Demise of the Demon King

by Utkarsh Srivastava

'What have you done, Akhand. Why didn't you protected yourself?'

  'This… was actually… my punishment, brother. You… go and save… uncle… Veersen. May be, he could… still survive.' While saying this, Akhand's feet was stuck by a stone, he lost his balance, slipped and falls in the deep trench.

  'Akhand…' Tejasvi was shocked to see the sudden incidence, he couldn't believe it.

  But soon he regained consciousness, and commanded his troops, 'Soldiers, go and find out my brother Akhand.'

  'Akhand cannot survive, son. The curse of Sage Shankracharya could not be violated. This is the end of this war.' Vikramajit's spirit appeared there. Tejasvi stood up, and joined his hands towards him to pay him respect.

  'I know, father. But I have to pay last tribute to my brother's body. This war lead to huge destruction. About four akshauhini soldiers sacrificed their life. Either they were from Vidarbh or Balishthgadh, they had a life too. And after losing all my beloved ones, how can I enjoy this victory?'

  'You are right my son, we won, but we also lost.'

  After that Vikramajit turned towards Kanishka 'You have committed a huge sin, Kanishka'.

  'I made a huge mistake, I became blind in the sake of vengeance. But no one is alive in this world, whom I can say he is my family. You too left me.'

  'I was compelled to do so, Kanishka. But it was not your fault, perhaps, the curse of Sage Shankracharya forced you to do so. So it was good to see you before leaving this mortal world. I was blessed to have a son like Yugandhar from you. But as he promised, he will return back to meet his love Suvarya, you have to wait for him. I always left to you alone, you never got love and affection you deserved, and I am sorry for that.'

  'I don't have any complain from you, I have also commited one sin. The time period of a year which you spent with me, will always be precious for me.' Kanishka was in tears.

  'So now the responsibility of Nagas is on your shoulders, Kanishka. And you are capable enough for this responsibility. Now allow me to leave, Tejasvi. It's my time to leave this mortal world.'

  Tejasvi and Kanishka sent him with the wet eyes. At last, he disappeared. King Vikramajit was finally free from his pain and wandering. Thereafter, Kanishka stared at Tejasvi furiously, Tejasvi was unable to understand anything. But at the next moment only, Kanishka and all the fifteen thousand Serpents disappeared from there. Tejasvi couldn't even utter a word.

  No mighty warrior of Vidarbh was alive. While in the camp of Balishthgadh, Tejasvi, Prince of Magadha Shalv, Minister of Vidarbh Sanjay, Army Chief of Balishthgadh Chakrsen and Sage Shankracharya were alive. King Veersen struggled a lot for his life, but the curse of Sage Shankracharya compelled him to lose this battle of life.

  Many Vaidhyas tried to save his life, but didn't succeed. At last Veersen also took his last breath.

  After losing all his family members, Tejasvi reached the royal palace of Vidarbh. Whole palace was bereaved. All the four directions were filled with complete silence. Then only, Vaishali, the wife of Bhanusen came out of the palace, she was furious, she cursed Tejasvi.

  'You wretch, you have killed all by sons just for the sake of this throne. It's my curse to you, the successor of this throne will be responsible for destruction of Vidarbh's clan. Revenge dream of my husband will be surely fulfilled, scions of King Bhabhuti will be destroyed, and your son will be responsible for this, that's my curse to you.' Vaishali cursed Tejasvi and stabbed herself with a poniard.

  'Raajmata…….' Tejasvi screamed.

  Tejasvi was shocked for a while, but at the next moment only he ordered his troops, 'Soldiers, go and call Vaidyaraj as soon as possible. We have to save the life of Raajmata, at any cost. Go fast.'

  Prince of Magadha Shalv, Sanjay, Tejasvi's brother i.e. son of Chakrsen Raghav, and wife of Chakrsen 'Sunaina' were present at the door of the palace. All of them were astonished to listen the fierce curse of Vaishali.

  Soon Vaidyaraj reached at the palace and started the treatment of Bhanusen's wife Vaishali. At that time only, one soldier reached their and informed.

  'Mahabali Vakrbaahu wants to meet you, prince Tejasvi. He is waiting for you on the door of the palace.

  'He left us at the time of war, then why he came here now?' Tejasvi was furious. He rushed out of the palace.

  Gajeshwar Vakrbaahu was waiting for him. Tejasvi was furious seeing him.

  'Where were you, Vakrbaahu? We searched you in the whole battlefield.'

  'I am sorry for this. But after demise of the Demon king, I got a fierce shock, and I was fainted. And when I stood up, I regained my lost memories. So I have to go for an important work.'

  'Oh is that so? Nice excuse, Vakrbaahu. Then why you've returned now? You are free from our slavery. So what's the need of coming here? Just get away.'

  'I can understand your anger, Prince. But believe me, I have regained my memories that's why I've came here to alert you of the upcoming danger.' Vakrbaahu started explaining.

