Shiv - Shakti, The First Love Story - Dakshayani

The Request

Shakti had made Suryaloka her temporary residence and resides there as Devi Kushmanda. Not a day goes by when she does not think of her Shiva. How she had left him behind. How he had become reclusive of the world. She too wanted to draw herself away from the world, but being jagatmata her responsibilities held her back. He only wished for her return and so did she and the golden opportunity was brought by Brahma. He had visited the goddess to discuss the state of the world.

"Devi, as you know both you and Shiva drive this world and I have become the unfortunate reason why you two are apart but now Shiva needs to marry because the world has been filled with negetive energy and only his union with you can put an end to it. The time has come, oh Great Goddess, for you to unite with him."

Brahma explained the situation to Shakti who could only smile.

"Brahma, what you speak is the truth but to fulfil your wish and my promise, I have to take birth as a human."

"That is why I am here today" Brahma said. "My son, Daksha is doing your penance to have you as his daughter. Please consider my request and take birth as my granddaughter. It will be my greatest pleasure."

"The pleasure will be mine, Brahma Dev. I will take birth as Daksha's daughter" Shakti assured him.

It was a dense silent forest. The birds and animals were quite as if concentrating on some thing. The only sound that was heard was chanting of a mantra. King Daksha was meditating on the goddess of the world, Bhuvaneshwari. He had been doing this since ages then. And at last that auspicious time came when goddess Mahamaya Adi Shakti herself appeared before the king.

Mahamaya, the goddess of illusion, shone like thousand suns. She had four arms and was adorned with spectacular ornaments. Her upper right hand held a lotus while her upper left hand held a kharga. Her lower two hands held the 'Vara - Abhaya' mudra. A tiny smile was playing on her lips. Her silky voice broke his trance.

"Daksha, I'm pleased. You may ask whatever you want"

Daksha was dumbfounded for a moment but he then regained himself and saluted the mother Goddess.

"Devi, by the grace of the Supreme Lord Narayan, I have had 200 sons but unfortunately they all went to forest by the manipulation of that Narada. After that, I had 59 daughters but most of them are married now, so I wish for you to be born as my youngest daughter and grace my palace with your divine plays. " said Daksha.

Mahamaya smiled. "As you wish king. I will be born to you as your daughter but I have one condition. If you ever disregard my choices or insult me, I will immediately leave my mortal body."

"I promise you Devi, you will never be dishonored in my house. I will surrender my everything to you."

"So be it" saying so, the Goddess disappeared.