King of Devas

Narada Muni's voice was smooth and enchanting, his words dripping with sincerity as if every sentence he spoke held an undeniable truth. He smiled gently, his eyes flickering as they scanned the room, looking left and right. But there was one person he did not see.

"The King of Svarga is not here?" Narada Muni asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Agni, deep in thought, replied, "The King of Svarga is preparing a counterattack plan to reclaim Svarga..."

Snap!

Narada Muni clapped his hands together, the sharp sound echoing through the temple. With a broad smile, he spread his hands in mock surprise. "A counterattack plan? Isn't that exactly what the Lord had in mind?" His eyes sparkled mischievously. "So, where is the King of Svarga?"

Without waiting for an answer, Narada Muni picked up his veena and, with a graceful motion, began to walk out of the temple, his steps light and purposeful. "Let's see if we can find him ourselves."

The Devas, momentarily stunned by his sudden action, followed suit. They abandoned their banquet, leaving the luxurious setting behind as they trailed Narada Muni through the city of Amravati, searching for the elusive Indra.

"He isn't here in Amravati or Indra's Palace!" Vayu called out as they searched, his voice sharp with urgency.

"Nothing in Swarga Mandapa either!" Agni added, his tone tinged with frustration as he scanned the surroundings.

Their search continued, but the King of Svarga remained elusive.

…

Narada Muni and the Devas searched relentlessly, their steps echoing through the vast halls of Amravati. Vayu, with his swift winds, surged ahead, sweeping through the palace like a powerful breeze. The air fluttered the shawls of the goddesses, rustled the leaves of precious trees, and carried a faint whisper as it passed by.

"Where is he?" Vayu muttered under his breath, his voice filled with concern. "Indra, where are you?"

He darted through the grand spaces, the search growing more frantic with each passing moment. Finally, as he reached Nandana Gardens, a familiar figure caught his eye beneath a pipal tree. His heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening in surprise. Vayu froze mid-air, his hands instinctively falling back as he stared, a mixture of awe and fear clouding his thoughts.

"The power of penance..." Vayu whispered, barely believing what he was witnessing.

Indra, the King of Svarga, lay beneath the Pipal tree, his arms resting behind his head in a posture of ease. His usual regal attire was replaced with simple, plain white robes, and a visible aura of ascetic power surrounded him. The very air seemed to hum with the strength of his penance. Vayu blinked, trying to reconcile the scene with his memories of the mighty King of Svarga. If he hadn't sensed the unmistakable divine power, he might have missed him altogether.

Indra is undergoing another penance...

Vayu clicked his tongue in disbelief. He knew what needed to be done. Turning on his heels, he sped back to find Narada Muni.

"Found him!" Vayu called out, his voice a mix of relief and frustration as he flew toward the sage and the Devas.

Narada Muni's eyes lit up at the news.

"Where is the King of Svarga?" he asked eagerly.

Vayu grinned mischievously, pointing in the direction of Nandana Gardens. "He's over there. Let's go."

The group, led by Vayu, soon arrived at the serene Nandana Garden. They walked toward the tranquil lake, the sight of the green pipal tree coming into view. And there, beneath its shade, lay Indra.

Narada Muni's smile faltered as he took in the sight before him. His eyes widened in disbelief. Indeed, it was the King of Svarga, but something was off. Narada Muni blinked, his gaze intense as he focused on the aura around Indra. The power of penance crackled around him, like thunder and lightning, confirming that the King of Svarga was deep in his ascetic practices.

Narada Muni exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. This was not what he had expected to find.

"I heard Garuda mention that the King of Svarga was deep into his penance before, and now it seems that he is doing penance again," Narada Muni remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.

"But I'm afraid I won't be able to wake him up like this," he continued with a thoughtful frown.

As a bewitching messenger, Narada Muni had caused trouble for countless beings primarily through his love for spreading news, and gossip, and his charm, he had a method for dealing with ascetics. However, he wasn't one to get his hands dirty himself; he preferred to let others take part in the fun. Gently strumming his Veena, he rolled his eyes and then grinned, a mischievous glint in his gaze.

"How about this?" he proposed with a sly smile. "Why don't you gather a few Apsaras and have them dance around the King of Svarga? It just might awaken him."

Narada Muni's suggestion was met with silence. The graceful, captivating figures of the Apasaras were often the most tempting distractions for ascetics, known to interrupt their rigorous practices with their sheer allure.

But the Devas hesitated. Surya remained quiet, and Vayu turned his head away in discomfort. Agni and Varuna also fell silent, their eyes flicking uneasily toward the Pipal tree where Indra sat in deep meditation.

They all remembered the last time they had seen such a thing unfold. Garuda had been cursed just for disturbing Indra's penance.

Though the Devas were on good terms with their big brother, none of them wanted to risk incurring his wrath. The consequences of interrupting an ascetic's discipline were well-known, and the King of Svarga's fury would be something to dread.

Moreover, disturbing an ascetic's penance was a direct violation of dharma.

Even the devas of Svarga, who oversaw such practices, disapproved of it.

