From the Himalayas Kandhara ruled his sky-kingdom. Beside him was Madanika. Kandhara watched Madanika from a distance, admiring her. But deep within, fear kept him aloof. "She is an apsara," he thought, "they are known to abandon love like one abandons a wilted flower. How can I trust her heart?" When she perched beside him, he maintained a distance. Madanika tried her best. She was not sure what to do.
One day Lolupa came there. He was a collector of rare and
beautiful things, and Madanika, an Apsara married to Kandhara, was a unique
prize. He didn't declare war. Instead, the temptation began subtly. Madanika
would find things that would remind her of her previous life. Lolupa's
influence was a pull towards the life she had left behind, life as an apsara.
Kandhara watched. He saw the desire in Madanika's eyes. He
noted the tension in her shoulders. A knot tightened in his chest. Of course,
she would be tempted. It was her nature. He waited for her to approach him with
a request to return.
Madanika did not yield. She attuned to recognize beauty. She
saw the dedication in the eyes of Kandhara's subjects who faced hardship with
resilience, as she watched Kandhara himself tirelessly patrol his borders. She
had begun to see a different kind of beauty. It was in the loyalty, and
strength that bound this kingdom together. Lolupa was a devastatingly handsome
merchant, his eyes fixed on Madanika. He made his play openly, though cloaked
in flattery. "Queen Madanika," he said, "your grace is wasted
here. Coem back to Indra' court which offers perpetual spring and adoration
befitting your beauty. Return to a life of delight. Leave these mountains
behind." He held out a hand.
Madanika looked at Lolupa. A faint light seemed to grow
around her. "Lolupa," she replied, "your offer is generous. A
life of pleasure, without purpose is no longer the life I desire. I have found
beauty here. Joy not just in pleasure, but in belonging. My place is here with
my King and his people."
Lolupa vanished.
Kandhara stared at Madanika. He saw not the object of
temptation he had expected. She had not been swayed, choosing loyalty over
pleasure. He saw her as a partner. Admiration, respect, and love flooded his
being. In that moment, Kandhara truly fell in love with his queen.
Kandhara and Madanika would soar together through the skies,
Kandhara's powerful wings beating a rhythm beside Madanika's graceful glide.
They would engage in aerial ballets, diving and weaving. On remote peaks they
would settle together, Kandhara wrapping a wing around Madanika. She would sing
songs or him. He, in turn, would bring her the softest moss for their resting
places, or rare berries that grew only at the highest altitudes. There were
quiet hours spent preening each other's feathers.
Years flowed like the swift Vipasha River. The kingdom
prospered under Kandhara's rule, guided by Madanika's wisdom. A quiet sorrow
began to settle in their lives. They were childless.
They tried every remedy known. They performed rituals,
offered prayers to Brahma, to Shiva and Parvati, to Lakshmi and many others. Finally,
they undertook a rigorous penance, directing their prayers towards the Great
Garuda. They fasted, meditated on his form, and offered oblations to the winds.
Garuda, moved by their devotion appeared to them. "My children," he
said, "I hear your prayers and see your sorrow. Ultimate source of
creation is Lord Narayana. Turn your devotion to Him. Seek His grace, and your
desire may find fulfillment."
Kandhara and Madanika began to dedicate themselves entirely
to the worship of Lord Narayana. They began performing austerities and rituals,
offering prayers, seeking the blessing of progeny.
One day Narayana appeared before. Kandhara and Madanika
prostrated themselves. "Lord Narayana," they said, "We have no
words to express our fortune at seeing your divine form. Our prayer is to see
our lineage continue."
"I understand your desire," Narayana said.
"Your devotion is pure. I offer you two paths for your lineage. You have a
choice. On one hand you may have many sons. Your line of kings will be long.
Alternatively, you may have a single daughter. Her life will be short. This
will bring you sorrow in time. However, your grandchildren will be known as the
famous wise birds. What do you desire?"
Kandhara and Madanika looked at each other. Madanika spoke,
"Lord, we choose the daughter. "
"So be it," Narayana said. "You shall have a
daughter. Much after she is gone you will also have sons who will rule your
kingdom after you. Go home now. Continue your rituals with faith. When the time
is right, Madanika will give birth to the daughter you have chosen."
Saying this Narayana vanished.
Time passed.
One day Madanika gave birth to a daughter. She was named
Tarkshi.
When Vapu was cursed by Durvasa, she went to Indra. She
pleaded with him. “I cannot revoke Durvasa’s curse,” Indra had said. “But I can
give you this: Before your life ends, you shall be able to see Vishnu
incarnated as Shri Krishna.”
Tarkshi was none other than Vapu, cursed to live a life of a
bird for sixteen years.
Some more on this
As this is a completely fictional tale, not present in any
text, I am not getting into philosophy behind this.
If anything, this talks about loyalty, devotion, and
transformation over temptation and natural instinct.
Penance and devotion to Narayana highlight the spiritual
truth that sincere, selfless worship leads to blessings. Their daughter,
Tarkshi, connects the larger story reminding one about will and destiny.
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