Madurai Meenakshi (OS) The Challenge- on Pg 28

The 23 year old brave heart of Delhi who died last year...

Part 1

Parvati was pacing up and down furiously, her hands folded back. Shiva, who was, as usual, seated on his aasan, began rubbing the back of his neck which had begun to pain. It was becoming tiresome, turning his neck left and right watching Parvati walk to and fro.

Why does she get affected so easily? Shiva wondered.

How can he remain so unaffected ? Parvati thought.

"Don't you think it is a big problem Lord?" she inquired.

"Absolutely" he replied, without having the slightest clue.

"Won't you do something about it, Lord" she asked, pausing in her walk

"You are best suited to solve this, Parvati" replied Shiva truthfully, given that he was unaware of what was troubling Parvati

Parvati gave him an appraising look and resumed her pacing.

Tired of moving his head sideways, Shiva asked "Er...Parvati ...what exactly is your problem?"

"Women" replied Parvati agitatedly.

"What's new in that? Women have always been the cause for problems'" Shiva remarked, chuckling loudly.

"Except you of course..." he added hastily, seeing the look on Parvati's face.

Part 2

But Parvati was in no mood for jokes. She came forward and knelt in front of him. Placing her hands on his knees, Parvati looked up at Shiva and spoke earnestly "My Lord, look at the world today. Is the same you and I lovingly created?

"Why, what's wrong Parvati?"

"Lord, when Brahma created the woman, I invested her with eight choicest qualities. I made her strong enough to withstand her own pain and yet tender enough to feel others' pain. I gave her the ability to transform any place into a home and turn that home into Swarga. I taught her to accept all and reject none."

"And" she said, looking straight at Shiva "A woman will sacrifice herself for her family- but not sacrifice the family for herself"

"Where is all this leading to, Parvati?"

"The woman on Earth, today, Lord, has been reduced to an object- an object to be desired, lusted and used. She has been weakened, her spirit tamed and her voice silenced. She is only required- not cherished"

"Men worship me- for nine days a year, some even longer'..but of what use is it when the woman on their street cannot walk with her head held high? To worship me means to venerate womanhood, to acknowledge that Prakriti has a status of her own" finished Paravti, her chest heaving with emotion.

Shiva was silent. He had no idea that Parvati had been feeling so strongly on this matter, but then he was not a woman.

Today in news i saw that this years Meenakshi Sundareswarar Kalyaanam(marriage)going to take place n was about to ask an OS from Jay but you started it after KK its going to be good to read Meenakshi story😃

go ahead
and thanks for writing this os and taking up this issue

Yes, I wanted to the story to coincide with the annual Chitirai Tiruvizha (festival ) at Madurai. I was just waiting for Jayshree akka to finish her story.

Reeti and foram- Please don't cry. We are here to celebrate womanhood

continue continue

"What do you propose to do, Parvati ?" Shiva asked in a gentler voice.

"I have to go to Earth, Lord'." replied Parvati

"Sure, dear"

Parvati dropped her voice and looking down said "'..For a long time Lord"

There was complete silence for a moment or two.

It was not characteristic of Shiva to display his emotion, but Parvati thought she could detect a tremor in his voice as he repeated "For a long time, Parvati? You will be away from me for a long time?"

Parvati nodded, her heart already anguished.

"Forgive me Lord' but when children have to be taught a lesson, it is the parents who have to take the pain. Please allow me to do my duty."

Shiva nodded. "Where do you propose to incarnate on Earth?"

Parvati pointed down to the city of Madurai.

let the world know that their mother is coming. my mother is coming.