11. THE PUJA
"Mata Gargi", Sita was happy to see her teacher arrive.
She went and touched her feet. Her sisters followed.
Ram and his brothers bowed down in reverence.
She blessed the kids and hugged Sita.
Sunaina was apparently unhappy with her presence.
" Devi Gargi its a pleasure to have you here", Rishi Yajyavalkya welcomed her.
"Thank you Gurudev", she bowed down.
" Mata it is so nice to have you here. Please come", Shruthkirti chirped happily.
"Well today I am from the groom's side", Gargi smiled at Ram.
" Why so?", Mandvi was confused.
"Because bhai had a surprise for Bhabhi", Bharat replied.
"What was the surprise?"
"Mata Gargi. He knew Bhabhi would be very happy if Mata Gargi attends the Puja"
"But now she's from groom's side. That's unfair", Mandvi complained.
Ram and Sita sensed another quarrel.
" But now both countries are one", Ram and Sita announced together.
Amused at their timings they smiled at each other.
"Jijashree you are so nice. It would have been good if you had given some piece of mind to your brothers", Mandvi stared at Bharat.
" Exactly ", Shruthkirti joined in and looked at Shatrughna.
While Shatrughna and Bharat stared at each other as if privy to their secrets.
" They are definitely up to something", Ram thought.
"Aah!!! Phew!!!", they heard someone panting at the steps of the temple.
Gargi turned around and everyone found Lakshman Urmila standing together.
"They were together. You were right.", Shruthkirti shrieked running towards Shatrughna.
Everyone was astonished at her remark.
" Shruthkirti ", Mandvi called her making her leave Shatrughna's hand which she had caught out of impulse.
" What did you tell her now?", Bharat asked as Shruthkirti went and stood near Sita.
Mithila elders eyed their youngest with amusement.
"Where were you?", Janaka asked them.
" On the cliff"
"In the forest"
They both gave different replies together.
Everyone looked at them in confusion.
"I think we should begin the Puja. The muhurat will be lost", Gargi saved the day.
Lakshman and Urmila lifted their hands to ring the temple bell. As both reached together they looked at each other.
" Look there", Shatrughna nudged Bharat.
Mandvi looked at them with even more assurance.
"Are you sure they are up to something?", Shatrughna asked Bharat.
" Pretty much"
"Today I pray to God that this works"
"Why so?"
"Lakshman bhai is elder to me. So if his alliance is fixed I can talk about Shruthkirti.", Shatrughna beamed with joy.
" Lakshman's plea won't be heard till am slaughtered"
Shatrughna laughed.
"Well forget about it. I don't think you can deal with Mandvi ji anytime soon"
Mandvi cleared her throat and Urmila pulled her hand down.
Lakshman rang the bell thrice.
"He seems to be super happy", Bharat grinned.
Jai jai giribarraaj kishori | Jai mahesh mukh chand chakori ||
Jai gajbadan shdaanan maataa | Jagat janani daamini duti gaataa ||
Nahin tav aadi madhya avsaanaa | Amit prabhaau bedu nahin jaanaa ||
Bhav bhav bibhav parabhav kaarini | Bisva bimohani svabas bihaarini ||
Patidevataa sutiya mahun maatu pratham tav rekh |
Mahima amit na sakahi kahi sahas saaradaa sesh
Sevat tohi sulabh phal chari | Bardaayani puraari piyaari ||
Debi pooji pada kamal tumhaare | Sur nar muni sab hohi sukhaare ||
More manorathu jaanahu nike || Basahu Sada Ur Pur Sabhee Ken |
Keenhe-u Pragat Na Kaaran Teheen | Basahu kahi charan gahe baidehi ||
Jai jai giribarraaj kishori | Jai mahesh mukh chand chakori ||
Jai gajbadan shdaanan maataa | Jagat janani daamini duti gaataa ||
The Puja went on as Sita did the aarti and Ram stood next to her.
The three sisters stood behind the couple.
Mandvi to the left, Urmila at the centre and Shruthkirti to the right.
The guys were behind them.
Bharat to the extreme left, Lakshman at the centre and Shatrughna to the right.
As the aarti was over everyone bowed down together.
Mandvi turned around to find Bharat standing in the corner.
"Why were you behind me?", Mandvi whispered.
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