Chapter 31 Varaha
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"Rhaaaa!" A thunderous roar erupted from Hiranyaksha that blazed with fury, shaking the very fabric of space.
The colossal figure loomed over the world, his immense body seemingly capable of supporting the sky and pressing down the earth. He moved with deliberate force, each step creating tremors that shattered tectonic plates and fractured the land. The skies darkened as his form eclipsed the sun, advancing toward Indra like an unstoppable storm accompanied by a dark hurricane.
Perched atop his divine elephant, Indra turned to face the towering menace rushing toward him. His divine power surged in response.
With a flicker of intent, the Sahasrakavacha armor radiated brilliant light. A poisonous, green-blue beam erupted from it with a deafening roar, piercing the heavens and striking the enormous visage of the Asura above the clouds.
"Grraaahhh!" A guttural cry of agony tore through the skies as Hiranyaksha reeled from the attack. The sound reverberated across the three realms, triggering thunderous storms. The mighty being stumbled, dropping to one knee as the ground beneath him splintered from the impact.
Boom!
With an earth-shaking roar, Hiranyaksha's colossal hand ripped into the ground, splitting mountains and valleys. The terrain quaked violently as he hoisted a massive stretch of mountains—spanning tens of thousands of yojanas—and hurled it toward Indra.
Indra's armor flared brilliantly. The divine protection unleashed the venomous essence of Halahala, its radiance corroding the approaching mountains. Under the assault, the towering peaks disintegrated into smoke and ashes, scattering into nothingness.
Boom! Through the cloud of debris, Hiranyaksha surged forward, his enormous figure obscured momentarily. In a sudden leap, he closed the distance between them. His immense fist descended from the sky like a meteor, threatening to crush everything in its path.
Indra's expression tightened in alarm. Leaning backward, he unleashed another surge of divine energy.
Green and blue beams of poison erupted from his armor in a blinding cascade, forming tens of thousands of pillars of venomous light. The projectiles rained down mercilessly, each one slamming into Hiranyaksha's massive chest.
The sheer size of the Asura made him an easy target. Each toxic strike landed with unerring precision, eliciting another pained roar.
Boom!
Hiranyaksha's bloodshot eyes glowed with rage as his grotesque face twisted in anguish. His gigantic form collapsed to the ground, writhing and clutching his chest. His cries of pain echoed across the three realms, shaking the heavens.
"Indra!" His bellowing voice cracked the air, dripping with unrestrained fury. "I will kill you! I will destroy you and finally become the King of Triloka."
The earth trembled as Hiranyaksha's roar grew louder. He plunged his hands deep into the ground, ripping apart the soil and lifting it with monumental strength. His palms turned skyward, and his intention was clear—he would raise the earth itself and hurl it at his enemy.
Indra's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as his divine senses heightened. His eyelids twitched, anticipating the next move of the enraged Asura.
A ray of golden light suddenly shot up from the earth, coalescing into a delicate and graceful figure.
Her face was soft and fragile, her beauty captivating. Silky dark hair cascaded to one side, brushing against the gentle curves of her form. Clad in a shimmering golden saari, her allure was undeniable, radiating a charm that seemed almost otherworldly.
She was Bhumi, the Earth Goddess.
Tilting her head slightly, Bhumi blinked her luminous eyes, her expression filled with urgency and desperation. She clasped her hands tightly, as though trying to steady herself, and stepped forward. Her voice trembled slightly, but the resolve behind her words was unshakable.
"King of Svarga, I beg you—please!" she said, her tone raw and imploring. "Hiranyaksha's madness is tearing the Earth apart. He's drunk on power, destroying everything in his path. I can't bear it anymore—none of us can."
Her gaze locked onto his, pleading for understanding. "You have the strength to stop him, to save us. Without you, countless lives will be lost. I wouldn't come to you like this if it weren't the last hope. Please... intervene before it's too late."
