Hey Guys!!!!

The Thirty ninth chapter.

I don't own Mahabharat.

Sorry for the late update. 

Happy Reading!!

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-- flashback –

"This Ber fruit is so nice." Ananya makes a motion of kissing her finger tips.

"I so agree." Karn nods in agreement as he haves another of those fruit.

"Can I have few of them too kids?" A voice asks.

"Of course, Brahman Devata." Karn nods. "Please sit here."

Karn moves away to let the Brahmin sage sit on the place he was sitting, as shadow of the tree was covering the area for a while and it was cool.
Ananya while wiped some of the fruits and moved ahead towards the Brahmin to hand it to him. She looked at him closely before smiling at the man.

The Brahmin nodded in return before taking a bite from the bunch of Ber fruits. He hummed at the taste of the fruit.

"I hope you liked the taste of the fruit, sage." Karn questions.

"Of course, Putra." The Brahmin nodded. "I love these."

"Will you be able to have all of these." Ananya questioned pointing at the three baskets of Bel fruit they had collected prior of them having a few.

"Sure. I love these."

"Yes, absolutely." Ananya nods in agreement. "Mahadev."

"Mahadev? Who are you calling Mahadev?"

"Why Mahakal? Am I lying? Are you not Mahadev?" Ananya raises an eyebrow in question.

"I am a mere Brahmin, why do you think I am Mahakal?" The Brahmin questions.

"You have the peace and serenity that Mahadev has." Karn pitches in.

"Why do you have such confidence on me being the God of Gods?" The Brahmin asks, her eyebrows furrowing.

"One does not forget their god, Mahadev." Ananya says.

"And in whichever form they come in front of us, we identify them." Karn continues, with what Ananya left off.

The Brahmin sighs, "You kids are too intelligent to be pranked."

Karn and Ananya high- fied, smiling widely. "We were correct!" They cheered.

And Mahadev laughed, the kids were so innocent and cute.

"So, how are you both today?" Lord Shiva asks the two kids.

"Just as good as we were yesterday." Ananya smiled.

"Hmm, anything new you both have to tell me?" He asks.

"Not that I remember anything." Karn answers.
"Do we?" He asks the last part looking at Ananya.

"Last I checked, nope." Ananya pops the 'p of the nope'.

"What about you being demons?" Lord Shiva raises an eyebrow, smiling.

"We are two, Gurudeva is alone. We will win of course." Ananya says confidently.

"Oh really?" Lord Shiva raises an eyebrow.

"Plus, we are innocent, na." Karn adds elbowing Ananya and giving her a stern look. And Mahadev laughs at their antics.

"Innocent demons?" Mahadev asks, having a Ber fruit.

"Haw! Shiv ji! How could you?" Ananya mock cries. "We are mere ten year olds. We are just sweet little kids."

Mahadev looks at them, "Are you sure about little?"

Ananya and Karn were tall for ten- year- olds. Kids their age would normally not be as tall as they were. A reason for that could be the vigorous training they went through with their Guru deva.

"What about the story Mahadev?" Karn question.

"Let me tell you Mahadev, you have gained another fan." Ananya raised an eyebrow suggestively at Karn. "Am I right, Karn?"

"What are you talking about?" Karn questions, trying to act like he knew nothing about what Ananya was talking about.

"Ok. Ok. Let's start with today's story, alright?" Mahadev asks.

"Yes, Mahakal." The two kids chores together. Sitting up straighter.

"Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Parvati (Durga). Her name Chandra-Ghanta, means 'one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell. Her third eye is always opened and she is always ready for war against demons'. She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi." Lord Shiva commences.

"This is the form that she uses to reward people with her grace, bravery and courage. By her grace, all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated. It also represents her married form." Mahadev elaborates.

"Chandraghanta is the "Shakti", of mine in the form of Chandrashekhara. Actually, each aspect of mine is accompanied by Shakti; therefore, the join together and form Ardhanarishvara." He continues.

"Chandraghanta has ten hands where two hands hold a Trishula (trident), Gada (mace), bow-arrow, khadak (sword), Kamala (lotus flower), Ghanta (bell) and kamandal (waterpot), while one of her hands remains in blessing posture or abhayamudra (Fear dispelling). She rides on a tiger or lion as her vehicle, which represents bravery and courage, she wears a half moon depicting a Bell on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead. Her complexion is golden. Truly speaking, I find Chandraghanta's form as a great example of beauty, charm and grace." He smiles as if the only thought gives him pleasure.

"Chandraghanta rides a tiger or lion as her vehicle, however in accordance with many of the scriptures there is the mention of "Simhaasana", "Simharudha" which refer to the lion (Simha) as being ridden (Rudha) or them being seated on as (Asana) by the goddesses." He explains further, to the kids.
"This form of Devi Chandraghanta is a more warrior ready and apparently aggressive form that goddess Durga takes, however despite being adorned with the various weapons, she is also equally caring, benevolent and representes motherly qualities to her devotees. While the primary cause of this form was the destruction demons, her rather fierce depiction brings with it the encouragement that praying to her can grant one fearlessness. She is otherwise the very embodiment of serenity."

Lord Shiva stops for dramatic effect.

"The devotees who adore and worship Chandraghanta develop an aura of divine splendour. Chandraghanta is ready to destroy the wicked, but to her devotees she is a kind and compassionate mother showering peace and prosperity. During the battle between her and the demons, the thunderous sound produced by her bell is known to have paralyzed and stunned the demons. She is ever ready to fight which shows her eagerness to destroy the foes of her devotees so that they may live in peace and prosperity. Her abode is in Manipur chakra." Lord Shiva finishes.

"Oh, That means she is the perfect lady a fighter, a mother and a beauty; all in one." Ananya exclaims.

"Hmm, even I agree. She is the perfect lady in this form. She excels here in all areas." Karn nods in agreement. "Not that we mean she is not perfect in other forms, but it is ... just ... that" He shutters realising that she is a goddess and her husband was in front of them.

Lord Shiva laughs. "Do not stress it kid. I get what you meant."
"And even I agree, her this form is more diverse and the others are more selective in nature."

Ananya and Karn sigh in relief. They had been worried.

"And now repeat after me, ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नम: Oṃ Devī Chandraghantaye Namaḥ" Lord Shiva says.

"ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नम: Oṃ Devī Chandraghantaye Namaḥ" The kid's chores together smiling widely as a sense of coolness and calm fell on them. 

*********

How was it?

Mahadev's plan to prank them got back fired. 

What do you think, Karn is enjoying the story- telling?

Do you think our two kids are really demons?

The Third of Durga Puja!

Do Vote and comment.

Thanks for reading!

(1315 words.)

--Sxxxxx