Madurai Meenakshi (OS) The Challenge- on Pg 28 - Page 20

Her powerful voice roused everyone there. Her commanders had taken out their swords and were brandishing it above their heads, the common people were shouting her praises.

"I am not interested. Can't you go higher still?" questioned the old man

"Still higher? Meenakshi was stupefied. North of the Vindhyas were places she had only heard of- Prayag, where the three great rivers met, Kashi- the holiest of cities…..The kingdoms of Kosala, Magadha and Kashi were all militarily aligned. Going on a military expedition to such far off places would be nothing short of suicidal. Could she risk the lives of her men?

She took a deep breath "Yes, we can conquer the kingdoms through which the holy Ganga flows."

"But that's not enough" replied the old man, an irritating smile on his face.

There was uproar in the court. Many felt the old man was deliberately insulting the queen.

Meenakshi lost her temper. " What then, Sir, do you want me to conquer?"

The old man raised his hand once again and when silence fell, asked in clear ringing tones

"Can you, O great queen of Madurai, CONQUER YOUR MIND?"

Meenakshi stood, stunned.

This was certainly not what she was expecting. Meenkashi frowned. The old man was certainly very strange.

"Conquering minds is for yogis, venerable Sir. I am a ruler." Said Meenakshi.

"A ruler is no less a yogi, O queen" he replied. "What is the use of conquering lands far and wide when your own mind is not under your control?"

Meenakshi knew she had no answer. "Who are you Sir ?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Never mind who I am" the old man replied. "Do you know who you are?"

.Meeankshi was silent.

She had lost the challenge, but somewhere deep within her, a stubborn streak refused to accept defeat.

"It is not possible" she replied defiantly

"And what if I make it possible?" asked the old man.

"If you show me what 'conquering the mind' is all about, then I, Meenakshi, the imperial queen of Madurai will accept you in marriage and this kingdom will be placed in your hands"

"Fine. Meet me at the Shiva temple your father built."

Before anyone could say a word, the old man had turned and vanished from the spot.

Menakshi stood, thinking.

Thanx varaali,its awesome, waiting for the next update
"Never mind who I am" the old man replied. "Do you know who you are?"

I love such confrontations... They hav their own air of romance!
Gripping update!

It's getting exciting n the wait is killing...gr8 going...next!!!!

WOW, that was unexpected. I was expecting him to say Kailash, and he says, "Can you conquer your mind?"

hmm, a suprise is waiting for her at the temple i think.

love the update, shivji teasing meenakshi is too good.👏

plz update soon can't wait

lovely updates😊..even i was thinking that Lord Shiva in disguise of old man will ask her to conquer kailash..but he asked her to conquer her mind..interesting..loved the confrontation between the two😊