moment you must have passed on; it is the dead stare of Madhuraa, the woman you sought to kill and also amend; it is the keening wail of Iltani, of a love struggled for and lost even after the worst of battles. It is the fierce clash of Satyaki's and Kritavarma's weapons, lost in their remembrance of the innocent child within you that was long hidden. It is the indentation of the shape of your mangalasutra on Krishna's hand, the single blood soaked pair of his yellow garments that he refuses to get washed. It is the rushing of the sea against the shore; peaceful here, on the land blest by your husband's protection, but raging elsewhere on the open seas. It is the emptiness with which the ocean weeps salty tears, for his daughter's heart has been hollowed out; she has no hand to hold as she goes about her duties; for your beloved lord has not returned to walk the shoreline without you. Grief is Rohini waiting for you by the library every Friday but returning fruitless each time; even without knowing you, she grieves, for you have passed into history, the subject she much loves. Grief is the quiescent emptiness of your palace, the vast and unbroken silence of your chambers. Everything is as you left it. Your jewels are yet scattered on the bureau dresser; the red silks you much favour still lie on your bed. I have never met you, Lilavati; but you were much loved, and the grief borne for you heavy.

Hmm, not very refined but I did my best.

And yep, Lila definitely had multiple births after that. I do plan to write a modern AU of her one day.. but that might be actual years down the line, because I want to rewrite the whole thing now 😅

Anyways, thank you again so so much for the sweet ask! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[that-mad-indian-woman]

What's your favourite Coke studio song

Oooh!

I have a few actually. The first one is a bengali song called "Moner Manush" By Satyaki Banerjee. That song is sheer nostalgia for me.

Second, this rajasthani folk song called chauhdhary.

The third, and probably the best is by coke Studio Pakistan. It's called paar chaana de and I recommend all of you listen to it.

[stxrrynxghts]

Krishna: Time for plan G. Arjun: Don’t you mean plan B? Krishna: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties. Dhrishtaketu: What about plan D? Krishna: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago. Virata: What about plan E? Krishna: I’m hoping not to use it. Dhrishtadyumna dies in plan E. Satyaki: I like plan E.

[suvarnarekha]

i'm sorry but why aren't characterizations of nakul, sahadev and satyaki widespread? heck there are so many good novels showcasing kauravas in a ubiquitous light (like ajaya), but none for our aforementioned beloved heroes?

[sambhavami]

The Lost Flute - Part 8 (Rohini and her Moon)

Once the official adoption procedures were finalized, announcements were made on every street of the city of Dwarika, detailing how Pradyumna, prince Krishna's firstborn, and the heir to the throne had returned home, having been turned magically into a teen. Every Monday after that, Manmatha was expected to appear before their praja along with Krishna and Rukmini for weekly charity commitments. Even though neither of them said anything to his face, Manmatha could feel the hesitation in Krishna and Rukmini. Looking at them, he would remember Mayavati's words, on the first day that they had been left alone in their new palace after their 'marriage'. "People don't stop grieving just because the government told them to." She had told him.

Occasionally, he tried to apologise to them for their troubles. Every time he was met with, "Just keep your chin up, and keep smiling!" He had been astonished to find exactly how much the members of the royal family play-acted during these outings. He found their donations were genuine, but they would be much happier if the money was distributed without the farce of the meets and greets.

The only time he truly enjoyed his new life was when he was on the training grounds. All Yadava warriors had accepted him without a second thought. He was exhilarated when they challenged him to duels and afterwards, marvelled at his natural talent. The only people who could defeat him in any duel were Krishna, and occasionally Balarama. He did not mind losing to either one, since both of them laughed and joked with him the entire time while teaching him new and better techniques. He felt especially proud when Balarama would ruffle his hair after a wrestling match, or that time when Krishna had excitedly held out his arm to Satyaki exclaiming, "Look! The kid is actually making me sweat for it!" Manmatha practically lived to see that undiluted joy of having met one's match light up Krishna's eyes.

