The Three Queens

Hi Revathy,

Such exquisite detail...``the sharing of a rich inner emotional life between women`` (Adrienne Rich)...

Poile Sengupta had written a play a few years ago called So Spake Shurpankha Thus Spake Shakuni, tracing the perspectives, from a modern standpoint of these two ``minor`` characters in our epics..

Aditi

Revathy, Hi!

What an interesting story. Indeed Manthara, Shakuni Mama and Ashwarhama, are some of the the forgotten, but crucial members of Mahabharata.

Told, as usual very well, with some deep insights. As Jawahara said, why not try and take the story further ..... ?

Thanks and take care

Sucheta

Revathy,

This is excellent... so this is how Rama was born... what an interesting story you kept me hooked all the way thru, please write more and lots of detail too, you have a wonderful natural ability for telling stories... would love to read more...

the subject is interesting, being muslim pakistani we have no clue of hindu history, this was educational for me at least...

Kabuli,
There is a Rajgriha in Bihar but Ramayan mentions that Bharat`s maternal grand father`s home in an area beyond river Beas.

Hi everyone,
It feels great to have you read and comment on the story. I have taken quite a few liberties with the story. I go by one account that Kaikeyi was from Bactria, near Afghanistan.... Also there is a reference to how long it took Bharata to reach Ayodhya after his father died.. eight days, using very fast horses. Whether Kaikeyi was older than Sumitra or not I don`t know, but it`s fun to play around with the delicate relationship that must have existed among the three queens. Also Sumitra for some reason, got two half portions of the divine `kheer` thereby giving birth to twins.
There is even one version that says Sita was Ravana`s daughter who was cast away because it was predicted that she would cause her father`s death. Such wonderful stories!
What became of Manthara? That is the question. What becomes of slaves or dependants when they have outlived their use? I like to look at the underside of the way stories are presented. And I agree, Sakuni story would make terrific reading!

Hi Revathy

really loved this...new way to look at the life of a woman so ridiculed and despised in general...its always more interesting to look at things from the point of view of the underdog...Sakuni in the Mahabharata is similar to Manthara in Ramayana...physical deformity and poisoning minds and all...wonder what his side of the story would be like...anyway, loved your story...I realize artistic liberty and all, but wasn`t Kaikeyi older than Sumitra?...and isn`t Rajgriha in Bihar?...just curious

best regards

Kabuli

Loved it! reminds me of Shashi Tharoor`s ``Great Indian Novel``. Lets see some more stories like this Revathy!

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Revathy,
You have chosen a good topic but it appears that you gave up on most important event of this story. Stories as told by loosing party make interesting read. Story lines from the point of view of Karna, Drona & Ravana are already published. You should add more content to this story too.

thanks

Sorry if my comment gets posted twice. I wasn`t sure if I clicked on Submit or on Cancel. I really liked this Revathy. Seeing events through Manthara`s eyes was a fresh take on a familiar story. The writing was good as well. However, this might be too ambitious for a short story. It would be awesome as a novel so you can explore all the intricacies and we can get to know the characters through the eyes of an oft-maligned character :-). I loved reading this.