  On the otherside, in the battle field where the fierce 'five days war among Humans, Demons and Nagas' occured, lot of dead bodies were still lying there. Suddenly, one of the dead body revived, he stood up. This was none other than 'the demon's mentor Bhairavnath'. He pulled out the spear of King Bhargav from his body and laughed. He thought in his mind

  'That fool Bhargav, how he could think that the great demon's mentor Bhairavnath, could be killed by an ordinary spear. Because of that Demon King Markesh only, till now I was unable to revive the great 'Durbheeksh'. '

  'But now I'll revive the great Durbheeksh, and for fulfilling this aim, that coward grandson of Markesh 'Subaahu' will be my weapon.' Demon's mentor Bhairavnath raised his elusive stick and vowed to revive Durbheeksh.

  On the other side, Tejasvi was unable to understand the eagerness of Vakrbaahu.

  'Of which danger you are talking about Vakrbaahu? Even after this huge destruction, a danger is still remaining? And you got back your memories, what does it mean?'

  'The reason of getting back my memories could be explained later also. But now, main thing to worry is that, Demon mentor Bhairavnath is still alive.'

  'What….? What you are saying, Vakrbaahu? I have seen him dead, with my own eyes.' Tejasvi was shocked.

  'He is a proven Mantrik. Ordinary weapons cannot harm him, even a little.'

  'Perhaps, you are right Vakrbaahu.' Tejasvi went in deep thoughts.

  But he soon got back to Vakrbaahu and asked 'You were talking about a danger, what's that?'

  'Yes. Till now Bhairavnath was unable to revive the great Demon 'Durbheeksh', just because of Demon King Markesh, who is unconscious since years. But after the demise of Markesh, he'll surely try to revive that demon.'

  'Durbheeksh…., I have heard this name before also. Who is this Durbheeksh?'

  'We don't have time for this discussion, Prince Tejasvi. But you must know one thing, your father Vikramajit defeated even me also. But the Demon Lord 'Durbheeksh' was only warrior who remain undefeated in front of the greatest warrior of Aaryavart, Vikramajit. Only one person in this world has capability to defeat that demon, and he was 'Sage Omeshwar', who is no more alive.'

  'And if Durbheeksh revives, then?'

  'There will be lot of destruction. Sage Omeshwar swored an oath, that when Durbheeksh will revive, he will be reborn as a Kshatriya warrior to kill him. But before Durbheeksh revive, we have to stop Bhairavnath.'

  They were about to leave, One soldier came there and informed Tejasvi.

  'Prince Tejasvi, We have tried a lot to search body of Prince Akhand, but we all failed. We don't actually know where his body disappeared.'

  Vakrbaahu smiled listening to that soldier. He said, 'Akhand is not an ordinary warrior, he cannot die so easily.'

  Tejasvi was astonished listening this, his eyes were wet.

  'Is my elder brother Akhand is still alive?'

  'Yes I am alive, and returned to fulfill the oath of revenge of my father. The thirst of my sword, could be fulfilled only with your blood. It was a
ctually surprising Tejasvi, you didn't even saved my Mother's life.'

  Tejasvi turned back listening this voice, Akhand was staring at him with a blooded sword in his hand. His eyes were filled with tears.

  'Your mother will surely survive, but if I am a criminal in your eyes. I amhere in front of you to pay for this.' Tejasvi was disarmed, he laid down on his knees in front of

  Akhand. Akhand rushed towards him to attack.

  'Stop you fool, Akhand. Don't follow the mistake committed by your father as well as grandfather. Just don't repeat it, I request you.' Vakrbaahu stopped Akhand by holding his sword.

  'You have saved my life, Vakrbaahu. That's why I don't want to kill you, get out of my way. I'll fulfill the last wish of my father, his revenge will be accomplished.'

  Seeing the furiousity in eyes of Akhand, Vakrbaahu's eyes were filled with tears. He took all his strength and pushed back Akhand on the ground.

  'What do you know about the actual revenge of your father? All are just myths, it was the conspiracy of that wretch Bhairavnath. Only I was aware of this conspiracy, that's why that Bhairavnath played a deceit to capture me in Patallok.'

  Akhand and Tejasvi stood up from the ground, both of them were astonished.

  'Tell me the whole details, I am eager to know.' Akhand was losing his temper.

  Tejasvi tried to calm him down 'But we have to first stop Bhairavnath from reviving Durbheeksh. Let's go Elder.'

  'No……' Akhand shouted and fist his jab on the ground. Thereafter he turned towards Vakrbaahu, the appearance of his eyes were astonishing.

  'Vakrabaahu…, just narrate me the whole story.'

