The Prince Who Refused to be King
I am reading through Markandeya Purana and enjoying the stories there, and I am continually surprised to find the protagonists so relatable. If retold in a contemporary idiom, perhaps, the reader will also find the characters relatable — the reason why I am trying to retell these stories.
This is the story of Prince Avikshit, a scion of the Ikshvaku lineage. After a swayamvara, a function where a bride chooses her husband, Avikshit fights a mob of warriors who gang up on him and defeat him. Until that defeat, the young prince is drunk with youth, power, and achievements. He is not quite flouting the rules but definitely pushing the boundaries. The girl he is fighting for watches him go down. His father comes to his aid and rescues him after his defeat. Avikshit never quite recovers from the circumstances in which he was vanquished and decides to withdraw from life.
The girl falls in love with Avikshit because she admires his courage in fighting a war according to the prescribed norms. But Avikshit is shamed by his defeat and refuses to marry her. The girl then goes away to the forest to perform austerities, and after some dramatic events, she is rescued by Avikshit. They marry and live many happy years together. A son, Marutta, is born to them. Interestingly, Avikshit refuses to rule the kingdom and abdicates in favor of his son.
I have adhered to the original story [Markandeya Purana, Chapters [108–125] for the most part but omitted the peripheral details.
Balashwa was a brave king who had established his sovereignty over a vast kingdom. Many vassal kings paid him tribute. Balashwa treated his subjects as his own children.
His vassal princes were agitated about Balashwa’s increasing power. They banded together and decided to attack Balashwa. They occupied the areas surrounding Balashwa’s capital and laid siege to his city. As the siege continued, Balashwa found his treasury getting depleted. His defenses were also weakening. Balashwa was anxious. He had to recruit thousands of soldiers to stem the enemy onslaught.
But Balashwa succeeded in this unbelievable feat.
Legend has it that he once breathed so heavily, as he buried his head in his hands, that hundreds of soldiers, arising from his breath emerged from the cracks between his fingers. From then on, he came to be known as Karandhama. He subdued all his enemies and made them pay tribute to him as before.
Karandhama was a great king and ruled his kingdom with justice and compassion.
He was invited to a swayamvara by King Veerachandra for his daughter. Princess Veera chose Karandhama to be her husband. Soon a son, Avikshit, was born to the couple. The palace astrologers told Karandhama that the prince would grow up to a great warrior king because the planets were in auspicious positions at his birth.
The prince went to Kanva’s Ashrama and learned Vedas, martial sciences, and the art of wielding weapons. He grew up to be a very handsome, intelligent, brave, and compassionate young man.
The prince then proceeded to marry seven princesses in separate swayamvaras. Thus Vara, daughter of Hemadharma, Gauri, daughter of Sudeva, Subhadra, daughter of Bali, Leelavati, daughter of Veera, Nibha, daughter of Veerabhadra, Manyavati, daughter of Bhima, Kumudwati, daughter of Dambha chose him to be their husband.
Avikshit, supremely proud of his strength, would not rein in his desires. He went to the swayamvara of Mudati, also known as Vaishalini, daughter of Vishala, the king of Vidisha. Mudati did not choose Avikshit. Undeterred, Avikshita grabbed the girl by force and started riding away. The other princes, who had also come to attend the wedding, were angered by Avikshit’s high handedness. They also felt insulted that Avikshit would dare to kidnap a young woman, from her own swayamvara, while other Kshatriya invitees looked on. The Kshatriya princes felt they had to fight this perfidy as the scions of great lineages. They banded together and attacked Avikshit.
In the great battle that ensued, where many warriors, horses, and elephants perished, it seemed that Avikshit would win at first. Then the prices ganged up against Avikshit and started fighting him in ways not sanctioned by the tenets of dharma-yuddha, or the accepted rules of a fair battle.
One prince destroyed Avikshit’s bow, another his arrows, yet another the flag on his chariot. A group of princes killed Avikshit’s horses, a few others broke his chariot, and other princes rained arrows on him from behind.
Avikshit grabbed his sword and shield and emerged from his broken chariot, ready for combat. A prince fought him and destroyed both. Avikshit picked up his mace. An enemy prince sliced his mace with a razor-like weapon called kshurapra.
Avikshit was one man fighting many princes surrounding him. Finally, he could fight no more and fell to the ground. The princes bound him and brought him to Vidisha.
Mudati was brought back to the swayamvara and asked to choose a mate among the gathered princes. Mudati stood there, unresponsive, refusing to choose a husband. The court astrologers counseled the king to postpone the wedding.
Meanwhile, Karandhama and his wife heard the news of their son’s defeat. Even though the Karandhama was saddened, Veera was unfazed by the news. She said, “My son has fought all the princes gathered there to win a bride. If they ganged up to defeat him, they have fought an adharmic war, not sanctioned by the rules. Yes, he was captured and bound. But he is a brave Kshatriya warrior, and I am proud of him! We must go and fight a battle to support him.”
Karandhama was happy. He marched with an army to fight with King Vishala to free his son. A terrible battle lasting three days was fought between Karandhama and the coalition of princes led by King Vishala. Karandhama won.
