Indra and Rishi Dadhichi pressed on, their journey through Kailash feeling more like a never-ending circle.
Kailash is so vast, and still, I can't find a place... Indra sighed inwardly. Why is it so hard to find a quiet spot where I can bask in the sun with a bit of shade and meditate?
This sacred place, full of life and energy, seemed endless, yet there was nowhere for him to practice his asceticism in peace. The frustration simmered within him.
"Why are there so many new paths here?" Dadhichi muttered, brow furrowed as his eyes traced the tangled trails winding through the forest.
Indra glanced over, one eyebrow lifting. "New paths?"
The Rishi pointed ahead, his voice laced with surprise. "Look at this—these tracks weren't here before."
They continued walking along the path, the dense forest enveloping them on either side. The air was thick with the scent of earth and growth, the trees towering above like silent guardians. Eventually, the forest gave way to a clearing.
What appeared before them was a tranquil, open space—free from the clutter of life, bathed in the warm embrace of the sun. The ground was smooth and bare, with not a single weed or shrub in sight. The sunlight fell directly onto the ground, bathing the entire area in a golden glow.
In the center of the clearing lay a massive boulder, pure white as snow. Its size was enough to comfortably accommodate two people side by side, and its surface glistened like polished marble, reflecting the sunlight in a stunning display.
Indra's eyes lit up with recognition. He quickly stepped forward, reaching out to gently touch the stone. The sensation was remarkable—smooth, cool, and perfectly flat. It felt like the ideal surface for meditation—soft yet firm, much like a bed made from the finest materials in Svarga. He could already imagine how it would feel lying there in peace.
"This is perfect!" Indra exclaimed, his voice filled with satisfaction. "This is exactly what I need for my ascetic practice."
Turning to Dadhichi, he added, "Please, don't disturb me while I meditate here."
"Of course Indra," Dadhichi agreed with a bow, his thoughts a mixture of respect and curiosity. If the King of Svarga desires this stone for his penance, perhaps he will meditate here for hundreds of years, holding it up as part of his ascetic practice.
The Rishi's admiration grew as he thought of the King's strength and resolve. After a brief pause, he clasped his hands together and excused himself, retreating quietly from the clearing.
Now alone, Indra turned his attention back to the stone.
"What a wonderful place," he murmured. Gently knocking on the boulder, he lay down upon it, positioning himself comfortably on his side. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow across the stone's surface.
With his right elbow bent and supporting his head, Indra's right leg extended straight, while his left leg was raised slightly, forming a natural curve—almost like an arch. The position reminded him of Vishnu, the protector of the world, often seen meditating in a similar repose. It's probably the most comfortable way to meditate, as I've seen him do it. I should learn from this.
Indra allowed himself a moment of quiet, the serenity of the place seeping into his very being. This is truly the perfect place for meditation... But as his thoughts wandered, a soft sigh escaped his lips. However, something still feels missing...
He closed his eyes slowly, allowing his breath to slow and deepen. His mind quieted, slipping into a meditative trance. Gradually, his body relaxed, and the stillness of the world around him seemed to embrace him. He began to feel the steady accumulation of shakti and the slow building of strength as he entered his deep meditative sleep.
…
In Svarga, the banquet had concluded, and the Devas gathered in a chamber to discuss matters of great importance.
"To counter the Asuras, the King of Svarga has gone to Kailash to perform penance," Vayu spoke first, his voice steady.
"The three Asuras are incredibly powerful," Varuna added, his tone somber. "Indra may need to undergo a prolonged period of ascetic practice."
At this, the other Devas nodded in understanding.
"With elder brother away, we must address the issue of rainfall on Earth," Varuna continued, his voice deepening with resolve.
The Devas in the room exchanged knowing glances. They had only just realized why Vayu and Varuna had abruptly left the banquet earlier.
It wasn't uncommon for a Deva to be summoned by rishis or devotees during such events, but it was rare for two powerful figures like Vayu and Varuna to leave together. At the time, they had assumed that the Wind and Water Devas simply didn't care for banquets.
Now, the truth was clear. The absence of the King of Svarga had left a gap that needed filling. The affairs of the heavens must be tended to in his absence.
"Since big brother is not here to manage things, someone must take charge," Agni, the Fire Deva, said, his voice commanding. "What do you think of Surya?"
There was a pause as the Devas considered Agni's suggestion. One by one, they nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's right!" Vayu and Varuna said in unison.
"I agree as well!" added Soma.
"Then it is decided!" The atmosphere in the room shifted, and Surya was entrusted with overseeing Svarga's affairs in the King's absence.
Surya stood tall. His divine garments shimmered in gold, and the radiant golden sun disk on his chest glowed brightly, casting a faint light around him. A warmth radiated from his very being, reminiscent of the sun itself.
