Chapter 12: chapter 12

Laxmi grinned and started,"OK Sakhi! Listen!! Devotees performing this vrat should wake up early before sunrise on this day. They shouldn't even touch any food even rice. Devotees shouldn't lie on this day and keep their mind away from negative thoughts. One should not think bad about anyone this day. Lord made this rule so that people can be freed from anger, jealousy and vicious feelings atleast a day. Tulasi water can be taken. A simple puja can be performed in home itself by placing idol of Vishnu/ Vishnupatam and decorating it with his favourite parijata flowers. Fruits can be offered or leaves even tulasijal is enough. He observes only our shraddha but not the items offered. Light can be lamped or an incense stick can be lighten. "Om Namo Bhagawathe Narayanaya!!" "Om Namo Narayanaya!!"Ardent devotees can chant either of the above mantras the whole day. They shouldn't sleep this night but spent by singing his hymns and prayers, listening his stories. Uttaradwaras (Doors on the north side of Vishnu idol) are opened this day in every Vishnu temple and people can worship him going through that door. It indicates Vaikunth door. Lord Vishnu blesses all whoever showed shraddha in this vrat in performing all rituals and fast can be break down the next day morning, Dwadashi day. I hope my lord understand my love and accept me. He surely satisfies all his devotees.""Laxmi! You have lot of expectations on your swami but would he accept you, a human being as his consort, he being paramatma?? He surely fulfills desires of his staunch devotees but you're wishing a position as his half", hesitatingly asked Jaya.(Jaya didn't know that Laxmi is Jaganmata even Laxmi too was unaware of her identity)Jaya's doubt made Laxmi fell in contemplation. She started fretting if her Prananadh(beloved Vishnu) won't accept a human as his consort. Meanwhile Laxmi went out as Bhrigu called her with some work.Priya told Jaya as Laxmi left,"Jaya! You shouldn't have talked like that. Didn't you observe that Laxmi became despondent? We being her true friends should always support her. Our sakhi Laxmi is yearning for Narayan hainna?""Sakhi! I don't have any intention to hurt her. I'm also her friend who wish she should be blissful alwaya but understand my perspective too! Narayan is the supreme of universe. Laxmi is a human. How can lord marry a human?Its my doubt that's it. If he doesn't accept her, she can't tolerate. I'm afraid if she has to bear that pain. I don't want my childhood best friend to experience that pain and rejection", explained Jaya."I understand that it's your fear but you aren't doubting her calibre. She's a normal human being but her confidence, dedication and devotion are extraordinary and abnormal. She, just in a few minutes changed people's hatred over Vishnu into love. Let's hope her desires be fulfilled", Priya smiled and Jaya, upon Priya's advice, told Laxmi,"Sorry Laxmi! I shouldn't have hesitated Narayan and disappointed my sakhi. I know about my Laxmi, she definitely wins Narayan's heart".Later Jaya and Priya left to their homes as it became dark.Laxmi yet couldn't control her mind from fearing . She got downhearted and perturbed wandering what if Narayan rejects her. She couldn't keep her mind proper in the puja arrangements.Narayan at Vaikunth grinned seeing Jaya and Priya,"Priya & Jaya! Yours is such a great friendship! One ponders about Laxmi more than the other. A company of a virtuous man/ a good friend benefits both. Wishing others happiness also indirectly makes good to us one day. Whole world realises this from you in soon. Pranapriya! Laxmi! Don't worry! I shall help you clear all your doubts and fears."Narayan immediately venerated Adishakti,"Sodari! Shivpriya!".(Photo: Devi Sati or Adishakti)Laxmi sat in her room was contemplating. She could pay half attention on her weaving pitambara dress and with a dull visage. Suddenly Bhrigu called her,"Come out and see here Laxmi! Who came for you?"."Pithasree! Who?", came Laxmi from her room excitedly.Laxmi amazed as she met her saheli, her childhood friend "Devi Sati". She's also sister for Laxmi's mother "Khyati"."Sati!" Laxmi rejoiced seeing her after a long time."Both of you have fun chitchatting with each other. I am going as I have to arrange dinner", said Bhrigu and left the hall.Laxmi took Devi Sati inside her room for some private space and made her sit on her bed."How are you? What's this pleasant surprise?", asked Laxmi as she sit beside her and pated on her shoulder."Actually I married Lord Shiv few days back and I am staying in Kailash at present. I felt to meet my dearest saheli and came immediately.""Oh! Thats great sakhi! Congrats but you married Lord Shiv? ""Ha! Ours is love marriage Laxmi. Since my childhood, I love him so much.", blushed Sati."Love marriage??", Laxmi hesitated to ask, "He's god and you're a human, how did he accept your love? Sakhi".Sati Devi smiled inside,"It seems Laxmi doesn't know that she's Vishnu's consort Mahalaxmi and I am Shiva's consort Adishakti" and explained," Ha sakhi! Why wouldn't he accept my love?"" Actually my doubt is, how can a God marry a human?", expressed Laxmi in confusion.Sati Devi smiled," Sakhi! Everyone is equal before lord. He only sees our love. He is ready to do anything for those stalwart devotees who completely offer themselves to him. Do you know my father, Prajapati Daksha didn't agree for our marriage because he felt Shiv lives in graveyard and he doesn't have even his own house. My father fretted that I can't live comfortably and happily with him in Kailash in cool humid conditions but Lord Shiv even came down for our love appeal. He adjured my father a lot. Atlast my father had to accept our love after Narayan too came and order my pithasree .That's the glory of supreme lord. He's called Bholenath that's why. He doesn't segregate anyone. But he sees our utmost zeal, commitment and adherence towards him. He fulfills any desire in this world if his devotees have these qualities" and emphasized that true love is enough to reach himSati Devi's words influenced Laxmi profoundly and removed all her fears. Laxmi Devi came out of dismay and trusted him completely that he would accept her as ardhangini."Koti Koti Dhanyavad Sodari! You performed a majestic role in uniting Vishnu and Vishnupriya", thanked Vishnu through his mind voice, who had been observing Sati-Laxmi's conversation."You are my brother Narayan. You too played an unforgettable and inevitable role in my marriage with lord Shankar", replied Sati Devi expressing her gratitude through mind voice."Narayan and Devi Sati will be an ideal for brother- sister relationship for entire universe Sodari", grinned Narayan blessing Devi Sati.Devi Sati felt in heart,"Purpose for my arrival is finished now. I should leave enabling Laxmi to continue Vaikunth Ekadashi vrat preparations" and left Bhrigu's home greeting Laxmi. Even though Laxmi requested Sati Devi to stay for a while as she wished to spent time in her company, Sati Devi told it's time to set off to Kailash and left.Laxmi suddenly remembered her vrat and continued her preparations. She got up early the next morning and involved in her fast.TO BE CONTINUED.....