King Vishala promptly released Prince Avikshit and came to meet Karandhama, bearing auspicious gifts. He also brought his daughter, Mudati, and offered her hand in marriage to the prince.
Avikshit said, “King, please excuse me. I regret that I have to refuse your daughter’s hand. Now, I will not marry any girl. I have been defeated in battle as this girl looked on. Please offer her hand to a man who has emerged as a victor on the battlefield. She deserves to marry a winner. A man should be in a position to offer support to a girl. She has watched me getting defeated by a group of princes. How can I be her husband?”
King Vishala told his daughter, “Dear Mudati, you have heard what the prince has said. Please choose a man you like, or I will choose a suitable husband for you.”
The young lady said, “Father, this brave man fought a battle alone against a mob of princes, who unfairly attacked him. He has displayed uncommon valor and has no reason to be ashamed. I have chosen him to be my husband. I don’t want to marry anyone else.”
King Vishala said, “Prince, hear what my daughter has said. Please marry her and make both our families proud.”
Avikshit said, “King, excuse me. I don’t want to marry anyone. I feel weak and don’t feel I am in a position to marry.”
Karandhama said, “Marry the beautiful daughter of King Vishala, Avikshita. She loves you.”
Avikshit said, “Please excuse me, father. I have never refused your command till now. But this time, please ask me for something that I won’t refuse.”
King Vishala was very unhappy. He told his daughter, “This prince has no desire to marry. Don’t entertain softer feelings for him anymore. There are so many princes out there who want you. Choose one of them.”
Mudati said, “No, father. My mind is made up. In this life, he is the only one for me. I will do tapasya to win him over.”
Karandhama accepted Vishala’s hospitality for three more days and returned home accompanied by his son.
Mudati left home and repaired to the forest to perform austerities.
Her penance was so severe that she soon became thin and emaciated. With no hope of ever winning Avikshit, she decided to give up her life. Sages and Devas sent an emissary to counsel her.
The emissary said, “Dear Lady, you will be blessed with a son that will rule the earth spanning the seven great islands. Your son will be brave and perform many yajnas like the Ashwamedha.”
Mudati said, “Kind sir, I know you mean well. But I don’t have a husband. How can I have a son with the excellent attributes that you speak of?
“You know I want to marry Prince Avikshit. But he refused to marry me even after being counseled and requested by me, my father, and his father.”
The emissary said, “Oh fortunate one, I know you will beget a great son. Don’t abdicate your life. Continue living in this forest. Take care of your body and health. Mediate, and you will see the right path.”
The princess decided to take his advice.
Soon after that, Veera called her son and said, “Dear Avikshit, there is a vow that your father and I have undertaken. It is called ‘Kimicchaka,’ the vow by which we will achieve whatever we desire if performed successfully. All three of us will have to participate in the vow. Your father will give away half of his treasury. I can complete the necessary austerities. You need to do your part by providing strength and protection.”
Avikshit agreed with alacrity.
The Queen undertook ritual fasting and proceeded to worship Kubera, the god of wealth. She cleansed the three instruments of speech, body, and mind (trikarana) and worshipped Goddess Lakshmi.
While these prayers were going on, one day, Karandhama’s ministers had a conversation with him.
They said, “King, you are getting old. Your only son, Avikshit, does not want to marry and beget children. When you and your wife retire, your vast kingdom will be taken over by your enemies. There will be no one to offer food and water to your ancestors with no children to carry on your line. You must obligate him to marry and take over the kingdom. He must do his duty by his ancestors.”
Meanwhile, Avikshit came to the assembly and spoke to the people gathered there. “My dear mother has undertaken a vow and is performing prayers. On my part, I am obligated to donate my strength and protection to anyone that requires it. You may ask me for anything you want from me.”
Karandhama came forward immediately and said, “I have a request. Please give me what I wish for!”
Avikshit was surprised, but said, “Tata, tell me what I can do for you. I will fulfill it, no matter how difficult it may be.”
Karandhama said, “I want to hold my grandson in my lap.”
Avikshit said, “Father, I am your only son! I have embraced the vow of brahmacharya that includes celibacy. How can I give you a grandson?”
“This vow of brahmacharya is so wrong for you! Please get out of this sinful bind and give me a grandson!”
“I have given up attachments and eschewed the pleasure of a woman’s company! Please ask for something else.”
“You fought many enemies single-handedly and lost. If this alone has made you withdraw from the world, you are a fool! I don’t want to engage in further conversation! Please give up brahmacharya. Make your mother happy! Please give me the pleasure of looking upon my grandson!”
Avikshit saw that Karandhama would not be dissuaded from his request. Finally, he gave in and said, “Dear Father! A woman witnessed my defeat. Now, I have to marry a woman. It is excruciatingly difficult for me! But you are forcing me to stand by my word. I will do it.”
Avikshit left the court and went into the forest.
As Avikshit rode into the forest, he heard terrified screams of a woman. “Help! Help me! Save me!”
Avikshit rode in the direction of the screams. He saw a Danava trying to kidnap a pretty woman. He confronted them and asked, “who are you?”
