#gandharva marriage

[jeevanjali]

Hindu Marriage: हिन्दु धर्म में विवाह कितने प्रकार के होते हैं , जानिएHindu Marriage: सनातन धर्म में विवाह को महत्वपूर्ण संस्कारों में गिना जाता है। इसलिए हिंदू विवाह में वैदिक मंत्रों और कई परंपराओं के साथ विवाह संपन्न कराया जाता है। हिंदू धर्म में विवाह के मुख्य आठ प्रकार बताए गए हैं।

[blackknight-100]

So I was rereading the Dushyanta and Shakuntala story, and I just noticed the worst thing ever. Every mortal couple in Hindu Mythology that anyone ever called the "definition of true love" has been sundered from one another in at least one version, and usually this involves the woman being innocent and the man being either duty-bound or a jerk.

Krishna has to leave Vrindavan and Radha for Mathura. I whole-heartedly believe this was inevitable unless Radha left Vrindavan, so I don't take Krishna-slander regarding this but. They never really get together together after that so Idk tbh.

Rama, of course, does the whole Agni-Pariksha thing, even if we don't take the Uttar Kand, and if we do, he goes from reputation-obsessed questionable man to utter jerk who absolutely doesn't deserve to be called Purushottam.

And although Kalidasa did an excellent job of making Dushyanta and Shakuntala's story one of star-crossed lovers, in most other cases, Dushtyanta (in an effort to pull a Rama) outright lies and calls Shakuntala a harlot in open court when she asks him to help raise their son. The only good thing about that "love" story is the ABSOLUTE Tongue-Lashing (TM) Shakuntala gives him. Other than that, it's basically a man coercing a sheltered woman into doing the deed, later trying to humiliate her in public when asked to take accountability, and then passing it off as 'upholding her reputation.'

Honestly, we have so many good love stories I did not expect these to be the benchmark of love 🥲🫠

[moonchild033]

Rahu-Ketu Dosha and Marriage 💍❤

I've been seeing this question all over the internet, so I wanted to clarify regarding the Rahu-Ketu dosha and whether you can marry a person without the same dosha and about the cancellation of this particular dosha.

Since there are very few details on this confusion, I wanted to make this post, hope this helps! 🤗

What is Rahu-Ketu Dosha? 🐍

In your birth chart, if Rahu/Ketu is positioned in the 1st & 7th houses, you are said to have Rahu-Ketu Dosha. If you have it in 2nd and 8th houses, there is a partial dosha.

For clarification, Rahu= North node, Ketu = South node (If you are new to vedic astro terms)

Dosha generally means that the planets/shadow planets are afflicted and will give unfavorable results to the individual.

Imo, a Dosha doesn't make you weak, it makes you different from others. Your ideologies and desires differ a lot from the common population, hence you will be incompatible with them.

In this case, a person with Rahu in 1st and Ketu in 7th can be detached from partnerships and dependencies like marriage and would like to concentrate more on their own personal growth and have huge dreams to achieve. With the reverse of the axis, the individual may not want to settle with commitments but can be interested in flings, their confidence is lacking in themselves and dependent more on their partnerships, they may have dreams to have their own business.

Both of these tendencies are extremes and are considered to be not ideal for the general population, hence, People with Rahu-Ketu dosha are advised to marry the person with the same dosha resulting in its cancellation. It's more like marrying a person who shares ur ideologies and way of life and can understand you better.

What if a person you like has Rahu-Ketu dosha and you don't? Or vice versa? Can you marry each other? 🤯💝

This dosha is strictly considered during marriage match making in Vedic astrology, people who don't have the dosha are advised to not marry a person who has it. But what if you are in love with a person having such placement?

Rahu-Ketu dosha is cancelled up to 90% if the birth chart satisfies any of this two rules:

Rahu/Ketu aspected by Jupiter:

Jupiter 's aspects falls in 5th, 7th and 9th house from where he is positioned. Ex.: A person has virgo ascendant and Rahu on the asc, Jupiter is is Taurus sign, now count the 5th, 7th and 9th house from Jupiter's position. Here, Jupiter's 5th aspect falls on Rahu, hence the dosha is cancelled up to 90% in this birth chart.

The house lord where Rahu/Ketu is present is exalted:

Rahu/Ketu are shadow planets and follow the nature of the zodiac sign it is present in. So if the lordship of the house they are present in is strong, the ill-effects of Rahu-Ketu dosha will be cancelled. Ex.: A person has Cancer ascendant and Rahu on asc, the house ruler of cancer where rahu is present is Moon. Moon is positioned in Taurus (exalted), hence the dosha is cancelled up to 90% in this chart.

If your partner who has this dosha, fulfills either of these conditions, get ready for the wedding bells! 💍💕

What about the remaining 10% of Dosha? How will it play out in case of 90% dosha cancellation? 🤔

You don't have to worry about the remaining 10% of dosha. Only during the Mahadasha (Major planetary period) of Rahu/Ketu, you may feel a tiny amount of ill-effects like confused mental state, uncontrollable desires, minor clashes with your spouse etc.

What if you don't have the dosha cancellation aspects in your chart? Can you still marry a person without this Dosha? 😢💍

Good news, Yes you can! Now, cheer up ❤

This Dosha mainly affects your desires and way of looking at life. If you are in love and have a person who understands you, your views & desires and supports you through everything, it doesn't matter whether they have this dosha or not to match with yours.

Doesn't sound convincing enough?

Here's another good news, there is a concept called 'Gandharva Vivaha' in Vedic terms, which means choosing a person you want to marry, in modern terms- A love marriage. It is said that you don't even have to match birth charts between two people whose hearts have been connected beforehand because it is destined to happen this way.

Are there any remedies for this dosha? 🙏

I personally don't believe that much in remedies but if it works for you, I would advise you to visit Kalahasti temple at Andhra Pradesh, India and participate in the Rahu/Ketu pooja.

Please feel free to comment down your thoughts or questions 🤗

Let's Learn and Grow Together!💅💋

With Love-Yashi ❤⚡

Here's my Masterlist! 💖

[meluhha]

woman likely chose their own husband in ancient Melakam/Meluhha/Indus Valley

They meet each other of their own accord, consent to live together, and their relationship is consummated in copulation born of passion. This form of marriage did not require consent of parents or anyone else.

The woman and the man had met each other in their ordinary village life, or in various other places such as regional festivals and fairs, begun to enjoy each other's company, and decided to be together. This free choice and mutual attraction were generally approved by their kinsmen. 

A passage in the Atharvavedasuggests that parents usually let the daughter freely select her lover and directly encouraged her in being forward in affairs of the heart. The mother of the girl thought of the time when the daughter's developed youth (Pativedanam, post-puberty), that she would win a husband for herself, it was a smooth and happy sort of affair with nothing scandalous and unnatural about it

“The marriage of a desiring woman with a desiring man, without religious ceremonies, is the best marriage.” - Shakuntula’s foster father in Mahabharatha (her famous Brahmin priest father Vishwamitra cheated on his wife and had an affair and abandoned his daughter FYI)

“No man any longer asks for the daughter, nor does a father give away his daughter, they (women) find the man for themselves.”

Also, Atharvaveda (Strikaratâni, ii.36)):

May (Oh Agni!) a suitor after our own heart come to us; may he come to this maiden with fortune; May she be agreeable to suitors, charming at festivals, promptly obtain happiness through a husband. As this comfortable cave (Oh Indra!) furnishing a safe abode hath become pleasing to all life, thus may this woman be a favourite of fortune, well beloved, not at odds with her husband! Do thou ascend the full, inexhaustible ship of fortune to bring hither to this woman the suitor who shall be agreeable to thee. Bring hither by thy shouts (Oh lord of wealth!) the suitor – bend his mind towards her. Turn thou the attention of every agreeable suitor to her.

** CHOOSING YOUR HUSBAND BECAME TABOO AND DANGEROUS IN SOUTH ASIA AFTER IT WAS CONDEMNED BY VEDIC/BRAHMINS WHO NEEDED TO DO THEIR RITUAL/PRAYER BULLSHIT TO MAKE $$ AND STAY RELEVANT/POWERFUL **

-  Women from higher caste families: In traditional Hindu society, women from higher caste families were expected to marry within their own caste or within a compatible caste. "Gandharva Vivaha" was generally not encouraged for women from higher caste families, as it was seen as a violation of caste norms and could bring social disrepute to the family.

