When Varsha met Shakuni

By Swaraathmikaa

The judgement

Varsha was waiting in a sabha outside the gates of heaven and hell. There were others like her, waiting for their fate to be decided. The elegantly furnished sabha looked no different from a typical Indian king’s courtroom. They were all waiting for Chitragupta. After a brief wait, Chitragupta came and sat on his ornate throne. He ordered his assistants, the dootas, to summon each of them one by one and hand over their karma-scroll to him. She knew exactly where she would be sent to and was confident about it. One by one the others were called over, the scrolls read and sent to their respective destination. Depending on the deeds they did, the size of the scroll would differ from person to person. Finally, it was Varsha’s turn.

Chitragupta – Varsha, what do you have to say about all the karmas you have done in your last birth on earth? (While waiting for her scrolls)

Varsha – Chitraguptji, I am an award-winning journalist. I have been honoured with the Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian honour by the Government of India. I even single-handedly covered the Karg… --- (when she was rudely interrupted by the sound of a rolling wheelbarrow)

Everyone turned towards the direction of the door. There were about 100 scrolls in there.

Varsha – So I was saying... (when Chitragupta raised his hand and gestured her to stop)

Chitragupta read through all of them in a single glance.

Chitragupta – Koopa…10000 years (waving at his dootas)

Immediately two of the dootas grabbed her and dragged her out. She protested.

Varsha – This is not fair. All those scrolls can’t be mine. You didn’t… you didn’t even read them… (her voice trailed off)

She was brought in front of a huge, magnificent door. Varsha was impressed. ‘Of course, I deserve this’, she thought to herself as she stood there with her head held high.

Within moments the door opened. It was not what she expected. It was dark, just dark. Before she could even comprehend, she was flung in.

The next few moments were spent screaming and howling that finally subsided into a silence.

She seemed to be on a never-ending descent that went on for days. Along the way, she could see scary creatures, snakes, and other reptiles everywhere. Some of them would spew venom that would sting her entire being. She was terrified to the core. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she landed in a space where she could float. It took her sometime to gain back her equilibrium from all the free falling. It was dark but she could see a faint light at a distance. She quickly made her way towards the light. It got brighter and brighter. What she saw there was a sight to behold.

The unexpected encounter

It was like another king’s court. There was a rotating circular stage in the centre with beautiful apsaras dancing in elegant silk clothing. There was gold and glitter everywhere, golden chairs and tables studded with precious stones, smooth shiny colourful carpet, food and drinks, exotic flowers, and lots and lots of people. Her eyes took a while to adjust to all the brightness around. As she scanned through the crowd, she could recognise a few familiar faces. She was happy to find herself in this grand arena.

(Suddenly a voice from behind…)

Voice – Devi! Oh Devi!

Varsha turned around to find a man dressed like ancient Indian royalty. She chuckled at the sight.

Varsha – Who are you? And what is this place?

Man – I think you know me very well. Everyone knows me.

Varsha noticed a pair of dice in his hand. He seemed to roll them between his palms. A sly smile on his face … and it occurred to her ‘could this be …’

when…

Man – Yes devi, you got it right. I am Shakuni.

Varsha’s jaws dropped, and she covered her mouth with her hands. Is this real? Her hands immediately searched her pockets for her recorder. She thought for a moment and decided to let it pass. She was blessed with an elephant’s memory. This had to be the best day of her life.

Varsha – So sir, are you telling me that the Mahabharata is real? No, it’s not possible. We called it a mythology.

Shakuni found it too offensive to answer. She continued.

Varsha – So if the Mahabharata did indeed happen, where are the others? I must say this; I really felt that the war result was unfair on you people.

Shakuni’s eyes welled up as he looked in the direction of his family.

Shakuni – Finally! I meet someone outside of my family who agrees with me. That Krishna, he was the reason why we were defeated. I always wonder what would have happened if Duryodhana had won that war.

Varsha – I am sure India would have been better place to live. We have a right-wing government in the centre. And so many people are unsafe in their own country.

Shakuni – India? Right-wing?

Varsha – India… oh… Bharat...Bharat. Yes, times have changed. It’s called India now. Right-wingers are those that demonstrate Hindu supremacy. Of course, we can’t have any of that. India is a secular country now. By the way, you speak English quite well.

Shakuni – Oh! I tried my best. My Duryodhana would have made a fine ruler and if his descendants were still ruling there would be no left. Who is speaking English here?

Visibly upset but still hopeful Varsha,

Varsha – What? You are not speaking English? Err...ok whatever... See, I too tried my best. All of us did. By the way, I am Varsha. I am… umm… was an award-winning journalist. We had projected this dynamic young prince as the face of India. If he was made the prime minister, it would have been great for his future and mine. But the people of this country…the people of this country seemed to not get our point. What a shame! Anyways, I am so pleased to meet you sir. I would like to have a formal interview with you, sir. And if in some way I can head back with sufficient proof, this will make my life again. I can prove it to the world that Mahabharata is our history. I will also make sure to have it incorporated into our school education system. We, the people of India, need to know.

Shakuni looking perplexed.

Shakuni – The people of Bharata are aware of their itihaasa. By the way, are you aware why you are here?

The reveal

Varsha – At this grand party? Of course! I have been honoured by the Government of India; I am being honoured here as well. I am the one who without any fear for life covered the Karg….

Shakuni – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH……. You have just landed here, haven’t you?

Varsha – Yyess…what is it?

Shakuni – And you were thrown into a koopa – the well?

Varsha – I don’t want to call it throwing but yes, I was taken by surprise by their action. This is no way to treat anyone. By now, in India, there would have been a social media outrage over this treatment meted out to a woman. I will have to work hard and organise something similar here. Anyways, should we get something to eat? The food looks yummy, and I am starving.

Shakuni looked at her with amusement and disbelief.

Shakuni – Devi, if you were thrown into the well, you have spent a good 1000 earth years to reach this place. Everyone you knew back there on earth are long since dead. And this place is not a party. It’s a hall of illusion. Everything that you see here is unreal. It is from here that you graduate to the next hell and then many more, till you complete the years prescribed by Chitragupta. I am getting ready for mine and you will be taken to yours.

Varsha – (with her eyes popping out and jaws dropping) No way!!!… there must be a mistake. Those tapes are fake. It’s not possible. I have lived and died for my country.

Just then two dootas came for her and dragged her again.

Varsha – (screaming and howling) STOP!! STOP!! LISTEN TO ME! HELP SOMEONE! I HAVE WON AWARDS…THOSE TAPES ARE FAKE… SHAKUNI HELP ME … WAIT … ARE YOU REAL???

A mighty door opened and ….

Shakuni – (laughing to himself) Foolish woman! Where do these kinds come from?

He adjusted his uttareeyam around his shoulders and as he walked realised his dice were missing. He frantically searched them everywhere. Pitaashree!!! He looked at the door of the koopa in horror.

2000 earth years later….

I see light…I see light…aaaaah…my body hurts…aaaah...the burn…. finally …. a fake break-out area again.

The descent stopped. Looked at the piece of history clutched in the hand and smiled.

I am Shakuni.

The End

By Swaraathmikaa