The one where Kattappa saves Bahubali

This article has bagged the first prize in the event ‘How The Turn Tables’ at Udaipur Leapday Lit Fest-21 held by IIM Udaipur

The chariot screeched to a halt as commanded by The former regent of Mahishmati, Sivagami Devi. “Wait here for me, I shall continue on foot here onward”. “ But your majesty, it isn’t safe for a queen to venture alone,” Kattappa told. Sivagami laughed “did u forget that I am a warrior queen Kattappa? I have my dagger with me. And it isn’t the first time I am going alone. I undertake this pilgrimage to the temple in solitude every month. Helps me contemplate my actions and think better.” She made her way to the Shiva temple in the middle of the forest. As she was done offering her prayers, an arrow brushed past her right arm. Shocked, she turned to see a kalakeya aiming at her. But before he could release the arrow, he was shot and dropped dead on the ground. She turned to see Kumara Verma was running towards her. In a brief combat, they managed to kill around ten of the other kalakeyas hiding in the forest. Sivagami was in awe of Kumara Verma. “Your majesty, it isn’t safe for you to venture alone like this. Mahishmati is lusted by all the emperors. Amarendra Bahubali would never forgive himself lest anything happens to you”. “I don’t think my well-being matters to him anymore” He looked at her, astonished, “Bahubali thinks so highly of you. Much more than you can even imagine. He still chants your name every day during Surya Puja. He talks about your glorious tales in front of all the subjects of Mahishmati. It isn’t only you, he considers everyone in the Royal family in high regard. Even after turfing him and Devasena out of the palace, he doesn’t hold a grudge against anyone. He imbibes a spirit of loyalty and dedication towards the crown in everyone’s hearts. Never in his dreams would he think of going against anyone.” Sivagami’s eyes welled up. She remembered his childhood days when he let a scorpion bite him just to ensure his Rajmata can finish the rituals without any obstruction. The rogue elephant which he handled so that she can complete the cleansing ritual. She murmured, “Devasena disillusioned him”. Kumar Verma heard her. “There couldn’t have been a better daughter-in-law than Devasena. She considers you her role model and urges everyone to look up to their Rajmata. Their child is due within the next few hours. If it’s a boy, they have decided to name him Mahendra Bahubali. If a girl, Sivagami Devi.” Sivagami turned to him in disbelief. Was she so wrong in judging her son whom she raised like her own blood. Kumar Verma folded his hands, “allow me to take leave now, your Majesty. My brother-in-law, Jai Verma called for me for some official work. I was on my way there.” Sivagami smiled, “only if you give me your word to not reveal this incident to anyone. As a former regent, I only have a few personal liberties. This is one of them.”

From her window, the entire Mahishmati was seen. A magnificent view, especially during Diwali. Sivagami stared at Bahubali’s settlement. As per the sources, Devasena was in labor. A huge crowd had gathered outside their house. For the first time in many years, she was impressed by the couple. A perfect king isn’t the one who directs his subjects to walk. But the one who walks with them. To him, the entire kingdom is his home. The rightful heir to the throne, the principles of justice and integrity run in Amarendra Bahubali’s blood. There wouldn’t be a better king than him. With Devasena by his side, the perfect blend of bold and beautiful, she knew Mahishmati would flourish under their reign. Devoid of one, no one would understand the importance of a supporting spouse better than Sivagami. Bahubali has indeed hurt the ego of the Rajmata by refusing to abide by her decisions in a public court. And he has been rightly punished. Stripped of his title, thrown out of the palace, and countless others. But maybe it was time to amend the situation. It was time to call them back.

Bhallaladeva, her blood son, was no less in terms of warfare. And she believed, with proper guidance, he shall go on to become one of the greatest rulers. She was now determined to set things back on track. If not the king, Bahubali shall be the mentor for Bhallaladeva. The spies have reported about the camps of kalakeyas in the surrounding mountains. There might be a war soon. Dusk had fallen and everyone was calling it a day. There was going to be a jamboree in Bahubali’s settlement. “As per the reports, it’s a boy your Majesty” A smile crept up her lips. So it’s a Bahubali. She would soon go personally to meet the future king of Mahishmati. But a lot of things need to be taken care of now, the first being the Kalakeyas. “Your majesty, his highness Bijjaladeva calls for you” a servant came up. ‘What could be the reason at the hour, she wondered as she made her way to his chamber

