AJASHAKTI ANUGAMINI : An HHS Spinoff

CHAPTER 18

The hermitage of Sage Kashyap was a serene spot amidst the chaotic world. Inside the hut, the sage lay on a bed of deerskin, his aged body frail yet radiating a divine aura. His thirteen wives, tended to him with utmost care, their divine beauty a stark contrast to the austere surroundings.

Among them, Aditi, the mother of the Devas, watched Diti with a subtle disappointment. Diti, her head held high, exuded an aura of confidence, a stark contrast to her sister's serene demeanor.

Kashyap, his eyes slowly opening, addressed his wives, "You have tended to me with great care, my dear ones. Please retire and rest for the day."

The women, their faces filled with love and concern, bowed their heads in acquiescence and began to leave the chamber.

"Diti, stay," he said, his voice carrying a weight of expectation. A shiver ran down Diti's spine. She knew the conversation that was about to unfold would be about Ajashakti.

Kashyap sat upright, his frail body exuding an aura of authority. With a gesture, he indicated the space in front of him, inviting Diti to sit. She obeyed, her heart pounding in her chest. The impending conversation filled her with a sense of dread. Kashyap's gaze, sharp and penetrating, pierced through Diti's carefully constructed facade.

"Diti," he began, his voice carrying a weight of authority, "do you understand the consequences of tampering with the divine order ?"

Diti's voice, laced with defiance, cut through the still air of the hermitage. "We have endured eons of injustice, my lord," she began, her voice rising with each word. "Our sons have been persecuted relentlessly. Is it not our right to seek retribution ?"

Kashyap's voice, calm and measured, cut through Diti's passionate outburst. "What injustice do you speak of, Diti ?"

Diti, undeterred, continued her tirade. "My children, the Daityas, were relegated to the lower realms, while Aditi's children, the Devas, were bestowed with the heavens. Even you, my lord, show favoritism towards her." She accused, her voice filled with bitterness.

Kashyap's voice, filled with a gentle sadness, replied, "Diti, my love and respect for you are equal to that for Aditi. However, Aditi's piety and righteousness have earned her my favors. One cannot bestow blessings upon the unrighteous, for it would be a perversion of justice."

Diti scoffed, her pride wounded by Kashyap's words. "Piety and righteousness!" she spat, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Empty words to justify your favoritism."

Kashyap's voice, calm and resolute, cut through her anger. "Aditi and you were both blessed by Adi-shakti to perform austerities for motherhood. She chose the path of righteousness, while you sought shortcuts. The fruits of your actions are evident. And now, you have committed the ultimate sin by stealing the son of Jagdamba herself."

Diti shook her head, her expression a mixture of defiance and determination. The words of her husband, though filled with wisdom, fell on deaf ears. Her mind was clouded by ambition, her heart hardened by resentment. Kashyap sighed, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and disappointment.

"Even with the power of Shreeshaktiswar by your side, Diti, remember, the path of righteousness is invincible." Kashyap's voice carried a solemn weight as he continued, "Narayan will stand against Srinav. Weapons will be drawn, and the battle will be fierce. But remember, Diti, if any harm befalls him, Devi Amarsri will not spare you."

Diti's face remained impassive, a mask of defiance concealing the turmoil within. She affected an air of indifference, but deep down, a cold dread crept into her heart. The mention of Amarsri and her love for Srinav had struck a chord of fear.

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Laughter and boisterous conversation filled the air as the Asuras celebrated their king's new union. The once stoic warriors were now a sea of revelry, their faces flushed with drink and excitement. The once polished floor was now littered with empty wine goblets, and the air thick with the heady aroma of fermented fruit.

Ajashakti, his earlier restraint replaced by a carefree abandon, raised his goblet in a toast, his laughter mingling with the general merriment.

"The new queen is a vision of perfection."

"Only our king could have subdued such a beauty. His strength is unmatched."

"Our king, holding the queen in his arms, was like a lion cradling a deer."

The comments were met with a chorus of approving grunts and laughter. Ajashakti's lips curved into a smile, but his mind was far removed from the revelry around him. His thoughts were consumed by the image of Anugamini, her ethereal beauty, the softness of her skin, the melody of her voice. He could almost smell the delicate fragrance that clung to her, a scent that was becoming an intoxicating addiction.

Pralayant, his eyes gleaming with amusement, stepped forward and said, "My king, it is time for you to claim your prize. The night is young, and the queen awaits."

Ajashakti, his mind still clouded with thoughts of Anugamini, nodded. The time for revelry was over. It was time to fulfill his husbandly duties.

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A/N

Kashyap rishi has warned Diti, lekin devi ji maane tab na 🌝