Chapter 43: Narada boasts success with Kama

Meanwhile Ravana has ordered tax on all yagnas performed by Swamis. Swamis’ wives approach Ravana’s wife Mandodari and begs her to ask her hubby to take back his decision. Ravana is adamant.

However sages go on with their yagnas and dont provide tax. Punishment is pitcher of blood from their body which they are ok to give. Ravana is perplexed at this. He thought his Royal Treasury will overflow with money instead they were ready to give blood. However, after giving blood, the sages run away from Lanka. So Ravana is happy that there is no yagna happening in his territory, which was his objective in the first place.

But then sages are still doing yagna outside his territory which fumes Ravana. The king's doctor tells that the sages' collected blood is causing infection if not disposed off fast. So Ravan orders his servants to dispose of the sages' blood in neighboring territories. Servants obey. The blood starts falling from sky on hermitages. Sages are very worried since this spells doomsday. Also land becomes barren once sages' blood falls on land. So famine starts.

At the same time, the bleeding sages who have ran out of Lanka come to neighboring territory sages and ask for help. This sage informs that only Narad can help. Narad at that time appears. The sages ask for Narad for help, help being requesting Shri Vishnu to get incarnated on earth and end this nonsense. Narad agrees but for Vishnu to come to Earth, one has to perform severe penance. And Narad says he cannot do this because he has committed a mistake. He made ten of Daksh's sons ascetics by giving them alms. As a result, Daksh has cursed Narad to spend only some time at a particular place. So he cannot do penance for a long time at any one place. So all the sages gives Narad the benefit they have earned from their penance to Narad. This would allow Narad to do the penance in a shorter time and yet reap higher benefits since his opening balance itself would be high! The ordeal of a long penance can be saved.

The fact that Narad is doing tapas irritates Indra. Indra thinks that he Narad is doing tapas for Indra's throne. So Indra asks Kama (God of Love) to go and disrupt Narad's penance. Narada is doing tapas while Lord Kama (God of Love) shoots an arrow resulting in girls coming on the scene. But Narada scolds Kama for his tapas-bhang and Kama apologises. Hence Narada is very happy because he feels he has conquered Kama. Therefore he approaches Shiva and proudly boasts about his success. He tells Shiva that Shiva could not conquer Kama [dont know that story] but he (Narad) could.

Shiva warns him not to go to Vishnu and boast. Narada ignores him and goes to Vishnu and boasts about his success there too. Lakshmi and Vishnu are concerned about Narada’s Pride and arrogance, for which he must be punished. Vishnu informs Lakshmi that he wont let Narada's pride ruin him and will teach him a lesson.

Chapter 42: Dasharath marries Kaikeyi

Ravana’s intention was to expand his region and his target was the land of Kaikeyi, which happened to be the neighbour of Dasharath land. D accepts and both he and Keikeyi maharaj fight against Ravana. Kaikeyi’s king’s daughter, also called Kaikeyi, helps D when D is about to be killed and also becomes D’s charioteer. Ravana loses the battle as all his soldiers run away. D thanks Kaikeyi for saving his life.

During the battle, Kaikeyi has fallen in love with him and so she says she wants to marry him. He doesn’t promise but grants her 2 wishes which she can ask him any time in the future.

D heads back and consults his other 2 wives. Since they have not been able to conceive, they see a likely possibility in Kaikeyi conceiving, and hence they both agree. Wedding.

Chapter 41: Curse on Dasharath

Meanwhile Shravan Kumar’s parents ask for water in the midst of woods. He places his blind parents in a hut and reaches a pond. The sound of his splashing in the water is heard by Dasharath Maharaja, who hits an arrow in that direction thinking he was hunting a deer or a bird. Upon hearing a human cry, Dasharath panics, only to see Shravan die.

D informs Shravan’s parents of the mishap, upon which they curse him that, like them, he too should not have any children near him at the time of his death. He is much grieved. The parents die with shock of the loss of their only son.

The King performs the final rites and confesses to the Sage administrators (Vasisht, Bharadwaj, Atri, Angeera, Pulak, etc.) about what happened and asks for punishment. The then sage admin is Vasisht but V refuses to take any decision. V asks king himself to appoint the sage admin. King chooses Sage Bharadwaj since he has great experience and has done lot of penance. The saint assures that it was just fate that it happened and that he doesnt deserve punishment but his atonement is that he should not shoot by hearing alone - which apparently is his strength.

He accepts and returns to his palace, to find his 2 wives Sumithra and Kausalya performing welcome-back ceremonies. He wonders how the curse is going to affect him when he had no child at all, though he had 2 wives. Then, a messenger from the neighboring town Kaikeyi arrives with a request to help them fight war against Ravana.

Chapter 40: Surrender of Pinaki and Parashu

P goes to Shiva to ask him the other half gurudakshina. Shiva says that he has to become Brahmin again and uphold its destiny. P accepts and surrenders the Bow (Pinaki) and Parashu. Shiva asks P to give Pinaki bow to either of his 2 devotees Ravana or Mithila Naresh aka Janaka Maharaja. P first sets foot to Lanka.

Meanwhile, a saint is caught not following Ravana’s orders (that of chanting Ravana's name during yagna oblation) and hence is brought to court. When the saint stands his ground, Ravana asks why? Ravana is the grandson of sage Paulak and son of sage Visharbha. Saint says that just by being born to sage doesnt mean he is a sage himself. His deeds alone decide whether he is sage or not. Saint says that saint knows the body is temporary and hence he is not afraid of death. Ravana orders soldiers to kill him. At the same time P enters the court and is shocked to hear this verdict as he thought Ravana was a great man. Although Ravana is born to a sage father his mother is an asura and hence Ravana has imbibed the asura qualities.

Ravana is overjoyed to see P and grants him any wish. P asks saint’s life and Ravana graciously sets saint’s life free. But P is disappointed in Ravana and hence does not give the Pinaki. He leaves Lanka to Janaka’s place.

On his way, he meets Shravan and blesses him the luck when he sees Shravan carrying his parents in a weighing pan. P reaches J’s palace and surrenders the weapons, thanking them too.

Dasharath thanks P profusely for the bow. He asks what is life's biggest lesson and P says that doing good deeds is the only best thing in life. Thus saying, P departs to become a Brahmin sage again.

End of P’s life story.

Chapter 39: Avatar # 6: Parashuram Avatar

P is enraged. He searches and kills each of the 4 sons individually even though they are sent to 4 different safe-houses, and sends their 4 heads to S to see, who breaks down, recovers back to declares war. Before that, J even shows the 4 heads to Renuka. After giving some advice to P, Renuka passes away peacefully too. P is devastated. Now he is all alone, although he has 4 brothers to help him wage war against S. At the battlefield, P gives one more chance to S to save himself from death and ask for forgiveness from sages and leave Brahmins alone. But S scoffs. So be it, P decides and battle begins.

Apparently, it looks as one man P versus one full S army. But it is not so. Each squadron of S’s army is made to follow a P look-alike into the woods wherein all the ashram pupils wage a successful battle and finally when all squadrons are led to the woods unsuspectingly (reaching where they are found to their astonishment the full strength of P’s army, only to be humbled), only S is left, when P himself faces him, fights him and kills him. P had vowed to drink Kshatriya's blood when he comes to know of his kin’s massacre. So, now he fills a small pond called Saryanavath with S’s blood and drinks it from there, exacting complete revenge.

Vishnu meanwhile muses on how man becomes a victim of circumstances. He was born for the first time as a human being and to such a scholar and could have become easily a philosopher instead became a soldier with only one mission to kill. But Lakshmi consoles him that He is still a protector and He was still doing his duty as a protector by killing bad people. Vishnu is happy about it.

Chapter 38: Robinhood!

Meanwhile, long ago Sahasrarjun, while rowing in boat with loose women having leisurely fun, bumps into Ravana, who was doing tapas in river. In the ensuing fight, Ravana loses but he cannot be killed because he says he is immortal since he has magical powers as he is a demon. So S says that he might not die but as long as he is alive, he will be jailed. Later, Ravana refuses to escape from the prison as a coward when some other prisoners tries to free him during their own escape.

Now, while P leaves to woods, Sahasrarjun is shocked to learn that his army was massacred by P. So S asks Ravan freedom if he kills P. Since Ravan is asura, he would have magical powers that can kill this superman. Ravan says he is the son of a sage and P also is a son of a sage. So he says no deal. Rot here, shouts P and goes away.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the atrocities against P, his colleague Rishi Vasishta provides him with a magical cow called Sushila (which is an offspring of Kamadhenu – a cow which can give anything one desires!) and Vatsa's daughter Anamika (who cannot live without that cow & vice versa) to live with them. The daughter falls in love with P (rather a childhood love exponentiated in youth), but is shocked to see him sent to the woods. She wants to ask him to stay but she cannot. P says dont have any hopes since his mission in life is only to kill S.

P walks all the way to Shiva, now that he has no home and his goal also is not fulfilled. Since Ravana is a great devotee of Shiva, Shiva asks the release of Ravana as his half gurudakshina. P has no difficulty in releasing him and set him free, for which Ravana is very grateful. Ravana asks what he wants. P just says that try not to keep any prisoners in his Lanka. Ravan agrees.

P goes back to Shiva and tells mission accomplished. Shiva says this would be his full gurudakshina. P says no, this would be half only. Then, Shiva says that there is more time for remaining half.

Gradually, P builds a big army from J's disciples. When J comes to know of this, he condemns his son. P’s girlfriend expresses her desire to wed P, who declines to have her as a wife, because his whole embodiment of life is to kill Sahasrarjun. J stops his pupils from visiting P’s fighting classes. Anamika continues to help P. She will go to other hermitages and inform disciples to join P's warfare classes since it is important to fight injustice. During one such absence, J asks her if she was with P and she lies to him that she has married him. Hearing this P is enraged but Anamika tells that she considers him as her hubby anyways - so its not really a lie. He tells her he is just an experiment. She tells him that she is just an inspiration! P is speechless.

P, meanwhile, with the help of his girlfriend, accumulates pupils from all nearby ashrams during the nights and teaches them how to fight and to defend. This new formed Robinhood-army starts looting Kings loots, much to the chagrin of Sahasrarjun. With this growth in P's army, they attack S's army at night and loot valuables in a caravan which was initially looted from hermitages. Being successful, P then orders his students to re-distribute the valuables to respective hermitages.

Hearing that his valuables were looted by P, S orders his chief to go to J's hermitage and ask J where P is. Chief says he is really not at home. S then asks his 4 sons for help. The 4 sons of Sahasrarjun in Brahmin disguise, to wreak havoc, approach the ashram. Renuka finds out that they do not have any janwaaras (thread proving Brahminship) and hence deduces they are not Brahmins. Still, she provides excellent food to the 4 with the help of Sushila cow.

The 4 report it to pop who orders it to be brought to the palace. On the pretext of carrying out the order, the chief approaches the ashram and forces Anamika out of the way, which irks J and hence he himself takes the sword (a kshatriya action for a Brahmin) to protect her. The chief returns empty handed.

J proffers apologies to P after searching P in woods, but still says that weapons are to be used for defense only and not to attack.

