avani008

Jodhaa and a Younger Member of her Family

"When I grow up," Bhagwant Das's son boasts at his archery practice, "I'll be a great warrior and destroy all the Mughals! Wait and see!"
Jodhaa and her ladies clap obediently and hide indulgent smiles; he is a charming boy, if somewhat impractical.
He comes to her even as she tries to scrub her face free of tears. "Don't worry, bua-sa," he promises urgently. "I'll grow up even sooner and kill that Emperor and set you free, don't see if I don't!"
He is so earnest that Jodhaa must laugh at him even despite her misery; and he gives her strength to think of writing to Bhai-sa.
After all those promises, however, when Man Singh does grow up and comes at last to Agra, he does not do so as an adversary; and Jodhaa can welcome him without remorse, relieved for once to see a Rajput's solemn word broken.

Mirror-Verse Jodhaa-Akbar

Jodhaa's father does not ask for her consent or agreement with her marriage--why should he, lord and master that he is? She hears her fate in silence and knows a thousand dreams destroyed all in an instant.
Her husband's eyes on her are intent and sharp, and Jodhaa's heart sinks all the more. She had been promised a fool in Ratan Singh, and to find herself with a man she cannot outwit is something of a disappointment. But her husband's hands are gentle on her, too much so: hope springs up in her breast anew.
All the power and prestige of the Mughal Empire are open to her now, and if not--well, that is what the vial of poison tucked away in her trunk will prove a fitting solution.

Zodiac Challenge: Aries, Mahabharata (Bhima)

"And knowing the desire of his beloved queen that bull among men, Bhima of great strength, also set out, in order to gratify her. And intent upon fetching the flowers, he began to proceed at rapid space, facing the wind, in the direction from which the flower had come. And taking the bow inlaid with gold on the back as also arrows like unto venomous snakes, he proceeded as a lion in anger or an elephant in rut. And all beings gazed at him, holding a mighty bow and arrows. And neither exhaustion, nor langour, neither fear nor confusion, ever possessed the son of Pritha and the offspring of Vayu (wind). And desirous of pleasing Draupadi the mighty one, free from fear or confusion, ascended the peak depending on the strength of his arms."
- Mahabharata, Vana Parva