The Pillar

Part A

It was evening as Vasavadutta approached Seshagiri. He was tired from the day long journey. He let his horse trot its own pace and did not want to push the horse too much. The fort of Seshagiri was now in view and he knew that he could manage entry into the fort before its massive doors closed for the day.

The sunset brought relief to Vasavadutta from the sweltering heat of May. He had started from home early in the morning having bid farewell to his friends and family. Vasavadutta’s mother Arundathi had given him a bundle which contained some food for his journey. Tears had welled in her eyes as she bade him farewell not knowing whether she would see him alive again in her lifetime.

Arundathi knew the cause of Vasavadutta’s journey. Vasavadutta had expressed the desire to be part of the great army of Jayendra Varman the second. Jayendra Varman was ruler of the vast province and he had announced the expansion of his army and had called upon all eligible youth of his province to join the army.

Vasavadutta’s father had been in Jayendra Varman’s army as a foot soldier. He had fought under the leadership of Jayendra Varman in two wars and had been martyred in battle. Vasavadutta grew up as a child hearing to the exploits of his father. He had learnt the art of warfare from his father and from his guru Shishupani. An excellent swordsman, Vasavadutta was looking forward to climb higher in rank in Jayendra Varman’s army and keep the family tradition alive.

Part B

It was two weeks since Vasavadutta had enrolled himself in Jayendra Varman’s army. The days were spent in practicing the skills of warfare. The chief of the security at the fort of Seshagiri was in charge of Vasavadutta’s group. The training was relentless with many trainees suffering wounds during the daily routines. The evenings were spent with the doctors who treated the wounded trainees with their traditional medicines. The others spent their time in resting their aching body and soul by singing patriotic songs and playing musical instruments.

The days rolled into weeks and weeks into months. Finally, after six months of intensive training Vasavadutta and his group earned their grades as soldiers into Jayendra Varman’s army. Vasavadutta himself earned a special appreciation from Vikraman, the chief of the security at Seshagiri for his bravery, good understanding of close range fighting techniques and his swordsmanship.

Vasavadutta was posted as head of a tower of the vast fort. He had two trusted men under his command and was happy with his new responsibilities.

Part C

On a particularly chilly night in the month of December, Vasavadutta sat at his guard tower staring at the stars on a cloudless sky. His thoughts wandered to his home and to his mother, Arundathi. His mother was happy now since he had got into the army and at least had news about his whereabouts.

The houses inside the fort were luminescent with oil lamps which flickered in the breeze. The town inside the fort was quiet except for the occasional howl of a dog and the timekeepers noting the time.

Suddenly there were sounds of hooves as Vasavadutta saw two figures proceeding towards north of the fort outside the fort walls. One of the figures seemed to be struggling for balance as the horse raced on the command of the rider.

“Vishaka!” thundered Vasavadutta as he hurried down the steps of the tower. “Please stand guard at the tower. I am going out of the fort. Looks like someone is being kidnapped”. Vishaka was the subordinate of Vasavadutta and was today the partner in guarding the watch tower along with Vasavadutta. “Yes Sir!” Vishaka said as he ran upstairs the tower to take position.

Vasavadutta climbed a horse and sped towards the direction of the gate which led to the outside of the fort. The soldiers at the entrance saluted Vasavadutta and wondered why the chief of the tower was hurrying on his horse at this unearthly hour.

Vasavadutta dug his heels onto the sides of the horse as the horse moved faster and faster. “They should be going towards, Rathnagiri” thought Vasavadutta. Rathnagiri was another Village under the control of Seshagiri. Vasavadutta commanded his horse towards the clump of bushes which led into the bush land. The horse easily jumped over the obstacles and responded to all of Vasavadutta’s commands.

The road to Rathnagiri was now approaching and Vasavadutta knew that he would soon see the persons whom he was now after. His guess did not go wrong and soon he saw them silhouetted against the silvery light of the moon. Vasavadutta was gaining on them. One of the figures was still struggling apparently trying to break free. Vasavadutta’s horse was more powerful and soon he was side by side of the other horse.

“Stop and identify yourself” thundered Vasavadutta as the two horses were running side by side now. The rider of the first horse decided to stop his horse as he knew that it was futile to try and race Vasavadutta.

The horses stopped as the rider of the first horse jumped down and dared Vasavadutta for a fight. The sword shone in the silvery light of the moon and Vasavadutta instinctively removed his sword from its sheath. A clang of metals followed with both of them fighting for each other’s lives. Sparks flew from the clash of the swords as the assailant was equally adept in handling a sword.

Vasavadutta could not see the assailant’s face as it was covered with a veil. Because of his superior strength, Vasavadutta kicked the assailant in his knee. The assailant fell down on his own sword uttering an ear piercing cry of death.

Vasavadutta moved over the body of the assailant and removed the veil. The eyes had frozen into a state of shock and Vasavadutta slowly closed the eyelids. He then turned around to the other figure which was now crouching beside the horses.

Vasavadutta walked up to the crouching figure and told “You need not worry now. Whoever it was is now dead”. The figure slowly looked up at Vasavadutta with tears. In the moonlight Vasavadutta saw a face, which had the radiance of a thousand moons. The tears glittered in the moonlight as they streamed down the radiant face.

“You are alright now. Tell me who you are and why this man was taking you with him”. “I am Mrinalini, the daughter of Somadutta” she told Vasavadutta between sobs. “I did not want to marry Jayantha, and so he decided to take me away by force”. “If not for you, he would have taken me far way from Seshagiri and I would have had no choice but to take my life away”. Vasavadutta lifted her chin and wiped her tears. “It is over now Mrinalini. Jayantha is dead”. “Let me take you back to your parents.

