Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

Thinking About You

A few days went by and Sati couldn't get the ascetic out of her mind. Whenever she closed her eyes, she could only see the ash covered man whose touch had ignited something into her. Sati was sitting on a chair near her window looking towards the mountain range, lost in her thoughts when her mother entered with her sister, Rohini. Rohini was married to the God Chandra along with her 26 sisters. She often came to visit her dearest younger sister.

"Sati! Look who has come to visit you" Prasuti called out but Sati didn't answer. Both her and Rohini called Sati a few times but when she didn't answer, Rohini touched her shoulder. Sati got startled and looked around.

"Didi, you're here!" Sati stood up and hugged her sister.

"Sati we've been calling you for so long but why didn't you answer?" Prasuti asked but Rohini interrupted.

"Oh ma you don't understand? She must be lost in 'someone's' thoughts. Isn't it Sati?" Rohini teased.

"No... I mean..." Sati blushed and couldn't finish the sentence. Rohini chuckled.

"Sati I was only teasing you but looks like it's true! Why Sati? Who's the fortunate man who has stolen your thoughts?" Rohini asked.

"I don't know didi. I had never seen him before. I met him when I had ventured to the north the other day and came across the mountain ranges. I was about to fall and he saved me. Believe me mamma I've never seen anyone like him before. The matted hair, the ash covered body, the snake around his neck and that intense gaze. It was strangely familiar. Like I've known him since ages. He also spoke in riddles but I know he has so much wisdom. And then a few nights ago I dreamt of him with me. I don't know what to make out of it." Sati finished and looked at her mother and sister but found both of them had paled.

" What's wrong mamma? What happened Didi? " Sati asked confused. Prasuti came near her and held her shoulders.

"Sati what have you done? Why did you go there?

"Why ma? Who was he?" Sati asked.

"Narayan Narayan! I will tell you my child." The voice made everyone turn around. There stood Narada. Brahma's son and the messanger of the Gods. He was also the brother of Daksha.

"Uncle!" Sati joined her hands. Narada blessed her and then continued saying.

"You have no idea Sati whom you have met" he said.

"Why uncle? Who was he?" Sati asked.

"My child, he is the eternal truth of this universe. He is the beginning and he is the end. He is the most knowledgeable in this universe. He roams the mountains, cremation grounds yet he owns the entire universe. He is the God of Gods. He is Shiva. He is the Mahadev"

"Shiva" the words escaped Sati's lips and her entire body shivered. There was a feeling of unknown bliss playing through her body. It felt like the name wasn't foreign to her. Like she was made for it. A drop of tear escaped her eyes. She now knew what she was feeling. The emotion that she couldn't understand finally was realised. Love. She had fallen in love with him since the moment she had seen him. She didn't know anything about him then but now that she knows, she realised she had always known him. He was no stranger to her. They were one. But then a thought struck her.

"But why haven't I heard anything about him before? And why is mamma and Didi so scared?" Sati asked. Narada looked at Prasuti, signalling her to tell Sati. Prasuti nodded and started.

"It was a long time ago. Lord Brahma, your grandfather had just created the universe and along with it he created the first humans, Manu and Satarupa who are my parents. Just at that time, Kama Dev, another one of Lord Brahma's son shot his arrows of love to test them and it made Brahma lust for my mother. He kept chasing her and due to this, another four heads emerged from him so he can follow her. She finally went to Shiva for help. This behavior of Brahma infuriated him and Shiva took the form of Kala Bhairava who decapitated Brahma's fifth head. Brahma was freed of his lust and ego and had asked for forgiveness but Sati, your father thought that it was a great insult to your grandfather and since then started hating Shiva. As you know Sati, the rules of the society made by your father means a lot to him and Shiva on the other hand disregards these rules and chooses freedom. This makes your father hate him even more. "

Sati stayed quite for a while and then spoke," But it's not his fault ma. It was grandfather's fault and even he had accepted it then why is father angry? And coming to the second point, freedom is the true nature of life. One should always lead their life by their own choice and no rules should curb it. "

"You are very intelligent and knowledgeable my child. Count my words, you will achieve what you wish for" saying so Narada blessed them and disappeared.

"Sati I've told you everything you wanted to know but beware, do not let your father know that you know about Shiva, alright? And don't go near him" Prasuti warned her.

Sati only stayed silent. She knew she had to see him again.