As the night faded into silence, the first rays of the sun pierced the horizon, announcing the birth of a new day. Everyone was already awake, prepared to continue their journey ahead. The air carried an unusual stillness — as if the world itself knew that the path they were walking was not merely a journey across land, but across destiny.
Maan came running toward Siya, his excitement impossible to hide.
"Sister!" he called out breathlessly.
Hearing his voice, Siya turned calmly. "What is it, Maan? Do you still have questions from yesterday?"
Maan shook his head quickly. "No, Sister. No questions from yesterday. I'm just eager for today's story. I keep wondering… what divine experience today's tale will bring."
From a distance, I watched Siya carefully. She looked unusually calm — almost too calm. It was impossible to guess what thoughts were moving behind her silent eyes.
Siya gave a faint smile. "If you are this eager, then of course I will tell you a story."
Maan's eyes lit up instantly. "Which story today, Sister?"
"We won't be stopping anywhere except Rishikesh and Haridwar now," Siya replied.
Andy frowned slightly. "But Siya, it could take us five days to reach there."
"Yes," she said firmly. "It may take five days… but we won't allow it to. We must end this journey as soon as possible and reach Kashi. And we are not so weak that hunger, thirst, or exhaustion can defeat us."
Andy nodded. "Alright. As you say."
"We will stop directly in Devbhoomi — Rishikesh," Siya concluded.
Maan clapped softly with excitement. "So today's story is connected to Rishikesh, right?"
Siya nodded. "Yes. Haridwar holds many ancient legends. Today, I will tell you one of its most famous stories."
Her voice deepened, and even the wind seemed to pause to listen.
"Long ago, the region of Kankhal in Haridwar was the capital of King Daksha — father of Goddess Sati."
She continued slowly, her words painting images more vivid than reality itself.
"Sati, also known later as Parvati, chose to marry Lord Shiva against her father's wishes. She believed that one day her father would accept their union and invite them to his grand sacred yagya. But reality… was far more terrifying than her hopes."
"King Daksha despised Shiva. To him, Shiva was a wandering ascetic — one who lived among spirits, roamed cremation grounds, and followed no worldly rules. Daksha could never accept Shiva's unconventional existence."
"When the great yagya was organized, Daksha invited every god… except Shiva. Worse still, he openly insulted him."
"But the love of a daughter blinded Sati to humiliation. Ignoring the insult, she went to the yagya herself."
Siya's voice softened.
"When Sati arrived, worry filled the faces of her mother and sisters. They knew what awaited her."
"As soon as Daksha saw her, his anger erupted. He insulted her mercilessly — and worse, he mocked Lord Shiva before everyone."
The atmosphere around them grew heavy as Siya continued.
"For the first time, Sati's fierce form emerged before all. Her voice thundered as she rebuked Daksha."
'Fool! I honored you as my father, yet you dare insult Mahadev — the Lord of Lords, my husband, the very force that sustains creation itself. You have invited your own destruction.'
Her words echoed like divine judgment.
'The body born from a father who insults my Lord… I renounce it.'
And with that, Sati offered herself to the sacred fire.
Silence followed.
"When Shiva learned what had happened," Siya said quietly, "the universe itself trembled."
"Consumed by grief and rage, Shiva began the cosmic Tandava — a dance of destruction powerful enough to shatter existence."
"From his matted locks, he created a warrior born of pure fury — Veerabhadra."
"Veerabhadra descended upon the yagya like a storm. The sacred ceremony was destroyed. King Daksha was defeated, and his head was severed and cast into the fire."
Maan listened without breathing.
"But when Shiva's rage finally subsided, the gods pleaded for mercy. Compassion lives even within destruction."
"Shiva forgave Daksha. Granting him another chance at life, he restored him — placing the head of a goat upon his lifeless body."
"Reborn with humility, Daksha became a devoted follower of Shiva."
Siya's voice softened once more, carrying warmth after devastation.
"And Sati… was reborn as Parvati, destined once again to reunite with Shiva."
The story ended, but its echo lingered — like cosmic energy still vibrating through unseen dimensions.
The road ahead stretched toward Rishikesh… and beyond it, toward Kashi.
But something in Siya's eyes suggested that this ancient tale was not merely history.
It was a warning.
And perhaps… a prophecy yet to unfold.