In the opulent chambers of Ujjain, the air was imbued with the sweet scent of jasmine and sandalwood. Silken drapes adorned the walls, their vibrant hues reflecting the late afternoon sun. Queen Aarvi sat gracefully on an intricately carved swing, its chains lightly jingling as it swayed back and forth.

Before her, on plush, embroidered mats, sat Krishneshwari and her friends, their wide eyes shimmering with curiosity. The room, a tapestry of luxury, echoed with the soft whispers of the girls, flitting between laughter and uncertainty. All of them were at tender cusp of puberty, and looked up at the queen for guidance.

"Baal-avastha se Kishor-avastha mei pravesh karte hi, tan aur man, dono mei kuch parivartan aate hai." Aarvi began, her voice smooth and comforting.

On a side table, a vessel gleamed in the soft light, filled with clear water and vibrant flowers, whose delicate scent enveloped the room. Aarvi reached for a lotus bud nestled among the blossoms.

As she held the bud delicately between her fingers, she began to open its petals, one by one, revealing the soft pinks and whites within. "Jis prakar yeh Kamal ki kali, dheere dheere Kamal ka pushp banti hai, tumhara yovan bhi aise hi khilna prarambh hoga."

Each petal, like the changes they would soon experience, unfolded slowly, symbolizing growth and beauty. The girls watched, mesmerized, as the flower revealed itself, a representation of their own budding womanhood.

Suddenly, with a playful flick of her wrist, Aarvi twitched the lotus, sending glistening droplets cascading down. The girls shrieked with delight, laughter filling the air, their innocence mingling with the beauty of the moment.

"Ab se tum sabhi ki shiksha prarambh hogi. Shiksha naaritva ki, stree-tatva ke mahatva ki." Aarvi said, her voice soothing, "Aur ek sundar, sushil, sashakt aur sabhya stree banne hetu Kaamshaashtra ka adhyayan awashyak hai."

Krishneshwari, intrigued, tilted her head. "Yeh shaashtra kya hai Mata ?"

"Yeh Kaamshaashtra, stree ka shashtra hai, putri." Aarvi smiled, her eyes sparkling with knowledge. "Jo bhi stree ya purush, iss shaashtra mei parangat ho, unhe sadev vijay praapt hoti hai, chaahe vaivahik jeevan mei ho, ya ranbhoomi mei."

The young girls exchanged excited glances, their hearts racing with newfound anticipation. They leaned forward, eager to absorb the wisdom that would guide them in embracing their femininity.

"Yaha ek baar smaran rakhna." Aarvi continued, her tone shifting to one of gravity, "Rajkumari aur Bandhaki, dono hi Kaamshaashtra mei nipurn hoti hai, kintu dono mei bhed hai. Bhed hai mariyada ka, acharan ka, aur charitra ka." (Bandhaki - Prostitute)

Krishneshwari's brow furrowed in curiosity, her friends whispering softly to one another, captivated by the queen's words. The girls exchanged glances, a subtle understanding dawning upon them. They now sat in rapt attention, aware that they were not just learning about their bodies but about the power and responsibility that came with womanhood.

With a graceful motion, Aarvi placed the opened lotus bud back into the vessel, the sweet fragrance enveloping the room even more.

She then smilingly said, "Kaamshaashtra ka prarambh hum karenge sabse pehle yeh jaan ke ki swayam ke tan ko svacch, shudh aur nirmal kaise rakha jaayega."

-------

In the tranquil surroundings of Dronacharya’s ashram, the golden rays of the sun filtered through the leafy canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Within a spacious hut, a mix of youthful chatter and laughter filled the air, as the students engaged in their grooming rituals, that was mandated to be done every fourth day.

The Pandavas were gathered in one corner. Yudhishthir stood before a polished brass mirror, its surface gleaming despite the wear of time. He lifted a sharp blade, focusing intently, his brow furrowed in concentration as he meticulously shaved the stubble from his cheeks, each stroke deliberate and precise.

Nearby, Arjun and Bheem engaged in lively conversation, as the son of Vayu described a wrestling trick he had mastered. "Aur fir saamne wale ko uss hi kshan utha do apne kandhe ke bal se..." He demonstrated with exaggerated gestures, making Arjun chuckle, his attention briefly diverted from his own grooming.

Leaning closer to the mirror, Arjun resumed his task, the blade gliding against his skin with practiced ease. Bheem, with a grin plastered on his face, mirrored his brother's actions, his laughter echoing alongside the faint sound of blades against stubble.

Nearby, Nakul and Sahadev engaged in their own grooming rituals, embodying the grace and elegance they were known for. They laughed softly, exchanging playful banter as they took turns applying oil to each other's hair, their fingers working through the silky strands with practiced ease.

The air was fragrant with the earthy scent of sandalwood and the faint aroma of herbs. On the other side of the hut, the young Kauravas, clad in simple dhotis, gathered in clusters, their spirits high as they engaged in their grooming rituals.

Duryodhan sat cross-legged, a focused expression on his face as he meticulously shaved the hair from his arms. "Chinta mat karo Mitra, tumhe apni shreshtha siddh karne ka avsar awashya milega. Arjun se dwand ka avsar Acharya nahi denge toh mai dunga."

Vasusen was crouched down, meticulously shaving his legs, the sheen of his skin glistening under the sun’s rays. He paused, looking up with an earnest gaze. "Mujhe vishwas hai tum par, Duryodhan. Iss liye toh mitrata nibha raha hu."

Duryodhan’s lips curled into a knowing smile, the fire of ambition igniting in his eyes.

Not far off, the Yadavas, known for their vibrant energy, were engaged in their own grooming rituals. Laughter echoed as they playfully splashed water, their jovial camaraderie contrasting the focused diligence of other princes. They teased each other while shaving and adorned themselves with fragrant oils, their vibrancy reflected their spirited personalities.

Among them, Satyashree sat quietly on a wooden stool. His focus was unwavering as he carefully cut his nails, each snip deliberate and precise. The sunlight glinted off the freshly cut edges, while he carefully filed them, shaping each nail with a concentration that belied his youth. .

Beside him, his elder brother, Satyaki, watched with a gentle smile. Clad in simple robes, he tended to his own grooming, shaving his stubble with a practiced hand.

With a teasing grin, Satyaki remarked, "Apne nakho ka itna dhyaan rakhte ho, toh jab mucche aayengi toh kya karoge ?"

Satyashree looked up, a playful smile illuminating his face. "Waise Bhrata, aane toh lagi hai..." He pointed at his upper lip and chin, where the faint beginnings were starting to show, a sign of his impending maturity.

His fingers brushed lightly over the faintest sprout of hair, barely noticeable yet a significant mark of his transition from boyhood to the cusp of manhood.

Satyaki chuckled, "Ab Yadavo ke kanisht bhi bade ho rahe hai."

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A/N

Grooming rituals of ancient India ❤️

Both men and women were expected to remove their body hair, especially facial hair, armpit hair and pubic hair, for hygiene purposes.

Also Aarvi teaching the Kaam shaashtra to Krishneshwari and the girls ✨
She's not teaching sex education, she is educating them on human sexuality, she is not teaching them how to be a lady, but how to be a woman ❤️✨

More light will be shared upon Kaamshaashtra in HH19. Because Mahabharat hai... Dharm, Arth, Kaam aur Moksh, sabhi ka gyaan dena anivarya hai (⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠)