|| And It Happened Again || {IF_NC_Entry}- Chapter 3, Pg 8 - Page 6

Mithila was barren.

Mithila was barren, yet the soil seemed to be dancing under his feet. Janaka touched the soil reverentially, feeling the burst of life that sung through the Earth, against his palm. It was as if Mata Prithvi Herself was going to come to him and stay with him. Shaking such thoughts off, Janaka got up once again and looked at his preceptor, Maharishi Yajnavalkya, to guide him into the next step.

"Janaka, here. Take this plough, which was placed at Narayana's feet this morning.

The learned Guru handed over a plough to Janaka, who took it gratefully, touching it to his forehead in devotion.

"Jagannatha RamaaPate! You are Everything in this world, the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer! Oh Lord of Lakshmi, who is the very Earth Herself! Prabhu, bless us that Maa MahaLakshmi blesses us once again, by being abundant in Mithila's fields as Dhaanya Lakshmi! Prabhu, bless us that Mithila will once again be able to do agriculture the way we always have, right from the start of the Chandravansha. Om Namo Narayana!

Saying thus, Janaka fixed the plough between the two cows, gently touching them in affection, and asking for their love, blessing and cooperation in succeeding in the task he was trying to accomplish.

"Trideva Paada Samarpanam, chorused the entirety of Mithila, every citizen, be they old or young, grandparent or child, all had come, all excited to see what Mata Prithvi was going to bless them with. Hearts filled with pure love and devotion for Prithvi, the daughter of Kaashyapa and thus Kaashyapi, the beloved of Narayana, thus NarayanaPriyaa. Within their hearts, they prayed, for prosperity and abundance to come forth to Mithila, to MahaLakshmi coming to them once again, this time as She who nourishes them, their Mother.

"Maharaja Janaka, start the ploughing, gently and lovingly, praying to Maa Prithvi with every step.

"As you say Gurudeva, said Janaka, praying to his Aaradhya Mahadeva, and starting the process, muttered prayers to Mata Prithvi within his heart.

"Gurudeva, why is there a mist forming over the field? questioned Kushadhwaja, the ruler of Sankasya, the younger brother of Janaka.

"Mata Bhumi works in ways we cannot understand, my son, said the wise sage, he who was credited with the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. "She will have Her reasons. Do not fear. Janaka, you simply continue, pure love for Her from your heart. She will never harm you.

"Yes Gurudeva.

Janaka ploughed through, despite the mist growing stronger and stronger.

Everyone watched, as a swirl was created, so thickly translucent that nothing could actually be seen through it. Yet, it was not a wind that would push any away, but it stopped them from moving forward, the King now forced to anchor the plough in the Earth, heart praying that he did not hurt the Mother.

Yajnavalkya, Maitreyani, Katyanani and Gargi, the Gurudeva and the three GuruMata of Mithila watched in awe, as a golden light beamed, the Mother of the Universe, MahaLakshmi in Her form as Aadi Moola Prakriti, the power of the Universe, Aadi Para Shakti. Folding their hands, tears running down their cheeks, they bowed down to VishnuPriyaa, Her blessings wrapping around them as a mother's to a child.

"The start of a new Leela has come, oh learned ones, said MahaLakshmi, Her melodious tone invoking pure happiness in Nature. "My birth as the daughter of Rajarishi Janaka has also come. Following my birth, three more who are as much me as I am them will be born, and together, we will complete the family of Mithila. My Narayana will come for me as Raghunayaka when the time is right. Oh learned ones, I bow down to you, for you will teach me all that I am to know, and all that I will know.

Saying thus, the bright light of Aadi Moola Prakriti shrunk, the intensity the same, the size lessening, till a bundle with the same intensity lay, swaddled in rich red clothing, right at the head of the plough, which was then anchored to the ground.

"Sita. echoed the Universe, though the name was yet unheard, as a piercing cry rang through the fields of Mithila, the mist suddenly clearing, making all gape at the red bundle, she immediately becoming the fortune of Mithila, Maithili.

"Jai RaamaVallabhe! rang through Kailasha, happiness filling every pore of the Universe, the birth of MahaLakshmi creating such joy in the atmosphere. Parvati and Saraswati turned to their respective husbands, both who were now occupied elsewhere, smiles on their faces. The two Goddesses shook their heads, love and fondness present in every gaze, action, and every limb, they joined their husbands, all four parents looking at the pure joy of the One they worshipped,[3000 words] the birth of His other half giving Him the greatest happiness.

