Days slipped away after Dhani’s return, and Veerpalli had begun to wrap itself in the chill of winter.

During this time, Dhani received several marriage proposals. But her parents found none suitable, and Prabhupad struggled to find a suitable groom. Finding an ideal groom who can match Dhani’s virtue was proving difficult.

However, Dhani immersed herself in her daily routine with complete faith that her divine life partner would appear before her when the time was right. She maintained her ascetic routine and visited the Veerapalli temple every morning for worship.

Like every other day, one Monday morning, she got ready to go to the temple. She wore a pink saree with yellow embroidery on the borders. She draped a white shawl over it, and her hair was tied in a bun. She had beautiful gold earrings in her ears, a simple gold necklace around her neck and beautiful bangles of gold on her hands. After completing her penance and returning to Veerapalli, she had begun to wear ornaments like ordinary women.

"Mother, I'm going to the temple," she said, leaving her room.

"Take Vani with you," said Mala, who was sitting in the hall.

Dhani turned and saw Vani in her room, who had just come from the bathhouse. She angrily threw her wet towel on the bed and stood with her hands folded.

"Vani," Mala called out to her, speaking a little sternly, "Put your towel out to dry in the courtyard."

Vani immediately made a face, picked up her towel from the bed, came out of the room, stared at Mala for a moment, and headed toward the courtyard.

Dhani brought the puja thaal and a bamboo basket from the pujaghar and, after taking Mala's permission, left the house.

Mala sighed deeply and muttered to herself, "These two sisters are completely different. One has spent twelve years in the temple, and the other hasn't visited the temple even twelve times in her entire life."

Dhani left her house with Vani.

Vani was dressed in a blue saree today. As soon as she closed the courtyard door from outside, she let out a yawn. Her eyelids were still heavy with sleep. At Mala’s insistence, she had to wake up early in the morning to go to the temple with Dhani. She had no interest in rituals or in visiting the temple. Yet, because of Mala’s order, she was compelled to go. Mala wished that she too devote herself a little to worship, just like Dhani.

Dhani’s gaze fell upon the orange sun rising from behind the hill, scattering its rays as though it were sending her a message of a new beginning. She felt as if something special was about to happen today. For a few moments, a wave of joy surged through her heart.

The two sisters arrived at the temple of Veerapalli. The temple’s atmosphere was serene and sacred. The air was filled with the gentle fragrance of flowers. Tall pillars supported the temple’s roof, upon which carvings of deities were etched, gleaming in the sunlight. At the entrance were ten steps. In front of the temple lay a garden where flowers were grown for worship.

“Vani, let’s first pick some flowers for the offering,” Dhani said.

“Hmm,” Vani replied nonchalantly.

They both went into the garden. Dhani began plucking jasmine flowers and placing them into a basket, while Vani picked the hibiscus flowers growing nearby.

Just then, a robust, muscular, warrior-like man, seven feet tall, walked past them toward the temple. 

Vani looked at him in astonishment.

He was Prince Bali. He was thirty years old. He wore a deep yellow angrakha and a brown dhoti, with a golden-brown silk utariya draped over him, and was adorned with simple gold ornaments—kundals, kanthmalas, and thick kadas on both wrists. A brown kamarpatta was tied around his waist, secured with an ornate gold clasp. On his forehead rested a golden and deep red safa, decorated with a gem-studded kalgi, and beneath it a tilak. His complexion was dusky, his features strong, and his hair fell to his shoulders. He had a beard and mustache, and even his chest bore hair. His presence was commanding.

With him was his companion, partially hidden behind his powerful frame. His name was Nivid. He too was thirty years old, six feet tall, fair in complexion, with a thick beard and mustache, and shoulder-length hair. His build was of average stature. He wore a blue angrakha, a white dhoti, and a white utariya, along with gold ornaments. On his forehead was a brown-and-golden safa with a gem-studded kalgi, slightly smaller than Prince Bali’s.

“Did you see that man, Didi? He’s enormous!” Vani exclaimed in wonder.

“Who?” Dhani asked, looking around.

By then, Bali had already moved ahead.

“Didi, how could you not notice such a gigantic man?” Vani said, still staring in his direction.

Dhani turned back to look at him too. Her gaze was drawn to his broad shoulders. His stature was far greater than that of ordinary men, and she too was astonished.

