> Akhanda mandalaakaaram vyaaptam yena charaacharam,
Tadpadam darshitam yena tasmai shree gurave namah.
Ajnāna timiraandhasya jñānāñjana shalākayā,
Chakshurunmeelitam yena tasmai shree gurave namah.
Salutations to the revered Guru,
Who revealed the Truth that pervades the undivided whole,
And opened my eyes, blind with the darkness of ignorance,
By applying the ointment of knowledge.
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A New Day at the Ashram
A new day had dawned, and everyone was busy with their designated tasks. Although every year, on this day, the fathers of all the girls in the ashram would visit, this year was special. Due to a significant upcoming festival, Gurudev had invited many more people. Fathers were arriving from far and wide to meet their daughters. Each one brought a gift. At the entrance, Anupriya and Priyabhashini greeted the guests with respect. The Devkanya was arranging the worship materials with her own hands.
One by one, radiant sages and rishis arrived at the ashram with their disciples. All bore matted hair, tilak on their foreheads, rudraksha beads around their necks, and water pots in their hands. They wore white or yellow lower garments, with bare upper bodies. Seating arrangements were made for each, and they took their respective places.
A grand Yajna (sacrificial ritual) had been organized. Once everyone was inside the ashram, the girls began a collective Guru Vandana (homage to the Guru). After the chant, a unique event was arranged—a debate, to showcase each girl's intellectual and practical skills. Though surprised by this novel idea, no one objected in the presence of Mahaguru Ved, who would not tolerate any irreligious or unethical conduct. Everyone was assured that the girls' education and lives beyond veils were justified.
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The Sacred Ritual Begins
Hundreds of sages chanted the Vedas together, and their vibrations spread across the universe. At the yajna altar, the officiating priest was none other than Mahaguru Ved himself, offering ghee into the sacrificial fire. The fire blazed intensely, reaching toward the sky, yet radiated a soothing warmth. The air was filled with the fragrance of hundreds of flowers.
For Rudradev's worship, countless white flowers had been brought. The devkanya sat in deep meditation beneath a sacred tree, focused on a stone slab at its base. Devadatta, one of the guests, sat nearby, quietly waiting for a private audience with Gurudev.
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Post-Yajna Events and a Daughter's Wish
After the yajna, Mahaguru Dhaumya invited everyone to a meal. The food, prepared by Guru Mata Basudha, was pure and sattvic. After the meal, everyone offered their parting gifts and returned to their lands—except for Mahaguru Ved, who stayed back for a special consultation.
As the day ended, the girls retired to their huts for rest, laying on straw bedding. However, the devkanya remained seated under the sacred tree, waiting patiently. Seeing her, Gurudev called her near.
She approached and said, "Father, you once promised that since I am your daughter, any boon I ask, you will grant. Today, I ask that boon."
Mahaguru Ved, already present, smiled. Guru Dhaumya placed his hand on her head and said, "Daughter, I trust your values."
She said, "Father, I want to study shastra-vidya (weaponry). Just like the gods worshipped Shakti, I too want to become proficient in arms, embodying divine feminine power."
Gurudev smiled and replied, "Child, I am not adept in martial arts. But I can send you to a Guru who is. The world is in crisis, and both men and women must be equally skilled to save it. Even Rudradev is Ardhanarishvara—half male, half female. Thus, there is no distinction between man and woman."
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The Origin of Ardhanarishvara and Rudra
Devadatta asked, "Gurudev, I wish to know more about this Ardhanarishvara Rudra. Please explain."
Guru Ved smiled and said, "Child, the cycle of creation and destruction never rests. To maintain balance in creation, the Supreme Father produced sons in His own likeness. These first sons—Sananda and others—were spiritually evolved and free of desire and ego. Hence, they refrained from worldly affairs or procreation.
When these sons rejected their duties, Prajapati was enraged. His wrath almost destroyed all of creation. From his fury arose a radiant form—a being half-man, half-woman—Rudra. Brahma commanded Rudra to divide himself. Obeying, Rudra split into eleven male forms from his masculine half and many females from his feminine half.
In every age, Ardhanarishvara reappears to restore balance.
When Sananda and others refused to create families, high-bodied beings ceased to be born. Prajapati then created nine more sons, who became known as the Nine Brahmas: Bhrigu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Angira, Marichi, Daksha, Atri, and Vasishtha. These sons were married to nine daughters: Khyati, Bhuti, Sambhuti, Kshama, Preeti, Santati, Urja, Anasuya, and Prasuti. Their descendants preserved creation through lineage."
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The Birth of Shiva (Rudra)
"Now hear how Shiva was born.
At the beginning of a cosmic cycle, when Prajapati wished to create sons like himself, a blue-red infant appeared in Brahma's lap. The child began to cry loudly and ran about in all directions. Brahma asked, 'Why do you cry?' The child replied, 'Give me a name.'
So Brahma said, 'Do not cry, be calm and brave. I name you Rudra (the howler).'
But the child cried seven more times, and each time Brahma gave him another name: Bhava, Sharva, Ishana, Pashupati, Bhima, Ugra, and Mahadeva.
He later determined their consorts, sons, and places of abode."
(From Vishnu Purana, Chapter 8, Part 1)
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Final Dialogue: Why Conflict Exists
The devkanya asked, "Father, whom did Rudradev marry? Where does he reside? And why is he called Devadideva (God of gods)?"
Rishi Ved replied, "Child, everything in this universe is born from the Lord's mind."
Devadatta questioned, "Is that really so, Gurudev? Then why is there so much conflict in the world? If all originates from Vishnu, why such disparity?"
Guru Ved replied, "Child, the disparity lies only on the surface. Internally, all are one. Conflict arises when humans are consumed by greed, delusion, and envy. This always intensifies at the end of an age (yuga sandhi)—and it will continue so, in every cycle."