King of Devas

In the celestial city of Amravati, the Devas gathered in the grand palace, their laughter echoing through the halls. The banquet table was laden with food and drink, surrounded by goddesses who toasted and sipped on Soma wine, their voices mingling with the golden light that filled the space.

A brilliant flash of light appeared at the entrance, announcing the arrival of Sun God Surya. His golden sleeves shimmered as he entered, his radiance filling the room. He made his way to an empty seat, the light around him flickering like the sun at high noon.

Vayu, with a playful grin, raised his glass and called out, "Surya, what took you so long?"

Surya smiled, his posture straightening slightly, a gleam of warmth in his eyes. "Sanjna was worried about me, so I stayed with her for a while, until she finally drifted off to sleep. You see, I used to travel across the skies every day, brighten all corners of the world. But tonight, she asked me to stay. She couldn't help but worry about my safety. So, I thought it best to stay by her side for once and give her some comfort. Now, with her resting peacefully, I can finally enjoy this soma and relax, truly relax."

A chorus of laughter filled the hall, the Devas well aware of the deep love between Surya and his wife. Their relationship was the subject of many whispered tales in the divine realms.

Surya, now seated comfortably, lifted his glass and gestured toward the far end of the table, where Rahu sat with his serpent tail coiled elegantly behind him. "Rahu, a toast to you!" Surya said with a warm smile. "How are you adjusting to life here in Brahmaloka? Is it better than your time in Patalaloka?"

Rahu's grin widened, his mischievous eyes twinkling as he tilted his head back. "I'm getting quite accustomed to it—so much so that I almost forget what Patalaloka even feels like." His voice carried a playful note, and with a fluid motion, he raised his glass high. His serpent tail swirled around the wine goblet, moving with a grace that seemed almost hypnotic.

Soma, always the lively spirit of their gatherings, leaned in with a mischievous grin of his own and raised his glass. "Hahaha! The two nodes of the moon you control, Rahu, are indeed formidable. When they align, they swallow the light of both me and Surya. But do not worry, we'll regain our brilliance soon enough, as we always do."

Rahu's laugh echoed through the hall, wild and carefree. "Ah, Soma, don't fret! Even if I swallow your light, I'll spit it back out in no time. And if you ever need anything—whether it's a little chaos or a reminder of my power—just call on me! I am always ready for some mischief."

Surya and Soma exchanged amused glances, the camaraderie between them clear. With a shared chuckle, they raised their glasses in agreement, their voices in unison: "Cheers to that!"

The three Devas clinked their glasses, the sound ringing clear through the hall like the chime of a bell. They drank, and for a moment, the entire temple seemed to pause in a moment of divine luxury and revelry, the golden light of the Devas shimmering brighter than ever.

…

Kshira Sagara stretched out, its ethereal waters bordering the serene realm of Vaikuntha. In the heart of this sacred place, Vishnu lay on his divine bed, propped up on one elbow, his head resting gently in his hand. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady, as he drifted between the realms of sleep and meditation, lost in quiet contemplation.

But then—

A sudden shift.

His eyes snapped open, focused, piercing through the fabric of the cosmos. He stared intently into the human world.

The world below had fallen into unnatural darkness. The sun was absent, the moonlight extinguished, and the winds were eerily still. Sounds were muted as if the very essence of life had been swallowed whole. Fires refused to burn, and rivers lay stagnant, devoid of their usual flow.

For the Devas, Asuras, Rakshasas, and Yakshas, such disturbances were of little concern. Their power shielded them from the subtle ripples that troubled the mortal realm. But there were countless beings weaker than these, and for them, the world was growing perilous.

Vishnu's gaze shifted toward Svarga. There, a group of Asuras had built a lavish city, indulging in fine wines and sumptuous feasts, basking in the comfort of their ill-gotten paradise.

A heavy sigh escaped Vishnu's lips, a look of concern shadowing his usually serene face.

"Husband, are you sighing for Hiranyakashipu?" Goddess Lakshmi asked, her delicate voice full of tenderness, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Vishnu's expression grew troubled as he looked up at her.

"Hiranyakashipu has seized Svarga for himself," Vishnu replied gravely. "He has banned the humans from offering them Yajana and prayers to Devas and me. This could lead to catastrophe in the human world. Without their prayers the devas will grow weaker and weaker sooner or later they won't be able to do their duties. If we wait for him to fully rebel against the Dharma, the mortals may not survive long enough to see the end of it."

Lakshmi's brow furrowed, a glint of concern flashing in her eyes. "Who does Hiranyakashipu hate the most?"

Vishnu's reply was instant, almost reflexive. "Me, and Indra."

Lakshmi's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Then why not send other Devas to challenge him? After all, they have drunk the Amrita and are immortal. Let them try. Even if they can't defeat him, they can always retreat."

Vishnu chuckled softly at her suggestion, a warm smile forming on his lips. "Ah, then let's summon the Devas back."

