-

Capital Ayuki,

Empire Karwasa

Blue Butterflies flutter around the Princess of Karwasa, landing on her nose. The newborn giggles and the butterflies continue to tickle the baby. The baby wiggles her hands in an attempt to catch the butterflies in her palms.

Darika smiles down at her daughter, watching her play with the butterflies. Jyesht Samragyi Yuvati, Samrat Vikram, and Raj Mata were busy serving the Brahman, as they were invited for the Princess's naamkaran. And Samragyi Darika was asked to watch over the Princess, which she had no problem doing.

It had been around 2 days since the birth of the newborn Princess of Karwasa and everyone was busy with the preparations. Samragyi Darika was asked to watch over the Princess, which she had no problem doing.

Samragyi Darika, the Princess of Prithibhoj, was known for her warrior skills. The only child of Maharaja Ekant and Maharani Bhargavi. A free-spirited and fearless woman, standing at a height of 5'8 with a lean body.

Fierce and strong, she has led many wars and won with her father. Her best ability is swordsmanship, one of many hobbies she has learned during her teenage years, a hobby that many criticized in women.

Darika didn't give up, she fought until people realized who she really is. Now, people are enchanted every time she takes her mask off. Many Princesses, who are asked to act more ladylike see her as an inspiration.

Darika's arrow accidentally wounded Vikram while hunting in a forest. As she treats him, the two bond and fall in love. Vikram proposed to Darika for her hand in marriage. When she arrived at Karwasa, Yuvita accepted Darika as her younger sister.

Darika was a Lakshmi-Narayan bhakt since her childhood, she saw Narayan and Lakshmi as the epitome of love and devotion. But when Darika entered the royal family of Karwasa, she was asked to stop worshiping them.

To this day, Darika secretly worships Lakshmi-Narayan. Raj Guru, and Darika were the only ones to worship the Jagatpita-Jagatmata.

Darika never had her own children, she couldn't. But she treated Paras and Manav as her own. She had always wished for a daughter, who she could train to be a warrior.

Yuvati on the other hand was a soft-spoken, and pure queen. The one that was not tainted by scandals, society, or war. A beautiful woman, who obeyed her husband, and mother-in-law without questioning anything.

"Darika Putri." A voice breaks Darika from admiring the newborn baby in her arms.

Turning around, the Samragyi comes face to face with Raj Guru. "Guru ji." Fixing her veil over her head, Darika is instantly on her feet, a protective arm around her daughter.

Darika, who is holding Lakshmi in her arms, receives a smile from Raj Guru Debashish. He was truly happy for Darika since he knew how much she adored Lakshmi-Narayan.

"Putri, do you realize who you are holding?" Raj Guru questions, his expressions softening at Darika's confused expression.

Darika looks at Raj Guru, before looking down at her daughter. "Tatparya? What are you trying to say Guru ji?"

"You don't even know what blessing lies in your hands. Do one thing, look at the Rajkumari as if you are looking at your Maa Lakshmi." Following Raj Guru's instructions, Darika gently lays her eyes on the baby, as if she's looking at her pratima.

Darika's vision blurs, and she sees a gorgeous woman in front of her, possibly the most beautiful woman in the universe.

With her rings, bangles, and lotus in her hand, the glow of her necklace, and the beautiful bell belt, she wore across her hips, the woman appeared magnificent. The woman sat on a blossomed lotus with a pleasant smile on her face.

Darika recognized her as the Goddess of Beauty and Fortune, who had assumed the guise of her daughter. Darika's eyes well up with tears, and she looks to Raj Guru for reassurance.

"Yes Darika, she is Maa Lakshmi. Your devotion and worshiping has contributed to you holding her in your arms. Lakshmi herself has graced you with her presence, we have take great care of her. If she is on Earth, then she and Bhagwan Narayan must have a mission. We can't tell anyone. Satrupa, Vikram and the Rajkumar don't even consider Narayan as the Jagatpita." 

Darika nods, understanding each word that Raj Guru uttered. He was correct, no one in the royal family worshipped Lord Vishnu. If they found out that Maa Lakshmi was born in their family, they will do everything in their power to poison her mind against her Narayan.

"You are correct Guru ji. This will be a secret between us. Narayan has already been born as Krishna, the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Her being Maa Lakshmi wouldn't affect how much we love her. I will always be there for, whenever she needs me." Darika snuggles the baby to her chest.

