Halahala!
This is the poison of death, an extremely toxic substance. As soon as it emerges in the Kshira Sagara, it spreads rapidly in all directions. Even a mere touch, as small as a mustard seed from Mount Sumeru, can lead to death for both Devas and Asuras alike. This poison is so potent that it can be considered the antithesis of Amrita.
If Amrita grants eternal life, then Halahala brings instant death—two sides of the same coin.
"Except for with the power of divine boons from Trimurti, resisting the poison of Halahala is nearly impossible."
Indra instinctively lowered his gaze. As he looked down, he noticed the Sahasrakavacha adorning his powerful frame. The armor shimmered like dawn light, radiating a gentle warmth. Blessed by Brahma, this divine armor was immune to curses.
"This armor can harness the power of penance to enhance its properties," Indra contemplated. His Sahasrakavacha was a special boon from Brahmadev, capable of transforming into a divine layer fortified by the strength of his penance.
Thanks to Brahmadev's blessing, Indra could infuse this armor with power, perhaps akin to the proud Asuras, making it resistant to damage that would typically take thousands of years of effort to overcome. Yet, it remained ineffective against poison.
"Perhaps I can use my ascetic power to render the poison harmless—or even absorb it. However, the strength of my penance is still lacking; I have three hundred years of penance left to complete! This will be a daunting challenge," Indra thought.
He felt a wave of the hard-earned power he had accumulated and found himself momentarily speechless. After dedicating hundreds of years to rigorous penance in the Svarga, he had been forced to expend much of that energy to curse Garuda. Now, he was left with only three hundred years of hard work!
However, the power of his penance continued to grow slowly, indicating that his efforts had not ceased.
"Three hundred years?" he mused. "So, I spent less than five hundred years of hard work to successfully curse Garuda. This must be a consequence of his karma for provoking me, but my penance is of high quality!" Indra, the King of Heaven, murmured to himself.
As he contemplated this, Garuda had already approached Indra, and numerous Devas leaped down together, landing on the surface of the Kshira Sagara like dumplings. They brandished divine weapons and glared defiantly at the Asura army across the way.
At that moment, Mandara Mountain rose and fell dramatically. The divine turtle Kurma gracefully shifted on all four legs, slowly sinking.
Vishnu, the preserver, appeared like the sun descending from Svarga, his form radiant with golden light as he stood before the gathered Devas and the formidable Asura army.
Vishnu addressed them with a calm, powerful voice. "Sage Durvasa, known both for his blessings and his wrath, once held a garland infused with the essence of Shree—the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. This garland was not merely an ornament but a sacred embodiment of Lakshmi's blessings."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the assembly, then continued, his tone steady and certain. "But there is still hope. The treasures of the universe now rest within the Kshira Sagara, where Lakshmi herself awaits. With her lies the restoration of all prosperity and fortune. Yet, to retrieve her, you must work together."
Vishnu's gaze swept across both the devas and asuras, his voice resonant with promise. "By joining forces to churn the Kshira Sagara, you may bring forth Lakshmi once more, and with her return, abundance, fortunes, and blessings of Svarga, Pataloka, and Bhuloka shall be restored to all."
Hiranyaksha swayed slightly, narrowing his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Vishnu. "Then how do we churn it? This Mandara Mountain is enormous! Even I can't shift it a few times. What use is a bunch of little powerless bugs?"
At his words, the faces of the Asura army darkened, but none dared to speak. The Devas, however, were furious. How dare this Hiranyaksha be so arrogant as to refer to them as bugs? It was truly insulting.
Suryadev's eyes blazed as he spoke, "If I unleashed the true power of the sun, I would incinerate him to nothing but ash with divine fire!"
Vayudev's voice was as sharp as the wind itself. "One strike of my divine winds, and his flesh would be scattered like dust!"
Varuna, the god of oceans, sneered. "Let him face my waves. I'll drag him to the ocean depths, where no life breathes."
Agnidev's gaze was deadly, his tone unwavering. "One spark of my flames, and he'd be nothing but cinders, his soul sent directly to Yama's realm."
With Vishnu standing before them and the army of Devas behind, the Devas felt emboldened and began to voice their indignation.
Vishnu stood before the assembly, his presence radiating calm confidence, unfazed by Hiranyaksha's disdainful sneer. With a gentle smile, he began, "Allow me to introduce Vasuki, the great king of Nagas."
Suddenly, above the Kshira Sagara, boundless waves rolled, and endless foam surged forth, revealing sections of dark bodies floating upon the surface of the milk ocean.
