1 PENANCE

In the temple of Lord Shiva, Nilgiri Hills.

A young girl named Dhani, twenty years of age, was meditating. She was sitting with her eyes closed beneath the statue of Lord Shiva. Her long, black and flowy hair was resting on the floor from the tip like waves. Dressed in the attire of sadhvis (female sages) her aura was shining like that of a princess.

Her beauty attracted the very eyes of the visitors of the temple. It was the time when the dawn was breaking. Many had come to offer their prayers to the Lord, but were mesmerised by her. Looking at which the High Priest of the temple felt compelled to tell the visitors about her.

"Look at that young maiden. It has been twelve years since she started the penance of Lord Shiva. It is about to be completed soon. Such a devotion she has for the Lord."

The High Priest smiled as he said those words. Dhani was cherished by the temple sages as well as the High Priest and the High Priestess due to her great devotion to the Lord.

"You are right, High Priest. She has great devotion to the Lord. But why has she chosen to do such hard penance?" A female visitor asked out of curiosity.

"To ask for a husband that her heart desires."

"Oh! May the Lord bestow her with a boon. Twelve years is a great amount of time," the female visitor said.

"Definitely, she will!" the High Priest exclaimed.

The High Priestess of the temple came out from the Garbhagriha (main temple chamber) after completing the morning rituals. She was an impersonification of motherhood to the devotees just as the High Priest was an impersonification of fatherhood. Draped in white clothes from shoulder to ankle, her ambiance felt both intimidating and love.

She went to Dhani and called her name. Hearing her voice, Dhani opened her eyes slowly that looked like they were holding the stars of the night sky in them.

"Dhani, dear, you are a beloved devotee of Lord Shiva. I am intuitively feeling that you are about to receive your boon," the High Priestess said. "Dear, go get some rest now," she instructed her.

"As you say, High Priestess," Dhani said politely.

She bowed down to the High Priestess and left the temple chamber. The words of the High Priestess made her heart flutter. Soon it would be the time that she would receive the blessing that she had been praying for so long. The beautiful scenes of her future with her husband already filled her mind.

There was something unique about her that no one knew except for the High Priest and the High Priestess, not even her family. She remembered her past life. That was the reason that caused her to ask the Lord for a devoted husband.

Soon, the last Monday of the sacred month of Savan came. It was the day when she was going to receive her blessing.

"Dear, today is the last Monday of the month of Savan. On this auspicious day say your wishes to the Lord with complete faith in him. Remember you must remain calm," the High Priestess said.

"Thank you for your guidance, High Priestess," Dhani said.

"Go ahead," the High Priestess instructed her.

Dhani bowed down to the High Priestess and went inside the main chamber. Inside the main chamber, she lit up the diyas and incense sticks which had the aroma of jasmine. Then, decorated the altar with white flowers and Bel leaves and sat with her eyes closed.

After some moments, when she went deep in her meditative state, a sweet fatherly voice in her head said "State your wish clearly to me, my dear child."

Dhani stated her wish.

"Dear Lord"

"I wish to have a man, who always follows his principles and sticks to his morals, who always fulfils his duties and who is not shaken by any situation that life puts him in, as my husband."

"I wish to have a powerful husband, whose arms contain the strength of a thousand bison and who is undefeatable, invincible, who will always protect me as my husband."

"I wish to have a husband who is as handsome as the full moon in the clear night sky, whose face radiates happiness like the moon radiates its moonlight and who has eyes like deep sea that sparkle like stars."

"I wish to have a husband who will always fulfil my desires that a woman expects from her husband and gives me all the pleasures in the world."

"I wish to have a husband who shares a deep connection with me, who can feel what I feel and I can feel what he feels."

"And I wish that my husband only loves me in this life and always be devoted to me as I will also be devoted to him."

"O Lord of the Universe! Please grant me my wish."

Again, a voice crosses her mind; "I grant you your wish, child."

Dhani bowed down and expressed her gratitude to the Lord. Happily, she opened her eyes.

A lotus flower fell from the Lord's feet onto her lap. Joyfully she came out of the chamber and greeted the High Priest and the High Priestess of the temple.

"Your face is telling that the Lord has accepted your prayers," the High Priest said.

"Yes, High Priest."

"Did that flower fall from the Lord's feet?" The High Priestess asked.

"Yes, High Priestess," she answered while lovingly looking at the lotus flower.

"Dear, it's time for you to go back to your home now. Your prayers will be answered when the time comes. Leave for your home after the end of the monsoon season."

"As you wish, High Priestess," Dhani said as she bowed down to them.

The temple was situated at the tallest mount of the hill range infamous for bad weather, thus, the terrain was not ideal to travel in the seasons of heavy rain.