Seated gracefully on the temple stairs, Princess Krishneshwari, her eyes sparkling with delight, shared the moment with her cousin, Princess Mitravinda. Both girls laughed and chatted, their carefree spirits rising above the ceremonial solemnity.

With a small clay pot in hand, they shared and savored the rich, sweet payasam, its creamy texture and flavor a delightful indulgence. Each handful brought forth giggles and playful banter, a perfect blend of royal duty and youthful joy.

Krishneshwari scooped a handful of the sweet, creamy dessert and exclaimed, "Iss payasam ka swaad toh waisa hi hai, jaise aapke ritushuddhi samskaar mei grahan kiya tha."

"Satyavachan !" Mitravinda, her face illuminated by a warm smile, nodded in agreement, savoring the familiarity of the flavors.

In front of them, the royal family extended their generosity to the gathered citizens. Vibrant jewels, richly woven garments, and heaps of sweets that filled the air with an irresistible aroma. Grains were poured into the hands of grateful citizens, ensuring that the prosperity of Avanti reached every household. The citizens, in turn, offered heartfelt blessings to the princesses, their voices a harmonious chorus of love and admiration.

"Rajkumari Mitravinda ka kalyaan ho !"

"Rajkumari Krishneshwari ko yash praapt ho !"

"Rajkumariyo ka saubhagya bana rahe !"

"Haiheya-kul samarth rahe !"

The onlookers, a tapestry of faces filled with gratitude, showered blessings upon the princesses and the royal family, their cheers echoing through the temple grounds.

Unbeknownst to this joyful gathering, lurking behind the trees was Mayantak. His malevolent eyes fixated on Krishneshwari, his heart stewing with dark intent. As he observed the scene, he noted the momentary solitude of the princess and her cousin, the royal family's attention diverted to the throng of citizens. Sensing an opportunity, his mind raced with wicked possibilities. This was the moment he had awaited, to strike and claim his revenge.

Just as Mayantak prepared to lunge forward, a sudden gust of wind swept through the temple grounds, stirring the air with an ominous chill. Royal family members exchanged anxious glances, their joyous celebration momentarily overshadowed by the tempest brewing in the skies. The princesses, Krishneshwari and Mitravinda, paused mid-bite, their laughter fading as they sensed a shift in the atmosphere. 

In that tense moment, a figure emerged, fearsome yet radiant. His piercing gaze swept over the assembly as he gripped a formidable axe, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly light. Clad in simple robes, yet radiating an aura of power, it could've been none but Parshuram.

The sight of him instilled terror in the royal Haiheya men, who instinctively took a step back, while the queens instinctively shielded their husbands, fear etching their faces. King Dilip and King Jayasen exchanged glances, their faces pale, as the very fabric of their lineage weighed heavily upon them.

Krishneshwari and Mitravinda exchanged curious looks, their innocence untainted by the surrounding tension. They descended the temple stairs, drawn to their parents’ side. Krishneshwari, wide-eyed, could only stare, fascinated by the sage’s divine aura.

Realizing the futility of his dark intentions, Mayantak retreated into the shadows, his plan thwarted by the divine intervention that loomed before him. The royal family, previously immersed in celebration, now stood frozen in awe and fear, the air thick with unspoken dread.

Parshuram's piercing gaze swept over the men, each kshatriya feeling the weight of history, the echoes of his vengeance against Sahasrabahu Arjun resonating in their bones. They were the descendants of the vanquished, and the reminder sent shivers through their spines. The women, clutching their husbands tightly, the fear of the lord filled their hearts.

Parshuram surveyed the scared faces, a single eyebrow raised, his gaze piercing into the depths of the men's souls, a silent reminder of their past transgressions. Without uttering a single word, Parshuram ascended the temple stairs, his presence commanding reverence, as he entered the sacred sanctum, leaving an electrified silence in his wake.

Krishneshwari glanced at her father and uncle and noticed their pallor, the way their hands trembled slightly as they gripped the hands of Aarvi and Rajadhidevi.

"Yeh Rishivar kaun hai ? Jimke karan sabhi Haiheya-kul ke sabhi veer bhayebhit ho chuke hai ?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with concern.

Mitravinda, sensing the tension, turned back to her cousin, her voice steady yet urgent. "Jamdagneya. Wahi jinhone.... Jinhone humare Purvajo ka vadh kiya tha.... Jinhone prithvi ko 21 baar kshatriyo se rikt kiya tha."

Krishneshwari’s eyes widened in realization. The legends whispered of Parshuram's fury, a force that even the bravest warriors dreaded. Her gaze flitted between the temple where Parshuram went and her father, whose regal demeanor was stripped away, revealing a man haunted by ancestral sins.

Rajadhidevi, the queens’ anxiety palpable, pressed closer to Jayasen, her eyes wide with worry. "Parshuram yaha kyu aaye hai ?" she questioned, her voice trembling.

Aarvi, clinging to Dilip, trembled as she spoke "Pata nahi, kintu mujhe bhaye lag raha hai Jiji." Her voice wavered, betraying her fear for her husband.

Pallavi, desperate for answers, grasped Prithvik tightly. "Humne toh koi paap bhi nahi kiya, fir kyu Parshuram yaha padhaare hai ?"

While fear gripped the hearts of the royal men, Princess Krishneshwari's curiosity sparked like a flame. The sage's powerful presence both alarmed and intrigued her. Moments felt like hours as Parshuram disappeared into the temple, and Krishneshwari's gaze remained fixed on the entrance.

When Parshuram reemerged, his eyes locked onto the royal men, a dark storm brewing within their depths. He stood before them, an embodiment of ancient power, and with a single brow raised, he asked, "Toh kya Sahasrabahu ke vanshajo ne punah Ujjain par shaashan sthaapit kar liya ?"

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A/N

When you don't know whether to be happy at Parshuram's arrival because Mayantak is there.... Or be concerned at his arrival because Haiheya kul hai 🤣🤣