Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable

(A/N):

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The preparations throughout Trivenivrata continued in full swing.

The palace had become almost unrecognizable beneath the decorations, with flower garlands hanging from every pillar, lamps being arranged along the corridors, musicians rehearsing the ceremonial melodies and servants rushing from one hall to another carrying everything required for the grand wedding.

Guests had already begun arriving from different realms, while the royal kitchens worked continuously to prepare the enormous feast that would follow the ceremonies.

Amid all the activity, Devara had finally been brought into the chamber where he was expected to prepare himself as the groom.

He stood before a large polished mirror while attendants finished arranging his ceremonial attire.

The moment he looked at his reflection, he immediately understood that his mother Lakshmi had taken the phrase wedding attire far too seriously.

The garments themselves were magnificent, woven from celestial fabric that shimmered subtly whenever he moved.

Golden embroidery covered the edges, while several layers of fine ornaments had been arranged across his chest and shoulders.

Jewelled armlets rested upon his arms, an elaborate necklace surrounded his neck, precious stones decorated his crown, and smaller ornaments had been carefully placed around his wrists and waist.

Almost every visible part of the attire seemed to contain another jewel.

Devara stared at himself for several moments.

"Mother..."

Lakshmi stood behind him with an expression of unmistakable satisfaction.

"What?"

Devara slowly turned toward her.

"Is all of this really necessary?"

Lakshmi looked at him as though he had just asked the most ridiculous question imaginable.

"Of course it is necessary. You are getting married."

"Mother, I think half of these jewels could probably buy an entire kingdom."

Lakshmi smiled proudly.

Devara looked back at his reflection.

He could not deny that the attire was beautiful.

It had clearly been prepared with immense care, and every ornament seemed chosen specifically for him.

Yet, from his perspective, it was slightly excessive.

He glanced toward Lakshmi again.

The goddess was watching him with such obvious happiness and pride that his protest immediately disappeared as he sighed.

"All right."

Lakshmi’s smile became even brighter.

"I knew you would like it."

Devara muttered under his breath,

"I did not say that."

She pretended not to hear him.

Standing nearby, Vishnu had been watching the entire exchange with an amused expression.

He finally allowed himself a quiet chuckle.

"My son, you have faced armies without fear, fought rakshasas, confronted divine beasts and challenged beings from other realms."

Devara looked at him suspiciously.

"And?"

Vishnu gestured toward Lakshmi and the elaborate collection of jewels covering Devara.

"And apparently this is the battle that finally defeated you."

Devara gave his father a flat look.

"Father."

Vishnu laughed.

Lakshmi turned toward her husband with an amused smile.

"Do not tease him. I spent a great deal of time preparing this."

"I know,"

Vishnu replied warmly.

"And he knows it too."

Devara looked at his mother again.

That was the problem.

He could have easily removed half the ornaments.

He could have argued that the attire was too elaborate.

He could have told Lakshmi that he preferred something simpler.

But then he would have to look at the happiness in her eyes and tell her that the gift she had prepared especially for her son was unnecessary.

He could not do that.

So Devara simply adjusted one of the jewelled ornaments around his shoulder and accepted his fate.

"Fine. I will wear everything."

Lakshmi’s expression softened immediately.

"Thank you."

Devara smiled back.

"It is your gift. How could I refuse?"

Vishnu watched the exchange with a gentle smile.

There was something deeply touching about it.

Lakshmi had poured all the affection she carried for Devara into those ornaments, and Devara understood that their value had nothing to do with the jewels themselves.

They were his mother’s love, carefully shaped into something he could carry with him.

Even if he privately believed she had decorated him enough to make him visible from another realm.

Vishnu leaned slightly toward Devara.

"Just remember one thing."

"What?"

"When you walk into the wedding hall, try not to blind the guests."

Devara stared at him.

Lakshmi burst into laughter.

"Father,"

Devara muttered, shaking his head.

Vishnu only smiled.

Outside, the sounds of drums and preparations grew louder.

The wedding was approaching.

And while the entire kingdom prepared to welcome Yami and Indhumati as Devara’s brides, the groom himself stood before the mirror, covered in his mother’s lovingly chosen jewels, accepting the extravagant attire simply because he knew how much it meant to her.

Once the attendants had finished arranging the last of his ornaments, Devara took one final look at himself in the mirror.

He still could not understand how Lakshmi had managed to turn him into what he privately considered a walking treasure chest, but seeing the happiness on his mother’s face had made complaining impossible.

He adjusted the jewelled cloth around his shoulder and turned toward the doorway, only to stop when another thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Indhumati.

She should be getting ready as well.

The thought immediately brought a small smile to his face.

He wanted to see her before the wedding ceremonies began, even if it was only for a few moments.

Yet the moment he turned around, he found Vishnu, Lakshmi and the other divine parents still watching him.

Devara hesitated.

"Where are you going?"

Lakshmi asked innocently.

Devara’s eyes moved toward the door.

"I... I was thinking that I should... inspect the palace."

Vishnu raised an eyebrow.

"Inspect the palace?"

Lakshmi folded her arms, already trying not to laugh.

"And which particular part of the palace requires inspection?"

Devara became slightly uncomfortable.

"The... women’s chambers."

There was a brief silence.

Vishnu’s lips immediately curled into an amused smile.

"The women’s chambers?"

Devara realized far too late that his explanation had made things worse.

"I mean, not specifically the women’s chambers. I simply thought that perhaps the arrangements there might require... royal supervision."

Lakshmi covered her mouth, but her shoulders were already shaking with restrained laughter.

Parvati, who had been listening from nearby, turned toward him with a knowing smile.

"Of course, Devara. Royal supervision."

Devara cleared his throat.

"Exactly Mom you understood me rightly..."

Vishnu nodded solemnly.

"Very important work."

"Extremely urgent, I presume?"

Lakshmi finally laughed.

"Then you had better hurry before this urgent inspection is delayed."

Devara stared at his parents for a moment.

They clearly understood exactly where he wanted to go.

And judging by their expressions, they were enjoying his discomfort far too much.

"Well... I should go."

"Of course,"

Vishnu replied, still smiling.

Devara turned toward the doorway.

"And Devara,"

Lakshmi called while he stopped and looked back.

"Try not to spend too much time inspecting."

Devara’s face immediately betrayed him.

"Mother!"

The laughter behind him only grew louder.

He quickly walked out before they could tease him any further, leaving his parents and the other divine elders behind.

Vishnu watched his son disappear through the doorway and shook his head with an affectionate smile.

"He could face Kandarpaasura without blinking."

Lakshmi smiled.

"But asking permission to see his bride apparently requires an entire speech."

Parvati laughed softly.

"He has always been like that when he is embarrassed."

Inside the corridor, Devara heard their laughter following him.

He shook his head as he walked toward Indhumati’s chamber.

"Parents," He muttered to himself.

Yet despite his embarrassment, the smile on his face remained.

He was going to see Indhumati.

Devara had barely reached the entrance to Princess Indhumati’s chamber when he slowed his steps, his eyes settling upon the beautifully decorated doorway.

The sounds of women moving about inside could be heard through the closed doors, along with occasional laughter and the soft clinking of ornaments.

Devara smiled to himself and stepped forward, intending to enter.

He barely managed to take another step before two of Indhumati’s maids immediately moved in front of the doorway.

"Your Majesty,"

One of them said politely, bowing her head,

"you cannot enter."

Devara stopped and he looked at the two maids, then at the closed door behind them.

"I cannot?"

The maids exchanged amused glances.

"No, Maharaja."

Devara looked genuinely puzzled.

"But this is my palace."

"That may be,"

Another maid replied with a smile,

"but this is the bride’s chamber."

Devara stared at them for a moment before realizing exactly what they meant.

"Ah."

Before he could formulate another argument, a familiar laugh came from behind the maids.

Queen Devayani stepped into the corridor, already dressed in her ceremonial attire.

She looked at her future son-in-law standing outside her daughter’s chamber and immediately understood what had brought him there.

"So,"

She said with an amused smile,

"the great King Devara has finally arrived."

Devara smiled politely.

"Queen Devayani."

"Coming to see my daughter before the wedding?"

Devara hesitated.

"I only wanted to make sure she was ready."

Devayani raised an eyebrow.

"Of course."

The maids tried their best to hide their smiles.

Devara looked toward the closed doors again.

"Can I at least speak to her?"

Devayani shook her head.

"Not yet. Because before the marriage ceremony, the groom should not meet the bride."

Devara looked genuinely disappointed.

"But I have already seen her before."

"That may be so,"

Devayani replied, chuckling,

"but today is different. Today you are the groom, and she is the bride. You will have to wait until the proper moment."

Devara sighed.

"Everyone seems determined to keep me away from the women I came to see."

Devayani laughed.

"Your mother stopped you from escaping earlier, and now I am stopping you from entering my daughter’s chamber. Perhaps the gods themselves have decided that you need to learn patience."

Devara shook his head with a smile.

"I suppose I have no choice."

Devayani gently gestured for him to step away from the doorway.

"Go and get yourself ready for the ceremony. You will see Indhumati soon enough."

Devara gave one last glance toward the closed chamber.

From inside, he thought he heard a faint laugh.

He smiled.

"All right."

He turned and began walking away.

Behind him, Devayani looked toward the maids and shook her head affectionately.

"He is going to be a very impatient groom."

One of the maids giggled.

"Your Majesty, he looked more disappointed than a child being told he cannot enter the kitchen."

Devayani laughed.

"Let him wait. It will make the moment he finally sees her walking toward him even more special."

Inside the chamber, Indhumati had heard enough of the conversation to know exactly what had happened.

She covered her smile with her hand, her cheeks warming as she imagined Devara standing outside, reluctantly being sent away.

The wedding had not even begun.

And already, the groom had been defeated by the bride’s mother.

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(Author note:)

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