After the defeat of Agnidra and the restoration of time, peace returned to the cosmos, and life flourished once more. However, a new undercurrent of unrest began to stir, one born not from a demon or an external threat, but from a deeply emotional plea. This time, the disturbance was felt not by the gods of battle or time, but by the goddess of music, knowledge, and art: Saraswati.
It had been many years since the celestial singers, devotees of Saraswati, had been cursed by Indra for continuing to sing her praises when he demanded silence. Unable to bear the divine melodies that flowed from their hearts and souls, Indra, in a moment of pride and arrogance, cursed them, stripping them of their voices and shattering their instruments. Their music, once the heartbeat of the cosmos, had fallen silent, and with it, the balance of artistic beauty and spiritual expression was disturbed.
The Silence Felt Across the Cosmos
The silence of the celestial singers, though initially unnoticed, began to have far-reaching consequences. Music and song, which once filled the heavens, were absent. Mortals who prayed for divine inspiration in their art or music felt a void, their creativity stifled. Even the temples dedicated to Saraswati grew quiet, as if the very spirit of creativity had retreated.
The celestial singers, now voiceless and broken-hearted, wandered the heavens, unable to express the devotion they once so easily shared with the cosmos. Their instruments lay shattered, and though they still worshipped Saraswati in their hearts, their silent prayers could not reach the heights of what their songs once achieved.
Narad and Naradaja, the cosmic messengers and singers of the gods, noticed this absence. Though they continued their travels between realms, spreading the praises of Vishnu, Vijaya, Lakshmi, Vaibhavi, and Alakshmi, the silence of the celestial singers weighed heavily on their hearts.
The Plea to Saraswati
It was Naradaja who first approached Saraswati in her tranquil abode. With a heart full of empathy for the voiceless singers, she bowed before the goddess of music and knowledge, her voice soft but resolute.
"Devi Saraswati," Naradaja began, "your celestial singers have been silent for too long. Their songs, once the lifeblood of the universe, are now but a distant memory. The balance of art and devotion has been disrupted, and their hearts are heavy with sorrow."
Saraswati, seated upon her lotus, her white veena resting in her hands, listened with compassion. She had felt the absence too, the emptiness that had grown where divine music once flowed freely. Her eyes, calm and wise, met Naradaja's.
"I know of their pain," Saraswati replied softly. "And I know of the curse that binds them. Indra, in his moment of arrogance, took from them the gift I bestowed upon them—the gift of divine song."
Narad, who had arrived with Naradaja, stepped forward. "Indra's pride has caused much suffering, not only for the singers but for all who rely on their music for inspiration and spiritual guidance. The universe feels the loss of their voices."
Saraswati nodded, her mind reflecting on the importance of balance—not just in knowledge and wisdom, but in all forms of expression. "It is time to restore what was taken," she said, her voice filled with determination. "But the curse of a god must be undone by a god."
The Restoration Begins
Saraswati, with Narad and Naradaja by her side, traveled to the Court of Indra. The atmosphere was tense as the goddess of knowledge entered the court, her calm yet powerful presence commanding attention. Indra, who had long since learned humility after his various conflicts with the other gods, met Saraswati's gaze with a mixture of regret and guilt.
Before Saraswati could speak, Indra stepped forward, his voice heavy with apology. "Devi Saraswati, I know I have wronged your celestial singers. My pride clouded my judgment, and I acted in haste. Their voices were not mine to silence."
Saraswati's gaze softened, but she did not let Indra off easily. "Your actions have caused a great imbalance, Indra. Music is not merely entertainment—it is the voice of the soul, the rhythm of the universe itself. By silencing them, you disrupted the harmony of creation."
Indra bowed his head, fully accepting his fault. "What must I do to make amends?"
Saraswati raised her veena, and the soft notes filled the court, reminding everyone present of the beauty and power of divine music. "The singers' voices can only be restored through your sincere repentance and the blessing of the gods. You must personally lead the ritual of restoration."
The Ritual of Restoration
The ritual to restore the celestial singers' voices was held in the celestial realm, witnessed by the gods and goddesses, including Vishnu, Vijaya, Lakshmi, Vaibhavi, and Alakshmi. Indra, guided by Saraswati, led the ceremony, which involved the offering of music, art, and divine hymns.
Naradaja and Narad played their veenas, their harmonious music weaving through the air like a golden thread, connecting the gods, mortals, and the celestial singers. As the ritual reached its climax, Saraswati raised her hand, blessing the broken instruments of the celestial singers. The pieces glowed and reassembled, each instrument restored to its former glory.
Indra, now humbled and filled with genuine remorse, offered a heartfelt apology to the celestial singers. "I was wrong to silence you. Let your music fill the heavens once more. I ask for your forgiveness and your voices to return."
Saraswati, her voice clear and serene, spoke the final words of the ritual. "By the power of music, knowledge, and the blessings of the gods, may your voices be restored and your songs fill the universe once again."
The Return of the Celestial Choir
As Saraswati's words echoed through the heavens, the celestial singers felt a warmth spread through their throats and hearts. Slowly, their voices returned, first as soft whispers, then growing into a harmonious melody that resonated throughout the cosmos. Their music, once lost, now returned with even greater power, filling the universe with a divine symphony.
The gods, hearing the celestial choir for the first time in ages, felt the balance of art and devotion restored. Mortals, too, felt the change—artists, poets, and musicians found new inspiration, their creativity reignited by the return of the divine singers.
Saraswati smiled as she watched her devotees sing once more, their instruments creating music that resonated with the very fabric of existence.
A New Chapter of Harmony
With the restoration of the celestial singers, the universe once again found its rhythm. Their music flowed through the temples of Trivijaya Mandir and Trilakshaya Mandir, weaving through the lives of devotees and gods alike. The celestial choir, under Saraswati's guidance, became a symbol of the power of art, devotion, and the balance between silence and song.
Indra, now more aware of his responsibility as the king of the gods, remained humble in his actions, understanding the importance of allowing each divine force to fulfill its role.
As Naradaja and Narad played their veenas together, they exchanged a smile. The balance had been restored, and the universe, once again, moved in perfect harmony.
Thus, the celestial singers returned to their rightful place in the cosmos, their voices a reminder that art, devotion, and music are as vital to the balance of the universe as the forces of time, destiny, and victory.