- In 1930, Justice Abdur Rahim held that the marriage in Gandharva form was not valid in India. This ruling came from the Madras High Court, with the statement that amongst the Hindus, the Gandharva form of marriage was obsolete (as of 1930). This was appealed based on the fact that the case was in court is proof that Gandharva weddings among Hindus is not obsolete

The Smritis of Hinduism recognize eight types of marriage. The other seven are: Brahma, Daiva, Arya, Prajapatya, Asura, Raksasa and Paisach

[leanstooneside]

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

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[neharathod819]

Gandharva Marriage: An Insight into Ancient Indian Matrimonial Customs

Gandharva marriage is a notable concept within ancient Indian marital traditions, primarily featured in Hindu texts and epics. Gandharva marriage finds enough mention in Hindu mythologies and epics and involves exchange of garlands.

[saptapadivivahsblog]

8 types of Hindu Marriage

The color, the festivity, the rituals, and the food, make marriage ceremonies in India extra special. As we all know People come from all over the world to witness Indian weddings. They simply enjoy our culture, rituals. What makes Indian marriage ceremonies so special is the diversity. The rituals followed in the northern part of India are not the same as in the southern part of India, the east has different kinds of weddings and so does the west. There are different types of marriages in India. Let us understand the different types of marriages practiced in India. 

Hinduism mainly includes 16 sacred sanskaras in the entire journey of any human being. Marriage is considered to be the most sacred sanskar among all, because as per our scriptures a human can pursue dharma(responsibility/duties), Arth ( money) and Kama (sex), and ultimately Mokasha through this marital journey. 

Hindu marriage harmonizes two individuals (mostly male and female) for ultimate eternity. It also joins two families together. Ancient India was practicing many types of marriages.

 The eight types of traditional marriages recognized in Hindu law books are listed below.

Brahma marriage. ...

Daiva marriage. ...

Arsha marriage. ...

Prajapatya marriage. ...

Gandharva marriage. ...

Asura marriage. ...

Rakshasa marriage. ...

Paishacha marriage.

1. Brahma Marriage:-

A Brahma marriage is where a boy can get married once he has completed his studenthood or Brahmacharya. When the parents of the boy seek a female, they would consider her family background, but the girl's father would make sure that the boy that wishes to wed his daughter knew Vedas. Asking or expecting dowry from the bridal side is considered to be a sin, in this type of marriage. So Brahma marriage has the most supreme position of the eight types of Hindu matrimony.

2. Daiva Marriage:- 

This type of marriage is considered inferior among all types of marriages because it is degrading to womanhood. This is where the woman's family will wait for a specific time to get her wed. If she doesn't get a suitable groom, then she would be married off to places where the family chooses by matchmaking through the priest who duly officiates at a religious ceremony, during its performance. This used to be the practice followed by many Royals in ancient times to forge diplomatic ties with allies and enemies alike.

3. Arsha Marriage:-

 An Arsha marriage is where the girl is given in marriage to a sage. The bride used to be given in exchange for some cows. Muni Agastya and Lopamudra got married through Arsha Marriage. 

4. Prajapatya Marriage:-

Prajapatya is when a girl's father gives her in marriage to the groom, treating him with respect, and addresses them: 'May both of you perform together with your duties'. Unlike in Brahma marriage, Prajapatya matrimony is where the bride's father goes in search of a groom. 

5. Gandharva Marriage: -

The voluntary union of a maiden and her lover on their own is called Gandharva marriage. When it comes to ‘love’ marriage, it is Gandharva marriage that is the most similar. This is where a groom and his bride could wed without their parent's knowledge or sanction. This is how Dushyant married Shakuntala Note that this is not the same as dating. Here the bride and the groom exchange vows in the presence of some person, creature, tree, plant, or deity before any further action.

6. Asura marriage:-

This is matrimony where the groom may not often be compatible with the bride and may even possess some abnormality but either greed or compulsion on the part of the bride's father coupled with the groom's desire and wealth may render it. At all times this type of marriage was considered lowly. In modern times this is unacceptable because it is much like buying a product off the shelf and against common Indian law.

7. Rakshasa marriage –

The groom will force battles with the bride's family, overcome them and carry the bride away to convince her to marry him. Because of its use of force this marriage is considered to be a sin. In modern times also it is a crime. Hence it is known as Rakshas vivah or Rakshas marriage. 

8. Paishacha Marriage;- 

When a man by stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping, intoxicated, or mentally challenged, it is called Paishacha marriage. This is condemned in the manusmriti as a sinful act. It is considered the most inferior marriage type.

Marriage is an important social institution. Marriages in India are between two families, rather than two individuals It results in a more or less permanent relationship between a man and a woman. Its aim is not merely physical pleasure but spiritual advancement. It is not merely an individual function but has social importance. Its ideals are the fulfillment of Dharma, procreation and It exhibits an integral approach to this social institution.

Aims of the Hindu Marriage

1.    Fulfilment of Dharma or religious duties:

 According to the Hindu scriptures, marriage is the basis of all religious activities. According to Mahabharata, “wife is the very source of the Purusharthas, not Only of  Dharma, Artha, Kama but even of Moksha. 

Procreation: 

     In the Hindu family, the child is given a very important place. According to Rigveda, the husband accepts the palm of the wife to get a high breed progeny. According to Manu, the chief aim of marriage is procreation. 

             A lot of these types of marriages are still seen in Hinduism communities today. However, some have been prohibited or are heavily frowned upon. This article has taken a look into the eight different types of Hindu matrimony, but, the most acceptable for Hindu culture would be Brahma. 

               As society has advanced the Hindu marriage has gone through various changes. Even values attached to it have changed tremendously. Westernization has changed our concepts about marriage. As we all know these days Girls and Boys are highly qualified, Financially Independent and they have their own sets of thinking and priorities which are very difficult to mold. Individuals now are selecting their mates according to their requirements. Elders are playing a passive role in matrimonial search and their opinion or decisions are secondary. But looking at the matrimonial search challenges, many are not getting into matrimonial alliances. 

           Dear Bride and Grooms, Marriage is the main foundation of Indian Culture. And to maintain a healthy marriage, the relationship between husband and wife, and the relationship between their two families should be strong enough to support each other in their good and bad times. Probably that is the reason why still Brahma Marriage is practiced more in India.

What type of marriage are you looking for?

[blobradius]

Here we go

I think I got married tonight. In a futile attempt to control the narrative of my own life, I’ve convinced my love to marry me this very night. Okay, let’s back up a bit.

I’ve got a bit of a phobia, and that phobia is envisioning myself in a family unit of my own making. It’s difficult for me to picture the nuclear family unit because it’s not something I’ve directly experienced without constant flux. To put it more straightforwardly, I come from a broken family. Well, it’s more of a fixer-upper. And as a result I have a bit of an... immaturity when it comes to family stuff. That immaturity turns into paralyzing fear when “family stuff” refers to the future, specifically me... as a wife or as a mom... PANIC! But then I met someone who is so ridiculously stable... not to be cliché, but he’s my “rock”.  So I thawed to this marriage idea. With him, I could do it. And here’s the kicker - sometimes kids from broken families want nothing more than to create a secure family unit deep down. Deep, deep, all the way down. Why else would I chose someone who is the paragon of stability, of security - a person who radiates so much warmth that there is always a cluster of world-weary souls huddled around him? This is someone who was born to be a father, a husband, a family man. I’d love nothing more than to share this with him, and I am SO EXCITED to be with him the whole way. And yet... 

And yet there’s always this niggling doubt - will I fuck it all up? What if he’s not the one? What if nothing can fix the broken parts within me? Insecurities pile up on the bad days. It’s best not to repress them, so I confront, and confront, and confront. I swallow my pride and jump into the trenches of my emotions to wrangle them into submission. Lately, I think it’s working. And here’s where we get back to where we started. In life, everything can change, your whole worldview, your entire personality can shift in the span of a minute. How? By rewriting your narrative. Whether we want to or not, most of us have an ongoing mythology about our own lives, a story we tell ourselves about our experiences that justifies or at least explains our choices. Here’s the thing that a very wonderful counselor made me realize: this story is fully within my control!

Shift the narrative a bit, and I go from commitment-phobic child of a broken home to survivor finding belonging and purpose in the comfort of a warm hearth. Shift it a bit more, and I can even find all the ways I’m meant to have a family: my bond with children, my incessant dad-jokes, my love of teaching, my hard-earned wisdom, my ceaseless loyalty.... there are plenty of reasons I’d be a good, possibly even great, wife and mother. That is, if I give myself the chance.

So... despite the circumstances that may be out of my control, here’s a thing that’s fully within grasp. Marrying him. I don’t need a court document or a religious ceremony to tell me what I know. That, rather than some romantic nonsense like “belonging together” or “being soulmates”, he and I have an incredible partnership based on mutual love, respect, and trust. I have unending confidence in our ability to get past any misunderstanding, difficulty, or challenge that we might encounter. Here is my vow: I will aid him, I will hold his hand, I will cherish him, I will take his help, I will take his hand, and we will walk side-by-side through life, wherever it leads us. Until the day our souls must part, we will travel as one. We will build a home together, and watch it flourish outside of us, and return to the universe in peace. When the time comes, I will let him go, and endeavor to follow him into the light. And so... 

