Rashmi Rathi

2. Kunti's Marriage

Years passed happily and now the time arrived for Kunti's swayamvar. Maharaj Kuntibhoj decided to hold a grand swayamvar for his beloved daughter Pritha, invitations were sent to kings and princes of entire aryavarth.

But princess was not happy at all.

Priyamvada came and tapped her shoulder.

Kunti :- You here, what happened ?

Priyamvada :- I should be the one asking you this princess, your swayamvar is approaching and you look so downhearted.

Kunti :- How can I forget what I have done.

Priyamvada :- Princess, 5 years have been passed, you should forget about that incident now.

Kunti :- I can't Priyamvada, the memories of that incident haunt me every second.

Priyamvada :- Princess, forget that incident, no one should know about it before your swayamvar or the pride of our kingdom will be shattered. Think about your father's respect, along with that your future will also be destroyed. Forget him, you have abandoned him and he will never come back.

Kunti :- He is my son, my eldest son, how can I forget my first born. Whenever I look at sun, I remember his innocence.

Priyamvada :- Princess, maybe this was his fate, you can try and talk to your husband after marriage but please not now.

Kunti noded and went out, time passed swiftly and finally the day of her swayamvar came.

Whole kingdom was decorated as if there was a festival, the public was very excited. Palace was decorated with red and yellow colours. Kings and princes arrived one by one and were welcomed by Maharaj Kuntibhoj.

Kunti was in her chamber, dasis were doing her makup while she was lost in the thoughts of her eldest son.

At the sabha, all were seated and were waiting for the princess to come and choose her groom.

Kunti entered, greeted all the elderly and sat on her seat.

Kuntibhoj :- I once again welcome all the kings and princes, who came here to attend the swayamvar of my eldest daughter Pritha. As you all know that our kingdom follows the tradition that a woman has all the rights to choose her future husband. I Kuntibhoj requests you all to please accept decision of my daughter and bless the marriage regardless of whether you are friend or enemy. I hope no one here has any problem with my opinion.

All the participants noded assuring.

Kuntibhoj :- So now putri, please come foreward and choose your groom.

Kunti :- ( getting up and moving forward ) To all the participants present here, I have a question, the most righteous answer deserves my approval. We all know that Gautam rishi cursed Ahilya, when she lost her purity with Indra, later on lord Ram freed her, so I want to know how it was dharm.

All the participants were in deep thoughts, some tried to give answers but they wern't satisfactory, later on a prince came foreward and said.

Prince :- Indra came in form of Gautam rishi and made her impure, it wasn't her fault, all that mattered was that she was pure from heart so lord Ram freed her from her curse. But whatever was done, whether with pure mind, has its consequences, so she had to suffer.

Kunti was overjoyed listening to the answer.

Kuntibhoj :- Who are you prince ?

Prince :- I am Pandu, yuvraj of Hastinapur, son of Maharaj Vichitraveerya.

Kunti moved foreward and put the garland around his neck.

After some hours, marriage was completed and the couple got blessings from elders.

Next day they left for Hastinapur after an emotional vidai.