Krishna sat on the swing, a rare somberness shadowing his usually radiant face.

Noticing this, Balarama approached him with a gentle smile, determined to lift the spirits of his dear brother.

"Remember the time you tried to steal the skin of the freshly churned makhan and ended up wearing it on your face instead Kanha? The look on Maiyya's face was priceless!"

A smile appeared on Krishna's face."Yes, I remember. She couldn't decide whether to scold me or hug me." Krishna's laughter now filled the air, the memory brightening his spirit.

"Then come on Kanha, do you see the butter pots hanging in the storeroom? Ah ha ha ,the way they glimmer in the moonlight is too tempting to resist. Just imagine Kanha, the taste of that creamy makhan melting on your tongue, my mouth is already salivating."

Krishna couldn't help but let a grin spread across his face, his eyes sparkling at the prospect of  another mischief.

"Dau, you always come up with the most delightful ideas. But how do you propose we get past Maiyya? You know she's become extra cautious since our last time. She now has developed a habit of getting up at midnight to check on the makhan. Sometimes I feel like she is more attached to makhan than me. She hoards in like a dragon hoards its gold."

"Ah, but that's where the fun lies, Kanha. Everyone is already deep in their dreams. I've noticed a small window at the back that's been left slightly ajar. It's just big enough for us to slip through, unnoticed."

Krishna nodded in agreement. "Then it's settled. But, dau, we must be swift and silent, like the wind."

Balarama placed a reassuring hand on Krishna's shoulder, and replied with a grin, "Fear not, Kanha. We are just innocent children partaking in some silly mischief. And should we be caught, your enchanting face covered with makhan will surely melt Maiyya."

Thus, in the quiet of the midnight hour, under a blanket of stars, Balarama and Krishna found themselves in the shadows just outside the storeroom, their hearts beating with excitement for the mischief that lay ahead.

"Kanha, are you ready to claim our prize?" Balaram turned to Krishna, his voice a hushed whisper, brimming with anticipation.

Krishna nodded, his voice equally low, his eyes twinkling with delight,. "I was born ready, dau. Let's make this a night to remember. The makhan pots won't even know what hit them."

With a shared grin, they stealthily made their way to the storeroom window. Krishna, ever so agile, whispered back, his excitement barely contained. "Look, there's our gateway to endless joy. On your shoulders, dau, I'll reach for the stars-or rather, the makhan pots."

Balarama chuckled softly, bending down to allow Krishna to climb onto his back. "Just be sure to grab the fullest pot. We wouldn't want our efforts to go in vain."

As Krishna balanced himself on Balarama's shoulders, reaching for the hanging pot of butter, his movements were graceful, almost as if dancing to the silent music of the night.

"Ah, got it! This pot feels promising, dau. Brace yourself for the taste of victory!"

Balarama, steadying Krishna, couldn't help but laugh quietly.

"Hurry, before we get caught. You know how Maiyya gets about her butter."With the pot of butter now in their hands, they carefully made their retreat. Krishna, still perched on Balarama's shoulders, whispered down to him, a victorious glint in his eye.

"Another successful heist, dau. But let's share our spoils with our friends tomorrow. After all, what's joy if not shared?"

Balarama, moving stealthily back to their hiding spot, agreed wholeheartedly. "You're right, Kanha. Let this be our little secret for now"

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Devashree slowly drifted back to consciousness, feeling a heavy fog enveloping her mind.

Her eyelids, heavy as lead, resisted at first but gradually gave way, peeling open to a blurred world.

Light pierced her vision, sending sharp jolts through her skull, as if awakening dormant demons of pain. Confusion swirled within her, struggling to piece together the why and the how of the situation. As awareness swept in, it brought with it an excruciating headache, throbbing in unison with her heartbeat. Harsh rays of sunlight again caused her to close her eyes.

She could hear Pratap talking to her.

"-Jiji , are you waking up? No? Just shifting? Okay, that's good too. The movement is good. I read that somewhere. Or maybe you told me. You tell me lots of smart stuff. I promise to listen more attentively from now on. Just give me the chance."

Devashree felt her hand being squeezed. Did he just promise to listen to her? Devashree grinned to herself in her mind. Her Pratap was cute sometimes.

"But seriously, you're the best sister anyone could ask for. I don't say it enough, but I appreciate you. More than all the stars in the sky. So, please wake up. I promise to cut down on the pranks... a little. And I'll even share my food with you tonight. Your favorite, remember?"

Did he just accept that she was the best?!

Hmm, lagta hai aaj Surya Dev paschim se uge hai

Satisfied that she had enough material to tease him later, she slowly opened her eyes.

