Mahabharat - The Changed Fate

Chapter 6 : The Truth Is Out !

Under the soft amber glow of the Mithilan sun, a young girl named Avika wandered through the fields, her soft tresses blowing gently in the breeze. She had been sent by her mother to fetch yam, but as she walked further, she began to feel the weight of the task burdening her limbs. She was usually fond of walking through the woods, feeling the essence of nature, but today something felt different.

"Hey Narayan! I am exhausted! I don't know why Maa has sent me alone to get yam," Avika exclaimed to herself, her brow furrowing in frustration. Her light, yet brisk pace slowed, and she began looking around the familiar paths, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that could lift her mood.

Suddenly, from a little way off, she heard a soft bleating. Avika's keen senses immediately focused on the sound. As she walked toward the source, she found an injured goat, its leg bleeding slightly from what seemed like a fall over the rocky terrain. Her compassionate nature kicked in immediately. Kneeling next to the goat, Avika gently picked it up, her heart reaching out to the helpless creature.

"You poor thing... How did this happen?" she murmured, stroking its fur soothingly. Without a second thought, she carried the goat towards Gargi's ashram, which was not too far from where she stood.

Gargi Mata, a wise sage and mentor to many in Mithila, lived quietly near the outskirts, close to the forest. She was known for her knowledge and her closeness to the prakriti (nature), much like Avika herself.

When Avika reached the ashram, Gargi Mata greeted her with a gentle smile. "Ah, child. What brings you here today?"

"Mata, this goat is injured. Please help it," Avika replied, her voice tinged with concern. Gargi Mata, without further question, took the goat and began tending to its wounds with natural herbs and remedies she always kept handy.

As Avika watched Gargi work, her mind wandered. She had always felt a deep connection with the natural world, an attachment that seemed almost inexplicable. She could feel the pulse of life around her, in the trees, in the animals, and even in the wind. It was as though nature spoke to her, sang to her, even comforted her when no one else could.

Suddenly, as though drawn by an invisible force, Avika blurted out a question she had been harboring for some time.

"Mata, why do you think I am so attached to the prakriti? Why do I feel so deeply connected to it?" Avika asked, her voice soft yet filled with curiosity.

Gargi paused, her wise eyes meeting Avika's gaze. "What is there to think about, my dear? It's natural, isn't it? You are a gift of prakriti itself. Nature gave you to Mithila."

Avika looked at her, confused. "But Mata, all organisms are gifts of prakriti, no? Then why do I feel different?"

Gargi placed the bowl of herbs down and looked at Avika thoughtfully. "Ah, Avika, you are different because your very existence is intertwined with the fabric of this land. You were not born like others. You were sent here."

Avika's eyes widened in shock. "Sent here? What do you mean, Mata?"

It was then that Gargi Mata realized she had touched upon a secret that had been kept from Avika her entire life. With a sigh, she decided it was time for Avika to know the truth about her birth. She gently sat Avika down and began narrating the tale.

"Many years ago, before you came into this world, King Janaka and Queen Sunaina were newly married and very much in love. One day, as they took a stroll in their royal garden, a brilliant light appeared before them. It was as if the very sky had opened up. From that light emerged a beautiful baby girl—you. The sky itself announced that your birth had taken place for a great cause. The king and queen, though surprised, were filled with joy, and they accepted you into their hearts without hesitation. They named you Avika."