"Indra! Indra! Indra!"
Shiva's voice resonated through Kailasha, rippling like an ancient echo—sometimes distant, sometimes near—yet carrying an undeniable fervor beneath its calm. It wasn't just a name. It was a summons. A call that stirred the very essence of the cosmos.
This name shook the skies.
Shua! Swish! Swish!
The devas turned, their eyes wide with shock and awe. A murmur spread through their ranks like wildfire, their disbelief melting into joy.
"Indra?!" Surya stepped forward first, his golden eyes gleaming with relief and pride. His voice, usually steady and commanding, wavered slightly with emotion. "Indra… you're awake! You don't know how long we've waited for this moment!"
Vayu let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head as the wind around him stirred in exhilaration. He punched the air, his voice booming with excitement."Hah! I knew it! I knew you'd return, you stubborn fool! Svarga isn't the same without you!"
Varuna exhaled deeply, his usually composed demeanor breaking into a rare smile. His voice carried the weight of unspoken worries finally lifted."Indra, you had us all on edge… But I should've known. Nothing keeps you down for long."
Rishi Dadhichi folded his arms, his wise eyes filled with warmth. He nodded approvingly as if watching a younger brother finally find his way."So, your journey through penance is complete… You've earned this moment, Indra. Welcome back."
Then, from the side, a deep, rumbling sound filled the air. Airavata, Indra's faithful companion, raised his mighty head. His white form trembled with unrestrained joy, his trunk reaching toward his king.
"Prrr!!!"
The triumphant call rang through the heavens, a cry of devotion, of celebration—of homecoming. The devas, no longer just warriors or rulers, were simply family at that moment, rejoicing at the return of their brother.
Indra lifted his gaze, his breath hitching as he met Mahadeva's eyes, filled with divine warmt, —and saw the golden radiance pulsing in his open palm.
"Your will to endure asceticism is unshakable. Your faith is so strong that even the allure and aroma of Amrita Bhojana could not tempt you. Your devotion and resolve have pleased me."
"I shall bless you!"
"From this moment forward, so long as your will remains steadfast, your arms shall be unbreakable—capable of shattering any weapon!" Shiva smiled.
As soon as the words left his lips, a brilliant light flared in his right hand. Like the first rays of the rising sun piercing the darkness, the divine radiance descended upon Indra, flowing into him, merging with his very being.
A warmth surged through his veins.
Swish!
A faint golden glow radiated from his arms. His very flesh gleamed like a fortress bathed in dawn's first light—sacred, indestructible. His bones pulsed like the great Naga, his muscles coiling with newfound power, while the blood within him flowed like the eternal Ganges, rushing ceaselessly through his veins.
"What... what is this boon?"
Indra lowered his gaze, raising his hands slow, y—feeling an energy unlike anything he had ever known.
Crack! Crack!
He clenched his fists. The air trembled. A surge of raw strength coursed through his arms. It was as if he could crush the very weapons of the gods with nothing but his hands.
"I wonder... could my boon be powerful enough to reach the level of Trishul?" Indra mused.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. No. A reckless idea like that had no place here. He shook it off immediately—such temptation was dangerous.
Instead, he straightened his back, ready to address the mighty Mahadeva. He placed his hands together, about to speak—only to hesitate. No… something felt off.
Formalities. Respect. It wouldn't be right to remain seated while everyone else stood. As the King of Svarga, he couldn't afford to appear discourteous before Mahadeva.
With that in mind, Indra rose from his comfortable stone seat and stood tall. His posture was firm, his expression reverent.
"Pranam Mahadeva!" Indra joined his hands in devotion, bowing with deep respect.
One by one, the devas followed, their voices rising in a harmonious chant. Though the Amrita Bhojana they had offered had failed to awaken their King, Mahadeva's Ananda Nartanam had done what no offering could.
Surprise! A miracle!
Smiles spread across their faces, their hands still pressed together in devotion. Some shook their heads in sheer amazement, their hearts overflowing with joy.
Far beyond Kailasha, in the Brahma Loka, Brahma and Devi Saraswati watched the scene unfold. A soft, knowing smile graced their lips. All was as it should be.
Meanwhile, above the Kshira Sagara…
Vishnu reclined comfortably upon the serpent bed of Ananta, his radiant face adorned with a tranquil smile. His gaze, filled with boundless affection, was fixed upon his divine consort, Lakshmi, as though nothing else in existence mattered.
Yet, behind his calm exterior, a flicker of resolve stirred within him.
It was time to deal with the Asuras.
...
"You lost the entire Svarga in a dice game?!" Indra's voice trembled with shock as he processed the devas' words.
They had failed to protect Svarga. Worse yet, they had lost it without a single drop of blood being spilled.
"Indra, do not worry!"
Agni stepped forward, his voice firm and reassuring. "Our Svarga's army remains untouched—no injuries, no casualties. We can launch a counterattack at any time!"
"That's right! We must reclaim what is ours!" Vayu clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination.
Surya, standing proudly with a golden sash draped over his arm, smirked. "My divine steed has been blessed. No Asura alive can catch up to it. Even if we fail, I can escape with ease."
Indra clicked his tongue, shifting his gaze to Surya's horse grazing nearby. The seven white horses stood tall, their limbs sleek and powerful.
"How can we use your horses to defeat the asuras then?" Indra muttered under his breath.
Then, suddenly, an idea struck him. A grin crept onto his lips. "Actually, I have a brilliant plan."
He raised a finger, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. "Taking back Svarga is easy."
"What?!"
The devas turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief.