The girl said, “I am the wife of Avikshit and daughter in law of Karandhama. This villain is molesting me!”
Avikshit was bemused. “Who is this woman, claiming to be my wife!” He told the girl, “Don’t be afraid!”
He turned to the man and said, “How dare you molest a woman in the kingdom of Karandhama? You are dead!”
Dridhakesha, the Danava man, let go of the woman and attacked Avikshit with his weapon.
Avikshit rained arrows upon the Danava and cut his weapon, a stout stick, in half. The Danava uprooted a tree and assaulted Avikshit. The prince picked up a lance and cut the tree. The Danava picked up a rock and threw it at Avikshit, who feinted, and the missile missed its mark and fell harmlessly to the ground.
Enraged, the Danava raced towards the prince, who took out a lancet called vetasapattra and cut off the Danava’s head.
The victorious prince turned towards the girl he had rescued, wondering, ‘What am I going to tell this girl? King Vishala’s daughter gave up everything because I refused her. How can I now marry someone else?’
He asked, “Who are you?”
Mudati said, “I am King Vishala’s daughter. I have accepted you unconditionally as my husband. When you refused me, I decided to give up everything, went away to the forest, away from my friends and relatives. I fasted and prayed so much that I became weak. Besides, I had no hope and decided to give up my life. An emissary from the Devas came to me and told me not to give up my life. He assured me that a great warrior, who would vanquish the Asuras and please the Devas, would be born to me. I decided to wait until I would be united with you.
“One day, I was bathing in river Ganga, when I was caught in the coils of an old snake. He took me to Patal, the netherworld. They were very hospitable and treated me very well. They could look into the future and requested that I intercede on their behalf if there ever was a war between them and the son that I would have. I agreed.
“I accepted their gifts and greetings. The old Naga brought me back. Due to their ministrations, I was now pretty and dressed in beautiful jewelry. This foolish Danava, Dridhakesha, was attracted to me and tried to molest me.
“Now, you have rescued me from him. Oh, brave prince, trust me when I say, there is no one in the world equal to you! Marry me.”
Avikshit was drawn to this young lady who had gone through so much for him. He smiled as he said, “I felt diminished when you saw me defeated by my enemies. It seems you have now seen me winning against an adversary. What do we do now?”
Mudati said again, “This forest is made for love. Marry me!”
Avikshit said, “It seems like we were meant to be. Otherwise, what were the odds that we would get together again?!”
The two got married.
There wandered around scenic mountain peaks, lakes, and riverbanks, reveling in the beauty of nature. They made love in every scenic spot.
Mudati gave birth to a baby boy, whose birth was celebrated by the Devas, sages, and Nagas. Tumburu, the celestial sage, performed the baby’s first ceremonial rituals. The boy was named Marutta, with the invocation that Vayu, the god of wind, would bless him.
The young family returned home.
Avikshit placed his son in his father’s lap and related everything that had transpired. The entire city celebrated the return of their prince, his wife, and the baby boy.
Young Marutta grew up fast and learned the Vedas and martial arts from Sage Bhargava. Karandhama and Vishala were very proud of their grandson’s progress.
Karandhama decided to anoint his son as his successor and go to the forest to practice austerities. He called Avikshit and told him to accept kingship.
Avikshit refused. He said, “Tata, I have never been free of that feeling of self-condemnation and powerlessness that I suffered that day when I was cheated by my enemies and defeated on the battlefield. You rescued me. I did not feel so brave that day. This kingdom needs to be governed by someone strong and courageous.”
Karandhama said, “If a father does not stand by his child, who else will? You and I are not separate. It is not as if you were rescued by a stranger.”
Avikshit said, “No, but I don’t want to be that son who will enjoy the hard work of his father or becomes famous because of his father’s influence. I want to be that person who will earn his own wealth, fame, or suffer losses due to his own misfortune.”
Karandhama gave his kingdom to his grandson, Marutta, and left for the forest.
I liked the story for many reasons. Both the protagonists exercise their free will, not only in choosing their mates, but also in other major life decisions like taking over kingship, or going away to the forest. In the end, though, Avikshit is prevailed upon by his father to marry and continue the lineage, so that the ancestors would not go hungry.
Avikshit is an upright young man who stands by his principles. He does not want anything he has not earned. He even abdicates the kingdom in his son’s favor. He is rash in his youth but evokes sympathy when he retreats into the background. I am glad that he finally finds love.
I like Mudati’s character as well. She is steadfast in her love and refuses to change her mind even after Avikshit refuses her, or when her father advises her not to pursue a man who does not care for her. I am amazed that her father lets her go away on her own to the forest. Was that a socially acceptable thing to do?
It seems that skill in martial arts and adherence to dharma while fighting were the most attractive manly virtues.
Finally, the plot holes! What happened to the seven girls Avikshit had won in different swayamvaras? There is no mention of that in the story later! How come Prince Avikshit does not recognize Mudati when he rescues her from the Danava, Drudhakesha, while she recognizes him? Was it because of the intervening years, or she has changed so much? Let me know what you think!
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.