As the Goddess of the earth, Bhumi could feel every tremor, every scar that Hiranyaksha inflicted upon the land. The devastation wrought by his rampage was a pain she bore deeply.
Indra stared at her silently, the corners of his lips twitching as if unsure how to respond.
The beautiful goddess was mistaken. Though his Sahasrakavacha could bring Hiranyaksha to his knees in agony, it lacked the power to end the Asura's life. Bhumi had pleaded with the wrong person. This was not a task for him.
The solution? Varaha. But why isn't he here already?
Indra's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on him. Of course, the Varaha wasn't just any creature—it was Vishnu's avatar.
With a subtle nod, he offered the Earth Goddess a reassuring smile.
"As you wish," he said.
Bhumi's face lit up with hope. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him, her expression brimming with gratitude and anticipation.
But instead of preparing to face Hiranyaksha himself, Indra clasped his hands together, straightened his posture, and cleared his throat. His voice rang out as he addressed the heavens with divine fervor.
"Lord Vishnu! Through penance, I have attained the wisdom of the Vedas and discerned the weakness of the Hiranyaksha. I beseech you to descend in your wild boar incarnation and bring an end to this menace!"
The invocation echoed across the realms, resonating with power. The mention of the Vedas carried immense significance—it was the embodiment of universal wisdom, the eternal essence of Brahman, the source of enlightenment and truth.
Earth Goddess Bhumi watched in awe, her heart swelling with hope, as the skies seemed to tremble in response to Indra's call.
In the sky, Vishnu descended, radiating divine majesty. A regal crown adorned his head, and a golden robe draped elegantly over his form. The Kaustubha gem on his chest shone brilliantly, casting a celestial glow, while his four arms emitted an aura of light that illuminated the heavens.
Vishnu's gaze fell upon Indra, his expression marked by mild surprise.
He had intended to act on his own, yet Indra's warm and timely invitation touched him. A faint smile graced his lips, his lotus-petal eyes gleaming with benevolence. Slowly, he raised his right hand, palm facing Indra.
"As you wish," he declared, his voice as soothing as the first rays of dawn.
From Vishnu's palm, a cascade of dazzling golden light poured forth, resembling a rain of flames and blossoms. The radiant spectacle descended gently to the earth below.
Hum hum! A low, resonant hum vibrated through the ground.
From the golden light emerged a stout wild boar cub. It grew rapidly, its form swelling as though nurtured by the very winds. In mere moments, it had outgrown the tallest mountains, which now appeared diminutive beneath its colossal feet. Its back arched, limbs stretched, and it transformed into a towering giant with the body of a man and the head of a boar.
"I Am Varaha!" The wild boar incarnation of Vishnu, Varaha, had descended to the mortal realm to vanquish Hiranyaksha.
"I am here to end you, Hiranyaksha!" he bellowed, his tusks gleaming like polished steel, exuding an aura of unshakable confidence.
With long, thundering strides, Varaha crossed vast expanses of mountains and rivers, his determination unwavering. Each step resonated like the tolling of great bells, shaking the very earth beneath him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hiranyaksha, noticing the commotion, straightened his massive frame. His fiery golden eyes burned with anger as he cast a venomous glare at Indra before turning his attention to the newcomer. His expression twisted into one of contemptuous arrogance.
Hiranyaksha sneered at Varaha's bold proclamation.
"You? A mere beast?" His laughter boomed like an earthquake, shaking the heavens and the earth. "Even the mighty Sudarshan Chakra failed to end me! The King of Svarga's Halahala poison could not break my skin! Who dares challenge me now? Who has the power to vanquish me, the King of Asuras?"
He threw his arms wide, unleashing a roar so violent that distant mountain peaks crumbled to dust. Waves of destruction rippled through the earth, reducing the ground beneath his feet to ashes.
But Varaha remained steadfast, his boar-headed visage filled with divine purpose. He clenched his fists, each one like a mountain, and stepped forward with thunderous determination.
