Above the endless expanse of the Milky Sea, the heavens stretched vast and unbroken.
Vaikuntha shone like a radiant pearl against the cosmic darkness, its brilliance piercing through the void like a beacon of divinity. The sacred city gleamed, its light cascading in waves, illuminating the celestial ocean below.
"I wonder how my mount, Makara, is faring in his penance," Varuna mused aloud, his voice tinged with longing.
"You must have had a difficult time during this period. When you return, you must treat them well," Agni reminded, his tone gentle yet firm.
"Yes... I can't help but overthink it. I don't know what awaits us in Vaikuntha," Varuna admitted, his heart restless.
The Devas shared a moment of quiet emotion. Their mounts had been their steadfast companions for countless ages—creatures bound to them in service and deep, unspoken kinship. To be apart for so long was a weight upon their spirits.
A sigh, deep as the currents of the Kshira Sagara, escaped his lips.
"How long has it been since I last beheld him?"
Suddenly—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Brilliant streaks of light shot across the vast, shimmering Milky Sea, tearing through space and descending upon Vaikuntha, the city of a thousand gates.
"Narayana Narayana~" A familiar voice rang in the ears of the Devas. Their gazes snapped toward the source.
From the grand gates of Vaikuntha, a lean figure wrapped in orange-red robes emerged, his arms cradling a veena. His steps were light, his presence unmistakable—the messenger sage, Narada Muni, his voice rich with devotion as he praised the Lord.
Surya's eyes widened in mild surprise. Isn't this Narada Muni, the one who was cursed by Indra? He is still in Vaikuntha?
After his infamous curse, Narada had kept a low profile, residing in Vaikuntha as though waiting for the storm to pass. And now, here he was.
"Pranam Narada Muni!" the Devas greeted, clasping their hands together in reverence.
"Pranam Devo!" Narada Muni swayed slightly as he stepped forward, his expression at ease. His eyes flicked across the gathering—then, upon not spotting Indra among them, he discreetly exhaled in relief. Turning to them with a knowing smile, he lifted his hand in welcome.
"Please, come in. Lord Vishnu has been expecting you." At those words, the Devas' eyes gleamed with renewed fervor.
As expected of the Preserver of the Universe—always watchful, always prepared. Without hesitation, they stepped forward, eager to meet the great preserver of the universe.
—
Upon the Serpent Ananta, Vishnu lay in peaceful repose, his form glowing with divine radiance. The vastness of the cosmos stretched beneath him, an endless ocean of stars, while the gentle rise and fall of Adi-Shesha's breaths seemed to hum in harmony with the universe itself.
Vishnu's eyes were closed, his slumber neither deep nor shallow, but in perfect equilibrium—his being suspended between the realms of consciousness and tranquility. A subtle smile lingered on his lip as if he were privy to some secret joy that lay beyond the world's endless cycles.
Beside him, Devi Lakshmi knelt with grace, her presence a soft glow against the night. Her hands, delicate as the petals of a lotus, moved with care and tenderness as she gently massaged Vishnu's legs. Every movement was an act of devotion, her touch speaking volumes more than any words could ever express.
She said nothing, for there was no need. Her love for him was timeless, woven into the very fabric of existence.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, as if the very universe paused to watch the quiet exchange of love between them.
As the Devas entered, their voices rose in unison.
"Pranam Bhagwan! Pranam Devi!"
...
The Devas, filled with renewed hope, approached the Preserver of the Worlds, offering their pranam one after another.
Vishnu's eyes fluttered open, his divine gaze falling upon the kneeling figures before him. His smile remained serene, calm, almost detached—yet beneath it lingered a knowing amusement.
"You have lost Svarga," he mused, his voice steady, carrying the weight of inevitability. "And Indra remains amid his penance."
His words resonated through the celestial gathering.
"But fear not. The path forward has already been decided."
His gaze never wavered as he continued, "I shall awaken the King of Svarga—he will lead you to victory."
A ripple of divine certainty passed through the Devas. Even before Vishnu had spoken, they knew his decree was absolute.
Then, his expression softened as he turned toward Devi Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune. A rare warmth touched his voice.
"Lakshmi, my beloved, prepare Amrita Bhojana for Indra."
At this, an unexpected shift occurred.
From the sidelines, Narada Muni, who had been standing in quiet observation, suddenly straightened. His ever-present smile wavered, his eyes widening with barely restrained anticipation.
"Amrita Bhojana… the celestial feast beyond mortal comprehension?" he asked, his tone reverent.
The Devas exchanged glances.
Amrita Bhojana?
What kind of divine offering was this?
While confusion settled among them, Devi Lakshmi rose with effortless grace. A knowing smile played on her lips.
"Of course, my Lord," she chuckled, her voice as soothing as the celestial rivers.
Narada's gaze sharpened a flicker of longing in his eyes.
"I once caught its scent… only once," he murmured, lost in memory. "Even from a great distance, its aroma alone stirred an insatiable hunger."
His voice grew quieter, yet his expression turned solemn.
"If the King of Svarga so much as breathes in its fragrance, he will awaken at once."
