For the Greater Good!

Panchali was gazing silently into the sky with her hands crossed across her chest and her head leaning against the wall. The palace window was giving a very beautiful view of a slowly darkening sky, owing to the setting sun. The Sun God was practically looking like a hot, red, and overly heated ball, but somehow it was also making it look very beautiful.

'Paradoxical…but beautiful…,' thought Panchali, Who found the transitions of dawns and dusks within nature very much relative to life.

'Nature also exhibits beautiful paradoxes..mostly to appreciate the innate beauty', she smiled almost impetuously, as Krishna's words relayed themselves in her mind.

'His aura radiates beauty perhaps because he finds it in almost everything…' She thought, shaking her head in silent agreement with Krishna. However, right now she was fighting an ethical paradox herself, which seemed impossible to overcome.

Arjun and Subhadra had entered Indraprastha on the day before and they had been welcomed in an absolute ne plus ultra manner by all. The 'All' actually included Panchali's Mother-in-law, her other 4 husbands, and herself. Everyone seemed to have simply forgotten how that marriage had broken Arjun's oath towards Panchali and also her heart! 

'Ahh..how very excruciating it had been to act normal and happy!' Panchali heaved a great sigh. It seemed as though the divine was hell-bent on testing her will. She was trying hard to exercise restraint, but isn't mind actually a conundrum? The more you try to control it, the more it wanders. 

Not that she was jealous of Subhadra, but her conscience kept failing to reason with Arjun's behavior. She had sacrificed even her deepest desires to be with him by marrying all five brothers. What more was expected? Why was his demeanor always so frail and paradoxical? Never had he been able to be stern and stoic in one decision. Panchali shook her head, still lost in deep thoughts.He used to say that he loved her above everything and to contradict himself, had married three more women over the last period of some years. No other person in her life had been more openly oxymoronic than this.

'God knows what sort of love he has for me', she thought, trying to discern his growingly absurd behavior. To add to her dismay, Krishna hadn't even visited her, despite the fact that he was right there in Indraprastha, along with his wife Devi Rukmini. Panchali would have continued to waver in the mind's conundrum had it not been for the Pratihari announcing Devi Rukmini at her chamber.

Panchali had clearly not expected Rukmini to visit her, for her brows transformed into a beautiful frown, but she hastily reconstructed her face into a gentle smile.

Rukmini was far too intelligent to understand this, for she was Krishna's first and dearest wife and the practice of being with him had made her invincible in understanding mind. She smiled warmly at Panchali, reciprocating her welcoming gesture. 

"Pranipat Devi," said Panchali, bending down to touch Rukmini's feet.

"Shubham Bhavatu, Krishne", answered Rukmini, gently stroking Panchali's head. Devi Rukmini's voice resembled the melodious vox of tiny temple bells, sure to bring tranquility to the listener.

Panchali felt a concoction of utter surprise, joy, and a relieving sense of consolation. Literally no one used to address her by her birth name in Indraprastha. How come Devi Rukmini was aware?

Panchali's face reflected her feelings quite conspicuously. She did not even try to cover her bewilderment. Rukmini smiled even more broadly. 

'Shree ji told me about your birth name. I liked it as it resembles his a lot. Also, I thought you would feel more comfortable if I address you by this name. Ladies usually like being addressed by their maternal names. Right?' Rukmini finished, observing happily that her words had the desired effect on Panchali, who smiled back but didn't say anything.

'I hope I haven't invaded your much-needed solitude Krishne..,' she said, clearly to engage in a conversation with Panchali.

Panchali was, however, observing Devi Rukmini more deeply. Her calm and beautiful face, Pisces-shaped eyes resting under beautifully arched brows, and an everlasting serene smile occupying the delicate lips. Something about Devi Rukmini was as godly as Krishna or somehow she exuded the same divine aura.

'Krishne,?' Devi Rukmini interjected, bringing Panchali out of her stupor.

'Hmm…Yes...No,' replied Panchali, failing to understand what to say next.

'I regret invading your solitude,' repeated Rukmini, 'but I also needed to speak to you…about Subhadra,' She finished after a dramatic pose that lasted for a second.

'Subhadra?', Panchali asked, clearly exasperated.

'Yes, I would not like to see you two having an estranged relationship. Subhadra is kind of used to being…Ahh..at the receiving end of everyone's love. And I strongly feel that It would be difficult for her to survive without your support and love,' Finished Rukmini, looking expectantly at Panchali, who couldn't suppress a sarcastic dry laugh.

Realizing that it could sound insulting to Devi Rukmini, she hastily controlled it and replied, 'Apologies Devi, but it does sound a little bit absurd, doesn't it? Given that she is a co-wife Arjun bought for me.'

Rukmini apparently hadn't expected any other reaction from her. Shaking her head in negation, she said, "No need for apologies Krishne. And yes, it is very absurd. Precisely, surreal. But I ask you to do this because I know you can."

Panchali wanted to object, but she chose to listen in silence.

"I really am able to fathom the agony and torment this marriage has brought specifically to you, but please try to reason." Rukmini said, measuring what effect each of her words was producing.

Panchali was shocked. She couldn't restrain herself from retorting, "Really?"

Rukmini came closer to her and put her consoling hands on Panchali's shoulders. Just like Krishna used to do.

Perhaps that touch gave Panchali more strength to open up. She blurted out, "Subhadra has asked for a share in something very dear to me. Devi, a lady can willingly share anything but the love of her husband. Subhadra knew very well that Arjun was married, so I fail to understand why she chose this path."

"Subhadra loved Arjun, is only one fact out of many more, Krishne," Rukmini replied calmly, locking her gaze with that of Panchali's. 

