“The Warrior of Mithila”

By Aprajita Rai

From Mother Earth she rose one day

To lift her kingdom’s grief away

A child of soil and sunlit ray

A beacon bright to light the way

Before the bow of gods she stood

Her hands held firm and good

And there appeared, in fate’s delight

The man of virtue, brave and bright

Their eyes first met, a silent flame

A bond foretold by heaven’s name

From that bold hour, their hearts became

A love eternal, pure and same

She left behind her golden halls

The silken curtains, jewelled walls

For love she walked through woods untamed

With him, her heart and soul she claimed

By pride and lust, a king did scheme

To snatch her from her forest dream

Yet though confined in shadowed night

Her spirit burned, steadfast and bright

No chains could bind her soul’s pure flame

No fear could dim her honoured name

Though trials came by man’s cruel hand

She stood unmoved, a queen unmanned

Though fate would test her, trials unfold

Her courage shone, resolute and bold

A warrior not with sword alone

But with a heart of steel and stone

Her story lives where rivers meet

In whispered winds, in every street

The daughter of the earth and flame

The Warrior of Mithila—her name.

By Aprajita Rai