Tales froM Indian Mythology

Author(s): A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular

Page 68

Tales from Indian Mythology
were the instruments of his will. He had no use for counsellors; he needed only slaves. Everything in God's creation seemed to obey him. For even the defiant Yamuna had to give up the divine blue of her waters and assume a deathly purple to accommodate the blood spilt by him. So there was no room for love or light in his realm, except in prisons...
Another exception was provided by Devaki, Kamsa's beautiful and noble sister whose virtue and piety shielded him from the wrath of God. Kamsa and Devaki were extremely fond of each other. But she was too sweet and soft to have any decisive influence on his ways. "Devaki, you are a doll,” he would say, whenever she tried to correct him, "and dolls should not talk."
One day he beckoned to her and made an important announcement: "My beloved sister, your infallible brother has found your future lord. His name is Vasudeva. He is worthy of you, even of the goddesses you keep worshipping all the time. Devaki, it is time you realized that you are greater than they and, with Vasudeva as your husband, you shall have no equal in all the Three Worlds."
"My redoubtable brother, I have never questioned your authority to take decisions on my behalf. But where a suitor for a girl's hand is concerned, no one, you will agree, can judge him better than she. I would, therefore, request you to give me a chance to see him, before we accept his proposal.”
"All right. I am sure you will like him. I am anxious to celebrate your marriage before I launch my next dandayatra (Pilgrimage of Conquest).”
"Dandayatra! Is there still any kingdom left unconquered
by you?”