“Your ideal son Bahubali sent Kumara Verma to kill the king of Mahishmati. Do you need any more proof to believe that your son is in danger from his brother?” Shivagami stared at the lifeless body of Kumara Verma on the floor, agape. “Thankfully, we handled the situation timely and Bhallad was saved. The king isn’t safe in his kingdom. I don’t know what can be worse than this. Sivagami, I want no other justification for this act of Bahubali.” “I…I shall look into this matter” Sivagami stammered. “ I don’t want any explanation. We had been very lenient with him throughout. The mere acts of disowning him are of no use. Do my words, as a former prince, or at least as your husband, have any value? Or am I just a useless living and breathing body in this palace?”. Sivagami was too stunned to speak. Taking her silence as a cue to further fill her ears, Bijjaladeva continued, “A civil war would create unrest in the entire kingdom. And with Bahubali successfully winning the hearts of all the subjects, the royal family would be dishonored. Assassination is the best.” Sivagami looked at him, aghast. ” Yes, kill Bahubali secretly. No one needs to know. The safety of Mahishmati lies in the safety of its king. And there should be no compromise in that. Anyone who dares to kill the king shall be killed without trial. Ask Kattappa to do so. That slave is bound to obey you”

Sivagami stormed out of the room. Manifestly, her son- Bahubali is in danger. From his brother and uncle. They weren’t aware of her meeting with Kumara Verma earlier in the day. The situation is much more critical than she thought so. She needs to act fast. “Your majesty, you called for me?” Sivagami was sitting in her study. “Shut the door behind you Kattappa’’. Once their privacy was ensured, she started weeping. “I’ve committed a blunder. I need to clean it up before it’s too late. I need your help Kattappa ‘’ Kattappa fell on his knees. “Your wish is my command, your Majesty”. “Take Devasena, Amarendra Bahubali, and the future king of Bahubali with you, and run away. To somewhere far. To a place where no one can find you. Their presence here is a threat to their lives. Disappear before Bhalladeva hunts them all down.” Kattappa stood there, silent for a moment. Then, clearing his throat, he spoke “I’ve pledged my allegiance to you and shall follow every command of yours, but I refuse to leave you alone here. I shall make sure of their journey, but will return to the palace”. “You don’t understand the gravity of this situation Kattappa. If you come back, sooner or later they will discover the truth and will use your loyalty as a tool to track them down. It isn’t about our safety. It is about the safety of Mahishmati. Of the future king of Mahishmati. You are a vulnerability. You need to go. I’ve said Bhallad that you have been sent to assassinate Bahubali.” “I am certain King Bhalladeva will come after me to make sure I have carried out your orders. He knows my love for Bahubali”. Sivagami smiled, “I have taken care of that”. “And what about you, your highness? Once they find out about this, they shall come after you too” Kattappa asked, carefully wiping his tears. A slave should never show his emotions in front of his master. “I shall take care of that too.” Sivagami said, rocking softly in her chair. Enough of her duties as a mother. It’s time to act like a queen again.

“I don’t understand mother. Despite making her believe about my impending danger from Bahubali, she decides to send me to fight the Kalakeyas! Was she even convinced by our tale? I am highly doubtful” Bhalladeva asked his father as he wore his bronze armor. It was past midnight and he had been ordered by his queen mother to tackle the Kalakeyas at this hour. Guerilla warfare, although cowardly warfare, is at times the need of the hour. ‘You need to know when to protect your crown, and when to protect your kingdom. Not everything is always balanced’, Rajmata Sivagami Devi used to say. “Your mother is a just queen Bhallad. Believe her to fulfill her duties as your mother. And you shall fulfill your duties as a son and the King of Mahishmati. Once we eliminate Bahubali and this Kalakeya issue, we shall take care of your mother too.” Bijalladeva winked.

It would soon be dawn in a few hours. From her window, on one side she saw Bhallad marching with a few of his skilled soldiers towards the mountains. On the other side, Kattappa stealthily crept away in disguise towards Bahubali’s settlement. Almost all the pieces of the chess have been placed accordingly. So far so now, her plan is going as expected. One last piece left. The truth shall not be hidden for long. Once revealed, they would issue orders for the return of Bahubali in her name. Something, which Bahubali’s quick wit shall also fail to doubt. She was eliminating all the vulnerabilities. She knew she was one of them. The news of her death should reach their ears faster than the false commands sent under her name.

As she climbed up the window sill, she held no regrets. This was her way of atoning to her sins. She was solely responsible for the present situation. Her existence now is a danger to Mahishmati itself. A kingdom she had cradled for so long. She can’t afford to let it pass down into the wrong hands. It’s a long journey indeed. But she knew Mahshmati shall rise again. Only that, she wouldn’t be there to witness it. With such thoughts in her mind, she closed her eyes and jumped off the window.