A massive form loomed in the Kshira Sagara, rising and falling with each movement. Every time a section of the body emerged, it revealed countless black scales, resembling towering mountains—long and imposing.
"Vasuki is no ordinary naga; he embodies both strength and grace, capable of binding Mandara Mountain with effortless ease," Vishnu continued, gesturing toward the magnificent serpent.
"His mighty coils will serve as the rope for the Samudra Manthan, enabling the devas and asuras to churn the Kshira Sagara and retrieve the treasures hidden within. With Vasuki's power, we can achieve the impossible. My Avatar, Kuruma, will ensure that Mandara Mountain remains firmly in place above the ocean."
Boom!
The little brother of Sheshanaga, Vasuki, erupted from the depths of the water, and the Kshira Sagara roared in response. The surface of the sea shook violently, sending countless wisps of sea fog into the air, making it difficult to see the creature's true form.
"I will obey the Vishnu's command!" Vasuki declared, his voice echoing like thunder. As the powerful sound resonated, the sea fog began to dissipate.
In the sky, Vasuki rose majestically, his fearsome head blocking out the sun. His eyes, shimmering like distant stars, radiated immense power and ancient wisdom. With a fluid motion, he coiled his massive body around Mandara Mountain, anchoring himself securely as he prepared to assist in the grand churning of the ocean.
Suddenly, Vishnu transformed into a radiant golden light and descended before Indra and the other Devas.
"The Asuras are arrogant and distrustful!" he proclaimed. "Next, if you approach the head of Vasuki, the Asuras will surely request to exchange places with you. Agree to their request. When the Kshira Sagara is stirred, Vasuki will experience pain from the tugging on both sides, causing him to spit poisonous flames that will injure the Asuras—bringing them to their knees in misery."
Vishnu whispered these strategic instructions, his demeanor calm and composed.
Upon hearing this, the Devas were filled with surprise and joy. Their Lord was indeed aiding them!
"When the time comes, these Asuras will be exhausted and severely wounded, rendering them unable to fight for Amrita. The Devas will surely prevail," Suryadev exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice.
"Thank you, Lord Vishnu!" echoed the others, their voices full of gratitude.
Agnidev, equally filled with joy, raised his voice in appreciation. "Your wisdom shines brightly, O Lord! We are truly grateful for your guidance!"
Indra, with hands folded in reverence, began to think carefully. If he recalled correctly, it would take hundreds of years to churn the Kshira Sagara—just enough time for him to practice diligently and forge the first layer of divine armor. This would prove useful when the moment arrived.
The location of Vasuki's head was advantageous! It could spray flames to ignite a fire and hold it on the head, thereby enhancing the strength of his penance.
Indra rolled his eyes slightly and then spoke. "Let's go to the snake tail! As a warrior, even if they are Asuras, I believe I should be fair. Waiting for them to be burned by Vasuki's flames before engaging in battle is beneath my dignity as a warrior."
Vishnu raised an eyebrow, surprised. "..."
That's not what you said before! It was clear that Indra had asked him to eliminate all the Asuras not long ago, but now he was talking about fairness! What a flexible moral compass!
"The Devas are weak. Only by weakening the Asuras as much as possible can the Devas hope to win!" Vishnu stated slowly.
"A Kshatriya must die a Kshatriya's death. I would rather die as a warrior than live as a coward!" Indra declared. He paused, realizing he might have gone too far. He only wanted to conserve energy for his penance; he didn't truly wish to die!
"Pranam to Lord Vishnu! I hope the Lord bless me!" Indra folded his hands in reverence and praised Vishnu.
Vishnu regarded Indra, hesitating for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.
Nailed it! Seeing this exchange, Indra breathed a sigh of relief and then soared toward the snake's tail. The vast armies of Devas followed his lead, moving in unison.
"Ah?!" Suryadev stood frozen, his mouth agape, visibly shocked by Indra's bold declaration. "Brother, why are you becoming so unpredictable? One moment, you speak of massacring the entire Asura clan, and the next, you seek to be honored as a Kshatriya."
---
"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?!"
---
Blazing fire from Vasuki's mouth surged toward Hiranyaksha's face, the searing heat evaporating sea mist into the air. Flames struck the Asura king's head, swirling around him but leaving him unscathed. Instead, his hair seemed to grow darker and shinier under the fiery glow. With Brahma's blessing, even Vasuki's flames could not harm Hiranyaksha.
