Chapter 6: The Silver Lion of Bharatvarsh
In the days of his youth, Vijay Raj Pratap was unlike any other prince of Mahishmati. Born with an indomitable will and a body of Vajra-like strength, he carried the bloodline of the mighty Sahastrabahu Arjun, but unlike his infamous ancestor, he sought not conquest but redemption.
His father, Vikarn, had long carried the weight of their lineage's past sins. It was he who decided to take young Vijay to Mahendra Giri, the sacred mountain where Bhagwan Parshuram resided, to seek atonement. Upon reaching the ashram, Vikarn bowed before the mighty sage and spoke with sincerity, "Bhagwan, I have come with my son to seek your forgiveness for the deeds of my ancestor. The burden of Sahastrabahu Arjun's actions still lingers upon Mahishmati, and I do not wish my son to carry it forward."
Parshuram, seated in deep meditation, opened his eyes and observed the young boy standing before him. The moment his gaze fell upon Vijay, he sensed something extraordinary. "This child is no ordinary prince," he murmured. "He is born with Vajra Bones, just like Rishi Dadhichi. His body carries the strength of Indra's thunder."
A rare expression of intrigue crossed Parshuram's face. He turned to Vikarn and said, "If you truly wish to atone for your lineage, leave your son in my care. I shall mold him into a warrior who will be a protector, not a tyrant."
Vikarn, overjoyed, immediately agreed. Thus, at the tender age of ten, Vijay Raj Pratap became a disciple of the greatest warrior-sage in Bharatvarsh.
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Under Parshuram's tutelage, Vijay thrived. While other disciples struggled with the grueling training, his innate Vajra Bones allowed him to endure hardships far beyond normal limits. He displayed a special affinity for close combat, particularly the Axe Arts, which fascinated him. Recognizing this, Parshuram personally trained Vijay in the mastery of the battle axe, passing down every ounce of his knowledge.
Two years later, another remarkable event occurred. The sacred river Ganga arrived at Mahendra Giri, bringing with her a young child—Devrat, the son of King Shantanu. She entrusted him to Parshuram, requesting that he be trained in the highest arts of war. Vijay and Devrat quickly became close, and Vijay affectionately called him Dev.
Though Devrat was groomed for archery and strategy, Vijay continued to perfect his Axe Arts, ensuring that he would become an unshakable force on the battlefield. The two trained together for years, forming a bond of deep brotherhood. However, fate would soon set them on different paths.
Upon the completion of their training, both warriors gave their Guru Dakshina. Devrat took the oath that would grant him the name Bhishma, while Vijay was tasked with a much more dangerous mission—to slay the Asura Akhanda Sura.
This asura was a being of immense power, with a boon that rendered him invulnerable to all but one condition—he could only be slain by someone born with Vajra Bones, much like Rishi Dadhichi. Vijay embarked on this deadly mission, engaging Akhanda Sura in a battle that shook the very earth. After a grueling fight, he shattered the asura's body with a single Axe Strike infused with Vajra energy, fulfilling his Guru's command.
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Years passed, and Vijay ascended to the throne of Mahishmati, earning the title Maharathi. His rule was marked by both wisdom and unyielding strength. As his power reached its peak, he awakened his Swarna Siddhi—Silver War Lion. This ability allowed him to enter an unstoppable battle state where his energy reserves and recovery speed increased tenfold. The heavens themselves recognized his strength, granting him the title "Silver Lion of Bharatvarsh."
However, his bond with Bhishma was tested when the Kashi princess Amba arrived in despair. Rejected by Bhishma and denied her rightful place, she sought justice through penance to Mahadev. Upon learning the full truth, Vijay was enraged that Dev, his once beloved junior brother, had taken up arms against their Guru Parshuram over such a matter.
Instead of allowing Amba to suffer an unjust fate, Vijay Raj Pratap made a fateful decision—he accepted her as his Queen. This act not only changed Amba's destiny but also strengthened Mahishmati's position as a formidable power, drawing the gaze of all great kingdoms upon him.
Bhishma did not openly react to this decision, accepting Amba as his Bhabhi Maa, but deep within, a silent regret festered. He knew that, in his pursuit of duty, he had lost the right to make amends. Though they never spoke of it, the rift between Vijay and Bhishma was never truly mended.
Thus, Vijay Raj Pratap, the Silver Lion of Bharatvarsh, ruled Mahishmati with wisdom, strength, and unshakable resolve, forever etching his name into the annals of history.
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Word Count: 796
End of Chapter 6.