Friendship And Rivalry ( Part 4 )

Boy…how do I explain this?" Vajradandaka breathed deeply. "Technically, brother-Indra was a guide who opened the door for me to enter the mortal world, therefore becoming my father while he was in mortal world. At least, that's how the first seven Aditya brothers understand each other's existence. First one brother comes to Earth, lives for ten generations, then he gives birth to the next brother. What it means is, he is opening the door for the brother who is already in heaven to descend to Earth."

"And what about the eighth Aditya?"

"The eighth one does not come from Devlok. They say he's a soul that exists in the nascent state in Vaikuntha, another heavenly world that is very remote and beyond the reach of even the Devas. Only Indra, the strongest Aditya, can exert himself enough to open the door for this one, so Martanda is usually born right after him. He ascends to godhood in the mortal world and when it is time to leave the mortal body, separates the godhood from his soul and uses it as a key to form a path to Devlok. It is a treacherous path unlike those doorways before, so only the most versatile of the Adityas will be able to use it. And that is Varuna, the one who is of the form of water, using his friend Rta as mount. Only he can brave the treacherousness of the path in order to come rule the Earth."

"But what happens to the soul after it is separated from the godhood?" Kush asked curiously. These were all inside legends of the Aditya clan that normal people wouldn't get to hear in general.

Vajra shrugged. "The soul of Martanda is a mere tool to give birth to the godhood. After Varuna uses the path, it is extracted and merged with the pre-existing godhoods of all the Martandas that came before."

"Whatever for?!" Kush was impatient as he felt that the eight Aditya had poor fate.

"Who knows?" Vajra shrugged. "A godhood is a very powerful thing. It can create miracles, even in heaven. For instance, if they merge its energy with an inanimate sword, it would become a divine weapon that can take heads from worlds apart."

"So the Aditya brothers just want to take advantage of his brother's divine energy?" Kush asked matter-of-factly.

"He he, it's just a possibility. They might also be saving it in order to heal Martanda."

"Heal him?"

"Yes. Some legends say Martanda was born deformed, so Mother-Aditi let him fall into the cycle of reincarnation, so he may perfect himself one day. Others say he was stillborn, which might the be the more probable answer because his name itself means dead fetus. But being born to a celestial, even if he is still born, he can be brought back to life. Maybe this is why the Adityas foster the humans which can act as vessels to any newborn soul with no prior karma until it ascends to godhood. Leaving the mortal flesh, such a pure soul untainted by karma can separate itself from the godhood, like water from oil, therefore making the godhood easy to extract. By merging with the godhood in heaven and continuing this process several times, the hope is that it would turn into the Supreme Godhood. In that case, the stillborn will automatically come back to life."

Cynically, Kush sneered. "Do you think the Adityas are really such good people that they will continue this act for generations just to bring their dead brother back to life?"

Vajra thought of his own brother and wondered where he is. Aditya clan is the god clan. Technically, all children born into it will return to Devlok when they die. They will have their own identities there. For instance, Agnipriya who has divine powers here on Earth is most likely a part of Agni's own consciousness, a female Amsa of the god. Bhupriya who is a natural motherly figure is most likely an Amsa of Aditi herself. So, everyone in the family, when they die here, can unite with the others in Devlok. Except, of course, Martanda. Only Martanda's godhood will reach them. He himself will die and never unite with them. Apparently, when he was little, Vajradhaara used to make a ruckus of not wanting to be Martanda for this very reason. Ultimately, his wish was fulfilled.

"I believe they will…" Vajradandaka nodded thoughtfully. "Whoever my brother is up there, I'm sure he won't let them rest," he smiled.

Kush thought for a while and understood. "You didn't tell me what happens to the soul that gets separated from the godhood when Martanda dies."

Vajra put his chin on his palm and blinked. "You're asking me about my death?" he chuckled. "Very well, I'll tell you. The soul born in the distant heaven, maybe even the highest heaven, after ascending godhood and being separated from it, will then fall into Patala, the lowest hell."

"What?!" Kush sprang up, shocked. "Why?! Are you telling me you're going to hell and you know you're going to hell?" Cynical as he was, he even caught the crucial part, "Even if you think it gives you certain freedom of action since you already know your destination, ascending to godhood is no piece of cake. You cannot do evil at all!"

"Hehe. Don't worry though. Martanda's children also go to hell. So there will be someone to take care of me in the end."

"What!" If Kush wasn't so badly injured, he would be jumping around like a frustrated monkey. Not even you, even your children are going to hell? Tragic. This is just tragic!

"It can't be helped," Vajra shrugged, "The doorway is jammed for my bloodline. Until someone ascends to godhood and opens the path to Devlok, the succeeding generations of Adityas are all going to hell."

Kush was speechless for a moment. Then he ended up laughing. He couldn't help it. The way Vajra said it was as though it was something awesome. He was even prideful about the fact as though he was going to show off to his family who are all going to same old boring heaven! If Kush didn't laugh, what else could he do. He laughed till he convulsed from pain because of his broken ribs.

When he settled down, Kush flicked the wetness that accumulated at the corners of his eyes.

"Didn't you say a prince needs to lead a campaign and return victorious before being declared king?" he asked.

Vajradandaka nodded. "That is so."

"So what are you planning?"

Vajra had a mischievous look on his face. He winked, "Didn't you say we should churn the ocean together? Let's do just that."

As they were speaking, Vajradandaka's guards returned with the camp doctor. He was a tall, wizened old man with a slightly humped back and a lanky figure. When he moved, his whole body moved and when he talked it vibrated.