Fifteen years had passed since Budhl-Padma, Ashvi-Aparuja, Aja-akshar, and Ananta-hara had begun their training at Mount Kailash. Their time with the Tridevi and Trimurti had changed them. They were no longer mere mortals or divine offspring—they had become living embodiments of the forces that governed the universe. As the day approached for their return to the world, they felt a deep sense of responsibility.
The morning of their departure from Mount Kailash was crisp and cool, the air filled with a reverent stillness. The Tridevi—Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati—stood before them, along with the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The gods and goddesses looked at their children with pride, knowing that the world below was in need of their wisdom, justice, courage, and compassion.
"Your journey does not end here," said Parvati, her voice as gentle as a mother's embrace. "You are now ready to walk the path of dharma in the world. But remember, the bonds that tie you to one another are as important as your individual strengths."
Saraswati added, "Wisdom will guide you, but it is not enough to know. You must also act. Let the knowledge you have gained be the foundation for every decision you make."
Lakshmi stepped forward, her smile warm and radiant. "Your compassion, Ananta-hara, will be tested. The world is full of suffering, but you must remember that love and kindness can be the greatest weapons in the fight against adharma."
Brahma, with his many faces, spoke next. "Courage, Aja-akshar, is not the absence of fear but the strength to move forward despite it. You must be brave, for the challenges ahead will require more than physical strength."
Finally, Shiva, the destroyer of evil, looked at them with eyes full of understanding. "Justice, Ashvi-Aparuja, is not always clear. You must learn to see beyond appearances and judge with the heart as well as the mind."
With their parents' final words echoing in their minds, the four divine siblings descended from Mount Kailash, knowing their journey was only beginning. They had been trained, not only in the ancient texts but also in the skills that would allow them to protect dharma. Their weapons—the sword, the fan, the bow, the mace—were now extensions of their will. Their bodies and minds were in perfect harmony, and the divine energy within them pulsed with readiness.
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Upon returning to the mortal world, they made their way to Hastinapura, where the seeds of dharma and adharma were slowly being sown in the hearts of their brothers and cousins. The Kauravas and Pandavas had grown since they last saw them, but the tensions between the two families had only deepened. Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja knew that their duty now was not only to their siblings but to the entire kingdom.
Upon arriving in Hastinapura, they were welcomed with open arms. Budhl-Padma embraced her brother Suyodhana and the other Kauravas, while Ashvi-Aparuja greeted the Pandavas with warmth. There was joy in their reunion, but both sisters could sense the undercurrent of rivalry between the two groups of cousins. It was subtle, but it was there—an unspoken tension that had the potential to erupt into something much greater.
They spent their first few days at the palace catching up with their families. Budhl-Padma spent time with her mother Gandhari and her sister Dushala, who had grown into a strong young woman. Ashvi-Aparuja reunited with Kunti, who had always treated her like her own daughter. In these moments, they found peace, but they knew it would not last.
One evening, while sitting with Dushala, Vrushali, and Supriya, the conversation turned to the growing rift between the Kauravas and Pandavas. "I fear for what may come," Dushala said quietly, her eyes filled with concern. "Our brothers are growing apart."
Budhl-Padma nodded, her heart heavy. "I feel it too. The seeds of discord are being planted, but we must do everything in our power to prevent them from taking root."
It was then that Krishna arrived with news of his victory over Kamsa. The atmosphere in the palace shifted as everyone gathered to hear his story. Krishna, ever calm and composed, spoke of his battle with Kamsa and his engagement to Radha. The joy that filled the room was palpable, and for a brief moment, the tension between the Kauravas and Pandavas seemed to dissipate in the face of Krishna's triumph.
But even as the celebration continued, Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja could not shake the feeling that the path of dharma would soon be tested in ways they could not yet foresee.
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As the weeks passed, Budhl-Padma and Ashvi-Aparuja took it upon themselves to remind their brothers and cousins of the lessons they had learned in their years of training. They spoke to them about the importance of unity, wisdom, and justice, and they urged them to see one another not as rivals but as allies in the fight to uphold dharma.
Aja-akshar and Ananta-hara joined them, reinforcing the message of courage and compassion. They visited Drona's ashram once again, where they met Ekalavya, whose thumb remained intact thanks to Suyodhana's earlier task of ensuring no harm came to him. Ekalavya, along with Ashwatthama, had now become close friends with Suyodhana and Karna, forming a bond that gave Budhl-Padma hope.
As they continued their efforts to strengthen the bonds between the Kauravas and Pandavas, the siblings also delved deeper into their own destinies. Aja-akshar, Ananta-hara, Budhl-Padma, and Ashvi-Aparuja began to experience more vivid dreams of their past lives—of battles fought, promises made, and the curse that had once torn them apart. Their memories, once fragmented, were now becoming clearer.
They knew that the time was coming when they would have to fulfill their roles as the guardians of dharma, not just for their families but for the entire world. And as the shadow of impending conflict loomed ever closer, they understood that their love for one another, and the promises they had made in both their past and present lives, would be the key to restoring balance.
The siblings were no longer just a part of the story—they were the ones who would write it.