The Mitraman Empire was a great empire of Avabhoomi, under whose umbrella lay many kingdoms. One of those kingdoms was the vast kingdom of Hasta.

The Nilgiri hills were visible from the entire kingdom of Hasta. Its natural landscape was filled with hills, small rivers and small lakes.

In this kingdom lay a small village called Veerapalli. Veerapalli was filled with natural beauty. It was here that Dhani spent her childhood.

Dhani was sitting in a horse-drawn carriage with her father. They had reached Veerapalli. It was evening.

After twelve years of penance, Dhani was returning home. She wore a simple blue saree and her hair was tied in a bun. She often kept her hair that way.

Her father, Prabhupad, was the upsarpanch of Veerapalli village. He wore a white dhoti and a yellow-brown patterned angrakha, with a dark red kamarpatta. A dark red safa sat on his head. He had thik kadas and kundals of brass. He was well-built, brown-skinned and had a moustache. 

A smile was present on his lips. He was overjoyed at Dhani's return.

The natural beauty of her village and the setting sun behind the mountains brought Dhani back to her childhood. She was only ten years old when she had gone to the Nilgiri Hills with the priestess.

The horse-cart driver stopped the carriage near a house.

Dhani got off the carriage and looked at the house. She was delighted to see her home after so many years.

The walls of the house were pale yellow. White flowers and vines were painted on the entrance. There was a large courtyard in front of the house. There were plants of roses, hibiscus, and other flowers on one side. In the center, a large, square, decorated clay pot held a Tulsi plant. A short distance from the plant was a wooden cot. In one corner of the courtyard was a well. The courtyard was surrounded by a four-foot-high wall, covered with vines bearing white and pink flowers, and a jamun tree was planted in another corner. 

"Come in, Dhani," Prabhupad said, opening the door of the courtyard.

Dhani entered the house with her father, into the hall, where her mother and younger sister were waiting for them.

The walls of the hall were pale yellow. A low wooden cot was placed along the east wall on which a red bedsheet was spread. Other items, such as drawers, were stacked against the walls. There was a large window on the western wall covered with an orange curtain.

Dhani's mother and her sister looked at them. They were seated at the cot. 

Dhani's mother got up and came to Dhani. She gazed at Dhani lovingly.

Her name was Mala. She was fair. She wore a green saree, a kumkum bindi on her forehead, and vermilion in her parting. She had some gold jewelry– small earrings, a necklace, and bangles. Her braid reached her waist.

"You've grown so much," she said with a smile and hugged Dhani.

"Mother," Dhani called out, hugging her back.

"I'm so happy you're back," Mala said.

Dhani's younger sister also came to meet her. Her name was Vani. She had a light brown complexion, arched eyebrows, large eyes, and soft, brown lips. Her hair was slightly shorter than her mother's and braided in a braid. She wore a yellow saree and some simple gold jewelry like her mother. She was two years younger than Dhani.

Dhani smiled heartily upon seeing Vani and went forward to embrace her. She loved Vani the most in the family. Since childhood, she had a deep affection for her. It was same for Vani. She also loved Dhani very much.

"Didi, I am overjoyed that you have finally received the boon for which you devoted years of penance," Vani said.

Dhani looked at her and smiled softly.

"Come, let's sit inside and talk," Prabhupada said.

At his request, everyone took their seats on the cot, and Vani brought water for Prabhupada and Dhani.

"Didi, you have received the boon of getting the husband your heart desires, so does that mean you will get married soon?" Vani asked as she sat next to Dhani.

Both Mala and Prabhupada smiled at her question.

Dhani smiled. Her smile was the answer to Vani's question.

"What kind of husband have you desired for yourself? Handsome, attractive?" Vani asked eagerly.

Dhani remained silent and simply smiled at Vani.

“What kind of husband has Didi prayed for twelve years? I won't even pray for a month to get a husband,” Vani thought.

“I think you should start looking for a groom for Dhani,” Mala said to Prabhupada.

“Yes, you're right. I should start looking for a suitable groom. Ever since the priest sent word that her penance was complete, I've been receiving some marriage proposals. Sarpanch ji also knows about her return,” Prabhupada said.

“But, Father, shouldn't we first know what kind of husband Didi prayed for? It's important to know her wishes, only then can you find a suitable groom for her,” Vani said.

Hearing this, Prabhupada and Mala both looked at Dhani, waiting for her to express her wish. 

But Dhani remained silent and lowered her gaze.

Seeing Dhani lowering her gaze, Vani thought that she was feeling shy about expressing her desires in front of her parents. So Vani leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Didi, tell me what kind of husband you've asked for. I'll explain it to Father."

Dhani smiled at her. She wasn't shy. She didn't want to express her wish to anyone.

"This is my boon. No matter who Father chooses for me, only my divine partner will come into my life," Dhani told Vani.

Vani calmed down after hearing this.

Prabhupad and Mala understood Dhani's feelings. Prabhupad decided to find a suitable groom for her soon.

~~~