Satrupa had obtained a boon from Mahadev himself, allowing him to know when the Tridev took an Earthly incarnation. However, she overlooked the fact that she would only be aware of the Tridevs' avatar, and not Trideviyaan.

A squeal from the Rajkumari attracts their attention towards her. The two smile down at her, playing with butterflies. They vowed to shelter her from the poisonous thoughts towards Narayan.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

A dasi walks forward, with a plate with alta. Everyone was gathered around the door of the royal castle. They all were here for ritual in the royal family. Yuvita held the baby in her arms.

"Yuvita putri, take Rajkumari's hands and dip them into the alta plate. Then press them against the royal castle's wall." Raj Guru instructs Yuvita, being the most knowledgeable.

Yuvita grins as she takes her baby's small hands in hers. The Jyesht Samragyi dips Rajkumari's hands in the alta. She then moves forward and presses them against the wall, near the royal door.

Pulling away, Yuvita walks over and hands her daughter over to her mother-in-law.

The tiny red handprints start to sparkle before they turn to a golden imprint. Only Darika, Raj Guru, Vikram, and most of the citizens from Karwasa notice the hands glowing.

The citizens were astonished to see such a miracle, it seems that their Rajkumari is someone special. Everyone heads back inside to the Courtyard, where the preparations for the naming ceremony were happening.

Satrupa lifts up her granddaughter and cradling her in her arms. It was finally the time that everyone had been waiting for. Citizens from all around Karwasa gathered to see their Princess's naming.

A smile reflects on everyone's face, as their Princess is passed to the Raj Guru. The man smiles down at the girl. It was now time for him to name her, and he knew what he had to name her.

Clearing his throat, the Raj Guru's voice echoes throughout the Courtyard. "Today we all have gathered to witness the naming of our beloved princess. There are many names that represent her. I, Brahmin putr, Debashish, present the names for our Rajkumari."

"Manushri; for she has brought fortune to everyone. Padmakshi; for she has lotus-like eyes. Vikriti; for she will be a treasure of talents. Shreeja; for she is the treasure of our Empire and will bring glory to this family. Vachi; for her laughter and voice are as sweet as amrit. Aarna; for she is as calm as the ocean. Vikasani; for when she was born, all the lotuses bloomed. Karwasani; for she is the daughter of Karwasa. Krisha; for she has a divine aura.

But she will be mostly known as Jeevika; as she has entered our Empire and lit a source of life in everyone."

Though some other Kingdoms would be confused and find this weird, Karwasa was one of the many Kingdoms, where the Princes and Princesses were known for having more than one name.

Darika beams at Raj Guru's words. He purposely choose names connected to Maa Lakshmi. It made perfect sense for Jeevika to have names like that. Raj Guru hands the baby over to Samrat Vikram.

"I will protect you with everything I have my princess." Vikram promises to his daughter, his Jeevika, making everyone adore the father-daughter duo.

Manav watches his anuja in his father's arms. He was really protective of his family, and now that he had a sister, he would give everything to her. "I will only give her the best things in the world."

"You are correct Manav putra." Everyone turns around, to see Samragyi Darika and Jyesht Samragyi Yuvita's parents.

Maharani Shrishti

[Darika's mother]

Maharaja Ekant

[Darika's father]

Maharaja Udaybhan

[Yuvita's father]

Maharani Roshini

[Yuvita's mother]

Paras and Manav engulf their grandparents in a tight hug. It had been a few months since they last saw their grandparents together. Prithibhoj and Vadekar are far away from Karwasa.

Karwasa is the Empire between Kalinga and Utkala. Whereas Prithibhoj is close to Sindhu and Malwa. Vadekar is close to Vatsa and Chedi.

"Jamata, humhe bhi apni dauhitri ko apni baahon mein lene dijiye." Maharaja Udaybhan beams at his granddaughter in his son-in-law's arms. [Son-in-law, let us hold our granddaughter in our arms.]

Vikram smiles, passing a piece of his heart to his father-in-law. Jeevika giggles as Maharani Roshini and Maharani Shrishti coo at her. Maharaja Ekant looks at his granddaughter with adoration in his eyes.

Jeevika's hand curls around Maharaja Udaybhan's thumb, making him wince at the grip. Her grip was tight around around

Maharani Roshini and Maharani Shrishti stroke Jeevika's curly hair. She was really a beauty, even more, beautiful than their own daughters. Her face held intelligence and wisdom beyond her years as if she knew everything about the world, all the secrets, and the future.

