Satyawati -26 Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon
Satyawati -26
26. The Progeny
The funeral rites were over
Conducted by Devabrata
I was back on the throne as queen
And he, the Commander-in-Chief.
I declared a year of mourning
Leaving us enough time to think.
I asked him to marry the princesses
I knew they desired him.
Whenever he was in Antapura
They had their longing eyes
Full of desire, always set on him
Like bees on honey blossoms.
I am sure that he was aware
Of their beautiful eyes on him.
Any man would accept the invitation
But he was well past that stage.
As expected, he refused.
I tried to invoke his vow
To protect the interest
Of the nation; the dynasty.
He just laughed it off.
Leaving all inhibitions
Of a mother, I asked him
To father them children
So, Puruvamsam survives.
It is provided in the scripts,
His vow notwithstanding, I reasoned.
But he answered unflinchingly,
His vow to celibacy stays.
Poor Mother- -she has gone through so much and all she asks is for some grandchildren... I wonder how she will overcome the obstacle of his vow to be celibate... I almost cringe to find out! ! ! ! you sure know how to give your chapters cliff-hanger endings...10+++++++++++++++++++
Hi Susan, As Geeta has written below, the characterisation of Bhishma is unique in the epic. And very strong character too. How he stands by his vows even when the Kauravas breach the lines of civility, against their cousins. Susan, a serial is in my mind, on the story of Bhishma, as a sequel to this one. Your encouragement is my aesthetic capital. Thank you.
Hi Unni, Another brilliant write. I love the character of Bhishma- So strong, determined and his vow of celibacy makes him a great Yogi.
Hi Geeta The character of Bhishma is painted with such colours in the epic, that my painting of him looks so dull.
A year of mourning and devabatras strong decision to protect the nation being unmarried well narrated in this poem
Hi Rini, You can not find a characterisation like that of Bhishma, in any book, story or epic, anywhere in the world!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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8/23/2025 12:31:32 PM # 1.0.0
Ever so magnificently told, and heart touching! .. Thank you ever so much for sharing this! .. Ever so many 10S! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! +++++
Thank you Becca. Obliged