I’m married, y’all!!

[ikaroux]

How are they with their pregnant companion? Tighnari

Synopsis: Pregnant, your husband/partner is over the moon. But how would he take care of you during pregnancy?

Style: Cute, fluffy, female reader.

Bonus NSFW (18+) I remind minors to avoid reading this kind of content.

Alert: May contain story spoilers for some characters.

Characters: Tighnari.

Note: I wanted to do Capitano and Kaveh at the same time as Tighnari, but having had the flu this week, I unfortunately didn't have the strength to move forward. I still wanted to get something out for the holidays. I hope to have time to do Capitano and Kaveh for the new year. I really enjoyed writing this for Tighnari, I got very attached to the character, especially from my other fic "Before the Sun and Moon." (I unfortunately didn't have time to translate the last few chapters into English). I hope you'll like it!

Part 1 Diluc, Zhongli, Kaeya, Xiao, Venti, Albedo, Kazuha, Childe.

Part 2 Scaramouche, Dainsleif, Thomas.

Part 3 Dottore, Pantalone, Alhaitham

Part 4 Cyno, Ayato

"Tighnari, which color do you prefer?"

Tighnari was working on a poison remedy for foresters when you walked in with a pair of clothes in hand, one fir green and the other indigo. "Um… Indigo, I'd say." And once he had given his opinion, he returned to his research, not catching your insistent gaze on him. After a few seconds of your lover remaining focused on what he was doing, you noticed that his body froze, ears and tail erect while his eyes were as round as an owl's. The clothes you brought him were far too small for an adult… Tighnari turned back to you, his eyes darting between what you held in your hands and your face. The gentle smile you offered him and then your nod propelled him into a daydream. You were pregnant, he had been waiting for this moment for months! The fox man rushed to you, lifting you off the ground to trap you in a warm, loving embrace. He was finally going to build a family with you, his beloved. He was the one who brought up the idea of a baby, the enthusiasm and warmth of his words making you melt for him more and more. Before he met you, he was once a distant and solitary man, preferring to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the academy, and the plots. It was in his genes, he was made that way. But with you, everything was different. He loved you more than anything else and the day he asked you to be the mother of his child was the most beautiful proof of love he could offer you, not to mention his marriage proposal…

Tighnari would only tell close friends about your pregnancy, so Cyno will be the first to know. Although he feels a great affection for Collei, he will prefer to wait a little before telling her that he will be a father in a few months. He knows that she is quite emotional and awkward, so it was better to bring it up gently.

You both chose to stay in Gandharva, the atmosphere being more peaceful than in the city of Sumeru. It will be Tighnari who will take care of you during the whole pregnancy. Nevertheless, he will not hesitate to ask for advice from colleagues when his knowledge reaches its limit.

Tighnari will do his best to be by your side as often as possible during the first months of your pregnancy, wishing to support you during the first trimester which was the hardest for a pregnant woman to bear. He knows that his presence reassures you and calms your anxieties as a mother-to-be and Tighnari is well aware that this child must be expected by two.

Your husband will always be behind you when you feel ill, gently stroking your back if you are vomiting, or applying an herbal balm to your temples to soothe your headaches. He will stay by your side when you sleep, rocking you tenderly, his soft eyes admiring your face. Maybe you dreamed it, but you could swear you heard him whispering words of love in your ear…

Unfortunately for you, your sleep will often be disturbed during the first weeks. Tighnari, having a very developed hearing, will wake up at the slightest noise you make. Seeing that your eyes are wide open, the man will whisper a few soft words to you, his hand tenderly caressing your face to numb your senses before wrapping you in the warmth of his arms. He will only fall back asleep once he feels your steady breathing against his skin, indicating that you have fallen into a peaceful torpor.

Tighnari has made a habit of letting you stroke his ears and tail when you're stressed, even if he's in the middle of his work. He knows that this soothes and comforts you. He'll usually wrap his arm around your hips and pull you closer to him, resting his head against your belly.  Anyone in Teyvat could tell you were the most adorable couple they had ever seen.

Being a forestry brigadier, Tighnari is sometimes forced to be away in the forest for days at a time. You both hate being away from each other, and even more so now that you are pregnant. Fortunately for him, you get along well with Cyno, who will always offer to take some time to visit you and check on you. "I want your child to call me uncle Cyno." He will say with a serious look to Tighnari as a token of thanks. The fox man will look at him blankly, ears lowered as Cyno nonchalantly raises his thumb in the air before joining you. "Ah?!" Was all that Tighnari found to say, his friend being already too far away to hear him (or pretended not to hear him…).

It is after a long week of absence that Tighnari realized the volume that your belly took. Slightly rounded, hardly visible to those who were not paying attention. For your husband, however, it was obvious and he found it beautiful… Seeing you, the one he cherished most in the world, going about your business as your child grew inside you. He couldn't help but look at you in silence, his eyes full of love and tenderness.

You were in the early stages of your second trimester, and your belly had taken on a shape that made Tighnari blush with joy. How many times did he feel like he was being slapped in the face by the evidence of your pregnancy? He couldn't stop looking at your belly, let alone touch it. So in those moments, you'd invite him to join you on the couch or bed, making yourself comfortable before inviting him to rest his head on your belly, stroking his hair as he savored the moment. "Tighnari, I'm sure our little boy will look just like you." The man laughed against you, gently making the baby react against his cheek. "Why do you think it will be a boy?" "I saw him in a dream." Tighnari looked up at you, clearly amused. "Oh, then it will be a girl." Your eyes opened wide, further amusing your husband. "You have a 50/50 chance of cheating on you my love, so my money is on a little girl. Besides, how many mothers have been wrong in their dreams of their unborn child?" You grunted, frustrated by your husband's words. He reassured you, however, whispering that no matter what sex the baby was or who it looked like, he would love and cherish it as his greatest treasure.

Your outings into town were always in pairs. Tighnari would stay by your side, affectionately holding your hand as he nonchalantly strolled the streets of Gandharva. Your belly was now perfectly visible to everyone, prompting locals who knew you well to approach you. Tighnari's colleagues and friends even dared to ask you to touch your belly, despite your husband's reluctance… He begged the Rani Kusanali to help him when he felt the impatience rising in him at the sight of all these people touching you without fear in front of him… Your husband has become particularly good at finding any excuse to keep you away from the crowd…

When you reach your seventh month of pregnancy, it becomes increasingly difficult for you to rest, especially when the baby seems to be living its best life in your belly. Although fun for those who touched your belly, it was unfortunately something that made your daily life more exhausting. The pain in your back intensified with the fatigue and stress of the approaching birth… When you felt exhausted, you looked for your husband who was your lifeline when you felt like you were drowning in uncertainty and doubt… Tighnari would listen to you calmly before taking you to a quiet place to sit on him, his hands and lips taking over his words to soothe you.

As you approached your ninth month of pregnancy, you felt unable to move because your belly was so round and heavy. Exhaustion was showing on your face and the pain in your back was becoming unbearable. Tighnari had become the one thing in your life that made you feel safe, cherished and loved. You relied entirely on him… As you were nearing the end of your pregnancy, Tighnari took a few weeks off to devote all his time to you. When he wasn't busy with household chores, your husband would sit on the bed next to you, chatting quietly with you while keeping his head and hands on your belly, enjoying your caresses in his hair. He cherished his moments of intimacy with you, basking in your caresses as he felt his child playing in your belly. He had told you so many times since you were together, but by the seven archons, he loved you more than anything in the world. Tighnari has never felt happier…

Tighnari will be an extremely gentle father, never raising his voice at his child, believing that education should not be about obedience, but about self-respect. He loves the contact with his baby, looking for every possible excuse to hold him. Having already had Collei under his wing, he will be very pedagogical with his little one, loving to answer his questions and teach him new things.

NSFW Bonus:

It was not easy to imagine that Tighnari was the kind of man who sought physical contact, he who was always known as a solitary man, preferring to hole up in his office or go off into the forest on his research and patrols. Yet he was the first to come to you and claim you, loving and savoring every part of you with a consuming passion. You had never felt so loved and wanted as you did with him…

Seeing your body change with pregnancy, you were afraid that it would turn him off and that he would pull away from you while your sexual desires only intensified. Your fears were unfounded, and while Tighnari avoided touching you for the first few weeks of the pregnancy, preferring to give you time to recover from the nausea and exhaustion that your first few hectic nights had caused, once he felt your intense gaze on him, he knew he could once again indulge his need to touch you.

