Kartikeya has already completed a full orbit around the universe in the exhilarating race, while Ganesh remains mysteriously absent from sight.

Mata Parvati, Amarsri and Srinav ponder his whereabouts, their curiosity piqued by his mysterious absence. Moreover, they cannot help but anticipate the impending reaction of the one who shall lose. Will there be a quarrel between the brothers ? They couldn't help but worry about the probability of a strain.

Their apprehension deepens as they contemplate the potential repercussions of defeat. With each passing moment, their anxiety intensifies as Kartikeya effortlessly embarks on yet another lap around the cosmos, further fueling their unease for the fate of Ganesh.

"Narayan-Narayan !" A familiar melodious voice fell on their ears.

Narad Muni, descended upon the sacred grounds of Kailash, his presence commanding attention. With each step, the earth seemed to vibrate in harmony, as if paying homage to his arrival.

With him was Prajapati Vishwaroop, emanating an aura of wisdom and authority. His regal countenance mirrored the weight of his responsibilities, as he guided his daughters, possessing an otherworldly grace and beauty, to the place.

"Har Har Mahadev !" Narad Muni said bowing down to Mahadev, with lowered head he then greeted Mata Parvati, "Jai Jagdamba !"

He then looked at Amarsri and Srinav, the smile on his face widened, "Harihareshwari aur Shreeshaktiswar ko naman." He said as they too joined their hands showing respect.

Prajapati Vishwaroop too greeted them all, and so did his two young daughters.

"Padhariye Devarshi, Prajapati. Kaise ana huya ?" Mata Parvati asked with a smile.

"Bhagwati, Prajapati Vishwaroop chinta mei hai. Jiska nivaran keval aap dono hi kar sakte hai." Narad Muni said.

"Kaisi chinta ?" The mother-goddess asked.

"Mata, Prabhu.... Mai aap dono ke samaksh ek badi aasha leke aya hu. Mujhe vishwas hai ki aap dono meri aasha awashya purn karenge." Vishwaroop said.

"Prajapati, hum bhali bhaati jaante hai ki aap apni kanyayo ke vivah hetu chintit hai." Mahadev said.

"Prabhu, meri putri Siddhi, apne saath aadhyatmik shakti aur Riddhi, sukh-samriddhi laayi hai. Yeh dono aapke putra-vadhu banne ke yogya hai." Vishwaroop said.

Amarsri and Srinav looked at each other with smiles and so did Mahadev and Mata Parvati. Indeed Riddhi and Siddhi was worthy to be the daughter-in-law of Maheshwar and Maheshwari. But who is deserving to be their groom ?

Suddenly the air crackles with an electric energy as the divine presence of Ganesh fills the surroundings, who came riding mounted over his vahan mushak. His arrival was met with a collective gasp of admiration, from Prajapati Vishwaroop and especially from his daughters.

"Ganesh kaha the tum ?" Amarsri asked.

"Nityapujan kar raha tha, jiji." He said.

"Parantu Anuj, Kartikeya ne toh sansaar ki 2 parikrama laga bhi li." Srinav said.

"Chinta na kare Jyesht. Mai abhi parikrama karna shuru kar deta hu." Ganesh said with a confident smile.

He gestured his vahan to move forward, Mushak slowly went towards the seat of Mata Parvati and Mahadev, and began circumambulating it. The vahan carried the weight of his master with an unwavering grace. With each step, the ground beneath seemed to vibrate in reverence.

With each revolution, his divine energy seemed to be intensifying, permeating the atmosphere and bestowing blessings upon all who were fortunate enough to be present. Riddhi and Siddhi stood in awe as they witnessed him circumambulating around his parents three times.

After he was done, and in front of Mahadev and Mata Parvati, Ganesh stood up and bowed before them.

"Lijiye. Ho gayi sansaar ki 3 parikrama purn." He said with a smile.

"Kintu kaise ?" Srinav asked, "Tum toh yaha se kahi nahi gaye." He said.

"Aap toh jaante hi hai Jyesht, mere Mata Pita mei sampoorn vishwa samaya huya hai. Mata dharti ke barabar hoti hai, aur Pita akaash ke barabar. Toh ho gaye na, sansaar ke 3 parikrama ?" Ganesh said.

"Saadho." Amarsri said with a smile.

"Jai ho Ganpati ki !" Nandi cheered.

"Jai ho." Srinav said with a chuckle.

Mata Parvati and Mahadev looked at each other and smiled. Narad Muni seemed impressed while Prajapati Vishwaroop seemed to have gotten solution to his worries.

"Mata Pita ke prati Shri Ganesh ki bhakti dekh hum natmastak huye." Vishwaroop said, "Mahadev, Mata, kripiya Riddhi aur Siddhi ko Ganesh ki vadhuo ke roop mei swikaar kare." He requested joining his hands.

And in that moment of profound anticipation, Ganesh glanced at Riddhi and Siddhi. As their eyes met, time seemed to have stopped. Riddhi's eyes sparkled like gemstones, while Siddhi's gaze seemed to be forging an unspoken connection between them. Meanwhile Ganesh beheld them with reverence and adoration, as he gave them a smile.

The unspoken communication between the three, seemed to have been overheard or rather seen by Amarsri and Srinav, both of them could understand the longing in their heart.

"Pitashree," Amarsri went to Mahadev's right side. "Maan jayiye. Inka sangam, triveni sangam se kam nahi." She said.

"Satyavachan." Srinav said as he moved to Mata Parvati's side, "Mata, prajapati badi aas lagaye aaye hai. Kailash se woh niraash nahi jaa sakte."

"Kya kehti ho Uma ?" Mahadev asked, gazing at his wife.

"Mujhe toh koi aapatti nahi." Mata Parvati said and then looked at Ganesh, "Tumhare kya kehna hai putra ?"

"Aap jo nirnaye lenge, mujhe sarvathaswikarya hoga." He said joining his hands.

Mahadev and Mata Parvati looked at each other, exchanging a knowing glance before looking at Prajapati Vishwaroop.

"Prajapati, aap tak vivah ka shubh muhurat shigreh pahuch jayega." Mata Parvati said.

"Dhanyawad Mata." The elated prajapati said.

He bowed in front them, and so did his daughters. Then they all left just the way they had come, this time free from their worries and with a sense of uncontained happiness.

Narad Muni too was about to leave before his eyes fell over the papers in Srinav's hands.

"Prem kavita ?" He asked.

"Ha." Srinav said.

"Mai apne aashram mei prem pe hi charcha kar raha tha. Yadi aap apni yeh kavita dene ki kripa kare, toh badi sahayata hogi." Narad Muni said.

"Devarshi ab apne vidyarthiyo ko kaam sikha rahe hai ?" Srinav asked with a smile as he raised a brow.

Narad Muni chuckled, "Hum Dharm, Arth, Kaam aur Moksh, sabka gyaan dete hai. Narayan-Narayan !" He said.

"Uchit hai." Srinav said as he looked down at the papers, and gave him the one that was for Amarsri.

"Baakiyo mei sakhi-ninda hai. Yeh mai nahi de sakta, kyuki upahas hum bandhuo ke bich ka hai." Srinav said, for he couldn't let the reputation of Rambha or Menka to be tattered.

"Mere liye itna hi paryaapt hai." Narad Muni smiled.

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A/N

In some versions of this story, instead of Riddhi Devi, there is Buddhi. But I have used this version, cause I'm more familiar with it.