"This isn't a good idea," Surya finally spoke up, shaking his head in dismay. "Ascetics are sacred, and Indra is no exception."

Agni, too, chimed in, his voice filled with concern. "Indra might be focusing on his penance to find a way to defeat Hiranyakashipu. It would be best not to disturb him."

Vayu nodded in agreement, his gaze turning thoughtfully toward Indra beneath the Pipal tree. "That makes sense. We may not even stand a chance against Hiranyakashipu if we try to test him now."

"I agree," Vayu continued, deep in thought. "We don't necessarily need to confront the Hiranyakashipu ourselves. There's another solution."

He turned toward the Devas. "You see, the key is to run fast enough. Even if the Hiranyakashipu can't be defeated by us, there's someone who will not be harmed by him and can get our of a dangerous situation very easily. You don't even need to be a deva for that."

"Eh?" Surya raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Varuna nodded slowly, catching the drift of Vayu's thoughts. "Oh, I see."

As realization dawned on the group, they began to nod in unison. There was indeed someone among them who was uniquely suited for such a task.

Swish, swish, swish!

In an instant, all eyes converged on Narada Muni. The Devas' gazes locked onto him, their focus sharp and unwavering.

Narada Muni, the divine messenger, held a unique power—he was cursed with no fixed abode, free to roam wherever he desired. He could travel effortlessly between the Svarga, the human world, and even the Patala itself. With such freedom, running away from Hiranyakashipu would be no challenge at all.

But even he was taken aback by what he now faced. The eyes of the Devas met him in the air—some were stunned, others surprised, while a few looked on with growing realization. The tension in the air thickened.

Narada Muni stepped back, holding his Veena close to his chest, instinctively inhaling a sharp breath. Something wasn't right. This wasn't how things were supposed to unfold.

"Narayana Narayana~," he muttered, forcing a smile onto his face as he quickly waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "I think... this matter requires further consideration!"

The Devas, all observing him closely, were unmoved. Their eyes remained clear and steady as they clasped their hands together, bowing in reverence.

Surya stepped forward, his golden aura casting a radiant glow as he addressed Narada Muni, his voice filled with urgency. "Narada Muni, the Devas are in turmoil, and the human world teeters on the brink of destruction. We need your help and intervention. Only you can talk with Hiranyakashipu can come back alive."

Vayu, with a worried expression, added, "Narada Muni, your insight has always been the light in times of darkness. Please, help us now in our moment of need."

Agni, his flames flickering with intensity, spoke up as well. "The Triloka is on the edge, Narada Muni. Without your intervention, we fear it may slip beyond salvation."

Soma, ever earnest, nodded. "Indeed, Narada Muni, your presence can bring the balance back. The humans and Devas both need your help."

Amidst the chorus of respectful requests, the sky itself seemed to shift. The clouds swirled, and a divine, smiling face began to materialize in the ether.

The creator god—Brahma.

Brahma had already heard everything. He watched as Narada Muni's mischievous plan began to unravel, and his smile deepened.

"Narada!" Brahma's voice rang out, calm and steady. "Indra is deep in his penance. Do not disturb him!"

The Devas looked on with expectant eyes as Brahma continued, his tone both gentle and firm. "You are well aware of the mission entrusted to you from the preserver of the World. This task has been given to you, and it is your responsibility to investigate the Asuras. I trust you will not disappoint Vishnu's expectations. Go as a messenger to the Asura king he will not harm you as he is bound by his Dharma as a king."

Narada Muni, who was known for causing trouble, now found himself on the receiving end of it. Brahma's words were a reminder of the divine responsibilities he could not escape.

"Pranam Brahmadev!"

The Devas of wind, water, fire, and sun lifted their heads in unison, offering their devout Pranams to the shadow of Brahma that loomed above them. Their voices echoed with reverence, and Brahma's smile widened in satisfaction.

Narada Muni, however, had little cause for celebration. The Devas, though capable, could not match his mischievousness. Yet, at this moment, he was keenly aware that they had outsmarted him. Brahma's presence, his gentle rebuke, was proof enough.

"Yes, Father," Narada Muni responded stiffly, his shoulders sinking as he gave a half-hearted bow. "I understand."

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he might just get away with it this time. But reality soon set in. Not only had Indra not been fooled, but Narada Muni himself had fallen into a trap set by these very Devas.

"I must return," he thought with a sigh. "Next time, I'll find a way around this."

But for now, he bowed once more, acknowledging his defeat with a wry grin.

Narada Muni wore a wry smile, his thoughts dancing with mischief. He shook his head, took a single step forward, and vanished into the Brahmaloka.

In the blink of an eye, his surroundings shifted. A flash of light filled his vision, and as it cleared, he was met with an unexpected sight.

A pair of cold, golden eyes locked onto his own, piercing through the very fabric of his being.

"!!!"

Narada Muni froze, his heart skipping a beat as the intensity of the gaze struck him like a bolt of lightning.

---

Enjoyed the chapter?

You can read 40 chapters ahead and get exclusive access to more content on P*treon.c*m/Marioni