The lush green mountain terrains of Mahendragiri were resonating with constant chant of "OMM". Voices of all possible frequency and pitch could be heard. Moving higher , the swishing , clinking and clashing of swords could be heard and seen . The rising sun was forming the perfect backdrop for the two fighting warriors.

A heavily built warrior against a petite one. One of them fought with complete might whereas it seemed the other used less than half of his strength.. The fight was one-sided. But what kept the viewer's eye's glued to the scene was the attack methods of the petite one...None of them were precise or decided..They were rushed , uncalculated and ...At first glance they would seem that of a novice but the calculating lotus shaped , jade black eyes said another story. Both the warriors were fighting with two swords each ... the petite one was however catching the other warrior off-guard.

It was a feat none has achieved ... catching the mighty sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu off-guard was something unfathomable.

The sound of OMM had stopped long back... & everyone who was meditating previously, was now watching the mock duel with interest..

The men and female both awed at the duelling tactics of the warriors, although they have seen these duels everyday for a period over 3 months but it still felt as if they were watching it for the first time.

The revered sage swung his sword to disarm the sword of his opponent, his opponent was fast enough to dodge it . But somehow the tip of his sword unfurled the cloth covering the other warriors face and head... midnight shiny, smooth long black hair cascaded down like waterfall and perfectly framed the round shaped face of her ... Ananya. She was wearing a black top tracksuit with side tape embellishments in white and white sneakers.

The duel resumed with more vigor but after some considerable time came to an end with the win of the Brahma-kshatriya , Bhagwan Parshuram.

Haven't I said before these attack methods will lead to ur defeat ?When will u learn to listen, putri?

( Thinks for sometime and then looking straight into his eyes with confidence and a soft smile says)

Neverrr!! (Laughs)

BP chuckles, shakes his head and pats her head lovingly.

She bows down and takes his blessings.

And thereafter shifts her attention to the audience below ....

We have had quite an audience..

(To which BP rolls his eyes)

Oye!! Don't u all have to practice ur skills?? Move ...Back to practice everyone.

Ladies u too ....

(Shakes her head with 'What am I gonna do with them' look)

She turns to Bhagwan Parshuram...

I will take your leave now, otherwise Maa would have my head. Have a good day.

He nods and soon she's on her way to Ashram.

Living here is much more difficult than I initially thought... I thought I would soon adjust here and somewhat stop missing my life in Kaliyug because .... honestly I'm not an emotional person or someone who gets attached to something easily. I always appreciated change...may it be places or way of living. At the end , change is the only constant and the one who fears it can never live life to the fullest.

Although not many things changed from Kaliyug to Dwaparyug ..but ..it..still feels....umm...I..I don't know how to say it ... It's just this feeling ...the feeling of being out of place may be?

Exploring different places is something I always looked forward to but here it seems nearly impossible. It feels as if I will be livin' forever in this mountains. No .. it's not that I don't like livin' here ..This place... Mahendragiri is adulterated beauty and nature in it's angelic form.. Everything pure... The people here are better than Kaliyug. They are accomodating , caring and actually live up to the saying "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one family". But there's a problem with them too .. For them things are black and white & not grey. I understand, afterall they are simple people and grey is for people who are wise enough to handle complicated matters.

I don't know..but I am unable to be completely happy here..I feel something is missing , something that is important ...very important. My lifestyle and schedule hasn't changed much ....Getting up in brahmamuhurat , meditation , yoga , weaponry practice, bath and pooja followed by learning shaastras...well more like debating ..then learning about agriculture, politics ,economics, geographical benefits, medicine, dance and some skills here and there....I mean I'm always occupied with one or other thing just like Kaliyug but then y do I have this feeling ...uhhhh!! I can't even understand myself now...I zone out often and there's this constant ache ... This constant feeling of nothingness ...of being useless...of insecurities.... I don't know what to do? How to divert my attention from these...I hate when I can't figure out things ..ugh!!!

Moreover this era is a lot different from what I had read in Mahabharata .... Everything here is so..so... confusing....Ughhh!!!! Does this mean everything I have known or know is false?? Guess yes!! I mean how can one expect people to have original content of what happened 9-10 thousands years ago when one can't even copy a note with 100% accuracy ?

Maa Shakti , Mahadev what are you playing at?? Help me get a grip on myself and these stupid thoughts & feelings. Help me out Maa... pleaseeee.

