Shakuni
DISCLAIMER- This is a fictional narrative written from my imagination of what could have been the thoughts inside the mind of Shakuni, the king of Ghandhar from the epic Mahabharata.
Just three days before the war began, Shakuni stood in the land which will soon be known as the Kurukshetra ( where Kuru’s clan fought for their land) and pondered over the events that led here.
Marriage Proposal
Dridhirashtra is the groom
The guards outside his room informed Shakuni that the great Bhishma had arrived at the palace gates . Shakuni knew that his sister’s marriage will soon happen. Was King Shantanu’s son going to ask his sister’s hand for the next ruler of Kuru clan?
He wanted his sister to be happy. Bhishma had sworn to protect the clan, his powers are not to be meddled with. One question kept replaying in Shakuni’s mind – what would be the consequences if his father rejects the proposal, will Bhishma use his power and force, coerce the Subala family into agreeing. He rushed to his father’s court, but Bhishma had already conversed with him. Doubt, confusion and hesitation played on Subala’s face. The proposal must have been negative, realised Shakuni. When he heard it all, from his father only rage remained in his mind.
Mangalik ! Just because Gandhari is a Mangalik, she had to hear such ridiculous propositions. The blind son of VichitraVeerya had the guts to measure to my sister.
Pandavas and Kauravas are born
They grow up
My kingdom, is there waiting for me… waiting for me to take care of its people and yet here I am, in my sister’s bode, keeping her company, feeding my nephew’s nightmares of losing to his cousins. I feel like I’m so far behind in life for my age. It’s easier said than done but I’m holding on for the day my suffering will end, when I can look up and tell my father that I have avenged him .
Shakuni was constantly reminded of his duties as a ruler, as the guardian of Gandhara. The court made sure his stay was comfortable but was it?
With Bheeshma and Guru Drona pointing out his position in the palace as a guest, he felt guilty for his Gandhara. Often he struggled to find his stance. He can either be a brother who avenges his sister or a King who rules his father’s land.
Duryodhana’s moral compass was weak, he had no qualms in letting go of his morals for his goals. Shakuni saw Duryodhan for who he was when the prince poisoned Bheema’s feast and threw him in the river. When the time comes, I need them to believe that there’s only one way out when I tell them to commit murder.
Shakuni assured him that as a child, the punishment he’d receive would be light and all crimes will be treated as mistakes. Shakuni knew that Dhridhirashtra’s love for his children will blind him .
And Duryodhana’s hunger for the throne, he wanted too much power to the extent where he is assured that no one can stop him. He has blind faith in his objectives.
Game of Dice
Kurukshetra
The dice in his hand were pounding against the walls of his palm, their chance had come. Made from the bones of his father, they were eager to wreak havoc in the royal court of Hasthinapur, to let loose their wrath.
Yudhistra cannot be manipulated into forgoing Dharma.
Shakuni expected him to stop playing once he realizes his mistake of gambling away his brothers.
Ah, his pesky brothers – they know better than him. It has to be timed, Shakuni’s words, his expressions, without a slip, he has to grasp Dharmaraja’s free will, push it to a corner, make it seem like the decision to gamble Paanchali was made fair and square. Shakuni’s desires must take the upper hand without him uttering it.
Fourteen years later, the world appeared red and painful on the eighteenth day of the Kurukshetra war.
Sahadeva sighed as he faced Shakuni.
“You should end it here. Those who hurt you and those who haven’t have suffered their share”, Sahadeva suggested. Indeed Shakuni had already achieved what he wanted to.
The purpose and motives of justice aren’t the same as revenge, Sahadeva understood that Shakuni wanted revenge – not just death of one person or the fall of a kingdom, he wanted all those acquainted with the Kuru clan destroyed.
But fate rarely allows people to get what they want, not without any consequences. His plan had hurt him too. Everyone has lost something or someone, victims and perpetrators alike.
His Life in Reflection
True Affection
Shakuni’s thoughts had screamed every night for the past 60 years. Finally they had gone silent, peacefully laying horror everywhere. When he first met his nephew Duryodhana and his brothers, fate whispered the secret to stop the screaming, to avenge his fate. Gullible and jealous, the round face of Duryodhana had greed even as a young boy, as young as anyone with many competitors can get. True, his is not as good has his uncle’s sons. But Shakuni was gifted with enough wit to drive a donkey to victory against a mammoth. With some poisoned seeds Duryodhana’s jealousy will follow Shakuni’s command.
If I use my nephew to lay my rage to rest, what kind of a person am I? Are my claims of love fake?
Around people, he is guarded, words are carefully uttered, taking no responsibility while placing no blame only to make the listener feel unsure of all choices except what he wants them to do. Did he ever loosen the grasp a little, talk without any hidden agenda and mean what he utters?
The more we try to understand his character, the less we know of him.
PS: The amazing cover art was done by Sandhya
( https://ifwordswereweapons.wixsite.com/mirroronthewall )
Wow