Indra nodded, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed this information. The gods and goddesses around him seemed to hold their breath, awaiting further instructions or revelations.
"Asura's have been increasingly bold in their actions," Indra continued, his voice resonating with both concern and authority. "Their attempts to disturb the balance of the cosmos cannot go unchecked. The meditations of Brahma Dev and Mahadev, along with the temporary closure of Vaikuntha, have given us a much-needed chance to eradicate those unpleasant forces without the interference of any of Trimurti."
When Indra said those words only then did some of the devs realise what conspiracy their king was weaving. The gods around Indra exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the full extent of his plan. Indra's strategy to manipulate the balance of power by keeping Brahma Dev and Mahadev in meditation, and temporarily closing Vaikuntha, revealed his desire to assert dominance over the Asuras without interference.
One of the deities, Agni, the God of Fire, spoke up, his fiery eyes reflecting both admiration and concern. "Lord Indra, while your plan is bold and could indeed suppress the Asuras, are we not risking further imbalance in the cosmos? The absence of Brahma Dev, Mahadev, and the closure of Vaikuntha might have unforeseen consequences."
Indra's gaze hardened slightly, his determination unwavering. "Agni, I understand your concerns, but the Asuras have grown too powerful. Their constant attempts to disrupt the harmony of the universe must be stopped. With Brahma Dev and Mahadev in deep meditation, and Vaikuntha inaccessible, we have a unique opportunity to strike decisively. Once the Asuras are subdued, balance will be restored, and the Trimurti can resume their roles without the threat of chaos looming over us."
"I'm sorry, Indra dev but I don't feel good taking such actions behind the backs of the Trimurti," Vayu, the God of Wind, interjected, his voice carrying a note of apprehension. "We have always relied on their wisdom to guide us in times of conflict. Acting without their counsel could lead to unforeseen consequences."
Indra's face turned red from anger as lightning flickered around and thunder rumbled softly in the distance, signaling his displeasure.
"I AM THE KING THEN WHY!!!
WHY EVERYONE QUESTIONS MY ORDERS?
IS IT BECAUSE I AM DOING SOMETHING BEHIND THE BACKS OF TRIMURTI?
OR IS IT BECAUSE YOU ALL DOUBT MY JUDGMENT?"
Indra's voice thundered through the grand hall, causing the assembled deities to exchange uneasy glances. The tension in the air was palpable, and even the most powerful among them seemed to be taken aback by his outburst.
Varuna stepped forward again, his voice calm and soothing. "Lord Indra, we do not doubt your judgment or your authority. We merely wish to ensure that our actions are in the best interest of maintaining the balance of the cosmos. Your leadership is unquestionable, but the stakes are incredibly high."
"And even if we attacked those Asura's, They have Shuracharya protecting them, and let's not forget that Asur called Ravana. He is said to be more powerful than Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha combined. Ravana is not only a fierce warrior but also a master strategist. Facing him without the guidance of Brahma Dev, Mahadev, and Vishnu might lead us into unforeseen dangers," Vayu added cautiously.
"I can confirm that claim," Everyone's attention turned towards the speaker but as they saw who spoke turned their gaze elsewhere, as the one who spoke was Shani dev— God of karma, justice, and retribution.
Shani Dev's presence added an air of gravity to the discussion. His dark, austere visage reflected his role as the God of Karma, Justice, and Retribution. The room fell silent as his words echoed through the hall, emphasizing the weight of his statement.
"I can confirm that claim," Shani Dev continued, his voice steady and measured. "Ravana's power is indeed formidable, and his strategic acumen should not be underestimated. The Asuras, under his command, have been growing bolder and more sophisticated in their tactics. We must be cautious in our approach, for the consequences of a misstep could be dire."
"How do you know all this if I may ask, Shani dev?" Agni asked with a trace of curiosity mixed with respect.
Shani Dev's gaze wavered at the question as he took a deep breath before responding, his dark eyes reflecting a deep, contemplative silence.
"Three years ago, I was... kidnapped by him, along with every other Navagraha," Shani Dev said, his eyes reflecting a distant, pained memory. "Ravana sought to use our powers and asked us to remain in the specific position at the time of his son's birth..."
Shani Dev's gaze remained somber as he continued, the weight of his words casting a shadow over the room.
"...to ensure that the birth of his son would be auspicious and that the boy would become an invincible warrior and a formidable leader. Ravana's plan was not merely to harness our collective energy but to imbue his son with the divine essence that would grant him unparalleled power and strategic prowess."
The room was heavy with the realization of Ravana's audacious scheme. The gods and goddesses exchanged glances of concern and unease, their previous doubts now replaced by a deepened understanding of the gravity of the situation.
"D-Did it happened already?" The question came from Chandra, the God of the Moon, his normally serene face marked by a rare anxiety. His luminous eyes searched Shani Dev's for clarity.
Shani Dev nodded gravely. "Yes, it did. Ravana's son, Meghnad, was born under the specific conditions Ravana had orchestrated. His power and potential are beyond what we have seen in many ages. His birth was marked by an infusion of divine energy from our forced presence."
The weight of Shani Dev's words sunk deep into the assembly. The thought of a being with such enhanced abilities under Ravana's command brought a new level of urgency to the situation.
"What did you say? his name is?" Indra focused on the name of the boy.
"You heard it right," Shani Dev confirmed, his gaze unwavering. "He was named Meghnad, which translates to 'Roar of Clouds.' His birth cry was so powerful and resonant that it was said to shake the heavens like a thunderous storm."
The assembly of deities absorbed the weight of this revelation. The name "Meghnad" seemed to carry a sense of foreboding, a harbinger of the immense power and potential that Ravana had imbued into his son.
Agni, who had been listening intently, spoke again, his voice tinged with concern. "This name, 'Roar of Clouds,' signifies immense power and might. If Ravana has successfully achieved his goal of creating a warrior of such strength, we are indeed facing a grave threat. We must be strategic in our approach to avoid direct confrontation until we fully understand Meghnad's capabilities."
Vayu nodded in agreement. "It would be wise to gather more intelligence on Meghnad's current role and how he has been integrated into Ravana's plans. We also need to assess the full extent of his abilities and how they might be countered."
Indra's rage was palpable as the heavens themselves seemed to tremble under the weight of his fury. His eyes crackled with divine lightning, and the grandeur of his presence amplified the storm that brewed around him.
"THAT PLEASANT IS NAMED AFTER ME?! ME!!!! THE KING OF GODS!!!" Indra's voice thundered through the grand hall, the sheer force of his anger shaking the very foundations of the celestial realm.
The gods and goddesses around him shrank back, their faces reflecting a mix of fear and respect. The atmosphere grew heavy with the tension of Indra's indignation. It was clear that the name "Meghnad" had struck a deep, personal chord with him.
Agni, trying to defuse the situation, spoke cautiously. "Lord Indra, we understand that this news is distressing. However, we must focus on the pressing issue at hand—the threat Meghnad and Ravana pose to the balance of the cosmos. Your leadership is crucial in guiding us through this crisis."
Vayu, equally concerned, added, "Yes, Indra dev. While it is natural to feel a sense of personal affront, we must not let our emotions cloud our judgment. We need to remain united and strategic to confront this challenge effectively."
Varuna, who had remained calm throughout the discussion, stepped forward with a conciliatory tone. "Lord Indra, your position as the King of the Gods is unparalleled, and your authority is not in question. The name of Meghnad, though troubling, should not overshadow the necessity of our collective action against the Asuras."
Shani Dev, whose own demeanor had remained grave, nodded in agreement. "We must channel our anger and resolve into a well-thought-out strategy. Meghnad's power and Ravana's ambitions are indeed significant threats. Our actions should be guided by wisdom and unity."
The atmosphere in the grand hall grew electric as Indra, his face contorted with anger, summoned his legendary weapon—the Vajra. The mighty thunderbolt materialized in his hand, crackling with divine energy and illuminating the chamber with its intense brilliance. The sheer force of its presence signaled the gravity of Indra's displeasure.
"I WILL NOT BE DISRESPECTED!" Indra's voice roared, echoing through the heavens. The sound of his wrath reverberated across the celestial realms, causing even the most powerful deities to flinch.
The gods and goddesses fell into an uneasy silence, their eyes fixed on the weapon that Indra wielded. The Vajra, with its unparalleled power, was a symbol of Indra's authority and might. Its mere appearance was enough to assert his dominance and remind the assembly of his supreme position.
Agni, seeking to calm the situation, spoke with a measured tone, "Lord Indra, we acknowledge your authority and the strength of the Vajra. However, let us not forget that the unity of the gods is paramount in facing the impending threat. Let us channel our collective energy and wisdom to address the challenge before us."
.
..
...
[To Be Continued]
----------------------
Comment your thoughts about the story so far...
Please leave a review, It helps.
Thanks for reading.
Word Count: 1670