Lakshmi is all happy that J said sorry to P. She says that tradition is meant to be changed with time. One should not follow custom for the sake of it - otherwise it will become rigid and conventional and orthodox which will become difficult for mankind's progress. Principles should be flexible and one cannot live life with one set of principles, there are various colors of life, in different circumstances one has to choose different paths. And we have to change as per the era & requirement. Vishnu agrees and says change is the only constant thing - it is immortal and eternal. Change is the secret for mankind's progress.

Looking at the chief empty-handed, S is enraged. So he says he will go to J and get Sushila himself. At J's hermitage, S asks J to hand over the cow which J refuses. Fighting ensues. J gets hurt and falls down. Then Sushila starts sending army to kill S's army from her tummy! S is perplexed. So he threatens Sushila that he will kill J if Sushila doesnt recall her army back. To save J's life, Sushila recalls her army back inside herself despite J pleading not to. S wins, and takes the cow to his palace. The 4 sons are very happy. They ask Sushila to give 4 beautiful girls with whom they can enjoy. Sushila refuses to help since she is pious cow. The sons think it is not the magical cow and J has tricked them. So one of the son goes to kill the cow. P enters the scene and stops the massacre of the cow. He tells that he cannot kill the sons in front of the cow and leaves them alone.

The sons want to take revenge against J for sending the wrong cow. They go to J and kill him while Renuka is nursing J's wounds from J's battle against S. Renuka is shocked. The sons leave while P enters. He sees Renuka beating her chest for 21 times and he gives her a promise that he will kill 21 Kshatriya lineages.

S's sons go to S and tells him what they did for which he shouts at them since now P will wage war sooner than he wanted. He wanted to collect all armies to wage battle against P but now he may not have time. S's wife goes to P and begs mercy. P says he can forgive if S asks for forgiveness with all sages. S refuses. So S's wife asks Shiva to take her life away since she cannot bear to see her sons dead. Shiva immediately takes her life away! S is shocked.

P approaches the sage's Board who agrees for war considering whatever happened with J. Meanwhile J's 21 kings all give him support in the forthcoming war. The news of war goes to S's sons who decide that kidnapping Anamika is the best option to tame down P. Once they get to the hermitage, they ask Renuka to let go of Anamika. Renuka refuses and starts sword fighting only to be wounded. Then the 4 sons approach Anamika, who kills herself so as not to be a burden for P. 4 sons shocked, head back to palace. Once again King shouts at them and says they are all fools. While he is wondering what to do next, some of the kings offer help and suggest to put the sons in different safe houses. King thanks them and goes with that option.

Meanwhile P comes and sees Anamika dead.

Chapter 37: Promise and reverse promise!

J asks a job off Parashuram, which the latter swears he will do it. When both return to the ashram to see J’s wife, J orders P to execute his promise, that to kill his mother. P is shocked and heart broken. But he is vachan-badh (promise-bound). So he cuts his mother’s head off.

J is very pleased with his son and grants him any wish. P asks for his mother, which J reluctantly offers him back with all his sanyasi powers. Then Parashuram goes and gives his peace of mind to J, telling him how such an esteemed sage like him can suspect wife of foul play. If he does this, then what about layman. Suddenly J understands his mistake. He goes and says sorry to Renuka. She says that she has to forget whatever happened. Now, all the misunderstanding and communication is cleared and J and J’s wife renuka are happy hubby and wife again!

Lakshmi asks Vishnu what was that all about to which Vishnu says that a son or daughter should not take either parents' side without knowing full facts. It is better to leave them alone and not interfere. Also not to promise something without knowing what is being committed to.

P now sets out to kill Sahasrarjun, who in the ensuing fight, is no match to P, and is inches away from the Parashu, when Sahasrarjun’s wife Nirmayi stops him and pleads his life. P lets him free. But Sahasrarjun sends his army to attack the ashram. P kills all soldiers, like Killbill(!) and J is shocked to see so many dead bodies in his ashram and hence orders P to leave the ashram as he is against Brahminship.

J says it is tradition of Brahmins to not abort to violence. P says to hell with tradition. Meanwhile Vishnu asks Lakshmi what is tradition. L replies that tradition is the good qualities that ties us to our past. Vishnu agrees. But he says while one should follow traditions one should not stick to tradition at dire times such as this when there is so much violence.

Chapter 36: Parashuram comes back

Shiva tells Ram to stand in ice cold water for 10 years and do archery practice. Ram does so & becomes super perfect. He is then given a Parashu (double-edged-sword) and a famous bow, to which he offers thanks by praying.

Meanwhile Sahasrarjun grows in power. He attacks his neighboring 25 states and conquers them all. But he is still not happy. He wants the remaining 25 states also to be conquered, even though they are all his friends. His wife advises him against. He invites all 25 state kings/friends to his palace and tells them that he wants them all to surrender to him. They are all shocked, asking 'What? We are you friend.' He says then it is easy to surrender. They all get angry and tell that they will attack him. At that time, S's army attacks them all and forces them to surrender. S gives order that they should all be taken to their respective provinces and then killed there with an announcement that their kingdom now belongs to Sahasrarjun. Seeing this atrocity, S's wife pleads S's 4 sons to stop S from committing any more heinous crimes. They agree and go to S but in front of S, they start praising S a lot for the great things he is doing and that they are all his big fans. Mother feels like having backstabbed but she cannot do anything.

Also S keeps attaching J and his hermitage. In one such instance, S openly praises Renuka about her beauty and that she doesnt belong in the hermitage but in a palace like his. Renuka gives him her peace of mind. Nowadays S is known to roam around freely with loose women just for pure pleasure and his crimes are increasing. In another of Sahasrarjun’s attacks against J’s ashram, J’s wife asks J to allow her to Sahasrarjun’s palace to plead mercy upon them in a true ‘daughter-of-a-king’ type. J allows. So J’s wife goes to Sahasrarjun’s palace. But Sahasrarjun, bound by her beauty, makes advances towards her. Sahasrarjun’s wife tries to stop, but is rudely pushed away. However, J’s wife slashes Sahasrarjun with a sword and runs away. Sahasrarjun survives the attack.

However, J suspects his wife’s foul play with Sahasrarjun, as she had taken an awful long time (due to the fight that she had with him). A slight misunderstanding and lack of proper communication makes J ask his other 4 sons to kill J’s wife. Torn between father’s order and crime of mother’s murder, sons decide to disobey father. J disappointed in life, sets off to the woods, whereupon he finds Ram – now called Parashuram – returning from Shiva with the kshatriya knowledge.

Chapter 35: Renuka gives birth to Ram

Sanyasis get to know of all this and condems Sahasrarjun. But Sahasrarjun is untouched and starts to trouble all sanyasis in his territory and questions their existence even though they were the ones who taught him how to fight. Sanyasis even come to know that it was S who had stolen cows from hermitages using petty thieves. S is shocked on how the sages came to know about it. Since the sage messenger openly tells in the open court that it was S who had stolen the cow, S is hugely insulted and hence S kills the messenger sage right then and there. Everybody is shocked at this.

Vishnu has had had enough, and takes birth in J’s wife’s womb as ‘Ram’ while Lakshmi herself helps Renuka as a maid.

J’s wife, Renuka had once accompanied her mom to visit a sage to see why Renuka & her mom hadnt been able to beget a son. Renuka, since she married J, is now a Brahmin but her mom is a Kshatriya. So the sage gave two glasses of milk - a Brahmin milk and a Kshatriya milk. Accidentally Renuka drank milk which belonged to her mom’s to give birth to a Kshatriya (warrior). Her mom, hence drunk "Brahmin" milk meant to Renuka. As a result, Renuka’s mom gave birth to Vishwamithra, who became a saint in Kshatriya kin, while Renuka gave birth to Ram, who inherently is a Kshatriya, in a Brahmin kin. Hence Ram had a natural tendency to fight than preach like other Brahmin pupil. He had no interest in learning any scriptures, much to his dad's chagrin. When Ram sees Sahasrarjun's atrocities to the hermitage, his goal in life is to kill S. So Ram starts practising archery in prep to kill S.

His dad refuses to be his archery guru too. So, he learns on his own. He even creates a bandit of young sages - all trying to learn how to fight. During one such practise session, they see S's soldiers. So Ram attacks them all. But he is overpowered. So he runs to a Shiva temple. He takes the Trishul from Shiva idol and kills all the soldiers in high fury. Looking at the fury, Lord Shiva comes to life and tells him that it is not so easy to kill S just by killing his soldiers. He should do a difficult penance for 10 years since even Sahasrarjun has done an equally difficult penance to get a 1000 arms. Lord Shiva then accepts Ram as Guru and asks him to report to Kailash soon.

Ram agrees and walks to Himalayas. Shiva praises Ram upon seeing Ram’s bloody feet (because of the walk). 

Chapter 34: Sahasrarjun

Vishnu is again worried because man is inculcating asura habits. When Bali (an asura) came to attack Maanav loka, instead of asura taking up maanav's characters, maanav took up asura characters. Man is hating man because of excessive desire.

Once upon a time, although Vishnu loves Lakshmi a lot, he gets very angry with her and curses her to be born in man-land which she eventually does. But after being separated from her, He misses her and He too takes birth in Earth and gets married to her. They have a son called Kritavirya who has a son called Kartivirya. Kartivirya does penance for which he gets a boon from Vishnu Himself to have the power of 1000 arms to protect the world. Kartivirya aka Sahasrarjun, who got his name after doing strenuous tapas to obtain 1000 shoulders (sahasrabaahu) from Vishnu himself, becomes haughty after he gets the power and hence misbehaves with all. He misuses his power to become a tyrant instead of a protector. So Lakshmi and Vishnu are sad that their own grandson became haughty.

One fine day, he feels like going hunting. He dismisses his pundit because latter said not to hunt because of wrong ‘kaala’ (time). Sahasrarjun objects and he is adamant even though Pundit uses Sahasrarjun’s wife to forbid Sahasrarjun to go. Sahasrarjun is of the opinion that Pundits are trying to rule the world and overthrow the kings.

He goes to hunt. Is stopped by an ashram kid Kalash, who doesn’t allow King to enter into Jamadagni’s ashram. So Sahasrarjun beats him. Jamadagni too refuses Sahasrarjun’s entrance to hunt the animal in his ashram, by making all his disciples to sleep at the entrance. His wife, Renuka, too sleeps.

This ‘sleeping beauty’ mesmerizes Sahasrarjun. He stares at her, who happens to be previously the daughter of a king too (queen-eligibility). He retreats. Jamadagni, stressed, meets Saptharishis (7 Rishis) who are like Board members of Rishi community. They agree, after a meeting, that Sahasrarjun’s behavior to Sanyasis is becoming rude. So, a messenger is sent to Sahasrarjun’s palace to invite him to their place, which Sahasrarjun refuses. But after advises from his wife and member of council that if he disrespects the ‘Board’, which is respected by ‘praja’ (citizenry) then he will be disrespected by people too and so he accepts grudgingly.

 When he is told by the Board to apologise to Jamadagni for misbehaving with J’s disciple, Sahasrarjun disagrees and instead starts troubling J by robbing his cows, putting fire to his ashram, etc.

