When a Man Made a Vow to a Woman.

Of Love, Duty and Sacrifice.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

We often hear of the onus on women in ancient tales to be chaste and faithful. What about men? Here’s an ancient tale retold that offers a unique perspective.

In my earlier stories, I introduced the concept of a Swayamvar - a ceremony, which represents a woman's right to choose her husband, from the invited suitors based on the tests set by her father for a suitor to prove his worthiness.

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In a time long long ago, a young Prince was asked by his Guru to accompany him to the Swayamvar of the most beautiful and talented Princess on Earth.

The father of the Princess, a wise and revered King of an ancient land, had extended invitations to the bravest and worthiest men across the kingdom. Additionally, any man with the desire to prove himself worthy was welcomed to partake in the trials set to win the fair Princess's hand in marriage.

The test was straightforward. The father possessed a bow bestowed upon him by the Destroyer God, Shiva Himself. Except for the father, no other person could move or lift it to string and use. The bow was displayed on a special ornate table in the palace.

During the Princess's childhood, she was playing catch with her companions when the ball escaped them and rolled under this table in the Palace.

Swiftly, she ran to retrieve it and, upon bending down, noticed it lodged beneath the table bearing the mighty bow of Shiva. Unfazed, she effortlessly pushed the table aside, securing the ball and continuing the game.

The father who happened to witness this incident was stunned and knew then that she was no ordinary child. When the time came to devise a test, the decision was clear for him. It was a simple matter – the man who could lift the mighty bow would be the sole one worthy of his daughter.

At the Swayamvar, mighty Princes and Kings from different lands attempted to move the bow, but it did not budge an inch. Even brave warriors without royal lineage tried their luck, to no avail.

The young Prince, who had accompanied his Guru to attend the Swayamvar, was then directed by his Guru to take the test. He acquiesced.

As he approached the bow, everyone in the court marveled at his striking presence and regal demeanor.

In the Court’s royal chamber, where the Princess stood patiently just a step behind her father, surrounded by her friends, she couldn't resist stealing a shy glance at the man who had stirred such a vocal reaction in the Court.

Her eyes were captivated by the regal youth who displayed no fear. He smiled at her father, the King, as he bowed to seek permission to lift the arrow. The young Prince briefly turned his gaze toward her before moving to the table that held the bow in the center of the court.

She prayed inwardly for his success. However, the Prince needed no prayer that day. Effortlessly, he lifted the mighty bow of Lord Shiva and broke it into two pieces.

A huge cry of celebration erupted among those who harbored no envy for the Prince, hoping for a deserving suitor for their Princess.

There was rejoicing all around, but especially in the hearts of the two whose eyes had met, sealing a lifelong bond.

The Prince had encountered her earlier in the week as she set out to visit her family deity with her friends in the royal gardens. While sightseeing the city he had just entered, the Prince accidentally ran into the entourage of the Princess. In that serendipitous moment, neither could tear their eyes away from each other. His heart became hers when, in that brief exchange of glances, their souls recognized a connection that transcended births.

Her friends, aghast at this unexpected encounter with a stranger, hastily whisked her away. However, not before she, too, had left her heart behind with this unknown stranger. Even Shakespeare would have struggled to describe the ease with which the two hearts became one that morning in the garden.

The Prince glanced at her again in the Court, stepping forward to bow before the King, as she stood torn between dual worries: that someone else might break the bow, and that the Prince might not. His stolen glance appeared to reassure her. In a language that only those who love understand, he conveyed his supreme confidence in the task ahead.

The breaking of the bow echoed loudly, thundering through the sky. The shattering of the mighty bow of Shiva did not go unnoticed by the Gods, who descended incognito to witness this fortuitous event.

As the entire assembled Court watched in awe, the Princess stepped forth at her father's behest. The King beamed at the successful Prince, granting his blessing for his daughter to garland him.

Her heart raced so fast that she was certain everyone could hear it. Her hands trembled as she lifted the garland, for the Prince was taller than her. Their eyes met once again, this time without any shyness; her smile reflected in his gaze. The Prince smiled back at her beautiful face, raised to his in love. Aiding her effort, he bent his head so she could easily place the garland of flowers around his neck, signifying her acceptance to wed him.

A resounding cheer broke out in the Court.

The Prince’s family was promptly informed and invited to attend the wedding ceremony. As they were awaited, the entire city buzzed with excitement, gearing up for the grandest celebration in honor of their beloved Princess and the Prince, who, within minutes of being seen, had captured many hearts with his calm demeanor and handsomeness.

When all the key figures had assembled, the wedding of the ages unfolded in accordance with the prescribed rituals for royal unions. The palace, adorned with a breathtaking array of vibrant flowers, provided a stunning backdrop to the ceremony.

The Prince and Princess were united in marriage, in front of the sacrificial Agni, the God of Fire. Joined by their families and all those fortunate enough to attend, the crowded Palace hall bore witness to this sacred union. The Gods themselves, present in disguise, could not afford to miss such a momentous event.

Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived when the Princess, bedecked in jewels and adorned in her finery, found herself alone with the Prince, equally resplendent in his attire. Though bold in sharing glances with her love at earlier times, when alone, shyness overtook the Princess, and she seemed to have forgotten how to speak.

Her heart started somersaulting again, beating at a pace she was sure again, it could be heard by the Prince. She recalled in her mind, how many times, since the day she had first seen him, she had prayed to her Gods to allow just such a moment in her life.

The Prince approached her, and to her surprise, addressed her thus, “Dearest, since I saw you first in the garden, I have not been at peace. How could I until I saw you again, for it is true, in that moment, I lost my heart to you, and could not rest until I knew yours was given to me too. What agony this has been to be so near, and so far, to wait for the Swayamvar, to have the right to win your hand. Never has my sleep been so broken as it has been in awaiting this day.

Did you feel this parting sorrowful too? Or was this all vanity on my part?”

The assured, brave Prince, who had already bested many a fearsome demon, sought assurance from his sweetheart.

Hearing him speak so, the Princess could no longer contain herself, all shyness abandoned at his words, and in answer, she rushed into his arms and was enveloped by his love. Her actions, more than any words, gave him the assurance he sought. But he was not done speaking yet.

Holding her apart, in front of him, he swore an oath to her in the quiet of the night.

“It is quite customary for the Royal Kings of this age to take on many wives. But, know this to be true that never will this heart be given to another woman. I vow today to you, that I shall be true and faithful to you all my life, and that you alone shall be my wife in this birth.”

The Princess was overcome by love and joy at his words and shed a few tears, that the Prince had no difficulty using as a reason to gather her in his arms again, to wipe, and hold close.

Years passed, their love did not diminish. The Prince and Princess lived together, in difficulty and happiness, for they were to face many a stern test of their young married lives - tests that we shall not visit today.

When many tests were overcome, and a brief separation was also surmounted, none having the ability to dim their love for each other, they returned to their homeland and were crowned King and Queen of the land.

Many more years passed, their joy at passing the tests and finally being reunited under the same roof in happiness and royal duty was unsurpassed.

The Gods willed otherwise, and soon enough, came a test, whose price neither could pay very well.

The King, in the performance of his royal duty, was forced to make an impossible choice. To have his love, his Queen with him always, or to enforce his Kingly duty, an unyielding duty that offered no flexibility, and no exceptions to the obligations owed to his forefathers. It was a duty that demanded he uphold his oath and their honor, one he couldn't simply cast aside.

He could not have them both together, thus a choice he must make. In relinquishing one, he felt he was surrendering his very life, whereas forsaking the other meant abandoning the duty ingrained in him from ages past, and betraying his solemn oath as King.

He passed such a night, as may never be wished on another man on Earth or in the Heavens.

To be separated from his sweet, innocent wife, the love of his life, who had borne so much sorrow on his account, and still live, how was this possible, he wondered?

To be with her, forsaking his Kingly duties, would bring dishonor to his father and forefathers, betraying all who trusted him when he swore his oath as King to uphold his duty to his people and his dynasty.

What gods had devised this punishment, this cruel choice he was forced to make, he knew not.

Pacing the marbled Palace floors all night, in the early hours of the morning, he made a terrible decision.

To forsake his love, for the sake of his duty, for duty is dharma, and without it, no human could claim any honor.

He met his Queen, and explained his decision, and begged her forgiveness, for as a result, she must leave him, no matter what the cost to them personally. The Queen understood his dilemma in an instant and commiserated with him. Far be it, that she should stand in the way of his duty to his kingdom, and be the cause of his breaking his oath to his people, and to his forefathers.

There was no other decision to be made.

Hiding her sorrow, she acquiesced in his decision and instantly, accompanied by the King’s brother, left the kingdom for the forest.

The brother, aghast at being called into this conference at an ungodly hour and being commanded by his King, his dearest brother to take his sister-in-law to the forest, begged his brother to spare him such a terrible duty.

He pleaded with the King to not make such a devastating decision, but once the Queen had acquiesced, there was naught to be said to the King that he had not already said to himself.

As her chariot left the courtyard, the desolate King fell to the ground, tears that he had held back from his brother and his Queen, lest he weaken them, flowed now without restraint as he wept, alone in his chamber, the cold stone floor offering him little comfort.

His heart was wrenched apart at this cruelty he had shown his beloved, and fear for her well-being, and stricken by her absence, he foresaw nothing but the cold fist of duty awaiting him in the days and years ahead.

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Did you enjoy this retelling of an ancient tale? The journey of our Prince and Princess has just begun, and their love will still be tested in ways unimaginable. As they navigate the intricate web of duty, destiny, and love, what challenges will they face, and what sacrifices must be made? Read Part 2 below where the tale continues.

The Queen's Journey.