He paused for a moment, his expression shifting to one of quiet confidence. "As for the divine power, the Devas lack at the moment... they reside in Brahmaloka. I'm certain that Brahma will offer them his help."

A tender smile graced the corners of Vishnu's mouth as his gaze softened, focusing on Lakshmi. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the entire cosmos seemed to pause in the warmth of their shared understanding.

Together, they smiled, a silent promise of what was to come.

Brahmaloka.

"Naryana Naryana~"

The sound of a deep, respectful bow echoed in the air as Narada Muni, the messenger sage, emerged from his meditation. His eyes flickered with curiosity as they darted from side to side, a mischievous glint dancing in their depths. A smile tugged at the corners of his chubby face as he considered the message that had just entered his mind.

During his meditation, he heard the voice of Lord Vishnu, clear and resonant, calling for his assistance.

"Lord, I would be happy to help you!" Narada Muni murmured with a grin, as though already anticipating the task before him.

With a flourish, he reached for the garland that hung around his neck and slowly rose to his feet. A burst of light swirled around him as he summoned his veena, the divine instrument appearing in his hands. His movements were deliberate and graceful, Narada Muni walked toward the temple where the Devas were gathered, preparing for their second round of celebration.

Within the temple.

The Devas, having just finished their first round of divine libations, were preparing for the second. As beings of immense power, they could drink as much as the oceans themselves. However, in Brahmaloka, even they were mindful of their limits—none of them dared to become intoxicated.

"Don't be in a rush—drink slowly!" Surya laughed heartily, his voice rich with mirth.

The temple was filled with an air of luxury and joy, the Gandharva musicians on either side playing their instruments in a harmonious symphony. The beautiful goddesses danced gracefully to the music, their movements so fluid and ethereal that they resembled peacocks with their wings spread wide, a vision of grace and beauty.

Ding ding ding~

Suddenly, the sound of a veena being played pierced the air. The music was jarring, out of place, and so harsh that it sent ripples of discomfort through the temple. The Devas winced and instinctively covered their ears as the delicate rhythm they had been enjoying was abruptly shattered.

"Narayana Naryana~"

Narada Muni, with his veena cradled in his arms, strode into the temple with his usual wide grin. The sound of his music was so discordant that even the usual serenity of Brahmaloka seemed to flinch.

The Devas turned in unison, their faces a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"By the gods… the sound is so harsh!"

Their eyes widened, and they stared at Narada Muni in disbelief. Despite carrying his veena every day, the sage's playing was notoriously off-key and unpleasant. How could someone with such divine instruments produce such a cacophony?

"Pranam Narada Muni!" Surya and the others clasped their hands together in greeting, bowing respectfully despite their discomfort.

"Pranam Devo!" Narada Muni returned the gesture, his hands joined in salutation. His gaze swept over the gathered beings, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

After a brief pause, he spoke with a gleam of purpose in his eyes. "I was meditating when I heard the will of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu has taken control of Svarga, and the human world is in peril. I have come to ask the Devas to take action and restore order to the mortal realm."

The atmosphere in the temple shifted instantly. The Devas, once full of laughter and merriment, now froze. Their expressions turned solemn as the weight of Narada Muni's words settled upon them.

The air grew heavy with unspoken thoughts, as they processed the gravity of the situation.

"This... us?!" Surya's face contorted in a bitter frown, and the light that usually radiated from his form dimmed. He subconsciously placed a hand on his lower back, where phantom pains lingered. The memory of his sacred chariot nearly torn apart by the fleeing Gandharvas surged back. His magical energy had been drained in that chaotic moment, and the sting of it still haunted him.

"I'm afraid we are no match for Hiranyakashipu," Surya murmured, his voice laced with concern.

Vayu, ever straightforward, nodded gravely. "The Devas haven't rested yet."

"We are also suffering from a lack of faith from the human world," Agni added, his tone heavy with weariness.

Water God Varuna spread his hands dramatically, leaning back against his throne, his expression mournful. "We're no match for him without the power of our divine faith. What do we do now?"

Narada Muni chuckled softly and waved a dismissive hand.

"Oh, the Lord only asked you to test your strength," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If Hiranyakashipu stops you, you can always retreat. If he doesn't, then you've fulfilled your duty."

The Devas fell silent for a moment, considering his words.

"Is that all?" Surya frowned, deep in thought. "But who will be the first to go? We can't all just sit here."

The Devas exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to proceed.

"The Lord didn't specify," Narada Muni said with a sly smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He tilted his head playfully and held his veena with one hand. "But among the Devas, there is one who stands above all—the King of Svarga, Indra."

His grin widened as he spoke. "Only his divine power and physical prowess can truly challenge Hiranyakashipu. He is the best candidate for the task."

The Devas stared at Narada Muni, their expressions shifting from confusion to realization. There was no denying the truth of his words.

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