TALE BEHIND THE TALE
Shakuni — A short story from Mahabharata
“Your majesty!”, cried out the guard who just ran in, out of breath. “They are waving the white flag. The Hastinapur army has come in peace.” My father, King Subhala, visibly sagged with relief. I bit my lip. Something didn’t feel right. Why would Hastinapur want to make Gandhar as it’s ally all of a sudden? What could be the need to flaunt its massive army? “Hastinapur wants something from us”, I declared decisively. My father waved my concern off. “What could Hastinapur possibly want from us?”
“That father”, I replied uneasily, “is something I would like to know.”
“So”, began my father, smiling at Bhishma Pitamah of Hastinapur amicably. “To what does Gandhar owe this great pleasure?”
“The pleasure is all mine”, replied Bhishma, returning the smile. I rolled my eyes at my brothers. Sauvala and Achala smothered a smirk while Vrishaka and Vrihadvala gave me a warning look. I didn’t care. This man was obviously after something and it would do us all good if he broached the matter right away instead of faking pleasantries.
“I bear good news your majesty”, continued Bhishma. For him or us, I wondered. “Hastinapur is searching for prospective brides for our Prince and I would like to ask for your daughter, Princess Gandhari’s hand in marriage to our prince.”
I could see my brothers exchanging looks but my mind was whirling. I had heard all about the Princes of Hastinapur. Which one was he talking about? Is he….
“You keep saying Prince”, I interjected. “Which Prince would that be?” Bhishma turned to look at me, his gaze narrowed. “Prince Dhritarashtra”, he said, his voice daring anyone to object. Shocked silence filled the room. My brothers looked horrified but all I could feel was anger. “You do realize that he’s blind, right?” I asked, furious. Bhishma started to look pretty furious too. “I don’t understand what the problem is”, he thundered. Of course he doesn’t. “My problem”, I replied in a voice heavy with sarcasm, “is that I can’t find myself accepting my beloved sister marrying a blind man.” Bhishma got up, eyes flashing, knocking his chair back. I felt a fleeting moment of panic but I pushed it aside. This was my sister we were talking about.
“I would suggest that you watch your mouth, Prince Shakuni. Or Hastinapur would be forced to retaliate to the insult.”
“My son meant no harm, Pitamah!”, my father intervened, alarmed. He shot me a don’t-do-anything-stupid look. What did he think I was going to do? Fight Bhishma? Please! I was angry but not delusional. Fighting him would be suicidal. Bhishma begrudgingly sat down. “He’s merely concerned about the well being of his sister. He’s very fond of her you see”, my father added. “He needn’t be”, assured Bhishma. I pushed my exasperation away. I needed to use a different tactic.
“Pitamah”, I began, keeping my voice agreeable. “Perhaps, it would be a better match if Prince Pandu were to marry my sister.” “It wouldn’t”, said Bhishma firmly. “I’d heard about Princess Gandhari’s boon. A hundred sons for the heir apparent is more logical.” Logical? LOGICAL? That is how he’s viewing my sister’s life? My brothers and father did nothing except to twiddle their thumbs. My anger returned in full force. “And if Gandhar doesn’t accept such a proposal?”
My father gasped. “Shakuni! You’ll stop talking right this moment!”, he ordered. I couldn’t believe this!
“But….”
“No buts. Either stop talking or leave this room at once!”
Bhishma smiled coldly. “My work here is done”, he said, standing up. My father stood up as well. “I really hope you make a good decision….. for your sake.” With that, he left.
“What do you intend to do father?”, I barked. Father glared at me. “What do you expect me to do? I don’t have much choice!”, he wailed. I was stupefied. “You… you’re….you can’t…” My father sighed. “Shakuni try to understand. We can’t risk the possibility of a war. Gandhar would be wiped out!”
“But what about Gandhari?”, I asked him again. He looked away. My brothers took a step towards me but I waved them away. I turned and stormed away, ignoring their shouts. I’ll stop this marriage, one way or the other.
“Gandhari?”
She stood facing the balcony, her hair ruffled by the evening breeze, the sun casting an orange glow over her. She was beautiful. I won’t let harm come her way, I silently swore. She turned towards me, smiling a fake smile. “Have you heard brother? I’m getting married!”, she said brightly. My heart ached. “Gandhari……”
“He’s the crown Prince of Hastinapur! I’ve heard about him. He’s said to be so strong…”, she continued in the same bright voice. I couldn’t hear it anymore. I rushed forward and shook her hard. “Gandhari, he’s blind! You can’t marry him!”, I screamed. She winced, stepping backward. “He’s going to be the future king! I’m lucky to marry him ain’t I?”, she asked. Why was she sounding like this? “Gandhari”, I tried again. “You don’t need to marry him. I’ll…”
“Do what?”, she asked sharply. I recoiled at her tone. “You think I want this marriage? I’ve got no choice! As the Princess of Gandhar, I too have a responsibility towards the welfare of our kingdom.” Her voice quivered. “Oh Gandhari”, I cried, my voice filled with despair. “There’s got to be a way!”
She laughed bitterly. “Don’t brother…. Just don’t. I don’t want to hear you talking about my impending marriage that way. It is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.”
“But it wouldn’t be!”
“It will”, she asserted. “The lack of eyes isn’t the end of the world.” Is she talking about something else? I opened my mouth to ask her about her cryptic line but she beat me to it. “No, don’t say anything else. Nothing that you’re going to say will change my mind. You’ll only torture yourself more.” She gave me a watery smile. “Now leave”, she said firmly.
“Gand…..”
“LEAVE!!”
I walked out, feeling utterly defeated. Tears prickled my eyes. I reached my room and blindly swatted at everything in the room. Goblets of wine, plates and bowls shattered against the floor. I spotted my bows and swords hanging in the wall. Lots of good they did me. I threw them into the fire and watched the flames dance over them with grim satisfaction. I spied a half-filled goblet of liquor on the floor and downed it. It didn’t ease the rage and pain.
I slumped against the wall, exhausted. I spotted my dice on the floor. I took them in my hands and caressed them. I felt a wave of calm wash over me. Life was just like the game of dice. So unpredictable. You lose today and want to gain more than what you lost the next day. I rolled them in my palm. They just reminded me of how I should exact revenge — by using my wits, not strength. I let the dice fall on the floor. Six on both dice. I smiled. I’ll bring down Hastinapur, Bhishma. Brick by brick.