"I can kill you!" Varaha declared, his voice ringing with the weight of dharma itself. The boar's tusks gleamed with an unearthly light, and his gaze was fixed firmly on Hiranyaksha. The very air seemed to vibrate with his resolve.
Vishnu, speaking through his avatar, allowed a faint smile to curl at the corners of his lips as he regarded the arrogant Asura. "You boast of your invulnerability, Hiranyaksha, but your pride has clouded your judgment. Did you truly think yourself clever when you asked for boons to shield you from men, devas, asuras, and the creatures of the earth? Yet, in your arrogance, you failed to account for the boar when you requested your boon of invulnerability."
His voice grew firm, resonating with the undeniable authority of the Preserver of Worlds. "This form you see—Varaha—is no mere beast. It is the embodiment of dharma itself, the will of the universe given shape. Your sins have overflowed their vessel, Hiranyaksha. The time has come for you to face the consequences!"
Varaha's tusks glinted, and the ground trembled as he charged forward, the embodiment of divine justice.
With a sudden motion, Varaha clenched his five colossal fingers, each as thick as heavenly pillars. Raising his fist high, he struck with overwhelming force, driving it straight into Hiranyaksha's exposed chest.
Boom!
Hiranyaksha's limbs flailed as he was sent hurtling through the air, crashing violently into the ground. The earth trembled under the impact, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
The ground beneath him collapsed, forming a deep crater, and Hiranyaksha's face twisted in agony. He lowered his gaze, his expression darkening as he beheld the shattered remains of his golden armor. A massive fist-shaped indentation marred his chest.
"What! What are you!"
Propping himself up, Hiranyaksha staggered to his feet, his horror mingling with rage as he glared at the creature before him. How could this have happened? He—the indomitable Hiranyaksha—was injured! His divine blessings had been broken!
Varaha stood firm, his towering figure exuding unshakable resolve. His deep voice reverberated like a drumbeat across the battlefield.
"I am neither a Deva, nor an Asura, nor a human, nor any being fashioned by Lord Brahma! I am the Varaha, Avatar of Vishnu!"
Without waiting for a response, Varaha charged forward, his massive form tearing through the air with terrifying momentum.
Hiranyaksha's eyes widened, his face contorted in fury and desperation. The golden light in his hand flared, transforming into a colossal sledgehammer. He gripped it tightly and roared, rushing to meet his foe.
"And Now I Shall Kill You!"
Varaha's hand materialized an equally massive sledgehammer. The two weapons collided with a deafening crash.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The violent sounds echoed through the human world. Mountains crumbled, their peaks collapsing into clouds of dust. The ground beneath them groaned, fracturing under the immense force of their battle.
Goddess Bhumi watched from a distance, her hands clasped tightly in front of her chest. Her delicate face was etched with worry, her body trembling as the earth quaked beneath her feet.
Indra approached her, his movements calm despite the chaos around them. Gently, he placed a reassuring hand on her soft, snow-white arm. His voice was steady as he said, "Let us step back. We must not interfere. The Lord is carrying out the dharma."
Airavata, Indra's celestial elephant, raised his trunk high and trumpeted in excitement, seemingly confident in Varaha's victory.
Goddess Bhumi's worry remained. Her gaze lingered on the battlefield, her voice trembling as she asked, "Can Varaha truly defeat Hiranyaksha?"
Indra blinked and gave a confident nod. "Don't worry Devi! Varaha is the avatar of Lord Vishnu." he declared, his voice filled with assurance.
"In every age, the boar has symbolized raw tenacity and resolve. When faced with danger, it uses its surroundings to its advantage, its strength guided by unwavering instinct. And when it enters battle, its tusks become instruments of fate—striking with precision and power, offering no chance for escape or mercy."
Indra's words carried a calm certainty as he stood beside Bhumi, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. His gaze was steady, a quiet strength that reassured the Earth Goddess. Her worried expression softened, though the tremor of the quaking ground still tugged at her nerves.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Varaha, Vishnu's wild boar incarnation, heard the King of Svarga's declaration. A deep chuckle reverberated from the boar-headed giant as he turned his determined gaze toward Indra.