Hiranyaksha shook his head, brushed aside the flames with a cold snort, and glared intensely at Vasuki's head.
Vasuki: "..."
What? Useless?
The Nagas also resided in Patalloka, though they were not as powerful as the Asuras. Vasuki, however, had other plans—he wanted to "educate" these Asuras. Tilting his head, his large eyes glimmered with mischief, blinking innocently. His dark, forked tongue flickered in and out, almost as if mocking the Asuras.
Suddenly, Vasuki's mouth opened wide, releasing thick black smoke that shrouded Hiranyaksha, obscuring his vision from every angle. If he couldn't hurt Hiranyaksha, he'd at least throw him off balance and distract him.
"Undermining Asuras on propose!" Hiranyaksha roared, unable to contain his fury. He swung a powerful punch at Vasuki's head, landing a blow that sent the snake reeling in pain. Vasuki hissed furiously, no longer playing around.
This was war.
Hissing in unison, seven of Vasuki's heads reared back, mouths wide open, and unleashed torrents of flames. The fire spread like molten lava, weaving through the Kshira Sagara and igniting the divine waters. The flames licked at Asura's bodies, sending them into frenzied screams of agony.
"It's too hot! Too hot!"
Holika yelped, immediately releasing the snake's body she had been holding. She leaped back, hiding behind Vajranga, who was trying to shield himself.
"This Vasuki fire is powerful," Vajranga muttered, his tone tense. "It can hurt us—everyone, be careful! Don't underestimate him after all he is King of the Nagas."
At that moment, Holika felt a sharp, searing pain on the right side of her face, an uncomfortable mix of heat and itchiness. Quickly, she summoned her divine power to extinguish the flames around her body, and a mirror materialized in her hands. Gazing into it, she saw several burn marks marring her skin—small, pimple-like scars that looked painfully out of place on her beautiful face.
"Aah! My face!" she cried, her expression shifting to one of horror. Panicked, she covered her face with trembling hands, feeling an urgent need to erase the blemishes.
Channeling her remaining divine power, she attempted to heal the scars, but they remained stubbornly in place, untouched by her efforts. Her heart sank as her frustration turned to anger.
Holika lifted her chin, glaring at the colossal, fire-spitting Vasuki with a mix of anger, resentment, and a trace of fear. The terror within held her back, preventing her from retaliating directly. Inwardly, she vowed to one day restore her appearance and seek a boon that would render her invulnerable to fire.
...
The Asuras clashed fiercely with Vasuki, while the Devas grew increasingly empowered.
Vasuki's massive tail swayed rhythmically, stirring the Kshira Sagara, whose waves transformed into dark clouds and fell as fragrant, invigorating rain, filling the Devas with renewed energy. In this constant push and pull, the turtle moved, causing Mandara Mountain to shift closer toward the Deva side.
Noticing this, Rishi Shukraacharya struck his staff on the ocean floor and shouted angrily, "Enough! Hold them back! If Mandara Mountain moves any closer to the Devas, they will gain everything, and you will be left with nothing!"
Shukraacharya's words jolted the Asuras into action. Hiranyaksha's eyes flared with anger as he turned his attention back to Vasuki, ignoring the Naga's fiery resistance. He seized Vasuki's neck, pulling it back with all his might. The other Asuras, though suffering from the scorching Vasuki flames, tightened their grip on the serpent's body, channeling their divine power to shield themselves from the heat as they struggled to hold their ground.
Years slipped by in this relentless tug of war. After five hundred years, a colossal vortex began to form beneath Mandara Mountain, and the Kshira Sagara thickened, its waters transforming from the fluidity of the ocean to the viscosity of honey, rich and golden. The stirring grew more arduous with every moment as if the very essence of the ocean was solidifying, resisting their every effort.
Both the Devas and Asuras were tense, knowing that the Samundra Manthan of Kshira Sagara was nearing completion.
Indra, too, was fully immersed in the churning. His accumulated ascetic power had grown for eight hundred years, and with another two hundred, he would finally amass a thousand years' worth of penance, unlocking the first layer of his Sahasrakavacha.
With unwavering focus, he continued his efforts, fully absorbed in the monumental task before him.
Above the vast, swirling Kshira Sagara, a sudden flash of light split the horizon. From the milky depths shot a radiant beam of golden light.
Whoosh!
The golden ray soared skyward, illuminating everything in its path before unveiling a figure of dazzling beauty—Goddess Lakshmi herself.