He was always the first to make contact, approaching you from behind like a fox looking for its prey and wrapping you in his loving arms as his lips sought the softness of your skin. His hands always lingered on your belly before slowly moving up to your aching chest, massaging it languidly as you felt his canines nibble tenderly at your neck. He always had loving, passionate words to whisper to you before he started anything, telling you how beautiful and desirable he thought you were with his baby in your belly. He knew that you were afraid that you wouldn't be desirable anymore, that the stretch marks would appear more and more as your belly grew… Or even that the thought of making love to a pregnant woman might scare him away from you. But you were beautiful in every way, pregnant or not, Tighnari needed to feel you against him, your warm skin, your moans and the melodious whisper of his name when he made you feel especially good…

The sex was always passionate and languid, and while you liked to hold him, Tighnari had a preference for taking you doggy style. Although it was easier for you and for him with your increasingly rounded belly, it was a habit he'd picked up long before you got pregnant. He was always gentle with you, only getting carried away when he felt your orgasm approaching. His lips were never far from your skin as his ears strained, the pleasure he felt inside you making him dizzy. He was always careful not to crush you, constantly keeping a protective hand on your stomach.

As soon as he felt you tighten around his member, Tighnari would slow down to savor the feel of your tight walls, before straightening up behind you, grabbing your hips to lift you a bit off the mattress you were lying on. He would seek release as soon as you calmed down, flipping you onto your back before penetrating you again. The quick movement of his hips made you moan and Tighnari crushed his lips to yours to swallow the vibrations of pleasure from your throat. And as he felt his orgasm pouring into you, one of his hands grabbed yours, tangling your fingers together as the pleasure overwhelmed him, his moans swallowed by your passionate kiss… Archon, he loved you so much it was painful. His forehead resting tenderly against yours, Tighnari closed his eyes, thinking of how happy he was to be starting a family with the only woman he'd ever loved…

[thecreaturecodex]

Do you know of any traditionally good or even holy sex-themed creatures? I like a good demon girl as much as the next person but sex-themed mythical creatures being evil or predatory all the time seems a bit puritanical.

Blame Plato. The Neoplatonic idea of the material world being corrupt and the spiritual world being ideal has cast a long shadow over Christian thought. So to find good-aligned sex theming, it helps to look outside the Christian world.

In Islam, the houris are celestial maidens that tend to and marry the virtuous in Paradise. There is ample debate over whether these are the souls of virtuous women, or a separate creation a la the angels or jinn, but most scholars favor the latter. Some liberal scholars even go so far as to argue that, because gender neutral adjectives are used to describe them, that houris can be of multiple genders. Likewise, although the Koran is not specific about houris having sex with the faithful in Paradise, later interpretations tend to favor the idea. This is, incidentally, the truth at the root of the "72 virgins" line that Islamophobes like to throw around.

The peris are beautiful winged spirits from Persia, and have been incorporated into lore throughout the Muslim world. They are often associated with love, sex and childbirth. There are traditions of peris and humans in relationships, which tend to end tragically. The peri is in Pathfinder 1e

The apsaras (female) and gandharvas (male, pictured above) are spirits of nature in multiple Indian religions. In Hinduism, apsaras are associated with dance and gambling, and gandharvas are associated with music and divine messages. Both are associated with sex. They are renowned as excellent lovers, and sometimes are depicted in relationships with each other or with mortals. A Gandharva marriage is one based on mutual consent, where a woman chooses her own husband based on love and without rituals. These have ebbed and flowed in frequency based on cultural pressures of patriarchy over the centuries.

The kinnaras (male) and kinnaris (female) are similar. They are more prominent in Buddhist traditions than Hindu ones, but are also celestial musicians and excellent lovers. They are often depicted in male/female pairs as a sign of love and devotion in Burma and Indonesia. I made Pathfinder stats for them here

[vrishchikawrites]

A poem I wrote in Hindi for @mdzs-language-fest. It is a Wangxian poem from Wei Wuxian's POV. The background Wangxian art is also by me. Special thanks to @righteousinadversity for beta reading this!

Transcript

हमारे ह्रदय मैं उन्होंने एक अलग ही स्थान बना कर रख दिया| - Hamare hriday mein unhone ek alag hi sthan bana kar rakh diya.

(He has made a special kind of place in my heart)

सुनहरी आँखों की एक झलक, चाँद से चेहरे पर एक हलकी सी मुस्कुराहट, - Sunheri aakon ki ek jhalak, chand se chehere par ek halki si muskurahat

(A small glimpse of golden eyes, a faint little smile on his moon-like face)

उन बाँहों में जो सुकून, इस प्रेम ने हमें बेबस ही कर दिया| - Un bahon mein jo sukoon, is prem ne hameh bawas hi kar diya.

(The peace that exists in his arms, this love has made me helpless)

हम कोमल हो गए हैं, उनकी छाँव में खिल रहे हैं| - Hum komal ho gaye hain, unki chanv mein khill rahe hein.

(I have become soft, I am blooming under his shade)

दुन्यादारी का सब्र नहीं रहा अब, कर्तव्यों का पालन कर चुके हैं| - Dunyadari ka sabra nahi raha ab, kartavya ka palan kar chuke hain.

(I have no patience for worldly matters, have fulfilled all of my duties)

पूर्वज के सामने हमने किया गन्धर्व विवाह, - Purvaj ke samne hamne kiya gandharva vivah*,

(we have married before our ancestors)

तन, मन, और आत्मा हम उन्हें समर्पित कर चुके हैं| - Tan, man, aur atma hum unhe samarpit kar chuke hain.

(Body, mind, and soul I have finally surrendered to him)

*Gandharva vivah is a type of ancient Hindu marriage that is like elopement

[universeofdharma108]

Chapter 1~~ Hello Earth!

●●●

The celestial inhabitants of the immortal Gandhara, are always up and about with their daily lives. Be it playing music and singing in the courts of Devraj Indra, worshipping their Aradhyas, or even just enjoying each other's company. Some would protect the the divine drink, known as Somraas, whilst some would write songs one their beloved deities. Most, keyword most Gandharvas are married, and some are too busy for marriage. Like our protagonist, Prankajam. Pankajam is always busy writing songs about Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Nonetheless he is accompanied by his friend, Ucchista and his younger sister, Lopamudra.

Pankajam is seen as handsome, celestial, and well dressed in jewelry and silk garments. His shoulder length hair is wavey and his face is gleaming like a waxing moon.

These days, his curiosity was getting in the way of his works. His curiosity about the modern world.

Ucchista: Mitr, are you alright? You have been staring at that dried leaf for the longest while.

(*** parchment and leaves were used as paper**)

Pankajam: ...........

Ucchista: Are you even listening?

Pankajam: ......Mitr Ucchista.... Did Narada Muni go to earth recently?

Ucchista: I think. Why?

Pankajam: Just asking. Lately I was curious about earth. It's nothing like Satya, Treta, or Dwarpayug isn't it?

Ucchista: nop. We're in Kaliyug. It's much different from those yugas.

Pankajam: I want to learn about it. I want to go and learn about the modern world.

Ucchista: *raises brow* are you crazy?! What if they become suspicious of your identity?

Pankajam: well I will just keep it a secret! Problem solved!

Ucchista: Does Lopa know about you leaving the heavens?

Pankajam: I'm not going to leave the heavens! I'll surely come back! But no, I didn't tell her yet.

Lopamudra: *enters* tell me what?! Bhaiya where are you going?

Pankajam: I want to learn about the modern world. So I'm planning on going there.

Lopamudra: Dharthi lok?! Impossible! Bhaiya what if you get hurt. Who's going to get me those jasmine flowers to make flowered jewelry!

Pankajam: Lopa, I'll be back soon. Ucchista will take care of everything when I'm gone.

Ucchista: .......me??

Pankajam: who else's name is Ucchista? *laughs*

Lopamudra: ok fine! But I will definitely miss you. But there's one condition, that you must fulfill! Or else I won't let you go anywhere.

Ucchista: how would you stop him for going? He had already made up his mind.

Lopamudra: don't doubt my capabilities!

Ucchista: *under his breath* yes ma'am.

Pankajam: tell me what's your condition?

Lopamudra: well I want you to get me a handsome boy.

Pankajam: A what!! Lopa!

Lopamudra: just listen to me na. I find that the guys here are very boring. And I want to be like Urvashi.

Pankajam: Lopa times has changed. I don't think that there's anyone pious on the Earth anymore.

Ucchista: yea. People have vices.

Lopamudra: what do you mean?

Pankajam: I mean that you deserve the world. And I can't tolerate it if I see someone mistreating you.

Lopamudra: awww! Bhaiya!!

Pankajam: I do promise you Lopa. But it's a bit impossible for an Apsara and a Kaliyugi mortal to be in a relationship.

