NAVRATRI SPECIAL DAY - 1
(Shailaputri - The daughter of the mountains, symbolizing strength and resilience.)

"सर्वेभ्यः शुभा नवरात्रि:!"(happy Navratri to everyone) Subhadra exclaimed joyfully to the people of her kingdom, her face glowing with excitement. Navratri was always a time of celebration, and she loved sharing it with her family and her people.

"Bhiaya, now... you promised me and everyone! You'll tell us your tales!" she said, her voice filled with playful insistence. "Come on, Bhiaya, Balaram Bhiaya, please tell him to share his stories! Everyone wants to hear them!"

Her cute whining was impossible to resist, and with a smile, her brothers exchanged glances, knowing they couldn't say no to her.

"Fine, I'll share the stories, but along with them, I'll also tell you the significance of why we celebrate Navratri and the importance of the goddess we worship during these nine divine nights," Krishna smiled gently, his voice carrying the warmth of love and wisdom.

Subhadra, eager and full of curiosity, settled in with the others as Krishna began. "Navratri is a time when we honor the goddess Durga, who represents the strength, power, and protection we seek in our lives. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, reminding us of the many ways she stands with us."

He continued, "It is said that during these nine nights, the goddess fought the great demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Her power, grace, and courage are what we celebrate, and through our prayers, we seek her blessings for peace and prosperity."

Balarama nodded in agreement, and the people around listened intently as Krishna continued his tale, weaving together the essence of Navratri with stories that kept everyone captivated.

Krishna smiled as he began the story of the first goddess worshipped during Navratri, Shailaputri.

"On the first day of Navratri, we worship Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountains. She is also known as Parvati, the embodiment of strength, patience, and devotion. Her story begins in her previous birth as Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, a proud and egoistic king."

Subhadra leaned in, intrigued by the story she had heard before but never in this detail.

Krishna continued, "Sati was deeply in love with Lord Shiva, and against her father's wishes, she married him. King Daksha, however, was furious and refused to accept their union. He arranged a grand yajna, inviting all the gods, but deliberately excluded Shiva. Sati, feeling insulted, decided to attend the yajna to confront her father. When she arrived, her father ridiculed Lord Shiva openly, and unable to bear the humiliation, Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire."

The listeners gasped as Krishna's voice took on a more solemn tone.

"After Sati's death, Shiva was devastated. He withdrew into deep meditation, cutting off from the world. However, Sati was reborn as Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountain king, Himavan. In this new life, she was determined to reunite with Shiva, and through intense devotion and meditation, she eventually won his heart again."

Krishna paused, his eyes reflecting the depth of Shailaputri's strength. "Shailaputri symbolizes the power of devotion and determination. She teaches us that no matter how insurmountable the odds, with perseverance, we can overcome any challenge."

He finished, "This is why, on the first day of Navratri, we worship Shailaputri, who rides a bull and holds a trident and a lotus in her hands, signifying strength and purity. She is the protector of nature and the source of all energy, guiding us on the path of courage and resilience."

Subhadra, smiling, whispered to herself, "Such grace and strength-no wonder she is worshipped first." She giggles knowing the role of women is something great and beyond words.

She says "okay now your story"Krishna chuckled softly at Subhadra's playful insistence. "Alright, alright, I knew you wouldn't let me get away with just one story. You want to hear about my childhood, don't you?"

Subhadra nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Yes, Bhaiya! Tell us about Vrindavan! The mischief, the miracles-everything!"

Krishna smiled nostalgically as he began to recount the tales of his early years. "Well, where do I even begin? Vrindavan was full of adventures. But let me tell you one of my favorite stories-the time I lifted Govardhan Hill."

Subhadra leaned in, captivated by the start of the story.

Krishna continued, "It all began when the people of Vrindavan were preparing a grand puja for Indra, the god of rain. They believed that it was Indra who blessed their crops with rain and that without him, their livelihood would be in danger. But I told them, 'Why worship Indra? The rains come from nature, from the earth, and especially from the mighty Govardhan Hill, which nourishes the land and our cattle.'"

Krishna paused for effect, a twinkle in his eyes as he remembered his cleverness. "So, I convinced them to worship Govardhan Hill instead. We held a grand puja, offering food and prayers to the hill. But this made Indra furious! He felt insulted, and to teach the people of Vrindavan a lesson, he sent terrible rains and thunderstorms to flood the village."

Subhadra gasped, already knowing the outcome but still enthralled by the way her brother told the story.

Krishna continued, "The people panicked and came running to me for help. I knew I had to protect them, so I lifted Govardhan Hill with just one finger and held it up like an umbrella. Everyone-cows, people, and all-took shelter under the hill while the storm raged on for seven days. Indra eventually realized his mistake and bowed to me, understanding that I was no ordinary boy but the Supreme Lord himself."

Subhadra giggled. "Bhaiya, you were always so mischievous, even with the gods!"

Krishna laughed along. "Well, what can I say? Sometimes a little mischief is needed to teach even the proudest of gods a lesson."

The sight of the three siblings-Balaram, Krishna, and Subhadra-sharing a warm hug brought immense joy to everyone present. There was something magical about the bond they shared. Despite being born into a family of warriors and responsibilities, they never let the weight of their duties overshadow their love and affection for each other.

