NAVRATRI SPECIAL DAY -2
(Brahmacharini  - The goddess of austerity and penance.)

The festivities of Navratri had begun in full swing in Dwarka. The palace was bustling with excitement as the people gathered to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their royal family. The large halls were decorated with garlands of marigolds, the fragrance of incense wafting through the air. Laughter echoed from every corner as children ran around in joy, and the citizens of Dwarka rejoiced in the nine sacred nights of devotion.

At the center of it all stood Subhadra, her radiant smile lighting up the palace as she greeted her people. She had just completed the day’s Navratri pooja, as she had done every year since childhood. Her heart was full of joy, yet the weariness of the day began to weigh on her.

Balarama, standing beside her, patted her shoulder with a proud smile. "You’ve done well, Subhadra. Now rest, you look tired."

Subhadra shook her head, but her eyes betrayed the fatigue. "No, Bhiaya, I’m fine. It’s Navratri after all!" She smiled but felt the pull of exhaustion in her limbs.

Krishna, watching this, laughed gently. "Let her be, Balarama. You know how she is. Always giving her best to everything she does." His smile softened as he looked at his beloved sister. "But perhaps, some stories might help her relax tonight."

Subhadra’s face brightened. "Oh yes! Bhiaya, you promised to tell us more stories! About Brahmacharini, the second form of the Goddess we worship during Navratri."

Krishna settled down comfortably, his blue eyes twinkling with affection as he prepared to recount the tale.

“Brahmacharini is the epitome of devotion and penance. The story of her unwavering resolve and sacrifice is one that inspires us all,” Krishna began, drawing the attention of everyone present.

“In her previous birth, Brahmacharini was born as the daughter of King Himavan, the lord of the mountains. Her name was Parvati. Since childhood, Parvati had a deep connection with Lord Shiva, having heard tales of his greatness and wisdom. She was determined to win his heart and marry him, but Shiva was an ascetic, detached from worldly desires.

“Parvati resolved to undergo severe penance to win Shiva's love. She gave up all comforts and luxuries, living in the forests, enduring the harshest conditions. For thousands of years, she meditated and performed austerities, eating nothing but fruits and later, surviving on nothing but leaves, and eventually giving up even that. Her determination was unwavering.

“It was through this immense devotion and her undying faith that Lord Shiva finally appeared before her and accepted her as his consort. Brahmacharini teaches us the value of perseverance, patience, and the power of devotion. She reminds us that the greatest achievements often come through sacrifice and unwavering belief in one’s path.”

Krishna finished the story, his voice carrying the weight of the divine lesson. Subhadra and everyone else listened intently, feeling the depth of Brahmacharini’s devotion. The lesson was clear—faith, no matter how tested, always bears fruit.

Subhadra smiled softly, finding some strength in the tale. "I see... her patience, her dedication... it’s admirable. It’s a reminder for us to hold on, even in the most difficult of times."

Krishna nodded. "Exactly, little sister. In devotion, patience is key. And I think you have plenty of that."

Subhadra grinned, though the exhaustion in her eyes remained. Krishna noticed this and decided to lighten the mood. "Now, I think it’s time for a different story. How about one from my childhood?" He looked at Subhadra mischievously, knowing how much she loved hearing tales of his playful youth in Vrindavan.

"Alright," Krishna began, settling into his storytelling mode. "Let me take you all back to the days of my childhood in Vrindavan. This was when I was still just a mischievous little boy, herding cows and playing tricks on the gopis."

Everyone’s attention turned toward him. They knew that a tale from Krishna’s youth always came with a lesson, wrapped in a humorous story.

"One day, I was out with my friends, grazing our cows near the Yamuna River. It was a beautiful day, the sun shining bright, and we had all the time in the world to play. But as usual, I had something else in mind," Krishna chuckled, the memory clearly bringing him joy. "There was a fruit seller in the village, and she had the most delicious fruits. But I, being the naughty boy I was, didn’t have any money to buy them. So, I decided to barter with what I had—handfuls of grains from our house."

Krishna’s eyes twinkled as he continued. "I approached her with my grains in my tiny hands, but most of them slipped through my fingers by the time I reached her. Still, the fruit seller smiled at me and kindly accepted the little I had. She gave me her best fruits in return.

"Later, when she returned home, she found that her fruit basket had been miraculously filled with jewels! The simple grains I had given her had turned into wealth beyond her imagination. You see, even the smallest acts of kindness and trust can bring rewards far greater than we expect."

Everyone laughed at the conclusion, the warmth of Krishna’s childhood charm radiating through the room. Subhadra’s face lit up, even though her eyelids were growing heavy with fatigue.

Krishna glanced at her knowingly. "Rest now, little sister. You've had a long day. We can talk more tomorrow."

Subhadra nodded gratefully, stifling a yawn. "Yes, Bhiaya, I think I’ll turn in for the night. But thank you for the stories. They always make me feel

As Subhadra retired to her room, she couldn’t help but think about Arjun. Ever since he had left Dwarka, there had been a part of her that felt incomplete. She missed him terribly, and while their bond was strong, the distance made her feel isolated at times.

She sat down near her window, looking out at the night sky. She wanted to speak with him, to hear his voice. But the exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold a conversation tonight.

“Arjun... or should I say Kaṅka,” she whispered, her heart aching slightly. “I hope you’re doing well. I wish I could talk to you now, but I’m too tired tonight. I’ll send you my thoughts in the morning.”

She glanced at the arrow he had given her, surrounded by flowers on her table. A soft smile spread across her face as she touched it gently. "Soon," she said to herself, "we’ll be together again."

Far away, Arjun sat by the fire, lost in thought. The weight of his responsibilities as Kaṅka had been pressing down on him, but what troubled him most was his growing desire to speak with Subhadra.

He missed her terribly, more than he could ever express. But there was something else—something important he needed to tell her, and yet every time he tried, the words seemed to escape him.

He stared into the flames, feeling the stress building within him. How could he tell her? How could he put into words the thoughts that had been consuming him for so long?

“Madhav will visit soon,” he murmured, thinking of Krishna’s upcoming visit. “Maybe he’ll know what to say. He always does.”

But deep down, Arjun knew that only he could resolve this. It was between him and Subhadra, and no one else could speak these words for him.

He closed his eyes, picturing her face, the sound of her laughter, the way she would light up any room she entered. His heart ached for her presence, and yet the fear of telling her what was on his mind kept him silent.

"What if she doesn't understand?" he thought to himself. "What if I hurt her by saying what I feel?"

The weight of these unspoken thoughts made Arjun feel more alone than ever. He clenched his fists, the frustration building within him.

“I’ll have to speak to her soon,” he decided. “No matter how hard it is.”

As the night deepened, both Subhadra and Arjun lay in their respective beds, miles apart yet deeply connected in spirit.

Subhadra, despite her exhaustion, couldn’t stop thinking about him. And somewhere, Arjun was doing the same—each lost in their own thoughts, longing for the moment when they could finally speak the words that had remained unspoken for too long.

But for now, they could only wait. Wait for the right moment, when their paths would cross again, and when they could finally share what had been buried in their hearts for so long.

As the stars twinkled above them, they each silently promised to hold on—knowing that their love, like the Goddess Brahmacharini’s devotion, would endure every trial that came their way.

Biggest plot twist in the upcoming chapters fr 😔 stay strong if possible