Amba-Devavrat: A Tragedy in Five Parts
retold by
Kamesh Ramakrishna Aiyer
Summary
Prolog: An ecological crisis (long-term change to a dryer climate and failure of monsoons; loss of habitat along the Sarasvati leading to immigration; population growth that has lead to deforestation; inability to expand further down the Gangetic plain because of a heavy clayey soil requiring as-yet-uninvented agricultural technology; a spendthrift ruling class that does not wish to limit its property rights). Santanu, a king of the Kurus, tries to address the problem with laws. The first set of laws tries to do this by limiting population growth, leading to the tragedy of Amba and Devavrata, a radical re-telling of the original in the Mahabharata. Other laws lead to other stories that form the body of a re-telling of the Mahabharata.
Act 1: Santanu enacts population-control laws, restricting all families to one boy and one girl He applies them to his own children, killing off his seven baby boys born after the eldest Devavrat.
Act 2: Santanu’s wife to commit suicide. She commits her eldest son Devavrat to his care.
Act 1: Devavrat vows celibacy so Santanu can marry again, this time to Satyavati. Because of his vow, Devavrat is usually known as Bhishma (“the Terrible”).
Act 2: Santanu dies leaving his sons in Devavrat’s care.
Act 1: Devavrat kidnaps the princesses of Kashi as wives for his step-brothers; Amba, the oldest creates a moral and ethical problem and stays unmarried.
Act 2: Devavrat and Amba fall in love, Devavrat breaks his vow.
Act 3: Amba is pregnant; Satyavati finds out and arranges to make her suspect Devavrat of evil intentions and to run away in fear.
Act 1: Amba struggles in the forest, is rescued by Jain nuns, ends up in Pancala, traditional rivals of the Kurus, where she is viewed sympathetically.
Act 2: She raises her son, Sikhandin, to get revenge on Bhishma.
Act 3: Sikhandin has a difficult childhood as result of his unknown paternity.
Sideshow to Part 4: Bhishma arranges for Vyaasa, Satyavati’s illegitimate child from her youth, to father sons with the widows of his step-brothers. These sons, Pandu and Dhritarashtra, descended from the princesses of Amba on one side and Satyavati, the fisher-girl, and Parasara, a wandering sage, thus become the legitimate heirs of the Kuru line.
Intermezzo: The Mahabharata war takes place over many years – it begins as a disagreement on continuing the social policy laws of Santanu, the last being a system of caste that creates rights and obligations for both the wealthy and the poor. The disagreement between the two sets of cousins leads initially to a mutually agreed upon partition; disagreement on the basis of partition keeps the parties on an expensive war-footing; years of “cold-war”; differing views on how to deal with the consequences leads to a fuel crisis; fuel crisis leads to “warm war”; the momentum slowly builds to a hot war of mutual destruction. Bhishma supports the Kaurava policy despite his personal attachments to the Pandavas because he is convinced that his father’s policies were wrong.
Part 5: Appa (An episode during the extended Mahabharata war):
Act 1: Sikhandin plots to lead Bhishma into an ambush by Arjuna and Krishna.
Act 2: This occasions a digression on a variant interpretation of the Gita (Arjuna’s questions about conducting war as the means to personal power; the origin of consciousness in the invention of the royal we; the attempts to resolve the contradictions inherent in the concept of a personal self as the source of the philosophical problems of self consciousness; Krishna’s resolution of the problem of the self as the solution to Arjuna’s question). The ambush is delayed because of Arjuna’s and Krishna’s discussion.
Act 3: Bhishma discovers the betrayal and he and Sikhandin duel; Sikhandin dies. As he dies, he reveals that he is the son of Devavrat, Amba’s lover killed by her enemy Bhishma. Bhishma is stunned and lets go of his weapons as he holds his son. At that moment, Arjuna arrives and fatally wounds Bhishma.
Act 4: At Bhishma’s request, Devavrat and Sikhandin, the last of the Kurus, are buried in the river Ganga.
Act 1. Acts of the King
Santanu enters the private chambers of his palace. His wife the Queen has been waiting for him.
Ganga, the Queen
Hail, O Great King! We bow to you!
Santanu, the King of Hastinapura, Leader of the Kurus, Defender of Civilization, Destroyer of Forest-Dwellers, The True Nagaraja
Gangu, my queen! These are our private quarters; you do not need to speak to me like this. Are you upset? What is it about? You know that I would not hurt you for anything in the world!
Ganga
What difference would it make what I said? And you may not want to hurt me, but what of my children? You would kill them, every one of them, if they do not meet with your approval?
Santanu
Gangu, Gangu, Gangu! Why can’t you understand? We face a crisis! For a hundred years, we have been going downhill. Our people grow poorer. Our enemies grow stronger. The Society of Poets will help us find a way out of this. In the meantime, we must survive. In a few years when the crisis is past, we can repeal these laws. Maybe, Devavrat will get to repeal the laws!
Devavrat
Dad! I heard you say my name. Can you play with me now?
Santanu
Yes, glorious prince! And what should we do this time!
Devavrat
You be the target and I’ll shoot this brahma-astra at you! What will happen this time?
Ganga
Dev, I am trying to talk to your dad! Go outside and play!
Santanu
Let him be! I’ll fall to the ground and gibber like a monkey.
Ganga
That’s what you do when I talk to you about my concerns! You can do to your people what you wish! But why should you kill my sons like this!
Santanu
Dev, go outside and play!
