“VAJRAJANAPUR KI MAHARANI— MAHARANI KATHA MRITYUNJAY RATHORE SABHA MEIN PADHAAR RAHI HAIN!!!”
“THE QUEEN OF VAJRAJANAPUR— QUEEN KATHA MRITYUNJAY RATHORE, IS ENTERING THE COURT!!!”
Katha’s name was announced the moment she entered the Royal Court. Due to the veil, she couldn’t see anything, but it was clear that there were many people present in the court.
She moved forward along with Mrityunjay. He held her hand tightly and whispered in her ear,
“I wish you luck, my love.”
He left my hand after giving it one last tight squeeze and left my side. Not long after that, I felt a slight touch of hands on my shoulders, and before I could guess who it was, I heard Maa-sa’s voice,
“All the best, Bahurani-sa, I hope you excel like a true Queen.”
A smile formed on my face, and I heard Maa-sa speak again, this time to Guruji, “Guruji, this is Maharani Katha.”,
“Awashya. Rajkumari Katha, hum un logon mein se hain jo kahe sune kathyon par vishwaas nhi karte, balki parimaan maangte hain, aur hum bina mukh dekhe baat nhi karte, aap humare samaksh apna mukh dikha sakti hain.”
“Of course. Princess Katha, I am amongst those people who don’t believe in things he listens to, but I ask for proof, and I don’t talk without seeing the face. You can reveal your face in front of me.”
I heard the Royal Priest’s voice, and I noticed he didn’t address me as Queen but as Princess. Indeed, Hukum was right, the Royal Priest wouldn’t call me Queen unless he found me worthy of the title.
I pulled my veil up and adjusted it on my head. Maa-sa left my side and took her seat, and as soon as I joined my hands to greet the Royal Priest, he suddenly spoke,
“You will get my blessings only after I am sure that you are worth it. Should we start Princess?”
I nodded my head and he began, “Jaisa humne suna tha, aap vastav mein saundarya ki dhani hain. Toh bataiye Rajkumari, Saundarya ya Gun (गुण)?”
“As I’ve heard, you truly are blessed with beauty. So tell me, Princess, Beauty or Qualities?
“Gun (गुण)”
“Qualities”
“Aur Saundarya?”
“And Beauty?”
“Woh dekhne wale vyakti ke drishtikon mein hai.”
“That depends on the viewer’s perspective.”
“Jaisa aapne kaha, Gun, bataiye aise konse gun hain jo ek manushya ko saccha neta banate hain.”
“As you said, Qualities, tell me which qualities can make a person a true leader.”
“Ek manushya saccha neta tabhi banata hai jab wah, imaandari, sahnubhuti, sahas aur doosron ko mahaanta grahan karne ke liye prerit karne wale gun rakhta hai.”
“A person becomes a true leader when they possess qualities like honesty, empathy, courage, and the ability to inspire greatness in others.”
“Aap kya chunengi, Buddhimatta ya gyaan?”
“What will you choose, Knowledge or Wisdom?”
“Buddhimatta.”
“Knowledge.”
“Gyaan ka kya?”
“What about Wisdom?”
“Gyaan wah neev hai jis par buddhi ka nirmaan hota hai”.
“Wisdom is the foundation upon which knowledge is built.”
“Prem kya hai?”
“What is Love?”
“Woh bandhan jo humein swarth se paray aur samarpan ki or le jaaye.”
“The bond that distances us from selfishness and leads us toward selfless devotion.”
“Khushi kya hai?”
“What is Happiness?”
“Pal bhar ka mehmaan, parantu yaadon mein sada ke liye reh jaane wala ek ehsaas.”
“A fleeting guest, yet a feeling that stays forever in our memories.”
“Humne suna hai ki aap, yuddhneeti mein bhi kushal hain.”
“I have heard that you are also known for your knowledge in the matters of war.”
“Ji.”
“Yes.”
“Aapke anusaar yuddh ke maidaan mein ek yoddha ka sabse mahatvapoorn gun kya ho sakta hai?”
“According to you, what could be the most important quality for a warrior on the battlefield?”
“Ek yoddha ke liye sabse mahatvapoorn gun anukulansheelta hai, arthaat lagataar badalti paristhitiyon ke saamne ran-neeti ko badal dena.”
“The most important quality for a warrior is adaptability, meaning the ability to change their battle strategy in the face of constantly shifting circumstances.”
“Jeevan ka sabse kathin samay?”
“The most challenging moment in life?”
“Kartavya aur mann ka virodh”
“The conflict between duty and heart.”
“Yadi aap apne ateet mein ek kshan badal sakti, toh kya aap aisa karti? Aur yadi haan ya na toh kyu?”
“If you could change one moment in your past, would you, and if yes or no, why?”
“Nahin, har kshan, aanandayak ho ya chunautipoorn, dono ne humein uss vyakti ke roop mein dhala hai jo aaj sabke samaksh hai.”
“No, every moment, whether joyful or challenging, has shaped me into the person I am today.”
“Antim prashn, aapke anusaar jeevan mein milne wala sabse bada uphaar kya hai?”
“Final question, in your opinion, what is the greatest gift one can receive in life?”
“Ashirwaad.
“Blessings.”
I gave my answer and joined my hands again to greet the Royal Priest.
I lifted my gaze from the ground to him and saw him holding his one hand high as if he were blessing me. Whilst I was figuring out his action, he spoke, “Saubhagyawati bhava, sada sukhi rahiye Maharani-sa”
“May you be blessed and always remain happy, Maharani-sa”, and at this moment, I could guess that I had proven my worth to him.
For people here, for Hukum, Maa-sa, Devarji-sa, and the Royal Priest, I might have proven my worth to be the Queen of Vajrajanapura, but for me, I have proven that the knowledge I have gained over the years was fruitful.