  'Sure, Akhand. Markesh was my best friend, and he always thought that King Bhabhuti of Vidarbh was responsible for death of his wife, that's why he started hating the whole human race. But once there was a time, my that friend was on the side of Dharma. And only for the love of his wife Shivanya he helped the warriors of Vidarbh to defeat the Demon Lord 'Durbheeksh'. But he was unaware of the truth that, the actual cause of Shivanya's death was the conspiracy of the demon's mentor Bhairavnath, which lead Markesh to stand against the entire human race. You all are just victim of that deceit. If my memories would have been returned on time, then this war could be skipped.' Vakrbaahu continued narrating his story.

  Tejasvi was quite surprised to see the expression of Akhand, while listening to Vakrbaahu.

  While in Naaglok, Kanishka was furious. One Serpent soldier asked the reason for this.

  'What happened Naagdevi? I know I don't have right to ask, but why you came here without meeting your son, Tejasvi.

  'Tejasvi is not my son, he is responsible for the death of my son Yugandhar. He have to pay for it.' The eyes of Kanishka were filled with bloodstreams.

  May lot of questions will be there in readers mind. Who is 'Durbheeksh'? How he is related to Vikramajit and Sage Omeshwar? What happened when there was clash between Vikramajit and Durbheeksh? If Durbheeksh was the lord of Demons, How Markesh became the King of Demons, and how he helped in defeating Durbheeksh? What was the secret behind the oath swored by Bhanusen, when he got to know about his mother Shiavnya's death? What deceit Bhairavnath played, which lead to death of Shivanya? Why Kanishka is furious at Tejasvi? Bhanusen's wife Vaishali will survive or not?

  And the biggest question, If Mahabali Akhand is alive, then it is the violation of the curse of Sage Shankracharya, who had cursed the clan of Vidarbh to be destroyed?

  There are many questions, but you have to wait for the next part of 'Rankshetram' series.

  SOME IMPORTANT WORD MEANINGS

  Aarya : In the ancient times, the women were used address their husband through this word.

  Acharya/ Gurudev : A mentor, who trains or educate a person, in the skills of weapons or in their subjects.

  Agneyastra : A fierce divine weapon, which causes widespread destruction through rapid fire.

  Akshauhini : The unit to count the strength of an army in ancient times. It's hard to predict the exact count. According to the epic Mahabharat, one akshauhini army consists of 21,870 war elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 cavalry and 109,350 infantry. But I think it's not correct, as crores of people were sacrificed in the epic battle of Mahabharat, and one should know that in this battle, around 18 akshauhini armies were clashed among themselves.

  Anjali Astra : A divine weapon, often use to behead an opponent.

  Bhrighuvanshi : The scions of Sage 'Bhrighu'.

  Brahmdeva : One of the three major gods of Hindu mythology.

  Brahmin : A sage, or the person who has deep knowledge of all the four Vedas.

  Chakra : A weapon of round shape, usually used to behead a person through it's sharp edges.

  Devraj Indra : King of divine gods, according to Hindu mythology.

  Dev Sheshnag : The divine god of serpents.

  Dhanush vyuha : Army in a shape of bow.

  Digvijay : A journey for acquiring the thrones of whole Aaryavart, to increase the strength of army.

  Gajeshwar : The lord of war elephants.

  Garunvyuha : Army in a shape of a falcon.

  Har Har Mahadev : Roaring sound of an army, remembering the name of Lord Shiva, before clashing with their opponents.

  Jihva Astra : An extremely dangerous weapon, when it enters the abdomen of a person. Then it's very tough to cure that person. Because it takes out the whole intestine out from a body, if one tries to pull out from the abdomen of that wounded person.

  Karma : Deeds of a person.

  Kraunchvyuha : Heron formation through an army.

  Kshatriyas : A particular race of warriors.

  Kshatriya Dharma : Policy of righteous warriors.

  Kuldevi :Divine goddess of a particular clan.

  Kulguru : The clan mentor.

  Makarvyuha : Army in a form of a crocodile.

  Mallyudh : Wrestling of ancient times.

  Naagvyuha : Army in a shape of a serpent.

  Pashastra : A divine weapon, which bounds the opponent of a warrior tightly.

  Patallok : The underworld.

  Prahar : 1/8th part of the day.

  Prithvilok : Earth.

  Rakshakavach vyuh : Shield formation through an army. It often contains three levels, the first levels is made weaker, to ditch the opponent army. It was used by the demons army during the battle of Patallok.

  Sammohini Astra : A divine weapon, which sedate the opponents for few moments.

  Sharvyuha : Army in a shape of an arrow.

  Sutallok : A region where Lord Mahabali went after the banishment from Prithvilok, where the Vamana Avtar is his guard.

  Swayamwar : A competition for marriage, whose winner gets the women for whom it has been organized.

  Vaidhaya : A person whose profession was to cure people, a medical professional.

  Vyuha: The formation of an army in war.

  Yajna : A ritual sacrifice with specific objective.

  Yuvraj : The crown prince of a clan.