Shiva felt pure joy fill Him, His heart beating as Rama's did, His joy multiplying as Rama's did. He knew Swayam was feeling as He was, both of them excited and abundantly happy at Rama's happiness. Shiva's gaze wavered, His eyes fixating on His other half's face, the dark skin tone contrasting with the pure light She emitted.

His mind was transported back to a time, or rather, to the time; to the time Parvati was born, He having just emerged out of deep meditation.

The pained cries of a mother in labour rang through Kailasha, disturbing Shiva's penance, His mind now finding the Queen of Himalaya, her hands clutched at her very pregnant stomach.

A cool breeze blew across Kailasha, the nurturing power of Brahma, the caressing power of Vishnu, both appearing together.

"What is going on, Narayana?

As always, Shiva and Brahma turned towards Vishnu for answers, despite always knowing everything.

"You both know what it is, and yet you ask me?

"Yes, we do, they chorused, laughing when He mock glared at them.

"Haimavati, the wife of Himavata, is soon going to be a mother. The mother of Shivardhangini, said Vishnu, supposedly matter of fact, His eyes glinting with mischief and knowing, pure love for His sister and pride at the thought of Her birth.

"Narayana.

"Shiva.

"Stop it?

"Is that even possible?

"No, replied Shiva, shaking His head. "Her birth signifies the coming of good times for the Devas, the end of Tarakasura's arrogance.

"It also signifies the power of love and devotion, added Brahma Deva, shaking His head at the purposeful mischief of Shiva.

"It truly does. When there is true love and true devotion, how can Shiva not be won over?

"Shiva can be won over by that, very true. But often Narayana, for those who have no respect for you or Lakshmi, Swayam or Medha, loving just me and Shivaa will not be enough. While loving one is always pure, disrespect to others will taint that love, in a way the person does not understand. Of course, purity always exists in the Soul and the heart, but purity is so when the mind is not covered by illusion. After all, are you not the Paramatma, and is Lakshmi not the heart of every living being?

"How did this become about Lakshmi or I? asked an amused Vishnu, shaking His head. "This is the story of Parvatnandini and Mahadeva.

"It is the story of your Leela, teased Shiva, exchanging a sly smile with Brahma, who nodded His head very seriously, eyes twinkling when Vishnu pouted at both His fellow Trinity.

"How is everything related to me now?

"She is your younger sister. Of course it is related to you.

"That is.. Vishnu stopped, when the melodious cries of a baby filled the Universe with utter glee, joy reigning Supreme.

"She has come, Shiva. Your Ardhangini has come, once again.

Bhaiii!'

Shiva was brought back to reality by Medha's singing voice in His head. What was His sister doing? He looked at Her, and She gave Him an innocent smile, causing Him to shake His head.

"Bhai, I have a challenge for you.

Shiva looked at Saraswati, whose eyes seemed to reflect Narayana at that moment, and He sighed, knowing that this was going to be very much Vishnu's idea, and Vishnuanuja executing it.

Parvati and Brahma looked at both curiously, both nearing their respective spouses, looking at Saraswati, who was grinning.

"What did Bhai put you up to, Medha? asked an amused Parvati, her voice sending waves of joy in Shiva's heart.

"He wanted Shiva Bhaiya to do something, She replied, innocence Her expression, mischief Her intention.

"And what is it that Narayana wanted me to do? asked Shiva, wondering why He was even asking, His heart already giving Him the answer.

"To matchmake between Rama Bhai and Janakanandini, of course.

"Meaning, He wants me to matchmake for all four brothers with the four sisters?

"He does, sang Medha, a wide smile decorating Her tan face. At the raised eyebrow She got from Shiva, She continued, despite knowing that He, as always knew what was going on. "His reason is simple Bhai. He has always done matchmaking for you and Parvati. Now He wants you to do it for your sisters.

Medha grinned widely, Her eyes meeting Parvati's.

"Sounds reasonable, said Parvati innocently, grinning at Her husband, who sighed. When the two sisters of Narayana came together, there was no way He could refute.

"Alright, He said, amused, His eyes catching Brahma's, who laughed silently.

Narayana, you and your games,' He thought exasperated, His eyes meeting His beloved's happy, shining ones, melodious laughter filling Kailasha, rejuvenating the Universe.