300 BC

“YOGMAYA, YOU HAVE BROKEN THE LAW OF NATURE. I CURSE YOU. FROM THIS MOMENT, YOU WILL LOSE ALL YOUR POWERS. YOU WILL SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AS A NORMAL AND WILL REPENT FOR YOUR MISTAKE.”

I joined my hands and fell to my knees. I was losing something for which I had worked my whole life—I was losing my identity, my power, and I could do nothing. I was the only reason where I was today, but do I regret it?

1 Year Ago

I opened my eyes. Today, I completed my second stage of Sadhna. Finally, I was closer to my goal—the power I desired the most. The power through which I would contribute to my community.

My vision got clearer, and I spotted my Gurudev standing proudly but with a straight face. I stood up and joined my hands, bowing to him with respect.

“Pranam, Gurudev,” I said and looked up.

“Kalyan Bhava, Putri,” he said coldly, while a brief smile lingered on his face, though he hid it behind his strict demeanor.

“Your Sadhna is completed, and so is your second stage of the ritual,” he told me. I joined my hands and bowed slightly as people from our community gathered behind.

I bowed, expressing my gratitude, as my Gurudev was my ultimate support. He had shaped me from childhood, and I was thankful to him.

“Break your fast, and then we will be performing the Sandhya Aarti for the ritual,” he instructed and walked away while we all bowed with respect.

My eyes went to my mother, whose eyes were shining with tears—tears of happiness. I moved towards her and bent down to touch her feet.

“Always be happy, my child, and accomplish your goals,” she blessed me. I stood up and hugged her tightly.

“Let's go home. We are having a feast in the village,” she said and turned back to walk down the hill– towards our village.

Our village was five Ghatika away from the cave where I had performed my Sadhna for a year. My hunger for power won over any basic needs of life, and I succeeded in my journey.

Dust filled my hair, and my white clothes had turned yellow due to the dust particles. The way towards the village was bumpy, making it difficult for people to walk. But Just to honor my decision, they came.

I stood in the village as dhol echoed, kids danced with joy, and adults prepared for the feast.

My eyes lingered over the innocent kids running across the village. They were happy but unaware of the upcoming threat.

“Maya, I am so proud of you, my child.” Saying this, she did my Aarti and applied Tilak on my forehead. She took me in a motherly hug.

“Go, get ready. Today is an important day.” I nodded and moved towards my home. I walked slowly, hearing the jingling of anklets behind me. The footsteps grew closer, and within a second, a girl stood before me, panting heavily and blocking my path.

“Hiii, remember me? I am Kirti.” I stared at her coldly, not knowing why she came in between.

“Of course you do. I just told you my name.” She continued. I shook my head and moved forward, but she followed me again.

“Hey, I am trying to talk.” She again stood in my way. I closed my eyes, calming the anger rising inside me.

“And I am ignoring you. Isn’t it obvious?” I was not afraid of telling the truth. I like it when people respect boundaries.

“How can you say this? I am your friend! You should smile while talking to me.” I frowned in confusion . She was complaining as if we were sisters from Centuries, when, in reality, I barely knew her.

“Friends? When did it happen?” I asked her in confusion, and she huffed in annoyance.

“Arey, Since, I brought white flowers for you on time because you needed it immediately? ” I waited for her to laugh, thinking she was joking around, but she stood with an obvious look as if I owed her.

“And I needed that flower to pray for your brother, now, didn’t I?” Her smile faded, and now it was her turn to get annoyed.

“Why can’t I be your friend, huh? What’s wrong? And besides that, you too have no friends,” she asked, her hands resting on either side of her waist.

“Because I do not need friends. My purpose is not to get tied up in relationships. I have bigger goals to accomplish,” I told her sternly and turned to leave. While she again tried to block my way, I threw my hands in the air, and within a snap, her legs were tied together, and she fell to the ground immediately.

“Ouch.” She gave me a betrayed look, and I sighed. I snapped again, and her legs freed. She stood up, and a grin spread across her face. Before I could react, she was already rushing towards me.

I shut my eyes, and in the blink of an eye—I was gone.

The last thing I heard was her gasp, and I vanished. I opened my eyes again. I was in my house. I took my clothes and moved towards the riverbank to take a bath.

I stood in front of the mirror wearing my sari. I started drying my hair when I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said and regretted it immediately. I heard the jingling of anklets, and I knew who it was. I shut my eyes in frustration.

“Hey, See, I brought flowers for your hair. Are we friends now?” she asked. Her eyes held hope, but her lips had a teasing smile as if she was saying I couldn't escape her.