Silence fell upon the assembly.
The Devas, who had been confused moments ago, now found themselves unconsciously swallowing, their curiosity piqued.
A dish that could awaken Indra from his deep asceticism?
Vishnu's gaze lingered on Lakshmi as she departed, his smile deepening before he turned back to the expectant Devas.
"It will take hundreds of years for Lakshmi to prepare this sacred meal," he stated matter-of-factly. "Until then, uphold the order of the world… and wait patiently."
A stunned silence followed.
The Devas blinked.
Hundreds of years?!
For a moment, their divine minds stalled, teetering between disbelief and resignation.
Vishnu, ever composed, merely smiled.
Surya parted his lips slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. Beside him, Vayu, the wind Deva, frowned in concern, while Varuna, the lord of waters, remained deep in thought.
Were they going back to work… now?!
"Lord Vishnu," Surya finally spoke, pressing his palms together in supplication. He tilted his head, his golden aura dimming slightly as he pleaded, "If we leave Vaikuntha… what if the Asuras capture us?"
"Yes! If we're caught, then what?!" Vayu added anxiously, tapping his foot against the celestial ground.
He and Varuna still had their duty—to bring rain to the King of Svarga. If they were taken, how would they fulfill their task?
Vishnu merely smiled.
"The penance of your Vahanas is nearing completion," he said, his voice calm yet resolute. "I believe no Asura will be able to capture you." His words hung in the air like the chime of a celestial bell.
The gathered Devas froze, eyes widening in realization. Vishnu's declaration struck them like a thunderclap on a clear sky, shattering their doubts and opening their minds to new possibilities.
Surya's expression lit up. With a triumphant grin, he lifted the golden sash around his waist and clenched his fists in excitement.
"Excellent!" he exclaimed.
The other Devas exchanged eager glances, their initial hesitation now replaced with growing anticipation.
Their sacred mounts resided in Vaikuntha—but if they too received this divine blessing, they would no longer have to fear the Asuras.
"Your wisdom is beyond measure, Lord Vishnu. We shall wait as you have decreed."
"Our thanks, Devi Lakshmi!"
One by one, voices rose in exultation, echoing through Vaikuntha.
…
The Devas devoutly praised Vishnu before making their way to the celestial garden, their hearts light with joy.
Ananta Vana was a paradise of divine beauty—vibrant flowers bloomed in full splendor, emerald grass swayed with the breeze, ancient trees stood tall with lush canopies, and crystal-clear lakes reflected the golden light of Vaikuntha.
Scattered throughout were the sacred mounts of the gods, frolicking in blissful play.
Near the shimmering waters, Airavata and Makara lurked beneath the surface. Suddenly, an elephant trunk burst out of the lake, followed by a crocodile's gaping maw—both creatures unleashing powerful jets of water toward the shore.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A golden goat, hiding behind a massive black stone, let out a defiant bleat. Now and then, it peeked out and retaliated, spitting fireballs that hissed as they struck the lake's surface.
On the shore, graceful gazelles leaped through the air, nimbly dodging the water jets. Their slender limbs barely touched the ground before springing off again, each jump carrying a howling gust of wind. As they landed, blades of air sliced through the lake, sending ripples through the battlefield of elements.
For a moment, fire, wind, and water clashed in a chaotic yet mesmerizing dance.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out.
"Every time I wake up from meditation, I see you lot playing around again!"
A shadow loomed over the shore. Garuda stood tall, hands on his hips, his proud golden plumage glistening under the celestial sun.
"Prrrrrraaaahhh!"
In response, Airavata let out a loud trumpet, curling his trunk and sucking in vast amounts of water. With a sudden burst, he fired a pressurized water cannon straight at Garuda.
Hummm…
Garuda narrowed his piercing eyes, a smirk curling at the corner of his beak. He was no trickster, no coward—he would never launch a sneak attack.
But if someone dared to attack him first… well, they'd better be prepared for his retribution.
Especially you, Airavata, the mount of Indra
"Airavata! Instead of honoring the penance assigned by Indra and dedicating yourself to penance, you waste your time playing in Vaikuntha!"
"Enough! Today, in the name of righteous Dharma, I shall personally teach you a lesson, on behalf of the King of Svarga!"
"AIRAVATA!!"
AIRAVATA!! AIRAVATA!! AIRAVATA!!
A fierce gust erupted as Garuda spread his mighty wings. Without moving a single step, he flapped once—a howling storm roared forth.
The water blast reversed mid-air, surging back toward its origin! The lake churned violently, massive waves crashing as its surface dipped lower.
Makara, the mighty crocodile, was instantly swept away and flung through the air like a leaf caught in a tempest.
Even Airavata, mighty as he was, staggered on the edge of being blown away. But he fought back, bracing his powerful legs against the divine earth.
"Prrrrrraaaahhh!"
Airavata lifted his trunk, trumpeting in triumph.
But his victory was short-lived.
WHOOSH!
A massive wave of lake water, stirred by Garuda's storm, came crashing down upon him.
---
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