"Devi, I mean no harm with my words. But it will be better for both you and your child . You are no ordinary mother. The entire fate of this universe resides in you. And fate works in mysterious ways. I only speak for your own sake. This child has his own destiny to fulfill. It will be better if you and your husband do not form much attachment with this child."

Devashree couldn't deny that she was irked.But her heart was thrumming with anger, pain, and the faintest touch of fear. How dare he say that? 

 She wasn't stupid. She very well understood what he wanted to say. She had lost her child once. Had her heart broken to pieces. Relieved each day thinking that she could have prevented it...had blamed herself each day in agony... 

Yet now, this man stood before her and dared to suggest that her child was not meant to be with her. Worse he may even die. So yes she was very irked.

"Rishivar, forgive me if I seem disrespectful, but are you telling me that he is not meant to stay with me? That I am to hold back my love,my every instinct as a mother to shield him, to protect him?"

"Devi,  I do not speak to cause you pain. I know the love that fills your heart. But this child carries a destiny. For the balance of the universe, he must walk a path that requires him to remain untouched by the ordinary bonds that tie us to each other."

Devashree's eyes darkened. "Yes I know. Do you think I am so ignorant of fate, that I cannot see the designs in which my child plays a part? I know he is no ordinary child, Rishivar.....But I am his mother."

Rishivar sighed "Devi, I understand your anger, your pain. But this is no simple child—"

"And I am no simple mother!" Devashree interrupted. A chill ran down his spine as her eyes turned red for a moment. Rishivar swallowed, He knew he was pushing her. And he couldn't deny that he was afraid but he has to do this. For the greater good.

"I know Mata. You are the jagatjanani herself. The Mother of this entire universe. But there are forces that even you cannot outdo."

"Do not tell me what I can or cannot do." Her voice was low, but it crackled with a restrained fury. It was a warning. A very direct warning not to tread further.

"You cannot change fate Devi."

"Believe me, I can."

"Devi, I only meant—"

"Do not test me,Rishivar and do not tempt me.....not in this, not where my child is concerned." —it was a final declaration.

Rishivar lowered his gaze. "Forgive me, Mate." He understood that he had ventured as far as he could. He would say no more.

******

Krishna stood silently at the side of the crib. 

He was gazing down lovingly at his sleeping son who lay peacefully. His tiny fists were clenched and wisps of hair were brushing against his forehead. How much longer will you sleep Putra? It's been hours...Honestly you sleep way too much Tanu!

 He leaned closer and the sweet scent of the infant fillied his senses. Okay enough, time to wake up!

He brushed his fingers lightly against the baby's cheeks and the baby stirred slightly. A soft coo escaped his lips. Krishna's heart melted. He playfully poked the baby's side. "Come on Tanu..Don't you want to play peek a boo with me?" He again poked the baby.

"Swami what are you doing?" came a voice from behind him, sharp and disapproving. Devashree appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed and a frown on her face.

"Oh, I was just checking if his diaper was soiled," Krishna replied maintaining his poker face. Devashree raised an eyebrow, fully aware of his antics.

"I know very well what you were doing, Krishna," she said, "Don't try to wake him up just for your entertainment. Babies need their sleep."

"Oh come on Priye. This much of sleep cannot be healthy for anyone."

"Says the one who sleeps for four months straight without a care in the world," she shot back.

"That's different! Come one priye, look at him, he's sleeping like a dog!"

"Did you just compare my child to a dog?"

"I'm just saying he looks adorable...like a puppy!"

"You—"

"Look look he's waking up! Move over!"

Devashree rolled her eyes but stepped aside, unable to hide her smile as Krishna practically bounced on his toes. He watched as the infant stretched his tiny hands over his head, yawning widely as he opened his eyes, revealing those bright eyes.

"Hey there, little lion," Krishna cooed. "Did you have a good sleep?" he asked picking him up. The infant gave a little scrunch, his knees were bunched tight against his chest. "That's so adorable."

The baby blinked up at him but a soft gurgle escaped his lips. Krishna's grin widened.

"He looks just like you when you wake up....like a monkey," Devashree teased.