Lopamudra: nothing is impossible, Bhaiya. I firmly believe! You know. I was always dreaming about getting my very own beloved.

Pankajam: hmm dream on. You'll meet the right one. You have my blessings!

Lopamudra: thank you bhaiya. Have a safe trip ok.

Pankajam: thank you. *hugs*

Ucchista: remember the rules of nature, Mitr. You can use must power.

Pankajam: yep. I took that into consideration.

Ucchista: if you need anything, just communicate with me through your mind.

Pankajam: Avashya.

Later on, Pankajam appeared near a sweet shop on the bustling town of Kanpur. He became fascinated by everything around him! A road filled with cars, trucks, rickshaws and scooters, and pedestrians with phones in their hands, that fill the sidewalk. Caught up in the speckle of the modern world, Pankajam didn't realize that he was in a line.

Pankajam: Waah! Adbhoot! Remarkable!

Halwai: um.......are you going to order.

Pankajam: *turns around* huh? Forgive me Srimaan, Pranam *clasps hands*

Halwai: eh? Pranam Pranam. Are you going to order?

Pankajam: that's what a king does. I'm no king.

Halwai: well you're in my line. People are waiting.

Pankajam: hmm but I am a bit hungry. Give 1000 laddoos.

Halwai: *almost fainting* 1 thousand!!

Pankajam: yea.

Halwai: ahahahaha right away! But tell me, are you a part of the Ramayan drama group or Mahabharat? Are you a little too old to take part in fancy dress.

Pankajam: I don't understand you, Srimaan. But I have witnessed Ramayan and Mahabharat. And it's a bit rude to call it a drama.

Halwai: bhai sahab. Have you been living under a rock! People dress and portray the stories in the scriptures. It's called an act.

Pankajam: ohh. Now I understand.

Halwai: your laddoos will be ready shortly.

Pankajam: thank you.

Pankajam: where can I go to learn about the world?

Halwai: uh?? Dude you're living in it. You'll learn as you go.

Pankajam: but go where?

Halwai: anywhere.

Halwai: look, after I give you your sweets, I'll stop a rickshaw and tell them where you want to go. Where do you live.

Pankajam: I don't have a home here.

Halwai: ohhh, you're a tourist! Right?!

Pankajam: what's a tourist. And what's a rickshaw?

Halwai: a tourist is someone who travels to various places.

Pankajam: so that makes Narada muni a tourist?!

Halwai: hey Bhagwan *facepalms* sure bhai sahab. Whatever.

Halwai: You see that matchbox on wheels right. The green and yellow?

Pankajam: oh that three wheeled, horseless chariot?

Halwai: yea. That's a rickshaw.

Pankajam: waw!

Pankajam: thanks a lot!

Halwai: anyways, here's your sweets! This is how much you have to pay.

Pankajam: I don't have any money. .

The halwai's face turned red with anger. He wanted to climb of the table and squeeze Pankajam's neck for giving such a big order and not having money at the end. However he tried to keep his calm.

Halwai: *forced smile* b....beta....what did you say?

Pankajam: that I don't have any money. But wait, take my ring. You can use that in the place of money

Halwai: *examines the ring* (this looks like real gold, I'll be rich. This fancy dress guy has Kuber's khazana. Or is that costume jewelry? I don't know)

Pankajam: keep it.

Halwai: *laughing and clasping his hands* ahahhahaha thank you thank you!!

Pankajam: you're welcome.

Halwai: yo rickshaw!!! Take this guy anywhere he wants to go!

[ginazmemeoir]

Indra's About to Get His Ass Kicked

Swarga. Paradise. The abode of the gods, up in the heavens. It was filled with all sorts of wondrous things as far as the eye could see, and promised its inhabitants a safe and luxurious life, devoid of conflicts. There were wish fulfilling trees and flowers that never wilted, gemstones that granted what you thought and rivers of somarasa, the divine wine. Apsaras and gandharvas kept your senses entertained, while the companies of the gods and goddesses provided contentment to the mind and soul. Mortals too could access this plane of existence after death, provided they had earned enough merit on earth. All of this however was linked to its rulers, the king and queen of the gods, Indra and Shachi, god of rain and lightning and goddess of marriage, and right now, the world rejoiced at their merriment.

The divine couple were sitting in their private chamber, enjoying a performance by the apsaras, when their tranquility was thrown into chaos. Indra’s throne started shaking violently, and threw down its occupant on the floor in a big mess of jewels, fabric and wine. Stained with soma, and clearly furious and perplexed at this development, the king of the gods summoned his feared weapon, the Vajra, and stomped out to vaporize anyone who dared to do so.

Outside however, a storm raged. Palaces were crumbling and trees lay uprooted, the sky a dark so frightful that one might have thought the sun had gone out. The inhabitants of swarga shrieked and dodged the flying projectiles, otherwise so confident and content. Shyama and Sabal, Indra’s pet dogs who stood guard at heaven’s gates, came panting towards him, relaying their message in a series of barks. “Are you mad?!” Indra roared, even as his dogs whimpered and cowered. He then called forth Vayu, the god of wind, “Vayu, take your army of Maruts and give me a report on what’s happening. My dogs have apparently had wine as well!”

The forty-one gods came back a few minutes later, their faces stricken. “My lord, it’s a giant eagle! Its unlike anything we have ever seen! It’s approaching us with a frightening speed, and it seems intent on destroying Swarga!”

Still dumbfounded, the gods, led by Indra, approached their preceptor Brihaspati, lord of the planet Jupiter and god of wisdom. On reaching his abode however, they found him deep in meditation, unperturbed by the chaos around him.

“Gurudev, help us! The heavens are in trouble!” the devas cried.

Opening his eyes, Brihaspati then directly addressed Indra, “The Valakhilyas’ curse has come true Indra. Garuda, the son of Vinata and Kashyap, approaches Swarga in all earnest to claim your throne.”

The assembly went silent. After a beat, Indra gave a deafening laugh. “An eagle? That’s the mighty Indra of the Valakhilyas? And have you forgotten who I am, gurudev? I am the Slayer of Vritra and the Wielder of the Vajra! King of the gods and ruler of the sky! A puny eagle can’t defeat me!”

“I don’t think we should be overconfident Indra. Perhaps we should call forth the shakti army?” advised Agni, the god of fire.

The shakti army was the gods’ last resort, made up of all the goddesses in the world and led by the fearsome Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali themselves. They had come to their aid in the past against the asuras, and had even defeated the devas once in an epic episode where they had rallied around Goddess Parvati’s son Ganesha.

“He’s right Indra. Lord Kartikeya is away with the bulk of the army fighting the asuras. We should call forth the Shaktis.” Brihaspati said, agreeing with Agni.

“Rest assured Gurudev. Its nothing we can’t handle. Call forth Lord Surya and Lord Chandra, and send my son Jayanta to bring Lord Kartikeya. Today, the devas shall show the world their might!” Indra proclaimed, rallying his troops. The other gods, put at ease by their leader’s confidence, too gave shouts of victory and bravery, and started preparing for battle. Rolling his eyes, Brihaspati sent forth a silent prayer. “Narayana, please protect him from his folly.”

[astrologermaakalyani]

Can Astrology Really Predict Relationship Compatibility?

Our Vedic Puranas have beautifully recounted the sagas of Radha-PuRe Krishna's Love, DeVine Powerful Shiva-Parvati love, and the most ReVered Sita-Ram marriage.

 Furthermore, the fact that our Veda has talked positively about the Gandharva vivaah astounds me. It's essentially a love marriage. As a result, love unions were recognised and respected even during the Vedic period. The following are a few astrology guidelines for solid relationships:

Kundali Matching

Above all, our Astrologer in Ahmedabad considers Kundali matching to be critical for a happy and compatible marriage. Are you aware that there are eight criteria for determining marriage compatibility? In Vedic Kundali astrology, they are known as Kootas, and they are as follows:

Varna:     Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, and Shudras are examples of Varna. It is     based on spiritual and ego compatibility.

Vashya: In     relationships, it represents the power dynamic, control, and attraction.

Tara or Dina:     This Koota contains 27 Nakshatras or Stars, which represent well-being and     destiny.

Yoni: This is     a measurement of a couple's mutual love, compatibility, and intimacy.

Rashyadipati,     also known as Graha Maitram, is a symbol of mental compatibility,     affection, and harmony in a relationship.

Gana: Defines     the couple's behaviour, personality, and temperament.

Kamdev-Rati Puja is considered most fruitful for Love and Relationship

This Puja is recommended for a blissful marriage and love relationship, intense attraction, and the perfect soulmate by our Astrologer in Ahmedabad Near Me. However, when singing the Kamdev-Rati Mantra, there is a specific protocol to follow. This Puja is performed at the temple by Askganesha's skilled pandits with correct Vidhi Vidhan.

