||३९||

1.7K 146 22
                                    

Next few days went by quickly. The fort was preparing itself for the upcoming festival of Navratri - the time they prayed to Goddess Bhavani for the return of their beloved Queen. Every year Chandrashekhar visited the holy temple of Bhavani at Giripur where Yatee was born. But this year, he was visiting his teacher at Shanti Nagar for Navratri. He wished to spend quality time there, free from the royal duties, free from his responsibilities, living a normal life like a common person.

He was accompanied with his three kids and Dhara bai, who used to be there with the kids since they were born. She was like a great aunt for the kids and a younger sister for Chandrashekhar. She was possesive about the kids since Yatee was kidnapped, feared that the little kids would leave them, too. But till date, no one had tried to attack Ajinkyapur from Nadiabaad. No one knew the reason why so.

All of the sudden Ramchandra and Srikanta droped the idea of accompanying Chandrashekhar to Shanti Nagar as Shreyansh was unwell. Even Chandrashekhar didn't wanted to leave ill Shreyansh but Ramchandra convinced him that at least one of the five students visit their teacher.

Soon, three days before the beginning of Navratri festival, Chandrashekhar, Dhara bai, along with the kids, left for Shanti Nagar.

________________________

A messenger arrived at Shanti Nagar. He was guided upto the cottage of Acharya Vishwa.

"प्रणाम आचार्य विश्व.
(Greetings to Acharya Vishwa.)"
The man bowed to the old teacher who came out of his residence upon his arrival.

"May God bless you. Who are you ?" Acharya said as they both sat on the bench.

"I have came here with a message for you. Have a look at it." The messanger handed him a letter and stood at the exit

Acharya read the message. His eyes shone with joy. He nodded to the messenger and he left. Acharya looked at the people gathered around him. The head of the village, Guru, came ahead and asked about the letter.

"I had informed you about my past student, a brilliant person, Sadashiv, you all remember it ?" Acharya asked as everyone nodded in agreement.

"He is arriving here for the festival of Navratri. Make preparations for his welcome. He will arrive by today evening. Guru, my child, take me to Uma's cottage, please." Acharya said as everyone busied themselves for the welcome of a guest in their village.

Shanti Nagar was a very small, but prosperous village, surrounded by dense forests on its sides. It was few hundred miles away from the country of Nadiabaad. But even though they were near Nadiabaad, they never surrendered to them. They were proud independent village. And also a self sufficient one, with the help of Acharya Vishwa and Devi Uma.
(Devi suffix is literally means respected lady and / or a lady of high status )

Uma Devi came to Shanti Nagar a decade ago. She was a kind, gentle lady, a motherly figure for youngsters, a supportive sister for the working class of people and a sincere daughter to elders. She was a simple lady, taking care of the village, and managing it's problems along with Head of the village, Guru. Acharya Vishwa considered Uma as his own daughter as no one knew her past.

Soon Acharya Vishwa was near to the temple of Bhavani which was the only temple in that village. Mostly, if anyone wanted to meet Uma Devi, they would come to the temple or go to her cottage which was situated in the Gurukul of Acharya Vishwa.
(Gurukul is the ancient time school where students used to live with their teacher - here Acharya Vishwa - and help them with everyday chores along with education.)

Uma Devi was there, praying in the temple. She used to perform the Puja every day at the temple before she started with everyday chores. She was teaching few young students some sanskrit chants. They were learning it and repeating after her. She used to enjoy being with kids. They were so lost in their own selves that didn't notice Acharya standing besides them.

Yatee : Rise of an EmpressWhere stories live. Discover now