The Name of the River is Tyuichong
Udaipur, Tripura
It was still not fully dawn. In the foothills of the rugged mountains of Chattogram in Tripura, a farmer's home was illuminated with the birth of two twin sisters—Tyuichong and Muiṅgi. As time passed, the two sisters grew from playful children into young women. Tyuichong and Muiṅgi are now full-fledged young women. They are very close and share a deep bond. In terms of beauty and talent, one is like Saraswati and the other like Lakshmi.
The only difference between the two sisters was that Tyuichong was much more passionate about learning compared to Muiṅgi. She had put in a lot of effort, studying various scriptures through perseverance and hard work.
By the time the month of Boishakh arrived, the two sisters set off for their grandmother's house. It was not very far. From the hill where they lived, they had to climb and descend three hills to reach their grandmother’s little house. It would take less than half a day to get there.
As they descended the hill and set foot on the jungle path, the scorching sun seemed to intensify. It had been over six months since the last drop of rain. Everything was drying up and turning to ash. Rivers, streams, and brooks were all drying up. It was hard to find people in the fields or paths. Almost no one was venturing outside. Tyuichong and Muiṅgi wouldn’t have dared to travel such a distance in the drought if they hadn’t heard that their grandmother was on her deathbed. If the parents were alive, perhaps they would have left the daughters at home and gone there themselves.
At that moment, the two sisters had just climbed up one hill and were descending down the slope. Muiṅgi, panting, grabbed Tyuichong’s shoulder and, swallowing dryly, said, “Oh sister, give me water. I am extremely thirsty.”
Tyuichong was startled and stood up. With a guilty expression, she said, “It seems the water is still outside the door. In my haste to close the door… I made a big mistake. Oh!”
“Really? Didn’t I fill the bamboo water container for you? Did you leave it behind?” Muiṅgi was extremely irritated.
Tyuichong, holding her sister’s hand, pleaded, “Please be patient, sister. After we cross two more bends, we’ll reach the end of the jungle and see the houses. Then we’ll be fine. I’m also thirsty.”
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. I need water right now. My chest is bursting from thirst.” Muiṅgi stood her ground with a bitter expression.
Tyuichong was deeply hurt by her sister’s sudden harshness. With a strained smile, she tried to explain, “Why are you being so childish? Let’s keep going, and we’ll find water soon. Come on, Muiṅgi, the sun's radiance is increasing. "
Muiṅgi’s stubbornness seemed to increase. She turned away abruptly, pulling her hand away from her sister. Tyuichong found herself in a dire situation. Looking around, she said, “Look around, there isn’t a drop of water anywhere. The fields, the rivers, everything is dry. How can I bring water from somewhere?”
Muiṅgi replied in a cold, cutting tone, “Even if I die here without water, I won’t move an inch. Why didn’t you bring the water container? Now where will you get the water from, you know.”
Tyuichong’s patience was wearing thin. Seeing no other option, she asked absentmindedly, “Does that mean a little water for you is more important than me? You’ve been stubborn since then. I keep telling you to move on… move…”
“Why not? What if I die of thirst? Can you prevent that?” Muiṅgi snapped back.
Tyuichong became like stone upon hearing her sister’s response. She stared intently at Muiṅgi’s fiery eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes. She lowered her head, thought for a moment, and then looked up. She said, “Alright. I’ll arrange water. You close your eyes and turn around. Don’t open your eyes until I call you. Got it?”
Muiṅgi closed her eyes and turned around. As soon as she felt a touch of affection on her forehead, her eyelids fluttered. Immediately, she heard the command in her ear—“No, don’t open your eyes at all. Not until I call you. Remember.
“Yes.”
A little while later, Muiṅgi slowly became absorbed as she heard her sister’s melodious chanting of Vedic mantras.
It didn’t take long. Muiṅgi opened her eyes at the sound of Tyuichong’s sweet call and looked around. Her face lost its glow immediately. Gradually, fear appeared in her eyes. Where was her sister? There was no one around. All that was there was the sun-scorched bushes and a clear, cold stream of water flowing by her feet. Where did this come from! After a moment of astonished gazing, Muiṅgi hurriedly waded into the river. She couldn’t wait any longer. She drank deeply, cooling her thirst, and then went in search of her sister. However, despite gathering the entire village, Muiṅgi couldn’t find her sister anywhere. She collapsed on the ground and began to cry.
In the area, Tyuichong was known as a pious and learned woman. The elders realized that this mysterious river was none other than Tyuichong herself. She had created this river by sacrificing her own life. On the village elder’s suggestion, the river was named Tyuichong.
This incredible event quickly spread everywhere. A new river flowed beside the royal palace, crossing mountains and hills. It didn’t take long for the news to reach the ears of the Chattogram king. Summoning the Chief Minister to the palace, the order was given—“Immediately send a spy to the village. I want to know the entire story of this incident.”