"Your words honor me, King of Svarga," Varaha said, his voice like rolling thunder. "Let them guide my resolve."
The battlefield seemed to hold its breath as Varaha stepped forward, his massive form casting an imposing shadow. Though no walls braced his back, his tusks gleamed like celestial blades, poised to end the chaos.
Crack!
Varaha met Hiranyaksha's hammer strike head-on, the collision sending a deafening shockwave through the air. The ground splintered beneath their feet, but Varaha moved with unrelenting purpose.
With a mighty surge, he lunged forward. His tusks, glimmering with divine brilliance, pierced the air with deadly precision, aimed to end the chaos and restore balance to the world.
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Chapter 32 Death of Hiranyaksha
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Varaha charged straight for Hiranyaksha's giant body. A sharp, cold gleam shot upward, as though piercing through the clouds and splitting the void itself, striking Hiranyaksha's neck with unerring precision.
Once thought invincible and impervious to harm, the Hiranyaksha's body crumbled under the blow. His neck, which even Sudarshan Chakra couldn't mar, yielded as if it were fragile as glass. The skin sank was torn in layers, and with a deafening crack, blood erupted like a storm. A crimson mist filled the air, staining the sky.
A torrential rain of blood fell, painting the earth below in a macabre hue.
Boom!
Hiranyaksha's giant hammer crashed into the ground, powerless in his grasp. Blood splattered across his face, distorting his expression into one of agony and rage. He staggered back, clutching his neck with one trembling hand while using the other to shove Varaha away.
For the first time in his existence, Hiranyaksha felt the cold grip of mortality.
He was dying. He could not accept it. He wasn't the King of Triloka yet.
Desperation ignited within him. His bloodied eyes turned wildly, locking onto Indra, the King of Svarga.
"No!" A sliver of hope gleamed in his frenzied mind. His voice roared like thunder, "Amrita! Amrita! Give me the Amrita!"
Hiranyaksha's cry shook the skies, his blood pooling like rivers and feeding a storm of scarlet clouds. The mountains quaked, the earth split, and the world itself seemed to fall apart, creating a vision of absolute destruction.
Even now, he still had some strength left! Indra's expression darkened, his divine senses recognizing the chaos bearing down on him. He raised the Vajra, his thunderbolt-like weapon, as divine energy surged through him.
The Sahasrakavacha, Indra's celestial armor, pulsed with its power. Wisps of green-blue Halahala poison coiled like serpents around the Vajra. The weapon's tip glowed as thunder and lightning merged with venom, forming a concentrated, deadly force.
With a burst of divine might, Indra hurled the Vajra. The poisonous lightning struck Hiranyaksha's massive form, engulfing him in an incandescent storm of agony.
"Rhaaaa!" Hiranyaksha clutched his head, his roar splitting the blood-red clouds and shaking the earth. His pain was so intense it threatened to strip him of his sanity.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Varaha, undeterred, charged forward. His colossal form moved with unstoppable momentum. With his fangs gleaming like celestial blades, the wild boar struck again, driving his tusks deep into Hiranyaksha's back.
At that moment, the assembled sages and Devas hastened to the mortal realm.
The once-familiar land was now unrecognizable. Fractured earth, shattered mountains, and rivers choked with debris stretched across the horizon. A blood-red mist hung in the air, staining the world with an ominous crimson hue. Yet even amidst this devastation, the colossal form of Hiranyaksha loomed in the distance, the flashes of divine lightning revealing the source of this apocalyptic scene.
Rishi Brihaspati fixed his gaze upon the wild boar, Varaha. In his reflective eyes, the boar's radiant, golden aura shimmered, and within it, a familiar figure began to manifest—the smiling visage of Lord Vishnu himself.
