Devadatta was a well trained wrestler.. he practised regularly. There was no one who could last more than a few minutes in the wrestling ring against him. Even famous wrestlers came to learn from him.. the empress was tensed, she took Pinaka to her chamber, she said, 'my dear son, I know you are a warrior, but why did you agree for the wrestling match? Devadatta is an expert wrestler.. it is a well known fact.. ' Pinaka looked at his mother and said, 'mother, don't worry.. trust me.. '
An attendant came and informed Pinaka that the wrestling field was ready. In India from ancient times, people wrestled on mud floors. Wrestling in ancient India was known as Malla Yuddha. It had four different formats and started from basic sport to complete body contact fight. The four formats are
1.Hanumanti -concentrates on technical superiority
2.Jambuvanti -uses locks and holds to force the opponent into submission
3.Jarasandhi -concentrates on breaking the limbs and joints
4.Bhimaseni- focuses on sheer strength.
Either one format can be used or a combination of all the techniques can be used during the match. If it is sportive.. just for entertainment.. Jarasandhi -breaking of joints is not allowed.. but if it is a true fight, then even opponent is allowed to kill the other on the field.
Pinaka and Devadatta reached the wrestling field, there came a messenger and said that general Devadatta received a message, Devadatta asked him to read it out. It was from emperor Kailash Nanda-maternal grand father of Pinaka.. it read,
'Devadatta, I am in Indraprastha, I know that my grandson and daughter are in the Royal Palace.. if any harm comes to them.. I will ensure that your limbs will be ripped off and you will be tortured alive and wish that death came to you to relieve you.. the emperor of Magadha, Krishna Chandra,the future father in law of Prince Pinaka Gupta is also in the city.. think before you act.. you cannot take the wrath of two empires though you control the army.. Gandhara army and Magadha army will join forces to suppress your army.. be mindful of your limitations..
Kailash Nanda'
Devadatta was holding a heavy brass tumbler in his hand, hearing this message he roared in anger and crushed it to a pulp.. He said to the messenger.. 'inform the old emperor and Magadha emperor that I am going to fight a wrestling match with the Prince, they can come and witness it.. the match will be fought to death.. we will wait for them.. the empire will belong to the person who survives.. '
Hearing this the heart of the soldiers witnessing it trembled.. are they going to lose the Prince today.. why did the Prince agree.. this was a death well into which he was about to walk in.. there is no path leading back.. the messenger approached emperor Kailash Nanda and gave him the message.. hearing this the old emperor became pale..
Emperor Krishna Chandra and Samyukta smiled radiantly... Krishna Chandra said, 'old emperor.. let's go.. Prince Pinaka will kill that serpent. 'the old emperor said, 'but.. Devadatta is an expert wrestler... I never saw my grandson wrestle.. '
Samyukta said, 'grandfather.. Pinaka is an unmatched wrestler in entire Magadha.. he has a record of zero losses.. so what if Devadatta is strong..I am sure Pinaka will trample him to death.. let's go inside.. '
They entered the arena, Pinaka saw them and smiled, the old emperor approached empress Chandramathi and said, 'my child.. you have suffered for long time.. ' she said, 'it will end today father.. 'everyone took their seats on the stone benches outside the arena.
Pinaka undressed.. he was only wearing his loin cloth.. so was Devadatta.. Pinaka looked like a chiselled sculpture.. Devadatta was heavy like a bison... they entered the arena.. slapped their thighs and jumped in the air.. then they extended their arms and locked each other's hands.. Devadatta was pushing Pinaka, he seemed to have an edge over the young Prince.. he was being pushed inch by inch.. Pinaka grunted and stopped Devadatta advancing forward.. he bent his arms and twisted Devadatta's arms downwards.. and pushed him.. Devadatta looked surprised.. Pinaka looked like a kid before his bulky frame.. but he was powerful.. now he felt that he should not underestimate Pinaka..
