Chapter 24: The Blessing of the Sage
General POV
After enjoying a hearty meal during the royal feast, Shon decided it was time to rest. His wounds from the forest had not fully healed, and the fatigue of his long journey had caught up with him. He wandered through the streets of Ayodhya, searching for a place to stay that wouldn't burn a hole in his coin pouch.
After asking around, he found a small, clean, and affordable inn tucked away in one of the quieter lanes. The owner, a kind old man with betel-stained teeth, welcomed him warmly and gave him a modest room on the upper floor.
As soon as Shon entered, he placed his small satchel on the floor and counted his remaining money: five gold coins and a few silvers. Enough to survive a few weeks, but not for long. He realized he'd have to do some odd jobs while in the city — maybe carry water, help vendors, or deliver goods. More importantly, he needed to find out which mountain Bhagwan Hanuman resided on, as the deity had only said, "Come to the mountains near Ayodhya."
"I should've asked for a map," Shon muttered to himself with a chuckle.
Still sore and dusty, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began his mantra practice.
"ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः…"
As he cycled between the Gayatri Mantra and Panchakshari Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya), calm washed over him. His heartbeat steadied. His breath slowed. Even the pain in his shoulders dulled.
The room may have been plain, but inside his mind, he was sitting beneath a thousand stars, watched over by the gods themselves.
---
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace…
King Rajendra Dev personally escorted Sage Vishvamitra to the palace gates and arranged for a private chamber for his rest.
"You should rest for few hours as you must be tired from your journey, O Sage," said the king with respect. "We will then meet you in the royal dining hall with my queen and daughter."
Vishvamitra nodded. "It has been a long journey, Maharaj. Some quiet time would be appreciated."
A soldier led the sage to his chamber, where a clean bed and water basin awaited. But the sage did not rest in the usual sense. He sat cross-legged on the floor, closed his eyes, and entered deep meditation.
Within moments, he soared into the cosmic plane — where time folds, karma reveals itself, and destinies intertwine.
He had sensed something on his journey... something powerful. The stars around Ayodhya shimmered differently now. The dharma of this land had shifted, and Vishvamitra was no stranger to such signs.
He had first come here to bless the beloved descendant of his favorite disciple — Ram.
But now, he saw something more.
"A force that will rewrite niyati itself is here," he whispered to himself. "And she… she will be its key."
His eyes opened. "Princess Vaidehi."
If fate allowed, he would train her himself.
---
In the Palace Kitchen…
Queen Veenaprabha stood over pots of boiling milk and clarified butter, instructing maids with calm precision. Her long sleeves were rolled back, and the temple of her forehead glistened with sweat. But her focus never wavered.
Vaidehi stood beside her, mixing dry fruits into the kheer with delicate hands, but her mind was elsewhere.
He had those deep eyes.
The boy at the feast.
Why did I stare?
Why did I blush?
Why can't I forget that smile?
She added one too many almonds to the pot and nearly spilled some milk while pouring.
"Focus, Vaidehi," her mother snapped gently. "This is a kitchen, not a ballroom. A single mistake can cause burns."
"Sorry, Mata," Vaidehi murmured, cheeks pink again.
Queen Veenaprabha gave her a quick glance, curious. Her daughter was rarely distracted.
"Something on your mind, child?"
"No, Mata… just… the heat," Vaidehi replied, avoiding eye contact.
The queen said nothing, but the faint upward curve of her lips suggested she knew her daughter was hiding something.
---
The Royal Dining Chamber…
By the time the dishes were ready, the sage had emerged from his rest and was seated at the royal dining table — a long teakwood surface adorned with silk mats and golden utensils.
King Rajendra Dev stood beside him, hands behind his back, waiting respectfully.
Soon, Queen Veenaprabha entered the hall with her daughter. Maids followed with trays — bowls of sweet rice, soft pooris, fried sabzi, and silver plates stacked with kheer and sweets.
"Pranam, O Sage. Forgive us for the delay," said the queen as she bowed.
"No apology needed, Maharani," said Vishvamitra with a kind smile. "I've just arrived myself."
"Pranam, Sage Vishvamitra," said Vaidehi with a folded gesture, lowering her eyes.
"Ayushman bhava, Putri. May your life be long and wise. And happy birthday," the sage said with genuine affection.
"Thank you, Sage Vishwamitra," she replied, smiling.
With grace, the queen and princess served the food to the sage. He watched the princess closely as she placed pooris and sweets on his plate, her fingers moving with care and respect.
When he took the first bite of kheer, his eyes twinkled.
"Swadishta. Ati swadishta," he said.
Both mother and daughter glowed with joy.
Once the meal ended, Vishvamitra wiped his hands and looked to the king.
"Maharaj Rajendra Dev," he began, "your hospitality humbles me. But more than that, I am impressed by your daughter's spirit, her discipline, and her inner light."
He paused.
"I would like to take her as my disciple."
The words landed like a blessing from heaven.
The queen gasped softly. The king blinked. Vaidehi froze.
But then…
"Yes, of course!" said Rajendra Dev, placing his hands together. "It would be our greatest honor."
"I will take her one year from today," Vishvamitra added. "She will come to my ashram near the Saraswati River, and there, she will begin the path of knowledge."
"I shall prepare her well," said the queen proudly.
Vaidehi, still stunned, smiled softly to herself. Somewhere inside, she felt a fire light up — not just of joy, but of purpose.
---
Outside the Palace…
The news spread like wildfire across the kingdom. Priests rang bells in temples. Mothers told their daughters over evening meals. Merchants spoke of it between counting coins.
"Princess Vaidehi has been accepted by Sage Vishvamitra himself!"
The people rejoiced. Some cried. Others lit lamps. It wasn't just her birth anymore they celebrated — it was her future.
And somewhere in a quiet inn, a boy named Shon finished his mantra chanting and opened his eyes.
Something in the wind felt different. Powerful.
Warm.
And divine.
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