THIRD PERSON POV :

People are seen rushing here and there with fervor to get things done ...... Some are busy removing stones and debris from the ground , some busy sweeping it clean , some are uprooting dead grasses and weeds , some trimming them , some are fetching Gangajal to follow up with cleansing & purification while some are busy unloading goods and materials from the cart..... Although the workload is much but those assigned for the works are fast enough to meet the timely requirements.....The first day ends with cleansing and purification of the large area , meant for the biggest bhumi pujan ever.

Workers , servers , decoraters , caterers and helpers were called from prominent kingdoms like Avanti , Ujjain , Dwarka , Shivi, Ayodhya , Manipur and majority of them being from Kashi for the said....

With the red hue of the morning sun , carpets of optical white striped with light brown are led . A massive tent having all possible warm colour curtains is fixed. Pillows , mattress and flower decor in the same shades add a homey and cozy vibe to it.

Not far from the yajna place , another massive tent having white & salmon pink curtains with light brown carpets is fixed.... The floral decoration with artistic pieces add charm to the dining area...

Huge dining tables covered with white tablecloth are laid. White and gold pidha/ chowki (raised asanas) are placed to facilitate comfortable sitting. The place has a pleasing vibe to the eyes and soul.

Not very far off to the surrounding, a place with several tent is built for the , Munis , Rishis and Rishikas to stay and grace the netizens with a chance to extend their hospitality and serve them.

The surrounding is clad in spiritual and ascetic vibe . The second day thus ended with fixing tents and decoration.

With the rising sun of the third day , chulhas were lit ....The smell of delicacies travelled far and wide. Hustle bustle increased by 10 folds. Everyone became busy in ensuring, everything to be good enough for welcoming the guests ..... The first ones to arrive were Devi Amba and Vallabhraj ji followed by Devi Dharini and Bhagwan Parshuram who decided to help in whatever preparation was left. Adhirath , Radha , Devi Anandmayi, Suruchi and Vallandhara alongwith Karn & Ananya were there from the last 5 days deciding and planning everything.

Amba , Anandmayi, Vallandhara took over the catering department while Dharini and Suruchi got busy checking the presence of all the puja essentials . Bhagwan Parshuram and Vallabhraj went for checking security while Radha & Ananya took over rangoli making.

They worked in complete coordination talking random things and we're soon joined by Adhirath and Karn who had gone to get more sandalwood for the yajna. With the four completely immersed in their work , crackling jokes and teasing whenever possible, a massive and beautiful flower rangoli was ready ...

Bhagwan Parshuram: Woow!!! This is incredible..... The entire place is more than ethereal. Everything soothing clad in the vibes of divinity. Great work !!

Devi Dharini: I couldn't agree more... The yajna place, the dining area, everything looks as if out of fairy tale.

Both AdhiRadha went forward and took their blessings... Initially they were shocked when they got to know about Karn's association with the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu , but they knew deep inside that Karn was special... Another assumption that made it easier for them was the thought that BP and MD are the Gurus of Karn.

Devi Anandmayi: Aree waaah!! What an amazing rangoli!!!! Really u four have outdone urselves.... Now please go and get ready we would be having guests any moment now....

Nodding the four of them moved to get ready.... Adhirath and Radha got ready much faster than Karn and Ananya, who were still busy doing last moment checking.

As they were not ready other's took the charge of welcoming the guests....

The first to arrive were the Suryakul members in human form except Suryadev who saw everything from the skies ... Next came in Rishi Hotravahan and his disciples.... They were followed by Rishikas like Nodha , Vagambhrini and Rishi Angaraka with their notable disciples . Next was Maharishi Vedvyas...followed by Mahumuni Shivacharya & Gangsarvagya.... Soon after entered Devi Ganga alongwith Saptarishi's and their wives...

Adhirath and Radha didn't knew most of them but warmly & politely greeted everyone. The Suryakul members were grateful to both for loving Karn to such a great extent, therefore , they instantly took talking to them.

Last but not least arrived , Devguru Brihaspati, Asurguru Shukracharya & Rishi Durvasa. His arrival created a atmosphere of fear and anxiety... everyone was well informed about his anger issues and habit to give curses. But what suprised everyone was the sudden calm they felt. None understood this, not even Rishi Durvasa.

There at the gates of the puja area , were standing the destroyers of all fear and anxiety... Shiv & his Shakti , alongwith Nandi and other ganas in human form....

The first one to notice them were Saptarishis followed by Bhagwan Parshuram..... All of them instantly bowed to them.... Thankfully Radha and Adhirath had gone to check on Ananya and Karn respectively...

ShivShakti blessed everyone but didn't enter the gates... They waited at the entrance with a serene smile patiently... Bhagwan Parshuram, Devi Dharini and Amba invited them but still they waited...until they heard the cheery voices....

U here? What a pleasant surprise?/ U came?

Clad in shades of off -white and gold , emitting the asceticity as well as royalty on equal footing were KARNANANYA.

(Ananya's outfit & jewellery)

Both of them rushed to Shiv Shakti and instantly took their blessings. It was odd or may be destiny that they took blessings together, as a couple.

Karn: Y are u standing at the gates? Please come in....

Ananya: Yes please do...!!

And to everyone's amazement the divine couple entered.

Ananya: Karn hadn't informed me that he has invited you otherwise I would have asked him to invite u sooner..(To Devi Shakti)

Shankar/Mahadev: Exactly if he would have invited earlier I would have got the chance to meet and chat with the warrior Princess of Kashi sooner...

Ananya & Karn interacted with the divine couple happily , forgetting their surroundings. It was when someone coughed , both of them noticed the presence of all the revered sages .... They instantly greeted everyone and took their blessings....

Shankar: Let us all move towards the yajna place... The muhurat is arriving... Come ....

Everyone nodded and at once moved towards the Yajna place... Astound was not the word that could describe how stupefied they were. Soon they reached the northeastern part of the land where the puja was to occur...

A rectangular pit was already digged to the right of the havan kund... Everyone took their seats with Saptarishi's , Devguru Brihaspati and Asurguru performing the rituals....

There lingered a debate on whose going to sit in the puja. Karn vouched for Radha and Adhirath....who vouched for Parshuram and Dharini who in return strictly vouched for Parvati-Shankar.

Not getting any way out , Karn silently with utmost devotion and love urged the King and Queen of the multiverse .....

:(in mind) O' divine mother and father of universe, u are my Guru, my creators and therefore my parents as well ...... Hence , with all respect and love, I request you to sit in this Bhoomi pujan and grace us all....

Karn wasn't sure whether his request would be accepted as accepting it might be considered partiality , but to his suprise Shiv Shakti took the place of worshippers.

Everyone was astonished to see the ascetic Gauri-Har sitting in the bhoomi pujan of a to be kingdom. It was confirmed to them , nothing in the seven realms could ever harm the kingdom , whose the foundation stone is to be led by the divine couple.

Soon the puja begun. A ritualistic 64 part drawing symbolising vastu purusha is first made to honour Vastu Devta and remove doshas. Soon after Devi Shakti/Parvati boiled and spilled milk; after which Ganesh Vandana started , followed by havan. Then levelling , sowing of 9 variety seeds and laying the foundation stone in the pit is done. 9 ratnas and 9 metals are placed as offeratory to Bhoomi Devi.

Soon a small well is digged which is followed by the construction of boundary walls ( laying the first layer of boundary walls)...

After the completion of Puja everyone moves towards the dining area to enjoy a good satvik meal ....

By evening everyone retired to their respective tents .The Rishis and Rishikas pleased by everyone's devotion accepted their hospitality and extended their stay.

The members of Suryakul, Devguru Brihaspati, Asurguru , Rishi Durvasa alongwith Shiv Shakti and Nandi ganas took their leave with promise to arrive for Rajyabhishek.

After their departure , Dev Vishwakarma instantly begun his work, starting with boundary walls... The south & west Walls being 21 inches higher than north & east...

I'm so relieved that everything ended on such a happy note without any chaos. Such revered sages and people blessed my son... My son... My little son is now gonna be a King.... A king...Oh!! My Mahadev... I'm so so so happy.... Although I and Arya won't be staying here with him, but would definitely come to visit him. It's not that we don't want to be here with him , but back in Kashi we have responsibilities to fulfill towards the state that took us in when we were in need. & Karn understands this.

I guess there's no women in this world more fortunate than me , to have husband like Arya and son like Karn...