Chapter 33: Avatar # 5: Vaaman Avatar

Bali then gets word that Indra has descended to maanav loka where he is getting help. Upon promising Shukracharya to kill all the maanavs, Bali gets set to attack maanavs. P upon hearing such an atrocity tries to stop him, but no. Lakshmi herself tries to stop him, but Bali is not to break the promise. He starts killing maanavs. So he sets out. Vishnu is very unhappy because the pact is broken (maanavs in maanav loka, daanavs in demon land and gods in god land) since daanav (Bali) is going to attach maanavs (man).

When Indra’s mom Aditi meets Vishnu to ask for help, he assures to help her in the form of fulfilling her wish (chapter one) that he will be born through her womb. Soon, Vamana takes birth [Avatar No. 5 Vaaman Avatar] as a Brahmin dwarf. Vishnu talks to Aditi and tells that his promise is now fulfilled. To witness this birth, all folks come to Kashyap's house - Brahma, Shiva, Saraswati, Brihaspati, Indra and Co.

The rishis want to perform upanayanam ceremony to Vaaman at the earliest. Significance of this ceremony is: The thread reminds a person of his duties: modest while being student, family man while being husband and father, follow norms as a part of society, duties toward society, etc. It teaches that rules exists all through the life. To abide this, you need to beg. Begging is important role. In begging phase, power and desire of endurance one possesses is very essential for one who is beginning life.

So dwarf starts begging with people. First he goes to Kuber who gives him a vessel to beg for alms. Sarashwati gives him beads. Brahma gives him a water container. Shiva gives him grains and fills up the vessel. Rishi Brihaspati performs the upanayanam ceremony and puts the thread to Vaaman. Aditi's father gives him a shawl. One of the Gods give him an umbrella. Another God gives him walking stick. When it is Indra's turn, Indra asks for apology. He will tell that he wont ever do any mistake again. Vishnu tells that realization of a mistake itself is atonement. Vishnu tells that because of Indra, many innocent people got killed in maanav loka. But now that he is born from Aditi, he is now younger brother for Indra. Vaaman forgives Indra. Indra says he likes the dwarf form of Vaaman. Vaaman says in this incarnation he is born only to ask for alms. Indra is perplexed. Isnt begging wrong, isnt it the lowest thing to do on this earth? It is not a noble profession.

Vishnu says that asking for alms out of sheer laziness is wrong - it is a social evil. But in reality, everyone is born a beggar, and everyone begs all his lifetime. When a living being is born, he begs to his mother for milk. As he grows, he begs his father for safety. As a student he begs for education. As he grows older, he begs to the old for their experience. Plant begs for water, wind, sunlight, etc. These begging is not wrong nor meant for criticism. So, begging is not all bad. It makes one humble - which is a noble for any being. Mankind will understand true meaning of begging by seeing this avatar because Vishnu only begs for the good of mankind.

Aditi is scared how such a dwarf can fulfill her wish of taking care of Bali, who is all powerful. Vishnu says courage is not dependent on size. Internal strength does not depend on external strength. His objective is not to kill Bali nor wage war. He wants to prove to Bali that war against mankind is not Vishnu-approvable! He wants to tell Bali that just because he is generous doesnt mean he is God. He only wants to cut down his pride.

Shukracharya detects a threat to Bali’s life (he knows that Vishnu has come to earth) and so he starts Ashwamedha yagna with Bali. Nobody challenges the horse (ashwa) and he is victorious. So the yagna starts, and S says not to get up till the yagna is over. But when Vamana chants ‘Bhavathi Bhikshaan Dehi’ in front of yagna, Bali cannot stop himself because of his donating principle and gets up in the middle of yagna and approaches Vamana, who is of the opinion that however much good Bali is (in donating, etc), a person should be punished when he does something bad (killing innocent people, etc).

Shukracharya sees Vishnu in Vamana and prevents Bali to give in to whatever Vamana says. But Bali is adamant and asks what Vamana wants. S says it is Vishnu. Bali is overjoyed. He wanted to see Vishnu and this is Vishnu and what else he wants. Bali ignores Shukracharya and again asks what Vaman wants. Vamana replies ‘Just 3 steps.’ Bali says yes. Vaman says you have to promise via a sankalp. Bali agrees. Vamana does the sankalpa (pouring sacred water from jar while chanting mantra), but Shukracharya diminishes in size and stops the flow of water from the neck of the jar by standing firm. Vamana pokes a stick into the neck, resulting in Shukracharya’s one eye getting damaged, and with pain, Shukracharya runs away.

Bali then asks what the steps are. Vamana grows big and big and puts his foot on:
1. Entire Earth & Inferno. [While passing his foot via a sharp mountain, His tow grazes the jagged edge and blood oozes out. This dropping blood is seen by Brahma. He realizes that it is Goddess Ganga. he says it is not yet time for Ganga to flow. So he takes all the blood into a container and saves it. Then Ganga talks from the container - Please release me from this urn. She wants to go to Earth. Brahma says that it is not yet time. She has to wait in this urn. Ganga accepts.]
2. Entire Sky & Universe.
There is now nothing left for Bali to donate. So Vaaman asks shall he forgo the 3rd step? Bali says that he has taken oath for 3 steps, and he has to donate 3 steps. But where do I keep it, asks Vishnu. Therefore Bali asks V to keep his foot on Bali himself for the 3rd step. Bali, though, is not regretful because he knows that Vamana is Vishnu himself and that his greatest desire of seeing Vishnu had come true and he was ready to accept death from Vishnu Himself as repenting to what all evils he had committed. Bali wants the world to know that Bali never goes back on his word.

Hence Vamana keeps his foot on Bali’s head as his last wish and that ends Vamana Avatar. But that doesnt end Bali's life.

But, the real reason, says Vamana later to Bali, he came is that, Bali was going way out of bounds, because of his improper teacher, Shukracharya. Unlike P’s Narada, Shukracharya had taught ill wills to Bali. Vishnu descended to teach this to Bali. Although Bali was good, he was wrong in thinking he was ultimate. No ‘deepa’ (flame) is greater than Sun. No man is greater than God. So, once Bali apologises profusely for his misdeeds, Vishnu grants his life and kingdom back, because of his ‘donating’ attitude. Bali also asks for everyday darshan of Vishnu and Lakshmi and is granted. Vishnu and Lakshmi are happy that their pupil, going astray is led back onto the right track.

Vaaman and Bali's generous activities are celebrated even now as Onam in Kerala.

Chapter 32: Bali

While Virochan is looking at sunset, Shukracharya asks him why look at a setting sun - it is not positive. Virochan replies that has become his fate now. At this juncture comes Vishaalakshi who is the daughter of Vishaalaksh, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom. She has always been a fan of Virochan, and she is now on the look out of a groom for herself. And she decides Virochan it is for her.

There is news of Kayadu's depleting energy. She has one final wish - to see Virochan get married. So right on her death bed, Prahallad again makes Virochan as the King and immediately follows it by getting him married to Vishaalakshi. Virochan has no issues. They get married. Kayadu dies. Then Prahallad and his wife bids everyone good bye to his Kingdom and heads to a hermitage for sanyasatwa.

Shukracharya's father Bhrigu (Maharishi Bhrigu was one of the seven great sages, the Saptarshis, one of the many Prajapatis created by Brahma, the first compiler of predictive astrology, and also the author of Bhrigu Samhita, the astrological classic. Source: Wiki) detects a threat to P’s son's life (untimely death), so he comes to Shukracharya and informs him. Penance in Himalayas for 10 years to Sun God is the only way out. But it needs to be done ASAP, with not a moment to lose. Shukracharya rushes and requests Virochan to do tapas. Just when he is about to leave he gets info that he’s got a son. Overcome by emotion, he goes to his wife to congratulate and welcome the son. Shukracharya also forgets that Virochan has to leave immediately. Virochana asks Shukracharya to name his son and he is named as Bali. Virochana leaves for his penance.

Bali is a whole-hearted donor. His pop finishes tapas after seeking blessings of God of Sun, who has given V a tiara which will save his life from untimely death as long as it is on his head, and returns home. Fascinated by his son, he puts Bali into Higher Education.

V, backed by Shukracharya, then introduces Policy of no praying for devathas (no yagna using Indra’s name), but only Vishnu. This angers Indra & Co who plot to kill V. Devtas like the plan and the plot thickens.

Bali graduates faster than expected. Vishaalakshi and Virochana decide to go to visit Bali as parents (instead of as king and queen). Shukracharya is not in town else he would have advised against it. On the way, it gets too hot. This is because Indra has advised Sun God to shine too much on V&V. Unable to bear any more, V&V come to a sage's hut. The sage within is actually Indra disguised. Indra gives them water filled with sleep-causing-something. Once drunk with water, V&V fall asleep. So Indra takes away V's prized tiara. Opportunity provided, Indra attacks P’s son and kills him. Just so that Shukracharya will not revive V's life by Sanjeevini mantra, he even turns V's body into ashes. Vishaalakshi sees this and she is shocked.

Bali is angered and to avenge his father’s death, goes and attacks Indra. But he too gets killed by Indra. Indra again wants to turn Bali's body into ashes so that Shukracharya cannot revive his life. Just then Vishnu appears. He: ‘I am much disappointed by you, Indra.’ Vishnu tells Indra what is the meaning of ‘pooja’ and praying. Vishnu gives Indra his peace of mind and then Indra is all ashamed. Asks Vishnu for repentance. ‘Return Bali’s body’ says Vishnu. He then says that he wont help the Gods (Indra & Co) any more due to the demonic way in which they were behaving.

Indra returns Bali's body. Shukracharya with his powers brings back Bali’s life. Bali avows to take revenge. Hence Shukracharya trains him. Battle ensues between Bali and Indra. Bali wins this time. He makes Indra run away from his palace and sits on Indra’s throne. Orders everywhere that no one should help (feed/shelter) Indra & Co. Whoever helps Indra & Co also gets killed. So Indra & Co runs. Bali wears father’s crown again.

Indra & Co in great desperation approach Indra’s mom (who is the start of the lineage of Gods) and asks her help. Indra’s mom approaches her husband's other wife (who is the start of the lineage of demons). But she refuses to help, asking Indra’s mom what she was doing when her son killed Bali’s pop. Hence Indra’s mom approaches Bali himself in one of his money-and-jewelry-donating-to-the-poor ceremonies, wherein she asks him her son’s lives. Bali refuses. He says he is a great Giver of anything except Indra & his cohorts' happiness.

Bali meets Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi who sponsors him to donate the large amount of money and jewelry. Lakshmi is blissfully happy with her great grandson’s doings.

Chapter 31: A triange love story

Years later, son Virochana is called for, for ‘Yuvraj’ (Crown Prince) title. Initial courteous denial and then acceptance. Informs Shukracharya. Pleased. He wants him to take the place of P. Shukracharya wants to take one final revenge against Vishnu.

As part of Crown Prince, Shukracharya asks Virochana to go hunting. Prahallad is against it since it involves killing of innocent animals. But Shukracharya says that it is an important skill for being a warrior king. Virochana ignores father and does as his teacher. In the process of hunting, he gets lost in woods. He gets stuck in the middle of a storm. He then sees a sanyasi (Sudhanva, son of Rishi Angeera) doing tapas under a toppling tree. He saves the sanyasi’s life injuring himself. Both, injured, enter an ashram. A damsel called Deepavali there (daughter of Vats). Love triangle.

