She walked with a quiet determination
Her fair feet kicking up the dust
The golden bells at her ankles tinkling cheerfully
Reverberating in the silence surrounding her
Slowly, she stepped on to the hot embers
Her soft flesh burning
Not once did she wince
Not once did she cry out
Her silent spectator—a mere distance away—looked on
And she looked at him, a fire in her eyes
A triumphant look
Quickly replaced by profound sadness
The fire licked at her body
But not one inch of her burned
She was a flaming goddess
The time was up
Slowly and steadily, with an unwavering look
She stepped down and walked towards him
Her blistered feet silently sifting the dust
He held out his hand, she walked past him
Her agnipariksha—symbol of love and devotion
was over
Her sacrifice was made….