In that instant, the sage recognized the divine truth. The wild boar was no mere beast; it was an incarnation of Vishnu. Brihaspati's voice trembled with awe as he spoke, "This is… the Yogic Shakti of Lord Vishnu! This is his incarnation—Varaha!"
His revelation spread quickly among the Devas, who turned their astonished eyes toward the battlefield.
"It must have been the combined might of Varaha and the King of Svarga that brought Hiranyaksha to his knees," Brihaspati concluded, still in shock.
The Devas murmured their agreement, their gaze shifting to Indra, the King of Svarga. Draped in thunder and lightning, Indra wielded the Vajra with unyielding determination.
"What a fearless and heroic figure," Vayu, the god of wind, exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "Even the mighty Hiranyaksha cannot withstand his power!"
As the forerunner of the Devas, Vayu swelled with pride. Yet a question lingered in his mind, prompting a wistful sigh. "Do you think the Indra left on Airavata to guide Hiranyaksha to the Lord Vishnu's incarnation deliberately?"
Suryadev's brow furrowed in doubt. "Could it be?" he wondered aloud. "Indra, for all his bravado, can be impulsive, proud, and quick-tempered. But when faced with an opponent he cannot defeat, he knows when to retreat."
"Unless…" Suryadev straightened his posture, his eyes narrowing as realization dawned. "Unless he had a plan all along!"
A flicker of pride lit his face as he smiled. "It must be his new divine armor!"
Surya's voice brimmed with triumph. "Yes! Sahasrakavacha has absorbed the Halahala poison, making it immensely powerful."
Surya nodded emphatically, his tone carrying the weight of certainty. "Indeed, everything is unfolding under the careful guidance of the King of Svarga!"
Agni chimed in, his voice steady and assured. "Well said! That is absolutely true!"
The road lay shattered, where the Varuna's wrath had cleaved through buildings.
Soma stood in stunned silence for a moment before nodding. If everyone believed it, then it must be true. Indra had clearly orchestrated this outcome, manipulating Hiranyaksha as if the Asura were merely a pawn in his grand design.
"So, the King of Svarga had a plan all along!" Soma finally exclaimed, a note of awe in his voice.
Hearing the conviction in the words of the Devas, the Brihaspati's eyes gleamed with understanding. He quickly retrieved his pen and began recording the momentous events.
"The King of Svarga," he murmured as his pen danced across the parchment, "guided by the wisdom of the Vedas, lured the Asura King Hiranyaksha to the Bhuloka. This allowed the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Varaha, to descend. Through their combined strength…"
Sage Brihaspati wrote with an elegant flourish, his script flowing like a dragon and serpent in perfect harmony.
...
...
On the battlefield, Hiranyaksha's bloodshot eyes widened, his final, trembling gaze locking onto Indra. His massive body trembled as his life force ebbed away.
"My brother... Hiranyakashipu… will avenge me!" he rasped, his voice a furious blend of rage and despair. "Revenge shall be…"
With a deafening crash, Hiranyaksha's colossal form crumpled to the ground, sending shockwaves that rippled through the very fabric of the human world.
Let it be an oath, or let the world bear witness—the Asura's shall rise again.
The earth trembled under the weight of his lifeless form, his colossal corpse now a monument to his defeat.
Varaha, the wild boar incarnation of Vishnu, stood victorious. A serene smile graced his face as he folded his hands in reverence and bowed slightly toward Indra.
"Indra!" Varaha said, his voice rich with gratitude. "The Trimurti cannot intervene directly in the world, bound by our karmic duties. But when one who is dear to us calls for help, as you did, we are compelled to answer."
With that, Varaha bent down and seized Hiranyaksha's enormous body. Taking purposeful strides, he began his journey toward the Milk Sea, his towering figure crossing vast stretches of the human world with ease.
The Devas watched in astonishment, their expressions filled with wonder and confusion. They could not fathom what Varaha intended to do.
"I'll follow and see what happens," Surya said, breaking the silence.
...
Viprachitti's voice cracked with shock. "Hiranyaksha is dead!"