Now , when I think back to all those days of pain and nights of wail ,I instantly tear up but with a smile... They all seem so insignificant now .... I can endure 100 times the pain , if my Karn is to get 1% of success and happiness.

At the end, I just want my son and husband to be happy always. And also... Ananya.

I had heard of her highly from Arya and Karn. We too had short interactions but these 5 days , arranging everything and making sure to have everything perfect with her made me realise what a sweetheart she is!! To think of her as a fierce warrior is something I can't imagine. She can't even bear a bird in pain, forget inflicting pain on someone.

But then it's rightly said.....

Jo iss sansaar mein sabse soumya hai wahi iss sansaar mein sabse ugra bhi hai.

(The one who is most docile ,

can be the most fierce one too.)

Well!! I need to go and see if the sages need anything.... Me and Arya are gonna stay here and serve the sages & all because of Karn... I don't think even if I say thousand thanks to Maa Shakti for giving Karn to me , would be able to convey my gratitude to her.

Okay!! Let's go and serve the sages...Mahadev knows if we would ever get another chance to serve such revered , established sages and saints ever again.

Everything ended on a peaceful note. The yajna went well and everyone is appeased with the preparations , even Rishi Durvasa. One tension down ...

Now time to deal with another one...

Com'on Vallabhraj u have to do this .... U can't put it on Ananya .. That girl is so busy to even breathe.. u can't burden her up ....

Time to manage the queen...

Ufff!!! Half a pahar of persuasion and all a waste .... I understand that her wounds are deep but if she won't try to heal them , then they won't ever heal.... Seems I would have to go as representative of the state...

Ananya: Mahamantri ji?? ...Y do u seem so tensed? What happened?

I gesture towards the Queen's tent . Ananya exhales a sigh ....

Thought of something?

Thinking to go there as representative of state...

Nope .... Everyone thinks u to be the King therefore go there as such... &.... I will tag along...

But I'm not the King & if u are coming then there's no need for us to lie ... I can introduce you as Princess of Kashi...

No Mahamantri ji ... I don't want attention on me... Not of that Kingdom... It's not the time for me to make an appearance.... Even with Mata coming with us, I still would have concealed my identity.... I would go there as ur niece and not the princess...

Huh!!!Oh!! Hn....... Well she considers me & Anandmayi as Uncle and aunt , so that's not a lie. It's just we keep professional and personal life different... When discussing matters of state concern we are Princess and Minister, otherwise are neice and Uncle.

Sometimes I don't get what you think.... But I trust your decisions...

Thank you !! Now...let me go and try to persuade Mata if possible...

& ... Don't inform about me tagging along with you to Karn... I don't want him to abandon his responsibilities here and get into the role of the overbearing bodyguard...

As if he won't know, if I don't say. He can locate and reach u faster than the rays of sun. He is overbearing at times , but definitely cares deeply for u ...& What's interesting is, he doesn't even realise how protective and possessive he is about u.

Now excuse me, I need to make arrangements for safe and comfy travel of my dear neice...

& I proceed to make the necessary arrangements but manage to glance back at her. She walks in Devi Amba's tent.... & I'm not sure if she can convince her....

I know this is not gonna be easy for Maa , but she needs to try atleast.... She just needs a push ... I will try to convince her , if not then , will leave without her... I enter into her lair , yes lair ..lair of the lioness... & Am greeted by ... An anxious & tensed Mata....

Mata...

No . Don't!! Not now...

Fine!! As u say... If u want to remain in the shell then please do....

I'm going to Hastinapur with Mamashree. Come only if u feel brave enough to look in the eyes of ur past and end this cycle of humiliation, fear , anxiety and what if... When u are brave enough to give justice to the Kashi Princess Amba ...

Don't u worry for me ... I will take care of myself... I will tell Suru to bring u Mint juice.. that will soothe ur nerves.

I hastily exit her tent and move towards mine to do the packing and collect as much information about the Kingdom and Princes as possible...

Although we are gonna leave in 2-3 days but it's always better to be prepared beforehand..

Currently we are heading towards Hastinapur's Kalapradarshan... Although I don't like being quipped up ...But who would let go of a chance to sit in a elegant and classy palanquin-cum-chariot? That too made in my favourite colour combination...