Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

A Dilemma So Painful

Sati couldn't believe her ears. The fact that her father could do such a thing was beyond her imagination. She immediately rushed to the palace. The main hall was silent with Daksha standing in the middle. Prasuti stood there with Rohini and her other sisters who too had come. Sati entered the room, bewildered and went up to her father.

"Father, what is it I am listening? You've arranged for my swyamvara? And that also without my permission? Sati questioned Daksha. He glared at her.

"Why? It's a good thing. Atleast better than to get married off to some random person. You'll get to choose your groom."

"But you know father I love Shiva. Will he be invited?"

"I will never let that uncouth barbarian anywhere near to my palace." Daksha shouted.

"Then you must know father that I love only, and only Shiva and I would not marry anyone other than him. I have made myself pretty clear!" Sati too raised her voice. "I'd rather die than be with somebody else."

"Have you lost your mind? Has he brainwashed you that well?"

"Mind your language, Prajapati!" Sati fumed, "You’re talking about the God of Gods. He is Mahadev. You have no right to talk about him like this!"

"Sati!!" Daksha screamed and then did something unthinkable. He slapped Sati hard across her face. Everyone who was present, gasped. The Daksha who loved his youngest daughter like anything. Whom he never raised his voice on just hit her. Sati held her left cheek, shocked, tears streaming down her face. She never thought her father would steep so low.

"Father..." She whispered softly.

"Enough out of you!" Daksha growled and took her hand and started dragging her towards her room, despite her multiple protests. Prasuti and her sisters too ran after Daksha, pleading him to stop but he listened to no one. He brought her to her room and threw her on the bed. Before she could comprehend what happened, Daksha locked the door from outside. Sati kept banging the door but in vain. She gave up and lied down on her bed, sobbing. She asked herself what she was getting punished for but found no answer.

Meanwhile, on top of Mount Kailash, Shiva felt everything. How Sati was insulted and abused. There was a glimmer of tears in his eyes when Nandi, his beloved mount and trusted friend and devotee came to him.

"Prabhu! Mata is in pain. Why aren't you doing something? He asked.

"Because Nandi... " before Shiva could answer, Vishnu's voice echoed through mountains and he appeared along with Lakshmi and Brahma, "this is our burden for knowing the future. We know what awaits us and we cannot stop it but still we like to try."

"But Mahadev, this is not helping anybody. Both you and Sati are suffering. What good will come out of this?" Lakshmi said with her palms joined, her voice sweeter than honey. Shiva returned her namaste.

"Goddess Lakshmi is right, Rudra Dev. Goddess Adi Shakti has taken birth as my granddaughter and I being the perpetuator of why this started, request you to please accept her. The world needs your union. Without the union of Shiva and Shakti, The universe will be in shambles. Please accept our request. " Brahma finished. Shiva stayed quite for a while and then smiled.

"Alright. I will marry Sati."