Author’s Note:

In my previous story, Shakti wanted a challenge and a change of pace in her firm, so she decided to start working for evil people. She took on Kansa as a client, but before she could repair his image, Krishna killed Kansa. In this story, Shakti is faced with more adversity from the Mahabharata epic through the characters Yudhisthira and his wife, Draupadi. The only characters that I have made up in this series are Shakti, Bala, and Neerav, so Yudhisthira and Draupadi’s story is “true,” as told by Peter Brook’s film version of the Mahabharata.

This story is a quick turnaround from the last story which involves Kansa. The story begins in the beginning of the next day, after Kansa’s death. Like most businesswomen would after a shocking event, Shakti decides to go to work early that following day to not only come up with a plan but also reflect on her life decisions. In “Shakti’s New Beginning,” you will experience irony, humor, and more merging of stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. I hope you enjoy a taste of the roller coaster that Shakti experiences in owning her own PR firm where nothing is ever guaranteed!

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“Maybe it was a good thing I didn’t have to work for Kansa,” she thought to herself.

After a few more moments of enjoying the beautiful scenery around her, Shakti opened the door to her firm. The sun shone through the opened door and revealed a sleeping Neerav.

“Neerav!” Shakti exclaimed with surprised. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“Oh no, I must have fallen asleep…” Disoriented, he wiped drool off of his chin. “I worked all through the night to compile a list and briefings of our potential next client since Kansa is dead. I know you want to rehabilitate someone who has done evil…” Shakti cut him off and grabbed the list out of his hands. In big, bolded letters, Neerav had written “Ravana” at the top of the list. A chill went down Shakti’s spine with the thought of working for Ravana, or even being in the same room as him.

“You know I’m not paying you for overtime?” Shakti strongly said while staring at the list, hiding her fear of the top name on the list.

“You aren’t paying me at all…” Neerav quietly mumbled.

“I really appreciate your work,” Shakti said. “I just don’t think we should work with demonic people anymore.” She tossed it in the trash can as Neerav’s jaw dropped. He had worked so hard.

“Thank goodness!” Bala walked in and heard the news. “Neerav, you look horrible.”

“Yes, he does.” Shakti looked at him with caring eyes. “I appreciate your work, and for that, you may have the rest of the week off.” Neerav bowed in appreciation and shuffled out the door. Bala looked at Shakti, her old friend and boss. Bala knew Shakti rarely changed her mind.

“What’s going on with you?” Bala asked. “You wanted to work for evil people, and now you’re deciding against yourself… This is unlike you.”

“Kansa is dead, and I can’t help but believe that it is a blessing,” Shakti said. “As much as I would love to make the world a better place and rid the world of evil acts, I think it would be more beneficial to help good people.”

“I think that’s a good move, Shakti,” Bala comforted her. “I have a great potential client! One of my friends, Draupadi, just recently married Yudhishthira and his brothers.”

“And his brothers? That sounds like a problem,” Shakti scoffed.

“True, but that’s not even the issue!” Bala said. “Yudhisthira has a gambling problem and there is a lot of animosity between him and his brothers. Yudhisthira is a ruler and Draupadi is terrified that he is going to lose his kingdom because of this addiction.”

“I’m not sure how I can help, Bala,” Shakti said. “I’m not a therapist.”

“You can be his consult,” Bala replied. “Before he makes decisions, he should talk to you about how it will affect his image, his kingdom, blah blah blah, PR stuff!”

“That would be an interesting change of pace around here…” Shakti began to think. “Call Draupadi and see if you can set up an appointment with her and her husband.”

Bala scurried to the phone and smiled when her friend answered. Quickly, her reaction changed.

“You are kidding me!” she yelled. “Draupadi, are you okay?”

Shakti rolled her eyes. “Of course,” she thought. “I already lost one client. What went wrong this time?” Bala hung up the phone and looked at Shakti.

“We’re too late.” She put her hands to her face. “Yudhisthira gambled away everything. His kingdom, his brothers, himself… and worst of all, he gambled away Draupadi.”

Bibliography –

Title: The Mahabharata, Director: Peter Brook, Scriptwriters:, Jean-Claude Carriere and Peter Brook, Year: 1989

(image from the “Beautiful nature of India” series)