"Unrighteous actions, no matter how powerful, will always lead to retribution. Uphold dharma, for the strength of purity and devotion can overcome even the mightiest of evils."
In the mirror dimensional Earth , Bhairav and Murthi ventured through a surreal and treacherous landscape, a realm where reality itself seemed to shift and distort. Their quest was to locate the first fragment of Nagraj Takshak's soul, divided into nine parts and scattered across Earth. This mission was crucial for restoring balance, as the fragments' influence was already causing turmoil among the people.
Bhairav, embodying the avatar of Ananta Sesha, spoke to Murthi with a tone of urgency. "These fragments are not just powerful relics; they are the key to maintaining the balance. If someone with dark intentions were to gather them, it could lead to untold chaos. We must prevent this by retrieving them before they fall into the wrong hands."
As they navigated through the desolate and eerie land, it became apparent that Nagraj Takshak had woven a complex web of deception and danger to protect his soul fragments. The terrain was filled with deceptive illusions, each more intricate than the last. Every step was fraught with peril as the landscape seemed to shift unpredictably, testing their resolve and cunning.
They encountered fierce guardians, some of which appeared as monstrous beings, while others were mere illusions designed to mislead and confuse. These guardians were not merely obstacles but manifestations of Takshak's cunning, each designed to exploit their weaknesses and test their wits.
Despite their efforts, every time Bhairav and Murthi believed they were close to finding a fragment, they encountered a new set of challenges. Each fragment was cleverly hidden behind complex riddles and magical barriers that required both intelligence and strength to overcome.
At one point, they reached a seemingly deserted cavern where an ancient inscription hinted at the location of a fragment. As Bhairav approached to decipher the clues, the cavern walls began to shift and distort, revealing a series of false paths and traps. It became clear that Takshak had anticipated their arrival and had set these elaborate traps to protect his soul fragments.
As they persevered through these trials, they began to realize the extent of Takshak's cleverness. The demon had anticipated every move they might make and had prepared countermeasures to protect his soul pieces. Each time they thought they were making progress, new obstacles appeared, designed to delay and frustrate them.
In a particularly tense moment, as they found what seemed to be the correct path, a voice echoed through the cavern, resonating with a dark, mocking tone. "So, you seek my soul fragments? You are but pawns in a game I have mastered. Each step you take is carefully planned to ensure you never find what you seek."
Bhairav, undeterred, responded with determination, "Nagraj Takshak, your schemes may be clever, but we will not be swayed. We seek not only to find these fragments but to restore balance and prevent the chaos your influence brings."
The voice, laden with a sense of cold satisfaction, warned them of the trials yet to come, acknowledging their persistence while hinting at further challenges. With renewed resolve, Bhairav and Murthi pressed on, knowing that every step forward was fraught with danger and that Takshak's cleverness would continue to test their abilities.
As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth of illusions and traps, they remained steadfast in their mission, fully aware that their quest to retrieve the soul fragments was far from over. Takshak's ingenious defenses had made their journey arduous, but their commitment to restoring balance kept their spirits high.
Here Aditya continues his Ravana 's Story to Arsh and his Friends
Seeing the youthful and lovely girl who was given over to austere practices, he was overcome by desire and enquired
of her laughingly:—
"'Why, O Blessed One, hast you adopted a life so ill-fitted to your years? Assuredly such vagaries do not agree with
your beauty, O Timid Lady, a beauty that nothing surpasses, and which inspires others with desire, should not be
hidden.
"'Whose daughter art you, O Fortunate One? From whence springs your way of life? Who is your consort, O Youthful
Lady of lovely looks? He with whom you are united is fortunate indeed! I beg of you to tell me all; why these
mortifications?'
"Being thus questioned by Ravana, that young girl, radiant with beauty and rich in ascetic practices, having offered
him the traditional hospitality, replied:—
"'My Sire is named Kushadwa ja, a Brahmarishi of immeasurable renown, the illustrious son of Brihaspati, whom he
equals in wisdom. I, his daughter was born of the speech of that magnanimous One, whose constant pursuit is the
study of the Veda; my name is Vedavati. At that time, the Devas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas and Pannagas
approached my sire to ask for my hand but my father did not wish to give me in marriage to them, O King of the
Rakshasas, for the reason which I shall now unfold to you; listen attentively, O Lion among Heroes!
"'My Sire had chosen Vishnu, Chief of the Gods, Lord of the Three Worlds Himself, to be my consort and on this
account he would not permit me to wed any other. Hearing this the King of the Daityas, Shumbhu, proud of his
strength, was highly provoked and, during the night, while my father slept, he was slain by that wicked one. My
unfortunate mother, who till then, had been so happy, embracing my father's body, entered the fire.
