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The post midnight time ticked close towards the emergence of dawn, yet the receding gradient of the obsidian sky and the presence of Chandra Dev in his full glory looked picturesque to Kunti's lucid eyes, articulating with linings of hope. Hope to bestow the mighty and venerated Kuruvansh with an inheritor, worthy of everything her husband once wished to accede and devote himself to.

A cold breeze swept past her and Pandu as they stood, the latter in a bittersweet anxiousness whil the former with her mind codensing down to the chant entrusted to her by Rishi Durvasa.

"You're like the gratification for Kuruvansh, Kunti. We can beget a son who is a scholar of righteousness, knowledgeable of justice and one who can the perfect successor of my Jyesth Bhrata." Pandu's exhilarating words ringed in Kunti's ears as she walked towards the dimly lit sky.

Illuminating clouds quickly surrounded the stygian sky as the Vedic Lord slowly manifested himself.

"Kunti, being please with your invocation, I, Dharmaraj, have appeared in front of you." Dharmaraj appeared his splendor, lighting up the dim of the early dawn around him.

Kunti and Pandu's gaze slowly travelled up to greet Yamraj with their obeisances, "You have supplicated me with your prayers, so you must have a desire to obtain a child." Continued the Lord of Death and Justice.

"Not only a child, lord; I want a son instilled with your facet and attributes in him." Kunti pleaded.

"We want a son who shall be determined in his righteousness, who can be a mentor of his kingdom at every phase of his life. A child who will be a reason of gladness for my ancestors." Pandu deferentially continued the pleas.

Yamraj assented at their abstemious wishes, "May prestige always be illustrious upon you both for your nobility of putting Dharma and the qualities of righteousness before any wordly power or riches." A humble smile was quickly cast across Yamraj's majestic face, as he began to speak more.

"Righteousness stems from mercy, which comes from justice. And justice, whose basis lie in one's stability and patience. In all the battles, struggles and shaky momentums life has to offer;
he who remains calm and inperturable, he who doesn't care about relationships and self-benefit before pronouncing a descision in favour of the Dharma can be the only one to situate righteousness in his heart." The ruler of Yamalok continued, finding both Pandu and Kunti eyeing up at him, just as attentively.

"Your son shall be decked with these capabilities." He completed as Kunti stepped even further, unfolding both her arms so as to hold a child in them.

Her heart raced as she watched the divine energy coursing through Yamraj, getting channeled down in her arms, slowly forming into a figurine. Kunti's vision mildly began to pinwheel around the illuminance surrounding her now son as she closed her welled up eyes in satisfaction, relishing the sudden fulfilment in her life.

"Our son..." Kunti and Pandu's voice softly trailed in unison as they bittersweetly smiled at their newborn fussily crying as Kunti carefully placed him in Pandu's arms.

"My son will symbolise the God of Dharma. He'll always maintain his peace and patience during war," Pandu smiled, stroking his head, "Our son... will be known by the name of Yudishthir." Pandu announced, rejoicing the arrival of the pillar of Dharma on the Earth.

Nestled across the holiest banks of Ganga, was the grand Palace of Hastinapur. The twilight of the early morning, bringing daylight over and above the face of the howering pillars and their canopies guarding the inner grandeur of the palace underneath.

Divinely illuminating lamps surrounding the towering gold studded columns lighted up every part of the throne hall, bathing the Royal Assembly of Hastinapur in an aurelian glimmer.
The seats of the Minsters and Courtesans lined the artistically ornate walls of the throne room on both the sides, partioned by royally red rugs running in the centre.

Dhritarashtra seated himself atop of the radiant gold plated throne with carved out emblems flaunting the richness of their revered dynasty while the Queen mothers, Consorts, Brahmins and the rest of the royalty thronged on their elevated couches strewn with flowers and jewels, behelding the assemblage in the manner of the celestials meeting at the empyrean of the Heaven.

The maidservants and guards trailed within the assembly with trays of flowers and jewels in their hands, eventually surrounding the highly positioned royal seat of Dhritarashtra and distributing offerings to the ministers and chiefs as commanded.

The murmur of the assembly was hushed, and, the mutual greetings and conferences were at an end, as Vidur stepped up to ensue a still silence in the assembly.

"It is being proclaimed to the entire Kuru dynasty, that Kuru Kul Vadhu Kunti has begot a heir to this esteemed lineage of King Bharat." Vidur continued with a reassuringly proud smile, "A son, who displays auspicious characteristics and positive qualities, has been born."

