Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

Beginning Of An End

Daksha was immensely displeased with what had happened in the ceremony in the Naimisha forest. He always believed that Shiva, whom he considered his greatest enemy, had enchanted his daughter into marrying him and one day Sati would realise her mistake and would come back to him. That will be his win but when he saw that Shiva disrespected him by first, helping Chandra and then not standing up for him in the forest, all his concerns for his daughter was blinded by pure hatred too. Now he seeked revenge and he already came up with a plan.

He called upon his minister and announced.

"Sumantri, I have decided to conduct a yagna but this one will not be just like any other. It will grander than any other yagnas ever performed. This will be the most important moment of my life. Go and start the preparations. I would personally ask Narad to everybody in the world, irrespective of the cast, creed and gender. Nobody in this world will be left out......except Shiva and Sati" Daksha announced.

Sumantri was shocked by Daksha's decision and so was Prasuti who heard it too.

"What are you talking about Prajapati? A sacrifice without Shiva? It is impossible" Prasuti tried to reason but Daksha didn't pay any heed.

"I will make it possible, Prasuti. I will be the first to disregard that roaming ascetic from my ceremony and it will be known as the 'Nireshwar Yagna'. Now go Sumantri. Do your job. You too Prasuti" With these words, Daksha left his sabha hall but Prasuti feared that this will lead to something very bad.

When given the task, Narad too had tried to reason with Daksha on his decision to not invite Shiva but Daksha was stubborn. Having no choice, Narad had to carry out his task. Both Brahma and Vishnu were reluctant too attend but Brahma had to because Daksha was his son and Vishnu was specifically asked to be the protector of the yagna so he couldn't refuse. He wanted to talk to Shiva about it but he knew it would be in vain. His best friend wouldn't care about it but he was worried about Sati.

Soon the day arrived. Sati was blissfully unaware of what was happening and was roaming around in the garden of Kailash mountains, picking wild flowers. Suddenly, she saw many chariots flying by the sky. It seemed all the Gods were going somewhere. She spotted her grandfather and Lord Vishnu too but she couldn't make out what was happening. Soon she saw Chandra going by with his wives. There she spotted Rohini and waved her hand. Rohini too had seemed to notice her and was about to return her gesture when she stopped and looked away. Now this startled Sati. Her sister had never behaved this way. Suddenly, Narad appeared in front of her.

"Narayan Narayan"

"Greetings uncle. I'm so pleased to see you here. I have a question for you" Sati said.

Narad knew what she wanted to know but he still asked.

"What is it, my child?"

"I just saw all those gods passing by and I even saw Rohini Didi but she seemed to ignore me. It was very strange. Where are they going?" Sati asked innocently which pained Narad for he has to break the bitter truth to her.

"Do you really want to know, Sati?"

"Yes Devrishi. I do"

"Well then" he sighed "Your father, Prajapati Daksha has arranged for a grand sacrifice. Everybody in the world is invited. The Gods are going there only."

This peaked Sati's curiosity. "Well if everyone is invited then why didn't we get an invitation?"

Narad hesitated but on Sati's insistence, he revealed.

"Because... Your father has instructed me to not invite you two".

Sati's face dropped. Her bright smile disappeared into a frown.

"No... No this can't happen. I know father is displeased with me but he would never do this. I.. We must go. I have to go to Mahadev" Sati said and started to leave. Narad tried to stop her but she had already left. He now regretted telling her about it and feared what might come out of it, so chanting Vishnu's name, he left.

On the other hand, Sati went to Shiva who was in deep meditation.

"Shankar" Sati called out. Shiva slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Sati.

"What is it, my love?"

"Did you know that father has arranged a yagna?"

Shiva became somber.

"How did you come to know about it, Sati?"

Now Sati frowned.

"So you knew about it?"

Shiva nodded.

"And you didn't tell me"

"Sati what good would have come out of it? You would have been sad like you are now and I can't see you in pain. You know that" Shiva said.

"But.. But it's wrong. And as his daughter, it is my duty to correct him. We will go there."

"No Sati! Absolutely not!" Shiva cried out. His eyes became wide. The moment he has been dreading had now arrived before him. He knew it was inevitable but he still tried his best to stop it.

"But why?"

"Because.. We cannot go somewhere where we are not invited."

"Dev, but it's my father. A daughter does not need invitation to visit her father's place. And any ways I miss that place a lot. I grew up there. My entire childhood was spent there. And I haven't seen my mother in so long. I miss her very much. If we go, I would get to meet my family too. Please don't reject me. We should go" Sati said with pleading eyes.

"No Sati. You should know that your father is conducting this yagna just to insult me. He calls it the 'Nireshwar Yagna'. He would rebuke us if we go there uninvited. I don't care for mine but I cannot stand any insult to you" Shiva tried to reason with her but she was just as stubborn as her father. Sati became serious.

"If that is the case then we should go there even more. I want to ask him why he is doing this? I will any how make him understand your glory. You don't want to go, fine. I won't force you but you won't stop me either. I need to face my father" Sati said sternly.

"No Sati. I cannot let you go. You will walk towards danger and I cannot let that happen. I cannot let you go. This is my decision" Shiva said firmly.

Now Sati looked at Shiva. Her eyes were ablaze. She was fuming and had a divine glow around her. This is a Sati he had never seen.

"You cannot stop me from doing anything. Have you forgotten who I am? You were one who had introduced me to myself. My power. But looks like you yourself have forgotten my true identity. Then let me remind you"

Then the entire surrounding started shaking.