King of Devas

"No Astra and Shastra, Dev, Asur can kill me!"

Nishumbha's booming voice echoed across the heavens, his colossal figure barreling toward Indra like a living storm. The Asura's every step shook the ground beneath them, confidence radiating with the unyielding arrogance of his supposed invulnerability.

Indra's eyes narrowed. The golden glow of his irises flickered, his expression calm but calculating. Nishumbha's words repeated in his mind like a riddle meant to confound a lesser deity.

This blessing... It's surprisingly simple to unravel.

If no Astra and Shastra couldn't harm him, Indra thought, then the answer was clear: Don't use weapons at all. If the divine and demonic energies offered him immunity, then Svarga, the celestial realm, would serve as his battlefield.

As these thoughts churned, the air before Indra shimmered with the force of Nishumbha's approach. The Asura's body surged forward, a living wave of destruction. His fist, as large as a mountain peak, swung with enough momentum to sunder the earth.

Boom!

Indra moved with divine precision. The golden light of his Sahsrakavacha armor flared as he slung his bow across his back, raising his arms in readiness. His skin, shimmering like molten gold, shone brighter than the midday sun. Muscles coiled like the Naga kings of the Nagaloka, and with a single motion, he unleashed a punch that rippled through the fabric of reality.

The impact was cataclysmic. Nishumbha was hurled backward, his enormous form crashing into the sea of clouds that stretched across Svarga.

For a moment, silence reigned—broken only by Nishumbha's guttural laughter as he pulled himself up.

"You can't kill me!" he snarled, baring jagged teeth. His voice carried a mocking edge as if daring Indra to try again.

With a roar, Nishumbha lunged forward, hands outstretched, aiming to crush Indra in his grip.

But Indra stood unshaken.

From behind the chaos, another figure emerged—Shumbha. Smaller in stature but no less dangerous, he darted from Nishumbha's shadow. His eyes gleamed with cunning as he leaped into the air, both hands gripping a magic blade that shimmered with an eerie light.

"Attack his knees!" Shumbha roared, descending with the force of a falling star.

The blade flashed as it sliced toward Indra's knees, but before it could connect—

The Sahsrakavacha armor ignited. Bluish-green light blazed outward, and with it came the searing, toxic glow of Halahala. The venom's energy crackled like chained lightning, sending waves of agony through Shumbha's body. His attack faltered, and in his moment of weakness, Indra struck.

A golden foot shot forward, impossibly fast. The air itself roared in protest as the kick connected, sending Shumbha spiraling through the sky.

Boom!

The Asura's body arced like a rainbow, crashing into the distance with a force that rattled the heavens.

Meanwhile, Nishumbha's sneer turned into a pained grimace. Even he was not immune to the poisonous aura radiating from Indra's armor. The briefest touch had sent him recoiling, his immense form staggering backward.

Indra's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

"My Sahsrakavacha armor bears the venom of Halahala," he said, his voice calm, yet brimming with divine authority. "Its light alone brings pain. Its touch ensures destruction."

The battlefield stilled, and the Asuras were left writhing in agony. Above it all, Indra stood radiant, his golden figure shining like a beacon of unyielding power.

The Asura before Indra let out a harrowing scream, collapsing onto the ground in agony. Its massive frame trembled as it writhed in pain, unable to withstand the radiant force of Indra's presence.

Indra smiled, a glimmer of satisfaction in his golden eyes. "The venom of Halahala. Even its faintest light causes unbearable pain. A single touch ensures certain poisoning."

He cast a glance at the two Asuras struggling nearby. Neither had even laid a hand on his divine armor, yet both were already incapacitated by the mere radiance of the Halahala's light.

"Not as resilient as Hiranyaksha," Indra remarked, his tone almost dismissive. "Their pain tolerance is disappointing."

Without hesitation, Indra bent down, his hand closing around the spindly calf of one fallen Asura. The creature thrashed weakly but was powerless against the god's overwhelming strength.

As Indra's grip tightened, his form began to shift. His figure expanded, towering and colossal until his size dwarfed the Asura entirely.

Now, Indra stood like a mountain against a mere mound, an elephant before a lion, a tiger looming over a helpless wild dog.

