Chapter Text
Once, the universe was just a vast void. There was nothing to be seen around. There was no life and no creation. The first seed of creation started when Sadashiva and Adya Parashakti came together. Their union gave birth to a new creation and from that very moment started a love story that would shape the universe for lifetimes to come.
They existed together as not two but one. As 'Ardhanarishwar'. The form that proved that Shiva and Shakti are one. On the right side was Shiva who represents Purusha or Man who is the outer appearance. He is the body. The one who works. In his right upper hand was his Trishul and lower hand was in the Vara mudra. The left side consisted of Shakti who represents Prakriti or Nature (woman). She is the soul. The one who makes the body work. In her upper left hand, she held a lotus and her lower hand was in Abhaya mudra. She is the energy that rejuvenates the still mind which is man. Man without nature is like a corpse and nature without man has no purpose. Both are one. Shiva and Shakti completes each other just like man and nature.
But the bliss of unity didn't last long for them. Due to Brahma's request, they had to separate so that he could take the individual energies of Shiva and Shakti and create men and women in their images. Now the primordial couple of the universe stood aside each other near the peak of the snowcapped mountains of Kailash, faced with the difficult choice of seperation.
"Didn't know that we had so little time together," Shakti sighed. Shiva came closer and grasped her shoulders.
"Time can never be controlled, my love. It's destiny. Even if we are time personified, we too cannot go beyond what is destined for us"
Shakti cradled his face with her hands and wiped the tear that rolled down his cheeks.
"But I do intend to keep my promise. I have promised you that I will be with you in every form and shape and I will come back to you. No matter what. You are my destiny and nothing can keep us apart. It's my vow."
Shakti smiled which Shiva returned and nodded. He touched her forehead with his own and whispered," I love you. I will always love you."
He had to step back as he saw Shakti vanishing from in front from him as she headed to Suryaloka where she returned to her abode of Manidweep where her supreme form Bhuvaneshwari resided. Shiva looked around to see his Kailash empty. Dejected, he sat down to meditate. He will open his eyes again only for her.