"On this auspicious ocassion, Maharaj Dhritarashtra himself will announce various celebrations in the kingdom." Vidur said as Dhritarashtra silently clutched the the cushions of his armrest.
Eventually, getting halfway rid of his angst, Dhritarashtra slowly rose up, pacing few steps to suitably greet his subjects.

"My dear subjects of the kingdom, and others present in the court, by the grace of Lord, the forefathers of Kuruvansh must be pleased in their afterlife." He spoke pulling a tolerable facade, "A heir to take forward the lineage, has taken birth in our family, and I'm extremely happy that my younger brother Pandu has, infact, got this opportunity to please our ancestors."

While gracious beams readily painted the faces of Ambika, Ambalika, Satyavati and Bhishma; Shakuni loured with bitterness emanating from every corner of his body.

"On behalf of the Royal Family, there should be offerings, sacraments and prayers arranged in all of the kingdom. There should be abundant charities and offerings done. There should be a lot of charity and offerings. In the same manner that the morning fills the world with delight, may the new successor of Kuruvansh fill the hearts of our subjects with happiness and bliss. This is the order of Kuru Samrat Dhritarashtra." He completed his assertive discourse,
briskly walking down the steps to leave his empty throne behind as the hailings of his name kept reaching his ears like a receding echo.

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A barn blossomed in the distance amid the mindfully warming breezes swaying the meadow flowers with sprinkles of cosmic gold. Bees and butterflies merrily danced around the sweet scents of bright and colored perennials, lusciously blending with the colors of ultimate joy and peace.

Vaikunth Dham, the cosmic throne of Shri Hari Narayan gleamed in its everyouth, as if freshly sprung from the warmth and mercy of the preservers of Trilok. The far sighted landscape sang to the delicate sunlit clouds with the merry sounds of every corner of the planet busy singing the glories of their Lakshmi Narayan, whose abode prospered like a protective cocoon for the blessed souls with the almighty's presence as the wings towards enlightement.

Vaikunth Dham -

In the heart of this divine abode, resided the Heart of Shri Hari - Devi Lakshmi. Her splendorous complexion would steal the pride of millions of suns. Those bloomimg lotus eyes were captivatingly restless. Indeed she was Chanchala in all sorts. The crescent jewel amongst all the women was fragrant and pristine like a freshly blooming jasmine bud. Her sublime form besides being adorned with priceless jewels was decorated with innumerable transcendental qualities.

Perched on an ever blooming sahasrakamala, the four-armed Mother of the Universe was nestled around with the fond eyes of her children, led by Devarishi Narad surrounding her. A curvilinear smile graced her ever youthful lips, as she bestowed her seraphic sight on her noble devotees presenting themselves before her as if a child listening to their mother narrating a story.

Mata Lakshmi -

"Mata, is this abominable behavior of Dhritarashtra with his family and other people of his state justified? If the same despicable atmosphere promises to prevail in this lineage of King Shantanu, then why do you wish to be born as the daughter of their dynasty, Mata?" Garuda innocently questioned, slowly resting his wings at Lakshmi's lotus feet.

"No Putra, not even a slightly atrocious behaviour towards women should be justified. As for Dhritarashtra, just like when someone's hope and their desires are shattered, their hearts gradually fill up with anger. Here he is trying to punish the person who HE thinks has offended and did wrong to him." The Goddess of Fortune spoke, looking far into the nothingness of the three worlds.

"Narayan, Narayan! But Mata, whenever we lose hope and our desires are shattered, is it right for us to always blame someone else for it?" Narad chimed in, talking to the beats of his khartals.

"There can be numerous reasons why desires never complete their circle. Some remain unfulfilled due to our fate and others due to this Universe's destiny." She nodded again, patiently answering everyone's unfeigned questions.

"And sometimes the desires are such, that they cannot and should not be fulfilled." Ulmuka, Chanchala's mount, the wise owl completed.

"You're right Ulmuka," She joyously smiled, her intricately painted hand patting his soft white head, "Without considering the circumstances, its immoral to blame someone. Dhritarashtra's actions are not seeking the justice he wants, but infact leading him on the path of vengeance. And yugas, mahayugas and kalpas are a witness to the fact that vengeance consumes the bearer into its endless loop of unsatisfaction and misery." She continued.

"Mata, will Dhritarashtra and Gandhari get the justice for their mishaped fate?" This time, the pair of elephants, forever gracing the royalty and purity of the goddess by blowing fountains of holy water from their trunks, asked.

