Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

You Are What Binds Me

In a few days, the swyamvar was arranged. The entire palace had decked up like a new bride, just like their princess. Prince's and kings were invited from all over the world and nobody could deny it because they knew of princess Sati as the most beautiful and intelligent. Even the Gods were given an invitation.

Sati's mother and sisters were getting her ready in her room. She was decked in lavish clothing and expensive jewellery but Sati's mind was somewhere else. Her thoughts were occupied only by Shiva. She was worried as she herself wasn't sure of what she was about to do.

"Sati? Where are you lost?" Prasuti's voice broke through Sati's chain of thoughts. She cleared her throat and replied.

"Nothing mamma. I'm okay."

"Ma, you don't understand. Sati is thinking about her future husband" her sister Revati teased and everyone bursted into laughter but it didn't amuse Sati. Just then a guard came in with a message that Daksha was calling her. Everything was ready.

The venue of the swyamvar was decorated with colourful flowers and jewels. Golden chairs were placed in rows where the invited guests sat. In a station just above them were placed the seats for Brahma and Saraswati and Lakshmi and Narayan. And in the middle sat Daksha looking over everyone. At his signal, the drums were played and Sati entered along with her sisters. Everybody's attention turned to her. She was looking absolutely radiant. She was looking like the goddess she was. No one could match her. Even, Rati, the goddess of love, would be ashamed in front of her. The suitors were awestruck by her beauty. They couldn't remove their eyes from her. But Sati didn't pay attention to any of it. The joy that was always present in her was missing from her. Her charming smile wasn't there. Daksha came to his daughter and careesed her head.

"Oh heavens! You look absolutely delightful! I cannot believe how much you have grown up. Come here my child." He brought her in front of everyone and introduced her.

"This is my beloved daughter, Princess Sati. She is the apple of my eyes.The jewel of my kingdom. She is very precious to me and you all are here for her hand in marriage but it will be completely her choice. I pledge to my Lord Narayan that she will be married to whoever she chooses. And I believe everyone of you will respect her decision too. Sati my dear, go on. Choose your husband."

Daksha told Sati and she moved forward. Behind her was a handmaiden who carried the varmala. Whoever Sati would choose, he would receive the varmala. Sati first went to Brahma and Saraswati to seek their blessings.

"Bless you my child. You may get whatever you wish for." Brahma blessed her. She then moved to Vishnu and Lakshmi and greeted them.

"Do not worry sister! Everything will be fine. Have faith in yourself and carry on" Vishnu assured her and Sati nodded.

She then proceeded towards the suitors. A member of Daksha's council announced the names of the prospective grooms present there but Sati looked at no one. She went to the centre of the room and stopped, much to her father's dismay. She took a long breath and folded her palms and called out to Shiva.

"Mahadev, you have promised that whenever I will call you, you will come. Today I, Sati, your Shakti, call upon you to come here and fulfill my request. Please accept me as your wife. I have only loved you and I cannot think of marrying anyone else. Please release me from my dilemma. Om Namah Shivaya!"

Sati kept chanting with her eyes closed, ignoring Daksha's protests from behind. Suddenly the room was filled with a bright glow and from it emerged the God of Gods. He was handsome as ever, adorned in rudraksha beads and his trishul in his right hand. Brahma and Saraswati and Vishnu and Lakshmi emerged from their seats and joined their hands and so did the others. Shiva went in front of Sati and called her.

"Sati"

Sati opened her eyes and saw Shiva in front of her. Tears rolled down her cheeks and her face illuminated with joy.

"You came!"

"Of course I did, Sati. I had to. You have bound me by your love and I'm entangled with you forever" Shiva replied with a bright smile.

"Then please accept my varmala." Shiva nodded and Sati put the garland around his neck. The sabha erupted in cheers but Daksha stood silent, his eyes burning.

Shiva took the other garland and put it on Sati. His eyes fixated on hers and they stared at each other. It was like the time around them had stopped. They ignored the happenings in their surroundings. It was like the beginning once again. It was just them. Shiva and Shakti and no one else. They were the beginning and they were the end. The two primordial energies of the universe finally united again. Nature blossomed with a new spring of life which everyone could feel.

Their trance was broken when Sati's sister Khyati approached them and handed Shiva the sindoor.

"Now put this on her forehead and complete the ritual" she instructed. Shiva nodded and took a pinch of sindoor and applied it on Sati's forehead. Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe she had finally got together with her Shiva.

The wedding was done and Daksha couldn't stop it which infuriated him. Brahma finally instructs that Shiva and Sati should leave now. Before that, Sati went to take blessings from her parents. She touched her mother's feet and she blessed her. Her sisters huuged her too. They were upset that Sati was leaving but was happy that she got what she wanted. Then she went to take her father's blessings. She bent down to touch his feet, but he moved away. Sati stopped and looked up at him. She stood up.

"Are you not going to bless me even now? Not even at your daughter's wedding?"she questioned, her voice breaking.

" I'm not going to bless that daughter who disobeyed me and went to that outcast. The barbarian who roams in cremetorian grounds. Who covers himself with ashes instead of clothes and jewellery. How will you live with him? You have brought great dishonor to me" Daksha fumed.

"But father" Sati replied, "It's actually your greatest honor that the God of Gods himself is your son in law. You should be pleased."

"Son in law? I don't accept this marriage and I denounce you too. From today, my daughter Sati is dead to me!"

Daksha's words shocked Sati. She was stunned and took a step back but then Shiva came forward.

"Prajapati, I do not mind your enemity towards me but you cannot insult Sati like this. She's not just your daughter now but she's also my wife and I won't stand her insult."

Daksha stared at Shiva with fiery eyes but he ignored it. Shiva put his hand forward to Sati who accepted it and they both left the palace, hand in hand. They stepped out and saw that all the people of the kingdom had gathered in front of the palace to see their princess one last time. Shiva smiled fondly at how much she was adored by everyone. After greeting everyone, Shiva guided Sati towards the outskirts of the city where Nandi was standing. He was in his bull form, ready for the journey. As Sati was about to mount, Shiva stopped her and lifted her in his arms and made her sit. He himself sat behind him and they began their journey towards their new life.

Author's Note : Thank you to all of you for your love and support. I'm so grateful. Also don't forget to check out my other stories. Keep reading!