The Voice of OM
This time, Garud was fully conscious.
He stood within an endless void—silent, vast, and eternal. The divine pressure still surrounded him, but it was no longer unbearable. It no longer felt like it would crush him as before.
He slowly lifted his gaze.
And then—
He saw Lord Shiva clearly.
Mahadev was seated in a deep meditative posture, perfectly still, as if time itself dared not move around him. His presence alone radiated peace and dominance at the same time.
Wrapped around Lord Shiva's neck was a giant serpent—Vasuki.
The snake's breathing was slow… deep… and incredibly heavy.
Each breath felt powerful enough to shake existence itself.
Garud's heart trembled.
If Vasuki were to breathe upon the demons I saw in my dreams,
wouldn't they be destroyed in a single moment?
Wouldn't everything end instantly?
Above Lord Shiva's forehead, the half-moon shone brilliantly.
It glowed with a soft silver light, pure and calm—
a light capable of illuminating the entire world,
yet so gentle that it never hurt the eyes.
Garud felt tears well up.
Behind Mahadev rested the Trishul.
Majestic. Absolute. Eternal.
A Damru hung from it, swaying slightly, as if it carried the rhythm of creation itself.
Garud's mind shook.
I thought all of this was just a story…
A legend told by elders…
But it's real.
This is reality.
I am truly… blessed.
Overwhelmed, Garud immediately bowed.
"प्रणाम, महादेव।"
A deep, ancient sound filled the void.
OM…
It echoed across the universe—peaceful, calm, and endlessly soothing.
It felt as though the universe itself was whispering into his soul.
OM…
Lord Shiva's voice followed.
"उठो, मेरे पुत्र।"
Garud rose slowly and lifted his head.
The sound of OM continued, soft and eternal.
The Question
Gathering courage, Garud spoke.
"Why am I here, my Lord?"
"Did I do something wrong?"
Lord Shiva's calm eyes met his.
"No, my child," he replied.
"You have done nothing wrong."
The void shimmered gently.
"It is I who called you here—
to guide you."
Garud listened in silence.
"Demons will soon descend upon this world," Shiva continued.
"And you must stand against them."
Fear rose in Garud's chest.
"But I am only eighteen," he said honestly.
"How can I fight them alone?"
The Truth of His Birth
The sound of OM deepened.
"Do not be afraid, Garud," Lord Shiva said.
"You were born to protect Prithvi—
the Earth, and all who live upon it."
Garud clenched his fists.
"How can I protect the world," he asked,
"when I cannot even protect myself?"
Lord Shiva stepped forward.
Stars themselves seemed to bow.
"You are still ignorant, my son," Shiva said gently.
"Let me enlighten you."
Images flashed in Garud's mind—
The fallen tree.
The effortless strength.
"All your senses have awakened," Shiva continued.
"Your strength now surpasses that of any normal human."
The third eye of Mahadev glowed faintly.
"But this is not the most important truth."
The Heir
The universe fell silent.
"You are my Heir."
Garud's soul trembled.
"You possess my power," Shiva said,
"but your body is not yet capable of bearing its full weight."
"Right now, you are a fragile leaf."
The void shifted.
"You must become a blade—
sharp, unbroken—
forged through hardship, pain, and fire."
The Coming Darkness
Garud spoke again.
"The monsters I saw in my dreams…
are they real?"
Lord Shiva's expression hardened.
"Yes, my son."
"They will descend upon Earth."
"And you must become stronger."
Garud swallowed.
"I don't know how to fight," he admitted.
"They looked terrifying… powerful."
For the first time—
Lord Shiva smiled.
The Gift
"Do not fear, my child," he said.
"I have prepared a gift for you."
Garud's heart raced.
"When you return," Shiva instructed,
"hold the Panchmukhi Rudraksha in your hand."
The sound of OM grew warmer.
"Place it close to your heart," he said,
"and chant—"
The universe whispered together.
"ॐ नमः शिवाय"
"When you do," Lord Shiva concluded,
"the gift I prepared will awaken."
Light surrounded Garud.
OM…
The sound echoed endlessly.