His interactions with Rukmini were very limited. She was never rude but also did not show him any more affection than she had the first time. Even though her aloofness bothered Manmatha at times, he was grateful to not be on the receiving end of her wrath again. Sometimes, she would summon him to her chambers, often for minor chores. However, he was always eager to fulfil her wishes, often drawing joking remarks from Mayavati. Nevertheless, the entire palace knew by now, even though Rukmini's demands of the new prince were minor, she had developed a rare trust in him, in a way she trusted no one else.

---

After the whole fiasco with Manmatha, Rukmini had thrown herself into work, trying desperately to avoid the deathly emptiness that threatened to consume her every time she was alone. Her newfound enthusiasm however had caused some upheavals in the royal household. Since Rukmini had picked up most of the daily chores, Rohini found herself with some unprecedented free time.

Rohini had been the head of Vasudeva's household even before he had married Devaki, and once he did, her entire life turned upside down as she found herself hiding away in Nanda-raja's backyard. Out of the guilt of being dependant on the mukhiya, she had made it a habit to complete a majority of the housework before Yashoda could get to them, despite incessant protests from the couple. Once Kamsa was killed, she returned to Mathura but found it quite impossible to get rid of her old habits. While Devaki and Vasudeva recovered from their inhumane ordeal over the past quarter of the century, she found herself tending to both Krishna and Balarama, all the while as a war waged on outside her home. Never mind having to single-handedly raise her little daughter.

Once Revati arrived, they shared the responsibility of the house, but once Revati gave birth to her daughter Shashi, she had slowly extracted herself from the joint household, and built her own home in a different corner of the city, away from the din of the city and the scrutiny of the royal palace. After her marriage to Krishna, Rukmini had also tried to pick up some of the responsibility. At the time, Rohini had almost laughed in her face when the young Rukmini had come asking if she could help. When Krishna had come to argue on her behalf, Rohini had laughed him out of the women's quarters as well, "You brought home a child, Kanha! Take her on some nice trips, and we'll talk in a decade!"

Now when Rohini looked at her Kanhaiya's chief consort, she no longer saw a naive young girl who had left her entire life behind to be the bride of a man she hero-worshipped. In the past few years, she had seen ups and downs equating to an entire life. Now, her eyes were always kind but tired, and she had developed a personality that suited the future queen more than that lovelorn teenager. Once, Rukmini had taken up the caring duties for Devaki as well, Rohini found herself confused as to what to do with her time.

She tried to visit Balarama's a couple of times, but every time she entered a room, the flurry of servants hiding the half-empty glasses of liquor, and her son staring back at her with a guilty look, clearly inebriated, had put her off more and more. Even playing with her granddaughter did not bring her as much joy anymore.

Finally, she had gone and plopped down on Yashoda's bed. Yashoda had only smiled as she continued churning butter by the window overlooking the ocean. Rohini had sighed as she had shook her head, "Mother Yashoda, when will you learn to relax? You're staying in a city made of gold, seeing your precious Kanha three times a day, and yet you do not stop working!"

"I don't want to become like you, didi! Come to gossip in the middle of the day?" Yashoda laughed. The long years of working side by side had nurtured an easy camaraderie between the two, where Yashoda could laugh and quip at the senior royal three times her stature and never get in trouble.

"Seriously though, you have become much closer to our daughters-in-law than any of us who actually live here!" Rohini complained with a smile.

Yashoda laughed, "Well, duh! Since I don't live here, all of your bahus think they are yelling into a void when they complain to me!"

Rohini went and sat beside her friend. Holding her face up by her chin she whispered, "So won't you tell me any? Does our friendship mean nothing to you, Yashode?"

Yashoda retorted in the same flirty tone, "What to say, I am very corrupt, didi! I need bribes for each bean that is spilt."

"So what would you take?" Rohini pointed to her necklace with a twinkle in her eye, "Would this suffice, or shall I have to empty the royal coffers?"

