The Warrior and the Princess
Background
This poem was written on the spur of the moment. It's a good idea to introduce the characters in the poem.
Firstly, we have Emperor Vikramaditya. His name is mentioned in the ancient Indian Vedic book called the Bhavishya Purana. The Bhavishya Purana was perhaps written around 4000-- 5000 BC. In Hindu mythology, Vikramaditya is supposed to be the epitome of knowledge, goodness, and bravery. He was a great hunter and is supposed to have ruled over Central India with his capital at Ujjain.
India right up to the 20th century was home to the greatest number of tigers in the world. Unfortunately, mass-scale hunting led to its depletion, and presently it is restricted to the protected reserves. It is a protected animal.
Rukmani is the name used for the most beautiful princess in Hindu mythology. Hari Singh was a warrior during the reign of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh and reportedly killed a lion with his bare hands. I have used the license of the fantasy writer to transport him to that era.
Princesses in that era when they became of marriageable age were invariably handed to the suitor who was the bravest of the brave during a test of bravery and skill called the Swayamvar. This practice continued until the 12th century.
Lord Shiva is the foremost Hindu deity and is both the creator and the destroyer.
Poem
Emperor Vikramaditya was a great hunter and coveted tigers,
He kept many in pits and cages,
His tigers fought, in a pit as a sport to entertain
The nobles sat and watched, and the ladies sat lovely and demure,
And among sat the great warrior Hari Singh
And truly he represented chivalry and love,
The tigers roared and pranced and all laughed;
They bit, roared again as hunger gnawed
The emperor stood up and heralded
bravest of the brave get's the lovely Rukmini,
There was thunderous applause;
Hari Singh stood up
The princess Rukmini sighed;
Looked at her love Hari Singh and recited a silent prayer;
A beauteous apsara a low-slung sari her forte,
A navel to entice,
Smiling lips and sharp sparkling eyes that shone
The emperor thundered any man is brave,
Does an act in the tigers’s den gets Rukmini for the nuptial night?
Rukmini looked at her love
Hari Singh drew his sword,
My love, I will prove,
Rukmini is mine.
He bowed, and leaped into the pit,
The tigers wild sensed prey.
The warrior faced the beasts.
His sword lethal as ever.
The god Shiva appeared: the sword of Hari Singh was magic
He killed the tigers and his return was quick,
presented his sword to the emperor.
"By God!" said the Emperor, "you are the bravest of the brave"
Hari Singh bowed low
The great emperor said “I take the sword but give it back”
“Also, I give the princess Rukmini for your nuptial night
I know lord Shiva was on your side”