With a roar of effort, Indra swung the Asura's body in a wide arc, wielding it as effortlessly as one might swing a cloak. Left and right, he slammed the flailing creature against the storm-darkened clouds. Each impact reverberated through the heavens, a deafening rumble echoing like a divine drumbeat.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"This Asura," Indra mused, a grin spreading across his face, "makes a fine weapon and shield. The balance, the weight... it's perfect. I'm getting better at this at the moment."

He chuckled, his booming laughter filling the sky as he swung the Asura like a war hammer, crushing everything in his path. Clouds dispersed in chaos, and the battlefield trembled under Indra's relentless might.

...

The Kshira Sagara stretched endlessly beneath the blazing chariot of the sun. Its dark, abyssal waves churned violently, their frothy peaks glinting under the searing rays of the sun. The celestial chariot, drawn by seven radiant horses, galloped across the stormy waters, each hoofbeat leaving shimmering trails of sea mist in its wake. The reflected brilliance of the sun painted a golden path over the enigmatic black waters.

Surya clung to the edge of the chariot, his usually composed demeanor shaken. He cast nervous glances over his shoulder, his fiery gaze laced with unease.

"Faster, Aruna!" Surya urged, his voice tinged with panic.

Aruna tightened his grip on the reins, spurring the celestial steeds to an even greater speed. The chariot surged forward, a streak of light against the Milk Sea's darkness. At last, their eyes fell upon a figure standing ahead—a silhouette both unexpected and familiar.

"Narada Muni!" Surya exclaimed, relief washing over his golden face.

The celestial sage, cradling his veena, turned abruptly at the sound of his name. His expression froze, caught between recognition and hesitation.

"Ah... Lord Surya," Narada said awkwardly, his eyes darting from the chariot to the abyssal sea around him.

"Thank the heavens!" Surya called out, waving his hand to signal Aruna to halt. The chariot slowed to a graceful stop beside the sage. "Narada Muni, I can't believe you're unharmed!"

Narada offered a nervous chuckle, adjusting his grip on the veena. "Narayana Narayana. It's fortunate indeed."

"Quick, get in!" Surya leaned over, extending his hand toward the sage. "We're heading to find Lord Vishnu and plan our next move to rescue Svarga!"

Narada hesitated, but seeing the urgency in Surya's gaze, he allowed himself to be pulled into the chariot. "Narayana Naryan," he murmured reverently as he climbed aboard.

Surya grinned, his relief palpable. "I didn't think you'd escape the Asura legions unscathed! You're truly fast, Narada Muni."

Narada's smile faltered slightly as he settled into the chariot. The memory of his escape lingered, a far cry from the Sun God's heroic assumptions. The truth was far less dignified—when the Asura legions descended, Narada had discreetly slipped away amidst the chaos, avoiding confrontation entirely. It seemed ironic, even laughable, that his retreat had brought him face-to-face with Surya in the middle of the Kshira Sagara when he was deciding where to go.

"Yes, well... I was fortunate," Narada replied, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

Surya gripped Narada's arm with surprising force, his golden eyes blazing with determination. "Come! We'll find Lord Vishnu, and together, we'll reclaim Svarga!"

Narada winced inwardly at the Sun God's vice-like grip but managed to maintain his genial smile. "Of course. Lord Vishnu will surely have a plan."

As the chariot surged forward once more, Narada cast a fleeting glance back at the Milk Sea, wondering if perhaps his escape from the Asuras had been the easy part after all.

Three figures soared through the celestial skies, carried by the sacred vehicle. Below them, the Milk Sea shimmered endlessly, its dark waves reflecting the divine glow of the heavens. Suddenly, a magnificent golden shrine materialized above the sea, radiating brilliance that seemed to hold countless mysteries and ethereal beauty.

A faint black speck appeared in the distance, growing larger as it approached, its wings flapping with purpose.

"Garuda!"

Aruna was the first to recognize the approaching figure. His voice carried a mix of surprise and joy.

"Brother!"

