Rudra was being carried by the currents of the Narmada River. He was in the arms of Devi Narmada or with the currents of the river; no one could tell, maybe both terms were true or none at all.
But what was true was that he was changing, massive changes. He was given an opportunity that was meant to make him approach a perfect balance with the five elements of creation and life. It was not something small; these are the Panch Mahabhutas we are talking about.
The mark on his forehead that had accepted the water from the corner, the end of the Narmada River, the end that was always in contact with space and dimensions, was changing it, evolving it. Evolving it into a more perfect version, so that it could carry what it was always meant to carry.
Because the mark of Bel Patra was but a foundation, a foundation of and for the Panch Mahabhutas.
Three leaves representing three elements: fire, water, and air.
The base, stalk for Earth.
And now this mark was accepting another element, another sibling of theirs. To make itself more perfect.
Maybe it will change into five leaves mark. More balanced or maybe something else. But it would be the destiny of the mark and the thinking of Rudra that will shape that mark.
After being carried for some time, a new presence appeared at the front of the path that Devi Narmada was walking on.
And that figure was Devi Mansa.
...
"So, you gave that to him. I knew you were going to do it. You just couldn't wait. Could you. Even I could have done it, so can you tell me why you did it?" Devi Manasa said to Devi Narmada as she looked at Rudra floating near her arms.
Devi Narmada looks down at Rudra, who was at peace, and then back at Devi Manasa.
Then she said,
"Nothing, it's just." She looks back at Rudra and then,
"I thought, why not. Everyone was giving him something, some gifts, some boon of some type. I thought I too should give him something. He is my brother too, right?" She smiled while looking at Rudra, and then back at Devi Manasa.
Devi Mansa looks at Devi Narmada and, with a sigh, comes forward.
"Well, it's alright if you gave him the element, it's not like it would change anything. If it were me, or you, it doesn't matter."
She put her arms forward and gestured to Devi Narmada and said,
"Well, give him to me then. I'll take him from you. It's already time for his next lesson, and it is mine. So." She raised her eyebrows and pointed her out with her chin.
"Come on..."
Devi Narmada looks at her, then at Rudra and back at her and with a reluctant nod proceeds to give Rudra to her.
Devi Manasa, with a gentle pull, pulled Rudra closer to her. And with a final nod to Devi Narmada, started walking in another direction.
Behind her, Devi Narmada looks at their backs for a moment and then vanishes from there.
...
On the side of Devi Manasa.
She looks at the mark on Rudra's forehead, which was just a circle with so much going on in it.
"Hmm... it will take some time for the mark to manifest completely, huh?"
"But... my lecture time is going to start anytime now... won't it be a waste of time? I do have a limited time to give him his... um..." She started counting on her fingers,
"Part of the mantra, I'll have to tell him about space, life and maybe more..."
'Should I make it manifest faster? It won't be a problem, I'm just helping him, it would be alright... I guess...'
They arrive at a quiet corner of Kailash, surrounded by a forest, with a tall tree and a stone directly under the moon. What should be called a proper place of teaching, at least for a lesson with Devi Manasa. It was a serene place.
Devi Manasa put Rudra on the ground, with his back against the ground.
She looks at the embryo mark on his forehead and puts her index finger on it.
Her nails lengthened, became a sharp claw, but not the sharpness that cuts, but the pointed sharpness that gives precision.
She closed her eyes, concentrated, and started feeling the elements inside the circle.
And with her thoughts, she gave them a slight push, a push to be accepting of each other, a push to be together and attain a perfect, balanced form. The threads, the elements in the form of threads, intwined and started achieving a perfected shape and balance.
As Devi Manasa nudged the elements to be together... she nudged them in a direction, where not only did they want to be together in harmony, in balance, but it gave them a desire, a desire to be more. To have more.
For they could now tell, being together isn't their destiny. They can live together in one house, but still can't be one? They will always be a separate entity. But they don't want that now. They want perfection, more perfection than they think they could have. They wanted more.
And they knew, Rudra could give them that. He could help them realise that. And that is because he will be part of the family of one of the supreme Gods, so obviously, he could help them be more perfect.
So, they happily started coming together, so he could wake up early and grow early... so that one day he could help them realise that dream.
The circle started dissolving, it started deforming and the elements that were like threads in it. They started forming shapes, shapes like that of leaves or petals...
And Devi Manasa looks at the process with fascination... because,
Now those elements that were like leaves first, now they were achieving growth, they were becoming petals.
Each element was becoming a separate petal, a separate entity, but not to remain separate, but because they wanted to retain their individuality, but in a way that each element was equal, and so that they, once they have the opportunity, could be what they wanted to become.
The petals, each with its distinct shape, started coming together and formed a lotus with 5 petals. Each petal has a small thread-like structure that below at place of base, formed a stalk. But the twist was that, as they wanted to be equal, they decided to do something exciting, they decided that each petal wouldn't have a constant place, they'll shift with each other, so no one feels more important and decides to behave as an elder sibling. They were equal, they were one, and they will go for it; they will proceed to become one, one entity.
And with that, Rudra gets his new mark on his forehead, a five-petaled lotus. Each petal with distinct colour of its respective element, which constantly shifts its place with the others.
And Devi Manasa, who was watching him change, was astonished to say at least, because she could see it, see it with her third eye. How that mark will look in the future, she could envision it, see it.
After those elements settled down properly, Rudra's body also started changing. It was like Rudra had received unanimous approval from all five elements.
Now he will have a fast and perfect understanding of these elements with basic training and basic knowledge.
For Elements were now part of him, or let's just say that he was one with elements.
As elements finally settled in Rudra, he who was unconscious, heard a voice in his head...
"Make us one, make us perfect and find it... find the *i***...."