Mahanayak (Manjiri)

 Today was full moon day of the month of Ashwin. Ashwin Pornima. It was celebrated with much pomp and splendor by the Vakatakas.  The Vakatakas were the kings of Vidarbha for 4 generations now.

 The reigning monarch, Samrat Pravarsen was renowned for his bravery. His enemies were mortally afraid of him. He had performed four Ashwamedh Yadnya. No other king had achieved this feat ever. Even Garud Purana mentioned the great king HarisheN had performed it only three times. 

The kingdom was thriving and the people were contented. The traders and  artisans from other countries would flock to Nandivardhan, the capital of  the Vakatakas. Many farmers from nearby villages were also visiting Nandivardhan to take part in the Ashwin Pornima celebrations. They had pitched their tents on the grounds outside the moats. Nandivardhan was surrounded by 3 moats.  and 12 gates. 

Samrat Pravarsen performed the mahapuja of  lord Maheshwar - kulswami of the Nandivardhan branch of the Vakatakas. 

Now the contest to that would decide the Mahanayak of this year would start. Each year a new contest was declared, the man who won that contest was declared Mahanayak of the year. Last year the contest was to lift the Mahakhadg  The mighty sword single handedly. Senapati Vindhyashakti had won it. 

This year the contest declared was to lift the  black granite sphere weighing 25 kgs and throw it as far as possible. The contest was conducted at Rajhauda - the arena specially built to hold this contest. 

Rajhauda was already full to bursting with spectators. The nobles and Senapati Aparshakti were standing in the richly adorned royal pavilion  on the east side of the arena, awaiting the royal entourage. Samrat Pravarsen entered the pavalion amidst the fanfare, he was accompanied by Samradni Prabhavati, daughter of the Bharashiv king, Yuvraj  Rudrasen and Kumar PruthvisheN. All the royals and nobles took their seats. Pravarsen's second wife, queen Kubernaga entered late and went to seat next to her son PruthviSheN. 

The contest started. Many hopefuls tried their might. The knights and the nobles went next. Vindhyashakti was the last one to throw and recorded the best length. 

At this point, Yuvraj Rudrasen stood up and bowed to his monarch, asking permission to take part in the contest. Pravarsen was proud and delighted to give it. Prabhavati smiled at her son. Rudrasen entered the arena, hefted the sphere and threw it with the grace of an athlete.  It sailed past all the existing marks. The crowd erupted in hurrahs. Kumar PruthvisheN was about to make a move, but Kubernaga touched his shoulder and shook her head imperceptibly. Kumar kept sitting and cheered for the yuvraj. The crowd roared "Mahanayak Rudrasen ki jay!" Rudrasen walked to the monarch, who adorned his right wrist with a gold kada. Rudrasen went and bowed to Vindhyashakti. Vindhyashakti blessed him, happy to lose the title to his shishya, his disciple. 

After the gaieties were over PruthvisheN barged into Kubernaga's chambers. "Why Mother? why did you not let me throw?" Kubernaga was taking out all the pearls her maids had woven in her hair. She stood up and held her son by his shoulder. "Pruthvi, I am well aware that you would have easily become Mahanayak today, but listen to me son, its not your destiny to throw. Your destiny is to overthrow the heir, to form your  dynesty."  

*Key to pronounce the names

• Vakataka -   वाकाटक
• Pravarsen  - प्रवरसेन
• Vindhyashakti  - विन्ध्यशक्ती
• Rudrasen - रुद्रसेन
• Prabhavati  - प्रभावती
• PruthvisheN  - पृथ्वीषेण
• Kubernaga  - कुबेरनागा
• Nandivardhan - नंदिवर्धन