Meanwhile P and kin tensed about non-return of Virochana. As a father, and not as a king, P goes alone in search of his son, without available resources. He is praised.

Feelings of Virochana, Deepavali and Sanyasi. Deepa likes both but is undecided to opt whom. They all depart. Virochana asks Shukracharya what he should do. He asks to use his Prince's powers. Virochana asks if it is the right thing to do, S confirms it is. So the three meet again (Virochana, Deepavali and Sudhanva) and discuss who should marry who. She decides to wait for her pop. ‘But pop is sanyasi, favours sanyasi, too’, wails Virochana. So, dignified kidnapping of Deepa by V. Sudhanva asks D if he wants him to protect her. She says no - she doesn't want anyone to be injured because of her. V takes D to Shukracharya's hermitage - to give her a sense of homeliness. Shukracharya resolves to take care of her.

Meanwhile, Angeera (Sudhanva) goes and complains to the sages' court on the Prince's kidnapping act. Sages call Prahallad to scene, who is unaware of everything. He decides to take immediate action. He goes to Shukracharya's hermitage and releases Deepa. Shukracharya refuses, he says he is bound to vow given to Virochana for Deepa's protection. Prahallad and Shukracharya take out their swords to resolve the dispute - Prahallad says that it is sad that he has to fight against his own teacher. At that time Virochan comes and says he doesnt want his father and teacher to fight for his object of emotion.

Sense put into V. He releases her. Blinded by love, immature acts by both suitors. She is still undecided, as both have good qualities. Even Rishi Vats (D's dad) is undecided. So he asks Prahallad to be the judge, who says he will accept only if Sudhanva agrees, esp because P is Virochan's dad. Sudhanva agrees.

Shukracharya is wary because he thinks Prahallad will oppose Virochan and so he advises V to ask for P’s mom’s help to influence the decision. Viru happy!

P undecided. High lobbying by P’s mom and wife w.r.t. P’s son. P unfazed. Considering the fact that V kidnapped damsel, he votes for sanyasi and give her hand to sanyasi. P’s son is shocked, but accepts. Main reason is that he used his powers of palace to seek her while sanyasi did not use his powers of penance. At the same time, even though Virochan kidnapped Deepa, Sudhanva did not doubt purity of Deepa. So Sudhanva wins. Shukracharya is against P too, but P convinces him too.

Virochan accepts his defeat fully and agrees he did not do the right thing. At the same time, he foregoes his princehood. All are shocked.

Vishnu and Lakshmi visit P, showering him with accolades for his decision, even though he had to go against his son’s wishes. Ask anything, Vishnu asks. P says, he wants to leave everything now and just pray Him and gain knowledge. Vishnu grants him so, asking him one last duty - to make Virochan King before he leaves to sanyasatwa. 

Chapter 30: King Prahallada

A convinces P that latter is the king. He has got a good head on his shoulders. Although protesting, P accepts the throne. Years later, during which P runs the kingdom successfully and efficiently, P is tested several times. Lakshmi asks Vishnu why, to which He replies anyone who has bhakti (devotion) will always be tested. One example story given -

Two women fighting for a baby, as to who the real mother is. P confused. Asks mom. ‘Breast milk of actual mom stops child’s cries.’ Child stops crying for both women’s milks. Kayadu confused. So, back to square one. So, P orders murder of baby. Immediately one of the woman says ‘Stop killing the baby, let the other have my baby.’ Gotcha! True mom feelings! P praise. He death-sentences the other lady.

She says that’s what she deserved anyhow in her house as she was supposed to bear a son and instead had given birth to a daughter, much to the chagrin of hubby, who had appropriately decided her fate. So, P gives her life back, and asks Senapathi to warn her hubby not to threaten her. He blames the society for discriminating female species. Topper P!

Chapter 29: Avatar # 4 : Narasimha Avatar

HK is too distressed. How can P overcome all the obstacles. He gets too frustrated and asks where Vishnu is. P says Vishnu is everywhere. Is he in this pillar? asks HK. Yes, says P.

HK orders that pillar to be heated up. Pillar becomes red hot after servants heat it up. HK orders P to go and hug the pillar, if it really is Vishnu. P hesitates but only for a second. He starts his usual chant 'Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya' and approaches the pillar. Meanwhile, Vishnu gets into the usual trance mode which is common when He is trying to save His devotees. Lakshmi bows to him. Thanks to Vishnu, pillar cools down. P hugs it. Nothing happens. HK flares up. He takes the sword and rashly approaches P to cut him into pieces. He, as a father wanted to avoid killing his own son, but there is no other option left.

Just as he tries to behead P, out comes Vishnu as half human half man extremely ferocious lion-like ‘Narasimha.’ Time is evening. The Narasimha drags HK half outside palace, half inside, neither on earth nor in sky, and rips his body apart in bare hands without using any weapon. HK is outwitted by his own vows. The death of HK by [Avatar No 4] Narasimha avatar of Vishnu.

The ferocity of Vishnu/Narasimha is not over even after killing of HK. So Brahma comes and asks him to cool down. Unsuccessful. Then Shiva. Nope. Lakshmi, nope. Due to this ferocity, Earth is going bonkers - volcanic eruptions, floods, etc. So everyone wants him to cool down. So Lakshmi asks P to request V to cool down. P does so, he convinces Vishnu that finally all the badness (aka HK) is now gone, so V can cool down. P says V wants to see the nice pleasant face of Vishnu, and so finally Vishnu cools down - and transforms from half man half lion to His Beauty Self. All are happy. Vishnu says that this is what happens whoever proclaims to be God.

Then, Kayadu is crying. Lakshmi is glad to get back the all smiley Vishnu, after the lionish form. Debate in palace about lighting HK’s pyre. A or P. A says P. Kayadu prepares for sati (widow suicide). P convinces her of the futility of it and ‘whats-the-point’ approach. He says its her duty to take care of her son (P) than die for the dead (HK). Kayadu is convinced. She doesn’t fall to the pyre. From this moment on, no more Sati - P announces.

P releases Indra & Co from the jail (jailed by HK). People should belong to their respective locations=> Devtas:Akash::Maanav:Bhoomi::Asuras:Paatal. They are all shocked to learn that Vishnu killed HK despite a boon which almost made HK invincible. Indra is ashamed at his previous act when he had tried to abduct Kayadu and kill the child in her womb. Now, that child himself is releasing him to his kingdom. 

Chapter 28: Prahallada and Kritya

Shukracharya orders S&A to call ‘Kritya’, the Devil. S&A hesitate, because Kritya will destroy everything in its wake. Shukracharya orders. So S&A start the preparation. They line up all the disciples and prepare a cauldron. They call upon Kritya.

Seeing the demonic devil, all disciples run away, scared. Although scared, P stands his ground and prays Vishnu. Kritya throws him into the cauldron (for purpose of boiling first and then eating), which suddenly turns into a bed of flowers because of P’s prayers. Then Kritya tries to cut him into pieces, but P is sheltered in an invisible doom. Kritya is angered, as it did not have its food. So she turns to the only available humans – S&A who beg her not to kill them. To no avail. Kritya cuts their heads off.

Vishnu compares Kritya to fire. One who starts it may also get destroyed from it. So not to think ill of anybody.

P wakes up. He sees S&A’s dead bodies. He is shocked. Crying, he goes to inform Shukracharya. Stunned, Shukracharya arrives at the scene of crime. He mourns their death. He cant use the Sanjeevini on them, for it is applicable only for those dead in a war and not for those dead in magical fashion! He tells P that P is responsible for their death.

P is perplexed. How can he be responsible for his gurus’ death, gurus whom he liked so much. He says he is as much distressed at the sight of their dead bodies. But he asks Shukracharya that if he, P is alive, then how? If S&A is dead, then how? How is it he is winning all the time? Its about time Shukracharya accepted that Vishnu is the God and not HK, although he knows it. P knew S&A said HK is God only for fear, though they knew otherwise. Shukracharya bows his head, for he knows he has been defeated.

P crying, calls upon Vishnu and asks him what he calls his last request. Lakshmi shows first strains of irritation at P for him asking favours for his enemy. She has got bugged about his innocence, but Vishnu says, that is how one has to lead life. To ask help for others displays the broadness of one’s mind. It is not that his disciples are bound by him (Vishnu), but that he is bound by his disciples. His disciples asking for his help is the best thing that could happen to him and makes him that much more great, and then honour that millions of people have on him. And so, he shall always help his disciples.

P’s request is granted. S&A get back their lives. S&A, Shukracharya all are stunned. S&A immediately accept P as their guru. They forfeit their father’s orders. Shukracharya is shattered. S&A inform that they will be P’s followers. P tells that Faith does neither have leaders nor followers. It is a path traversed hand in hand.

Meanwhile, HK announces A to be his successor. People in court raise doubts that A is not HK’s son. He is, says HK and reveals the whole secret. People encore. A is happy too. HK also announces the intended murder of P by Shukracharya. Kayadu screams.

She says she is cheated by S&A’s act of luring away P from her. ‘They are unforgivable’. S&A appear: ‘Yes, we are. We are sorry.’ ‘Where is P?’ P appears: ‘Over here!’ HK is shocked. ‘You still alive? Where is Shukracharya?’ Shukracharya appears: ‘Over here’. Shukracharya relates all the happenings and, in the end says, for the first time in his life, he has been defeated, and he accepts the defeat.

Chapter 27: Prahallada and elephants

HK tells him all about intended missions having gone astray. Shukracharya tells him not to worry, now that he has come. He blasts his sons for not teaching their disciples well, esp P. Their complaints are trashed. He tells them that they should have used Kritya (Death) against non-following disciples.

He beckons them to bring P to him. They ask Kayadu. She is unwilling, but P wants to complete the education. On their way back, S&A deliberately bring P to a dangerous area, so that wild elephants could crush him. They leave him alone. Elephants approach P but will not touch him. They bless him and go away. S&A are confused. They are unsuccessful even in killing P. They take him to Shukracharya.

Shukracharya asks why P is disobeying the words of all. Why is he being such a pain? Though, unwilling to say it, P says ‘Pain’ is Shukracharya himself. Shocked, Shukracharya asks how. P explains all the jealousy, ahankaar (pride), ego and wrong-doings of Shukracharya. How he could have saved HK from calling himself as Bhagwan, how peaceful education can be manifested. Shukracharya is not a good guru at all.

Shukracharya is outraged. No one has spoken to him like that. He wrings P’s neck. But in the end, goes away to kill P in a better way. P asks: ‘If a disciple does wrong, guru is there. But if a guru does wrong, then what?’

Chapter 26: Prahallada drowned in ocean

Sinhika dies. Her hubby Viprachitthi (Kamroop Naresh) is thunderstruck. HK is fuming. All plans are backfiring. So Viprachitthi devises another plan. He takes P along with him to the beach and drowns him, into the sea. P’s body goes deep down to the depths of the ocean. Kamroop thinks P is dead. Kayadu, hearing the news, goes to the sea to pray.

