Vishnupriya Shreeyanjali

Curse : The Divine Garden of Vaikuntha

Prologue

In the ethereal expanse of Vaikuntha, where the very sky was laced with golden light, a garden bloomed that was unlike any other. The flowers sparkled with a divine radiance, each petal reflecting the cosmic dance of creation. Rivers of liquid crystal flowed gently, whispering secrets of the universe. The fragrance in the air was timeless, carrying the essence of pure love and devotion.

Amidst this magical realm, Parashree Mahalakshmi walked with her beloved Shri Hari. She was draped in a sari spun from the purest light, her form shimmering like a thousand suns, yet gentle like the moonlight. Shri Hari, calm and majestic, walked beside her, his gaze soft yet all-encompassing, as if beholding all of creation through her.

Their steps were in perfect harmony, moving as one—an eternal dance of energy and love. Together, they spoke of matters beyond mortal comprehension, their conversation flowing like the rivers around them.

"Prabhu," Mahalakshmi began, her voice tender and full of wisdom, "have you ever wondered how even in our different incarnations, we find each other, again and again? As though the universe itself conspires to unite us."

Shri Hari smiled, his eyes sparkling with divine mischief. "Devi, we are the universe. Its heartbeat echoes through us. It is only natural that we would find one another, lifetime after lifetime. Our bond is timeless, boundless."

Mahalakshmi turned to him, her gaze filled with a love so deep it could shake the stars. "Yet each time, I marvel at it. How we forget everything, but still... you always find me."

Shri Hari’s hand reached for hers, his touch gentle yet firm. "Lakshmi, it is not just I who finds you. You, too, seek me. We are never apart, even when the world thinks we are."

They paused at a grove of Kalpavriksha trees, whose fruits were the wishes of all beings. Here, time seemed to stand still as the cosmic couple exchanged a look of pure adoration.

"Your presence," Shri Hari continued, "is my reminder. You are my smriti memory the pulse that binds me to everything."

Mahalakshmi smiled, a radiant glow emanating from her, but her smile did not go unnoticed.

From a distance, unseen by the divine couple, Bhrigu Rishi approached. His heart, once filled with devotion, now swelled with indignation. The sage, proud and stern, watched as Vishnu and Lakshmi reveled in their love. To him, it felt as though Shri Hari was distracted, lost in worldly attachment, neglecting the responsibilities of the universe. How could the protector of all worlds be so absorbed in this single bond?

Without warning, Bhrigu’s anger flared. He strode forward, his face hard with resolve, his hand raised in righteous fury.

"Vishnu!" he called out, his voice shaking the air like thunder.

Mahalakshmi and Shri Hari turned, surprise and confusion flashing across their divine faces.

"Rishi Bhrigu?" Shri Hari said calmly, though there was a flicker of awareness in his eyes.

But Bhrigu’s wrath could not be contained. "You have become blinded, Narayana! You, the protector of the universe, are lost in the love of Lakshmi, neglecting your duties! For this, I curse you!"

Mahalakshmi stepped forward, her brows furrowing with sudden anger. "Rishi, you misunderstand! Our bond is not distraction; it is the foundation of all that is. How dare you—"

But Bhrigu silenced her with a raised hand, his eyes burning with divine authority. "No, Devi! You may speak in his defense, but my words stand. For his indulgence, Shri Hari shall forget you. He shall forget your love, your incarnations, your union. When he descends upon the mortal world, your place in his heart shall be lost!"

The curse struck like a thunderclap.

Shri Hari stood unmoving, absorbing the weight of the shrap Mahalakshmi’s eyes widened in horror, the golden light around her flickering with a sudden sorrow.

"Rishi," she whispered, her voice trembling with barely controlled rage, "you cannot take away our bond so easily. You may cause him to forget, but I swear to you—he will remember. I will make him remember."

Bhrigu, unyielding, turned away, his anger undimmed. "That is not for me to decide, Devi. The curse is cast. Narayana will walk the earth in Dwaparyuga, forgetting everything you were to him,”

Mahalakshmi turned back to Shri Hari, her heart heavy with the weight of Bhrigu’s curse. She stepped forward, her hands trembling as she cupped his face, her divine glow dimmed by the sorrow that now filled her.

"Prabhu," she whispered, "do not let this curse defeat us. Even if you forget me, I will come to you. I promise—when you descend as Krishna, I will come as your shree, and I will make you remember me."

Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes, though she held them back.

Shri Hari, his face serene but his eyes filled with unspoken emotion, took her hands in his. "Devi, no curse can ever truly separate us. Even if I forget, my soul will seek yours. You will find me, and I will find you again."

Mahalakshmi’s tears, like diamonds, slipped down her cheeks. "I will not leave you, Prabhu. In every age, I will be with you,"

"धृतं व्रतम्," she whispered solemnly. "शपथं कृत्वा, यदा त्वं अविस्मृतः भवति, तदा अहमेकदा तव स्मृतिं पुनः जागृतं करिष्यामि।"

With one last look of pure love and devotion, Mahalakshmi stepped back, the distance between them growing as the curse took effect. Her form began to fade, like mist dissolving into the horizon. Yet, even as she disappeared, the promise lingered between them, binding their souls beyond the curse’s reach.

Shri Hari stood alone now in the garden of Vaikuntha, his memory of her beginning to blur, yet deep within, the essence of her love remained. Though the curse had been cast, it could never touch the eternal truth of their love.

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Here's the prologue of our book!

Chapters coming in a while!