According to the Kalika Purana, Brahma's consciousness was used to create Kamadeva, the god of love. Brahma entrusted him with the task of spreading love throughout the universe. And he was given the weapon of love to help him complete this duty. The arrow was constructed of five different flowers, and the bow was made of sugarcane with honey bee strings. Without a doubt, they began to be recognised as emblems of everlasting love that would last forever, and they became the most wanted match.

Wrapping Up

Love and marriage may constantly be reinforced with our Vedic rites and mantras, no matter how they happen. Astrology can be used to solve any problems that arise during the wedding ceremony.

Similarly, Vedic Puja can help resolve current love or marriage problems to a significant extent. Do you want to learn more about astrology and love relationships but are tired of searching “Astrologer in Ahmedabad near me” on Google? Contact the Best Love Astrologer in Ahmedabad!

[aoifesfatvagina]

The conversation between Suka and Markandeya Muni; a description of the Adharma dynasty; a description of Kali; the journey of the earth in the form of a cow along with the demigods to the abode of Brahma; the birth of Hari in the home of Vishnu Yasa according to the promise of Brahma; the birth of four brothers as partial manifestations of Sri Hari from the womb of Sumati in Sambhala village; the conversation between father and son; Kalki accepts the sacred thread; the father and son live together; Kalki learns the Vedas and military science; the meeting with Lord Siva; Kalki prays to, and receives boons from Lord Siva; Kalki obtains the company of Sukadeva; Kalki returns to Sambhala village and describes the boons of Lord Siva to His relatives; at the request of King Visakhayupa, Kalki describes His own form; the glories of the brahmanas; the arrival of Suka; the conversation between Kalki and Suka; Suka describes Simhala; by the boon of Hara-Mahadeva, the kings become women just by seeing Padma at her svayamvara; Padma’s sorrow; Kalki’s attempt at marriage; Suka is motivated to be a messenger; the mutual introduction of Suka with Padma; the method of worship of Hari; meditation on Lord Hari from His feet to His face; Padma gives her ornaments to Suka; Suka again meets with Kalki; Kalki sets off to marry Padma; the meeting with Padma by the deception of water-sports and then

marriage; the kings regain their masculinity just by seeing Kalki; the arrival of Ananta; Ananta’s discussion with the kings in the assembly; a description of Ananta’s birth as a eunuch; prayers to Lord Siva; Ananta’s father passes away seeing maya in Vishnu-kshetra; the biography of Ananta; Ananta’s knowledge, renunciation and so on; the departure of the kings; Kalki goes to Sambhala with Padma; Visvakarma builds a city in Sambhala; Kalki, together with Padma, His relatives and His armies, resides in the house built by Visvakarma; suppression of the Buddhists; the Buddhist women travel to the battlefield; the presence of the sages named Balakhilya; self-dedication; the killing of the Rakshasi Kuthodevi along with her sons; the sages meet with Kalki in Haridvara; a description of the lunar and solar dynasties; the holy life of Lord Rama; the meeting with Maru and Devapi who had come for battle; the killing of the violent Kokavikoka; Kalki goes to Bhallata city; the battle with Sayakarna and others; Kalki’s battle with King Sasidhvaja; the devotion of Susanta; Kalki brings Dharma and Krita-yuga from the battlefield; Susanta prays to Kalki; Kalki’s marriage to Rama; a description of Sasidhvaja’s previous life in the assembly; the reason for his becoming old; Sasidhvaja obtains liberation from Kalki; deliverance of the visha-kanya; coronation of the kings; prayers by maya; various sacrifices in Sambhala village; Vishnu Yasa is liberated by Narada; the nature of Krita-yuga and dharma; the vow undertaken by Rukmini; Kalki’s wanderings; the birth of Kalki’s sons and grandsons; the presence of demigods and Gandharvas in Sambhala village and after this, the departure of Kalki to Vaikuntha.

[thetravelerwrites]

Geyarajan (Gandharva)

Rating: Teen Relationship: Female Human/Male Gandharva Additional Tags: Exophilia, Gandharva, Childhood Sweethearts, Puppy Love Content Warnings: Blood, Broken Limb, Separation, Memory lapse Words: 4600

A commission for @floral-and-fine​, who did the lovely artwork above of Geyarajan! An angsty story about childhood love that gets torn apart by family, race, and circumstance! Please reblog and leave feedback!

The Traveler's Masterlist

In Hinduism, the Gandharvas are male nature spirits and husbands of the Apsaras, the spirits of clouds and air. Some are part animal, usually a bird or horse. They have superb musical skills; they guard the Soma and make beautiful music for the gods in their palaces. Gandharvas are frequently depicted as singers in the court of the gods.

Gandharvas in the historic sense acted as messengers between the gods and humans; today they are depicted as imitators, cheaters, liars and those who have tricked themselves 'into being god'. In Hindu law, a gandharva marriage is one contracted by mutual consent and without formal rituals.

You couldn’t remember exactly how old you were, perhaps six or seven, when you first met Geyarajan. You’d heard singing in the forest as you played in the garden behind your house, and though you knew you shouldn’t go into the woods alone, you couldn’t ignore the draw of the sound. After maybe ten minutes, you stumbled upon a clearing wherein a boy was singing, though he was unlike any other child you’d ever met.

Your village was human only; beasts and monsters were not allowed to settle there. In fact, non-human merchants were discouraged from selling their wares in the area and non-human travelers weren’t welcome in the taverns or inns. In your short life, you’d only seen a person who wasn’t human maybe twice, and only in passing. You didn’t quite understand why, but you were a small child and didn’t think to question it.

Not until you met Geyarajan. When you first saw him, you were mesmerized by his music. You sat and listened as still as a statue, afraid of spooking him, except when he stopped singing, he looked right at you and smiled as if he’d been waiting for you to come. He hopped off the rock where he had been sitting, and you got a better look at him.

He wore no clothing, but from the waist down, he was all feathers. His legs were long and spindly, ending in three-toed claws like that of a purple heron. The feathers extended up his back to his large wings, heather-grey in color, which were folded at rest behind him.

His hair was long and falling around his shoulders in ringlets, the same heather-gray as his feathers. He had a four streaks of black, two on each side, running down his neck, one stripe down his arms to his wrists, the other down the inside of his shoulders and disappearing into the feathers near his hips. His skin was dark brown and his eyes were sharp in shape, amber-gold in color, and hawk-like.

Though he was much taller than you because of his long legs, in his face, he looked to be about your age, perhaps slightly older. He was slender and graceful in his movements, taking careful steps toward you as if not to scare you, though you didn’t think you could possibly be afraid of him.

“Aren’t you from the village?” He asked, his speaking voice as musical as his song suggested. “Won’t you be in trouble for coming into the woods? My parents say that humans are scared of the woods.”

“I’m not scared,” You said, puffing up. “Papa says I’m a big girl. I can go to the corner store all by myself now. I only came ‘cause I heard you singing.”

“Oh,” He said, frowning. “I must be too close, then. I should go.”

“Wait!” You reached out, grabbing his hand. “Stay and play with me, won’t you? What’s your name?”

“Geyarajan,” He replied, not attempting to break away from your grasp. “You’re the girl who lives in the house near the river, right? What’s your name?”

You told him. “How do you know me?”

“I’ve seen you sometimes,” He said, leading you to the rock where he was sitting before. There was a bushel of flowers laying there. He began to weave them into a ring. “When I fly above the town. I know you from the ribbons.” He tugged at the blue ribbon you wore in your hair, which matched your pristine dress. Your mother insisted on dressing you like a doll, always making you wear frilly dresses and putting ribbons in your hair.

“You can fly?” You whispered in awe.

“Well, sure,” He laughed, fluffing his wings a little. “These aren’t fake, you know. I have to fly pretty high, so the only thing I can see of you clearly is the ribbons.”

“Why do you fly so high?” You asked him.

“Mother says it’s too dangerous to fly too low over the town,” Geyarajan said. “She says the people don’t like us, that they’d be mean to us if they knew we lived in the forest next to them.”

“Oh. That’s a shame. If it’s dangerous, why don’t you move?”

“Our kind lived in these woods before those humans ever settled here,” He said, pointing toward the village. “Why should we have to leave?”

“That makes sense, I guess,” You admitted. “I don’t see people like you in town. It’s only humans. I don’t know why.”

“Mother and Father say it’s because humans hate us,” He said morosely, looking at his hands as he continued to weave the garland. “Do you hate us?”

“No!” You said. “You’re so pretty! Can I… Can I touch your wings? I’ve never met a person with wings before.”

He regarded you warily, but said, “Okay, but only for a minute. Mother says our wings are a sign of divinity, that they make us holy.”

