RaaRaa-16 - The V-Dynasty

1000s of years back...

In the kingdom of Masaka...

When the King died, his son Viga was 10 years old. In this tender age, he had to take charge as the King. As a kid, he was interested to play like his friends but time did not allow him.
He studied and learned the war skills as well. During this time, the minister and the soldiers really helped to safeguard the empire.

5 years passed...

At the age of 15, Viga mastered the fighting/war skills.

The neighbouring kingdom Bayavi was always an enemy state of Masaka  kingdom. But this time, the enemies were from a far distant land Kadavi. Kadavi King Kadavesh raged a war against Bayavi, won the battle and took Bayavi under its control. Their next target was Masaka kingdom. They sent the messenger to Masaka kingdom/King Viga to surrender under Kadavi kingdom. But King Viga never agreed to it. Kadavesh waited for the right time to attack Masaka.

It was rainy season. Kadavesh thought that rainy season would be the right time to attack because that was the time to concentrate on cultivation and king Viga would be busy in that. And during rainy season, most of the people reside in their homes and the area would be with less number of people outside their homes. And he suddenly declared the war.

15 year old King Viga was not prepared for war but he thought, that was the right time to use all the things that he learned and save his Kingdom.
He immediately called the Bharasa warriors' leader from coastal Masaka and the Ganasa warriors' leader from hilly area of Masaka. He told them that he used to skate along with his friends on wet ground after the rains during his childhood and he knew that some people in hilly areas also skate on the mountain slope where the springs flows. So, he wanted those soldiers who have the skating skills and who can endure heavy rains and still fight.
The two leaders went to their respective places and chose the soldiers. King Viga guided the soldiers on next course of actions.

Now it was the war zone...

It was raining heavily. Kadavesh declared the war. The soldiers of Kadavesh started running from the other side towards the army of Viga. They thought that they would easily defeat the Viga army. While running some of them slipped and fell down.
Now was the turn of Viga's soldiers. They skate on the wet ground with the help of the spears at a much higher pace and did not fall down. Kadavesh was astonished looking at this. There was huge fight among the soldiers of both sides. Viga's soldiers tried their best to skate instead of running while fighting which was advantageous to them. But Kadavesh's soldiers did not have any idea about this and while running and fighting,many used to fall down.

Finally the fight between Viga and Kadavesh started. 15 year old Viga used all the war  techniques and his own technique of skating and finally Kadavesh got defeated.
That was the first and biggest win for King Viga.
After that, Viga own most of the wars that he fought during his life.

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Viga got married and had a son named Vija. During the rule of Vija, there was no such big wars fought. And Vija was more interested in art and culture. He funded and developed many of the local art forms in the kingdom of Masaka.

He even taught the soldiers how to beat drums...

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Vija had a son named Viha. One day Vija thought to give all his duties as a king to his son and take rest. But the problem was that Viha was 15 years old that time. Grandfather Viga came to Vija and  told him that he need to continue as a king for few more years as Viha was  only 15 years old. Vija replied to his father Viga "When you became the king at the age of 15 and won the wars, why not my son Viha?" Viga did not have any answer for this. Finally Viha became the king.

Just the next year, the then king of Kadavi kingdom raged a war against Masaka kingdom.

The brand new king Viha had to play the role. He immediately sent his messenger to Kadavi king stating that they would surrender on the next full moon day which was 15 days ahead. The king of Kadavi became happy after hearing this.

But Viha's grandfather Viga was very very sad with this.

As there were heavy rains in Masaka and flooding in the city, Viha ordered that there need to be underground tunnel and footpaths made over it so that the rain water will be easily drained.
As per his order, the work completed within one week.
But...
But the footpath was made of wood instead of stone or bricks.

15 days passed and the time came when Masaka kingdom was going to surrender to Kadavi kingdom.
The foot path or road which was made over the tunnel as decorated nicely and the welcome for the Kadavi king and soldiers was arranged there.

Instead of professional drummers, the soldiers were beating the big sized drums standing at the two sides of the road . You might remember that Viha's father Vija "taught the soldiers how to beat drums".
The platoon from Kadavi arrived there and were marching towards king Viha.
King Viha was sloganeering "Jai Kadavi" and his soldiers were reciting it after him.

The drum beating was going on somewhat like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VX6HYlRQG8
But those were the big sized drums placed on the ground which were played with two big sized mace-shaped drumsticks.

When most of the Kadavi platoon were walking on the wooden footpath, the king Viha shouts "Masakah...". And the soldiers hit the drumstick on the edges of wooden footpath. Viha again shouts "Masakah..." and the soldiers hit it again and again and again. The wooden footpath gave in and most of the Kadavi troop fell down in the tunnel which was filled with water and crocodiles!!!
Whoever survived got killed by the Masaka soldiers!!!

