Sati heeded to Vishnu's words and started performing the Nanda Vrat. She made another Shiva Linga and started worshipping it every day but in secret. She had only informed her sister Rohini who supported her. She helped Sati to keep the secret. Her daily spot for her worship was the outskirts of the garden. It was surrounded by large tress and bush. No one really went there so it was the perfect spot for her.
That day, as usual, Sati took a bath and got ready for her puja. It was the fourth day of her Nanda Vrat. Sati was adorned in a simple pink saree, draped as a dhoti, and wore minimal jewellery the way she liked. Her wet curls were spread across her back. She poured the water and milk on the Shiva Linga and started chanting the mantras. Suddenly the surrounding started to glow and a voice broke her trance.
"Sati!"
Sati opened her eyes to see Shiva standing in front of her. Her Shiva.
"Shiva! You came! I knew you would come to me. I knew you loved me too" Sati exclaimed.
"Why are you harming yourself like this Sati? You know nothing might come out of it but still you are going through all these hardships. Why? Shiva asked but instead of the usual rigidness, his voice was gentle and concerned. Sati smiled at him with moist eyes.
"You know my lord. I love you with my entire heart and being. You can say I've gone crazy and maybe I have because all I think about is you and when I do, all these hardships fail to affect me."
"Why are you so stubborn Sati? I want to protect you but you keep running towards pain"
"The pain is nothing to me when you are with me"
Shiva sighed heavily.
"You can ask for whatever you want except for this."
"I want nothing else my lord!" Sati was stubborn with her wish.
"Then I'm afraid I cannot grant you that" Shiva was grim again. Sati sighed.
"I will not ask for my wish if you confess that you do not love me" Sati's eyes had a fiery determination. She knew she could never deny that. Shiva stayed quite.
"Tell me Shiva that you don't love me!"
"I can't and you know that" Shiva almost exclaimed. The cool and composite nature of the ascetic was wearing off and his inner dejected lover was coming out.
"Then why?" Sati cried, "Why are you doing this?"
"Because..." he couldn't finish his sentence because a guard came to call Sati. Before he could come, Shiva dissappeared.
"Princess Sati! You must immediately return to the palace" the guard was panting.
"Why? What happened Sukanta? Sati asked.
"His majesty has announced your Swyamvara"
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Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani
Historical FictionDisclaimer : It's a work of fiction!! I don't claim this as authentic. Shiva and Shakti, The first love story of this universe were destined to separate and unite again. In different forms. Different times. They were only there for each other. Witn...