Slowly Devadatta stopped his advancing and released his arms and grabbed Pinaka's waist, Pinaka twisted and turned releasing himself, he leapt above Devadatta and stood behind him, he grabbed Devadatta's neck and locked it between his shoulder and elbow..
This was a great move.. the audience cheered loudly.. Devadatta escaped out of Pinaka's neck lock, then he caught Pinaka's thigh and tried to lift him above, once again Pinaka escaped.. this went on for a long time.. no one was giving way...
Suddenly Devadatta caught Pinaka and lifted him over his head, Pinaka's back was facing the sky..the crowd gasped loudly.. Pinaka held Devadatta's neck tightly from above.. Devadatta tried to throw Pinaka off but he didn't give way, he held on and strangled Devadatta's neck, he couldn't take it any longer.. both fell to the ground together, immediately Devadatta escaped out of Pinaka's neck lock.. the crowd could understand that Devadatta had higher strength but Pinaka was superior in the quality of techniques..
Both raised, Devadatta roared like a beast and held on to Pinaka's waist and started pushing him.. Pinaka rooted his feet and lifted Devadatta by holding his legs upside down.. Devadatta immediately removed his grip on Pinaka's waist, lay his hands on the floor..and walked on his hands few steps ..forcing Pinaka to lose balance..and set himself upright.. he was very agile for such a hefty man..
Both of them were extremely talented.. then Pinaka bent..moved his arms towards Devadatta's right leg, but changed his moment in the last minute and held on to his left leg in lightning speed.. he dragged Devadatta's leg making him fall flat on his back..
Pinaka climbed over him and sat on Devadatta's chest.. Devadatta was completely exhausted.. he has never encountered such opponent so far.. he was about to say something when Pinaka punched his mouth making his teeth break.. blood came out of Devadatta's teeth and went down his own throat.. Pinaka curved his middle finger, closed his fist and punched Devadatta's nose.. his eyes rolled, his nose was broken.. blood started gushing out of his nose..
Then Pinaka lifted Devadatta over his head.. the crowd was completely shocked.. how could someone lift the bison like Devadatta.. Pinaka was an exceptionally talented wrestler.. he threw Devadatta down, then he kneeled beside Devadatta, lifted Devadatta's body on to his right leg.. and bent his back resting the center of Devadatta's spine over his knee, his spine broke.... SNAP.. a loud sound came followed by a huge groan of pain from Devadatta..
Then Pinaka climbed over Devadatta's Chest, Pinaka locked both his palms in a lock, with his double fist he striked at Devadatta's chest.. SNAP SNAP SNAP.. Devadatta's ribs broke.. tears were flowing out of Devadatta's eyes.. no one thought that the Prince could be so ruthless.. Pinaka looked at his mother, she was looking over with fire in her eyes, he raised his double fist once again.. and striked hard on Devadatta's chest near his heart.. Pinaka roared in anger... he remembered the hardships of his mother.. his people.. the women of the empire..
This was justice to everyone.. he continued striking on Devadatta's chest..blood came out of his mouth.. he was groaning and crying in pain.. asked Pinaka to show him mercy.. Pinaka laughed loudly... 'mercy? would you show mercy to me if I were in your position? Devadatta ..you cheated my father, you held my mother captive, tried to kill me when I was just an infant.. tortured many daughters of the Gupta empire.. you deserve this ending.. ' with these words he extended his double fist and striked with full might..
Devadatta's heart stopped beating.. his eyes became lifeless.. Pinaka raised.. everyone was praising Pinaka.. 'hail prince! ' 'hail Prince Pinaka! 'his mother had tears of joy in her eyes, Samyukta raised from her seat and started clapping and jumping like a teenager.. The old emperor was so proud, his chest puffed up.. Krishna Chandra was looking at Pinaka like a proud father.. Pinaka stepped over Devadatta's body and trampled his corpse..
Suddenly there was a sound.. CLANG.. followed by a swishing noise, a dagger floated towards Pinaka and striked him in the center of his chest.. Pinaka fell down..