“I have to be strong. I must not give up. Not yet” Satyavati wiped off her tears and stood up as a blazing fire. “I am the Rajmata. Rajmata of Hastinapur. I have to be strong.”
“I cannot bear the pain Shantanu” her heart erupted as she held her late husband’s sword in her hand. “You left me. Chitranganda left me. And now Vichitravirya died. My children died Shantanu. Ambika and Ambalika are widowed and Hastinapur is abandoned. The great land of Bharat is without a king to rule. Shadows of neighboring kings lure upon our land. And in midst of all this, the Rajmata of Hastinapur is engulfed in pain. She must not. She has her duty towards the people, but what must she do? Isn’t she a mother who lost her son? Isn’t she the wife who lost her husband too early? I am suffering Shantanu. But my mind won’t let me cry.” Satyavati took a deep breath and put the sword back in the armor. She glanced at the vast black ocean engulfing the sky. The breeze caressed her and the moonlight brightened her beautiful face that was hidden under the wrinkles of time. She wiped her tears as the maid announced the arrival of Bhishma in her chambers. She gained back her composure, stiffened her back, pretended a soft smile, and ordered him to enter.
“Mata, you summoned me? asked Bhishma, his hands calmly folded in Namastey as he bowed down. Satyavati nodded and walked towards him.
” Devratt, son, you are aware of the danger that lures upon Hastinapur,” said Satyavati valiantly, hiding her fears and pains under a soft smile.
” Yes, Mata. I have been immersed in the thoughts of Hastinapur. Command what must be done Rajmata. ”
” Devratt, Hastinapur needs a king.” She took a deep breath for she knew it would be challenging to convince Bhishma. “You must rule.”
” And break my vow? In no circumstances would I break my vow. Please forgive me for disobeying but I would never, rule.”
“You must break the promise. Break it for the people. For the society. For the greater good Devratt. Do not let your vow lure upon Hastinapur as a curse.” Bhishma lowered his eyes and took a deep breath. He was firm to not break the promise he made to his father. Satyavati knew that persuading him further would lead to nothing but disappointment. He would not rule.
“Hastinapur has no heirs either. Ambika or Ambalika are widowed childless. If you won’t rule, accept begetting children to the princesses.” Bhishma blazed ferociously at Satyavati.
“Niyoga. It is the only way we can preserve our kingdom and the purity of the Kuru Vansh.” continued Satyavati.
“Mata I would be breaking my oath. My Dharma lies in protecting the Kuru Vansh but it also lies in not breaking my promise. My promise to father. It was for you that I sacrificed my life. For my father.”
“Promises can be broken son if the Dharma demands so. And I, nor your heavenly father would want to witness the end of the Kuru Vansh. He would agree if you break the promise.”
” I would betray myself.” He lowered his gaze. Satyavati frowned and walked away.
“I cannot ask another Kshatriya or Brahmin to beget sons on the princesses, cause then the purity of our race would be challenged. Nor would you beget children neither would you agree to rule. Our fate is doomed.”
“I am sorry Mata but I would die, but not break my oath.”
“The only choice left now with me is to embrace my past and call upon the forgotten child. The abandoned son” She turned towards Bhishma and looked into his eyes straight. “When I was young, in my youth, I had a son. The son renowned in the world as Sage Vyasa.” Bhishma was astonished. Before he could say anything, Satyavati answered what resided in his mind.
” Parashara.” Bhishma gained back his conscious and asked ” So the great sage Vyasa must be summoned to beget children to Ambika and Ambalika?”
“That is the only way I see. He is one of the greatest Brahmins in the world. The Kuru Vansh and its chastity would be preserved if he agrees.”
“I would myself summon him. I would leave tomorrow itself, Mata.”
Satyavati took a deep breath and nodded. Bhishma bent low and left the chamber.