Simhika's eyes narrowed in anger and confusion. "The king is gone…"
Puloman growled lowly, his voice full of suspicion. "Did Vishnu kill him?"
Viprachitti, his loyalty unshaken, glared at Puloman. "The Devas couldn't have done this. At least not alone. Only Vishnu could have killed him. We must avenge him." His words were filled with both grief and resolve. The Asuras had lost their king, and now they would seek retribution.
Simhika, ever the supportive wife, placed a hand on Viprachitti's shoulder, but her gaze flickered to Puloman, sensing his rising ambition. She warned, "Puloman, now is not the time for power struggles. We need unity."
Panic rippled through the Asura army, and their once-imposing ranks began to crumble. The Gandharvas, who had been on the defensive, now found themselves watching the Asura army fall apart.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Varaha, carrying Hiranyaksha's corpse, reached the Kshira Sagara. With a mighty heave, he cast the body into the waters. The colossal splash sent waves surging through the sea, scattering countless Asuras in every direction.
Their arrogant king, once a symbol of their might, had been discarded like refuse. Fear gripped their hearts as the scene unfolded.
"We need to seek out Hiranyakashipu. He is the one who can avenge his brother. We should let our king's last wish known to his brother."
Simhika nodded, her gaze hardening. "We must find him before the Devas can strike again. We cannot allow our enemies to think they have won."
Puloman, his voice tinged with uncertainty, spoke up. "What if we run? Save ourselves. We don't know what the Devas will do next."
Viprachitti glared at him. "No. We are not cowards. We go to Hiranyakashipu. He will know how to fight back. Our king's death will not be in vain."
Simhika placed a reassuring hand on Viprachitti's shoulder. "We stay united. We find Hiranyakashipu and bring him the news."
Puloman hesitated, then growled. "Then let's move quickly. The Devas might already be on their way."
The cries of terror echoed as the Asuras fled, their morale shattered by the sight of their fallen leader and the immense power of their enemies.
...
...
The Asura army crumbled in an instant, their ranks dissolving into chaos.
Puloman's eyes flickered a glint of surprise momentarily crossing his face. Hiranyaksha is dead at last!
His thoughts turned to Hiranyaksha's twin brother, Hiranyakashipu, who was still engrossed in rigorous penance to earn boons from Brahma. Puloman smirked to himself—foolish dedication to such penance would ensure that no one from the Danava clan could rise to power for a long time.
My hard days are finally over, Puloman mused. He was weary of his role as King Danava; it was time to advance to the next stage of his ambitions.
"Puloman- the King of Asuras—that title has a nice ring to it," he murmured with a sly grin.
"Retreat!" Puloman commanded, waving his hand to signal the retreat. The disordered Asura army obeyed, pulling back in utter disarray.
Amid the chaos, Simhika's panicked voice rang out.
"Svarbhānu! Where are you son!" she called desperately, searching for her son. The tumult of the battlefield swallowed her cries, and there was no sign of Svarbhānu.
"Let's go!" Viprachitti urged, grabbing her wrist tightly. He tugged at her with urgency, trying to pull her away from the frenzied scene.
"Husband, Svarbhānu… he's our son…" Simhika froze, anguish etched on her face.
Viprachitti turned to her, his deep gaze filled with both sorrow and resolve. "If our son is lost, we can still hope to begin again. But if I lose you, Simhika, I will have nothing!"
His words struck her heart like a thunderclap, and despite her despair, she allowed herself to be led away, leaving the battlefield behind.
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Svarbhānu deceitfully quaffed the amrita proffered by Mohini, thereby achieving immortality as two beings despite being beheaded immediately after: his head as Rahu and his body as Ketu.
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Chapter 33 Bhumi-Devi's Request
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Simhika's radiant eyes dulled, her expression blank and dazed, as hesitation clouded her delicate features.
"Besides, Svarbhanu is a master of Maya!" Viprachitti reminded her, his tone resolute. "In this chaos, no one will be able to find him."