(He leads the boy outside the room and points out a
tree he can use as a target. Then he
comes back in).
These laws must apply to everyone, otherwise they are meaningless. Especially when they are so onerous. I cannot exempt myself from them. Even if my wife is a Naga and does not understand them.
Ganga
Four sons! Four babies that you took from me and killed! I did not even hold them in my arms.
Santanu
There are a hundred children like them that we have had to sacrifice. Would it be better if I killed only the girls? That’s what the Kavi Sangha recommended. But I rejected it. How could I have explained it to the people – that boys are better than girls? We are not like the Mlecchas who make slaves of their women!
Ganga
So you make up this story about these being your nomadic forefathers, the Vasus, re-incarnated to bless your enterprise. And your poets spread this ridiculous story and every dead child, boy and girl, is a god or a goddess.
Santanu
I had to do something. The banks of the river are dotted with small mounds of dirt commemorating these dead children. When this is over, we will know exactly what it has cost us.
Ganga
I would have been happy just to hold them for a few days. I longed for them, my breasts longed for them, they cried for them.
Santanu
Shall I change the laws and make it apply only to girls?
Ganga
No. What if my next child is a girl? I’ll kill myself if you change the laws again. I am looking forward to holding my next baby. But with you for a husband…
Santanu
Are you expecting?
Gangu
Yes.
Santanu
Lets hope that she’s a girl.
Act 2. Mother Ganga
Devavrat
Amma! Why are you crying? What has happened? Did somebody hurt you? Should I fetch Dad?
Ganga
No, please Dev don’t do anything. I am not feeling well.
Dev
You’ve been sick for the last few months. Dad doesn’t seem to care. I’d ask the doctor to come except that she has been pretty useless for the last few months. All she does is tut-tut and tell you to drink yoghurt made from fresh goat’s milk.
Ganga
No, don’t call anybody. Come to me. Let me look at you.
(She brings him close and looks closely at his face
and eyes. She blinks and then hugs the
boy)
You aren’t like him at all. You look like my father.
Dev
Amma! Dad says I look like his father!
Ganga (looking away)
It doesn’t matter. Go out and play. Good bye.
Dev
Why did you say that? Are you going someplace? When? Where are you going? Can I come too?
Ganga
Don’t worry darling. I’ll be with you always. Tell your father that he should take care of you. Go out and play, will you.
Dev leaves the room. Ganga watches him leave. Then she gets up and looks at herself in the mirror. Her fingers adjust an errant hair.
Ganga
I don’t need to fix it. Goodbye, Dev. Santanu, may your ancestors forgive you for this.
Ganga leaves the room. A short time later, Dev comes in.
Dev
Amma! Amma! Oh, fo! Where’s Amma gone now? Amma, I’ve brought the doctor.
One of his mother’s attendants comes by. Dev grabs her.
Dev
Satya! Have you seen my mother?
Satya
She went out the back door. She said she was going to the river.
Dev
The river? Why? Come (gesturing to the doctor who is hanging around outside the door diffidently)… Let’s go to the river.
Dev and the doctor go out the back to the gardens behind the palace. A path leads down to the water’s edge and Dev can see his mother standing by the edge of the river. She is a bit too far to hear him, but he shouts nonetheless.
Dev
There she is! Amma! Amma! I’ve brought the doctor.
Ganga does not appear to have heard Dev. As he watches, she continues to walk into the water without a break in her step.
Dev (to the doctor)
She seems to be going for bath or something. Come let us go down.
The doctor
Prince, the Queen might not be happy to see me. I can wait here.
Dev (imperiously)
No, you cannot stay here. Come with me right now. Look, what’s she doing now? She’s walking towards the deeper water. Its dangerous there. Amma! What are you doing?
Dev starts running down the path, shouting. The garden attendants look at him in alarm. He shouts something at the Queen’s maidservants. The Queen’s maidservants try to stop him and then run after him down the path. By the time he reaches the water’s edge, his mother’s head is barely visible bobbing up and down about fifty yards away.
Dev
Amma! Amma! Come back. Somebody help her. Bring her back.
Everybody looks puzzled. They cannot understand the young boy’s urgency. But he IS the prince and they pretend to be busy trying to call the Queen back.
Dev
She’s going to die! Bring her back. Now! Please!
He rushes back up the path, picks up a bow and arrow that he had discarded in the garden while playing there, rushes back down, grabs a piece of rope attached to a fence. By this time, his mother is barely visible. He ties the rope to the arrow and shoots it out into the water. There is hardly any rope and the arrow falls far short of his mother.
Dev
You! Help me with this rope. I must get it to my mother. She may know how to swim but she is not an expert. She is too far gone.
Maya, a maidservant
Sir, are you sure that’s the Queen?
Dev
Yes, yes. You fool! Didn’t you see her?
Maya
No.
Dev (to the doctor)
Wasn’t that my mother?
The doctor
It seemed to be so, prince. And you said it was your mother. So it must have been the Queen who stepped into the water.
Dev
Didn’t anybody else see the Queen?
Maidservants (in a chorus)
No. No. No… Maybe
Dev
This isn’t right. (addressing the gardeners) Did you see the Queen?
Gardener
We don’t know sir. If you say so, it must be true.
Dev (muttering)
They don’t believe me. (loudly) You are not helping. If that’s not the Queen, go find the Queen or else, don’t come back. Get me a boat. Now.
All the workers leave, muttering. Only the doctor is left
The doctor
Prince, you should not have threatened them. They work for your father. And if the Queen is truly drowned, you will need the help of all of these people.
