संस्क्रिया - Meaning preparations
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Dwarka
Amavasya, Phalguna Krishna Paksha, 5000 BCE
"Lakshmi, putri, come sit beside us." Devaki said, urging the dark haired girl to take a seat between her and Rohini. The said girl smiled and walked towards the low settee that had been occupied by the two mothers. Krishna had escorted her till the sitting chamber in the women's palace and then only had he left for his royal duties.
"Shall I call them in, Mata?" Jambavati asked and Rohini nodded.
"Sugandha, let them in." She told her handmaiden who immediately went and opened the wooden doors. In a few seconds, two people entered the chamber; a middle aged lady whom Lakshmi assumed was the royal seamstress and an elderly man who seemed to be the royal jeweller.
"Pranam," Both of them said at once, bowing their heads.
"Pranam, please take a seat." Rohini replied, gesturing them to sit down.
The two of them did so before they signalled to their assistants to come in and keep the covered wicker baskets on the flat table in front of them. With a flourish, they pulled off the satiny cloths placed on the top to reveal stacks of colourful fabrics and glimmering gold ornaments.
"Holy shit!" Lakshmi murmured as they began to lay them out in circular bronze trays. She felt like she was in some designer boutique but this was much better, for here she was actually a part of the royal family of Dwarka.
"Kanha, I did understand what you said but isn't all this too expensive for a girl like me?" She thought, her mouth falling open as the number of trays kept on increasing.
"Lakshmi is going to be the princess of Dwarka, Aryā. Show us the best ones in your collection." Rohini commanded and the seamstress immediately shuffled forward.
"At once, your Highness. Vaidehi, Vibha, first show the fabrics in the tray which is on the extreme left." The seamstress whose name was Chandraprabha as Lakshmi learnt later,ordered.
"Those are beautiful names!" Lakshmi blurted out, looking at the two girls who looked slightly younger than her. At her sudden comment, both of them jumped in fright.
"Oops, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! Are you alright?" Lakshmi asked hurriedly, immediately jumping up to steady them.
"She has got such a pure heart, doesn't she?" Rukmini murmured in a low voice to her co-wives besides her.
"Yes, jiji. No wonder we are so attached to her in such a short time." Jambavati whispered back.
"And the best thing is that she doesn't even realise that she has gained two loyal companions for the rest of her life." Satyabhama said, her eyes gleaming in satisfaction as she noticed the admiration on Vibha's and Vaidehi's face.
"She will have no issues winning over the people of Dwarka." Revati pitched in from the single throne besides them as they observed the interaction between Lakshmi and the two young assistants.
"Vibha means bright, am I right?" Lakshmi asked and Vibha nodded shyly.
"And what about Vaidehi? I mean I know it's one of the names of Mata Sita but what does it mean exactly?" She asked, turning her gaze to the other maiden.
"One who is able to transcend body consciousness." Revati replied quickly, seeing that the young girl was unable to answer Lakshmi's question.
"Oh," Lakshmi whispered before turning to Revati. "Thanks, tai."
YOU ARE READING
Kaal Chakra
Historical Fiction"You know you are the only true friend I have, Kanha. How I wish I could have one glimpse, just one glimpse of your divine form, how I long to hear your melodious voice telling me that everything will be alright. Please Manmohana, give me a sign tha...