"'Now I desire to fulfil his will regarding Narayana; it is He to whom I have given my heart. With this intention I am
undergoing a rigid penance. I have told you all, O King of the Rakshasas; Narayana is my lord; I desire no other than
the Supreme Purusha. For the sake of Narayana, I have undergone these severe mortifications. You are known to me,
O King, go hence, you the offspring of Paulastya. By the grace of mine austerities I know all that has taken place in
the Three Worlds.'
"Thereupon Ravana, dismounting from his chariot, overcome by the darts of the God of Love, once more addressed
that young girl of severe penances, saying
"'O Lady of Lovely Hips, you are presumptuous in harbouring such an ambition; it is to the aged that the
accumulation of merit accrues, 0 You whose eyes resemble a fawn's. You are possessed of the beauty of the Three
Worlds, O Timid Lady, but your youth is passing away; I am the Lord of Lanka and am called Dashagriva1 Become my
consort and enjoy every delight according to your whim. Who is this whom you callest Vishnu? In valour, asceticism,
magnificence and strength, the one you lovest cannot compare with us, O Fortunate and Youthful Lady!'
"As he spoke thus, Vedavati cried out 'For shame! For shame!' and thereafter addressed that Ranger of the Night
further, saying:—
"'Who, had he any wisdom, would fail to pay homage to the Supreme Lord of the Three Worlds, Vishnu, Who is
universally revered, save you, O Indra among the Rakshasas?'
"At these words of Vedavati, that Ranger of the Night seized hold of the hair of that young girl, whereupon Vedavati,
in indignation, cut off her hair with her hand which had been transformed into a sword.
Burning with anger, she, as if she would consume that night-ranger, kindled a brazier and, in her eagerness to yield
up her life, said to him:—
"'Soiled by your contact, O Vile Rakshasa, I do not desire to live and shall throw myself into the fire before thine eyes.
Since you have affronted me in the forest, O Wretch, I shall be reborn for your destruction. It is not possible for a
woman to slay an evil man and, if I curse you, my penances will be rendered void; if, however, I have ever given
anything in charity or offered any sacrifice, may I be of immaculate birth and the noble daughter of a virtuous man.'
"So speaking, she threw herself into the fire that she had ignited, and straightway a rain of flowers fell.
"Vedavati is the daughter of Janaka, her supposed father, O Strong-armed Lord, and your consort, for you are the
eternal Vishnu. That woman, who, in anger, formerly cursed the enemy who resembled a mountain, destroyed him
by appealing to your supernatural power. Thus that goddess was reborn among men, springing up like a flame on the
altar, from a field which was turned by the blade of a plough. First she was born as Vedavati in the Golden Age and
subsequently, in the Silver Age, she was re-born in the family of the magnanimous Janaka in the race of Mithila, for
the destruction of that Rakshasa."
"Vedavati having entered the fire, Ravana remounted his chariot and began to range the earth once more. Having
reached Ushirabija, he beheld the King Marutta performing a sacrifice in company with the Gods.
"A Brahmarishi named Samvarta, the brother of Brihaspati himself, conversant with the tradition, was assisting
amidst the Celestial Host. Perceiving the Rakshasa, rendered invincible on account of the boons he had received, the
Gods, fearing an outrage on his part, assumed the shape of animals.
"Indra became a peacock, Dharmaraja a crow, Kuvera a chameleon and Varuna a swan. The other Deities having
escaped in a like manner, O Slayer of Your Foes, Ravana penetrated into the place of sacrifice like an unclean dog.
"Approaching the king, Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas said to him:—
"'Fight or submit!'
"Then the monarch replied, 'Who art you?' to which Ravana, with a sneering laugh, answered:—
"'I am charmed with your simplicity, seeing you dost not flee before me, Ravana, the younger brother of Dhanada. In
the Three Worlds can there be any other who is ignorant of my strength, I who vanquished my brother and carried
off his aerial car?'
"Thai the King Marutta answered Ravana, saying:—
"'Forsooth you are highly fortunate that you have triumphed over thine elder brother in combat. None in the Three
Worlds can equal you in glory, yet unrighteous deeds can never be commended. Having committed this foul act, you
dost preen thyself on having vanquished your brother! What course of asceticism didst you follow formerly that has
earned you this boon? I have never heard aught equal to that which you have related to me. Halt where you
standest; never shalt you approach me alive! This very hour, with my sharp arrows, I shall send you to the abode of
death 1'
"Speaking thus, the king, armed with his bow and arrows, in the height of anger, rushed out, but Samvarta barred the
way; then the great Rishi said to Marutta:—
"'Hear the words inspired by my attachment for you! You should not enter into combat. If this sacrifice in honour of
Maheshwara remain uncompleted, your race will be destroyed. How can one, who has undertaken a sacrifice, fight?
How can he show anger? Further, it is doubtful that you will triumph; the Rakshasa is difficult to overcome.'