Dev
Don’t tell me about helping her. She needed your help, and all you did was give her weak tea. You weren’t helping her.
The doctor
She was pregnant. She had her baby. By the king’s orders, the boy was taken away.
Dev
What? The king told her that she could keep this child no matter what.
The doctor
The baby was born prematurely. It would have died anyway. In any case, the king directly ordered that his laws be obeyed.
Dev
Don’t you understand? This was her eighth child. The king had told her… I’ll ask him.
Here’s a boat. Help me onto it.
The boatman and the doctor
Prince, we cannot do that. Your father would have our heads if you drowned as well.
Dev
Then who is going to look for my mother?
The boatman
I’ll take the doctor and three others to direct me. I will need some additional rowers.
Dev
Get going. And, doctor, if you find her save her.
The doctor (muttering)
I am going to be sick and I won’t be able to do a thing for her. (loudly) Yes, my lord.
The boat pulls away. Dev paces the beach muttering. A few minutes later, the King’s Chief Minister, Parasara enters.
CM
Salutations, young prince. I received news of your distress and came immediately. The gardeners were most incoherent and could not tell me why you were angry.
Dev
Amma walked out into the river. I saw it with my own eyes. Nobody was paying attention. The doctor tells me that she delivered my brother prematurely and the King had it taken away.
CM
Yes, the baby was subject to the King’s laws. I regret that the news had to come to you from the doctor. She will be chastised. The King and Queen would have wanted to tell you themselves. But, are you sure you saw the Queen walk out into the river.
Dev
Yes. Look, the boat has stopped and they are shouting something. I can’t make it out.
CM
I cannot hear their shouts clearly. My eyesight is not what it used to be. What do you see?
Dev
They are pulling something out of the water. I cannot make out what.
The two of them watch.
Dev
They are coming back. They are still shouting.
The boat comes in. As it comes closer, the shouts are clearer.
From the boat
Alas! The Queen is found. She was right there in the water. We were too late.
Dev (shouting)
What’s the doctor doing?
CM
Don’t blame the doctor, son of Santanu. You did see your mother walk out by herself.
The boat comes closer to shore. By this time many people have collected. There is a commotion and the King appears
Santanu
What’s this I hear about the Queen? Some of her maidservants came to the chamber shouting and screaming that the Prince had gone mad and drowned his mother.
What is going on here?
The body is brought off the boat.
Santanu (rushes forward)
Gangu! Gangu! What’s happened? Dev, what have you done?
Dev
Amma! Aiyo! Why did you do this? You mad king, she died because of you. You killed my mother.
CM (addresses the doctor)
Have the body brought to the Queen’s chambers. Leave me with the King and the Prince.
CM (to the King and Prince)
It is fitting that you control your grief, my lords. Prince, it is not appropriate to address your father thus.
Dev
Nobody would listen to me. I told them that she was walking into the water but they could not believe that I had seen it.
Santanu (slumps)
Why would she do such a thing?
CM (holding them both)
Come. Come. Let us follow the body.
Dev
She said, Tell your father to take care of me. I wish Amma had taken me with her. I don’t want to be in the care of the King.
Santanu
Why did she do this?
Dev
You promised her that she could keep this child.
Santanu
I did no such thing.
CM
Prince, the Kavi Sangha would not have approved such a change in policy for purely personal reasons.
Santanu
I promised her that I would petition the Kavi Sangha if it was a boy. But, somehow, my promise was not known to the attendants who handed the baby over as soon as they saw that it was a boy.
Dev
You lied. You never intended to tell anybody.
CM
He did tell me. But I was not in charge of the midwives. They followed the old orders.
Dev
You will lie for him. You are all his slaves and he is mad.
Santanu
Your mother agreed with me. It is only later that she changed her mind. And our people have prospered.
Dev
Mad! Mad! Mad!
CM
Prince, please come with me.
Dev
You represent the Kavi Sangha and they are the source of my father’s insanity. What sense does this law make?
CM
Look at your father. He is heart-broken. So will the people be when they hear of the queen’s death. You are not alone in your grief. Come with me.
Act 1. The Fishergirl
Girl
Father! Horsemen!
Fisherman (looking across the sandbank to the bank)
It’s the Kuru king and his hunting group. They have not come this way in many years. Satyavati, stay by me.
Santanu flanked by Devavrat and others saunter by. Both king and prince look at Satyavati. She flushes and looks away. The king stops and looks at the fisherman. Devavrat’s cannot tear his gaze away from Satyavati.
Santanu dismounts and goes to the fisherman with open arms. All the riders, except Devavrat, dismount.
Rajah! I rejoice to see you. How is your domain? Does your family still flourish? Does the mother of rivers feed your bountifully?
Fisherman
Welcome Great King to my small home! The river treats us well. We do well in the shadow of your protection. It has been many years since you came this way. How are your queens and your children?
Santanu
My dear wife passed away many years ago. This is my son, Devavrat (looks for him and finally points to Devavrat still on his horse). And is this beautiful young lady your daughter?
Fisherman
Yes, this is my only daughter Satyavati. Please come and grace my family with your presence.
Santanu
Not now, rajah. We will continue our hunt. But I shall surely return.
Santanu and the others get back on the other horses and ride away. Santanu looks thoughtful.
Fisherman to Satyavati
Come let us go in. You’ve become a big girl – suddenly you are bashful!
