अन्तः अस्ति प्रारंभः।
The end is the beginning.
A caterpillar dies, to birth a butterfly. Water evaporates to rain down. Dead carcasses fill the stomachs of vultures.Life gives way to death and death to life. In a vicious circle of different karmas...
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Mihira did not know what to expect as she rode beside Brihannala, Rukmini sitting in the palaquin ahead of them. They were at the Gauri mandir.
She climbed off the horse with a deep breath and helped Rukmini out of the carriage. The Princess, unfailingly polite, smiled at the soldiers who had carried her palaquin and thanked them whilst Brihannala tied her and Mihira's borrowed horses to the tree nearby.
Mihira hoped the horses would not meet Virat, who was usually free to roam around while Mihira was not at home. Virat was an attack dog and his presence was aggressive to other animals, despite how the pup acted like he was the most innocent animal in the world. Sighing, she turned back to Rukmini, who had already started walking up the stairs.
Mihira rushed after her, her heart beating out of her chest and palms sweating as she realised that she would bear witness to the union of her parents and the overwhelming warmth and power of the emotions was enough to cripple her with anxiety and excitement at the same time. Barely avoiding falling on her face, she entered the garbha griha just a few minutes after Rukmini did.
Krishna, resplendent, glowing and powerful, the scion of Yaduvansh, the administrative leader of the wealthiest state of Aryavart. Krishna-Achyut. Dwarkadhish. Godly- was kneeling whilst Rukmini stood, head high but shoulders shaking with unshed tears and unsaid words.
"Princess Rukmini, Bhishmaknandini, Vaidharbhi. My dearest one, I ask your permission. May I have the honour of calling you my Swamini for the rest of the eternity? Shall I have the honour of being the husband of Shri Rukmini?" He asked, voice sincere and noble despite the smile and amusement on his face.
Rukmini knelt down gracefully, her golden skin seemingly matching with his pitambari clothes in the sunlight in the temple.
"Let all the gods, all the mortals and all the immortals bear witness to this day, Devkinandan. Let them all know that you are mine as I am yours. We are a part of a whole, to the last of eternity and beyond. Give me a place beside you for the rest of the eternity, take me as your wife, and take me away."
Something felt right, something felt different instantly. There was a caressing gust of wind and Mihira's eyes felt heavy and for a moment she closed her eyes.
Hands pryingapart ribs. Blood under her nails. The idols of Vitthal Rakhumai covered in the blood of sinners. Glowing eyes of Kalki Bhagwan. Lightening crackling behind Padma Mata and Rama Mata. Their swords protecting their husband. Matching armbands of Krishna and Rukmini. Abandoned idols of Radha Krishna. Broken temples of Sita Ram. Unbroken temple of Pandharpur.
All of Kaliyug, all of suffering, all of confusion, everything had been worth it. Every drop
A conch shell echoed.
Mihira's eyes snapped open, her hand flying to her machete, as always, strapped on her calf. She looked at Brihannala, whose sharp eyes were narrowed as she looked towards the direction of the sound. Mihira looked back at Rukmini Krishna. They had stood up, standing tall with their heads held high.
