"Your Majesty, please go to the palace. I will come shortly."
"But where are you going?"
"I will tell you when I return."
"Yes."
Saying this, the king left from there and the queen returned to her palace.
"Welcome, Maharaj. My respects. What brings you here at this hour? Is everything well?"
"My respects, Acharya. As you know, today is Dhrut Day, and on this day we worship Dhrutdev and receive the boon we desire."
"Yes, Maharaj, I know."
"But Acharya, today during the rituals of the yajna, I made a mistake. The very yajna that was meant for the welfare of my people has now brought danger upon them. I had asked the deity for a child who would become the heir to this realm after me. But instead of bringing joy to the people, the coming of this child has filled everyone with fear and doubt. I do not understand how to escape this calamity. That is why I have come to you. Please guide me."
"Very well, Maharaj. Come with me to Rishi Martanya. He will surely provide a solution to this problem."
"Rishi Martanya?"
"Yes, Maharaj. He is a very wise and powerful sage."
"Alright, let's go."
Both of them mounted their horses and went to meet Rishi Martanya.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the queen's health suddenly began to deteriorate.
Soon the news spread throughout the kingdom that this was happening because of the curse received by the king.
For the queen's treatment, Vaidya Sheel was summoned.
Vaidya Sheel informed the queen that she was pregnant and that the Prakashpunj (the divine light) would take birth in this world after three months.
Meanwhile, the king returned to the palace after two days of meeting Rishi Martanya. On the way, he learned about the queen's pregnancy. Hearing this news, the king rushed to the palace like the wind.
"Queen!" the king called out.
"Maharaj!" Seeing the king, the queen ran toward him and embraced him.
"Where had you gone, Maharaj?" she said while sobbing.
"I went to Rishi Martanya to ask for a solution to the curse we received."
"What did he say?"
"He said that we must keep the face of our child covered for 22 years. Only then will we and our people remain safe from the curse. When the 22 years are completed, on the day of Dhrut Day, we will be freed from the curse. Then our child will be able to become the heir of this realm."
"The Vaidya said that after three months the Prakashpunj will come into this world," the queen said.
"Do not worry. Everything will happen as it should," the king replied.
"Hm."
(After three months)
The queen gave birth to the Prakashpunj. The king arranged for the divine child to be kept safely inside the palace.
However, after some time, the palace guards came running to the king with alarming news.
"Maharaj… the Prakashpunj has disappeared!"
Hearing this, the king rushed to the place where the child was kept. But the Prakashpunj was no longer there.
When this news reached the queen, she fainted.
The king rushed to her. After some time, when the queen regained consciousness, she cried and asked:
"Maharaj… where is our child?"
"You said you would keep the child safe. I want my child back, Maharaj. Where is my child?"
The queen cried uncontrollably. The king too could barely hold back his tears.
In the royal court, the king summoned all the guards and demanded an explanation for the incident. But no one had an answer. Everyone stood before him with their heads bowed.
In anger, the king sentenced all of them to death.
The guards fell at the king's feet and begged for mercy.
"Maharaj, please forgive us. It is not our fault. We do not know when, how, or where the Prakashpunj disappeared. We were protecting it with full loyalty."
"Yes, Maharaj, please forgive us!"
"Leave! All of you leave from here!" the king shouted in rage.
Everyone left.
Takshak Realm
This realm is the enemy kingdom of King Drishtadum. Its ruler is King Takshak.
When he learned about the king's yajna, he had planned to sabotage it. Now, using his divine powers, he had made the Prakashpunj disappear and brought it to his own realm.
After six months, from that Prakashpunj, a very beautiful baby girl was born.
King Takshak decided to kill the child. But his guru Rambh stopped him and said:
"Maharaj, by killing this child you will only make it harder to fulfill your dream."
"What do you mean, Gurudev?"
"First, you cannot kill this child because she is the boon of Dhrutdev. Second, this child possesses immense power. With her strength, your dream of conquering the seven realms can become possible."
"You should take advantage of this boon from Dhrutdev. Adopt this child and become the master of her powers."
"But Gurudev, this child also carries the curse of Dhrutdev. If we adopt her, we will also be bound by the curse."
"Do not worry, Maharaj. Your enemy has already found the solution."
"What solution?"
"Her face must remain covered for 22 years. On Dhrut Day, the curse will end. I will create a magical mask for the child with my mantras. You should prepare for her naming ceremony."
"Yes, Gurudev."
King Takshak took the baby to his queen and announced throughout the kingdom that the queen had given birth to a daughter and that her naming ceremony would soon take place.
The news spread among the people like wildfire.
During a grand and magnificent ceremony, the child's naming ritual was performed.
"Maharaj, please name the child," said the royal priest.
"Ratri. The name of my daughter will be Ratri," said King Takshak.
"All hail Princess Ratri!"
"All hail Princess Ratri!"