Santanu calls off the hunt and they go back to Hastinapur. A few days later, the King sends his charioteer as a messenger to Satyavati’s father. After greeting her father, the messenger gives him unusual and expensive presents.
The fisherman
Why these presents? Is there an occasion?
The charioteer
The king would like you to think about your daughter’s future in the royal family.
The fisherman
I am flattered. But why hasn’t the boy come himself to press his suit? We are fishers and my daughter chooses her own husband. I cannot send her to your palace, no matter how fancy, without her free choice.
The charioteer
The boy has to court the girl? You would have the king come here.
The fisherman
Not the king, his son. I think my daughter is pre-disposed to thinking well of him. But it is her choice, not mine.
The charioteer, leaving
I will let the king know.
A short time later Devavrat comes to Satyavati’s house
The fisherman
Prince! Welcome. It is good to see a young man like you make up your mind so quickly.
Devavrat (confused)
Greetings, sir. I am certainly happy to be here, but why do you say that I made up my mind quickly.
The fisherman
I just sent your father’s messenger back with a message and you have come within a short time. How like a fisher-boy, if I may say so.
Devavrat
I don’t understand sir. I know nothing of my father’s messenger. I just came by to see if I could get your permission…
The fisherman
Permission, shmeermission. We are fisher-folk and we don’t hold with this citi-fied politeness. If you want to ask Satyavati something, you have to do it yourself.
Devavrat (wondering)
How did you know I wanted to talk about your daughter?
The fisherman
Ha!… you youngsters think the grownups know nothing. That’s what your father’s messenger came about. Well, you have to talk to Satyavati, not me. Unfortunately, she’s out playing with her friends. Do you wish to wait?
Devavrat
No, no… I’ll go looking for her. (mumbles) Satyavati … such a pretty name.
Father (heartily)
Good, good! That’s a good start. Speak up boy. You’ll have to speak louder than that if you want her to hear you.
Devavrat leaves. A short time later, the charioteer is back.
Father
You again. In any case, welcome.
Charioteer
I gave your message to the king. He agrees with you that the direct approach is the best. But he is the king, not just anybody. He would like you to arrange an opportunity to meet Satyavati tomorrow. Is that possible?
Father
I thought I told you that he should send the boy. Nothing he says would help. In any case, you know what… Devavrat is a nice boy! I am sure Satyavati will like him.
The charioteer (in shock)
Sir, sir! Please listen to me. The king wishes to woo Satyavati for himself. Devavrat has nothing to do with this. … (continuing) … has Devavrat been here?
Father (stammering)
No, no… just let the king know that he can come tomorrow after breakfast. He should come by himself and not with an entourage.
The charioteer (leaving)
Thank you, sir. The king will see you tomorrow.
Father (worried and mumbling, then rushes out)
Goodness me! What shall we do? I must find Satyavati right away before Devavrat does. (shouting) Satyavati! Satyavati!...
In the meantime, Satyavati sees Devavrat coming towards the group of friends she is with and panics and hides. Devavrat approaches her friends and asks them where she is. They play a little with him and make fun of him – he leaves confused. Then Satyavati’s father comes and tells her to come with him right away. He is relieved that she did not meet Devavrat. He asks her why she hid from Devavrat, but she does not answer and her father does not push. He is troubled and does not know what to do.
Satyavati’s father
Satyavati! The king comes to visit us tomorrow. I am troubled by strange dreams and visions. I do not know how to express what I am feeling and thinking.
Satyavati
Don’t worry father. You can let him know that his son must take the lead.
Father
Satyavati! How can I explain this to you. I cannot say no to the king! I may rule this village of fisherman and the king may call me rajah and hug me as an equal, but I cannot say no to him. He has an army and I have two sticks.
Satyavati
It is not up to you to say no! I am the one to decide. And, right now, I see no reason to say no. You’ve raised from childhood, dad, and you know me well enough. You can’t decide for me.
Father
Satyavati, my dear. This had gone beyond my simple powers of explanation and understanding. I will let the king do what he will and you what you must.
Satyavati
You worry needlessly. Devavrat is a nice sort and there is nothing to be afraid of.
Father (shakes his head and continues mumbling)
If only your mother were here. But even she could not have helped me. (he has an idea). Tomorrow, let me help you with your hair. I haven’t done that since your mother passed away.
Satyavati (realizing that her father is behaving unusually)
You know I have to get married sometime. You’ve told me yourself. And, we are fisherfolk, not city-dwellers with their ridiculous laws.
There is a commotion outside and a boy bursts in. He is about Satyavati’s age, his face is curiously deformed, and he is extremely dark. His hair is long and tied behind his back.
Dad! Akka! What’s this I hear about the king coming here? How come you did not call me? You know I want to join his court. What’s going on?
Satyavati
Oh, Krishna! Is that all you think about? Maybe you’ll be court-jester.
Father
It’s nothing. The King wants to marry Satyavati.
Satyavati and Krishna simultaneously
What!
Father (realizing that he has let the cat out of the bag)
Oh, fo!
Krishna (jumping happily and hugging his sister)
You can take me to court now! This is great!
Satyavati (simultaneously)
The King! Wants to marry me! But, I won’t, dad, tell him no! What about Devavrat?
Father
Satyavati, I don’t know what to do!
Krishna
You don’t want to marry the king? What kind of silly idea is that? You have a lover here and you can’t let him go? Who is Devavrat, anyway – sounds like a citified name.
Father
The King will have my head.
Satyavati
What did you tell him?
Krishna
I hope you said yes, right away.
Satyavati (wailing)
I hope you told him no, right away.
