NAVRATRI SPECIAL DAY -3
(Chandraghanta – The goddess of peace and serenity)

The third day of Navratri arrived in full splendor, filling the halls of Dwarka with renewed energy. The sound of temple bells resonated across the palace, a reminder of the celebration of Devi Chandraghanta, the third form of the goddess. The day was marked by the courage and strength of this goddess, and as always, Krishna was ready to share the divine story with his beloved sister and the people gathered.

Subhadra, despite her exhaustion from the previous day, found herself excited for the tale. She adored these stories, and even though she still had Arjun in her thoughts, she was eager to hear about Chandraghanta. As always, the people had gathered, and Krishna was at the center, ready to narrate the next divine tale.

"Devi Chandraghanta is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and bravery," Krishna began, his voice captivating everyone present. "On the third day of Navratri, we worship her to seek her blessings for courage and strength in life."

Krishna leaned forward slightly, his eyes alight with divine knowledge. "Chandraghanta’s story begins after her marriage to Lord Shiva. When Parvati married Shiva, the earth and the heavens celebrated, but peace was short-lived. Soon after their union, evil forces began to spread chaos in the world. To restore balance and protect her devotees, Parvati took on a fierce form, Chandraghanta."

The crowd listened intently, hanging on Krishna’s every word. "Chandraghanta had a half-moon on her forehead that resembled a bell, which gave her the name Chandraghanta. Mounted on a tiger, she entered the battlefield with a resounding bell that terrified her enemies. Her third eye was open, her posture ready for combat, and her roar shook the earth. In this form, she brought destruction to the demons and restored peace. She is the embodiment of divine strength, but at the same time, she offers blessings of tranquility and well-being to those who seek her protection."

Subhadra, sitting among her people, smiled softly. "Chandraghanta is fierce, yet she brings calm and peace. That’s a balance that we all need to strive for," she said, her voice reflecting her admiration for the goddess.

Krishna nodded. "Exactly, little sister. The world often demands both strength and peace from us, and like Chandraghanta, we must be ready to act when needed, but never lose sight of the tranquility within us."

After completing the story of Chandraghanta, Krishna leaned back, his usual mischievous smile appearing on his face. "Now, how about a lighter tale from my youth? I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing only divine stories. Sometimes, it’s good to be reminded of the playful side of life."

The people chuckled, eager to hear about Krishna’s mischievous days in Vrindavan. Subhadra leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with interest.

"Alright," Krishna began. "This was back when I was just a boy, running through the streets of Vrindavan. One day, I saw a pot of butter hanging high up in the house of one of the gopis. Now, you all know how much I love butter. So, of course, I had to come up with a plan to get it."

The crowd laughed, knowing where this story was going.

"I gathered all my friends, and we built a human pyramid to reach the butter. I, of course, was at the very top, reaching out for the pot. But just as I grabbed it, the gopi caught us! She was furious, but instead of running away, I smiled at her and said, 'Why scold me for what you knew would happen? It’s only natural for butter to come to me!'"

Krishna laughed along with everyone else, remembering the simplicity of his younger days. "The gopi couldn’t stay angry for long and gave me the butter. You see, sometimes in life, charm and honesty can win even the toughest battles."

Subhadra smiled at her brother’s story. Krishna’s lightheartedness was something she admired deeply, especially in times of difficulty. It reminded her that even amidst chaos, there was always room for joy.

Meanwhile, in a distant land, Arjun sat in deep thought. The tension within him had been building for days. News had arrived from Panchala that King Drupada was organizing a swayamvara for his daughter, Draupadi. It wasn’t just any swayamvara—it was a competition. The best warriors from across the land were being invited to compete for Draupadi’s hand in marriage.

Arjun had received the invitation under his new identity as Kaṅka, a simple brahmin. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders. While he respected Draupadi and knew of her beauty and grace, his heart belonged to Subhadra. Yet, the swayamvara was not something he could ignore—it was a call for the best archer, and that was who Arjun was. There was no avoiding it.

“What should I do?” Arjun murmured to himself. He knew that Krishna would be there, as would his brothers, disguised as they were. But the thought of competing for another woman’s hand, especially with Subhadra in his heart, left him in turmoil.

Arjun picked up the anklet Subhadra had given him, the one that reminded him of her with every passing day. “I wish I could talk to you, Subhadra,” he whispered, feeling the weight of his dilemma. “I need your wisdom now more than ever.”

He thought of sending her a message, but he knew she was likely busy with the Navratri celebrations. Subhadra always took her duties seriously, especially during festivals. She wouldn’t have time to listen to his troubles tonight.

Still, the thought of competing for Draupadi’s hand weighed heavily on him. His love for Subhadra was unwavering, but the duty of a Kshatriya was clear. He couldn’t turn down a challenge, especially one that involved the honor of his family and his own skill as an archer.

Arjun sighed deeply, setting the anklet back down on the table. “I’ll face whatever comes,” he resolved. “But my heart will always be with you, Subhadra.”

Back in Dwarka, Subhadra was unaware of the thoughts troubling Arjun. After the day’s festivities, she returned to her chambers, feeling the exhaustion settle into her bones. The pooja, the celebrations, and the constant interaction with the people had left her drained.

She sat down by her window, looking out at the stars. The cool night air helped calm her, but her thoughts drifted to Arjun. She hadn’t heard from him in a while, and she missed him terribly. Still, tonight, she didn’t have the energy to send him a message. Her body ached, and her mind felt too tired to form the words she wanted to say.

"Arjun," she whispered, her eyes closing as she leaned her head against the window frame. "I hope you’re well."

The arrow he had given her lay on the table nearby, surrounded by flowers, just as it always was. She smiled softly at the sight, feeling a connection to him even in his absence.

"I’ll speak to you tomorrow," she promised herself as sleep began to overtake her.

As the night grew darker, both Arjun and Subhadra found themselves lost in their own thoughts, separated by miles but bound by their love. Arjun’s mind was filled with the impending challenge at Draupadi’s swayamvara, while Subhadra’s heart ached for a conversation with the man she loved.

Though the days ahead were uncertain, they both knew that their bond would withstand whatever came their way. The story of Chandraghanta, with her balance of strength and peace, served as a reminder to them both—courage in the face of difficulty and trust in the love they shared would guide them through.

For now, though, they could only wait. And trust.

Writing the Navratri special chapters is incredibly tiring and stressful, especially with the extra stories I have to incorporate. On top of that, my main story has a layered narrative—where one character tells a story within another story. So, imagine how challenging it is for me to balance all of this, especially with daily updates! Honestly, I don't feel that creative all the time, but thankfully, I have a friend helping me out with these chapters. And please, don’t skip these chapters—they’re important!❤️