"Hwaaa, did you hear that, Tanu?" he said, looking down at the baby with a look of betrayal. "Your mother just called you a monkey! Can you believe that?"

The baby made another soft gurgling noise, his tiny fist reaching out, as if trying to grab his father's finger.

Krishna held the baby's hand gently, shaking his head with a dramatic sigh. "Leave her, putra. We won't talk to her, hmm? Only you and me now, just the two of us. How dare she compare us to a monkey...all the hairrr..cheee cheee"

"I think Priya Hanuman would be very interested to know you just said that."

"Oh priye, you know, I was just joking," Krishna said, instantly switching to an innocent tone, his eyes wide as he tried to backtrack. "You know I have nothing but the utmost respect for my Priy Hanuman. Right, Tanu?" He looked down at the baby, who blinked up at him.

"Is that so? Because it sure sounded like you were making fun of him. And trust me, I'm going to tell him."

Krishna laughed nervously, glancing back at his son. "See, Tanu? Your mother is very strict, especially when it comes to her favorites. We'd better be on our best behavior from now on."

The baby let out a happy little squeal, and Krishna grinned before he became serious. "Priye, are you allowed to be out of bed so soon?"

"I'm fine, Swami," she assured him, brushing a hand over his arm. The baby lat out a wail.

"Looks like someone is hungry," Devashree murmured, gently lifting him from Krishna's arms and cradling him against her shoulder. "Swami, you've been here for hours. Go, attend to your duties. Dwarka won't run itself."

"But I don't want to leave. You two are my most important duties."

"And we'll still be here when you return. Now go, before you find an excuse to stay a moment longer."

After feeding her son, who quickly drifted back into a peaceful slumber, Devashree carefully placed him back in his crib, brushing a gentle kiss across his forehead.

Turning to the doorway, she called softly, "Dasis, come in."

A pair of dasis entered, bowing respectfully as they approached her.

"Please keep an eye on him," Devashree instructed, glancing at her son. "I'll only be a short while. If he stirs, just rock him gently."

The dasis nodded in understanding, moving closer to stand watch by the crib.

Devashree took a final, lingering look at her sleeping son, ensuring he was settled. Her gaze then moved to the window that was open nearby.

It gave her a little weird feeling. So she went and closed it and went to have a quick bath.

After her quick bath, Devashree returned to the chamber, feeling an odd sense of unease that she tried to brush off. 

As she stepped into the room, she froze in horror at the sight that awaited her.

The window was wide open and the room was drenched in a sickening crimson. There was blood everywhere.

The two dasis lay lifeless on the floor, their eyes wide open in terror, blood pooling around them. The metallic scent was thick in the air. It filled Devashree's nostrils as she stumbled forward, her heart racing with dread. She looked wildly around the room, her gaze falling on the empty crib.

Her son was gone.

A strangled scream tore from her throat as she dropped to her knees, her trembling hands pressing against the edge of the crib, unable to process the devastating sight.

"No!" The word tore from her throat, raw and broken. "My child! Where is my child?!"

She stumbled forward, her gaze darting frantically around the room, searching for any sign, any hope. Her voice grew louder, desperate, trembling as she screamed again, "Someone! Help me! My son...where is my son?!"

Devashree's anguished scream echoed through the corridors of the palace, carrying with it a sense of urgency that sent servants, guards, and advisors scrambling toward her chambers. Within moments, the hall outside her door filled with alarmed faces, each person exchanging worried glances, fearing the worst.

Krishna was among the first to arrive, his heart pounding as he pushed past the gathering crowd. The sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. The lifeless bodies of the two dasis lay crumpled on the floor, their blood spreading like dark ink across the marble. And in the middle of the room, trembling and desperate, stood Devashree, clutching the empty crib as if it were her last grip on sanity.

His gaze went from the horrific scene to Devashree, whose face was pale and her eyes wide with shock and agony. In that single look, he understood what had happened—his son was gone.

"Devashree..." he whispered, moving toward her. She met his eyes and he saw his own emotions reflect back : fear, rage, helplessness.

