From The Ashes by Rubina Ramesh

The tinkling of the anklets announced the arrival of the young ladies, Lord Sambara had kept in Lady Mayavati’s honor. Peals of young laughter resonated in the otherwise silent room. But the laughter stopped as their eyes fell on the solitary figure of the lady staring out of the window, overlooking the ocean. Her face reflected the turbulence of the ocean, her anger evident in the stiff stance of the body. The young girls quietened down, well aware of the reason behind Lady Mayavati’s temper.

“My Lady, the bath is prepared and  time is running out. Your Lord might visit you any moment.” Sulochona, the most experience in the lot spoke to her softly.

“Let him.” Mayavati said through her clenched teeth. “Even I am waiting for Sambara.”

The young girls gasped at her usage of his name but kept quiet at the warning look from Sulochona.  “My Lady,” she continued in a placating tone. “You have to forget your past indifference. All said and done he is your lord and master now.”

“Kidnapping someone does not make him a master, Sulochona.”

“But you’ve no other option.” Sulochona really hoped this beautiful, stubborn girl would consent to her Lord or one never knew how the wrath of the Lord would fall on them.

“Is my bride ready?” Boomed the voice of the mighty Asura, Sambara from the hallway. The young girls scurried away, thankful that their master would have his interest occupied somewhere else and not bother them. Though they pitied the beautiful Lady, they could not help her.

“My Lady, my Love.” Sambara’s boisterous voice complimented his appearance. Mayavati shuddered as her eyes took in the protruding red eyes, immersed in madira, his bulging stomach dancing a merry dance of its own, in spite the tightened silken sash hugging him possessively. His stoutness enhanced by the golden ornaments generously endowed on him. Locks of his curly hair fell on his leering face as he came towards her.

“Stay away from me.” She commanded despite the fear in her heart.

“Come on. Don’t be tedious.” He enjoyed the hunt but today her beauty had intoxicated him. In fact, he had not slept a wink from the moment he had seen her wandering in the jungle, gathering flowers. But something about her had stopped him from approaching her. Her defiant beauty, her graceful body and her voluptuous breasts had set fire coursing through his body but a sixth sense had warned him to approach her carefully. Was it the radiance of her beauty or the way she carried herself? Surely she was not a celestial being, was she? 

But his misgivings were unfounded as his soldiers reported that she was an orphan staying in the nearby Rishi’s hermitage. One evening while she was returning he approached her, sure that she would be gratified by his attention.

“You’re the most beautiful maiden I’ve ever met.” His voice rang with sincerity and he sincerely hoped that she would have him as her Lord.

“Thank you. But I’ve been promised to someone else.” She said in a demure voice.

“Oh. Forget him. Even it is any one of the Gods, they cannot truly love you as I will. The God’s are known for their fickleness.” 

She did not seem to get angry. “I don’t know whom I’ve been promised to. But I am sure I am.”

Could things go any more puzzling? 

“Are you playing a game with me?” He demanded. But was quickly mollified at her scared expression. But she surely did not make sense.

“It’s true. Every night I have a dream. I dream of a man who is my husband.”

“Oh. That  I’m sure you will forget once you fall in love with me.”

“No.” The small chin jutted out, enhancing her stubborn thoughts. 

“I’m sure how my husband ought to look and he is nothing like you.”

“Now, you’re insulting me.” He thundered.

“That she is.” A shrill voice interjected. “ Narayan, Narayan. For a frail lady, she sure can cut the mighty Asura with her words.”

Both Mayavati and Sambara jerked towards the intrusion. Sage Narada stood near the bushes watching them amusedly. This puzzled Sambara. Since when did Narada support the Asuras. Still he had to be respected.

“Greeting O Narada. What brings you here?”

“I’m like the wind. Sometimes here and sometimes there.” Could Narada get any more irritating? But kept his thoughts to himself.

“Greeting O great sage.” Mayavati’s sweet voice sent the flow of love rushing in the Asura’s heart. 

Narada peered into Mayavati’s face. “O what a beauty! No wonder the great Asura is lusting after you.”

“Help me O Sage! I have a feeling I’m destined for someone else.”

