Narayani: True Story of A Shakti

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A passionate and accomplished freelance writer, columnist, blogger and writing coach, Monica Gupta wears multiple hats with effortless grace. She is the proud author of two published works, Illuminating Darkness and a historical fiction novel, Daughter of Luharu. She is also the co-editor of an award-winning anthology on spirituality, Pause and Pen: Whispers of the Soul. Monica crafts women-centric narratives that resonate deeply with readers; her literature not only entertains but also sparks contemplation. In addition to her literary pursuits, she's a devoted nature lover and a doting mother to her two sons.

This record of Narayani's life came about serendipitously; almost like divine intervention.

In 2019, during my visit to the Rani Sati temple in Jhunjhunu, I was performing the 108 pheres around the sanctum while chanting the Narayani Chalisa when I heard my conscious mind ask, Who is she? What is her story? What makes her godly? Do you know?

Although I had worshipped Rani Sati Dadi since my childhood, I had no answers except that she was our kuldevi, she had committed Sati, and she was Uttara's reincarnation. This certainly didn't satisfy my mind. I wanted to know more. This was my divine call-to know Narayani, the girl who became Rani Sati Dadi. Except for a few facts, the web didn't have too much information available.

I picked up the Narayani Charit Manas from a bookstore nearby, but I struggled to read and understand the Hindi poetic verses in it. I was instantly reminded of Tony Morrison's words, 'If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it'. I was reminded of Luv and Kush. Had they not sung the Ramayana, would the Ayodhyawasis have realised their fault? Would Ram know the truth? Would the world know of the Ramayana and its characters? Probably not!.

I immediately got down to my research with a conviction to tell the world Narayani's story; the becoming of Rani Sati Dadi. As I belonged to the same community that worships her, the elderly were my main source of information. When I spoke to the present and future generations, they only had the broad facts, not the nuances that made up the inspirational parts. I decided to write for these future and contemporary readers. To bring the story out from the temples and share it internationally. To do so, I realigned my perspective of her. I started seeing Narayani as a human and decided I had to write a modern-day retelling of her story.

**Contents and Sample Pages**