"Swami... our child... someone took him," she choked out. Her voice was barely a whisper, and yet it held a power that made everyone in the room fall silent.

Krishna's jaw clenched as he drew Devashree close. "Find him," he commanded the guards, his voice steely and low, trembling with restrained fury. "Search every corner of Dwarka, every path and hidden place. Leave nothing unturned."

His hand moved gently through her hair as she shook in his arms, her sobs muffled against his chest. "Shh priye I promise I will find him soon."

"Not soon Swami! Rigth now! I want him here right now, this instant! He's not even a week old, Swami... he's so small, so helpless....  he needs me, he needs us. Please, you must bring him back now!" Her hands gripped Krishna's tunic tightly.

"I know, Priye," Krishna whispered,"I swear, by all that I am, I will bring him back to you. To us. I swear to you, I will not rest until he is back in your arms, safe and unharmed." He gently wiped away a tear from her cheek though his own eyes were clouded with pain.

 "What if... what if something happens before you find him? He's so helpless, Swami, and the world can be so cruel..."  Devashree's desperation only grew. Her hands gripped his shoulders.

 "Have faith in me, Devashree," he murmured softly. "Whoever dared take our son will answer for this. I will turn the heavens and earth upside down, Priye. No one—no force—will keep him from us." Krishna brushed his fingers gently across her cheek, trying to soothe her even as his own heart thundered with worry.

"I should never have left him... I should never have..." Devashree turned away, clutching the crib with trembling hands.

"Stay strong, priye. I will bring him back—"

"I will come with you." Devashree turned to go.

"No Shree." Krishna gripped her shoulders.

"No, Swami. This is my son. Our son. I cannot sit idly while he's out there somewhere, scared and alone. It will be a torture for me."

"Shree.."

"No putri, you cannot go! Not is your state!" Mata Devaki said.

"Mata is right, Shree. You're still recovering, and the last thing I want is for you to be in danger too. I need you to stay here."

"Then give me a time period." She whispered agonizingly."Just tell me how long it will take you. tell me—will it be hours? Days?"

"I cannot predict how long it will take," he admitted, "But I promise, I will return to you as quickly as possible. I swear it on my life."

"Go then." Devashree gave up, turning away from him. She didn't care to look at him as he left. Her heart felt too heavy. Her shoulders slumped and she fell to her knees beside the crib, sobbing and tearing at her chest. Her heart was in her throat and agony was clawing inside her. 

Mata Devaki moved behind her, wrapping her arms around her daughter-in-law. "Devashree,putri," she murmured softly, "he will find him.There is nothing our Krishna cannot do.." 

But Devashree could barely hear her through the fog of despair. She reached out to the crib and her fingers brushed against the soft fabric of the blanket he had been wrapped in. The reality of his absence struck her like a physical blow.

I can't sit here crying when my Tanu is going through heaven knows what...."She hastily wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and forced a smile at Mata Devaki.

"You are right Mata. Swami will find him." She stood up and hastily made her way to the nearby temple of Mahadev. 

I cannot go to search. But my eternal self can definitely look for my Tanu. I will quickly find him that way just like Krishna was trying. So she entered the temple.

Kneeling before the Shivalinga, she closed her eyes. Gathering all her energy, she silenced the storm of emotions within her. She pressed her palms together and called upon the inner power that lay dormant within her as Mahalakshmi.

In an instant, she felt her mind slipping beyond the temple walls. Her vision expanded outward, searching. The light within her ignited and she reached out stretching across Dwarka and all of the Aryavarta.

But there was no trace of him anywhere. How was that possible?  She searched every corner of Aryavarta, sweeping through forests, villages, rivers, and mountains. But there was nothing—no sign of her son's presence.

She further expanded herself  splitting into Astalakshmis to cover the the entire Prithvilok and move to other Lokas. Her spirit roamed beyond the mortal realm, reaching into other lokas.

One by one she covered all of them: 

Satyalok— the highest plane, home of Brahma and the eternal truth

Taplok— where powerful sages meditated

Janalok— where great ascetics dwelled

Maharlok— the realm of sages and seers

Swarglok— the heavenly abode of the Devas.