Garuda also spotted Aruna and called out in astonishment. Despite their differences, the bond between them was unshakable—they were brothers, born from the two eggs laid by Vinata. Aruna, the elder, had emerged prematurely, while Garuda, the younger, hatched fully developed, brimming with power.

"Garuda!"

Surya clasped his hands together, his radiant eyes filled with hope. "Thank goodness you're here! Hiranyakashipu's boon is quite overwhelming. We need the Lord Vishnu's intervention. Please, ask the Lord to help us defeat Hiranyakashipu!" Surya's voice was fervent, his head bowed in a low prayer.

Garuda's powerful wings stilled as he hovered before the group. A solemn expression crossed his face as he shook his head. "The Lord is in Vaikuntha, just beyond here," Garuda said, gesturing toward the resplendent shrine in the distance. "But He has decreed that He will not intervene. Hiranyakashipu has not yet violated the dharma. You must return."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.

"Is there truly no way?" Aruna stepped forward, his hand grasping Garuda's arm. His golden eyes pleaded with his brother. "Garuda, are you certain the Lord will not act?"

Garuda looked at his elder brother with a mix of pity and helplessness. He sighed deeply before replying, "The Lord said… the time has not yet come."

Aruna lowered his gaze with a sigh, his shoulders slumping in resignation. Surya, too, seemed disheartened, his earlier hope dimmed.

But Narada Muni, ever curious and restless, leaned forward eagerly. His eyes sparkled with intrigue as he gazed past Garuda toward the divine abode. Standing on tiptoe, he craned his neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Vaikuntha.

"Narayana Narayana!" Narada exclaimed with a wide grin. "Is that the Lord's new adobe, Vaikuntha? Oh, what grandeur! I haven't been inside yet!"

His excitement provided a stark contrast to the somber mood of the others, his curiosity unshaken even in the face of divine restraint.

Narada Muni's expression shifted to one of surprise as he instinctively raised his foot, ready to leap off the Sun Chariot. But before he could act, a massive golden wing unfurled before him, blocking both his view and his path.

"By the way," Garuda said, his voice steady yet firm, "the Lord has a message for you, Narada Muni. He instructs you to remain with Surya Dev and continue aiding the Devas. When the time comes, you will be called to Vaikuntha."

Garuda curled his lips slightly, his tone tinged with a subtle satisfaction as he lowered his wing. He silently thanked the Lord for sparing him from a trip to Svarga. The thought of encountering Indra again was enough to make his feathers bristle. Narada Muni, on the other hand, was a dependable ally—but under no circumstances could he be allowed into Vaikuntha now.

"Wait, what?!" Narada Muni was stunned, blinking in disbelief.

Surya, his face heavy with disappointment, shook his head. "It seems we have no other choice but to return. Lord Vishnu must have His reasons for this decision."

Turning toward Aruna, Surya gestured resolutely. "Let's go back to Svarga. We must inform the King of this news without delay."

Aruna nodded in understanding, bidding a quick farewell to Garuda before commanding the Sun Chariot forward.

As the radiant chariot surged into motion, Garuda watched his elder brother and Narada Muni depart. He noticed the sage's lingering gaze toward Vaikuntha, his longing palpable even as the distance between them grew.

"Huh~ That's perfect!" Garuda exhaled in relief, a bright smile spreading across his face. He flapped his wings vigorously, the golden light emanating from his feathers shining brilliantly. With Narada Muni bound for Svarga to assist the Devas, Garuda could remain in Vaikuntha, ever close to the Lord.

"Cool!" he thought, his heart soaring as high as his flight.

The Sun Chariot raced across the heavens, its seven horses galloping at divine speed. The sacred vehicle blazed with endless brilliance, piercing through layers of space and cutting through the veil of darkness like the first light of dawn. Its destination: Svarga.

Standing tall on the chariot, Surya peered into the distance. His radiant face was lined with worry, his voice tinged with urgency.

"The Legions are crumbling!" he exclaimed. "Svarga cannot withstand this assault. We must act quickly. Hasn't Indra already fled to Brahma Loka?"

His panic was evident as the Sun Chariot soared onward, leaving trails of light across the vast cosmic expanse, heading straight for the embattled Svarga.

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