“Divine? Like an angel?”

“What’s an angel?”

You tried to explain what an angel was to him, but he just looked confused.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Do you want to touch my wings or not?” He asked impatiently.

“Yes, yes!” You exclaimed. You reached out tentatively and ran your fingertips gently down his proffered wing. He watched you carefully, his hands stilling in their work.

“Wow,” You breathed. “It’s so hard to believe they’re real.”

“Well, they are,” He sniffed, eyeing you. “It’s weird.”

“What is?”

“Well, I’ve never met a human, but my parents said they’re all cruel and heartless. They call your kind monsters, but you seem nice.”

“I am nice,” You replied. “I’m friends with everyone in town. I want to be your friend, too. Can I call you Rajan?”

“Why?”

“It’s a nickname!” You said. “It means we’re friends.”

“Oh,” He replied. “Yeah, I guess so. Can I give you a nickname?”

“Sure!”

“Alright, how about…” He looked around for inspiration and his eyes fell on the flowers in his lap. There were wild daisies, coneflowers, purple poppies, blanket flowers, black-eyed susans, and blush-pink primroses. “What about Primrose?”

“I love it!” You said excitedly. “Primrose and Rajan.”

Rajan giggled.

“What’s funny?”

“Well, my whole name, Geyarajan, means ‘king of songs,’” He replied, finishing the crown of flowers and placing it on his head. “But Rajan just means ‘king.’”

You giggled too. “I like that! You can be the king of the primroses! It’ll be a kingdom just for us!”

“Sounds fun!” He said. “Let’s play Kings and Flowers, then!”

“That’s not a real game!”

“Is too! I just made it up!”

The two of you played until it started to get dark, then Rajan escorted you home. He stopped about thirty feet away from the treeline, where you could hear your mother calling.

“I can’t go closer,” He said, still wearing the flower crown. He took it off and placed it on your head. “You should run home now. I’ll watch you to make sure you stay safe.”

“Alright,” You said brightly, standing on your tip-toe to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you again soon!”

He blushed and touched his cheek, frozen. You laughed joyfully and ran back to the garden behind your house.

“There you are!” Your mother shouted as you came out from around the house. “Where have you been? Look at the state of your dress!” She fussed. “It’s ruined! Do you know how long it took me to sew that?”

“Just make me a normal dress, Mama,” You said. “A plain one I can play in.”

“Nonsense,” Your mother said, taking your hand. “I’ll not have my daughter wallowing in the muck like some street urchin. To the bath with you!”

As she dragged you along into the house, your lovely flower crown slipped from your head and floated away on the breeze.

“Oh, Mama, my crown!”

“Leave it,” She said.

“Oh, but it was--” You stopped short before saying a present. You didn’t want your mother asking from whom. You watched as it floated into the road and was trampled by a passerby. Sighing with disappointment, you followed your mother inside.

Geyarajan became your best friend from that day on. You had to be careful, though; you couldn’t go too deep into the forest for fear of dangerous creatures and he couldn’t get too close to the village, or he’d be seen and possibly captured by the townspeople. As such, you could only see each other once a week or so, and on the days you agreed to meet, often you’d sneak out to play for a few hours after bed.

Having a secret friend was thrilling. It made you feel special and important. He’d told you that he hadn’t told his parents about you, either, because he didn’t want them to be mad at him for getting so close to humans. It was as if the pretend kingdom the two of you built together was real, and you were the only two in it.

It didn’t take long at all for you to develop a crush on Geyarajan, and it seemed to be mutual. He always held your hand whenever the two of you walked together and you often gave him quick pecks on the lips to see the surprise and delight on his face. It was the pure, innocent love of childhood, and though your time together was limited, you were both happy.

Of course, secrets are never meant to last.

Time passed. One evening when you were eleven, after you’d snuck out to see him, the two of you were stargazing in a clearing, making up constellations, your fingers intertwined loosely.

“See there,” He said. “That’s the raven. It’s good luck.”

“Who says?” You asked, laughing.

“I say!” Rajan said. “I’m a king, aren’t I?”

“Oh, right,” You replied. “Papa calls that the eagle. And that’s the dog star.”

“Why do they call it the dog star?”

“I don’t know,” You said. “Tell me another one.”

He squinted. “I can’t see it all that well from here. I usually look at the stars from up in the trees. It’s harder to see them all clearly on the ground like this.”

“How high up do you go?”

“The top, obviously,” He said, sitting up and pointing straight up to a nearby oak tree. “The tallest, strongest branch. That’s the best place.”

“I’d be scared to go that high,” You said, shivering a little.

“I could help you,” He said. “I’d fly you up there.”

“Aren’t I too heavy?” You asked him skeptically. “I was the last time you tried to lift me.”

“That was a year ago! I’m much stronger now.” He hopped to his taloned feet and flexed his skinny arms. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

“Are you sure?” You asked as you took his hand.

“Come on, you trust me, right?”

You straightened up and smiled at him. “Yeah, of course I do.”

He grinned back. “I won’t be able to take off from the ground,” He said. “We’ll have to climb up a little ways so I can do a drop. I’m really good at those.”

You frowned at the thought, but since he knew way more about flying than you did, you didn’t argue. Swallowing down your nervousness, you followed him up the tree.

You hadn’t known how to climb a tree when you first met him; your mother had forbade such things. Geyarajan had decided immediately that it was inappropriate for anyone to be unable to climb a tree and taught you how to do it the second time you met. You got pretty scraped up the first few times, which you had a hard time explaining away. Now, you were an expert. You were even able to keep leaves and dirt off of your nightgown.

Of course, Geyarajan was much faster than you, since he’d been climbing trees before he could even walk. We was already on the branch he planned to launch from, waiting patiently for you to catch up. He wasn’t above heckling you, though.

“Are all humans as slow as you?” He teased. “I could be halfway to the coast by the time you get up here.”

You stopped for a moment to blow a raspberry at him. In the few seconds that you were distracted, you misstepped, your foot sliding out of your evening slipper and catching you off balance.

Geyarajan leapt, reaching out to catch you, but he was too late. You fell straight down, landing on your right leg. It snapped in half upon impact. The pain shot up your body and struck your brain, and you screamed like you never had before. Geyarajan landed next to you, panicking, trying to figure out what to do. You were crying too hard to speak.

“Hold on, Primrose, hold on,” He lifted you as carefully as he could and began to run through the woods. The pain and smell of blood made you violently sick. “I’m taking you home, just hold on.”

“No!” You managed to gasp. “You can’t go there!”

“I won’t be able to stay, but I can get you there, I promise,” He said.

“No!” You said, beginning to struggle, squealing as the movement made the pain worse. “They’ll kill you! You can’t go to the village!”

Geyarajan stopped in his tracks, breathing hard and looking toward the village and back into the forest.

“I’ll get into a lot of trouble, but there’s only one other place I can take you,” He said, sweating and shaking with fear. “Hold on to me. We’ll be there soon.”

What happened next was a blur of pain, color, noise, voices, and a terrible sick feeling throughout your body, the only familiar thing through all of it was the sound of Geyarajan’s voice and his hand holding yours. At some point, you blacked out completely.

You woke up to the sound of screaming. You were lying in the back garden of your own home, a large, grey feather in your hand, and your mother rushing over to you, checking you frantically.

“Oh, god, are you okay?!” She asked. “Where have you been? What happened to you?” She saw your leg and shrieked. “Who did this to you?!”

Her shouting had attracted the attention of several men, all of whom looked tired and held burned out torches. One of them dropped their spent torch and lifted you up, carrying you into the house. There was noise and shouting and confusion all around you, made worse by your mother’s constant shrill crying in the background. You let them do as they will in silence, clutching Geyarajan’s feather.

Your leg hurt, but nowhere as badly as it had before. You looked down and saw to your surprise that the leg had been wrapped set, wrapped in cloth to stem the bleeding, and was in a makeshift splint made of straight wooden rods and vines.

The physician was called and examined your leg. During this time, you learned you’d been missing for four days. The men with torches were part of the search party, tirelessly searching the woods for any trace of you. When they found blood on the grass and a fragment of your clothes, along with several large feathers, they thought some massive monster had gobbled you up.

The physician determined that your leg had been expertly set, however, meaning it was no monster that had taken you. Since you couldn’t remember most of your time missing, you kept silent, which made everyone grim-faced. They assumed the worst and decided someone had taken you and kept you in the woods somewhere, and you were so traumatized by the incident that you’d blocked the entire event out. You couldn’t exactly argue with them, but you knew Rajan would never hurt you. Not that you could tell them that.

The search began anew, only this time it wasn’t retrieval. It was revenge. You wished you could tell them that it wasn’t necessary, you wanted to stop them, but you couldn’t do anything without telling them about Rajan and his people, and you had promised never to do so. So you could only watch anxiously as the townsfolk worked themselves into a froth, looking for a predator that didn’t exist.