Maharaja Ekant watches as Jeevika observes everything around her. Her curiosity and thirst for the things that surrounded her were astonishing. Ekant could guess that Jeevika's thirst for knowledge will not be quenched.

The royal family is distributed with a voice ringing in the background, "Pitashree, Mata, Let us hold Bhanji."

𝐘𝐮𝐯𝐫𝐚𝐣 𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚

[Darika's brother]

𝐘𝐮𝐯𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚

[Darika's bhabhishree]

𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭

[Darika's brother]

𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐚

[Darika's bhabhishree]

Yuvraj Kunala and Rajkumar Vasant trail behind their respective wives, Apeksha and Nirmuktha. They couldn't wait to see their niece. Jeevika wasn't Darika's blood daughter, but that didn't stop them from seeing Jeevika as their niece.

Kunala and Vasant viewed Yuvita as their sister. She was dear to them, just as much as Darika was. Apeksha and Nirmuktha admired the baby girl in their father-in-law's arms. Apeksha had a son, older than Manav and Paras.

𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐢𝐤

[Jeevika's cousin]

Paras and Rajkumar Manav dash over to Daiwik. They adored Daiwik since he was the only person who could teach them methods, strategies, and about the Veds at the time. Daiwik was a student of Brahmarshi Vishwamitra.

Everyone smiles; it was times like these that made everyone happy. It was the first time in a while, where everyone was together, free of the pressures of royal life.

Vikram scans the room, aware of the absence of his beloved wife. "Where is Darika?"

"Vikram, did you forget? It's time for the Matanatya ritual. Yuvita asked Darika to perform this ritual." Raj Guru answers, motioning everyone to take their seats.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

Darika descends the stairwell in preparation for the Matanatya ritual. In a beautiful maroon lehenga with heavy jewelry, she looked regal and magnificent. With fire torches in their hands, Dasis trailed behind her.

Karwasa's residents waited with bated breaths. Darika, their younger Samragyi, was a fantastic dancer. Her movements reflected her feelings. And now happened to be one of their lucky days to see her dance.

Darika was so happy to have received the opportunity to perform the Matanatya ritual. As the instruments' music filled the room, Darika's feet moved on their own.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The Matanatya ritual was performed by the mother of the newborn child of the royal family. It was a ritual to please Maa Saraswati and Maa Parvati with the creative art of dance to bless the baby with Kalas.

Even though Mahadev was Nataraj, Mata Saraswati was the Goddess of Knowledge, Wisdom, and Creative Arts and Mata Parvati was Shakti.

This ritual pleased Mata Saraswati because she blessed one with the knowledge, wisdom, and Kalas, and Mata Parvati were to be pleased because she was Shakti. Mata Parvati blesses one with the energy to deal with the evils of the world.

Matanatya came from two words; 'Mata' and 'Natya'. Mata means Mother, whereas Natya is a variation of the word Nritya; meaning dance. The ritual was only done in the Empire of Karwasa.

As Darika danced, her devotion reflected in every step she took, every graceful hand gesture she made. She was blessed to have obtained her idol as her daughter.

A dasi moves forward, with two diyas in her hands. The fire danced violently in the oil lamps. Darika takes them in her hands, her palms feeling the burn of the fire.

Hot oil made contact with Darika's palms, some oil that had dropped on the floor, hissed against the sole of Darika's feet. But not a frown appeared on her face.

Her eyes trailed to Jeevika. Just one look at her daughter's smile and all of Darika's pain disappeared.

The royal family watched with admiration for Darika. Jeevika was enjoying the dance, moving her hands and body to the music and instruments.

Darika's full energy was diverted to her devotion and love for Narayan and Lakshmi. That's what made her dance even more beautiful.

Darika ended the dance with a smile, her face holding a divine glow, not even a single drop of sweat on her face. It felt as she had just taken a bath. A bath in the pool of devotion towards her idol.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

Glossary:

Naamkaran - Naming ceremony

Anuja - Sister

Bhanji - Niece

Jyesht- elder/eldest

Pitashree - Father

Jamata - Son-in-law

Mata - Mother

Kul Guru - Mentor of a dynasty/lineage

Diya - oil lamp

Samragyi - Empress

Samrat - Emperor

Rajkumari - Princess

Rajkumar - Prince

Dasi - Handmaiden

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

I hope you guys like it. I am extremely sorry if I bored you.

Please tell me what I can improve on and who you have liked so far.

Also, this is a work of fiction and my imagination, it is not to be taken offensively pr seriously. Please refrain from reading if you are offended easily because this story will have changes.