Aishwarya had the great fortune to be taught by the two sages who gave Shri Ram his education. During her time in gurukul, she excelled in archery and sword fighting. She learned all 64 vedas, mastering the art of dance, and healing. She was truly an exceptional student. However, despite being agile, fast, and accurate, she lacked some bodily strength. This was due to not receiving all the required nutrients, at a young age. Hence, her weakest weapon was the gadha. After mastering these skills, she was then taught how to turn her body into a weapon.

Moreover, she had matured into a beautiful young woman. She had dark doe-shaped eyes, a finely defined face, and a smile that shimmered. She had medium-length hair, which fell in waves on her chest. The rich-black hair, had a small tint of brown in it, one especially visible when facing the sun. She was like the first rays of the son, soothing, yet bright. She was uncommonly kind, and always looking to help others.

She learnt self defense and reached proficiency in it. Her hands could slice like a knife, and she could twist and turn and break the bones of the attacker. However, she was confused about a certain fact. "Guruvar, I will always carry a weapon with me, then why do I need self defense?"

Rishi Vishwamitra gave a sad smile, knowing what was in store for the future. The pain that she would have to endure, and the humiliation she would have to face. "Putri, in life you won't always have a weapon. You should never be dependent on anyone but yourself for your safety." Aishwarya just nodded and went ahead with her practice. One day, when she was looking through the items she had first brought to gurukul, she noticed a slip of paper. With a shock, she grabbed it. This was the same paper she had found near her mother's attacker. Trying to control her emotions, she opened the paper. It looked like a letter

It said, "Oh Kusinārā citizen, the woman who we all thought had died is still alive! She killed my brother. How is that she is enjoying her life, and we whom her and her child cursed are suffering? The pandit said a negative energy had been in the place a while before she was here. And now it is restless because she is far. There is only one way. She must be killed. Hence, as you are versed in the weaponry art, we request you to free us from this devil soul. Leave her child, she will die anyway." - Varsham.

Aishwarya jolted. Varsham was the name of her mother's husband's brother. Varsham was just as disgusting as his brother. And how dare he kill my Amma, Aishwarya thought. Regardless of the fact that it had not been his hands who murdered, he played a bigger part than his brother. Aishwarya was unable to digest this fact. She was filled with fury, so strong that it threatened to take over her entire mind and body. The only thing that clouded her mind was revenge. The desperate need for blood to spill of the enemy.

Throughout the remaining years at Gurukul, she trained herself, this time with a proper goal. She fully immersed herself into her learning, and soaked up knowledge. She had made herself flawless in her study. There was only one thing remaining to conquer. Her mind. Conquering her mind would mean to always put logic over emotion. One must analyze the situation, and understand all the pros of cons, before considering something. One must accept emotions, but not really on something as fickle as it. One shouldn't blindly believe and place trust, without understanding.

Through immense practice, she managed to do it. While she had the ideal virtues, so also had the ability to think in a more logical way. This was something more situated for the current yug, as times had changed. People had changed, and so had their way of thinking. Now, more bad things have existed than ever before. People thought in a more crooked way, and hence it was best to adapt to their thinking. And to a girl who had been confused between emotions after her mother's death, this seemed appropriate. Rather than succumbing to emotions, she'd wear a mask of reasoning. This may not have been the most correct move, but it was enough for her.

Soon, it was time for her Guru-Dakshina. The Dakshina required of her, was to attain the vimoksha sthana. A state in which one controls their own mind completely. After that, they must go through and sustain a series of vigorous training. After accomplishing this highly difficult task, only then was it able to say that one had satisfied their learning. However, there was always the quench for more, something that would always be there. The young student was able to accomplish this, and hence it was time for her to leave the ashram. She exited it as a different person entirely, someone who had matured to the state in which not many are.

She was purposefully given this type of education, due to the difficulties she had in store for the future. Aishwarya, unaware, was excited to go back to the palace. She'd forget about the letter for now, and revisit it once she created a better plan. She gathered all of her items, and left for the palace. A special chariot had been brought to take the now rajkumari, back to the palace. She hadn't had royal blood, how could she be a rajkumari? Aishwarya had asked such a question to Chandra.

Chandra had simply smiled and said, the blood that you have in your veins doesn't matter. What matters is how one grows to the level of royalty. Our actions have to prove our status, not our blood. Perhaps this was the truth. And regardless of those who disagree, her kingdom as a whole, had accepted her. And that was enough. Enough for the girl, who had been cast out of her village. In all her actions in life, she remembered her mother. The woman who had abandoned her old life to protect her daughter. The woman who was taken from this world too early.

"Amma, I promise you, that I will make you proud. I will be the light, like you always said."

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!ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ!

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