“Did I ask for flowers?” I asked, and her smile faded. She rolled her eyes and started putting flowers in my hair. I waited for her reasoning.

“Yogmaya, I want to be like you. I admire you a lot. I want to be fearless, just like you. I don’t want to be like most women in our community—they’re always talking about beauty and such things. But you… you’re different.”

“Then work on yourself. Why do you need to be my friend?” I asked, applying kohl to my eyes.

“Because I am not as strong as you. I admire you a lot, and I want to be your friend.” She looked down, and I sighed, taking flowers from her.

“Alright, I can help you and teach you a few things. But again, we are not friends.” I turned back, and her smile faded at my last words.

“What’s wrong with friendship?” she asked while putting the basket aside on the table.

“And what’s right with it? I don’t need anyone.” She sighed at my response. Was she expecting me to give a speech over friendship?

“We always needs someone to rely on,” she mumbled and fixed the hem of my sari. I frowned at her words and looked at her with a questioning gaze, she shook her head.

“ I am happy you agreed to teach me,” she said, and we both walked outside.

“You know the whole village is talking about you and your beauty. They admire you a lot,” she told me. I nodded. I am aware of my beauty gossip, as I am considered – the most beautiful woman of our community– but I still believe one should have a beautiful heart because beauty fades away, character remains.

Our community is a small tribe in the valley of the Himalayas. We are known for our beauty.

“Let’s go pluck flowers. We have to perform the Sandhya Aarti of Kuldevi,” she said, and I nodded. I walked with her. I did not like the fact that someone was roaming with me; I was not used to it. But I did not want to make her sad by rejecting her. It's good for her if she wants to be like me.

We went into the garden and took in the scene once again. Although it's my favorite place, I avoid it. I don't want to be fond of anything. Vairagya means you have to be detached. I am still practicing, but I am sure one day I will reach my goal—the ultimate power and happiness when Lord Shiva himself blesses me with the powers I desire.

I plucked the flowers while Kirti roamed the whole garden. I ignored her and focused on plucking flowers. Once I was done, I walked out of the garden, leaving her behind. I heard her footsteps running towards me, but I didn't stop.

“Hey, Yogmaya, this is not fair! You left me alone. I thought you would call me.”

I raised my brows. The audacity of this girl—I will call her?

“Why were you here?” I asked in a stern voice, and she huffed before speaking.

“To pluck flowers,” she mumbled, looking at her feet, her head ducked down.

“And what did you do?” I asked sternly. I allowed her to come with me, but?

“I played around. Sorry,” she mumbled, and I looked at her coldly.

“Rule No. 1: Never get distracted by tempting desires. And Rule No. 2: Never rely on others,” I said, walking ahead, and she followed me silently.

“Why is it so hard to be like you?” she asked while following me.

“Hard and easy is in your brain. Think it's easy, and you are sorted. Think it's hard, and you will struggle for the rest of your life,” I told her.

As we entered the village, I saw people walking towards the Kuldevi temple.

“And what if I think it’s easy, but it's still hard?”

My feet stopped, and I turned back.

“Then it depends on how desperately you want that thing. And the second most important factor is action. You’re sorted if you follow discipline,” I spoke my final words and walked away.

I felt her running behind me. This girl.

“Yogmaya, you’re really a genius, but it's not as easy as it sounds!!”

I sighed in irritation. I am trying to escape, but she is not leaving my back. I stopped in my tracks.

“Then it's not for you if you're not willing to put in the effort.” Saying, I moved inside the temple, where almost half of the village had gathered, and few still arriving. I rang the bell and took the blessings of Kuldevi Maa.

Once everyone gathered, Gurudev asked me to perform the Aarti. I offered the flowers and then performed the Aarti. The whole village was chanting the mantra, asking for forgiveness, but it was not easy. I have to earn it by completing the order of Kuldevi Maa.

The Aarti came to an end, and I took the blessings of Kuldevi Maa.

Suddenly, the wind began to howl, the clouds thundered, and a massive bolt of lightning struck. In that flash, we saw the image of an abandoned mahal—but within a second, it vanished. I saw the shock on Gurudev’s face, and I immediately knew it was not going to be easy. The third stage would be a do-or-die stage for me.

The thundering and wind quieted, replaced by silence. People started whispering, discussing the mahal we had seen in the apocalypse.

“Gurudev, which place is this?” Maa asked, joining her hands.

Gurudev stood quiet. He took a pause and turned towards me before speaking.

“Yogmaya, Kuldevi Maa has given the order for the third stage of the ritual, but—”

“It’s not easy. Your first and second stages are not even close to this penance. The earlier stages were just to make you strong enough to face the actual rituals.