One who has bhakthi tells people about his faith. Once he talks of faith, he is made to undergo various tests to confirm his belief. He is twisted to check his integrity. And that’s what P is made to undergo.

Lakshmi’s home town is the ocean. Her father is the father of Ocean. She beckons him and tells him the story. He rescues P and P rests peacefully in the arms of this ‘Grand-dad’.

On hearing Kayadu’s venturing into sea to give her life away so that P’s back alive, HK goes after her. But the prayers of Kayadu are heard, and the Father of the Ocean returns the boy back to Kayadu. Kayadu is extremely happy. P tells her about how he felt like resting in his grand-dad’s arms.

HK is shell shocked to see both wife and child alive. He is fuming. Before he takes any further step, Shukracharya enters the scene. He stops any further action.

Chapter 25: Prahallada and fire

But one more idea comes to HK’s sis. She decides to take P into fire with her, so that while she can stay alive, P will not be spared. HK hopeful. Kayadu and A are anxious. P is happy and unsuspecting. Lakshmi anxious too. Complains to Vishnu. He pacifies: “Agni Dev will have given appropriate instruction to Sinhika after the misuse of vow by Shukracharya by Shiva and Brahma to HK.” Also hints that if a sadist derives pleasure by hurting others, then first he himself should place in the victim’s boots. Sinhika though got her son back after Death, still wants to take revenge against P. Mom afraid. P convinces her. Also helps A know who Vishnu is. Vishnu is Hope. Life is Hope (Vishwas). Whatever happens i.e. because Vishnu desires so. A is beginning to follow P’s footsteps.

Utsav (celebration) begins for pyre-entering-P. Lakshmi complains. How can it be an utsav when a massacre is being executed? Both P and Sinhika enter fire, in the presence of city-dwellers, HK, his wife (after unwanted restraint), A & others.

Sinhika takes P along with her to the pyre. But, P is saved because of his faith in Vishnu. However, Sinhika herself gets burnt. Perplexed, she calls upon God of Fire who had given her the vow that Fire will never touch her. God of Fire comes and reminds her that the vow was just to protect herself, but not to bring harm to others. If done so, then it will backfire.

Chapter 24: Prahallada and poisonous snakes

A letter goes to Prahallada to be delivered to his the then informed new-found brother at Kamroop. He is overjoyed to meet his bro. He sets off. The letter tells Ahlad to kill Prahallada.

Lakshmi is tense. Vishnu keeps saying the ‘romanticity’ of the story and that why worry when ‘Main hoon na!’

Prahallada takes the letter to Ahlad. A & P are happy to be together again. P gives A the letter. It informs A that P has to be put in a dungeon full of snakes because he is a Vishnu-devotee. So A does so. P is thrown into a room full of poisonous snakes. But, unfazed, P prays for Vishnu, who, as always, saves him. P goes out of the dungeon untouched.

But some snakes come out of the dungeon and kill mercilessly the bad. One snake even bites A. P is much distressed. He cries and prays to Vishnu to give his newly-found bro’s life back. Vishnu, out of sympathy, provides life back to A and P is happy.

News travel to HK’s sis. Whole kin visits A and upon seeing him alive and kicking, are happy too. A changes his status quo from Vishnu-hater to Vishnu-lover and joins hands with P. Mom’s dramatics and HK’s ire.

Chapter 23: Prahallada given poison

Kayadu’s saddisms, beggisms and HK’s no-isms. Swarbhanu gives idea of poisoning Prahallada. HK happy. Poisonated stuff to Prahallada in the morning.

Lakshmi is informed of the process by Narada. Immediately she goes to Shiva for help, who readily agrees to help. So when Prahallada drinks, Shiva consumes the poison and Prahallada is unaffected and unknown of what’s happening. Kayadu hysteric when she learns that it was poison she gave her son. So she visits Prahallada, who is fit-n-fine! He says Vishnu’s the one who is helping him all around.

Vishnu’s dialogues that a bad mind like HK’s can never think good. And that HK was approaching this own death than Prahallada’s, because all deaths and births are at the hands of Brahma.

HK is dissatisfied with Swarbhanu for his dissatisfactory actions (w.r.t poisoning). He becomes angry and orders Swarbhanu to get out.

Then enters HK’s sis Sinhika and her hubby Kamroop Naresh. HK is enchanted. He enquires what she’s been doing all these years? She says she was doing tapas to conquer fire and that she was granted the wish by Agni Dev (God of Fire) to be in fire and remain unaffected. So she wanted to display it in front of her bro first. And hence her coming. HK is pleased.

The ceremony begins. She enters fire and she is not affected by it. All are amazed and praise her. HK is happy and informs Vishnu that he has got one more tool now.

In small talk amongst kin, comes the topic of Prahallada. Hk’s angry. Informs all events. Topic shifts to who has to be the next prince. Sinhika is ready to break the promise: the promise that only she, hubby, HK, Kayadu knows; that she being barren had adopted with consent, Kayadu’s first child, Ahlad and treated as her son, without the outside world knowing this. But nothing doin, says HK. A promise is a promise. Still…..Sinhika wants to return the gratitude and this is a way, so that, Ahlad can be the prince of both Kamroop and HK’s asura loka.

After some exchange, topic is back on Prahallada. Whaddado? Sinhika visits Prahallada. Tells him about Vishnu killing Hiranyaaksha. Prahallada asks why? Rape. Prahallada is shocked and says Hiranyaaksha deserves his death. Sinhika is unsuccessful. She plans evil:

Chapter 22: Prahallada thrown from hill-top

Senapathi & Co led by Swarbhanu reach tapas-point. The Question. The Reply. They tie him and take him atop a hill and throw away Prahallada. Prahallada chants. Lakshmi worries. Vishnu smiles.

Vishnu with magical powers encounters Prahallada half way down and acts as an elevator for the comfortable journey down. Prahallada is unaware. Vishnu places Prahallada’s still alive body on a rice cart, then standing nearby. Vishnu returns back to his abode. Lakshmi scolds him for what he had done. Vishnu is perplexed. So she explains that the cart was bound to HK’s place. Vishnu admits that his job was just to save Prahallada’s life which he had done.

Meanwhile Kayadu is in hysteria. Senapathi informs the whole event. But HK is angered when Senapathi tells him that they do not have the conclusive evidence of having seen Prahallada’s dead body. But Senapathi says the fall was steep. HK is assured Prahallada is dead. He laughs the usual devilish laugh.

No great man has trodden the path of flowers. To become great, difficulties, determination and hard work are a core necessity. So with Prahallada, who is brought to HK’s court along with rice cart owner in whose cart Prahallada was laid down by Vishnu. Owner assures HK of his innocence and that he was not giving ‘Aashraya’ (haven) for Prahallada, the fugitive. HK lets him go scot-free but puts Prahallada in palace jail.

Chapter 21: Prahallada and Barren Land

Prahallada undergoes tough terrains because of Swarbhanu’s magical wicked powers of converting smooth roads to thorned ones, fruits to fruitless trees, etc. At one point, Narada comes and cleanses blood-laden P's feet. But P says he was almost enjoying the bleeding. Anyway, thorns only troubled the body which is anyways destructible. The thorns were not hurting his soul which is under the protection of holy chant of Lord Vishnu! He is all for undergoing troubles in the name of Vishnu. Narada understands now that the time has come when the traveler (P) goes beyond what the guide (N) taught. P says that he was only suffering from loneliness. For that, Narada says not to worry - since hordes of people are getting ready to follow him.

Chanting Vishnu’s one-liner, Prahallada makes way across the woods and under a tree does the best thing one could do, tapas - bowing down to Vishnu if so be it that he should neither eat or drink.

His pals at the ashram hear the news and decide to boycott the classes and follow Prahallada. In spite of S&A’s insistence not to do so, all disciples make their way to Prahallada to help him out and become followers of Vishnu. Vishnu winks a what-did-I-tell-you-wink at Lakshmi. Vishnu says that to ingrain ideal thoughts, principles and objectives - childhood is the best phase and thats exactly what Prahallada did.

Sad scene at the palace. One that of ah-so-much-worry kayadu. Always weeping. Soothing words by HK. And then determined opinion that Prahallada was a Raj-drohi (enemy of the state) and rightfully needs to be punished. Too disappointed, she refuses to have dinner. To that, HK says - "In spite of being God, I could not understand you, woman, then how can anybody else understand you?" Damn funny!! :-)

Swarbhanu blows winds at high knots at Prahallada. Prahallada unfazed. Prahallada’s pals arrive at the scene of tapas and feed him with mangoes and other nature-provided delicacies. Prahallada doesn’t want to eat. Because mom’s hungry as well. Telepathy.

So Narada vists Kayadu and tells whats happening. So she eats. So he eats. Prahallada thanks his pals but seriously advise them to go back to their ashram, and if not, their tutors S&A shall be punished, which is a bad thing altogether. So to save their gurus and make Prahallada happy, all pupils rush back to Ashram.

Meanwhile pops of runaway children approach HK and tell about incident. HK is enraged. Prahallada is encouraging Generation Next about Vishnu being Bhagwan. So another immediate order about killing Prahallada if he still doesn’t agree that Bhagwan is HK.

Chapter 20: Prahallada and Sword

Enraged, HK asks who taught him all this? P says Vishnu Himself, who else? He is Universal. HK orders immediate cutting-of-head of Prahallada. Mom’s dramatics. HK’s adamant. Prahallada’s ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya’ magically saves him from the swords of 6 ministers. Swords pass through Prahallada. Mom’s had enough. She encompasses Prahallada and says anyone wanting to kill Prahallada should also kill her. HK scratches his head! Asks advice. Swarbhanu says let Prahallada go. There are other methods of killing. So, HK, not wanting to lose Kayadu, orders Prahallada to get off his kingdom and live a life of nomad and that anyone who helps him will be punished. Prahallada assures HK that S&A taught HK is Bhagwan but he refused. So spare the blame.

Prahallada takes blessings of parents and leaves for the woods. Lakshmi’s worries. Vishnu’s assuring smile. He says that P is a rebel. He will create a rebellion and change the entire world. One who has to change the world, has to first change himself. A reformer has to accept the path of hurdles as his shelter, he has to forgo the riches and face many obstacles, he has to sacrifice, and the first need of sacrifice is endurance. If one has a heart for truth, then one should follow it, no matter how difficult it is. Initially he - like a reformer- shall be alone, then people will join in numbers. It might take time though. Anyways, he is not alone. He has Faith, and where there is Faith, there is Me (Vishnu)!

Chapter 19: Prahallada tells who God is

Prahallada & Co reach the palace. Kayadu wants to see her son first. She tells Prahallada that atleast for once, let him lie that Bhagwan is his pop. He says having one thing in mind and saying something else is hypocrisy and illegal. But he assures her that what He wants, so will happen. If Vishnu’s desire is for Prahallada to get killed, then Prahallada will be dead somehow or the other. If not, so be not. So why worry.

Upon asking ‘Who is Bhagwan?’ by HK again to Prahallada at the main palace, Prahallada describes the characteristics of Vishnu: He is omnipresent, he is powerful, he is the first in every one’s mind, etc. Thinking it was all about himself that Prahallada is talking about, HK is extremely happy. So he says, ‘atlast you accepted me as Bhagwan’. Out comes the truth. ‘That is not what I said, ‘ says Prahallada. ‘Bhagwan is Vishnu.’