He stepped closer, his voice calm but insistent. "Let's go. He's clever—perhaps he'll reach home before us."
Simhika snapped out of her stupor at his words. She turned to her husband, her gaze helpless, her pink lips pressed together in thought. Slowly, she nodded.
She was more than just a mother; she was a strategist, and now was the time to stay composed.
"I just hope Svarbhanu is safe..." she murmured, her voice tinged with quiet worry.
Together, they melted into the retreating Asura army, blending seamlessly into the crowd as they began their escape.
...
...
"Victory!"
"We've won!"
The jubilant voices of the Gandharvas echoed through the sky, their triumphant cries resounding across the Kshira Sagara. Joyful laughter and dancing filled the air, celebrating their victory.
Among the Gandharvas, one armored in golden gear raised a magical weapon high, his eyes glinting with both cunning and confusion, mixed with a look of pride.
"Foolish Gandharvas!" he muttered to himself. "They haven't yet seen the full power of my Maya. All I need to do is follow them back, and with my illusionary maya, I can drink the Amrita too, and become immortal!"
He smirked, his mind racing with ambition. "I will be the first Asura to drink the Amrita. And once I do, the throne of the Patalaloka will be mine forever!"
"Everyone praises King Danava Puloman for his intelligence, but compared to me, he's a fool!"
Svarbhanu felt a surge of excitement, shaking his shoulders in glee. Unlike the foolish Asuras, who only knew how to act on brute force, he knew how to use his intellect to his advantage.
Meanwhile, Varaha's actions remained uninterrupted. He waded through the milk sea, his focus unbroken, as he made his way toward Kurma.
Clasping his hands together, Varaha suddenly lifted the massive Mandara Mountain.
With a powerful whoosh, Kurma transformed into a flash of golden light and soared into the distance.
Deep in the Milky Sea, Vasuki sensed the movement. His many heads swayed slightly, each spitting out snake-like messages, understanding what Vishnu's incarnation was about to do.
Mandara Mountain, the pillar of the Triloka, stood at the center axis of the Triloka, spanning Svarga, Patalaloka, and the Bhuloka. It was time for the mountain to return to its rightful place.
In the tusks of Varaha, Mandara Mountain was torn from the back of the turtle. As Varaha trampled across the milk sea, he gazed upwards, heading straight for the void above.
Boom!
A cataclysmic earthquake rippled through the Triloka. Mandara Mountain stretched across billions of layers of space, cutting through Pataloka, the human world, and Svarga, returning to its rightful center.
"Thank you, Lord Vishnu!"
Varaha smiled, revealing his two sharp fangs. He clasped his hands together, transformed into a beam of golden light, and disappeared.
"It's finally over!" Devi Lakshmi sighed with relief. Her face, radiant like the moon, gleamed with a soft smile. Her cheeks glistened slightly with warmth as she held Vishnu's hand, her joy evident in her expression.
Vishnu blinked, looking at her fondly. "There are still a few things left, but I trust that the Indra and the devas will take care of them."
His gaze met Lakshmi's, and with a slow, deliberate gesture, he raised his hand. Light began to pour from his palm. Wherever the light touched, a vast, clear space unfolded.
The sea of clouds rippled and danced in the newly formed space, sweet melodies echoed in the air, and auspicious colors filled the sky. Flowers bloomed, their vibrant petals swaying in the breeze. Thousands of golden gates appeared, gleaming brilliantly, leading straight toward a magnificent palace.
"What a breathtaking sight! Where is this place?" Goddess Lakshmi exclaimed, covering her lips in surprise.
"Vaikuntha," Vishnu replied with a warm smile. "I call it Vaikuntha. This is the place we'll return to. Our home"
He took her hand gently, guiding her toward the beautiful palace that awaited them.
…
…
Peace had finally returned to Triloka.
In the human world, however, violent tremors shook the land. The colossal Mandara Mountain swiftly pierced through the human world, returning to its rightful position at the center once again.
