-

The Capital city Ayuki,

Empire Karwasa

The Empire of Karawasa, in the Captial city of Ayuki, echoed with the screams of their Jyesht Samragyi. The entire Empire waited with elated breaths, there was a huge crowd assembled outside the doors of the royal palace.

To their kingdom always comes a king or queen who cares more for the world and others than themselves, one who has learned the ways of the heroes, of the kind of warrior who wins the trust of all.

After the demise of their Raj Pita, the news of their Samragyi being blessed by Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati to give birth to a girl was their source of happiness. Their ray of happiness had been in the form of Samrat's two sons; Manav, and Paras.

The Jyesht Samragyi gave birth to two sons; Paras, and Manav. Manav is the eldest son. After Manav, Paras is the youngest son of Samrat Vikram. Their choti Samragyi didn't have an offspring.

The Jyesht Samragyi, Yuvita, thrashed against the bed, as her younger sister like the second wife of her husband, helped her through the pain. Each contraction brought with it a pain that consumed Yuvita's entire being. There was nothing else in those moments, for those seconds that seemed to go on forever.

She could hear her screaming, yet she made no attempt to be quiet at all. She breathed with closed eyes for a minute or so after the pain subsided, unwilling to re-engage with existence outside of her own body.

For all the awareness she had, the room could have been empty, and when people did talk, touch, or try to get her attention, she found it difficult. To respond, she had to dig deep into the recesses of her mind and drag herself forward, using her voice and opening her eyes. The midwife was telling her that it was time, time to push.

Her mind was imprisoned by the misery of labour. Time passed in that fearful and perplexing detention cell without her being able to keep track. Her stomach clenched, and she heard herself scream without realising it.

Yuvati laid motionless as her mind chanted the name of her Mata Parvati, waiting for the pain to go away. She'd forget these memories as easily in the future because she'd always remember the love she felt for her baby, her darling child, born in perfect love.

Outside Vikram paced the room, waiting for the news of her daughter. Beside her, stood his mother, Raj Guru, and his sons, Paras, and Manav, awaiting for their anuja to be born. It had been centuries since a girl had been born in the royal family of the Karwasa Empire. It is the greatest honour in the world to have a daughter.

The ancestors of Karwasa always believed that a daughter is a priceless asset, just as valuable as a son. She is a marvel in her own right, a unique individual. She is a person born equal to males, not a receptacle for family pride. She has the right to make as many mistakes like anyone else and still get full family love.

"She's almost here, Jiji. She wants her Mata to be strong for her. Take deep breaths and push." Darika felt her elder sister like Yuvati tighten her grip around her hand.

With a guttural grunt Yuvita did so and was told to stop, one was enough. She could feel the baby's crowning, a burning stretch of skin, and she held her breath. The baby fell into the midwife's hands with little additional effort.

Yuvati let her body sag on the bed, and wondered why there was silence in the room. The Samragyi turns her heads towards her younger sister, only to see Darika crying with a smile at their daughter. Confused, Yuvati looks down at her baby.

There, the girl now lay in the arms of Darika, laughing at the joys of the world. Her laughing was so beautiful because it was so free and pure. It came across as a tickle and a bounce to everyone's ears, and no one could help but join their youngest princess.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

Satrupa, Vikram, Raj Guru, and the Princes' excitement heightened as a dasi entered the chamber. They had been waiting for this day for months, and all they wanted to know was whether or not the girl was safe.

"Raj Mata, Samrat," As she struggles to collect her breath, the dasi comes to an end in front of Satrupa and Vikram. She was overjoyed to the point of indescribable joy. When the dasi saw the princess, she felt as if she had been blessed.

"Raj mata, Samrat, the girl is lovely and healthy. You are now free to enter the room."

The diyas in the room lighted up with a gust of wind as soon as those words filled the air. The breeze brought with it a sense of harmony and the wisdom to travel at a steady, quiet pace.

