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There was a
King. Everyday he used to go for a walk on the
riverbank where he became friendly with a
washerman. Both of them used to walk and talk
about this and that. Then King used to go back
to his palace and the washerman to his house.
One day the King expressed his desire to go to
washerman's house. What could poor washerman
do? he could not refuse King's request and
took him to his humble small hut. The hut was
neat and clean. The washerman offered a wooden
stool to the king to sit on.
After some time when the King left.When From a
little distance he turned back towards the hut
he was surprised. Washerman was washing the
stool on which the King had sat and kept it
aside. The king could not understand this.
Few days later, after a walk he went to the
washerman's house again. Like earlier time ,
washerman showed him respect and made him sit
on the stool. While leaving he again saw that
the washerman washed the stool and kept it
aside. Now king was perplexed.
He told everything to his priest and asked him
the reason for washerman's behavior. The
priest thought about it for a while and said
"King since you don't have a Child, he doesn't
consider you as pure and complete. Washerman's
behavior reflects that though he kept on
respecting you yet was also trying to remove
his doubts". On hearing this, the King started
remaining sad. On seeing king sad, his seven
queens were worried.
Together they thought of a scheme. They told a
lie to the King that the youngest queen is
expecting his child. On hearing this King was
delighted. The queens also told him that the
priests has advised,that in this condition the
kings and youngest queen togetherness could
harm the child. King controlled his feelings
.He couldn't meet the youngest queen but kept
on inquiring about her welfare from other
queens.
When nine months had passed since this, then
queens to keep their lie,they tied a lamb in
the youngest queen room. They called the
midwife and bend the lamb leg. He cried, and
on hearing his cry ,they spread the rumor in
the palace that youngest queen has been
blessed with a son. King and his subjects were
very happy.
The king was anxious to see his son but the
queens said they have been blessed with a
child , for the blessings of Deviji. Without
offering silver umbrella and worship at her
temple king cannot see his son. King again
controlled his feelings. Times flew past and
queens with the help of their maids using
turmeric on the wet diapper kept on pretending
about the birth of the child.
When six months passed like this preparations
began, for Deviji's bhandara and offering
chatra (umbrella) . The king instead of silver
made a beautiful golden umbrella. During
Navratre the king alongwith his soldiers &
seven queens went to Deviji's temple. When
everything was ready for Pooja and bhandara,
the eldest queen said to the king "Maharaj, we
have done a blunder we have forgotten to bring
the umbrella to be offerred to deviji in the
palace inside seven lockes. You kindly go and
fetch it." King wanted to send his soldiers to
fetch the umbrella, but the queen's insisted
that as the umberella is being offered to
Deviji on birth of his child ,the king had to
fetch it himself.
Poor king was so anxious to see his child that
he immediately rushed to his palace on his
horse. The moment king left all the seven
queens took out their swords and stood around
Deviji's mandap (place of worship) and
prayed-"Devi Mata, we believing in you, told
these lies. You have not blessed any of us
with a child. Trusting you we kept on telling
lies. Now, when the King will know everything
he will kill us. That is why before he arrives
we have decided to offer our lives to you,"
Deviji was happy to see their trust and faith
and there was a loud announcement from the
sky" telling them not to kill themselves You
will get the fruit of your trust and belief in
me. Some Children are playing behind the
temple. You can take any one of them you
like."
On hearing this they all ran and picked up a 6
months old small and beautiful boy. Now they
began to quarrel among themselves. Each of
them wanted to exercise her right on the
child. Meanwhile when they were fighting, the
King came back with the golden umbrella. He
was surprised to see them fighting.0n
inquiring about the reason of their fight the
eldest queen told him everything and asked for
his forgiveness for telling lies. Then she
said "Maharaj, you only settle this issue."
The Kind thought about everything and said
"Put the child in front of Deviji .One by one
each of you go to him. A queen, in whose lap
the child will go willingly, will be his
mother. Nevertheless you all are his mother."
All the queens agreed to this.
They kept the child in front of Deviji and
tried to take him in their lap one by one. The
child kept smiling . When the youngest queen
called him he immediately went in her lap.
Everybody was happy, they all worshipped
Deviji and offered her the golden umbrella and
held her bandara. Devi Bhavaani was also happy
to see the trust and faith they all had
reposed in her. With Deviji grace and being
blessed with a son the King went back to his
palace happily.
He made an announced in his kingdom that every
six months his subjects should with full trust
on Devi Bhavaani should worship her and keep
fast ,if they do so then desires will be
fulfilled.
"Diviji ki Jai."
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