The Goddess smiled even more before she began speaking, watching the elephants tottering on either side of her seat, "The justice is based on mercy and pity. The basis of vengeance? Anger and pride. If they are wise to walk this journey with thoughtfulness, patience and without any conceit, they shall get salvation. If not, then their eternal parents are here to descend on earth and get it done the hard way."

"Tatparya, dealing with someone's offence without being considerated enough, punishing them by turning on an immoral path, isn't fair, is it?" A knowing smile slowly graced the face of Devarishi Narad.

"Absolutely! consideration and modesty are the core values of an ideal human, especially a King who has to not only look after his family, but also his entire Kingdom as one. By falling prey to his own vanity, Dhritarashtra is indeed foreshadowing his own destruction." Garuda stood up on his feet, being in accord with Devrishi's discourse.

"Yatharth hai!" Devi Lakshmi's lips curved up, treasuring the moment of her dears, having a discussion.

"Yatharth hai?" Ulmuka repeated, walking up close under her arms.

"Yes, why not, Ulmuka?" Her forehead creased a little, patting the white feathers of the wise bird.

"Alright if you say so...
But, Mata, Garuda's first question still remains unanswered." Ulmuka continued the lasting conversation, bringing everyone's scattered attention back to them.

"What question?" Sindhuja lifted her brow, giving them each, a lopsided grin.

"Mata, you are trikaldarshi. Yet, inspite of knowing everything, why have you decided to descend on the Earth, as the daughter of the Kurus, who's lineage foresees nothing but adharma and bloodshed as a result of sheer spite?" Ulmuka spoke again, a tone of wisdom trailing behind his voice.

"We are worried about you even before you assume your avatar, Mata." Garuda smiled, his heart never getting enough of singing the glories of his aaradhya.

"Aap sabko meri, aur mujhe sadaiv aap sabki chinta hoti hai." The goddess beamed with a twinkle in her petal-like eyes, standing up from her celestial lotus, "But putro, you all should remember that a the most captivating of all Lotuses, is often surrounded by the most obstinate muds."

"A portion of me is descending on earth not to live the most extravagant life, but to infact teach humans how to strive and stand by their dharma to ultimately live a joyous life. My birth as the daughter of the Kurus is not my ultimate destination, it's a journey. Precisely; the beginning. Beginning of the end of patriarchy and vitally, it's brutish consequences. For empowering and shielding that pious naari jati who are like the pillars of the world, to let the universe know for once and for all even the sky can have an end but there is no limit for what we, as the upholders of the womenfolk can accomplish," The Vaikunth Samragyi spoke, grace and poise emanating from the core of her soul, "And ofcourse to aid your Leeladhari prabhu in his neverending leelas." A euphonious chuckle left her nectarine lips as even particle of the surrounding fluttered along her laughter.

"Narayan, Narayan! Felicitations to your marvelous leela and boundless obeisances to you, O Mother of the Universe! Just like we all are liberated just by listening to the descriptions and glories of your avatar, blessed be those who would aid you in this transcendental incarnation." Devarishi's holy expression reverberated throughout the planet of ultimate salvation, premonishing the arrival of Mahalakshmi on Bhuloka.

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Glossary -

· Kuruvansh - Kuru Dynasty
· Yamraj / Dharmaraj - Lord Yama
· Sahasrakamala - Lotus with 1000 petals
· Chanchala, Sindhuja, Mahalakshmi,
Vaikunth Samragyi - Names of Mata Lakshmi.
· Ulmuka - Owl of Mata Lakshmi
· Tatparya - meaning
· Yatharth - Truth
· Bhuloka - Earth
· Garuda - Mount of Narayan.

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Now this is officially the first chapter of Kanha's Priya! Yayy!

I tried to include all three different aespects of the same event in the same chapter. Also, I wanted the Vaikunth scene to be cute but I don't know how it turned out. And if you haven't realzied yet, I'm absolutely in love with the idea and everything about Vaikunth!

And and and I also made a new banner of the story because that's what I do when I have zero inspiration to write further :(

Soo, don't forget to tell how's the new opening chapter and ofcourse, the banner.

Just compared this chapter with my original first chapter and...I'm glad I decided to edit lmaooo.

Also, can I please get even a small feedback on my writing and plotting? I am just looking for improvements and I basically need help :)

Anyways,

Hope you liked it.
If you do, don't forget to vote and comment.
Thanks.
xx.