'I am fully aware, Devi, that her feelings were reciprocated by Arjun with equal intensity. I am not blaming her. I…' Panchali's voice broke and she hung her head, apparently to take her clouded eyes out of view.

This gesture thawed Rukmini's heart. After all, was she herself not aware of this pain? 

Rukmini held Panchali's shoulders even more firmly. An action that broke Panchali's restraint and made her tears flow openly. Some actions do automatically get reactions. For a long time or so it seemed to Panchali, none of them spoke. Rukmini was far too understanding to let the first stroke of these emotions pass by.

As Panchali gathered herself, she said in a feeble voice, "What I am trying to fathom is the meaning of love. Love in its true sense. Because I don't think the way Arjun has behaved can be termed as love."

A waning smile occupied Rukmini's lips. "Love is something that completes the incomplete within you Krishne. An emotion in which you just give without actually expecting anything in return."

"And only a woman has to do that I presume", Panchali's tone had turned comprehensively acidic.

"Hmph…a debatable topic, Krishne," smiled Rukmini, continuing, 'It relies heavily on how the equations between you two are. A person who truly loves you would never actually want to be the reason for your despondency...unless…unless circumstances are outrightly against them."

"Circumstances," Panchali seethed, "What on the earth could have been this important? Also, why was this had to be done so surreptitiously...?"

"More like, dramatically?" Rukmini tried to improvise, albeit jokingly.

Panchali smiled too, but just for a second. "I beg your pardon Devi, but I fail to understand how someone's love can vanish this easily,"

"Maybe Arjun did it for the greater good," Rukmini tried to reason, seeing that Panchali was more hurt by Arjun's deed than the thought that Subhadra would jeopardize her position. 

Panchali opened her mouth to object, but Rukmini stopped her by raising her hand and continued, "Duryodhana's convoy was already on the way and the proposal was already accepted by Dau. If either Subhadra or Arjun had waited, that would actually have been too late. And I guess you don't need to be told how that could have changed all the geopolitical equations."

Panchali was in no mood to comprehend all the political megalomania. Nor was she in any state to understand the ancillary conjectures. However, she chose not to retaliate. 

"Shree ji also thought it to be the only way out possible. In this way, Dau cannot openly side with Duryodhan, at least we would have a say that his sister is Arjun's wife," concluded Rukmini, still uncertain about Panchali's reaction.

"All that said and done, how do I convince my heart, Devi? Obviously, it disobeys to resonate with my logical and vibrant brain that understands the greater good," Panchali complained, looking crestfallen.

"Not everything goes as per what we wish or plan Krishne. It is impossible to rein destiny, isn't it? What matters is how we accept and react to it. If love is what you care about, try to understand that its first step is understanding. If you fail at it, everything else is just an illusion," Rukmini answered wholeheartedly, more from her experience than from the scriptures she had read.

"Which means I should accept what is being thrust upon me without any objections. Exhibit silence and become a silo, right?" Panchali blurted out, pure contempt raging out of her eyes.

"You are thinking just like a normal lady, Krishne, not like a queen. A queen has to put the greater good of her subjects, the interests of her people, and the dignity and integrity of her nation high above her wishes, right? If this comes at a cost of your solace, it is still a price well within the limits," Rukmini put forth her reasoning.

Panchali felt as if she was somehow missing this angle. But still, did it mean Arjun was not at fault at all?

"Yes and no," Answered Rukmini as if she had read Panchali's mind. Panchali felt both astounded and agitated, but the agitation won, so she did not intervene in Rukmini's dialogue.

"I think he was right in marrying Subhadra but it was wrong to do so without prior consent on your part. However, I still feel you won't regret having Subhadra in the palace. She is such an innocent girl, if devoted to you, she would probably give away everything she has for you," Rukmini's eyes depicted her pure love for Subhadra.

Panchali felt a jolt of jealousy for Subhadra. Apart from Arjun, she even had Krishna and Rukmini interceding on her behalf. However, on the other hand, whatever Devi Rukmini was saying, made sense. The logical and righteous side of her nature was starting to take over.

"It is sometimes very important, Krishne, to not prove your point. But just be someone's understanding support. To forgive and accept. This kind of acceptance is a quality of few. And such a companion matters a lot, Krishne, far more than a lover. Arjun needs this companion in you and so does Subhadra. Letting go of your ego and pride for the people you love, always makes a huge difference. Ask me. I have done it seven times," Smiled Rukmini, observing Panchali apprehensively.

Panchali saw the point of Rukmini's argument. There was no reason to fume and whine over something that had already happened. The political support from Dwarka was their lifeline, how hard she might have wanted to decline it. Moreover, if this was going to be the so-called "greater good" for her people, then be it!

She finally managed to give a hearty smile to Rukmini.

"You are right Devi, I see it. But if you expect me to forgive Arjun completely, no, I cannot do that. Subhadra will always be there between us from now onwards. However, I would do my best to be the best friend to both of them," Assured Panchali, her expressions steadfast.

Rukmini walked towards her and locked her in a warm and friendly embrace. "You know Krishne, every lady has a sleeping epicenter of power within her. Once she awakens it, she can face anything, no matter how hard the trials and tribulations can be! Once she realizes her true worth there is no turning back!"

Panchali now understood why Rukmini was there. Probably Krishna had sent her to make Panchali see the all faceted facts. Probably he was aware that there would be no other right choice than a lady showing the path of complacency to another. With this, Panchali let herself thaw within Rukmini's consoling embrace, as she knew that the journey "for the greater good" had just begun.