"Hearing the words of his Guru, Marutta, that Lord of the Earth, throwing away his bow and arrows, grew calm and
gave himself wholly to the ceremony.
"Then Shuka, deeming he had accepted defeat, proclaimed with shouts of triumph, 'Ravana is the victor!'
"Having devoured the great Rishis, who were present at the sacrifice, Ravana, gorged with their blood, began to
range the earth once more. When he had departed, the Celestials with Indra at their head returned and spoke to
those creatures whose forms they had borrowed.
"In his delight, Indra said to the peacock, whose tail was dark blue:—
'"I am pleased with you, O Virtuous Bird, you shalt have nothing to fear from serpents; you shalt bear a thousand
eyes on your tail and shalt manifest your joy when it rains, as a testimony of my satisfaction.'
"Such was the boon conferred on the peacock by that great lord. O Monarch, the tails of peacocks, which were dark
blue formerly, have become brilliantly hued on account of this boon.
"O Rama, Dharmaraja then said to the crow, who had perched on the sacrificial post:—
"'O Bird, I am gratified with you, listen to mine auspicious words. You shalt not be visited by the various diseases to
which all beings are subject, for you have gratified me, be assured thereof! Through the grace of the boon I shall
confer on you, O Bird, you shalt have no need to fear death and shalt live long, till you are slain by man. Those
inhabiting my empire, who are tormented by hunger, shall be satisfied, as also their kinsfolk when you have fed.'
"Varuna, in his turn, said to the swan, the King of Winged Creatures, who was disporting itself in the waters of the
Ganges:—
"'You shalt appear in a ravishing and graceful form, radiant as the lunar orb, supremely beautiful, white as pure foam.
In contact with mine element, you will rejoice continually. You shalt taste a happiness that is unparalleled, which will
be the mark of mine approval!'
"O Rama, formerly swans were not wholly white, their wings were dark at the tips and their breasts were the colour
of emerald.
"In his turn, Kuvera addressed the chameleon who was resting on a rock and said:—
"'I confer on you a golden hue on account of the pleasure you have given me. Your head will be of an unalterable
golden colour as a mark of my favour.'
"Such were the boons conferred on those creatures after the sacrifice of the Gods, who, when the ceremony had
been completed, returned with their king to their abode."
"Having triumphed over Marutta, the Lord of the Rakshasas, Dashanana, ranged the royal cities thirsty for combat
and, approaching the mighty monarchs who were the equals of Mahendra and Varuna, that Lord of the Titans said to
them, 'Fight or submit! Thus have I resolved, there is no escape for you!'
"Thereupon, though not faint-hearted, those sagacious monarchs, fixed in their duty, took counsel together and,
despite their great strength, recognizing the superior power of their foe, O Dear Quid, all those princes, Dushkanta,
Suratha, Gadhi, Gaya and the King Pururava, said to him:—'We are defeated!'
"Then Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas approached Ayodhya, which was as strongly fortified by Anaranya as
Amaravati by Shakra.
Presenting himself before that lion among men, a king who was equal to Purandara in valour, Ravana said:—
"'Enter into combat with us or admit defeat, such is our mandate!'
"The King of Ayodhya, Anaranya, hearing that wicked Monarch of the Rakshasas speak thus, answered indignantly:—
"'O Lord of the Titans, I accept your challenge, stay and make your preparations speedily as I too shall make mine.'
"Thereafter, though already overcome by that which he had heard related and despite his great prowess, the king
with his army set out, in an attempt to slay Ravana, with his elephants numbering ten thousand, his horses a million,
his chariots in their thousands and his infantry, which, O Prince, covered the whole earth. And that force rushed out
to fight with its infantry and cavalry and a terrific and extraordinary struggle ensued between the King Anaranya and
the Lord of the Rakshasas.
"In the grip of Ravana's forces, the army of that monarch, having fought for a long time and manifested supreme
courage, was entirely destroyed as a libation poured into a fire is wholly consumed. Coming in contact with those
ranks projecting flames, the remaining battalions were completely annihilated like moths that enter a brazier.
"Beholding his vast army obliterated as hundreds of streams disappear in the sea in which they empty themselves,
the king, transported with fury, stretching his bow, that resembled Shakra's, advanced in the height of anger towards
Ravana whereupon his followers, Marica, Shuka and Sarana, fled like deer. Then that descendant of Ikshvaku loosed
eight hundred arrows on the head of the Sovereign of the Rakshasas but, as showers loosed from the clouds on the
summit of a mountain, those shafts fell upon him without inflicting a single wound.
"Meantime the Lord of the Rakshasas, provoked, struck the free of Anaranya, unseating that king from his chariot so
that the monarch, trembling convulsively, fell to the earth helpless, as a Sala Tree struck down in the forest by a
lightning stroke.