But how come the mace-shaped drumsticks broke the strong wooden footpath?
Those were not drumsticks. Metallic maces were painted in such a way that it would look like the mace-shaped drumsticks and were placed near the drums. When the king Viha shouted "Masakah...",the soldiers took the actual metallic maces and hit on the wooden bridge/footpath which was not understood by the Kadavi troops.

After this war, old king Viga (Viha's grandfather) twists his mustache and thinks "Masaka is safe and will never fall as long as the V(Viga-Vija-Viha)-Dynasty is capable enough to defend its own motherland.".

Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak
Ashish Sarangi

RaaRaa-15 - The Last Tamasa

Queen Haatinami died after couple of years while giving birth to a sweet baby girl. Brushaka named her as Tarunima. At the age of 16, she learnt all warfare technologies, including the bull riding and elephant riding, from her father. She also learnt tantric aspects from him. Also she was a very good dancer and singer. And she was one of the most beautiful princesses of the entire landmass.

 When she turns 20, Brushaka called her and told her to take control of the state, Masaka. She was little worried and asked her about such decision. He replied that nothing to be worried as he wanted to spend his rest of life in the city of Maput, in the temple of Lord Raaga. He also assured her that he will be available in all extreme situations, whenever and wherever required. Tarunima agreed. And in the very next day, in the assembly of capital city of Masakanagari, Brushaka declared his decision. All ministers were surprised. On the same day, Brushaka went to Maput and started living as an ordinary citizen. He devoted his all time worshipping Lord Raaga.

Tarunima took control of the state. Within the short period of time, she proved herself to be very good administrator. Six months passed. One day her chief minister, Bishupakhya, came to her and told about the past history of the state. She was very much surprised to know about the heroic activities of Pakitra, Jatamanu and NisiaDei. She was impressed with NisiaDei. She also started visiting to the garden temple and to the temple of NisiaDei. She wanted to learn the special tantric rituals which were done by Jatamanu and NisiaDei but not able to learn those as no guidance were available at that time. She felt disheartened. She discussed these with Bishupakhya and came to know that now, in Masaka, no one is there who can taught her those things except her own father.

She went to Maput. Offered her devotion in the temple of Lord Raaga. And then to her father and told him about those techniques. Within two days, she learnt all those and returned back to Masakanagari.

When she turned 24, Bishupakhya told her to get married. She hesitated but later agreed and insisted to choose that person herself. Bishupakhya declared this and a date was chosen. All the kings were intimated about this. Day arrived.  In the assembly hall of the palace, all the Kings and Princes of neighboring states were present. Also some common citizens were there who wanted to marry the noble princess. King Sudrava of Bayawi, king Induvrat of Uaawi were the prominent ones. Total 24 kings were present along with 5 common citizens.

Tarunima rejected all the kings and surprisingly king Sudrava and Induvrat were also rejected by her. In last, she also rejected the common citizens except one, Tamasa. She married with Tamasa and this made Bishupakhya worried as he wanted King Sudrava as her husband. But there was something else written in the destiny. Interestingly, Sudrava remained silent and Induvrat got furious. He felt insulted. But at that moment, he controlled his emotions and decided that one day he would get her along with Masaka.

After few days of her marriage, Brushaka passed away. Tarunima broke down but Tamasa handled that situation. After few days, she came to know that Tamasa is not a common man. He was an expert of astronomy, architecture, mathematics, lingiustics, philosophy and tantra also. He belonged to the Migapo tribe. All these things made Tarunima proud of her husband. Bishupakhya was also surprised when he came to know about these aspects of Tamasa.

Time passes. Tarunima ordered to build several temples that belonged to lord Raaga in Masakanagari and one fine day she told Tamasa to make a temple of mother goddess. Tamasa was surprised. He started his work at the very next moment. And within couple of years, the temple was there. Tarunima started practicing tantra in that temple and Tamasa also helped her in those tantric rituals. Everything was running smoothly. There was not a single incident of crime in the entire Masaka. Tamasa was helping Tarunima and Bishupakhya in all aspects of administration. He was a key player now.