Based on the spy’s report, four horsemen arrived in front of Muiṅgi three days later. They were dressed as royal soldiers, with scabbarded swords hanging from their waists. Muiṅgi had been sitting under a tree by the riverbank since then. Despite numerous requests, she hadn’t moved an inch. One soldier dismounted and asked, “Is your name Muiṅgi?
Muiṅgi raised her head once to look and then lowered her eyes. Her eyes were not merely eyes, they were like blood-red blooms. She was sobbing uncontrollably. She did not answer. Calm Tyuichong continued to flow as she wished.
The soldier now spoke sternly—“You must come to the royal palace. Let’s go, the king’s orders.”
This time, Muiṅgi spoke up. She firmly replied, “I will not go anywhere from here. If my sister comes and can’t find me, she will be scared. Tell the king that as soon as my sister returns, we two sisters will come and pay our respects. You go now, and do not bother me.”
But the soldier was a servant of the king’s orders, not of Muiṅgi. He lifted her onto his horse in one swift motion and then rode off toward the capital.
In the grand court, Muiṅgi stood with her hands folded. The king listened attentively to the entire story. There was a lot of questioning, and threats of harsh punishment were made. But Muiṅgi could not reveal the mystery of the creation of the Tyuichong river. Her only answer was that her sister would come and then they would both return home.
The ministers and council, after relentless questioning, eventually gave up. But Muiṅgi did not get released. The Chattogram king, impressed by her beauty and demeanor, offered to make her queen and give her a place in the royal palace. Muiṅgi immediately responded, “Your Majesty, I can accept your offer, but my answer will remain the same. I do not know the secret of that river. What I know, I have already told you.”
The king was impressed by Muiṅgi’s honesty. Within a few days, she was married to the king with great pomp and ceremony. She was given a special place in the palace.
A year passed in no time. She gave birth to a healthy prince at the appointed time. But fate was cruel. Muiṅgi’s greatest enemy in the palace was none other than the Patrani. Who could tolerate a peasant’s daughter becoming the queen? Stealthily, she took the sleeping infant from the maternity chamber and cast it into the waters of the Tyuichong river. Tyuichong embraced the baby. The king did not even know. When Muiṅgi regained consciousness, she learned that she had given birth to a dead child.
Another year passed. The situation remained unchanged. Muiṅgi gave birth to another son; Patrani floated him away in the waters of Tyuichong.
The despondent king was unable to focus on his kingdom. He had somewhat abandoned Muiṅgi. Having given birth to two dead children, Muiṅgi was mentally shattered. She ate nothing, replied to no one, and merely sat in a corner in a daze. Once a beautiful, goddess-like figure, she had withered away like a rope.
Finally, one night, Muiṅgi got up from her sleep. Stealthily, she slipped through the window and stood by the riverbank of Tyuichong. The icy cold wind was sending shivers down her spine. Birds were gradually waking up on the branches of the trees. But Muiṅgi was oblivious to it all. Her sense of thought and touch were no longer under her control. She wanted to plunge into the depths of Tyuichong.
But what was this! Who was rising slowly from the river? Who was this woman?
With a glow of serenity on her face, Muiṅgi cried out, “Sister, is it you? So it’s really you…”
As Tyuichong approached and stood close, Muiṅgi was overwhelmed. “You once sacrificed yourself to save me, sister. Today, see, I have come to offer myself into your embrace. I have no fear today.”
As Tyuichong smiled and placed her hand on her sister’s head, two divine children appeared on either side of her.
Before Muiṅgi could fully comprehend the sight, the two brothers began to sing together:
"Born in the king's royal halls, our aunt took us in,Oh mother, your smile’s worth more than heaven's win.Know this, our king, our father so dear,If Rahu's shadow looms, the kingdom will disappear.Kalnagini, the foe, sits on the throne in pride,Oh king, bring your wife and children back to your side."
Muiṅgi understood everything immediately. She pulled the two treasures to her chest and closed her eyes for a long time. Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Gradually, the song of the two brothers spread throughout the land. One day, by chance, it reached the king’s ears, and he was taken aback. He understood everything immediately. He ordered the execution of the queen mother and brought his two sons and their unfortunate mother into the palace.
Then one day, with great pomp and celebration, and accompanied by people, he went to worship in the calm, cool waters of Tyuichong. As Muiṅgi entered the water, she wept and filled the river with her tears. Her tears mixed with the waters of Tyuichong. The entire body of Tyuichong seemed to ripple with a plea—“Sister, in the next life, may this unfortunate soul be able to offer her life for you. This is the only blessing I ask.”
(A Folktale of Tripura)