Chapter 18: Prahallada sent back to Ashram

News of Prahallada coming back to Palace upon completion of education. Prahallada mom overjoyed. The reunion with mom. HK’s invitation to Prahallada at the palace. The reunion with dad. Small talk. Prahallada says he was taught all wrong things. HK overjoyed at his son’s brilliance. But, pray, what wrong things, asks he. Prahallada informs that the real God is Vishnu and not HK. HK is stunned. He throws Prahallada away, unable to bear the shock. Conveniently he blames S&A for teaching Prahallada about Vishnu. He hears no excuses from them and gives them one more chance to make amends. The next time, they have to face death.

Lakshmi tensed over happenings to Prahallada. Vishnu pacifies that this is just the beginning. He asks her not to worry. The light which has to be spread will spread anyways.

HK’s dilemma as well. Informs his wife about his love for his son and his ire against his son for Prahallada’s love to Vishnu. Tells her that, worse comes worse, he might have to kill Prahallada. Prahallada mom’s nightmares start.

Prahallada is taken back to ashram. S&A tensed. Tells Prahallada what a student he is and what difficulties he has brought them. Prahallada promises no harm comes to S&A. He says he alone is responsible for his thoughts albeit his thoughts do not go hand-in-hand with their thoughts.

Prahallada does shavasan yoga (form of dead body). Disciples think he is dead. Informs S&A. Panic. Prahallada awakes. Tells them about how important it is to control one’s breath. Whereupon both the soul and the body can receive strength. Vishnu agrees. He says breath is the other name of life. If one can control Breath, one can control Life. In the future, pollution will rule the world. Then its necessary to control the breath. Yoga is the art of controlling one’s senses and strengthening one’s inner soul.

Everyone in ashram is fighting with swords. But not Prahallada. He is meditating. S&A enquire why not fighting. Prahallada says, learning to fight are fit for those who are afraid and do not have strength. He is not afraid and he has mental strength. Also, fighting encourages thoughts of violence, which he has no interest in. So he doesn’t want to learn. Other pupils are impressed by him, and want to follow his ways.

Panic for S&A as they are unable to control their disciples. So, at night, they approach Prahallada’s mom to request her to visit the ashram and tell Prahallada to behave. She does so. But Prahallada although surprised and happy to see her at his ashram at that time of the night, informs her of why to worry about the future. She asks him to follow what his teachers are teaching him since they are worried. P says they are not worried but they are scared because they know that the knowledge they are imparting is not based on truth; they themselves doubt the ideas they want their students to accept! They dont have faith in what they preach! She tells him of her midway position between hubby and sonny and she is worried whom she will lose. Prahallada just tells her to keep calm for He exists. When she has no control over Life, why worry? Life, death, problems, solutions are all the matter of Vishnu and why to worry when he is gonna do what is for best. When He is with you, there is neither fear nor worry.

HK wants to check the progress of his son. So he sends for him. Prahallada is teaching his friends about the magnificence of Vishnu when HK’s senapathi visits the ashram and asks for Prahallada’s and Prahallada’s teachers presence at the palace. Sensing ‘its guillotine time’, S&A panic. But Prahallada assures them and tells them again about his promise that he shall not bring harm to either of them. With that, the company proceed to palace.

Chapter 17: Prahallada and other disciples

The other disciples are puzzled by the strangeness in Prahallada. So they converse amongst themselves about who the actual God is. Prahallada says its Vishnu. All say HK.

So, a small experiment is carried out. Prahallada cuts a small plant into half & gives the broken stem to one of the disciples and tells him to ask his God (HK) to place the stem back onto the plant. So the pupil places the stem in front of HK idol and prays HK to do so. Nothing happens.

Then Prahallada prays Vishnu. ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namaha.’ Vishnu hears it. Lakshmi asks him to help Prahallada. Vishnu does so. The broken stem magically gets itself planted on the plant. Other disciples are stunned. They change their opinion and accept that their God is indeed not HK, but Vishnu. So they all chant with Prahallada ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namaha.’

Vishnu and Lakshmi are pleased that Prahallada has changed his fellow compatriots as well. Vishnu tells that he had to abide to P's ask since a lot depended on it. P's extreme faith in V made V do it. If V had not abide(d), then P's faith in V would have been broken. Those who lovingly ask V something, how can V turn them down? Also, how cannot Vishnu help when Lakshmi asks of him to abide?! Wink, wink!

Chapter 16: Prahallada with S&A

Soon the time comes to bid adieu to Kayadu. HK’s chieftain awaits for Kayadu at Narada’s. Prahallada invites Narada too, but he refuses. Narada says, the best place for a woman is at her husband’s place. Also, those living in hermitages wont find peace in a palace. The palace might have everything but hermitage has peace, which even people living in palaces crave for. And anyways, if Prahallad misses Narada, he (P) can use his (N) teachings in his (P) life and he (N) will be close to him (P)! P says that he will never forget N or N's teachings. N is only sad that he doesnt have anything to give to Kayadu upon her departure since he is an ascetic. Kayadu says her hands arent empty, it is filled with N's love.

Narada advises Prahallada about challenges in life and how he can face them if he has the confidence and Him with him. He tells P not to waver in faith. Smilingly bear all the problems. He will win in such cases. Prahallada agrees to follow as such.

Prahallada and mom enter HK’s palace. HK greets them suitably. He is much inspired by his son and his feelings for Father, Mother and Teacher. Throughout the night, as Prahallada sleeps, HK looks at him and fondles him. He thanks Kayadu for providing a son to him so that the Asura Loka could go on.

HK calls upon Shukracharya for providing education to Prahallada. Shukracharya is heading for tapas in Himalayas. So he has brought his sons Shand and Amarkh who will be tutors to Prahallada. Prahallada says he has learnt things in Devlok’s Narada. But Shukracharya says this education is different. It is about asura-shaasana (devil-based). So Prahallada agrees.

Shand and Amarkh take Prahallada to their ashram, where Prahallada is greeted with flowers, for he is the son of HK. So Prahallada says ‘Stop’ and that he is just like all disciples in the ashram and no distinction to be made at him. Co-pupils puzzled.

Before starting off, pray God, says Shand-Amarkh. So they go to the HK’s idol. Prahallada is shocked. He says that’s not God, that’s his pop. Your pop’s the God, says S&A. Prahallada refuses to believe this. He says God is someone who is there everywhere, in one’s mind, in non-living things, etc. But HK is just in the palace and so he is not the God. He can pray to HK as a father but not as a God. S&A tell Prahallada about the punishment of ashram if student disobeys.

Prahallada asks about the punishment. 5 thrashings. So Prahallada takes the stick and beats himself 5 times. Bloodlines come upon his palm.

Lakshmi is all distressed. Vishnu interprets this as 5 significant axioms to seek knowledge/education (control/restraint, endurance, following Guru's orders, not considering himself above his disciples even though he is a prince, making friends with his co-pupils). S&A repents the incident. They tell Prahallada to take rest so that they can start off from tomorrow.

Chapter 15: Child Prahallada

HK gives Narada a wish. For his help, he can have whatever he asks. Narada thinks over. For a sanyasi like him, he does not know what to ask. But he tells HK of the happiness that daughter Kayadu and her son has brought to his house. So he asks HK for the two’s extended stay in his house for some more time.

HK is ‘vachan-badh’ (promise-bound). Though he hates to be separated from his son, he lets Narada have his way for the help he had done him. Even Kayadu informs her wish to stay, as it was calm and peaceful and perfect for the upbringing of her child. So HK agrees.

But he asks Narada of one thing. Never to utter ‘Vishnu’. So Narada says, ‘For having the happiness of Kayadu and Prahallada, I can agree to anything. So, I promise, I will say everything except Vishnu.’ HK is satisfied, but easily duped.

Lakshmi is angered that Narada agreed. But Vishnu convinces her that by just not saying ‘Vishnu’ doesn’t necessarily mean that his name or the characteristics that one desires is not imparted. Also, Narada is brilliant in ‘Talking!’ So Lakshmi is impressed.

Prahallada has now become a boy. Narada has to tell him a story so that he can drink milk…

Narada starts - There exists a Creator called Vasudeva He has other names too, like Narayan, Trilokinath, Jagdishwar, Madhav, Kamalnayan, Lakshmipathi, etc. One day he decided to create the universe. From the navel and forehead came Brahma and Shiva respectively. Brahma is called the ‘Mukhya Adhipathi’ (chief). He was assigned the job of bearing families. Under him, there were many chieftains.

One such chieftain was Kashyap. Narada tells Prahallada that he, Prahallada, comes from Kashyap’s roots.

Likewise, there was one more chieftain called Daksh. He had a beautiful and wonderful daughter called Sati. Soon, a bond of love occurred between Sati (also called Parvathi) and Shiva. Daksh resented this. So Sati ‘pent’ herself up and ignited a fire within herself. So Prahallada asks how that could be done. Narada told that that could be achieved by doing tapas. Thus, Prahallada learns tapas.

Once his mom calls out his name, but he does not respond. So she comes out and nudges him only to see that his whole body has the temperature of fire. So, concerned, Kayadu asks Narada ‘Whats going on.’ He says, it’s the Tapas – supreme concentration of mind over body and that he taught him that.

Prahallada complains to Narada that even though Narada had taught him the Creator’s 999 names, he hadnt told 1 name. Narada, promise-bound, doesn’t say anything. So Prahallada guesses and says he has deduced the word himself and that is ‘Vishnu.’ Narada is impressed and is sure Prahallada will come up in life. But he states to Prahallada that he (Narada) never uttered that name!

Chapter 14: Prahallada takes birth

HK returns to palace. Total chaos. Shukracharya tells him about doings of Indra. Asuras Vs Devathas war ensues. Asuras win. Attack on Indra himself by HK. Indra accepts defeat. HK sits on his throne and calls himself ‘Bhagwan’. Tells Indra what a horrible crime he had committed by kidnapping a pregnant woman. Indra & Co are forced to run away from Devlok.

Narada brings HK to Kayadu placed in his house. The usual Embrace. HK once again is grateful to Narada for her safety. Kayadu refuses to go to palace for her child’s birth, for she is experiencing Heavenly peace here. Much to his chagrin, but respectful of Kayadu’s wishes, HK bestows upon a Vishnu-devotee Narada, the safe birth of his son. Narada is happy to oblige.

HK takes over Indra’s throne. He forces the apsaras there to dance and to give him happiness to forget the difficulties experienced in his tapas. Apsaras do so, under duress.

HK is joined by Rahu – the ‘head’ portion of Swarbhanu, ever alive because of his having drunk the amruth. He praises HK, degrades Kaalakethu and joins hands – rather heads! – with HK in war against Vishnu.

A couple of civilians are brought to HK’s palace for disobeying his orders of not mouthing ‘Vishnu’. So much so that they had named their son as ‘Vishnu!’ HK immediately orders kid’s guillotine. An innocent child gets killed.