Father and Krishna
Satya, please don’t start now.
Father says,
We are a poor community. The King calling me Rajah is a courtesy. If I say no, he will destroy us.
Krishna (simultaneously)
My only chance to make it to the city and you’ll destroy it.
Satyavati
I don’t care. If my life is to be destroyed, why should I care about you, and you? Appa, please don’t let this happen. I’m depending on you.
Father
Satyavati! The matter is beyond my control. The King will destroy us and you will be the King’s property. Or else, you will be the Queen, and we will survive.
Krishna
And I will have a glorious career as the historian for the great king Santanu.
Satyavati
Tell him that I love his son.
Father
He will not believe you.
Satyavati
Tell him to ask his son.
Krishna
Why would you want to marry the prince when you can be Queen? But that’s alright… you can be crown princess and I’ll document the glorious history of Samrat Devavrat.
Satyavati (grabbing her father)
Tell him that I will not be Queen. That I am not trained. That I will disgrace him in public and his people will be ashamed to see me.
Father
Satyavati. I’ll do as you ask. But what if he assents to this demand? Will you marry him and give up Devavrat?
Satyavati
Never. Tell him something else. Help me. Krishna, stop thinking about yourself. Help me.
Krishna
What will happen to Devavrat if you marry the King?
Satyavati
I don’t know. Don’t ask me these questions. He’ll kill himself. Something.
Krishna
I’ll tell you. He won’t kill himself. He’ll be angry at you. You will have children with the king and they will fight with him. He will become King and kill them. And then, he’ll kill you.
Father
Krishna. Don’t come up with these mad scenarios. Help us come up with a plan.
Krishna
But that’s the plan. Demand that your sons be king after their father dies and that none of your children should be killed by the King.
Satyavati
So what! I do not want children by the King.
Krishna
Don’t you see! The King cannot have sons because of his own laws. That’s why the first queen committed suicide. And, he cannot ask Devavrat to step aside. That would lead to civil war because Devavrat is a popular crown prince. So the King will give up his mad idea.
Father
Why won’t he just kill us and take her?
Krishna
Don’t you realize that he can’t do that if you make this public. Tell him that the sage Parasara has foretold that her children and their children will be kings.
Satyavati
But then how do I get to marry Devavrat?
Krishna
In a few years, you can marry Devavrat and it will be seen as a fulfillment of the prediction. The King will have forgotten this instant infatuation.
Father
I don’t like this. Why will Parasara go along with this?
Krishna
Don’t worry. He has been observing a vow of silence for this year. I am the only disciple who can understand his signals. I’ll provide the prophecy.
Father
I don’t like this.
Satyavati
I’ll kill myself if I you don’t help me.
Act 2. Bhishma
Santanu has two problems – he has to unseat Devavrat as crown prince and he needs volunteers so that he and S can have sons. Devavrat agrees to giving up being crown prince when his father asks him, not knowing who his father wants to marry. When he then finds out that his father has asked for volunteers who will not have sons (and whose sons will be killed if born) Devavrat is angry with his father. He impulsively vows celibacy and gives up his right to have children. Because of his vow, Devavrat is usually known as Bhishma (“the Terrible”). But because of his vow, he keeps away from Satyavati and the King tells Satyavati that he has made it possible for them to marry. Satyavati marries Santanu. Devavrat is angry when he finds out about Satyavati’s stratagem and its misfiring. Satyavati’s brother, Krishna Dvaipayana, achieves his goal of becoming chronicler of the Kurus, court jester, and future head of the Society of Poets. He becomes friends with Devavrat.
Santanu, the King
What’s this nonsense? Satyavati can only marry me if her sons will be king after me? And Parasara foretold this?
Messenger
Yes, Lord. I went to Parasara’s island. His disciple, Krishna, interpreted his hand signals. I saw it myself. And she herself demands that her children not be killed under your laws. Otherwise she will go away.
Santanu
Away with you…. (messenger leaves) .. .. How can this be? How can I ask Devavrat to give up his rights?
Chief Minister
You will need volunteers to give up their right to have children.
Santanu
I’ll get to that later. How can I deny my son his rights?
Chief Minister
Don’t worry about it. Satyavati must first give you sons. And then, they must grow up to be crowned. Devavrat must survive all those years. And if you die before you have children, the issue is moot.
Santanu
But I cannot lie.
Chief Minister (as he leaves)
Nor will the prince. But there are ways around it. Let me talk to the prince.
The Chief Minister visits Devavrat
Dear prince! I have come with a request from your father.
Devavrat
How strange. He commands and I obey. All he needs to do is ask.
CM
Everybody knows of your absolute fidelity to your father. But even the King hesitates to make such a request that would cut to the heart of your fidelity.
Devavrat
Whatever it is, I’m honor bound to do it.
CM
Please, o prince. Do not promise such a thing light-heartedly. Listen to the request. The King would like you not to be Crown Prince anymore.
Devavrat (shocked)
Relinquish my title?! Is there something I have done? Or not done? Is this a punishment? If so, why request it – it is his favor to me and he can withdraw it at an instant. But, of course if he wishes it and is requesting it, I comply. But, tell me one thing…
CM
Yes, …
Devavrat
Why?
CM
Your father the King is in love and wishes to marry again. His wife-to-be has demanded that you not be Crown Prince.
Devavrat
You bring good news! My father has needed a Queen by his side. But doesn’t she know that my life is hers to command when she becomes my mother? She can ask for much more than my title.