"What would I do with pearls, didi? My son buys me plenty. He will dry out the ocean and submit every last pearl at my feet if I so command. If you want me to talk, you must pay up!" Yashoda winked.

"Ooh, so what is costlier than the entire earth's worth of pearls to you Yashode?" Rohini smirked back.

Yashoda smiled mysteriously, "Just a week," relishing Rohini's look of puzzlement, she finished, "A week of your presence in Vrindavan. Each secret that I tell will cost you one week more!"

Rohini chuckled, "Could you have invited me in a more roundabout way?!" Internally, she was grateful for Yashoda's keen observation. Yashoda always did have a penchant for reading minds, just like Krishna!

Yashoda quickly broke Rohini's chain of thought with her cheerful manner, "By the way, didi, at the rate your daughter tells me secrets, I'll easily trap you in Vrindavan for a year straight!" Looking at Rohini's face Yashoda knew she had caught her interest. With some persuasion, she continued, "Your daughter, yes! Your Bhadra is learning a lot from her youngest sister-in-law!"

Rohini gasped, "Rukmini? Oh my God," Her eyes brightened with recognition. Striking her forehead in mock exasperation, she exclaimed "Who is she in love with? I will die Yashoda if you don't tell me right this instant!"

Yashoda smiled brightly, relishing the moment, "Some random lad called Arjuna, some brahmans came to the temple and filled her ears with all nonsense, about how he's an archer, like her brother, tall, dark and sensitive!" 

Giggling, Yashoda continued as Rohini looked at her in anticipation, "I am joking, didi, he's our dear Pritha's son. He sounds like a nice boy, I was thinking I'll ask dear Bhadra to write a letter, and I'll ask princess Rukmini to help her. Given she managed to get our Kanhiaya down to her house in a matter of days, she clearly knows what she's doing!"

"You will be the death of me one day, Yashoda! You should be dissuading Bhadra from such thoughts at such a young age, and here you are fuelling the fire!" Rohini remarked.

Yashoda leaned closer, "Didi, you and I, we grew up together. Let us not forget all the nights you spent pining after brother Vasudeva! You danced for fifteen minutes when your marriage was fixed!"

"As if you never pined over your Nanda-raja!" Rohini rebuked her.

Yashoda stood up, pretending to be insulted, "Yashoda and pine? Never! All the men, including your Nanda-raja followed me around the whole village. It's his good fortune that I chose him! Whatever reputation our Kanhaiya has, all that charm! It is his rightful inheritance from his mother, is it not?!"

Rohini's smile turned dull all of a sudden, "Then why do you not speak to him anymore?"

Yashoda turned to face her, embarrassed, "You know what he did, didi. Would you have tolerated it?"

"I was aware of the switch too, Yashoda, why do you still laugh and joke with me? I would argue, that being a guest in your household, I betrayed you even farther!"

"You were looking out for your family, he gave up on his!" Yashoda whispered, her breaths growing heavy.

Rohini chuckled, "Had you never seen that side of Nanda when you married him? Haven't you seen this behaviour anywhere else Yashoda?"

"What do you mean, didi?" Yashoda asked, even though her heart felt like it had frozen out of fear.

"You have seen it, Yashoda, and yet you refuse to accept it. Don't you remember when your Krishna lied his head off to all the grief-stricken gopis in Vrindavan? How easily, he walked past trampling over every single relationship he had, everything sacrificed at the altar of the greater good. Why even talk about Krishna, let's talk about his father! He exchanged Devaki's life for his children, and handed them over to be butchered himself! What did he get out of it? A woman that is so broken, that she wishes for death with every living breath! When Jarasandha attacked, I begged and begged him to send the boys away, to Hastinapura, to Panchala, somewhere! He simply said that they are God's gifts and that God himself will keep them safe. He didn't have to sit with them all night as they writhed in pain from their wounds, while I stood completely helpless! He did not have to watch them learn to suppress a growing amount of pain, for the good of the entire kingdom that depended on them! He didn't have to soothe his terrified daughter who woke up with nightmares every night because her brothers were off to war and she didn't know how to help!" Rohini wiped a tear, "You got to keep their childhood, Yashoda, I watched them lose it."  She laughed sadly, "Krishna, Vasudeva and Nanda, they're all cut out of the same cloth. The kind that will step up, make the hard choice and be the bad guy, alone, so everyone else can sleep without a blemish on their conscience. Sometimes, while protecting everyone else, they forget to extend the shield to us." Rohini sighed, "All we can do then is remember why we chose our person, fight to keep that person alive within whatever they eventually become."

