Sukanya and Sage Chyavana

Dadi: "Guddu, tonight I'll tell you about a princess who accidentally blinded a sage and then devoted her life to caring for him."

Guddu: "She blinded him? How?"

Dadi: "It was a terrible accident. Sage Chyavana was so deep in meditation that he sat motionless for years. An anthill formed around him! All you could see were his eyes glowing like two fireflies in the darkness."

Guddu: "That's kind of creepy."

Dadi: "Princess Sukanya, young and playful, was exploring the forest with her friends. She saw the strange anthill with those two glowing spots. Not knowing they were eyes, she poked at them with a thorn."

Guddu: "*gasping* Oh no!"

Dadi: "The sage cried out in pain. Immediately, a curse fell on her father's entire army - soldiers couldn't even relieve themselves! When King Saryati investigated and discovered what his daughter had done, he was horrified."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "The king rushed to the wounded sage and begged forgiveness. Chyavana, though blinded and in agony, made a demand: Sukanya must become his wife and caretaker. She had taken his sight; now she must BE his sight."

Guddu: "But he was old and blind, and she was young and beautiful!"

Dadi: "The king had no choice. The curse on his army was powerful. And here's what's remarkable - Sukanya accepted without complaint."

Guddu: "Really? She didn't cry or protest?"

Dadi: "She understood that she had caused this. Instead of resenting her situation, she embraced it with grace. She 'ministered to guests, tended to the sacred fire,' and followed all the sage's spiritual practices. Her devotion was total and sincere."

Guddu: "Did things get better for her?"

Dadi: "One day, the Ashwini Kumaras came by - the divine twin physicians of the gods, eternally young and handsome. They were amazed to see such a beautiful young woman serving an old, blind sage."

Guddu: "What did they say?"

Dadi: "'Why waste your youth on this decrepit man? Come with us! We can offer you divine pleasures and eternal youth!'"

Guddu: "What did Sukanya say?"

Dadi: "*proudly* She refused absolutely. Her loyalty to her husband was complete, regardless of his age or condition."

Guddu: "Wow. That's impressive."

Dadi: "The twins were so moved by her faithfulness that they made a different offer. 'We're divine physicians. We can restore your husband's youth. Take him into that lake. Three identical young men will emerge. If you can identify your husband, he will remain young forever.'"

Guddu: "That's tricky! How would she know which one was him?"

Dadi: "She convinced Chyavana to try. The three entered the lake. When they emerged, three identically handsome young men stood before her. The Ashwini Kumaras looked exactly like the rejuvenated Chyavana."

Guddu: "What did she do?"

Dadi: "She prayed to the Supreme Goddess for guidance. Then she noticed something subtle - the Ashwini Kumaras, being divine, left no footprints on the bank. But Chyavana, however transformed, was still mortal. His feet pressed into the mud."

Guddu: "She found him by his footprints!"

Dadi: "Exactly. She correctly identified her husband, and the twins blessed them and departed. The test was passed."

Guddu: "What happened to the sage?"

Dadi: "He remained young and handsome. He was so grateful to the Ashwini Kumaras that he promised they would receive offerings in Vedic ceremonies - a privilege they had been denied before. Chyavana and Sukanya lived together happily for many years."

Guddu: "Dadi, what's the lesson here?"

Dadi: "Several lessons, beta. First, take responsibility for your mistakes - Sukanya could have blamed the accident, but instead she accepted the consequences. Second, devotion transforms situations - what started as punishment became love. Third, loyalty is eventually rewarded - her faithfulness led to her husband's restoration."

Guddu: "And the Ashwini Kumaras tested her before helping."

Dadi: "They had to know if she was devoted for real or just waiting for a chance to escape. When she refused their offer, they knew her heart was pure. That's when they could help."

Guddu: "I want to be loyal like Sukanya."

Dadi: "Then be faithful to your promises, even when it's hard. Care for those in your charge, even when it's inconvenient. Love isn't just for easy times - it's proven in the difficult ones. Now sleep, my devoted one."

Guddu: "Goodnight, Dadi. May my love always pass the test."

Dadi: "May it shine like Sukanya's, even in the hardest moments. Goodnight, beta."