The castle's walls shone with a golden essence. It was as if Ayuki, and the entire Empire of Karwasa, had been imbued with calm air. The lotuses in the pool of water bloomed spontaneously, shocking Samrat, Satrupa, the Princes, and Kul Guru.

The Lotuses were not ripe to bloom and mostly in Karwasa, lotuses were rare and they rarely did bloom in the weather conditions of the Empire.

Everyone in Karwasa was overcome with serenity. It was as if they had never had a problem in their lives. They felt as if they were immersed in the Almighty's embrace.

Birds chirped in the welcome of their Jagath Mata. Royal Blue butterflies fluttered their wings around the chamber. Animals sang a song in her honour.

Satrupa cheerfully takes off her necklace and passes it over to the dasi. "Our Empire has been blessed by my precious granddaughter. Dasi, hand out clothes, food, and other goods to everyone in this Empire."

Without wasting any time, Manav, and Paras rush into the room. Kul Guru, Vikram, and Satrupa follow closely behind them. They could no longer wait and had to embrace the Princess into their arms.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

Now, in the diya-lit chamber, stood family, each ready to make a promise about how they would protect this baby girl over the course of their lives. She was a pure soul, a priceless gift of the Creator's light.

When she cried they shed tears too, her cries were to be expected. This girl has just arrived from heaven; being further away from the Creator wasn't easy and it was their job to fill her with so much love that she could be happy on Earth - safe and content in the knowledge that not only her parents, but her entire extended family loved her and watched over her.

The baby girl was passed from person to person, each holding her, cuddling her, before carefully placing her into the arms of a trusted other. Finally, Sivagami held the girl in her arms.

There was a steadiness to the girl as if all the storms in the world were a whispering breeze if she was there. Her head was full of curly hair. Hair that seemed like waves of pure earth, softly reflecting the light of the diya; each strand moving freely in an ocean-born breeze, a compliment to her serenity.

With eyes of river waters, beautiful like a lotus, in glossy serenity, her aura seeped into the summer air of the Empire. Her short, button nose matched the mischievousness in her eyes that reflected her personality.

Her smile was warm with a hint of shyness. And at that moment, in that fraction of time, her smile was in every way a God-given feature. It was one of those rare smiles that had a timeless comfort quality to it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or appeared to face—the entire external world for a split second before focusing on you with motherly nature.

Satrupa found herself falling in love with the baby as she held it in her arms. Satrupa felt as if she had known the baby for years and worshipped her endlessly.

Vikram felt tears stream down his cheeks as he held his baby in his arms. He knew it was not easy, to be a strong independent woman in a world that would constantly try to pull her down. He could see it, the struggle that his baby girl would have to go through, the troubles that she had to hide.

But Vikram knew that he would protect her with everything. Vikram knew his baby would walk out of these hurdles with her head held high. He wouldn't be a meek princess, but a warrior Princess.

Vikram felt honoured to be her father. When Vikram laid eyes on his daughter my world changed, filled with love for her, his precious child. It is for him to defend her, to care, to help her mature into who she was born to be - not a small version of himself, but her own self.

Vikram's baby girl was a blessing from Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati. Even though he and his wives had three sons, he had always desired a daughter. In the Karwasa lineage, a girl was born in the family was extremely rare.

One day, in a dream, Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati had appeared in front of Yuvita and Vikram and presented them with a beautifully glowing lotus and blessed them with a child.

So now it was Vikram's given duty to protect his baby from harm. He prayed that his care of his daughter leaves her able to be autonomous, to have control of her own life, able to fully love and care for those blessed to share life with her. Vikram's love for his daughter is eternal, that it will always be in the ether to comfort her heart should she ever have need. She is the internal light in his heart.

"Jyeshta Mata, why is she so small?" Paras questions and laughter escapes everyone's lips at the younger Prince's words

Yuvita leans her back on the pillow and the headrest as she caresses Paras' hair. "That is because she has just been born. You all now have to share all your food to make her big like you."