"Very well," Surya said, his voice both powerful and regal. "I will handle the matters of Svarga from here on."
He stood before the gathered Devas, a commanding presence. He cast a glance around the room, his expression solemn but confident. Then, just as he was about to proceed, the door suddenly burst open, and the Gandharva soldiers rushed in, their faces frantic.
"Urgent news!" Chitrasena informed. "The Asuras are coming!"
The once peaceful atmosphere shattered like glass, as the air around them seemed to thicken with tension. The Devas exchanged startled glances, their faces instantly paling.
Surya's majestic expression faltered, his mouth falling open in shock. "What?" he murmured, disbelief clear in his voice.
Agni's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the messenger, clearly struggling to comprehend the news. Vayu and Varuna, who had been stoic up until this point, now looked at each other with panic in their eyes. The tranquility of the gathering was replaced by a heavy, palpable fear as the gravity of the situation sank in.
"The King of Svarga has just left, and now these Asuras appear in Svarga!"
Surya's voice trembled slightly, despite his best efforts to conceal it. His brows furrowed in deep concern.
"What should we do?" he asked, his gaze flicking between the Devas in the room.
He quickly regained his composure, raising his head and inquiring urgently, "How many troops have they brought?"
"Hayagriva, Madhu, and Kaitambha—are any of them here?" Surya's questions came fast, his anxiety growing by the second.
"No, none of them have come!" a Gandharva soldier replied hurriedly. "There is no army—only four Asura women. They claim they were sent by King Asura with a message for the Devraja and the Devas."
Upon hearing this, a collective sigh of relief swept through the Devas. They exchanged glances, their earlier tension dissipating slightly. While they were still unsure of the Asuras' true intentions, it was a small comfort that none of the more formidable Asura leaders had arrived.
"Hari Hari," Varuna murmured, his shoulders relaxing as he glanced toward Surya. "It seems we've avoided another war—for now."
Though Indra was absent, the Devas still felt uneasy. If the Asuras were to launch a full-scale assault, their defenses might not hold. But with only four Asura women sent as messengers, it seemed less threatening.
"Let them in," Surya said with a sigh of relief, waving his hand to signal the soldiers. "We will handle this."
The Devas returned to their thrones, sitting upright, their gazes fixed on the grand doors of the palace. Moments later, the doors swung open, and four figures glided in like shadows in the moonlight.
The Asura women entered gracefully, their steps sinuous, their forms distinct and alluring. They wore long red saris, the fabric shimmering in the light, with red gauze scarves that veiled their faces. Their silhouettes were delicate yet striking, and each seemed to carry a quiet, hypnotic charm. Their limbs, full and curvaceous, made them appear almost like fruits on a tree—ripe and lush.
At first glance, the air seemed to thrum with moist, intoxicating energy that left the Devas momentarily spellbound. The room was heavy with the scent of something unfamiliar and undeniably enticing.
As the women drew nearer, they lifted their red gauze veils, revealing their stunning faces.
"I'm Simhika~," said the woman in the center, her voice soft and melodic. With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she fluttered her long lashes, sending a jolt through the Devas' hearts. Her lips curled into a smile, one that seemed to capture all attention.
"I'm Kumorani~" chimed another, her voice sweet and almost childlike. Despite her diminutive size, there was a warmth to her presence, as if she were far more than she appeared. Her slender fingers twirled through her hair in a playful gesture, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The other two women stood equally captivating, their beauty overwhelming. They exuded an aura of allure, their charm undeniable, their very presence a temptation that stirred something deep within the Devas.
Surya's voice broke the silence, his admiration tempered by suspicion. "Their beauty is... undeniable. But why would the Asura King send such women as messengers?"
Vayu, ever cautious, furrowed his brow as he studied the women. "Beauty alone cannot be the reason for their presence. There is a deeper conspiracy here. Why use such means in a simple message?"
Agni leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he observed the women. "Yes, this is no ordinary delegation. If the Asura King wished to send a message, he could have done so with anyone. But these women..." He paused, his gaze flickering between the women and his fellow Devas. "There is something more to this, something we are not seeing."
Varuna, usually reserved, spoke with quiet authority. "The Asura King is cunning. Sending beautiful women, with their power of seduction, is no coincidence. They are not merely messengers—they are instruments, and the message they bear is likely one we need to tread carefully with."
Simhika's lips curled into a knowing smile as she noticed the Devas' wary gazes. Her voice was soft yet carried a weight of power. "You are wise, Devas. We do not come merely to deliver words... We bring more than that. A message of great importance, from the Asura King Hayagriva himself."
Kumorani's voice was playful, yet there was an underlying edge to it. "But perhaps... the beauty of the messenger is part of the message. After all, what is beauty without purpose?"
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