“Destined for someone else? Yes I heard you speaking to Sambara.” Nararda smiled and for a moment Sambara was stunned. Why did he get a feeling that Narada was helping him? There was a saying in the Asura world. Being a friend of Narada is equivalent to being an enemy of Narada. He wondered what Narada had up his sleeves.

“You cannot marry the man of your dreams.” Narada continued. Obviously he was on a mission. “And here's such a handsome guy proposing to you. Surely, you should at least think about it.”

There someone realized his worth at last thought Sambara preening like a peacock, which rapidly turned into rage as he saw the look of disgust passing over the lovely maiden’s face. 

“Even the Sage realizes my worthiness. You are ready to live in poverty with the hermits but not as my Queen?” Could she not see how beautiful her life would turn out to be? Well if she could not see, he would just have to show her. 

As if reading his thoughts, Narada laughed gleefully. “Why don’t you show the lady what she would be missing if she did not marry you?”

“How?” Sambara was by now totally bewildered by Narada’s attitude.

“That O Great Asura! Only a man can decide whether the fairer sex is appropriate for him- not the other way round.”

That’s it! How can this chit of a girl, albeit a beautiful one, decide whether he is capable or not. Everyone will laugh at his manhood. Without even waiting to thank Narada, he called his soldiers and his horse and quick as a lightening whisked Mayavati in front of him, shouting and screaming.

And now she stood before him defiant and proud, ready to fight him to retain her virginity. This would be a losing battle for this beauty. Sambara could taste his victory as his mind envisages his ravishment of hers. 

Suddenly her eyes widened as her eyes rested on the wall behind him.

“What? What is the problem?” Surely at the time like this she would not faint? That would surely ruin his plan. 

“Sage Narada is here.” She could not keep the anger out of her voice.

“What? Where?” He whirled around to once again face the great Sage.

Though he was totally irritated at Narada’s impromptu appearance, but seeing the panting state of Narada, he understood that it had to be urgent.

“What’s wrong, O Sage!”

“Sambara, I came running as soon as I heard the news upstairs. She is born to destroy you.”

“What?” Who was more shocked was difficult to gauge- Sambara or Mayavati?

“What are you saying Sage Narada?”Beseeched Mayavati. “I’m already in trouble because of your interference earlier. Now you are planning to get me killed.”

“Oh no, my lady. You cannot be killed by anyone. At least not by Sambara. But if Sambara touches you or forces his lovemaking on you, he will be burnt to ashes.”

Sambara’s face whitened. And to think he was just about to kiss her. He needed time to think and to decide whether Narada was up to his usual trick. He stumbled out of the room, not waiting for Narada to leave.

Sage Narada came towards Mayavati, his face had a jovial smile as if making a Asura angry was his daily affair. Mayavati did not know how to react. 

“Tell me O Sage, what is the meaning of all this. First you instigate Sambara to kidnap me and now you have come up with this bizarre tale.”

Narada smiled at her gently and then much to Mayavati’s shock, bowed to her. “Don’t you remember anything, O Goddess of Beauty and Sensuality. You have come to the place you were destined to come. Mother Parvati had made me promise that when the time comes I will help you to reach your destination.”

“My destination?”Mayvati was getting more puzzled by the conversation.

“Yes. Sambara cannot even touch you. He  will be reduced to ashes.” He declared.

“Then why did you stop him? He would have been reduced to ashes and I would have been saved.” 

“Then my lady, the events of the future would not have taken place and your rebirth would have been futile.” 

Mayavati felt an anger rising within her. She could not be sure where the anger was stemming from. But she could feel a whirlwind rising within her. Her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror. No more the demure girl faced her. Her face flushed with anger, her eyes whirlpools of years of anger and pain, her chest heaving with some past memories,too painful to remember. Right now she felt all her anger was centered to Narada and she woundn’t mind burning him to ashes.

Burning him to ashes? Why did this thought send a tearing pain down to the very core of her being? Why did it invoke images of someone burning? The images felt so real, so potent that she could almost smell burning flesh and hear cries of agony. Beads of perspiration marked her forehead as she staggered to the big bed adorning the center of the room. 

Narada kept on watching her from the corner of the room, making no attempt to help her or soothe her pain away.