Consumed in my thoughts I reached Aashram where Maa was waiting for me...Yes!! Maa.. Amba Maa..I don't know how and when , but she became a mother to me....She is just like mumma.. stubborn, fiery and knowledgeable. She treats me like mumma or even better. She fawns over me as if I'm a new born ... atleast she believes that I'm a new born... Reason ..."u don't know anything about this yug so obviously u are a kid here" and to back her up is Dharini mata . Both of them behave as mother hen ....Thanks to Bhagwan Parshuram and Nanu who save me from their constant dos and don'ts. In the initial days of my stay , everyone around was suspicious about me , my clothing and even used to talk behind my back. But Amba maa and Ruchi always had my back ...Maa's one glare would shut everyone up... I don't know what story she said to them but soon all of them started to adore and care for me. I still remember the hurt I felt because of their behaviour and how Amba maa would sit silently next to me showing her support, how Dharini mata would guide me and Ruchi will cheer me up.

Well I needa rush now , to get ready for Pooja ... and obviously to skip their wear this yug's cloth talk... No they don't force me to wear their clothes as I become very uncomfortable in them but they do wish to see me in their dresses. Com'on which mother doesn't like to dress-up their kid in the clothes choosen by her?

They both along with Suruchi , pratha and some other ladies have even taken the pain of making clothes basically lehengas for me and currently my wardrobe is full of them. Thanks to Rishu who had packed lehengas which inspired them....I miss her a lot... but Ruchi perfectly fills the void...She is a sweetheart...my friend-cum-sister.

Ananyaaaaa!!!

Ahh! Excuse me Maa, but are u trying to turn me deaf?

Amba: U ...not-so-obidient daughter of mine ..I have been calling u for quite some time now...but Mahadev knows what thoughts u were in!! What time did I ask u to return? How many times do I have to tell u to return before complete sun rise for bath so that we are on time for Pooja? Now u answer ur Mata Dharini y we are late...

Ananya: Maaa ..stop scolding me otherwise we will get late than we already are...I have to get ready ..

Amba: Ulta chor kotwal ko daate ...Go and get ready ..I have readied the chandan ubtan for u , along with the concoction to wash ur hair and also have laid out ur clothes and try the new ones we made.. (Ananya had opened her mouth to say something but Amba raised her palm to stop her)

I have led them out so that I can see their fitting and do alterations if needed ..next month is shravan month ..and I want u to wear those clothes for Shravan somvar...Is that too much to ask for ? ( With pouty face)

Goodness!! What's with mother's and emotional blackmailing??

Huh!!

Fine maa...but aren't they too flashy ( Amba sternly looks at her) ....but but but they are beautiful & I will wear it . Happy now?

Veryyy much ...Now shoooo

Shoooo?? Like really ? What am I a puppy? I burst out laughing ...Well she learnt it from me but does it better 🤣 Anyway ..I rush to get ready..

From the day she has entered this yug everyday something has changed ...for the better ofcourse. Atleast my life has changed for the best. I have got a loving and naughty daughter...A daughter who is proud of me , a daughter who fulfills my every wish , a daughter who is kind , empathetic , wise , intelligent and practical.. someone who simply is the best... I couldn't ask for anything more.

People say a mother teaches child but a mother too learns with her child...just like I learnt ..I learnt to be a little more patient, a little more happy and a little more forgiving , a little more wise , bold and courageous...

She taught me to see things not as black and white but as grey ....This was the major reason I have forgiven Bhishm and everyone related to the chaos.

One thing that I can say about her is ..she has beauty of soul , brains and heart ...The things essential in a queen. Moreover, the way she commands , the authority she has over everyone even with her being kind is something that I haven't seen in anyone.

The way she has changed things in here is astounding... The building of common bath are for women, having talk with Matamaha & Bhagwan for their overall education and making them learn self defence and weaponry was something I couldn't fathom. Education and weaponry training were acceptable for royal women but not for common folk.. not if they weren't to serve the royalties.

But she made sure that these are made available for everyone. And by everyone I mean women alongwith people of every caste. Yes!! People of every caste are learning Shaastras , sashtra and other skills here. The credit goes to my wise daughter who caught Bhagwan Parshuram in her web of words. Another thing she is too good at.She has even hired some business class men to sell the products made by women like loban , handicrafts and clothes in the markets; thus helping them economically. Mostly they are the relatives of those who are learning under Matamaha & Bhagwan , for which they won't even try to cheat us. I had provided them shelter under which the would be safe but my daughter is teaching them to be independent, to make their shelter , earn their food and livelihood as well as protect themselves.

Mata Dharini teaches weaponry to all the women and Bhagwan Parshuram the men whereas Matamaha together provides them knowledge on Shaastras , Vedas and Upanishads. How she convinced all of them is still a mystery to me!!!

Ananya: Maa, Shall we leave? I'm ready...

I look at her who looks no less than a princess ...my little princess..

(Ananya's dress)

Suruchi: Devi Amba ...I have marked the alterations for jijj's dresses and given it to Pratha. She would do the needful. Shall we leave now?

I nod and soon we are off to the nearby pooja place where everyone worships Shivshakti.

