The ashram of Sage Kashyap was bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming lotus flowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves. In the courtyard, Diti paced back and forth, her movements agitated and restless. Danu stood nearby, watching her with a mixture of concern and amusement.

Diti's eyes darted around, scanning the horizon for any sign of her awaited guests. Her impatience was palpable, a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere that usually prevailed in the ashram.

"Relax, sister," Danu's calm voice cut through Diti's restlessness. "Ajashakti will arrive with his wife soon."

Diti's agitated pacing slowed, but her eyes remained fixed on the horizon. "You must observe her closely," she instructed Danu, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Look for any signs, any hint of Amarsri's divine essence."

"I will." Danu nodded, her expression serious.

Soon the serene tranquility of the ashram was shattered by the thunderous sound of hooves and the neighing of horses. A grand chariot, drawn by a team of powerful steeds, approached the ashram gates. The sound echoed through the peaceful surroundings, drawing the attention of everyone within.

Hearing the commotion, the other wives of Sage Kashyap emerged from their huts. Aditi, Vinta, Surabhi, and the other wives came out of their huts, their eyes filled with curiosity.

The chariot came to a halt, its wheels crunching on the gravel of the courtyard. A figure, imposing in stature and regal in bearing, descended from the vehicle. The celestial beings, their eyes wide with anticipation, recognized him immediately. This could be none other than Ajashakti.

The wives of Kashyap watched in awe as Ajashakti assisted a young woman in disembarking from the chariot. The woman, a vision of ethereal beauty, possessed a milky-fair complexion, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders in a silky waterfall. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, held a captivating allure.

Adorned in luxurious garments and exquisite jewelry, she exuded an aura of royalty. Her hand, a delicate lace of fingers, was clasped in Ajashakti's, their closeness a silent declaration of their bond. Her eyes, downcast in a mixture of shyness and reverence, avoided meeting the gaze of anyone.

Ajashakti confidently approached Diti. With a respectful bow, he joined his hands, "Greetings, mother and aunt."

Diti's eyes sparkled with pride as she heard him address her as mother. Her hands, trembling slightly with emotion, reached out to grasp his shoulders.

"There he is, my conqueror, my son !" She said, her voice carrying a note of triumph. Her words were meant for everyone to hear, a declaration of her victory.

Diti's gaze shifted to the young woman standing beside Ajashakti, her eyes scanning her from head to toe. The woman, while undeniably beautiful, seemed unremarkable, a mere mortal. There was nothing about her that hinted at a divine origin, no aura of the supernatural that would set her apart.

Ajashakti, his voice filled with pride, introduced the young woman to them. "This is my Rachna." he said, his eyes sparkling with affection.

Ajashakti continued, "And Rachna, this is my mother Diti, and aunt Danu."

Rachna, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and excitement, bowed her head in greeting.

Diti's gaze met Danu's, a silent plea for answers. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of doubt and hope, searched for a clue, any indication that the woman before her was Amarsri. Danu, her expression unreadable, shook her head in a subtle, almost imperceptible gesture. The message was clear: she did not believe the woman was Amarsri.

Diti, her heart filled with relief, turned to Rachna. A knowing smile played on her lips as she raised her hand, a gesture of blessing. "May you be blessed with fortune."

"It's a fortune to meet you." Rachna replied, her eyes sparkling with a gentle light. She then looked at Ajashakti, who smiled approvingly.

Diti looked at them both and then smiled warmly. The initial suspicion had faded, replaced by a sense of contentment. Diti was satisfied that the woman before her was not Amarsri, a realization that brought a weight off her shoulders.

"Come inside," she invited, her gesture welcoming. "I have prepared supper."

As Ajashakti and Rachna followed Diti towards her hut, the other wives of Kashyap watched them with a mixture of curiosity and unease. The sight of a divine being, reduced to the status of an Asur was hard to digest.

Aditi, her gaze fixed on the couple, felt a pang of sorrow. Seeing Srinav in the form of Ajashakti, living a mortal life, filled her with a sense of melancholy. The thought of him bound to another woman, a woman who was not Amarsri, was a painful reality to accept.

Suddenly Ajashakti paused at the threshold of Diti's hut, his gaze meeting Aditi's. A small, reassuring smile played on his lips. In that moment, Aditi could swear she saw a fleeting change in his irises, a shift from the fiery orange to a mesmerizing heterochromic blend of red and tawny.

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