Mayawati curled herself into a fetal position willing the pain to go away. Time lapsed, all sounds receeded as Mayavati relived her past. Flashes of memories became a reality. Unheard voices became a clarity and deep buried secrets found their way to her memory. Slowly she got up and turned to Narada still standing in the corner with his head bowed.

“Thank you Narada.” She said quietly.

“Welcome back Goddess Rati.” Narada said humbly. “ I hope you forgive me now for getting you here.”

“Yes. Of course. You were destined to bring me to Sambara’s palace to wait for my Lord Kama to come here.”

“Yes. He is already born to Lady Rukmini.”

Tears glistened in Rati’s eyes. “Thank you for letting me know. So in a month I will see my Lord again.”

“But the road won’t be easy, O Goddess Rati. He won’t remember you and you will not be a wife to him yet. You will have to shower motherly love on him and protect him from Sambara.”

“Don’t worry Narada.” Rati glowed in anticipation of meeting her lord again. “I remember what Mother Parvati had said. I will be my Lord’s mother and teacher till he is  not ready to kill the mayavi Asura, Sambara.”

“Under your guidance, Lord Kama will remember all his mayavi shakti’s. After all you and he are one.” Narada felt humbled by the love Rati had for Kama. He knew Lord Kama would be safe here after he arrives in Samabara’s kitchen in the form of an infant. 

After Narada left, Mayavati aka Rati stood in front of the mirror. Her eyes blazed in anger but her heart felt a hope rising at the upcoming events. Lord Shiva had kept his promise. Now she had to just wait for Pradyuman to arrive. But how could she stop Samabara from destroying the plan? If he could not have her, then he might throw her out of his Palace and that would ruin all her plans.

Well she was known as the greatest Mayavi,wasn't she? Standing in front of the mirror she concentrated and soon the image from the mirror separated from her. 

“You will be Mayavi, my alter self . You will have to please the Asura till my work is not done here.” 

Mayavi bowed. “I will. Rest assured. But where will you be?”

“I will work in the kitchen of this palace where my Lord Kama will be coming as an infant from the womb of a fish. I will wait for him there.”

Mayavi beamed. “That sounds like a great plan. But please call on me as soon as the work is done. Without you I won’t have any existence. I am but your shadow.”

Mayavati thanked her and quickly went out of the room towards the kitchen while Mayavi with her illusionary smile waited for the Lord Sambara to visit her again.

 Disclaimer:
The above story is written by Rubina Ramesh in response to the challenge posted by Siddhesh Kabe at Indifiction. Siddhesh has put up the following challenge to the members.

"This is a challenge I have taken up and would post it for anyone interested. India is full of mythological stories and stories that never made out of the region. For e.g., I visited Talakadu that has an epic story of Mysore King who was cursed that the kingdom would be sunk under sand. 

First point will be to research the stories as it is, second to strip it of its mythology and rewrite the story as you would have written. Look beyond the miracles and magic and write the story as a story teller would tell it. Take any favorite story from any mythology that you have heard since childhood. Wikipedia it for details and rewrite it."

I always found the story of Goddess Rati very facinating. The Goddess of Beauty and Sensuality had a life full of pain and seperation from her lover. She was always waiting for him to return to his form after being cursed by Lord Shiva. She stayed true to him and waited for him to be born as Pradyuman, son of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. But the story does not end there.

While doing my research I came across many hidden untold facets which I would further like to discover and write about. Thank you Siddhesh for putting up this challenge and Luciferhouseinc for having this wonderful group.


Picture Courtsey:

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/0400_0499/pantheon/kamdevburnt/kamdevburnt.jpg
http://kamdevmantrainhindi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/kama-1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rati_on_composite_horse.jpg
http://www.dollsofindia.com/dollsofindiaimages/newsletter/minor-hindu-gods-part1/book-on-shiva-CQ86_a_05.jpg

http://api.ning.com/files/aY1N5jMDvS6q1yPCQ7tmoqiLG1Xo14maYRE1C8XbFZMBgrUsgVUFB1sQw-BCNOMmcOcJpwY1IVa9hvgTzwcaPT*93wwCNIM3DX15J5aIg9E_/NaradMuni1.jpg