CM
Granted. Your generosity is well-known. But this is what she asks.
Devavrat
And nothing else?
CM
Yes. Nothing else from you.
Devavrat
Who is she? How has my father kept it secret?
CM
It is very sudden. He has asked that it stay a secret for some more time. Your leave, Yuvraj!
(The Chief Minister leaves)… Devavrat (in thought)
Yes, goodbye. (mumbling)… Father in love? Getting married. I will have a step-mother. What will that be like? Who could it
(Much later, Devavrat hears a commotion outside. He looks out of the balcony and sees the King’s announcer surrounded by a number of people)
King’s crier
Hear ye! Hear, ye! O! people of Hastinapur! The King has issued a proclamation!
Devavrat
So soon! He is going to announce his marriage? The council hasn’t met yet to discuss my resignation from the Heir apparentcy?
Crier
The King has decided to heed the calls of his people. An exchange in which men and women can buy and sell their right to have a child will be established. His son, Devavrat will be the arbiter.
Citizen 1
I can buy the right to have another son? But who will sell?
Citizen 2
How much will it cost?
Citizen 3
How will it be enforced? What if the seller leaves Hastinapur?
Citizen 1
What if the seller was a visitor?
Citizen 3
Can a father sell his child’s right to have a child?
Crier
Silence! These questions will be dealt with by the Prince Devavrat. He will be personally responsible to the King for his decisions on every exchange.
Devavrat (in shock)
What intrigue is this? My father has not told me of this! Does he expect me to be the broker between desperate people?
Devavrat rushes through the palace looking for his father. He finds him in a meeting with the Chief Minister.
Devavrat
Father! I just heard the town crier announcing the child-rights exchange. What is this? When did you decide this?
Chief Minister
Prince! Were you not informed? This plan was discussed at an emergency meeting this morning. Your servants told us that you were away by the river.
Devavrat
But why?
Chief Minister
Many times have we seen desperate parents wanting another son or another daughter and some other desperate, poverty-stricken person who will die without a child. Selling his or her child-right will save him and will give the blessings of children to somebody else.
Santanu
The Society of Poets also thought that this would encourage emigration – we could restore the child-right of people who emigrate to the furthest settlements south on the Ganga.
Devavrat
We have discussed the Society of Poets proposals interminably, before. What made it an emergency?
Chief Minister
It had to be.
Devavrat (looking at his father)
Why?
Santanu (looking shame-faced)
It had to be now.
Devavrat (understanding)
The new wife wants children and does not want to be bound by your laws!
Santanu
Yes.
Devavrat
You’ve already asked me to give up my right to the crown. Why did you not ask me for this?
Santanu (mumbling)
Er,… I am sure we would not want that…
Chief Minister
We know, Prince, how devoted you are to your father. But who knows, the new Queen may be barren. She may only have daughters. Who but you could be King.
Devavrat
So you begin your new marriage with a lie and a promise? You tell her that her children will be King, that she can have as many as she pleases. My mother died for your plans. My brothers were killed as babies. And you want me to arrange the buying and selling of child-rights for the Queen? But you also plan for there being no sons and no need to deliver on the sacrifice you demand of me?
Chief Minister
Yes.
Santanu
Son, please do not be angry. I want her to be my Queen.
Devavrat
Take me to this paragon. I will renounce my rights to Kingship there.
Santanu and the Chief Minister remonstrate but Devavrat is immovable. The three of them mount their horses. The King leads them to the riverside home of Satyavati.
Devavrat (to himself, a sense of dread creeping over him)
This is where Satyavati lives? Who could the Queen be?
Satyavati’s father comes out and bows low to the King
Welcome, Sir. This is as nothing compared to your palaces, but we are overjoyed at your visit.
Chief Minister
The King and his son wish to see your daughter Satyavati.
Satyavati’s father
My dear daughter is inside. She will be delighted I am sure to see you. But please come in.
The Chief Minister, the King, and the prince enter the house. Satyavati is sitting in a swing in the corner with her brother, Krishna. She looks up surprised and smiles at the visitors. She stands up to welcome them.
We are honored that you come to our simple house. Please come sit here.
The King smiles. Devavrat looks away. The Chief Minister gestures that she can stay seated. The Chief Minister says
Our greetings to you, o Satyavati. The King would speak with you.
Satyavati, flustered
With me?
The King
Is it true that Parasara has predicted a bright future for your descendants?
Satyavati
Sir, forgive a foolish girl’s ravings. One day the Sage made a minor remark, of which much is being made.
The King
You have said that you would only marry if your children were not killed by my laws and if your sons would be king on the death of their father.
Satyavati (head bowed), mumbles
Yes.
The King
This is my son. He has been my crown prince. Today, he renounced it. He has expressed a wish to see you.
Satyavati (looking alarmed at Devavrat who is staring off into the distance)
The prince is always welcome to visit me.
Devavrat (as if waking up)
My father has announced that I will manage a market in which people can buy and sell their rights to have children. He expects that he will be able to buy as many child-rights for you as you desire.
Satyavati
But…
Devavrat
I will not be party to such a trade. But my father desires you and you desire a kingly son. Your demands …
Satyavati
But…
Devavrat
Rather, your wishes shall come true. I hereby renounce all my rights to have children and give them to my father.
Satyavati
Prince, but…
The King
Devavrat, what are you saying?