Vasavadutta helped Mrinalini climb his horse and led it back to Seshagiri. It would be a long walk back. After some time listening to her story he tried to cheer her up with the fact that Jayantha was no more alive to torment her. Mrinalini’s fears were soon gone and she was back to her livelier self. Vasavadutta thought that the smile on Mrinalini’s face made her one of the prettiest women he had come across.

Part D

Inside the fort, Vasavadutta went to Somadutta’s house. The whole family was relieved to see their beloved daughter back safely. Somadutta thanked Vasavadutta profusely. Vasavadutta was hardly listening as his eyes were locked with those of Mrinalini’s. Vasavadutta walked away back to his tower with Mrinalini’s face filling his thoughts.

The mutual admiration grew into deep love as Mrinalini and Vasavadutta secretly saw each other by the lotus pond, north of the tower. The moments were like magic to both of them and they did not know how much time they whiled away gazing into each other’s eyes.

“How long will we be meeting like this?” queried Mrinalini on one of their meetings on a beautiful evening. “If you don’t come and ask for my hand in marriage, my father will marry me off to someone I don’t like.” “You know what it means. It means that I shall have to face death than marrying someone whom I don’t love.”

“Yes, I know. I am thinking of going to the village to bring my mother along” told Vasavadutta as he took Mrinalini’s face in his palms. “I shall soon come home to ask your hand in marriage. Please wait for me. Will you?” Mrinalini’s face lit up and it was more beautiful than the lotuses which had bloomed in the pond. The deers which were grazing nearby looked up and nodded their head in approval.

Part E

Vasavadutta went to his village and brought his mother and his family possessions back in a bullock cart. He decided that it was time to tell her that he was in love with a beautiful woman and wanted her blessings for the nuptial.

“Mother” called out Vasavadutta as she was doing her household work one day. Arundathi looked up from her work with a quizzical face. She had noticed that Vasavadutta had wanted to say something on a couple of occasions, but had diverted the subject at the last moment. “What is it Vasavadutta? Looks like you are in some serious thought” asked Arundathi. “Mother, I have met a beautiful lady, she is Mrinalini and we both love each other very much. I want you to come with me to her house so that I can ask her hand in marriage”. Arundathi was surprised. It had not occurred to her that her son had come to marriageable age.

“Well, well, that is what you have been doing here all this while is it?” chided Arundathi. “If that is the case, then let us go to her house on this Friday, itself. It is an auspicious day”. Vasavadutta was overjoyed.

Friday came soon and Vasavadutta and his mother went to Somadutta’s place. Arundathi spoke on behalf of his son and asked for Mrinalini’s hand in wedding to Vasavadutta. Somadutta and his family were also pleased with the proposal and the wedding was fixed soon.

Part F

It was now two months after Vasavadutta had got married to Mrinalini. Both mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law had great affection for each other and Vasavadutta was happy that his mother approved his choice.

Vasavadutta was the pillar of strength for the family. It was during one of these days that the news came through of an impending war with the neighboring kingdom. Jayendra Varman had thought about it and had systematically built his army’s operational capability. He had always been wary of the Palakkars who ruled over Simhagiri.

Vasavadutta came back from his duty and told his family. “Tomorrow I shall be leaving along with my fellow men”. “We plan to intercept the palakkars before they can come anywhere close to Seshagiri”. Both women wept as Vasavadutta made his preparations to join the battle camp.

The morning arrived and even though it was as beautiful as any of the mornings during spring, it did not give any joy to Arundathi and Mrinalini. Vasavadutta mounted his horse and bade a final farewell. Both women waved back not knowing when they would see Vasavadutta again.

Part G

The news about Vasavadutta came frequently to the household. He had now risen to the rank of a deputy overseeing a platoon of foot soldiers. People often stopped by Vasavadutta’s house to hear about his latest exploits.

One day Arundathi was sweeping the courtyard of her house when the royal messenger stopped in front of her house. He came through and bowed to her. Arundathi looked puzzled as the messenger told her the news which she had always feared of.

Vasavadutta had been killed in battle. It was during the final assault on the Palakkars. The backbone of the Palakkars’ army had been broken and they had run helter-skelter into their own country. Jayendra Varman had praised the bravery with which Vasavadutta had led the charge. He had also given the title of “The Pillar” to Vasavadutta and by a royal decree gave two villages to his next of kith and kin.

Arundathi and Mrinalini sank to their feet. They knew that their pillar of strength had now gone. But like true warrior clan, they accepted their fate. Mrinalini was pregnant with Vasavadutta’s child. Some months after his death, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Arundathi and Mrinalini named her as Maithreyi and vowed that she would be brought up to become a beautiful girl, who one day would marry a brave warrior like her father.

Part H


“Close your eyes and sleep well, my dear”. Mohan bent down to kiss his wife Meghana on her forehead. Meghana had been listening to the same story which Mohan had just finished narrating for almost a month now.

She was immobile after having broken both her legs in an accident. “Shall I put you to bed?” Mohan asked as she nodded her head. Mohan lifted her gently and walked up to the bedroom to lay her down on the bed.

He adjusted her position so that she could have as little trouble as possible as tears rolled down Meghana’s cheeks. “Why do you cry? This is going to get over soon” told Mohan. Meghana had been in complete care of Mohan for the past one month and it was comforting for her to know that her Pillar of strength was right next to her. She slept comfortably with the knowledge that she would be listening to the same story again tomorrow.