“Distractions will be at their peak. You won't even realize it, and you will be distracted. Every time you use your power there, your power will lessen. Your body will pay for using your powers. You could say your third stage is a failed attempt—unless your determination and desire are higher than any distraction.” He said.

I felt a slight uneasiness at his remark, as if my penance was not enough to have his faith in me.

“Gurudev, you really have no faith in my capabilities?” I could not help but ask, and he looked at me angrily.

“Foolish girl, such arrogance is not good. My faith still remains, but we cannot deny our Nakshatra either,” he yelled at me, and I ducked my head, looking at the ground.

“Apologizes, Gurudev, but this is not the time to lose hope. Everyone is standing here with hope, and I will not crush their hope just because of a doubt.”

“The breath of any boy present here could stop at any moment. A balanced society needs an equal number of men and women, and our village does not even have one-fourth the number of men compared to the women's population. After a point, we will vanish.”

“Gurudev, we need to lift the curse from our society, and I cannot accept defeat before even trying,” I desperately explained the situation of our community. We are in the worst condition, and at this point, if we take a step back, we will be extinct in the upcoming few years.

I saw my mother's eyes glistening with tears. I knew she was worried for me. After losing her husband and son, I am her only child and support, but I cannot be selfish now.

“Gurudev, I am ready for all hurdles and distractions. Please guide me, I will do my best.” I joined my hands, and he nodded.

“Tamiraj Mahal is a mystery. We have no information about the place except that it is filled with negative energy. You will have twenty-one days to perform the ritual of the third stage, and that place will guide you.”

“But it's not easy, Yogmaya. That place itself will be a hurdle for your ritual. No doubt, you are capable, but what if nature is against you? Be careful.” I took the hint in his words. I felt my palms turning sweaty, and I realized that, for the first time, I was nervous about this ritual.

“The next full moon night, which is tomorrow, you will have to head towards the Mahal,” said Gurudev, and I nodded in agreement. I felt a slight uneasiness in my heart. Until now, I had my mentor with me, guiding me at every step, but now I was alone. I felt like a child who was getting separated from his mother.

“Yogmaya, my blessings are with you, always. I too want you to win, and I trust you. Start your preparation, you have to leave by tomorrow.” Saying, he walked out of the yard. I watched him until he disappeared from my sight.

“Thank you for celebrating my victory, I will take my leave now.” I joined my hands and bowed a little to the villagers, and they smiled nervously.

I moved towards my mother, who was sobbing. I took her in a hug, and she cried in my arms, letting out the pain buried deep inside her heart. I caressed her back softly and slowly moved towards our house.

I made her sit on the cot and sat beside her. “Maa, stop crying. What happened now? You were so happy,” I asked her softly, and she looked at me with her glossy eyes.

“Maya, you don't know. I have heard many creepy things about the Mahal. I have lost my husband and son. I don't want to lose you, Maya.”

“Maa, I have told you already, I have no attachment to this body. I am way more than just this mere body. Our soul doesn't die, Maa, it's our body,” I tried to give her a logical point to stop her tears, but she looked at me angrily.

“You may be an ascetic, Maya, but I am not. I am an ordinary human grown up with the seven vices. I can't forget my connection with you”

“You can be detached, Maya, but I am very attached to you,” she said and broke into my arms, sobbing loudly. I caressed her back softly.

“Maa, trust me. I will be successful in my third stage, and I will come back to you," I said with determination. She looked at me softly and smiled a little.

“Then will you find a handsome man and marry him and give me grandchildren?” I frowned at her words. Where did this come from?

“What? I never said that. And who will live with you if I marry?” I raised my brows, and her excitement reached another level. I looked at her cluelessly.

“That means you will marry, and you're just asking about future plans!”

I slapped my head and looked at her in disbelief while she grinned.

“Maa!!! I said hypothetically, okay? I am not marrying. I am going to sleep. Do not dream of sending me away,” I said and got up, only to hear her complaints. I giggled a little and moved inside my room.

I looked around a little and laid down, thinking about my upcoming journey. What could be there that would stop me from reaching my goal? But if it's the only way, then I am sure it's possible. I just have to be determined and willing to defeat any hurdle that comes my way. I have achieved a certain level of determination and will. I can't be easily defeated. It's only 21 days. I can do this.

One thing I understood—the less time I have, the more difficult the ritual will be. The first stage was about five years, but it was easy. The second lasted one year with mild difficulties. But the third stage is only twenty-one days, and the difficulty will be beyond my imagination.