Lakshmi’s usual concern. Vishnu’s pacifies some more. “A man shines more when he is about to die”, “All cruelty will definitely come to an end some time or the other,” etc. Also she says HK sat on Indra's throne. Now he is Superior. Vishnu laughs. Nobody is considered great just by achieving a great position. Man becomes great by doing great deeds. If an ordinary man ascends a worthy throne, then the throne will become great!! She also says that HK is crossing the boundary. Vishnu says the one who is crossing the boundary doesnt even know where the boundary is, and he is at dead-end! He indicates that the son whom HK wants to hate Vishnu will turn out to be Vishnu's greatest devotee and break his (HK's) pride. Story gets interesting - but when tyranny crosses the limit, the end is near too!!

Kayadu gets her labour pain. Narada is distressed. He calls upon Vishnu. “This is that time for a woman, when even her father is in no position to help her. So, help, me, oh, Vishnu.” Vishnu to the rescue. He sends a woman to help Kayadu out. Narada is grateful to her, who vanishes once her job is over.

Kayadu gives birth to a son. Narada tells him about the Road to Vishnu and the consequent successes in life - faith and trust in God, one who has this faith can move mountains, calm turbulent seas and make a slave of anyone and can control anything. Impossible can become possible. Lakshmi and Vishnu are enthralled about the proceedings, that of a Vishnu-devotee son to an unknowing Vishnu-hating pop! Vishnu is confident this son will be great like Dhruv. This child's unshakable faith will be proved only when he maintains his faith even under duress.

HK gets the info. He visits kayadu and kisses his son and thanks her for providing an heir to the Asuras. Once again, he is grateful to Narada. He says perhaps his son would become even more famous than himself. Narada, with a twinkle, says that it is indeed so. HK tells Narada to name the son. Since son has brought ‘Prasanna’ and ‘Ahlada’ (happiness) to HK, Narada names him as ‘Prahallada’.

Chapter 13: Hiranyakashipu’s Vara

Meanwhile, Brahma is confused as to what of HK. Obviously his demands will be something that Devathas cannot digest. But if he does not give vara, he is unworthy to be God. He is in a dilemma.

Narada continues to entertain Kayadu, knowing well, the effect it will have on the baby. He narrates the story of Dhruv. He, then, chants the best ever words that give much happiness: ‘Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namaha’. The words go through the womb and to the baby.

Indra still wants to tapas-bhang HK. He asks bro Suryadev (God of Sun) to heaten HK. Suryadev warns him about flooding of Himalayas. Much worse if no tapas-bhang, says Indra. So Suryadev tries to heaten HK.

Once again Shukracharya’s mysterious mist saves HK. Suryadev retreats after repeats, defeated. Indra goes to Brahma to request him not to give HK an all-powerful vara. Brahma, himself worried, says he will try his best, but still he is bound to give a vow.

Lakshmi is all tensed about this story. She asks Vishnu why such a thrilling complicated story? What's the motive? Vishnu says that he wants to prove to the world that no one is good or bad by birth. A son need not be like a father. A deity's son if he does bad, then he is not a deva, he is an asura. Lakshmi asks wouldnt it have been easier if HK's son was born in the family of gods (Indra and Co). Vishnu says that would be a normal story. A good story writer need to make the story extraordinary and unique and innovative! Lakshmi is much impressed with the advent of Narada and wonders what happens to the story of Vishnu-hating HK and Vishnu-loving son. She asks Vishnu of the outcome. ‘That’s the punch’ says Vishnu and continues to mystify the happenings and the end. But he tells that one part of the story is HK's tapas and the other is his son who will create history.

The apex of HK’s tapas has reached. So Brahma comes before him and promises a vow. HK asks for no death. Brahma says it is not in his hand, for its Shiva's department. Anything else. So HK asks for no death with following conditions:
1. inside or outside the house
2. in morning or evening
3. by man or animal
4. on earth or sky
5. by weapons.

Brahma thus is, by virtue of promise, caught. So he grants the vara.

HK is happy, because its all equivalent to no death. Lakshmi is distressed. Vishnu is not. He says, no man can ever live forever. No death to only 2 people: One, Vishnu Himself and Two, Death Itself. He also tells her about the oncoming fascinations of a Great Son to a Horrible Father, the amount of punishments one has to undergo for committing crimes (Indra) and the acceptance of the throne without corresponding Good Works and other words of wisdom. He also tells that the amount of punishment varies with amount of crime. More the crime, more the punishment. What Indra did was not good, kidnapping a pregnant woman, trying to kill an unborn child, etc. An intelligent man is one who thinks about consequences before doing the action. 

Chapter 12: Narada provides refuge to Kayadu

Narada meets Indra midway. Both Lakshmi and Vishnu are extremely unhappy about Indra kidnapping a pregnant woman, and degrade it. Indra is told that, and that he is no different from Hiranyaaksha who did the similar thing to Mother Earth. Being a Devatha, this was not expected from him. If all his doings were to be praise-worthy of Vishnu and to save Vishnu, it had exactly the opposite effect and Vishnu can take care of himself

Indra sees light. He is sorry, He releases Kayadu. But she has nowhere to go, as Devathas have taken over the Asuraloka now. So Narada offers his place for her until the time of delivery. Both go there. She is much relieved, especially with care and comfort given by Narada and the healthy food, esp for the baby.

Lakshmi is tremendously happy over the services provided by Narada to Kayadu. Even Vishnu praises him. But then, Says Vishnu, Narada knows the importance of atmosphere around a pregnant lady and its overbearing effects on the baby inside the womb. Vishnu also says that anyone who loves Nature & is attuned with Nature, will naturally get the 'common-sense' on how to treat pregnant women. Narada is a perfectionist in this case.

Chapter 11: Indra kidnaps Kayadu

The love of brother makes Hiranyakashipu (HK) even more angrier against Vishnu. At his brother’s funeral, he resolves to take revenge against Vishnu, come what may. So he orders his senapathi (troops) that no one should pray Vishnu, no one should say Vishnu, and thus it must be the end of all Vishnu-based proceedings.

HK’s mom advises against HK’s doings. She reminds him that Hiranyaaksh abducted a woman and what can expect from someone who can abduct women other than death. HK says abduction is the culture of asuras. A culture that abducts never survives, says mom. It is due to their strength that they abduct. If they like something, they will abduct. Mom correctly points out that the strength should be to protect women, not abduct. HK refuses to agree, he is too proud of his strength. Mom suggests that whatever happened to HK's bro will happen to HK too if he continues in same vein.

HK resolves to wipe out Vishnu's name from entire Earth. No one should pray Vishnu, everyone should pray HK. Shukracharya backs him up. Although apologetic because he cannot bring back Hiranyaaksha’s life with the help of Sanjeevini mantra because Vishnu himself had killed him, he informs HK that Vishnu is very clever, and extremely difficult to beat. So he informs HK that to beat Vishnu, he must gain all the powers that Shukracharya possesses and more. Shukracharya was unsuccessful in beating Devathas because now they had amruth, but now to defeat Vishnu, HK should be so well-equipped that it will be almost like Chakravyooha to be successful. So he tells HK to perform tapas. Not to Vishnu, because, he is not in favour, not to Shiva because Shukracharya had already got the extreme power from him, but to Brahma to attain the Power and ask him for a vara (vow) that Shukracharya asked.

HK agrees and sets out. His wife Kayadu is sad because the timing is bad because she is expecting her first child and the father not to be in the asuraloka (place of asuras (rakshas, devils)) is a sad thing indeed when the time of delivery came. But HK is adamant and leaves asuraloka and starts tapas to Brahma, bestowing the Senapathi (chieftain) to look after the Queen and still-you-are-doing-wrong-saying mother.

Meanwhile, all attempts are made to ensure that no one prays Vishnu and all pray HK. Devotees who are adamant are killed. Lakshmi is concerned and asks, quite rightly, what is Vishnu waiting for. Time, he says. Let HK brim with crimes. But he overlooks the fact that innocent people are killed in the process of his waiting, for no reason of theirs, but, as the saying foes, Truth prevails at the end, and not in the middle, where all wrong things tend to excel, where innocent people indeed die and Vishnu just looks on, while Lakshmi is just concerned.

Indra wants to return the favour to Vishnu, who had helped them to get amruth. So he devises a plan to stop the tapas of HK. What happened when the same thing was done to Shukracharya is pointed out, but he waves it away.

Meanwhile, HK is performing ‘ghor’ (tremendous) tapas. A person with ill thoughts in mind and God in lips. Such people shall always exist, but it is the ‘truth that prevails’, is hinted. Penance means to suffer for a motive. It is the means of upliftment of oneself. It is a means to connect to God. It is the deed to chastise and purify the mind. It is a means to pray and offer gratitude to God. But if the motive of penance is to harm others, then it is an insult to penance. If HK is doing tapas as a revenge to Vishnu, what will be the fruit of it.

Indra tries again to ‘tapas-bhang’ HK, so that HK does not get all-pervading power. So he takes Agni Dev (God of Fire) with him. But their (Indra and Agni’s) efforts are nullified as Shukracharya’s foresight helps him to devise suitable defenses. Repeated tries from I & A foul them. So they abort when things start backfiring. Shukracharya can always protect his disciples.

Unfazed, Indra devises a plan to kill Kayadu and hence the now-to-be-born-obviously-bad-HK’s son. Also, until HK’s return and hence, war, Indra And Co (devathas) wage war against Asuras and take hold of that property.

Lakshmi is concerned as to the plans of Indra. Indra is killing innocent people and HK's army is killing innocent devotees of Vishnu. Both are doing wrong - and innocent people are being killed everywhere. So she asks Vishnu to pitch in and stop this massacre. Vishnu soothes her saying that she will take care of the unborn child, and this child itself will stop the terror atrocities in HK's kingdom. Hints are given that HK will have a son who would chant Vishnu’s name for 24 hours, which is the exact opposite of what HK wanted.

Attempts are made to kill Kayadu and her womb for it holds the bad omen of HK (HK’s future generation). But an anonymous (obviously Vishnu’s) hand stops the arrows midway. Repeated efforts yield same results. Then arrows start backfiring. Hence mission aborted.

Indra is puzzled. So he aborts killing Kayadu. Instead he thinks of kidnapping her in her agony state. He fights through the defenses of HK’s fort, as well as kills HK’s senapathi. Against her wishes, Kayadu is taken away by Indra, so that she could be jailed and her son might not rule the world like HK.

Chapter 10: Avatar # 3: Varaha Avatar

Hiranyaaksha and Hiranyakashipu are born. The 2 are brothers-in-command. They are powerful, strong and natural winners. They don’t look upto anyone and hate everybody except for grave respect for each other. With such confidence, they think they can control the world and become dictators.

Chaos erupts everywhere as the H bros unleash deathly power and Nazi regimish schemes. There is blood and fire all around. H bros are exultant. Hiranyaaksha kidnaps Mother Earth (whatever that means!) and takes her to Paatal loka for obvious reasons. So she wails and prays. Vishnu is the Hearer of all wails, as well as the Healer. So he transforms into Avatar No 3: Varaha Avatar (Pig) and goes to the Paatal Loka – a place full of dirt and as unhygienic as possible. Hence the pig. And the pig saves the Mother Earth by carrying her in its extended nostrils.