Then the Rakshasa mockingly enquired of that descendant of the Ikshvaku Race, saying:—
"'What hast you gained by entering into combat with me? In the Three Worlds, none can stand against me, O Chief of
Men 1 I deem that you are immersed in pleasure and hast not even heard of my prowess!'
"Thus spoke Ravana and the king, scarcely breathing, answered:—
"'What can I do now? Assuredly fate is inexorable! It is not you who hast conquered me, O Rakshasa, despite your
boastings, it is Time that has overwhelmed me; he is the true author of death 1 What can I do, now that I have come
to the end of my days? Nay, O Rakshasa, I did not turn back in this fight with you in which I am about to succumb but,
on account of your disregard for one of the magnanimous Ikshvakus, I tell you this, O Rakshasa:—if I have ever given
anything in charity, if I have ever undertaken a sacrifice, if I have ever practiced a rigid penance, if I have protected
my subjects, may my words prove true—in the House of the magnanimous Ikshvakus will be born a warrior named
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who will extinguish your vital breaths!'
"As this curse was being pronounced, the sound of celestial gongs could be heard and, from the cloud-covered sky, a
rain of flowers fell. Thereafter the king, that Indra among Monarchs, ascended to the region of Trivishtapa, and that
sovereign having entered heaven, the Rakshasa went away."
"As the King of the Rakshasas was ranging the earth, sowing terror amongst its inhabitants, he beheld Narada, that
foremost of Munis, riding on a cloud and, having paid obeisance to him and enquired as to his welfare, Dashagriva
questioned him concerning his presence there.
Then Narada, the supremely illustrious and celestial Rishi of immeasurable effulgence, stationed on the peak of a
cloud, replied to Ravana who stood in the aerial Car Pushpaka, saying:—
"'O King of the Rakshasas, O My Friend, stay a moment! O Son of Vishravas, Offspring of a noble Race, I am gratified
by your valiant exploits. Vishnu, overcoming the Daityas, pleased me and you also hast filled me with delight by
harassing the Gandharvas and Uragas and exterminating them. I will tell you something that should be known to you
if you are willing to hear it! Pay attention to my words, My Dear Son!
"'Why destroy the world, O Dear Child, you whom the Gods cannot slay? This world passes away and is under the
power of Mrityu; it is not worthy of you to harass the world of mortals, you who may not be destroyed by Suras,
Danavas, Daityas, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Rakshasas. Who would slay creatures who are ever bewildered in respect
to their welfare and a prey to great calamities? Who would strike a world such as this which is overcome by age and
disease? What wise man would enjoy making war on this world of men amidst a perennial stream of every kind of
affliction that visits it on all sides? How can one torment this world which is perishable, smitten by divine forces,
hunger, thirst and old age and assailed by misfortune and disappointment?
"'Sometimes, full of joy, men give themselves up to music and dancing, whilst others are crying out in distress, their
faces streaming with tears that fall from their eyes. Through attachment to mother, father, children or in affection for
their consorts, they rush into ills they know not, then why torment a world already brought low by nescience?
Assuredly you have heretofore subdued the world of men, O Dear One! You should undoubtedly descend to Yama's
abode; it is Yama whom you should overcome, O Paulastya, O You the penetrator of hostile citadels. When death is
subdued, verily the whole universe is subdued.'
"Thus spoke Narada, radiant in his own effulgence, whereupon the Lord of Lanka began to laugh and paying
obeisance to him, replied:—
"'O Great Rishi, you who findest felicity in the company of the Gods and Gandharvas and who takest delight in
warfare, I am resolved to descend into Rasatala for the purpose of conquest and, having triumphed over the Three
Worlds and placed the Serpent Race and the Gods under my yoke, I shall chum up the ocean containing the Nectar of
Immortality.'
"Thereafter, the blessed Rishi Narada asked Dashagriva:—
"'Why therefore dost you remain here engaged in another path? Assuredly the way that leads to the City of Yama,
the King of the Dead, is extremely hard, O Invincible Hero, O Scourge of your Foes.'
"Thereat, bursting into laughter, like unto the crash of thunder in autumn, Dashanana cried out:—
"'Verily it is accomplished!' Then he added,
'Resolved to slay Vaivasvata, O Great Brahmin, I shall go to the southern region, where that king, born of Surya,
dwells. Truly, O Most Blessed One, in mine anger and martial ardour, I swear I shall overcome the four Guardians of
the World! Here am I, ready to march against the city of the King of the Pitris. I shall compass the end of Mrityu, he
who plunges all beings into mourning.'
"Having spoken thus to the Muni and taken leave of him, Dashagriva went away and entered the southern region
accompanied by his ministers.
"Narada however, filled with brahmanic ardour stood awhile plunged in thought and, as he pondered, that Indra
among ascetics resembled a smokeless fire.
[End of Chapter 39]