Rohini left, her mood having been soured, leaving Yashoda lost in a sea of thought.

---

In the middle of the night, holding a lone candle Yashoda quietly made her way to Nanda's room. He was fast asleep on the couch, a manuscript still held in his hand, as the candle before him struggled to stay alight. Unknowing to Yashoda a smile had crept onto her lips. She gently patted him on the chest. Nanda woke up with a jolt and stood upright before realizing his wife's presence. "You-you're here?" He asked, almost grinning ear to ear. Yashoda suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over her. This man, even after so many years of being married, was still surprised every time he woke up to find her in the same room as him as if he still couldn't believe that he got to marry her! She forced a smile, "Why? Can't I visit my husband in the middle of the night?" Nanda laughed nervously, he couldn't read Yashoda sometimes.

Yashoda sighed, "Listen, I have decided to return to Vrindavana, can you talk to Kanha and make the arrangements?"

"Of course, if you wish we'll leave tomorrow itself! But, what happened, I thought you had decided to stay longer?"

"I feel like we've imposed on them enough. It's time to go now." Yashoda's face glistened in the candlelight, "I think I am ready to give us another chance. I don't think I'll ever be able to move past what happened, but I just want you to know, that I want the man that I married returned to me. The one that would follow me around the village, and would break the pots that I carried, just to prove his courage." She smiled slightly, "Yes, mukhiya ji, I know who taught our Kanha that trick." Nanda lowered his head to hide a sheepish grin.

"However," Yashoda continued, "You will give up being mukhiya once we get back. I hate the shade of you that politics brings out. And, I will never hear another word about 'the greater good'. Understood?" Her large eyes clung desperately to her husband's face.

Nanda embraced his wife, his eyes welling up, "Your every command will be fulfilled, Yashode! I'll never speak nor do anything without your command henceforth, my queen!"

Yashoda swatted away his hands, with a glare in her eyes, "Fifty years went by, and you still say the same wretched words."

Nanda smiled, forming deep wrinkles on his kind face, "Fifty years, and you still melt at that, say who's the fool now?"

"It's still you, Nanda-maharaja," Yashoda settled down, her head laid on his chest, smiling sadly, "but at least you're my fool!"

[hasarjunadoneanythingwrong]

Hi! Saw your tags on my recent post re: jiang ziya and arjuna with babies and!! god that did get into me the idea of Arjuna teaching a group of kids basic archery. Going around gently inspecting each kid's bow-holding stance, nudging some of them and reminding others to loosen their grip a little...it's a very sweet image ngl (and I hope it's not too weird to share through ask all of a sudden aaa)

(also had a similar teaching idea related to both him and jiang ziya but I figured I'd share this one first!)

AAAAAAAAAAAA YOU CANT JUST THROW THAT AT ME ITS SO CUTE

a fun fact is that arjuna DID also teach archery to some degree (one of the other survivors of the kurukhestra war, Satyaki, was his student) so that+ the fact he was a dance teacher to younger teens does make me think he could teach archery it to kids as well ;-; I don’t think he’d be as GOOD at teaching someone like drona was (he’s soft w kids. Lol) but he knows a lot and loves to help and guide people…I can definitely see him doing it. At the very least I’m sure if someone like Chiron was holding classes arjuna would love to help out

[ex0skeletal-undead]

Priestess by Satyaki Sarkar

[herpsandbirds]

Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhyncha), male, family Muscicapidae, India

photograph by Satyaki Hosmane