Hey Guys!!!!

The 40th chapter for the story.

I don't own Mahabharat.

Sorry for the late update.

Happy Reading!!

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-- flashback –

"Kush Manda represents Devi Parvati in her stage of discovering that she is none other than Maha Shakti. After their marriage, I myself made Parvati know the fact of her true existence. This form of her is known the world over as Kush Manda, as she holds within her, many endless powers of the world." Lord Shiva begins with his narration.

"I gave her clues and had helped her realize the fact that she's not just a human, she is a Goddess, who is the Mother of the World and all of creation, as she produced the three planes through her golden womb. She's that aspect of woman who brightens up the lives of those around her by her glee." Lord Shiva says and the kids were in awe at the last line, especially.

"Devi Kush Manda is credited with creating the world with her divine smile. Her name signals her main role: Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg"." Mahadev elucidates, explaining the two ten- year- olds.

"She is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. Goddess Kush Manda has eight hands and because of that She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. It is believed that all the power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis are located in her Jap Mala." Mahakal continues further informing the kids of the names and main powers of the fourth form of Nav- Durga.

"Kush Manda is of a gold complexion, with three peaceful eyes and a calm mien. She is adorned by ornaments on her limbs and was dressed in pink and yellow vestments." His eyes get a far- away look, as if he was remembering Devi Parvati in that form.
"Kush Manda is depicted with eight to ten hands holding a trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow and two jars of honey (Elixir) and blood. Her one hand is always on Abhaya mudra from which she blesses all her devotees. She rides on a lion."

(A/N I messed up image of Chandraghanta and Kush Manda. I have corrected it now, go check that out for your better understanding.)

"It is stated that She created the whole universe, which is called Brahmanda (ब्रह्माण्ड) in Sanskrit, by just flashing little bit of her smile. She also likes Bali of white pumpkin known as Kush Manda (कुष्माण्ड)." Lord Shiva enlightens the kids, with the great knowledge only few people were aware about.

"Due to her association with Brahmanda and Kush Manda She is popularly known as Goddess Kush Manda. Her abode is in Anahata chakra." He ends describing the entomology of Devi Kush Manda, a form of his wife Devi Durga.

"It is about the time when the universe was no more than a void full of darkness. There were no indications of the world anywhere. But then a ray of divine light, which is ever existing, spread everywhere, illuminating each and every nook of the void. This sea of light was formless." He stopped dramatically that made the kids edge further in their seats to know what was going to happen next.

"Suddenly, it started taking a definite size, and finally looked like a Divine Lady, who was none other than Goddess Kush Manda herself. The birth of the universe occurred because of the silent smile of Goddess Kush Manda. She was the one who produced the Cosmic egg." His voice modulation was so cool that the kids were lost in the explanation and the story they were practically seeing in front of them.

"Her smile sent away the entirety of the darkness and thus formed a new creation of the universe. She gave light and life to the entire universe with her silent smile. The earth, planets, sun, stars and the galaxies were all brought into being." He finished the story and kids smiled thinking about how divine would that have been and how powerful the Devi was to create the universe with a small smile. How enflamed must her spirituality be, in reality?

"But to sustain life, the world needed the sun God." Mahadev poised the statement in such a way that it seemed that the kids themselves had to find the solution of the problem.
"So, the Goddess centered herself in between the sun and she became the cause of the energy and light necessary for life. The sun gives life to the world and Goddess Kush Manda herself is the power of the sun and is the source of all energy when she resides within the core of the Sun God." Mahadev smiled brightly at the kids as he answered his own question. Leaving the kids in amazement of what happened. They did not know about this.

"It was to create a balance in the universe and provide life to all living beings from the sun rays, her power gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, as she herself is Shakti." Mahakal's voice was so loud it felt as if somebody was actually declaring Devi Kush Manda as Shakti, herself.

"She is the source of Lord Surya's power. Without her, Surya's light and energy will grow dim and fade away and will become powerless. Lord Surya gives life to creation, but she is also the one who is responsible for it too. It is her power that makes him capable of doing so, and when Maha Shakti appears in the form of Kush Manda, it is what she does." Lord Shiva informs the significance and importance of the fourth form of Nav- Durga to Ananya and Karn.

"From her smile, a body of energy came forth from her and from that potent energy, came forth light and creation. She always smiles when the Gods, inferior people and other celestial beings honored her." Lord Shiva adds the interesting point, putting it too the kids notice.

"So, we learnt that when the universe was non-existent and darkness prevailed everywhere, Maa Kush Manda produced the Cosmic egg, bringing light to the universe. Kush Manda has the power and strength to live in the core of Sun. Her luminosity gives the Sun its brightness. She is said to give directions to the Sun God, Surya, also." Mahadev finishes in an excited yet calm and serene voice that left the kids in wonder once again.

"And what you need to pay attention to is Maa Kush Manda bestows her worshipper with happiness, prosperity and a disease-free life." Mahadev raised his finger, and makes an motion of remembering.

"Red flowers are favorite of Maa Kush Manda. You may offer flowers of hibiscus with several sweets, coconut, fruit, milk, sindoor, and dhoop to the idol. Next is to adorn the Goddess with jewelry and other pious things." He elaborates before Ananya could question about it.

It did not escape his notice on how Ananya was more of a talker and Karn a fighter. 

'Must come from the genes.' He mused, laughing to himself silently.

'I heard that Mahadev.' A voice reverted in his mind. 

Narayan.

'Well, you have to agree, I am not wrong.' Mahadev says.

'No comments.' The replies reverts in his mind. 

'Whatever let's you sleep at night.' Mahadev smirks internally.

"Now repeat after me, ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥ Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥" Mahakal instructs the kids, after shaking his head, discreetly. 

As they had been doing from the last two days, the kids joined their hands and bowed their head. "ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥ Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥"

-- flashback –

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How was it?

The story for the fourth day.

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Thanks for reading!

(1340 words.)

--Sxxxxx