One day, Bishupakhya arrived in the palace and told Tarunima that Induvrat are going to join hands with Sudrava and they both were making plan to attack Masaka. Tarunima got worried as she knew in the past there were several fights between Masaka and Bayawi, in which Masaka emerged as a winner. But this time, enemy is very much stronger. She ordered an emergency meeting of council of ministers along with the leaders of different tribes. She conveyed the findings of Bishupakhya in the meeting. All the tribal leaders assured full help to her. But Bishupakhya was not able to gain the strength and confidence. Tarunima declared an emergency situation in the entire state and started worshipping Lord Raaga along with the Mother Goddess. Within 15 days the combined army of Bayawi and Uaawi were standing at the borders of Masaka. Masakans were also ready for this fight.

The opposition was very strong. They had horses, foot soldiers and various latest weapons with them. And the Masakans were having traditional weapons along with the elephants, bulls.

And the war started. On the very first day, Masakans were able to manage the war. In the evening a special meeting was organized in the camps of Masakans. Tamasa lead the meeting. He told everyone that we have to save our land from these foreigners. All nodded.

The next day was very much crucial. Birupakhya made a plan and they fought the war according to his plan. But suddenly the numbers of troops of the combined army increased and plan failed. Tamasa was shocked. Also Birupakhya was killed; it was not a good sign. Somehow Tamasa managed the day. But signs of worry were clear on his face.

The third day started. Tamasa lead the front. An extensive plan was made to cover all the opposition's army in a circular format. Plan was fully not success but partially the day was very good for Masakans. They gave a huge blow to combined army as the king of Bayawi, Sudrava, got killed. Immediately Induvrat declared himself the combined ruler of Bayawi and Uaawi. Now Uaawi, turns to be most powerful state of the entire landmass and Induvrat, the most powerful king. Bayawi is now a part of Uaawi.

Fourth day arrived. Induvrat is more powerful now. Tamasa lead the front. Suddenly there was a change in tactics used by Masakans. Tarunima is leading the front with an army of bulls. When Induvrat looked at Tamasa, he was shocked. Tamasa was flying in the sky with all his weapons. He was killing the soldiers from the sky and here, in the ground, Tarunima was leading the front. Induvrat got mad. Tamasa was now more and more furious. He started doing some tantra practices in the sky and rain started. At the another moment, suddenly rain stopped and there is a sudden rise in temperature. Induvrat got mad after watching all these things but somehow, managed the day. He called all his main warriors in the camp. He asked his chief minister that how could a common man fly in the sky and with his weapons. His minister told him that he was mistaken. Tamasa must not be a common man. Induvrat made a concrete plan for next day, so that he can bring more weapons and soldiers. 

In the Masakans' camp, Tarunima was also having a secret meeting with Tamasa. She asked him that how could he managed to do such acts. Tamasa replied that actually his name was not Tamasa and he was also not an ordinary man. He was the last student from the school of Tantrism that was established by the great Jatamanu, he was the tantrik. His real name was something else and he used to write, Tamasa. On being asked about his real name, he replied that  his name is not important at this stage and had to win the war at any cost now.

Fifth day arrived. No major loss for Uaawi army and no major gains for Masakans. With strategy, Induvrat managed that day. In the night, he was happy to see more soldiers and weapons. And a special person known as Kutapati. He was now sure of winning the war.

The sixth day. This was the day which changed the life of Masakans. When Tamasa and Tarunima, both were leading the front simultaneously, suddenly Kutapati arrived in front of Tamasa. And in the next moment, Tamasa was killed. Tarunima and Masakans were shocked. Again, Kutapati now came to have a war with Tarunima and she also met with the similar fate as of Tamasa. Masakans were defeated and now they were a feudal state of Uaawi. All were surprised that what happened to Tamasa and Tarunima. 

Later on, there was a rumour, that Kutapati used weapons of hypnotism on them. But that was just a rumour, as nobody knows the actual reason. In the Uaawi state, some few days after the war, dead body of Kutapati was found. Real causes of death remained unknown. Induvrat handed Uaawi state along with Baayawi state, to his younger brother, Biyuvrat. He came to Masaka and started torturing Masakans. He abolished all the tantrik practices in all the temples. He started wprshipping Lord Raaga in his own way and method. He introduced lots of new rituals in the temple of Lord Raaga. And most importantly, he established a mother Goddess in the temple and started worshipping her along with Lord Raaga. He also told tribals and their leaders to join the mainstream society. Suddenly there was a change in socio-religious movement of Masaka. And the true Masakans, were still waiting for the last Tantrik of Masaka, the Tamasa....

Cheers,

Ashish Sarangi 

Ashish Kumar Nayak

RaaRaa-14 - Mrugaakhi

Thousands of years back...

Masaka kingdom had three neighbouring kingdoms named as Basaka, Kasaka and Avaka.

Basaka was ruled by the King Basakama. He had a sister named "Mrugaa". 

