Random Quote

True romance never dies or diminishes. Rather it grows in charm with the passing years. Only that which pretends to be romance can die.

— Karmayogi

Jodhaa Akbar

Some relationships start off on a note of opposition and dislike and then move on to richer, fulfilling levels. When arranged marriages take place due to external influences or as a compromise or when two people of diverse cultural or religious backgrounds enter into matrimony, there is a huge difference, mental gap or a vacuum to be filled. If both the partners do not take that extra step to tolerate, accept and appreciate each other’s likes, dislikes, desires and feelings, the vacuum may just keep growing and prove very difficult to fill. In practice, arranged marriages provide an equal or better opportunity for process of mutual self-discovery to mature. When two people with the right positive attitude enter into an arranged marriage, they gradually learn to complement one another and develop their relationship from the true depth of their inner self. They learn to love their partner not only for the qualities they see externally but for the real person inside who they gradually discover. Incidentally, they also gradually come to understand and respect one another and their families’ values.

Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa. Through a shrewd blend of tolerance, generosity, and force, Akbar won the allegiance of the Rajputs, the most belligerent Hindus. But little did Akbar know that when he married Jodhaa a fiery Rajput princess, in order to further strengthen his relations with the Rajputs, he would in turn be embarking upon a new journey the journey of true love. The daughter of King Bharmal of Amer, Jodhaa resented being reduced to a mere political pawn in this marriage of alliance, and Akbars biggest challenge now did not merely lie in winning battles, but in winning the love of Jodhaa a love hidden deep below resentment and extreme prejudice. Jodhaa-Akbar is their untold love story.

Gradually as they started to live together, she came to feel an awe inspired by his bravery, his fair and just methods of ruling a vast empire, and his strong personality. At the same time, she was amazed by his kindness, goodness of character and respect for her. Akbar in turn was impressed by her beauty, poise and compassion towards others. He fell deeply in love with her but waited for her to reciprocate his love. He built a small temple for her inside her quarters and did not interfere in any of her activities. She learned his language, cooked for him in spite of being the Queen of Hindustan, and when he fell ill, she nursed him with true devotion.  They fell deeply in love and their true union took place mentally and physically. They complemented one another and what started as a marriage for political and social obligation turned into a lifetime of eternal love and true devotion.