Echoes of Kurukshetra

By Aprajita Rai

Upon the sacred banks where Ganga flows

Rose a warrior bound by vows he chose

He pierced the river with his steady bow

And bore the weight no mortal heart should know

Through endless trials his spirit stood tall

The one who gave, till he gave his all

And she—the mother of five noble men

Still feels the wound of that moment when

In youth and fear, she turned away her son

The golden child, the forsaken one

The river carried her secret despair

Its waves still whisper his name through air

There sat the blind king on his hollow throne

A kingdom’s fate unseen, yet known

His heart was torn between love and right

As darkness ruled both day and night

And she, the queen who veiled her sight

Chose lifelong shadow to share his plight

For love she gave the world away

And wrapped her heart in eternal gray

They bore a son of thunder and flame

Whose pride outshone both truth and shame

He dreamt of glory the heavens deny

And for a foot of earth, he’d fight till he’d die

O King of Dharma, pure and just

How could you trade your people’s trust

With brothers strong and courage near

Why did your wisdom bow to fear

And Bhima—the storm that silence broke

In grief’s great fire, his fury choked

He watched his queen in cruel disdain

And bore her sorrow like burning chain

The archer’s hand, once sure and bright

Faltered before his inner fight

The bow grew still, the warrior knew

The war he feared was within him too

O Draupadi, flame of the mortal world

Dragged to dishonor, shame unfurled

Your cry still trembles through time’s vast hall

A wound that bleeds in the hearts of all

And through the storm, serene and wise

With gentle smile and knowing eyes

The charioteer with peacock crown

Watched fate’s great wheel go turning down

“Do your duty,” His calm voice said

“Let truth prevail though all run red

When the last breath stills and the earth turns gray

Justice will rise from the blood and the clay.

By Aprajita Rai