"Mandara Mountain has returned to its original position!" Indra thought, his mind racing.
While Mandara Mountain had been restored, the battlefield where the war had raged remained in ruins. The earth was cracked into countless jagged pieces, pitted and scarred. Trees were uprooted, and animals were trampled underfoot by the chaos.
Endless waves of seawater began flooding the broken land.
The Goddess of Earth, Bhumi, her delicate face filled with concern, tilted her head slightly. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest and looked at Indra with pleading eyes.
"Indra, I pray that you use your divine power to restore the earth!" Bhumi implored.
Indra hovered in the air, his hand resting on his waist. With a confident wave of his hand, he responded in a relaxed tone, "Do not worry, Lord Vishnu will take care of everything."
Now that Vishnu had vanquished Hiranyakashipu in another incarnation, Indra believed the rest of the aftermath would also be handled by Vishnu's divine power.
Bhumi nodded gratefully, and the two of them joined the other Devas.
At that moment, Vayu rode in on his divine chariot drawn by Wind Horses. He rushed toward the Devas and announced loudly, "Varaha has left Mandara Mountain after returning it to its place. I do not know where he has gone now. Plus the Asura army has run away to Pataloka."
Indra's expression faltered. "Ha, so everyone has left?"
Indra was momentarily taken aback. Varaha had disappeared after defeating Hiranyakashia. Would they now be left to clean up the mess in the human world?
"Could you not pray to Lord Vishnu for help?" Indra inquired, his tone carrying a hint of frustration.
Surya furrowed his brow slightly and responded, "I have offered my prayers and asked for help, but the Lord Vishnu has yet to answer."
At this, a subtle unease crept over Indra.
What is the Preserver of the World doing? If he is not intervening to restore the balance of the earth, why has he suddenly withdrawn from our reach? Could it be... that he is preoccupied elsewhere? Indra glanced at Bhumi, who was looking at him expectantly, her face filled with pleading concern.
"Indra..." Bhumi's voice was soft, almost pitiful.
It seemed they were the only ones left to take action.
"Let's help the Bhumi-devi restore the earth. It's our responsibility as the devas," Indra said, his voice firm.
He turned his gaze downward, taking in the devastation below. After the battle, the human world had been torn apart. Some land had sunk beneath the sea, while other pieces had broken off into islands. Only seven relatively large sections of land remained, encircling Mount Mandara.
"Devas, we must reunite these Continents," Indra commanded.
"Yes!" The Devas responded in unison.
Varunadev controlled the floodwaters, forcing the sea to retreat. Agnidev extinguished the fires still smoldering in the mountains. The Surya, Vayu, and Soma joined by Indra, worked together to piece the islands back into the fractured earth.
Boom!
Indra's divine power surged from his hands, transforming into ropes of thunder and lightning, lifting the islands from the sea and setting them back into place on the earth.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces... Although the islands were vast, they were nothing before the combined strength of the Devas.
As the Devas worked, the shattered earth slowly came together, forming seven broad continents around Mount Mandara.
"Finally done!" Indra exclaimed after several months of hard work. His eyes brightened, and he let out a relieved sigh.
Through these months of effort, his power had grown significantly, accumulating at a pace far quicker than usual. The divine energy he'd gathered now felt as though it had taken nearly a hundred years to amass.
"That's good too!" Indra thought to himself, gazing at the results with pride.
Mount Mandara now stood at the heart of the human world, surrounded by the Seven Continents.
The northern continent was vast, its terrain undulating with mountains stretching in all directions. The eastern continent was crescent-shaped, while the western continent mirrored its form, creating a striking contrast. The southern continent resembled the shape of a chariot.
This southern land was especially fortunate, as much of its life had survived the destruction, with towering Jambu trees flourishing here.
Indra's gaze sharpened, his focus narrowing on the seven continents below. An inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over him, striking his mind with sudden intensity.
"Isn't this..."