Vishnu's face broke into a joyful smile; Brahma exhaled in relief; Shiva watched quietly, a soft smile touching his lips. The Devas erupted in celebration.
"Devi Lakshmi has appeared! Our power will be returning soon!"
"With the Goddess of Wealth, the prosperity of Svarga follows close behind!"
"Wonderful!"
Their excitement rippled through the Swarga residents, while even the Asuras observed in awe. Hiranyaksha narrowed his eyes, gazing thoughtfully at Lakshmi from afar, his expression unreadable.
Goddess Lakshmi radiated ethereal beauty, her rose-tinted lips curving into a serene smile. Dressed in a flowing red saree with golden edges, her skin shimmered like moonlight. With four graceful arms, she held blooming lotus flowers in two hands, a golden vessel in a third, and offered a gesture of blessing with her fourth, embodying prosperity, purity, and divine protection.
Whoosh!
Golden rays poured from her blessing hand, spreading throughout the universe and bathing the Devas and Asuras alike in its warm glow.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A mighty surge of energy awakened as the Devas felt their powers reigniting.
"Ah!" Indra stirred, feeling the change within himself. Beneath Devi Lakshmi's radiant light, his strength blossomed anew, waves of energy rising from deep within.
The essence of all living beings flows through three Nadi (Chanells) and seven chakras:
The three Nadi: Ida Nadi, Pingala Nadi, and the Sushumna Nadi.
The seven chakras, ascending from the base, are the Muladhara (Root Chakra), Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra), Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra), Anahata (Heart Chakra), Vishuddha (Throat Chakra), Ajna (Third Eye Chakra), and the Sahasrara (Crown Chakra).
Among the three Nadis, the Ida Nadi, which is the left channel, is associated with lunar energy, representing the feminine, cooling, and intuitive aspects of the mind. The Pingala Nadi, the right channel, represents solar energy, symbolizing the masculine, dynamic, and active aspects of life. The foundation of all divine energy begins with the Sushumna Nadi, the central energy channel, which runs along the spine from the base (Root Chakra) to the crown (Crown Chakra).
Emerging from the root chakra, these three Nadi spiral upward, weaving through each of the seven chakras in a flow of continuous energy. The root chakra, also known as kundalini, gathers all energy—whether sourced from within or drawn from the universe itself.
Boom!
At that moment, Indra sensed a surge of boundless energy stirring just below his navel. His life force pulsed vigorously, but it wasn't just his internal strength—energies of faith and devotion streamed in from the realms of heaven and earth, converging within him. These forces, powerful and wild like dragons and serpents, burst forth from the root chakra, intertwining within the three Nadi and rising with intense heat toward the navel chakra above.
The navel chakra, seat of emotion and source of divine fire, acted as a vortex, pulling in all the gathered power from the root chakra. Spiraling upward, the vortex burned with intensity, mirroring the churning of the Kshira Sagara, refining and transforming raw energy into divine power. Pure streams of divine power flowed steadily from this vortex, ascending with a focused brilliance.
Indra felt a surge of heat and swelling in his lower abdomen, his power increasing continuously. Divine energy coursed upward, flowing into the abdominal chakra through the three Nadi. The abdominal chakra governs will and embodies divinity itself. As the divine power settled there, it transformed into a cascade of lightning—manifesting Indra's essence as the Deva of thunder and lightning.
Within Indra's abdominal chakra, bolts of lightning crackled fiercely, each one like a small storm contained within him. The thunder roared as if echoing from the heavens, and the skies above the Milky Ocean mirrored this intensity. Black clouds rolled in, and serpentine streaks of lightning danced through them, illuminating the scene with a blinding, divine brilliance.
Rumble!
A lightning bolt shot down, striking Indra and enveloping him in a radiant glow. The lightning within him surged, rushing upward toward the heart chakra. The heart chakra represents control and serves as the vessel for the divine body. With this power, Indra's entire being shone with an immense radiance, his form expanding in stature, his skin gleaming and unbreakable, like celestial iron. Divine power, divine fire, divinity, and his divine body were now fully restored.
Around him, one by one, the Devas were regaining their strength, each reborn with their unique essence and power. Yet, Indra's transformation was not complete—he was the Deva of thunder, the ruler of Svaraga, the eldest son of Aditi.
With eyes blazing like twin suns, Indra raised his gaze toward the heavens. A surge of lightning coursed through him, climbing the path of the three Nadis. It traveled upward, its energy intensifying as it reached the Throat Chakra, the seat of creation itself, where the essence of the divine realm dwelled.