Indra chuckled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Since you're already upholding Dharma and fulfilling your karmic duties in the mortal world, why not continue? Focus on what you do best—maintaining balance and righteousness. As for Svarga, leave that to me. I'll devote myself to penance, and when I complete my penance, I'll simply make a wish to reclaim my throne."
Silence fell over the devas. Then, all at once, realization dawned upon them. Their expressions shifted—shock melting into awe.
It was so simple…
It actually made sense!
In this way, they could reclaim Svarga without ever lifting a weapon.
"King of Svarga, there's no need for you to do penance again. Why not let our mounts do the penance instead?" Varuna suddenly suggested, a sly grin playing on his lips.
At his words, the devas turned their heads in unison, gazing at their mounts grazing in the distance. It made sense. It might take a little longer, but it was undoubtedly the safer approach.
Indra shot Varuna a sidelong glance, amusement flickering in his eyes. "A clever thought, Varuna… but perhaps there's an even simpler way." He gestured toward Airavata, his ever-loyal companion. "Instead of waiting for my penance to bear fruit, why not let Airavata ask for my return as King of Svarga?"
The devas blinked in surprise before realization dawned on them. Airavata, the divine elephant, was not just Indra's mount—he was a sacred being, deeply tied to the order of Svarga. If he, with his pure heart, wished for Indra's return, the Svarga itself would listen.
Airavata, sensing the attention on him, lifted his trunk high and let out a triumphant trumpet, his voice carrying across the Kailasha's mountain peaks.
"Prrr!!!"
Indra smirked. "See? Even he agrees."
Meanwhile, in the Kshira Sagara, Vishnu, the protector of the world, lay reclining on his serpent bed. His usual serene smile gradually stiffened as he listened, and his sharp gaze grew colder. Then, he slowly sat up. Something was off. These devas were trying to slack off again. There had to be some intervention.
"Nath, what troubles you?" Devi Lakshmi tilted her head, watching him curiously.
Vishnu's expression softened, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "Let's visit Kailasha," he said with a gentle smile. Rising to his feet, he helped Devi Lakshmi sit up before stepping forward. In an instant, the space around them shifted. With a mere thought, they arrived at Kailasha.
Shiva stood before them, his tranquil form radiating power. The two gods exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions unreadable. Then, Vishnu's gaze flickered toward the devas. Indra noticed immediately, and his heart clenched. Could it be? Had Lord Vishnu come to know about his plans to sleep? Had he come to urge them into battle?
The surrounding devas tensed, their eyes darting about nervously. The atmosphere grew heavy. Indra, ever the leader, quickly composed himself. With a calm smile, he pressed his hands together in a respectful Pranam.
"Pranam Narayana!"
The other devas scrambled to follow suit. "Pranam, Lord Vishnu!"
"Pranam to Devi Lakshmi!"
Their voices rang out in unison, trying their best to mask their unease.
Amidst the chorus of Pranams, Vishnu finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of divine authority.
"There is no room for error now!" His gaze swept across the gathered devas. "Svarga is your rightful domain, your sacred home. You must reclaim it—without delay."
Though a gentle smile remained on Vishnu's lips, his tone turned sharper as he continued.
"Indra!"
The name resounded like a divine decree, echoing endlessly through the auspicious air. The devas and immortals instinctively turned their eyes toward the radiant protector of the world, their attention drawn to the gravity in his voice.
"I shall have Lakshmi prepare another Amrita Bhojana for you once more," Vishnu declared. "After partaking in Amrita Bhojana, you will be invincible in battle against Hayagriva."
Indra blinked. Amrita Bhojana?
A sudden wave of doubt crossed his mind. Wait… is he talking about that so-called divine feast? I wasn't dreaming?
He had heard the Sun Deva and the others speak of it before, hyping it up as something extraordinary. But during his penance, he hadn't experienced anything remarkable from it. Am I already can't remember that dream?
While Indra remained skeptical, the other devas were practically glowing with anticipation.
Mahadev and Mahadevi had enjoyed this sacred meal, leaving not a single morsel for anyone else. But if the King of Svarga was about to feast, surely there would be some leftovers this time. Finally, they would get a taste of its divine essence!
"We will reclaim Svarga without fail!" Surya declared, his voice burning with conviction.
"Rest assured, my Lord," Agni thundered. "As long as we stand, no Asura shall ever be your match!"
Vayu, swept up in the fervor, clenched his fists and nodded. "Yes! Victory will be ours!"
"Narada!" Indra exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Why are you always present at these moments?"
Narada chuckled. "Oh, dear Indra, how could I possibly miss such a momentous event? After all, it is not every day that the King of Svarga finds himself being outmatched in enthusiasm… by his little brother!"
Indra blinked, his gaze shifting between the devas, who were practically vibrating with anticipation.
Surya's golden radiance flared brighter than usual. Agni's flames crackled in excitement. Vayu, usually restless, was almost bouncing on his heels. Even the ever-serene Varuna had a rare smirk playing on his lips.
Why are they more eager than I am to fight Asuras? Indra wondered. And why does it feel like I'm the only one questioning this whole taking the war seriously?
His gaze landed on Airavata, whose large, intelligent eyes sparkled with unshaken loyalty. The divine elephant lifted his trunk high and let out another triumphant call.
"Trumphh!!!"
Narada gave a knowing nod. "Even Airavata knows what must be done! Indra, my friend, it seems fate has already made its decision for you."
Indra sighed, crossing his arms. "I suppose there's no stopping this now, is there?"
Vishnu merely smiled. "No, there isn't."
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