"True," said Aniruddha. "So they performed and Simantonnayana to bless the mother and child. When Madhav took his first steps outside, they celebrated Nishkramana . When he ate his first grain of rice, the Annaprashana was held with joy. And when they shaved his head for Chudakarana , the barber whispered, 'This boy will be wise.'"
"Yes," said Aniruddha, stroking her hair. "And now, this story is yours to carry."
Mita looked at the manuscript. "So the ten rituals are not just rules. They are a story."