Bhuvarlok—   home of spirit and demigods

Bhurlok —Prithvilok/ Mrityulok , the home of mortals

Atallok—Ruled by the son of Maya

Vitallok — ruled by the god Hara-Bhava, a form of Shiva

Sutallok—Home of Demon king, Bali

Talatal lok —The home of Maya

Mahatallok—Home of nagas

Rasatallok—Home of Danavas and Daityas

Paatallok— the lowest plane ,Ruled by the serpent king, Vasuki.

Her eyes snapped open.

 She had scoured every corner of existence—each world, every sacred and shadowed space—yet there was nothing. Not a single trace of her child. It was as if her son had been erased from existence. 

Where was he? Her baby, her precious piece of heart... 

Fear creeped inside her and her heart began to pound with dread. She pressed her hands to her heart, willing herself to calm down, but the dread only intensified.

"Priye." A voice called from behind. Krishna.

No. Narayan. It was Narayan in his eternal form. 

"Swami.." Devashree started but stopped after seeing his face. He looked worse than her. Sweat itched on his forehead and tears were flowing openly in his cheeks. He looked...broken. She had never seen him so....helpless.

Seeing him like this sent a fresh wave of fear through her. She'd seen Krishna in countless forms—but never broken, never so stripped of hope. 

She went over to him gently cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing away the tears on his cheeks.

"Priye there is no place in this universe that I did not scourged like you did, but....I am sorry. I am so sorry....." He cried like a baby in her arms. "I have failed you both yet again, Swamini...I am so sorry...."

Lakshmi ran her hand through his locks, trying to give her strength to him but her own sobs were betraying her. They both slid down on the floor crying in each others arms.

"Why is this happening Swami?" Lakshmi sobbed in his chest as she clung to him.

"It is because of the curse." Narayan whispered.

Lakshmi looked up at him.

"The curse given by Raja Drupada...you shall be deprived of the one you love most....Whom can a mother love more than her child?"

Lakshmi gasped. 

"No... it cannot be. That curse was meant for us, Swami! Not for our child!" She shook her head vigorously. "No Swami, I don't accept this. We have always accepted the curses given to us because one way or the other we had caused someone distress through our actions. It was the fruit of our Karm and we have always, always, welcomed them with a smile. But this? A curse given on someone's whim, without any reason or justification? I cannot accept that. It's not fair, and it's not right!"

"Shree..."

"It's not a ripple of any of our past actions Swami...It does not follow the laws of Samay chakra. THEREFORE I, DEVI LAKSHMI, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF CREATION, REJECTS THIS CURSE!" Her voice rang through the air like a blade slashing, echoching and spreading in the entire universe.

Lakshmi's chest heaved with the intensity of her words. Narayan moved close and brushed his hand gently across her forehead, dabbing the sweat with the ends of his angvastra. 

"Calm yourself, Priye. Come here."  He drew her close, wrapping her in his warmth. Her tears of frustration fell on his chest.

"Swami, this universe runs in your orders. There is no force greater than you Narayan. And if it is happening that means someone or some force is stopping you. And there are only two who can do that......first you yourself and second.....

Her eyes slid to the Shivlinga ".....and second is him !"

Narayan's eyes followed her gaze. "No priye, Mahadev wouldn't do something like that, he...can't" He shook his head,

"You are the FATHER OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE, Swami!" she exclaimed. "From each particle of sand to every leaf, everything moves only with your permission. There is not a speck of matter that can act without your will! Then tell me Swami! Where is my baby... where have you hidden him?"

"I have not hidden him, Priye," he replied, his voice was a whisper. "I would never do that to you."

"I know that!" She snapped at him. "Which is why I am talking about Mahadev. Narayan hi Shiv hai, Aur Shiv hi Narayan! Don't you always say that? That the two of you are same? If you haven't done it, then Mahadev has! Only he is capable of keeping something hidden from you."

The sharpness of her words pierced the air, and Narayan flinched. "Why would he?..."

"Only he can answer than." 

With that Lakshmi turned on her heels and vanished. "MAHADEV!"

