NAVRATRI SPECIAL DAY - 5
(Skandamata - motherhood and compassion.)

The celebrations of Navratri were in full bloom across Dwarka, with people bustling around, preparing for the upcoming rituals. The streets were decorated with colorful garlands, and the smell of incense filled the air. Subhadra, as always, was at the heart of the preparations, overseeing the arrangements with a sense of joy. Yet, amidst the celebrations, she couldn't help but feel a subtle unease as her thoughts strayed towards her brother Balarama, who had been preoccupied for days now, deep in thought about her future.

That evening, as the golden glow of the setting sun bathed the city, Krishna gathered the people for the next day's story. Sitting under a large banyan tree, he began narrating the story of the fifth form of Goddess Durga, Skandamata, to a captivated audience that included Subhadra and Balarama.

"Today," Krishna started, his voice calm and soothing, "I shall tell you about Skandamata, the goddess who embodies the power of motherhood."

He paused, allowing the words to sink in, before continuing. "Skandamata, as her name suggests, is the mother of Skanda, who is also known as Kartikeya, the god of war. When the demon Tarakasura was wreaking havoc across the worlds, no god was powerful enough to defeat him, for he had a boon that only the son of Shiva could vanquish him. But, as you all know, at that time, Lord Shiva had retreated into deep meditation after the loss of Sati."

The crowd listened attentively, eager to hear how the story unfolded.

"Seeing the suffering of the gods and the increasing strength of Tarakasura, the devas pleaded with Parvati, who was the reincarnation of Sati, to marry Shiva and give birth to the warrior destined to defeat the demon. Parvati, full of love and determination, agreed. After her union with Lord Shiva, their son Kartikeya was born, destined to be the great commander of the gods."

Krishna smiled as he spoke. "Skandamata is always depicted holding her son Skanda in her lap. She represents the boundless compassion and protection of a mother. Just as a mother would do anything to protect her child, she also shields her devotees from harm, providing them with strength in the face of adversity. Worshipping Skandamata fills one's heart with courage and devotion."

Krishna's gaze softened as he looked at the listeners, particularly at Subhadra, who had been silently listening with a smile but with some restlessness visible on her face. "And just as Skandamata blessed her son with unparalleled strength, she also blesses us with the strength to face life's challenges. Her devotees are always protected, as she helps them triumph over their struggles, guiding them with her nurturing love."

Balarama, seated nearby, seemed thoughtful, his brow furrowed as he absorbed the story. Subhadra could tell that his mind was still on something else - her marriage, no doubt. He had yet to choose a groom for her, and the pressure of the decision seemed to weigh on him heavily. Subhadra, sensing his unease, glanced at Krishna, hoping he would somehow ease Balarama's worries.

Krishna, as if reading her thoughts, smoothly transitioned into another story. "Now that we've learned about the divine mother, let me share a little tale from my own childhood."

This piqued everyone's interest. Krishna's childhood stories were always a delight, filled with mischief and divine wisdom.

"One day, while we were grazing the cows near the banks of the Yamuna River, we saw a huge tree that the villagers said had been cursed by an ancient sage. They believed the tree was inhabited by a powerful spirit that could harm anyone who got too close. Naturally, I had to investigate." Krishna chuckled, and so did the audience, already anticipating some clever twist.

"I climbed up the tree and shook it hard, causing a loud noise that echoed throughout the forest. My friends, who were always worried about my little adventures, called out to me, telling me to come down. But before I could respond, the spirit of the tree appeared, taking the form of a massive bird-like creature. It spread its wings wide, trying to scare me off."

The crowd leaned in closer, captivated by the tale.

"But I stood firm," Krishna continued. "I looked at the spirit and said, 'You do not frighten me. I will free you from this curse and send you to the heavens, where you belong.' With that, I played my flute, and the spirit was calmed. It thanked me and ascended to the skies, leaving the tree behind as a symbol of freedom and peace."

Krishna finished his story with a smile. "Every obstacle, no matter how daunting, can be overcome with courage, patience, and faith."

As the evening drew to a close, the people of Dwarka dispersed to prepare for the next day of Navratri, still filled with the warmth of Krishna's stories. Subhadra lingered behind with Balarama, watching him carefully.

"Bhrata," she said softly, "I can see something is troubling you."

Balarama sighed and gave her a weary smile. "It's about your future, Subhadra. I want to ensure that the man you marry is worthy of you, someone who will respect you and bring happiness into your life. I haven't decided on anyone yet, but it weighs heavily on my mind."

Subhadra gently placed her hand on his arm. "Bhrata, I trust you completely. I know you'll make the right decision for me, but please give me some time, I have someone in my mind, I'm waiting for them to confess to me"

Balarama nodded, though his mind remained deep in thought. The idea of his beloved sister's marriage was a matter of great responsibility, and he knew that the time to make a decision was drawing closer.

As they walked back to the palace together, Subhadra felt a sense of calm wash over her. The stories of Skandamata's protective love and Krishna's divine playfulness had reminded her of the strength within her. Whatever the future held, she knew she would face it with courage and grace, just like the goddesses and the women she admired so deeply.

Balarama suddenly halted and gently took Subhadra's hand in his. With a serious yet loving expression, he said, "I promise to marry you to the man you love, but I have one condition. If that man does not confess his feelings to you, then I will choose your husband. Do you agree to this?"

Balarama added, "He has until the 9th day of Navratri to confess his love to you. If he fails to do so by then, I will arrange your marriage on the 10th day."

Subhadra's eyebrows knitted together in worry, but unable to refuse her brother, she gave a reluctant nod. With a heavy heart, she promised Balarama, then quietly walked away, the weight of his words pressing down on her mind.

Meanwhile, consumed by anxiety over not being able to talk to Subhadra, Arjun made his way to the swayamvara. The event was grand, with kings and princes from across the lands gathered to compete for the hand of Draupadi. Despite the grandeur surrounding him, Arjun's thoughts were clouded by his feelings for Subhadra.

As the competition unfolded, he focused on winning Draupadi's hand, hoping that achieving this goal would somehow alleviate the weight of his unspoken feelings for Subhadra. When the moment came, he skillfully aimed his bow and shot the target with precision, earning Draupadi's hand in marriage. Yet, even amidst the cheers and celebrations, his heart was heavy with thoughts of the conversation he had left unresolved with Subhadra.