As the water continued to rise, it formed a figure of a women who looked ethereal. Her presence alone made the surrounding change. The oppressive summer heat seemed to cool instantly, replaced by a refreshing, soothing breeze that carried the scent of lotus bloom. The river itself seemed to glow faintly and its currents slowed down as if it was paying respect and homage to the being emerging from it.
The figure became more clear a woman of eternal beauty, elegance and kindness. Her hair looked like a waterfall, glittering with droplets that sparkled like many tiny stars. She walked in the big and powerful river as if it were nothing but a plain and smooth ground for her. Her each step caused ripples of pure light to spread across the riverbank, and the grass nearby turned vibrant green as if kissed by life itself. Birds that had been silent for hours now chirped melodiously, their songs harmonizing with the soft hum of the river.
Radheya quickly knelt, bowing his head deeply and his hands joined in prayers. 'Alright, Ganga Maa has arrived after my little prayer. But did she really have to show up in person? I mean, a ripple or two in the water would have been plenty! What if I'm accidentally charged with "summoning unauthorized divine personnel"? And It's my mother Kunti who has the power not me. Alright, no matter, play it cool. It's just a goddess manifesting in front of you. Nothing new. You have already been in the presence of few gods. No pressure at all. It's not like she would oblitera… Nope, don't think, don't jinx.'
"Rise my child" Ganga Maa's voice flowed like a melody, gentle yet commanding, echoing through the air and resonating deep in Radheya's heart and mind.
Radheya obeyed, keeping his hands clasped in respect and devotion. "Ganga Maa, I have been honored by your presence. I did not even imagine that you yourself would appear to give me answer instead of giving me a sign to my request."
"You are brave, little one. Few mortals dare even think about using the names of gods to complete their task and yet here you are who not only thought about using my name but also asked me for a permission. Tell me child, what is it that you seek?"
Radheya hesitated for a few moments, his heart pounding heavily. "Ganga Maa, there has been no rain for 2 years, and the crops are dying. Just now I heard from the soldiers that if this continued then there will be a famine in few years. I don't want that. I wished to take your water up to my village to help in farming. I was just thinking how to take your water up when I had a sudden inspiration.
My father, Adhiratha is a charioteer. Sometimes he brings the chariot to our house. In those times I have seen my father washing the chariot. At that time I have noticed that the dirt that is in the ground is also in the bottom of the chariot. I was confused and had asked my father. He said that the dirt can go up there due to the wheels. Dirt attaches itself to the wheel in the ground and when it moves the dirt is flung up and attaches itself to the chariot. I thought I could make a wheel like that but bigger, much bigger and have pots attached to it. Then the water can rise up and we can take it to the fields.
But if I can it then no one will believe me and I alone won't be able to make it. So I wanted to use your name saying you came in my dreams and convince the villagers. Please forgive me, Ganga Maa."
Devi Ganga's gaze seems to hold amusement for a moment before she nodded. "A noble intention, my child. You seek to bring life where drought has bought despair. The effort and intention are worthy of my blessing. But my waters are scared. Their purpose is to wash away the sins of the mankind. Their purpose is not to serve mortal whims, no matter how noble they are. Tell me child, why should I give you my blessing even if you are worthy of it?"
"Maa, your waters are indeed scared but they are also life. Just now when you appeared, the grass got greener, the birds started to sing melodiously and it was as if life here was increased several times. Without rain, people will suffer and the life will began to fade. But if you were to give me blessings to use your water in our fields, then the life will not suffer. Please Ganga Maa, give your blessings."
"Very well my child. I give you my blessings to use my name and water to save the crops and life. But be sure not to misuse use either my water nor my name."
"Ganga Maa, I vow to ensure that your water is used wisely and respectfully. I will also never misuse your name. The wheels will be crafted with care, and only the amount needed for the fields will be drawn. The people will know that it is your blessing, and they will treat it as scared."
'Wow, that sounded convincing. The terms and conditions are almost finished. Let's just hope she doesn't ask for a formal contract.'
"Hmm. You are wise beyond your age for you to take wheel of a chariot to imagine a wheel to take my waters. I can imagine such a tool succeeding. But not everyone is wise like that nor will they be able to imagine such a thing succeeding. How will you convince people that I came to your dream and that this new wheel tool thing will succeed?"
"Maa, I plan to make a small wheel. I will tell people that you showed that design to me in my dreams and told me to make it to take your waters to our fields. Then I will show how the small wheel will work. If I do all that then the villagers will definitely believe me and also help me in this project."
"As I said, you are wise beyond your age, Radheya. I have already given you the permission or blessing to use my name and waters. You can go ahead with plan of yours. And I will give you a separate blessing. Your mind is strange but wise, able to come with such an imagination and invention.
It would be loss for the world if someone were to go inside your mind. So, take my blessing, O son of Radha, from this day and forward, no one shall be able to enter your mind. Your thoughts will forever be your own. And if you were to succeed in this project of yours, then I shall give you a name too."
"Thank you Maa Ganga".
'Well, not bad for a first attempt at divine negotiation! Permission? Check. Blessing? Double check. No spontaneous divine smiting? A triple win. Maybe this diplomacy thing is my true calling after all.'
As Devi Ganga's form began to dissolve back to the river, she left some parting words "May your actions honor your intentions Radheya and may my water guide your path."
Radheya straightened, watching as the glow of the river faded to its usual gentle shimmer. He exhaled, the weight of the encounter lifting from his little shoulders.
'Alright, Step 1: Convince an all-powerful river goddess? Surprisingly smooth. Step 2: Get an unexpected bonus blessing? Didn't see that coming. Step 3: Convince a group of superstitious villagers that this isn't witchcraft? Oh boy. Here comes the real boss battle.'
With renewed determination, Radheya turned towards the village, already planning how to build the waterwheel and prove its usefulness to the villagers. The gentle hum of the river behind him felt like a quiet affirmation, urging him to move forward.
'Now that I have shielding from telepaths I can do as many monologues as I want and no one will say anything. Though I don't think there are telepaths here. Well if you don't count the gods like Indra who I don't like and want to criticize. If I were ever to have slipped and criticized him, then he would have destroyed me. Thank Ganga Maa, now I am safe from the God King with ego of bigger than his power. Oh boy, it really is a great blessing. All Hail Ganga Maa.'