Queen Satyavati's Dilemma : Episode 8

The Queen’s Dilemma

Bhishma informs the royal physician of the prince’s death and orders him to embalm the body. “No one must know,” he warns gravely.

Later, lost in thought, Bhishma sits in his chamber when Queen Satyavati enters.

Satyavati:

Bhishma, I do not know what you think of me, but there are two Satyavatis within me — a mother who cannot weep for her son, and a queen who must remain strong for her kingdom. Your father entrusted this realm to both of us. You took your vow for Hastinapur’s sake — for my sons — but now that very vow stands in the way of its survival.

Bhishma looks silently at her.

Satyavati:

You once brought the princesses of Kashi for this dynasty. Now you must help your mother protect it. Our scriptures permit such acts in times of need. Can you not relax your vow, for my sake — for Hastinapur’s sake?

Bhishma:

You think my vow was taken lightly? I am Gangeya — son of Ganga. From her I learned that one must give up what is dearest. I renounced both kingship and worldly pleasure for my dharma. What you ask may be Kshatriya dharma, but it violates my own swa-dharma. I can offer my life for Hastinapur, but not my body for progeny! (He raises his sword to strike himself, but Satyavati stops him.)

The Queen’s Revelation

That night, Satyavati prays fervently before her family deity, seeking a way out. In deep meditation, visions of her youth flash before her. A sudden realization dawns — and with renewed resolve, she sends for Bhishma.

Satyavati:

Bhishma, do you trust that I act only for Hastinapur’s welfare?

Bhishma:

Without a doubt.

Satyavati:

Then hear what I have never told anyone. Long ago, when I was a fisher girl, Sage Parashara came to me. As I ferried him across the Yamuna, the sky turned dark. A divine light passed from his forehead into mine — and in that moment, a child was born. The sage named him Krishna Dwaipayana — the world knows him as Vyasa.

Yesterday I met him after many years. I told him of my sons’ deaths, of your vow, of my helplessness. Vyasa, out of compassion, agreed to help continue this lineage. He said fate had already written this — that we are but instruments in the divine plan.

Bhishma:

Then the great Vyasa is my elder brother! Hastinapur is truly blessed.

Satyavati:

He has agreed to unite with Ambika and Ambalika for the sake of the kingdom. Do you approve?

Bhishma:

If it serves dharma and the welfare of Hastinapur, I bow to your decision.

Vyasa and His Disciple

At his hermitage, Vyasa speaks with his disciple who has overheard the conversation.

Disciple:

Master, you have spent years in penance to rise above worldly bonds. Why surrender it all now?

Vyasa:

No one born of a mother escapes karma. Even knowledge cannot free one from the duty destiny assigns. When a mother weeps, how can a son refuse?

Disciple:

Then fate is inescapable?

Vyasa:

It can be transcended, not escaped. A wise man accepts joy and sorrow alike — and smiles through both. That is true knowledge.

The Queen’s Command

Ambika and Ambalika sit in mourning. Satyavati enters with bridal robes.

Satyavati:

Tonight, Ambika will wear this. Tomorrow, Ambalika. It is the custom of our race — when a man dies childless, his brother gives heirs to his wives. Since Bhishma will not, Vyasa, my own son, will fulfill that duty.

The princesses recoil in shock. “Captured by one man, married to another, now sent to a third — is this our fate?” they cry. “Hastinapur is not a kingdom, it’s a cremation ground!”

Satyavati (angrily):

Silence! You speak without understanding Kshatriya dharma. Do you know a mother’s pain who cannot even cremate her son? The moment you married into this family, the kingdom became yours — its survival your only concern. I have lost both my sons, yet I stand firm for Hastinapur. If I were in your place, I would face this as a warrior, not a weeping widow.

Then her tone softens. “Perhaps I was too harsh. But know this — if you agree to what I say, Hastinapur will be thankful to you.”

Amba’s Penance

Far away, Amba climbs the icy slopes of Kailasa. Standing before the Shiva Linga, she vows, “I will not move until Mahadeva grants me an audience.” She sits in meditation, motionless on the frozen ground.