Pratap's fair complexion came into view as she opened her eyes. His face was itching with worry.

"Oh! jiji, aapko hosh aa raha hai! Dhanyavaad, Devi aur Devtao! Dheere se, jiji, koi jaldi nahi hai. Tell me, how are you feeling? Do you want some water? Or do you want something to eat?Jiji, why aren't you saying anything?"

"Arey Tum bolne doge toh bolungi na!" Answering his concerns, she said," I am alright, Pratap. It was just a little fever, which had overpowered my senses for a while. It has subsided now. No need to worry."

"No, no, jiji, don't you even think of leaving Vaidyashala! You don't know how scared I was in the morning when I saw you lying so still on the ground of the hut.My heart was caught right in my throat.You are restricted to sleeping today."

Sleep was the last thing on her mind. Last night's ordeal was a heavy weight on her chest, making it hard to shake off the residue of fear and anxiety. The nightmare's imagery was still very raw, constantly haunting her thoughts. She could still clearly see the blood dripping off the severed head.

A shudder ran through her.

"No, Pratap, I have slept enough. Anyway, why is there so much noise in the ashram today?" She asked her brother in curiosity,diverting the topic quickly.

"Gurumai Sumukhi Devi has come, jiji."

"Gurudev Venkat's sister? The one who is one of the renowned Brahmavadinis and the wife of Rishi Sandipani?"

"The very same. She even praised me when I gave her the desired answers. "Pratap told her in an excited voice, his voice climbing pitch,his eyes sparkling in joy."

"Thats fantastic, Pratap. I am so proud of you. But then why are we wasting our time here, Pratap. Sumukhi Devi is an inspiration for the whole Aryavarta.How can you keep me bereft of meeting such a pure soul."

"I won't dare, Jiji. Devi Sukhumi is currently engaged in debate with the other shishyas. Gurudev said that whoever would be able to keep up with her and answer all her questions to her satisfaction would receive an opportunity to learn from her and Rishi Muni Sandipani himself!"

"Hurry along, then, Pratap.The debates on Shastras are always very enlightening.We don't want to miss it."

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Devi Sukhumi was a tall woman. She was wearing a simple saree with an intricate orange pattern, a mala of rudraksha beads around her neck and wrists.Her hair was long and tied in a simple manner in a bun with a sacred thread.She had a tilak (sacred mark) on her forehead, made from sandalwood paste. She exuded an aura of peace, wisdom, and inner strength. Her demeanor was calm and composed, with eyes reflecting deep knowledge and compassion.

She was currently seated in the middle of the central hall.
There was another seat in front of her, which was presently empty.

"Is there no shishya here who can win over me in Shastrat?
Putron I appreciate your efforts and knowledge.Some of the answers I received today were quite commendable. But you all need to study the Vedas in depth.In these sacred texts, lies the essence of our existence, the secrets of the universe, and the path to enlightenment and moksha. Study them not just with your minds, but with your hearts and souls. Let the verses flow through you, understand their profound meanings, and discover the eternal truths that reside within."

Turning to Gurukul Venkat, she said,"It seems I have to return empty-handed today, Bhrata."

Acharya Venkat gently smiled at her." You haven't tested my best student yet. I am sure she would not disappoint you."

"She?" Devi Sukhumi was perplexed and delighted at the same time. There weren't many females who chose to attend and learn the ways of a warrior. Some were not even allowed to attend Kanyakul. It was a sad reality of patriarchal society.

"Yes, my only female student."

Guru Venkat turned towards Devashree and nodded. She joined her palms and bowed her head in respect.

She went and stood in front of Devi Sumukhi and joined her hands in respect.

"O venerated Devi, I stand before you, a humble shishya, eager to absorb the profound knowledge you impart. Please accept my greetings."

"You sure have a way with words.I am happy to see a female attending a gurukul ashram rather than a kanyakul ashram. But tell me, would you be able to sustain my challenge? Can you endure the failure when all your brothers have been defeated?"

" Mate, victory and defeat only happen on a battlefield.Contrarily, thoughts are exchanged in the world of knowledge. It will be a fortune to gain some knowledge from you."

Hearing the words full of wisdom, Devi Sumushi happily gestured for her to be seated.

"Shall we begin then?"

The beloved of Krishna took a deep breath, excitement and nervousness thrumming through her veins.

"Awashya"

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A/N

A DEBATE OF SHASTRAT.....ARE YOU EXCITED??

ALSO,OUR BALDAU ALWAYS HAS KANHA'S BACK.. WASN'T IT SWEET OF HIM TO PROPOSE MISCHIEF FOR KANHA'S SAKE?

Also if you enjoyed it do consider voting because it helps other readers to discover this story.❤️✨