Chapter 17

"Is this really what Indra is like?" Vayudev murmured, excitement evident in his tone as he broke the silence. As the Deva of the wind, Vayudev was the vanguard of the Devas, their leading general, and had a close bond with Indra, the Deva of war. They understood each other well, but Vayudev hadn't expected Indra to be so eager to charge into battle with the Asura King.

"I'm on my way!" Vayudev declared, rushing forward without hesitation. Suryadev gave a resigned sigh, exchanging a look with Agnidev. They both shook their heads, then followed Vayudev's lead toward the Vasuki's tail. Varunadev watched in surprise, feeling torn. He wanted to approach the Vasuki's head, but seeing all the other Devas heading for the tail made him reluctant to go the opposite way. Glancing nervously at the distant Asura army, he swallowed his hesitation and joined the others at the tail.

Meanwhile, Hiranyaksha's voice rang out. "Let's head for the Vasuki's head!" He gestured forward, eager to seize the treasures waiting to be churned from the Kshira Sagara.

"Wait!" General Puloman, an Asura clad in gleaming golden armor, raised his hand. His stature was imposing, his armor radiant like the morning sun, and his voice resounded with authority. "They chose the Vasuki's tail far too easily. I suspect a scheme. I propose we switch places with the Devas—they should go to the Vasuki's head, and we'll take the tail."

Puloman narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the Devas in the distance, deep in thought. His words caught the attention of Rishi Shukracharya, the Asura mentor, who frowned, a spark of calculation flickering in his wise gaze.

"He's right," Shukracharya said thoughtfully. "With Vasuki wrapped tightly around Mandara Mountain, pulling back and forth will surely cause the Vasuki pain. He'll breathe fire, and it's our army that would suffer the burn. We must exchange places with the Devas."

Upon hearing Rishi Shukracharya's analysis, many Asuras suddenly understood the potential dangers. Hiranyaksha, however, scoffed and waved dismissively.

"It's just Vasuki venom and fire—are Asura warriors afraid of such things?" he sneered, glancing around at the gathering. Pullman, who had initially raised concerns, fell silent. Rishi Shukracharya's face grew long, his expression darkening by the moment.

Asura General Viprachitti hesitated but finally stepped forward. "My son, Rahu, is skilled in the art of Maya. Perhaps he could disguise himself as a Deva and investigate the situation discreetly."

"Unnecessary!" Hiranyaksha barked, his eyes blazing and his beard bristling. With a dismissive wave, he rejected Viprachitti's suggestion. "As long as I lead, these Devas stand no chance! I am King of the Asuras—even Vishnu cannot defeat me. I am victory itself; I am radiance incarnate! Just follow my orders."

With that, Hiranyaksha gestured grandly and commanded the Asura army to advance to Vasuki's head.

"Stop this madness, Hiranyaksha! If you continue down this path, your arrogance will lead to your ruin!" Rishi Shukracharya called out angrily.

"Teacher, I respect you, but that does not grant you the right to interfere with my command," Hiranyaksha replied coldly. "I am King of the Asuras!" He stamped his foot on the waves of the Kshira Sagara, causing them to churn beneath him as he turned and strode away.

Rishi Shukracharya stood in silence, his face clouded with frustration, anger seething in his heart.

...

...

"Hm?!" Indra squinted, rubbing his eyes, shading them with his hand as he peered into the distance. He saw the formidable Asura army—like a torrent of dark clouds—flying toward Vasuki's head. Something felt off.

"Wait… isn't this wrong?" he muttered. "Weren't these Asuras supposed to ask us to switch places?"

A broad smile spread across Suryadev's face. "They're heading to the Vasuki's head! That's great!"

"Perfect!" Vayudev added, nodding in relief. Nearby, Agnidev and Varuna exchanged pleased glances, their lips curving into smiles.

This was exactly what they hoped for. With the Asuras at the Vasuki's head, they would bear the brunt of Vasuki's venom and fire.

Indra, however, looked a little disappointed. It seemed he would have to wait to intensify his penance. In theTriloka, the more rigorous one's penance, the greater the power gained. He sighed but resigned himself to being patient. "I'll have to build strength gradually," he thought.

Turning back to his fellow Devas, Indra gazed at Vasuki's vast, rippling scales—each one like a towering peak. With a nod of determination, he transformed into his divine form.

Indra's celestial form loomed as a magnificent golden giant, his limbs radiating power and his eyes blazing like miniature suns. Around him, the Devas transformed as well. Agnidev, shrouded in black, appeared with four arms, three heads, and seven tongues of flame, swathed in a swirling haze of smoke.

Indra took a moment to admire his splendor. "I look more impressive," he nodded approvingly.

He Devas took on various divine forms, while across from them, the Asuras transformed into giants, water monsters, three-headed dragons, and serpents. Surveying the scene, Indra looked down at the massive scales of Vasuki; what once appeared impossibly vast now seemed manageable. He took his position at the left side of Vasuki's tail, gripping it firmly with one hand, steadying himself.

In unison, hundreds of thousands of Devas and Asuras wrapped themselves around the thousand-headed serpent king, Vasuki, and began the great churning.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Vasuki's immense body coiled around Mount Mandara rolled and flexed as the Devas and Asuras pulled. Anchored by a colossal turtle beneath it, Mount Mandara slowly began to rotate, stirring the depths of the Kshira Sagara, the ocean of milk. Waves surged and crashed as the sea roared, each pull sending tremors through the celestial waters.

Indra, often called the "Lord of Thunder," was incredibly strong, making it easy for him to manage Vasuki's massive tail. But he knew that the churning would last hundreds of years, and by the end, even his formidable strength might be drained. He could feel the accumulated power of his ascetic practice within, pulsing like thunder under his navel, rising with every effort.

"The power of my penance is growing!" Indra's eyes gleamed with renewed determination. He wrapped his arms tightly around Vasuki's tail and pulled with all his might, emboldened by the knowledge that every moment of labor would enhance his power—a reward earned through pure endurance and grit.

The Devas around him watched, awe-struck by his commitment. Inspired by their Heavenly King's strength and dedication, they redoubled their efforts, eager to keep pace.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Hundreds of thousands of Devas strained in unison, pulling with all their might on Vasuki's massive tail. For a moment, Mandara Mountain shifted ever so slightly in the Devas' direction.

"How is this possible?!" Hiranyaksha's eyes blazed with fury. He whipped around to face the ranks of Asuras behind him, his expression fierce. "Put in more effort! Can't you even out-pull those Devas?" he bellowed.

The Asuras, visibly shaken, nodded in fear and redoubled their efforts, gripping Vasuki's head and pulling with renewed urgency. Hiranyaksha, undeterred, locked one of Vasuki's heads under his arm and gave a fierce tug.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Naga king's head twisted in agony, its face contorted and feral. In its pain, it opened its jaws wide, lashing its tongue and unleashing a torrent of searing flames and venomous breath directly toward Hiranyaksha. "So soon?!"

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