Chapter 9: Future at a glance

Four children of Brahma [Sankadik, Sat, Sanathan, Sthonam] visit the abode of God. But dwarpaalaks (Gate-keepers) Jaya and Vijaya stop them, saying Vishnu was taking rest. However much the children ask for entry, they are refused. They are devotees and they wish to see Vishnu. But they are refused again and again. The children become angry, and give ‘shaapa’ (curse) to the 2 to become Rakshasas!

The gate-keepers are stunned. Commotion brings Vishnu to the scene. Gatekeepers complain that they were just doing their duty. But Vishnu had heard it all.

He says they deserve the curse, because they were overdoing their duty - misusing their power and being proud of it. They thought they were bigger than the 4 children-sages. No one can keep devotees away from him, and gatekeepers were exercising non-existent and out-of-boundary powers. This was a crime. Hence, there has to be a punishment. So he rejects the withdrawal of the curse, instead asks the 4 children the details of the curse, meaning, the duration, the forms and their eventual end.

Thus say the 4 children: Jaya and Vijaya have to be Rakshas for 3 births. And in each birth, Vishnu should kill them.
1) In the I birth, the 2 will be born as Hiranyaaksha and HiranyaKashipu (death by Varaha avatar and Narasimha avatar respectively)
2) In the II birth, the 2 will be born as Kumbhakarna and Ravana (death by Rama avatar)
3) In the III birth, the 2 will be born as Kansa and Shishupaala (death by Krishna avatar)

After this, they will attain salvation.

Jaya and Vijaya, although baffled, accept the curse as a way of punishment to their wrong deed. With that, the 4 children move off and Vishnu looks on to the Future with interest.

Chapter 8: Mohini Avatar

So manthan continues. Out comes from Ratnakar (ocean), Ratna (jewelry), Kamadhenu (magical cow), kalpavruksha, etc. Then finally the Amruth. Both D&D are exultant. One of the Daanavs (Swarabhanu) becomes very greedy and takes the pot and runs away with it.

Devathas are devastated. ‘Sankata bandaaga Venkata ramana.’ They approach Vishnu, who says its impossible to let Daanavs rule the world. If it is so, the whole point and the ‘Romanchan’ of life will be destroyed. So he accepts to help. He says it is his responsibility to get the elixir to devas.

He transforms himself into Mohini. As Mohini, he enters the court of Daanavs who are yet to drink the amruth. Her walk, her smile, her hair, her eyes, are stuck in Daanav’s eyes and each one praise her while amruth is sidelined. She says she is here to praise the strong Daanavs for obtaining the amruth and beating the Devathas.

Daanavs are overjoyed. They ask her to dance. She does and thereby wins everyone’s heart. She is then asked to provide amruth from her own hands. She says that Devathas are to be invited to show that Daanavs are great. Daanavs uphold dignity and justice. After inhibitions, Kaalakethu agrees and Daanavs invite Devathas.

In the name of ‘athithi satkar’ (serving guests first), Mohini asks Kaalakethu that she supply amruth to the guests in his court ie Devathas. Unsuspectingly, he agrees and Mohini provides amruth to all Devathas.

Swarbhanu Daanav suspecting foul play transforms into a Devatha and joins the Devatha queue. Unsuspecting Mohini also provides him the amruth. But Chandradev devatha reveals the secret and Mohini transforms back into Vishnu in anger. Vishnu leaves the Vishnu chakra and it cuts Swarbhanu into 2 pieces.

Since Swarbhanu was killed by Vishnu himself, even amruth could not save his life. There is absolutely nothing that can stop Vishnu’s guillotine, not even Sanjeevini Mantra. Swarbhanu was cut into 2 pieces : head and body. They became the Rahu and Kethu, and since it was the God of Moon, Chandradev, who revealed Swarbhanu’s magical act, Rahu and Kethu became the enemies of Chandradev, or the Moon.

Daanavs are stunned that Mohini was Vishnu. Dreading it, Kaalakethu sees that the pot filled with amruth was indeed empty. All amruth to Devathas. Kaalakethu seethes with rage and rushes to Vishnu to kill him. But Vishnu has his ways of escaping. In the end, Kaalakethu and Co know that they have been cheated and once again, truly defeated.

[This shows that even Vishnu had to cheat to get his job done. But the fact remains that this act was done to avoid giving power (and thereby to stop the now-already-present) to the ‘Cheaters’ => a thorn can remove a thorn concept]

Shukracharya was outrageous. He points out that people who are caught in the web of a woman’s charm and beauty cannot achieve anything in life. They are bound to be failures. The ‘object of desire’ is the road to disaster.

An implicit end of kaalakethu, harshal and thereby the story of Daanavs. But then, it is not ‘The End’…

Chapter 7: Swayamvara

Samudra manthan resumes. After repeated churning, out comes Lakshmi, as beautiful as ever. But she is just recognised as a ‘Woman’. Kaalkethu describes her lips, her eyes, her face, her temple, her hair, her walk in positive adjectives and encourages desire in himself. He asks Indra that she has to be his. Indra says he is Devathi, apt for a Devatha. So he rejects.

Kaalakethu and Co again walk-out, saying, they will have a war to determine who must have the woman. Both the parties thus stop the manthan and go to battlefield to win the woman.

Lakshmi is anxious on not finding Vishnu. Her soul shouts for him, her eyes search for him, every fibre of her body needs him. So Vishnu arrives. An enthralling and passionate combining of Vishnu and Lakshmi, but Vishnu, mystery in his eyes, tells Lakshmi, that now that she has come out sea, she is the daughter of the God of Oceans (sagar-putri) and hence she has to meet the creator of oceans, Brahma, to determine her future and leaves her all alone.

So Lakshmi approaches Brahma and informs her of her need of Vishnu and the wasteful battle of Daanavs and Devathas. Brahma says ‘What rubbish’ and approaches the battlefield. He stops the just-about-to-start war and tells Devathas and Daanavs about the principles and protocols w.r.t. a woman. He informs them of the right that a woman has and she should not be considered as an object, a non-living, over which one could have possession.

So, he starts a new process called ‘Swayamvara’ in which a woman gets the absolute right, a veto, over the man of her choice and selects him and him alone, and not vice versa.

Harshal praises Kaalakethu that he is strong and hence she will choose him only and Kaalakethu’s eyes lit up, but predictably, its having visions of impossibility.

Lakshmi is worried. Narada appears. He tells that her smile is the thing that brings back life into many creatures and now that smile itself is missing. What seems to be the problem? She replies:” In the forthcoming swayamvara, all devathas and daanavs are invited, but not her Narayan. And how can she choose anyone else except him?”

So she requests Narada to ask Narayan to attend the Swayamvara. Narada says he might just say so, but since Narayan is not invited…

Swayamvara. No sign of Vishnu. Only Daanavs and Devathas. Sagarputi is still tense. She awaits. Brahma, the coordinator, announces the start of the first Swayamvara ever – a policy, a function in which the woman has the right to choose her man. A new was thus made.

Still as tense as ever, Sagarputri makes her way across the courtyard, rejecting all and simultaneously having an eye over the door for a miracle entry of Vishnu. But no. She rejects all but one, Kaalakethu, because he is the last one around. And since he is the only one left, she has no choice. She is petrified. She delays while her mind is terrified.

Sure enough, enters Vishnu. Lakshmi is overjoyed and over the moon. She is totally attracted to him. Her happiness knows no bounds. Tears flood, and she runs to him and chooses him as her man. Devathas are impressed. The milan of Lakshmi and Vishnu, thus, is historic, as Vishnu had promised. As exciting as frightening and as thrilly as it could be.

Daanavs are totally depressed. And approach Shukracharya for aborting the manthan again. But Shukracharya advises otherwise since he wants the elixir himself. 

Chapter 6: Neelkant

Aroma of amruth. That is what the initial perception is. But then the truth dawns. It is the Kaalkoot poison. Chaos ensues. Everybody (daanavs, devathas, maanavs) start running for their lives, trying to go as far away as possible from the spreading aroma.

Daanavs go to Shukracharya and asks for aborting the ‘Samudra manthan’ operation. Shukracharya ays ‘no fear’ as he can give back life to them, even if they die, and wonders what of Devathas.

Devathas approach Vishnu and complain: ‘What the hell is going on?’ Vishnu pacifies them that if obtaining amruth is easy enough, then whats its significance? ‘The thrill (romanchana) of life is to play hide and seek with Death. Risks have to be taken.’ Gives the example of how both a baby and a mother have to undergo almost-death in the 9 month process and the actual delivery, at which the whole world smiles. So, getting amruth is not easy. (The availability of Vishnu in the human form especially when he is upholding the mandar mountain as a koorma is based on the fact that Vishnu can take up more than one form at any point of time).

Indra asks how come the poison in the ocean. Vishnu informs that it is due to Man, who always deposits waste into the all-consuming ocean. When the waste is put into water, over a period of time, it becomes poison - obviously. If only Man stops polluting oceans, there would be no more poisons!

Then, Brahma, too, approaches Vishnu and asks for the safety of his creations (the maanavs) what with the Kaalkoot poison being what it is. Vishnu and Co are perplexed. Finally they decide to visit the 3rd board member, with the assurance that he will solve the current crisis.

Lord Shiva is enchanted upon seeing both Brahma and Vishnu, as well as Devathas. He welcomes them suitably. Pleasantries exchanged, the problem in question is raised. Shiva says ‘No Fear’. All go down to ocean. Shiva inhales all the poisonous kaalkoot and drinks the stuff too and throws the empty pot away.

Vishnu is all praise to Shiva for saving the world. He respects him and calls him ‘Neelkant’ (blue throat) for stopping the poison from reaching his heart by making it stop at the throat (which hence becomes blue). Vishnu heaps accolades to Shiva mentioning that even Shiva, traditionally the Destroyer, can protect lives by consuming a seriously destroying thing such as poison itself. And for such a great effort, Vishnu bows down to Shiva. Brahma, too, is thankful, for, for daanavs, there is Shukracharya, for devathas, there is Vishnu, but for maanavs, he is responsible and only Shiva could have saved them.

Still, Shiva explains the necessity of poison. Where there is amruth, there has to be poison. So, the poison cannot be eliminated completely, but its effect can be reduced, seeing to it that, it does not touch one’s heart, by stopping it at the throat itself (To become like Shiva, one has to drink poison (sacrifices must be done to help others) [Real life eg: Poisonous elements cannot be disposed (foul-mouthed people, etc) but their effects can be reduced (ignoring their expletives, etc)]. Explicitly Shiva explains that by not allowing oneself to hear negative stuff, one can save one's own heart from getting poisoned. And by not allowing negative stuff to enter one's mind, one can have a pure character. Vishnu is once again appreciation personified. But he condemns those who pollute the shresht-thing like ‘water’, by throwing unwanted things into it, which finally transforms into poison, affecting organisms inside water. All said and done, the board members return back.

Indra goes to Shukracharya and says that Kaalkoot poison is stopped. Shukracharya concurs that only Shiva could have done it. Indra asks him to send his troops back so that operation can resume. They are reluctant, but Shukracharya knows the significance of amruth, so he says ‘Off you go!’ Also orders Swarnabhanu to keep an eye on the operation, as earlier.