Devavrat (bows to his father)
I see my father mad with lust. I see this girl mad with the desire to be mother to kings. I see no way to stop this madness without violating my promises to you and to my mother. This is my vow – I will not marry, I will not have children, I will not make love to another woman. O King, my father, my right to a descendant is yours. Welcome, o Queen, to the Kuru household.
Satyavati (aghast)
But…
Devavrat (turns away and walks out of the house). As he leaves he says to the king
I will not run your child-right exchange, father. Be satisfied with what you have gotten here.
The King (looking abashed)
Son! What a terrible vow. Please come back.
The Chief Minister (whispering)
Don’t worry, O King. This storm will pass. You have what you came for.
The King (recovering)
O Satyavati! Your demands has been met for the moment. I assure you that I will do whatever it takes so that your children are not killed. Your son will be King after me.
Satyavati (in shock)
But …
The Chief Minister, leading the King away
Great lady, I take your leave! Let your father know that he should prepare for the wedding.
They leave. Satyavati collapses against the swing. Krishna, who has been containing himself, jumps up.
You are to be Queen! That’s marvelous! That’s the best thing that could happen.
Satyavati
I am lost. I will kill myself.
Father, coming in
The King is to marry Satyavati? Krishna, see what your mad plan has done!
Krishna
It doesn’t matter. Our fortunes are made.
Satyavati
At the cost of my life.
Father
Satyavati, you can’t kill yourself.
Satyavati
It doesn’t matter. I might as well be dead.
Act 3. The Wedding
He gets the name Bhishma. Krishna and Bhishma become friends. Krishna becomes court chronicler and court jester and generally speaking, is considered very wise, if somewhat flaky.
Satyavati, the Queen is visiting Krishna in his new house attached to a wing of the palace:
This is beautifully decorated, brother. Who taught you how to do this?
Krishna
The King has professional architects and interior designers. I told them about myself and they intuited what would best fit with my desires. And how are you doing, dear sister?
Satyavati
I haven’t seen Devavrat since the wedding. I am worried.
Krishna
Satya, yoke yourself. Don’t think about him. You are the Queen now.
Satyavati
You should have seen the look in his eyes when he made his vow. It cut through to my soul and it felt like my heart would burst. I am afraid, Krishna. What can I do now?
Krishna (frightened)
Stop this. You will get all of us killed and Devavrat exiled to boot. You are the King’s wife!
Satyavati
Yes, I am the Queen and I wish I were not. I cannot bear the King to touch me.
Krishna
Don’t trifle with the King, he will suspect something and then our lives will not be worth anything.
Satyavati
He has been kind and forbearing. He smiles when I cringe at his touch and says that it will heighten our mutual pleasure to wait. He cannot see my yearning for his son.
Krishna
I say again, Satya. He is not a man to be trifled with. In court his stick is long and comes down hard on the criminal.
Satyavati
And is his judgment always true?
Krishna
It does not matter. It is seen to be quick and immediate and that is what counts.
Satyavati
And he is never merciful.
Krishna
Only Devavrat can stay his hand once he has made a decision. The other day, …
Devavrat (running in)
Krishna, you must help me stop… oh, (as he sees the Queen)
Satyavati
Devavrat! You have not come to see me since the wedding! Everyone else has come to pay their respects.
Devavrat
And what could I say to you, madam, if I had come? You have certainly blessed our household with your presence.
Satyavati (quietly)
Don’t do this. I want to see you.
Devavrat
So you can address me as ‘Son’? And hold me in your arms as your baby? And what will my father the King your husband think of that?
Satyavati
I wanted to hold you in my arms, yes. Why did you renounce your kingdom? Why did you make this ridiculous vow?
Devavrat
Why did you make these ridiculous demands?
Krishna
It was my fault. We thought that it would deter the King.
Devavrat
The King has advisors who think through every eventuality. What made you think you could outsmart them?
Krishna
We thought he would come to you, his Crown Prince, for advice.
Devavrat
He has a Chief Minister to advise him on things that he is ashamed to ask me about. His Chief Minister came to me and asked me to renounce the throne so that father could be married again.
Krishna
We messed up.
Devavrat
No, Krishna, you are an immature fool. But, the Queen here, knew what she wanted. She is Queen now and if she had waited for me, why, that may never have come about. What a silly dunce she played me for that day, making sure that her playmates sent me off on wild-goose chases. And how quickly she latched onto a plot that would make her the Queen and protect her from the laws that killed my mother.
Satyavati
Devavrat, that is a grotesque charge. I …
Devavrat (interrupting)
Do you deny that you were attracted to the King?
Satyavati
I…
Devavrat (not allowing her to finish)
Do you deny that you did not raise a finger to stop me from taking the vow?
Satyavati
I…
Devavrat
And, did you breathe a word of this to my father as the wedding preparations were made?
Satyavati
I…
Devavrat
You, O, Queen, wanted this. Now for some reason you are tired of my father and want other
diversions. I will hear no more of
this. (to Krishna) Beware of your sister’s plots, they will cause trouble.
(leaves in a rush)
Satyavati
He wouldn’t even let me say a single word!
Krishna
He is truly angry, Satya. You have an enemy in him.
Satyavati
He is not mad at you.
Krishna
I don’t understand that. He seems to think that I am unversed in court intrigue.
Satyavati
I will need you to protect me from him.
Krishna
Don’t worry, sister. The King is your protector for the present.
Satyavati
I am afraid. What will I do when the King is gone?