This light pink colour brings out her inner innocence and naivety....and that is the reason of my worry. This world is far more different than she thinks . I'm worried for her...I know she thinks it as every mother's fear but I just want the best for my child. I know her beauty could attract a lot of men but the men of Aryavrat aren't fond of woman with brain and mouth. They like woman to be submissive and that's the last word in this world for my baby.

I don't want her life to be like mine. I don't want her to live a life of solitude with none to talk to ...I know that she isn't very happy here but pretends to be because she doesn't want to hurt us...She is too considerate for her own good. She likes to keep things to herself especially her hurt and sadness..and sometimes just converts them into anger .....just like me. That's why I want her to be with someone who understands her... understands that her poker face hides her tears , her anger hides her hurt , her ignorance hides how badly she is breaking...I want someone to be with her as a friend , supporter and motivation, someone she can rely on , someone before whom she doesn't need to pretend to be okay or perfect... someone who would love her , cherish her and be with her because of her pure soul. Is it too much to ask Maa Shakti?

I don't think that a woman is incomplete without a man or marraige but from my experience I can say that a long life of solitude is a curse...I just want her to have someone to whom she can freely express herself ....

I have faced the atrocities of this society alone ..I know how it feels when people condemn u, throw insults at u and call up on ur character...I know how bad it is to cry to sleep , to hug oneself because u don't have anyone to console u , I know how it feels to be rejected ...how it feels to hope for love and affection but get hatred and dislike. I know how it feels when men see u as objects and women talk behind ur back...I know it ...I know it all to well and I don't want any of this for my daughter. I know she is capable enough to protect herself from the outer demons but what about her inner demons? She needs someone to be there for her always...I know she would die a thousand times than share her sorrows with me because ...she thinks I have had enough on my plate and I only need to have happiness now...she wouldn't let any sorrow reach me not even if it's her own....

Maa,Maa .Maaa!!! What happened ? Y are u crying? Is something wrong? (Panicky) Do u need something? Are u alright?

I have always wanted someone to care for me , as a child I craved for parental love , as a woman for companionship and in the later years for motherly feelings ... Seems I have got all of it now ..in form of my daughter... ...I couldn't be any more fortunate and I will ensure fortune never leaves her...

I dry my tears and lovingly caress her hair..

Calm down putri..I'm fine..Just some old memories...

If they aren't pleasant don't think about them .... Memories are meant to be pleasant and those which aren't are meant to be forgotten...

Hmm .. come we are nearly there.

By this time , we have reached the threshold of the temple where Mata Dharini with other ladies is busy decorating the idols of Shiv-Shakti...

She sees and acknowledges us with hugs and smiles. Ananya eagerly helps with decoration and indeed is very good at it. Soon we begin the aarti, then offer bhog and complete the pooja vidhi.

We all close our eyes to pray....

Hey Mahadev , Maa Shakti I believe you have already given me my boon in form of my daughter...Ananya. She has given me the happiness I have searched for more than 50 years. I , thus, wish happiness and fortune for my daughter. I want her to have everything I wanted but couldn't have and everything that she deserves. My daughter is born to change and rule this society and that I can confer from her thinking, attitude and stubbornness ..This path she has choosen won't be easy for her ...so I want her to have someone who would treat her like a princess and respect her like a queen. Someone who would support her , understand her , love her and be with her forever just like Shiv for Shakti. If I served u with all my heart then please fulfill this wish of a mother. Fullfill this wish of mine....O' divine couple.

Devi Shakti and Mahadev seated on a raised ice diwan in a beautifully decorated cave, have smiles on their faces...

Mahadev A mother's blessings is more powerful than niyati. It not only can change time but also fortune. Regardless of how the child treats her , a mother's blessings always follow her child and clings to him/her . Shaastras say put kaput ho sakta hai par mata kabhi kumata nahi ho sakti....( A child can be bad but a mother can never wish bad for her child)

Every mother in this multiverse is a incarnation of u.. Shakti and combination of ur various forms.... Teacher , nurturer, protector , creator of character , destroyer of negativity and many more...

Today Amba from the purity of soul has asked only for her daughter's happiness and fortune and has blessed her from the depth of her heart...This wish of her has already turned into a blessing for Ananya...a blessing that is bound to be fulfilled.

A blessing that is soon to be fulfilled.... The time is near Dev....very near. Just one more step and everything will change.... Everyone will get what they deserve ...

Time has changed so soon Dev.. 6 months ago everyone was suspicious of her in one way or other but now...now they all adore her and treat her as a princess. U know I was actually worried about the relationship between her , Dharini and Parshuram...but am now proud of their relationship. The way each of them have controlled , evolved and overcome the hurdles in their bonding is praiseworthy. U remember how strained it was initially; when she questioned Parshuram , his beliefs and deeds ... For the first time someone had dared to openly question him and his flaws...