Bedridden and helpless to stop the villagers from their crusade, you spent many nights crying and wishing you could see Rajan. It was too dangerous now; you thought you wouldn’t see him for a long time. You were surprised when, a week later, Rajan came straight to your window late one night. He opened it and hopped down.

“Rajan!” You breathed, elated, and reached out your arms to embrace him from the bed. He stayed out of your reach. You couldn’t see his face well in this light, but his body radiated distrust.

“How could you?” He said whispered, pain seeping into his voice. “I thought you were my friend. How could you do this to me?”

You dropped your arms. “Wha… How could I what?”

“You know what!” He retorted angrily, his voice rising in anger. “You told them! You told the humans about us! You told them where to find us!”

“I didn’t!” You replied, stricken. “I would never, you know that! I never told them anything!”

“Liar!” He snapped. “Men came! They set fire to our colony! We have no home now because of you!”

You ignored the pain in your leg and swung around to sit up properly. “I didn’t tell them anything! I don’t even know where your colony is! I’ve never been there!”

“You’re lying! You were there! My parents cared for you, they fixed your leg! This is how you repay their kindness?”

“What?” You replied, confused. “I… no, I… I don’t… I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything. The last memory I have before waking up in the garden was you carrying me. We argued because I didn’t want you to come to the village. I was worried you’d get hurt--”

“Stop,” He said, raising a hand. “Enough of this. My parents were right. You can never trust a human.”

“Don’t say that! How could you have so little faith in me? We’ve been friends since we were little! I’d never do anything to put you or your family in danger, you know that! Why would I do that?”

The light from the moon caught his face, and the pain in his eyes stopped your heart.

“You tell me.”

He climbed up onto the windowsill, walked out on the roof, unfurled his wings, and took off. You fell to the ground with a loud thump. Your father came in to find you sobbing in anguish. He lifted you and put you back to bed, petting your hair and telling you it would be alright. But it wouldn’t.

You decided that once you were healed, you’d go and find Rajan and keep protesting your innocence until he believed you. You didn’t count on your parents’ plans.

Another week passed, and your mother came into your room.

“How are you feeling, love?” She asked.

You shrugged your shoulders. You’d been sullen and depressed since Rajan’s visit. Everyone assumed it was because of your disappearance and you made no attempt to correct them. The guilt of his family’s home being destroyed weighed heavily on your mind. If only you hadn’t tried to climb that tree.  

“I’m sorry, darling,” She said. “I can’t believe monsters were living right next door to us in the woods. It’s become too dangerous in this place. Look at what they did to you!”

“They helped me!” You shouted. “They’re not monsters!”

Your mother rounded on you, her face pinching in suspicion. “How would you know that? What do you know about them?”

You scowled at her and remained silent.

“I knew you were lying when you said you couldn’t remember anything.” She stood up and looked down her nose at you. “That does it. We’re moving to Dunmountain.”

“What?!” You cried. “No! I don’t want to move!”

“The decision has already been made,” She told you, pulling out your luggage and starting to pack. “Your father and I can’t abide those disgusting creatures living so close.”

“But there are people like them in the city!” You argued.

“There are rules for them there,” Your mother said. “Most of them are ring fighters or laborers. They don’t practically nest  in the backyards of decent people.”

“Who said you were decent?” You screamed. “You can’t make me go!”

“Who’s going to stop me?” She shouted back. “Your father has agreed. We’re going!” She threw your bag on the floor next to your bed. “Pack your things yourself!” With that, she turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her and leaving you to weep bitterly into your blanket.

You had no choice. Within the month, you were all packed and in a wagon headed to the city. You had become withdrawn and quiet, unlike the girl you had been before. Your father worried over you, but your mother told you to suck it up and get over it. New city, new life, new start.

She was more right than she knew. In the city, you were a new person. The cheerful child that was friends with everyone she met was gone. You were shy, introverted, and taciturn, only speaking when spoken to. You found it difficult to make friends and were quick to tears.

Your mother, in an effort to desensitize you to “monsters,” took you to the gladiator’s ring and made you watch them fight each other. You hated it; the sight of them viciously attacking each other for no other purpose than to entertain humans made you physically ill.

As you got older, the people of your neighborhood began to call you the monster girl because of your tendency to go to the ring and talk to the fighters. Just talk. Some of them were willing participants, but there were others who were forced to fight. People with debt, criminals, the homeless, the mentally ill; anyone society deemed abnormal. Their jailers seemed to forget that they were still people.

You’d often sit outside of their cells and talk to them, comfort them, even write down messages to give to their loved ones. Your mother despaired of you, and the humans thought you were weird, but the creatures of the fighting ring called you an angel.

One day, when you were nineteen, there was a new arrival at the jail, a young woman with wings and bird feet. When you were told, you immediately went to see her first.

“Hello?” You called softly, tapping gently on one of the bars.

“Who are you?” She asked.

You told her your name. “I come here to talk to the fighters and help them when I can. What’s your name?”

“Aashiyana,” She replied. “You can help me?”

“I can try,” You replied. “Why are you here?”

“I caught a deer in a field near my home,” She said. “It was apparently owned by a nobleman or something. What kind of person owns a deer?”

“People with too much money,” You replied, laughing. “How long is your sentence?”

“Until my fine is up. Six months, I think they said.”

“How much is the fine?”

“300 gold.”

“That’s highway robbery!” You exclaimed. “Let me see what I can work out.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” She said. “This city is stifling. I hate it here.”

“So do I,” You replied, standing. You were about to turn and leave, but you were compelled to ask. “By any chance, do you know a boy named Geyarajan?”

Aashiyana sat up straighter and peered at you. “I did know a boy by that name, yes.”

Your heart hammered in your throat. “Did?”

“He doesn’t go by that name anymore. His name is Gaveshan now.”

“Why did he change his name?” You asked.

“How do you know him?”

“He saved my life years ago. He… was my friend.”

Her eyes widened and jaw dropped. “Are you Primrose?”

Your expression matched hers. “Yes! How did you know about that?”

“We met!” She said, her eyes lighting up. “Your leg was broken and my mother set it. She was the colony’s healer. You stayed in the colony with us until she felt it was safe to move you.”

“I don’t remember,” You told her. “I don’t remember anything. I was with Rajan when I broke my leg, and then I passed out. When I woke up again, I was back home and I’d been missing for four days. I don’t know what happened during that time.”

Aashiyana frowned. “You don’t remember me at all?”

You shook your head sadly. “I’m sorry. What happened to the colony?” You asked her, putting a hand on hers around the bars. “Rajan told me that it was burned, but he didn’t give me any details.”

“Men came out of the forest with torches. They set fire to everything. We had to flee with nothing. Some didn’t make it.”

“Oh, god,” You said, covering your mouth in horror. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen out of the tree…”

“Did you tell the men how to find us?”

“No! I swear I didn’t! I don’t even remember being there!” You said. “I swear, Aashiyana, I swear on my life.”

He deep brown eyes searched yours for a moment, a discerning look on her face, and she said, “I believe you.”

Your face crumpled as the tears began to flow. “Thank you.” You wiped your face on a handkerchief and straightened yourself. “Let me see what I can do for you. I’ll get you out of here.”

“Thank you,” She said.

It took some time, but you managed to make a deal with the judge. It was a lucky thing that your parents were in good standing with the stadium, as your father was a financier, so you were able to pull a few favors. You returned to Aashiyana’s cell three days later and directed the jailor to open the door.

“What’s happened?”

“I’ve made a deal,” You said. “You’re free of the fighting ring, but in exchange, you must work. I’ve made arrangements for you. I’ll tell you about it once we’re in the carriage.”

“Carriage?”

You took her by the arm. “Come on.”

Outside the jail, a carriage was indeed waiting for you. You opened the door and assisted her in getting inside, as the steps weren’t built for her large claws, and got inside after her. The carriage began to move.

“So what deal did you make?” She asked.

“You are to be my personal servant for the remainder of your sentence.”

She balked. “What makes you think I want to be a slave any more than a punching bag?”

“I have no intention of giving you any order,” You told her. “But if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll like you to take me to see Geyarajan. Or Gaveshan, I guess.”

“Do I have to stay with you?” She asked, eyeing you.

“Of course not,” You replied. “You’re free to go as soon as we get out of the city limits, as far as I’m concerned. I have no intention of ordering you around.”

“Can’t you get into trouble for this?”

“Of course. The penalty for assisting a criminal escape is taking their sentence plus five years.”

“If you know that’s going to happen when you come back, why would you do it?” She asked you, horrified.

“Simple. I’m not coming back.”

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