All the devatas watched with fear as Devi Lakshmi appeared in Kailash. Rage thrummed around her that seemed to shake the very foundation of the realm. Narayan was also on her heels.

"Devi Lakshmi," Mahadev began, "what brings you to my abode in such a state?"

"Mahdev, enough!" she retorted, fury igniting the words as they left her lips. "Do you or do you not know the whereabouts of my child?"

 Devi Parvati and Ganesh came running there hearing the shouts. "Sakhi Lakshmi, please calm down."

"I asked you a question Mahadev. Do you know where Kamadev is? Yes or No? "

"Devi Lakshmi I can hardly—"

"Yes or No?" Lakshmi shouted,her voice echoing through the mountains.

"Yes." Mahadev admitted, causing Narayan to look at him with betrayal in his eyes.

"Why did you not tell me when I came here?" Narayan's voice trembled with disbelief.

Mahadev looked away.

"You know where he is, Mahadev? Then speak! Where is our child?" Lakhmi asked again.

"I cannot tell you Devi."

Lakshmi was hurt. "Mahadev, why? "

"I am bound by my duties behen. Please understand."

Tears slipped down Lakhshmi's cheeks at his refusal but her eyes turned to ice. "And what of your promise, Mahadev? The boon you granted me?" 

Her eyes now held a glint of fury that even the mightiest gods began shaking in fear. The mountain air grew colder, thick with tension.

"I have already fulfilled it! In case you forgot, the boon was that your son would be reborn from your womb again in Dwapar Yug...I have already fulfilled this."

"What are you saying, Mahadev?" she whispered. "What of the joy of seeing him grow, of guiding him, loving him, of raising him? Do I not have that right?"

"Was that the boon?"

"Then you tricked me...." her voice cracked.

"You tricked me, Mahadev," she repeated, trembling. "You twisted the promise to suit your own purposes. And you gave me hope only to shatter it." Narayan held her shoulders, his own expression darkening as he looked at Mahadev. 

"To give us a boon yet deny us the essence of it—is that not a greater cruelty, Mahadev? Is that how we honor each other?" Narayan asked

"I told you, I am bound by my duties, I am sure you both understand how harsh it can be."

Lakshmi looked at Mahadev with incredulity itched in her face. "What about your duty to me? Am I only your sister in name? Or when it suits you? Tell me, are you going to be a brother to me as you always claim?"

"I am sorry.."

Lakshmi couldn't believe it. The bonds she had trusted so much were failing her. "

FINE! I will not take your precious time any longer...I understand you have your duties to attend to. They must come first of course. We are after all merely ants in your way.." She laughed, but it was empty, hollow. "We shall take our leave."

"No wait! Sakhii Lakshmi, please try to under—" Devi Parvati started, desperation creeping into her voice.

"Look into the eyes of this mother, Devi Parvati," Lakshmi shot back, her voice sharp as a blade. "Look into her eyes and then ask me to understand."

Devi Parvati faltered and looked down. She could not meet her eyes. 

"Sakhi, I..."

"I am sure you understand agony of being torn from your child Devi Parvati. So I am sure you will not stand in my way when I tear down heavens to reclaim what is mine!"

"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING! Ganas, restrain devi Lakshmi!" Mahadev ordered his army of gannas.

"Mahadev, no!" Devi Parvati cried, reaching out in desperation. "She is driven by grief! We cannot fight her!"

"She has chosen this path Devi. I cannot allow what she is about to do!"

"WATCH ME!"  Lakshmi gave him a wide twisted smile as she began to burn with rage and trembled with fury. 

Narayan pulled his hands from her shoulder to behind his back and watched in awe as she transformed before his eyes.

Eighteen powerful arms unfurled from her form. She held the Sudarshan Chakra in the foremost hand and in her other hands were the weapons... mala, kulhaddi, gada , baan,vajra , kamal , ghada , dand , shakti , talwar , dhal , shankh , ghanta, trishul , paash  and chakra.

Lakshmi had transformed into her most dangerous and ferocious form —Veera Lakshmi.

*******

A/n

Long time no see...but anyway, tell me how you feel about this chapter.❤️✨

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