A horror-struck Paras moves away from Yuvita and looks at the girl. His frown melts into a soft smile. "I will always share my food with her."

"You've never shared your food with your pet," Manav and Vikram snort.

"That's different, Jyesht and Pitashree. She's so adorable and beautiful that if she asks, I'll give her my life."

Paras' comments bring a smile to everyone's face. He was true, she has so precious and gorgeous that you just wanted to protect her with everything.

Raj Guru receives the infant from Vikram and experiences a celestial touch as he holds her. His eyes widen as a glow washes over them, and he peers in front of him at the vision of the goddess who nurtures humanity, alongside her husband.

The baby giggles at the Raj Guru, who bows his head gently. The baby raises her legs when she notices this. Her feet kiss the Raj Guru on the forehead, bestowing prosperity and happiness onto him.

'Mata, your presence has been a blessing to me and the kingdom. I'm not sure what game you and Lord are playing, but I'll do my best to support you both.'

The man shifts the baby in his arms. He just wanted her to be comfortable, despite knowing the fact that Lakshmi and Narayan's avatars were not known for living simple lives.

They had accepted a 14-year exile in the jungle to teach humanity about dharma and social obligations, not just as a King, but also as a son and husband.

Mata Sita chose to live a life of sacrifice so that there is no upheaval in the Kingdom of Ayodhya. The rule for the welfare of people can go on nicely even though Bhagwan Ram and Mata Sita had to suffer for that.

It was never like Lord Rama wanted to send Mother Sita away. His heart was crying and shivering in pain. But to uphold the principles of Dharma, Lord Rama did sacrifice. Similarly, Lord Rama and Mother Sita did sacrifice for the greater good.

Now that they were in this incarnation, Kul Guru simply prays to Mahadev that the two of them do not suffer in this lifetime. "Satrupa, putra Vikram, let's go and announce the birth of the Princess."

Satrupa smiles down at her granddaughter's cackle before scooping her up in her arms. The Raj Mata walks gracefully down the Castle's corridor.

Darika and Vikram assist a weak Yuvita in walking to the Courtyard that now is supporting a majority of the citizens. Prince Manav, Prince Paras, and Raj Guru trail behind.

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

The sight of their Raj Mata and the rest of the royal family causes a gasp among the citizens. They couldn't wait any longer; it had been a long nine months.

Every day, the women of the Kingdom prayed for the safety of beloved Jyesht Samragyi and Rajkumari. Men worked particularly hard to ensure that the royal household had the best food and other resources available.

All they wanted was for their Princess to be comfortable and secure. Satrupa greets her subjects with a motherly smile. They are her children, whom she had nurtured like a mother.

"Hail Raj Mata! Hail Samrat Vikram! Hail the Princes! Hail the Jyesht Samragyi Yuvita! Hail Samragyi Darika!"

Satrupa nods her head to stifle the crowd's applause for the royals. Her hands instantly make the girl in her arms feel at ease. "Your Jyesht Samragyi Yuvita has given birth to a healthy girl today. Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati have bestowed upon us a lovely young lady. Accept her as your Princess and bless her."

Satrupa raises her granddaughter over her head, while the crowd looks on in anticipation. A strong breeze tickles around the baby girl's ears, making her softly smile and try to grasp air in her tiny fist. Everyone smiles at their Princess's actions.

"WELCOME! The boon of Mata Parvati and Mata Saraswati, the blessing. THE PRINCESS OF KARWASA."

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

Glossary:

Jyesht- elder/eldest

Pitashree - Father

Mata - Mother

Kul Guru - Mentor of a dynasty/lineage

Samragyi - Empress

Samrat - Emperor

Raj Mata - Royal/Queen Mother

Raj Pita - Royal/King Father

Rajkumari - Princess

Dasi - Handmaiden

· · ─────── · ॐ· ─────── · ·

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

Can I say how much I love the characters of Deepika Padukone and Aishwarya Rai in
Padmavati and Devdas respectively?! Like they are my favourite actresses.

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.