The psithurism of late spring was peaceful. Ascetics were involved in their penance, radiating the forests with divine energy and positivity.

At the banks of the river stood a couple who had spent the past twelve years unwaveringly worshipping Lakshmi. Their desire for a daughter led them to undertake severe penance, as advised by their familial priest, to please the Goddess of Wealth. Standing on one foot, they chanted Lakshmi's name with unyielding devotion and sincerely served the ascetics daily.

"Maata. Pita. Please open your eyes," a melodious voice made the couple open their eyes.

Initially in disbelief, the couple were overwhelmed with joy at the sight before them.

The Goddess answered their prayers.

As tears of joy welled up in their eyes, the couple beheld the radiant and beautiful form of the goddess before them. A serene smile graced her face, and her lotus-like eyes brimmed with love and compassion as the couple sank her image. They were overwhelmed by the fulfilment of their prayers and the blessing of her presence.

They stood on their feet, folded their palms in reverence, and bowed before Goddess.

They looked at each other and then at the goddess.

Surreal.

"Maa Lakshmi," Uma whispered, placing a hand over her mouth, "My prayers. You answered my prayers."

"I have answered your prayers, Maata," Lakshmi said. "I am your daughter," she assured the couple.

Uma and Divakara - Uma's husband - looked at each other and then at the goddess, a sense of wonder dawning in their eyes. "Our daughter," they assured themselves.

"Your daughter, Manasvini," Lakshmi assured the parents and disappeared in thin air, leaving behind a baby girl swaddled in the softest silks on a lotus flower.

"Our daughter, " Divakara said as he carefully took the child closer to his chest. "Uma, see how beautiful she is. " His ecstatic grin did not leave his face as he handed the child to Uma.

"She's just as beautiful as the moon. Her lotus-like eyes hold love and compassion. We shall raise her to be a wise and intelligent woman just as true to her name-Manasvini." The new parents promised and kissed each of their daughter's temples as the little one raised her arms, trying to cup their faces as if assuring them that she would be as they wished.

***

Twelve years had passed since they saw the palace. They could not recognise the gloomy hallways they walked by. Uma held her daughter closer to her bosom while looking at her husband every now and then. Fear gripped their hearts as the soldiers bowed in respect for the royals.

"Do you think Pitashree will accept her? He would not..." Uma began to ramble as they approached Jarasandha's chambers.

"Don't overthink it," Divakara said firmly. "He shall love our child as his own. You have seen how he loves my sisters, haven't you? Do not fear the uncertain, beloved." His tender and assuring words calmed Uma's racing heart as she rocked Manasvini, babbling occasionally and snuggled deeper in her mother's chest.

"Anuja Divakara," a masculine voice was heard from behind, making the couple perk up and whisk in its direction. "You are back in Magadha at the right time," the man continued, taking long strides towards the new parents, who looked confused.

"Right time?" Divakara quizzed the man approaching him, "What do you mean by the right time, Bhrata Sahdeva?" the father of Manasvini grew restless.

Had something untoward happened in the past years when he was away from the palace?

The palace looked dark and gloomy as if it had lost a loved one and its life.

"A war had consumed Magadha in the past seven years," Sahdeva's grim voice made the couple look bewildered. " A war father waged to avenge the loss of a son-in-law and later an ego match with two young boys from Mathura."

"A war? Is this by any chance..." Uma did not complete her statement as she saw Prapti, who had followed behind Sahdeva in the garbs of a widow.

"It's all over for now after the boys retreated and went silent and untraceable," Sahdeva said, assuring things were returning to normal. Now, can I meet my little niece?" Sahdeva diverted the topic.

"She's beautiful," Sahdev said, making the parents smile and open the door to Jarasandha's chambers.

Jarasandha, the emperor of Aryavarta and monarch of Magadha, sat on his throne, lost in thoughts of war. The opening of the doors made him snap in the direction and let out a tired sigh at the sight of his son, Sahdev. Sahdev was followed closely behind by Divakara and Uma, who brought a smile to his face and understood that the couple were successful in their penance.

After handing over their daughter to Sahdev, Uma and Divakara bent down to receive the blessings of the patriarch of the Magadhas.

"Live for a hundred autumns, my children," Jarasandha blessed the couple.

"Meet your granddaughter, Pitashree. We have named her Manasvini," Divakara said as he took Manasvini from Sahdev and placed her in Jarasandha's arms.

A shiver ran down Jarasandha's spine as he held the baby girl in his arms. Her divinity was undeniable as her dark brown orbs pierced through his soul, and her smile reminded him of a certain young boy who had challenged him in the past seven years alone. The child was no ordinary child; he knew she was paving the way for his inevitable end, yet warmth surged in his heart to shower the child with love and affection.

He had seen his daughters lose their smiles in the past seven years, and this little girl shall never see such a day until he was alive, he resoluted. And if such a day occurs, the world may drown in sorrow and bloodshed for inflicting it on his granddaughter.

Manasvini tugged her grandfather's moustache innocently, oblivious to the vow her grandfather had made to her.

The irony of life was always amusing when, on the one hand, Jarasandha vowed to destroy the peace of Krishna and the Vrishnis, and on the other, he would protect a part of Krishna's heart as if it were dearer than life.

*******

And thus begins the story of Manasvini!

Also, please do not assume I have tried to whitewash Jarasandha. I tried to make him a decent and overprotective grandfather (he's not the best but also not the worst) but an absolute menace of a monarch (as he should be.) I hope you can see the difference in how he sees Krishna and Manasvini and how he is as a family person.

Let me know what you think about this story through your votes and comments.

Until then, take care and see you guys in the next chapter.

Love Siya