Masaka kingdom was rich with hills, sea, rivers and all sorts of natural beauty. One day Mrugaa planned to spend sometime in the land of Masaka. She told this to Basakama and Basakama arranged the travel with her friends. She had a nice time with her friends in Masaka.

During the stay in Masaka, she met Hrudayu. Hrudayu was poor and was an orphan too. Mrugaa being from a rich and king's family, conveyed about her love to Hrudayu. Hrudayu was also in love with Mrugaa but he was in a dilemma as Mrugaa was very rich. But while returning back to Basaka, Mrugaa promised to marry Hrudayu.

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A parallel story was running in the Kingdom of Kasaka. And the story is about a girl named "Aakhi".

She was married a man named Kathan and lead a happy life with her husband and a son. They were farmers. She and her husband used to cultivate vegetables and fruits. When the veg and fruits were ready, her husband used to go to the nearby city to sell.

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Coming back to the story of Mrugaa...

She reached her home country Basaka and told her brother Basakama about her love towards Hrudayu. Basakama also agreed to his sister and sent his messenger and soldiers to invite and bring Hrudayu from Masaka to Basaka. 

Mrugaa and Hrudayu's marriage happened with grand fervour in the presence of Basakama.

After marriage, Hrudayu worked under Basakama and started staying in the kingdom of Basaka.

Time passed...

One day... While returning to home in the midnight, Hrudayu heard some people talking. He silently went there and what he saw was a big surprise for him. Basakama's younger brother Basakana was planning to smuggle arms to the kingdom Bayavi. 

Basakana realised that someone hearing to them. Hrudayu started running from the spot but soldiers of Basakana chased and fire arrows. Hrudayu was hurt and shouting. Hearing the loud voice of Hrudayu, King Basakama reached there and hold Hrudayu in his hands. Suddenly Mrugaa also reached there and found her husband Hrudayu in his last stage and her brother Basakama. 

Hrudayu died. Basakama could not convince Mrugaa that he did not kill Hrudayu but it was someone else. 

With the anger on her brother, Mrugaa left Basaka kingdom and came to Masaka kingdom and started living in the village which was her husband Hrudayu's native place.

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Coming back to the parallel story of Aakhi and Kasaka kingdom...

One day, Aakhi's husband Kathan packed all the vegetables and fruits and started his journey to the nearby city where he used to sell those. Normally it used to take one week for him to sell all the vegetables and return back home. But that time, he did not return home for more than two weeks.

Aakhi was very much worried about Kathan. Finally she thought to go to the city and find her husband. She went to the city with her son and started searching for her husband. But she could not find him for many days. 

One day, she came to know that her husband was killed by the soldiers on a false case on the order of King! 

She was very much depressed after hearing this. But she believed in her husband and had the feeling that her husband could not make such mistake to get death punishment. She approached the court, found her husband to be innocent but as it was king's order, she could not do anything.

She returned back to her village with the broken heart.

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Coming back to the story of Mrugaa who was staying in Hrudayu's village in Masaka kingdom after the death of Hrudayu...

In the previous stories, we know about king Avakara of Avaka kingdom who was staying in Masaka kingdom for some years.

Not sure how, but she somehow convinced Avakara to fight against her brother Basakama.

And as we know in the previous stories, Avakara won and Basakama died. 

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Coming back to the story of Aakhi who was staying in her village with her son after her husband's death...

She planned to take revenge on the King who ordered death punishment for her husband on a false case. She found the loopholes in the kingdom, gathered some people on her side and trained them against the tyranny of king. After few years, she was able to make a small army. 

One day, she went with her people to the city to sell vegetables as her husband used to do. But it was the plan to attack the city and the king.

In the night, getting the chance, she and her people tried to attack the king's palace. She did a major destruction to palace and kill many of the soldiers and even the army chief.

But she was not able to stand for long in front of the mighty security personnels and she lost her last breath while fighting.

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Final part...

After hundreds of years, these history was written in both Masaka and Kasaka kingdom. Whereas the Basaka history books did not mention anything about it.

And one surprise is that the stories of Masaka and Basaka mentioned a single name, i.e. "Mrugaakhi" which was a combination of "Mrugaa" and "Aakhi" which literally means "the eyes which look like that of Mruga/Deer"!!!

Again after hundreds of years, while reading those stories, people think

1) Was there two girls with the same name Mrugaakhi in Basaka and Kasaka and similar revenge stories happened with both?

2) Were there two names Mrugaa and Aakhi and later combined to one name?

3) How come there is no mention of Mrugaakhi in the stories of Basaka?

Cheers,

Ashish Kumar Nayak

Ashish Sarangi