Usha’s Dream

Chitralekha rushed to him with folded hands. Narada blessed her and asked where she was going alone. She narrated the whole story and begged for his help. Narada smiled. “So be it. I shall grant you a special power that will enable you to reach not just Dwarka but the place where Aniruddha is at the moment,” Narada said.

“You will be able to tell him about your friend Usha and also take him back to your own kingdom with you.” Chitralekha was overjoyed. She touched his feet again, this time in heartfelt gratitude. Narada went away playing on his veena. A naughty smile was on his lips. Narada had a mischievous streak in him and he enjoyed watching people get into a fight. He knew that this would lead to a fight between the Yadavas and the demons. But he was happy as this was going to amuse him no end! Chitralekha soon found herself within the gates of Dwarka, just as Narada had said. To her surprise, no one made any attempt to stop her. People were actually directing her to the palace where prince Aniruddha was. It was evening, and the grand hall was gorgeously decorated. A group of musicians played exquisite music while a beautiful dancer performed at the centre.

But prince Aniruddha sat listlessly in the front, watching the performance. He looked morose, and his thoughts seemed to be wandering. Chitralekha walked up to him and whispered who she was and from where she had come. She also told him about Usha’s strange dream. Aniruddha’s face lit up. “Is she real, then? The beautiful princess of my dreams? I also saw a similar dream and since then, I have not been able to think of anything else.”

“She is just as real as you are,” said Chitralekha laughing, “And what’s more, she says she will marry no one but you. That is why I have come to take you to her.” “Can you really take me to Usha? I have no idea where your kingdom lies,” said Aniruddha looking worried. “We need not worry about that,” said Chitralekha. “Thanks to sage Narada’s blessings, we shall reach there as soon as you are ready to leave.” “Let’s go,” said Aniruddha eagerly. “I can’t wait see her again.”

Chittralekha closed her eyes, prayed and once again sought sage Narada’s help. True to his promise, they soon found themselves inside Usha’s palace. In the meantime, Usha had been feeling both sad and worried. She had no hope of Chitralekha actually reaching Dwarka or of finding her prince. She blamed herself bitterly for having made her go and feared that she might be in danger now. She could not believe her eyes when she saw Chitralekha walking into her room with prince Aniruddha.

“At last!” said Aniruddha smiling at her. “At last!” said Usha looking into his eyes. “Go and fetch the garlands. Blow the conch-shell,” said Chitralekha to her other friends. “We must arrange the wedding of Usha and Aniruddha since her father might not give his consent to the marriage.”

Everyone rushed around getting things ready quietly. Usha and Aniruddha exchanged garlands and went through a gandharva wedding, needing no priest. But Usha and Aniruddha’s happiness was short-lived. The news of a stranger in the palace of princess Usha, soon reached King Vana. He was mad with rage and ordered his soldiers to capture him at once. But Aniruddha was a brave fighter, like his father Pradyumna and grandfather Krishna. Aniruddha soon defeated the army single handed. The soldiers of Vana fell like ninepins and soon he had no opposition. When Vana heard the news, he appeared himself on the battlefield.

But Aniruddha fought him bravely and wounded him severely. Vana soon realized that there was no way he could defeat Aniruddha, at least not in a straight and open warfare. So he restored to a trick and got snakes to bind up his hands, feet and his entire body so that Aniruddha could not move at all.