“Have you ever seen such a tall and broad man before, Didi?” Vani asked. “He’s certainly not from our village. He appears to be a malla-yoddha. But why has he come here? Is some competition about to take place in our village?” Vani wondered aloud.

“Vani, focus on picking the flowers,” Dhani said gently.

After a while, the two sisters, having gathered flowers for worship, moved forward to enter the temple. They began climbing the steps.  

Vani, carrying the basket of flowers, reached the entrance just as Bali came out of the temple. Seeing him up close, she stopped in astonishment. His stature appeared even more gigantic. The crowd coming and going at the temple also stared at him.  

Bali, avoiding the crowd, began descending the steps from the side. In his hand was a pink lotus flower, given to him as prasadam from the temple.  

At that moment, Dhani was climbing the last steps from the side when she suddenly collided with Bali. Dhani stumbled. She was about to fall from the steps when Bali caught her by the waist. The lotus slipped from his hand and fell near Dhani’s feet.  

Dhani looked at Bali. Sunlight was falling across his face. Her eyes met his. Suddenly, Dhani felt a surge of love for him in her heart. She gazed at him more intently. In his eyes, she sensed an attraction towards herself. His gaze lingered upon her as though he had been captivated by her beauty.

Her eyes fell upon his broad shoulders and his left arm, which was wrapped around her waist. Seeing his powerful arm, Dhani felt a momentary attraction towards him.  

But soon her eyes shifted to the people moving around them, who were watching. Dhani lowered her head and tried to pull herself back. Yet Bali’s gaze remained fixed upon her, just as before.

Dhani tried to remove his hand that was clasped around her waist, but she could not move it even slightly.  

Bali’s eyes fell upon Dhani’s delicate hand resting against his strong arm. Her touch quickened his heartbeat. His attention turned to his arm encircling her waist, which he felt no desire to withdraw. Dhani’s beauty and softness were drawing him closer.  

“Who is this woman? Such radiant beauty. Why is my heart overflowing with love for her?” Bali wondered.  

Dhani pressed harder to free herself from his arm. Watching her struggle, a faint smile appeared on Bali’s lips. Lowering his head, he finally released her.

“Devi, are you alright?” he asked. His voice was deep and masculine. His heartbeat was racing; within his heart, he was feeling love for Dhani.  

“Yes, I am fine,” Dhani replied, her voice sweet and melodious. She too felt love rising in her heart for Bali. 

Bali affectionately gazed at her for a moment, but could not speak. Noticing the people around them, who seemed to know Dhani, he paused.

He looked at the lotus flower lying near her feet and smiled softly. He bent down to pick it up. His fingers brushed against Dhani’s feet.

The sensation of that touch made Dhani feel shy, and she stepped back slightly. 

With a gentle smile, he stood gazing at her.  

“A lotus flower?” Dhani was surprised. She looked at Bali with love.  

She took the lotus flower as a sign from the Lord. She understood that he was her destined divine life partner. A great joy filled her, and that joy glimmered as a smile upon her lips.  

The two gazed at each other. Dhani wished to ask his name, but felt shy and hesitant to do so. Meanwhile, Bali too, stirred by the sudden attraction and love he felt for her, grew curious to know more about Dhani.  

But before Bali could speak to her, his eyes fell upon the people who were watching them. Dhani also became aware of those around her.  

Bali stepped back.  

“Forgive me, I did not see you,” he said.  

“No, it was my fault too. I did not see you either,” Dhani replied.  

To take his leave, he bowed his head slightly before her. Dhani too lowered her head respectfully. Then, though unwilling, Bali moved ahead with a faint smile.  

Dhani stood there, watching him descend the steps. A gentle smile lingered on her lips.  

“Didi, are you alright?” Vani asked, coming up to her.  

Dhani was still watching Bali. He turned once more to look back at her. Seeing Dhani’s gaze fixed upon him, he realized that she too felt love for him. He thought that after Dhani came out of the temple, he would speak to her. Seeing Dhani, he smiled, as if to say that he would be waiting for her in the courtyard.

Dhani sensed his feelings. She smiled softly.

“Didi?” Vani called again.  

“Yes Vani. I am fine,” Dhani said, looking at her. “Come, let’s go inside and offer our prayers,” she added.  

Casting one last glance toward Bali, she went into the temple with Vani. Bali smiled and walked down the stairs.