Krishna
Don’t worry, Satya. Devavrat will trust me. He will need a friend after the terrible bond he has forged for himself. I will be that friend
Satyavati shivers
The King! I must rely on the King for now. I hate, … no, I can’t say that. I must, I must, … Oh, I am trapped in this prison. Why didn’t father stop me?
Krishna
We are all trapped. Father must protect his fishing village. I wanted a court appointment so much. Now even Parasara cannot help us.
Much later, Krishna is getting ready to visit Parasara. As he leaves, Devavrat appears.
Devavrat
Where to, Krishna?
Krishna (a bit surprised)
I am going to my master’s ashram to take his leave.
Devavrat
You go to see the sage. I will come
Krishna (perturbed)
You don’t have to. I …
Devavrat
I need to consult him. I am told that you are his best interpreter.
Krishna (reluctantly)
All right. But I have not exercised my skills for some weeks.
They walk on. Suddenly, they see the King with his entourage.
Santanu
Krishna! I sent a messenger for you, but they could not find you. Are you headed somewhere? You must join me.
Krishna
Sire. Fulfilling your slightest wish is my guiding light. What, …
Santanu
Good! Good! I see you have been practicing speaking to me in public. Where were you headed?
Krishna
To see the sage. I must pay my respects to him as I leave his side for your service.
Santanu (looking surprised)
That’s where I am going and why I needed you to interpret. (with suspicion on his face) and what does my son do here?
Krishna
He came along to accompany me.
Santanu
I hear that the sage is being overwhelmed by demands on his abilities since he predicted my marriage to Satyavati. I want him protected from the crowd.
Krishna
Do not worry sir. I will make arrangements.
They move in behind the King in in entourage. Devavrat whispers to Krishna
I should leave.
Krishna
No, don’t be a fool. The King will suspect that you came to get a reading on your future. And after your performance, that would make you suspect in his eyes.
(They reach Parasara’s ashram. The King gestures to Krishna, Krishna puts his arm around Devavrat and moves forward with him. They enter and bow to the old sage who is lying on the ground).
Parasara (signing, with Krishna interpreting)
Welcome, King of the Kurus. I have been expecting your visit, ever since I heard of your wedding.
Santanu
I seek your blessings, great sage.
Parasara/Krishna
You have them. And this is your son, who is come with my shiksha.
Devavrat (bowing)
Your blessings, great sage.
Parasara/Krishna
What worries you, o King?
Santanu
You would intuit that. My dreams have been troubled.
Parasara/Krishna
All dreams are trouble. But these are troubled times. The happy dreamer looks back from where he came to avoid the abyss ahead. You do not look behind.
Santanu
What lies ahead, o Sage?
Parasara (signing)
Your marriage was hastily conceived.
Krishna (translating, quietly)
Your new wife will conceive soon.
Santanu
I have chosen a difficult and troubling path and I dread what I may have done.
Parasara (signing)
Krishna, you dabble in dangerous waters.
Krishna (signing back)
Sir, my life and my sister’s life are forfeit if you predict the truth. I do what I must.
Parasara (signing)
Then translate this:
Tell the King that his sons, no sons, will fight over land
His kingdom, no kingdom, will groan under their hand
That his laws, not law, will give people pause
Tell his son, that his son, no son, will lead him to battle,
That his son, no son, he will follow like cattle
That his mother, no mother will cause him pain
That his wife, no wife, will be his bane
Act 4. The Regent
Santanu dies leaving his sons in Devavrat’s care. Satyavati is rejected by Devavrat, who refuses to break his vow to his father. He tells Satyavati that his father would have withdrawn if Satyavati had been honest. Satyavati does not tell him that it was Krishna’s idea.
Act 1. Swayamvara
Act 1: Devavrat kidnaps the princesses of Kashi as wives for his step-brothers; Amba, the oldest creates a moral and ethical problem and stays unmarried.
Act 2. Swayamvrata
Act 2: Devavrat and Amba fall in love, Devavrat breaks his vow.
Act 3. SwayamMata
Act 3: Amba is pregnant; Satyavati finds out and arranges to make her suspect Devavrat of evil intentions and to run away in fear.
Act 1. Amba’s Crossing
Act 1: Amba struggles in the forest, is rescued by Jain nuns, ends up in Pancala, traditional rivals of the Kurus, where she is viewed sympathetically.
Act 2. Amba’s Burden
Act 2: She raises her son, Sikhandin, to get revenge on Bhishma.
Act 3. The Bastard
Act 3: Sikhandin has a difficult childhood as result of his unknown paternity.
Act 1. The Plot
Act 1: Sikhandin plots to lead Bhishma into an ambush by Arjuna and Krishna.
Act 2. The Song of the Sangha
Act 2: This occasions a digression on a variant interpretation of the Gita (Arjuna’s questions about conducting war as the means to personal power; the origin of consciousness in the invention of the royal we; the attempts to resolve the contradictions inherent in the concept of a personal self as the source of the philosophical problems of self consciousness; Krishna’s resolution of the problem of the self as the solution to Arjuna’s question). The ambush is delayed because of Arjuna’s and Krishna’s discussion.
Act 3. The Ambush
Act 3: Bhishma discovers the betrayal and he and Sikhandin duel; Sikhandin dies. As he dies, he reveals that he is the son of Devavrat, Amba’s lover killed by her enemy Bhishma. Bhishma is stunned and lets go of his weapons as he holds his son. At that moment, Arjuna arrives and fatally wounds Bhishma.
Act 4. Endings
Act 4: At Bhishma’s request, Devavrat and Sikhandin, the last of the Kurus, are buried in the river Ganga.