The cosmic dawn brought a vast, infinite expanse into existence. Time was but a fleeting whisper in the endless void.
The material universe stirred from its primal sleep. The Trinity—Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer) took physical forms.
Brahma, the creator, spoke first. "From the ultimate Brahman (cosmic spirit), all existence emerges," he declared to the assembled devas (demi-gods), who were of his own design.
Brahma's words weaved the very fabric of creation. "The ether itself vibrates with the sacred syllable OM, the amalgamation of sound itself."
As the architect of worlds, Brahma crafted realms from his essence, drawing upon the primordial energy to form mountains, oceans, and skies, each element infused with the potential for life and wonder.
Vishnu, the preserver, reclined serenely upon the thousand-hooded serpent Sheshanaga (the primordial serpent) in the milky ocean of Vaikuntha, the ultimate destination of liberated souls.
He nodded in agreement to Brahma, as his blue form shimmered with an aura of eternal peace and calm. "I preserve the delicate balance of all things," he said. "With my chakra (divine discus) and conch, I uphold dharma (the divine law), ensuring that harmony prevails across the three worlds (Heaven, Earth, and the Netherworld."
Vishnu's role was pivotal and special in the material world. While Brahma and Shiva remained in their abodes, Vishnu manifested on Earth from time to time, as 'avatars' whenever chaos threatened to unravel the cosmic order. This was a testament to the enduring faith of the living world in divine intervention.
Shiva, perched atop the snow-capped peaks of Kailasa, remained enveloped in profound silence. As the destroyer of worlds and egos, his appearance induced fear and repentance.
Shiva's body was smeared with sacred ashes from cremation grounds, and serpents coiled around his neck like living guardians.
Nandi, his loyal bull attendant, whispered to the other ganas (followers of Shiva) nearby, "Our lord meditates deeply, withdrawn from the world's distractions. His third eye holds the fire of destruction, yet also the promise of renewal and transcendence."
Shiva's ascetic trance symbolized the cyclical nature of existence, where endings paved the way for new beginnings, embodying the profound ethos of the Sanatana (eternal culture).
The Sanatana pantheon bustled with divine beings, each contributing to the intricate hierarchy of gods, sages, and celestial entities.
Indra, king of the heavens, boasted loudly in the crystal halls of Swarga. "I command the mighty storms with my indestructible Vajra (scepter), striking fear into the hearts of asuras (the demon race)!"
His thunderbolt scepter was a symbol of power, often unleashed in battles that shook the foundations of the universe.
Agni, the fire god, crackled with energy as he responded. "I devour the offerings made in sacrificial fires, fueling the strength of the gods and bridging the mortal and divine realms."
Varuna, lord of the waters, added solemnly. "The vast oceans and rivers heed my call, binding chaos and maintaining the flow of life."
These devas (demi-gods) represented the forces of nature, each intertwined with the principles of dharma and the eternal struggle against adharma (immorality, chaos, disorder, and unrighteousness).
In the shadowy netherworlds, the asuras (demons) grumbled with resentment. "We challenge this imposed order made up by Brahma," one demon snarled to his comrades maliciously. "The devas hoard the heavens' riches and privileges, the beautiful apsaras (nymphs), and the delicious foods, while we languish below."
Sages like Vedavyasa, the great compiler of ancient wisdom, gathered his disciples and proclaimed thus to humanity. "Dharma (righteousness) must guide every action in this vast cosmos. Karma (action) binds all deeds, and only through bhakti (devotion towards God) can one attain moksha, the ultimate liberation from the cycle of rebirth."
Brahma elaborated on the grand cycles of time. "The yugas (epochs) begin from the golden age of Satya, where truth reigns supreme. Then comes Treta and Dvapara, down to the current Kali Yuga of strife and moral decay. A single kalpa spans one day in my existence, lasting billions of human years. At its end, pralaya (apocalypse) renews the universe afresh."
Suddenly, sacred texts materialized from the Brahman. They were called the Vedas, which formed the bedrock of knowledge, passed down through generations to guide humanity.
Sitting around the flame of a yajna (sacrificial fire), the monk Shounaka prophesied as follows. "A great evil is coming to haunt humans and gods alike. He will torment the living world until all hope is lost. A mighty six-faced warrior, born from Shiva's fiery essence, will rise to vanquish the forces of evil and restore cosmic balance!"
The prophecy came true. Darkness encroached Earth as the demon Taraka-sura unleashed his tyrannical rampage across the heavens. "I am unbeatable, the scourge of the gods!" he roared defiantly, leading legions of vengeful demons.
Taraka wasn't making a false proclamation. His long-standing penance had made him invincible and the master of otherworldly powers. It was not the first time an asura had appeased the Trinity to gain power.
"Brahma's boon shields me from all harm," he thundered. "Only a son of Shiva can bring my end!" Taraka toppled thrones and burned divine abodes without a second thought.
Indra (King of heaven) fled in panic, crying out to his allies, "Taraka has scorched our heavenly gardens and expelled us from Swarga! His oppression knows no bounds."
Vishnu, ever the voice of reason, noted gravely as follows. "Adharma spreads like wildfire; we desperately need the prophesied child to turn the tide."
Lord Vishnu was referring to the child to be born of Shiva, which presented certain problems.
In an urgent divine council amid the ruins of Swarga, Indra demanded action. "We must find a way to awaken Shiva from his trance!"
Narada, the celestial sage and a mentor to the gods, strummed his veena melodiously and replied as follows. "The prophecies speak of an incarnation named Parvati. She would be an avatar of Shakti, the divine source of all creation. Her birth will lead to the divine union necessary for the savior to come into existence."
Emissaries from the gods approached Himalaya, the majestic mountain king, pleading earnestly to beget a daughter who embodies divine energy. Himalaya, moved by their desperation, went to his wife, Mena.
Taraka, in his demonic lair, laughed mockingly. "No such son exists to challenge me!" His minions cheered raucously. "We shall conquer all realms unchallenged!"
Vishnu, observing from Vaikuntha, smiled knowingly. "The prophecy merely awaits its moment," he murmured. "Before Lord Shiva's true partner arrives, he must face a tragedy that has no equals."