The people of Dwarka couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was a moment of pure warmth and togetherness. Seeing their beloved princes and princess, who usually took on the roles of protectors and guides, share such a candid moment was a reminder that even the divine have simple, human emotions.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy as the crowd watched with fondness. Some of the older citizens reminisced about watching the trio grow up, while the younger generation looked up at them with admiration. The siblings were not just rulers-they were symbols of unity and familial love.

As the laughter continued, Balaram pulled away slightly and playfully ruffled Subhadra's hair, earning a light-hearted protest from her. "Bhiaya!" she whined, her voice laced with affection.

Krishna chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What's this, Princess Subhadra? Complaining already?"

Subhadra's pout turned into a soft smile. "You two always gang up on me! But I love you both, no matter what."

With that heartfelt confession, the siblings squeezed each other tightly again. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, moved by the love and joy that the three siblings radiated. Indeed, this bond was the pride of Dwarka, and seeing it unfold was a blessing for all.

"May the goddess bless our princess and her brothers!" an elderly woman called out from the crowd.

"Yes, may they always stay happy and united!" echoed another.

The prayers and wishes filled the air, and for a moment, it felt as though the entire kingdom shared the happiness of this sibling trio, basking in the light of their love and camaraderie.

"We shall do pooja now" said Balaram. "Subhadra, we all want you to take the opportunity and do the pooja, as you always do, since you were a little child" said Balaram

Subhadra's eyes sparkled with excitement at her brother's words. The thought of performing the pooja made her heart swell with pride. "Really, Bhiaya? You want me to do it?" she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

"Of course! You have always had a special connection with the goddess. Your devotion brings us all blessings," Krishna chimed in, giving her an encouraging nod.

Subhadra beamed at her brothers, feeling a warm rush of affection. Memories flooded her mind-the countless times she had performed the pooja as a child, the vibrant decorations, the fragrant flowers, and the joyful atmosphere that surrounded the celebration. Each year, it felt like the goddess herself smiled upon them as they gathered in the courtyard.

"Alright then!" Subhadra declared, determination in her voice. "Let's prepare everything for the pooja. We need flowers, fruits, and of course, sweets to offer to the goddess!"

Balaram and Krishna exchanged amused glances. "We'll help you gather everything, but you must lead us in the prayers," Balaram said, smiling warmly.

As Subhadra hurried to organize the materials, the air buzzed with excitement. She arranged the items with care, placing each offering with love. Krishna and Balaram assisted her, fetching the necessary items and joking amongst themselves, adding to the light-hearted atmosphere.

Once everything was set, Subhadra took a deep breath, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over her. She began to recite the sacred verses, her voice steady and clear. Balaram and Krishna joined in, creating a harmonious melody that resonated through the courtyard.

The people gathered around, watching with admiration as Subhadra performed the pooja. The flickering oil lamps cast a warm glow, and the fragrant incense wafted through the air, creating an inviting atmosphere.

As Subhadra poured her heart into the rituals, she felt an overwhelming sense of connection-not just to the goddess, but to her family and the people who surrounded her. This moment of devotion was not just a tradition; it was a celebration of love, hope, and unity that bound them all together.

When the pooja concluded, the crowd erupted in applause. Subhadra smiled, feeling grateful for the opportunity to lead the ceremony and share in the joy of the festival.

"May the goddess bless us all," she said, her heart full. Balaram and Krishna beamed at her, proud of their sister and the warmth she brought to their family and community.

As the pooja was done and everyone returned, Subhadra excitedly run to her own room and closed her eyes

Subhadra smiled softly as she spoke, her voice gentle yet playful. "Arjun?.. uh uh, Kaṅka?? How have you been?" She paused for a moment, imagining his response, then continued, "Well... you know what? First of all, happy Navratri to you! I had a very nice day, I hope yours went well? Hopefully! Tehe!"

Her smile grew as she remembered the warmth and joy from the day's celebrations. "Also," she added with a light laugh, "I'm a little tired from the pooja today, so I'll talk to you later."

She sighed contentedly, glancing at the moonlit sky, knowing Arjun, somewhere far away, would feel the same divine connection to the festival. Even though they were apart, the bond they shared in these small moments of conversation felt as close as ever.

Kaṅka chuckled softly as he received Subhadra's message. Her playful tone always brought a smile to his face. He had planned something special for her-a surprise that he knew she would love. But sensing her exhaustion from the day's festivities, he decided to let it go for now.

"Perhaps it's best to wait," he thought to himself with a grin. "She deserves to rest after such a long day."

Still, the thought of how excited she would be when he revealed his surprise made him eager for the right moment. "Soon," he whispered, holding the idea close, "I'll share it when the time is perfect."

What does Arjun wanna say yall? 😭 definitely something very interesting but yall definitely gotta wait... cuz I'm not gonna make it very easy for him. Anyways 😭 do you guys like my idea? Like.. Navratri special..?

Sabhi ko Navratri ki haardik shubhkamnayein.

I just wanted to write Navratri special since I have always listened to these tales from my grandma or mom or elderly people and I really wanted to write it down in my way. Anyways! Enjoy your Navratri guys