I – Three Planes of Existence 6
II – Mythic Overview: The Denizens of Antarloka 7
III – Prologue: The Nectar of Immortality 9
Act One – Soma Chandra’s Hubris 16
[ 1 ] A Gathering of Gods 17
[ 2 ] Mutual Grievances 21
[ 3 ] Heaven’s Orphans 28
[ 4 ] Besieged 39
Interstice 48
Act Two – To Hell and Back 52
[ 5 ] Avenues of Deceit 53
[ 6 ] Curious Occurrences 68
[ 7 ] Rescued by Old Enemies 77
[ 8 ] Predestined Warpaths 79
Interstice 82
Act Three – Tremendous Upheavals 84
[ 9 ] Surya Sets 85
[ 10 ] A Duel Between Renegades 88
[ 11 ] Fall of the Devatas 91
[ 12 ] Deus Ex Machina 99
Appendix: Glossary of Sanskrit Terms 105
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I – Three Planes of Existence
By most accounts of Hindu cosmology our universe is divided into three major planes, delineated here as follows:
Bhuloka – The physical plane, which is where humans dwell.
Antarloka – The subtle ‘astral’ plane where the lesser gods and demons war.
Sivaloka – The unfathomable ‘causal’ plane where only the greater gods ( Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva along with their female counterparts) abide.
This threefold configuration corresponds to other important trios such as the Gunas
( Rajas, Sattvas & Tamas), which represent the active, balanced and inert qualities of all conditioned phenomena as well as the respective roles that the three main deities play, namely: creation, preservation and destruction. Past, present, future, etc.
Putting all that aside, suffice it to say that most of this epic tale takes places within Antarloka. The geography here corresponds only loosely to that of Bhuloka since its edifices and landscapes are upheld by tradition, will-power and a social consensus. It is an ideal plane in every sense of the word.
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II – Mythic Overview: The Denizens of Antarloka
Like Earth, the psycho-spiritual sphere of Antarloka is home to a variety of races.
Most of these have their own monarchs and are distinguishable by virtue of appearance or special abilities. This is a brief description of their hierarchy:
Devatas – The lesser gods (as opposed to ‘Devas’ like Shiva or Vishnu).
Nonetheless, their pantheon constitutes the dominant caste of Antarloka and has ruled over the others with an admirable degree of prosperity, meeting resistance only occasionally. Mostly humanoid in aspect they are: Indra (king of gods), Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of water), Vayu (god of wind), Yama (god of death), Surya (the sun god), Soma Chandra (the moon god), Kama (god of desire), Karttikeya (a young war god) and Guru Brihaspati (priest of the Devatas).
Ashuras – Often referred to as ‘jealous demigods’. Legend tells that they were once rightful rulers on this plane. As such they comprise the most formidable
opposition against the Devatas and are considered demonic. They’re also divided into three notable tribes: Daityas (often having multiple heads or limbs), Danavas (towering giants) and Rakshas (vampiric ghouls). Yet although Ashuras are powerful warriors they tend to have trouble getting along with one another, which means that these three tribes are rarely on good terms.
Ghandharvas & Apsaras – The Ghandharvas are heaven’s musicians. Like angels in Christianity except with avian heads to match their wings. They are
usually accompanied by Apsaras who are their wives but also talented performers in their own right. The Apsaras dance and sing while the Ghandharvas play
instruments wherever their presence is requested by the Devatas. Vayu, god of
wind, is the chieftain appointed to them by King Indra.
Yoginis – Personal attendants of the high goddess Kali ( Parvati’s shadow side).
As female combatants trained by the goddess of destruction herself, they are a
force to be reckoned with.
Maruts – The sons of Vayu. These air-elementals compose Indra’s personal guard and accompany him during any major confrontation. They are at odds with
the Ghandharvas left in their father’s custody.
Kinnaras – Essentially ‘reverse centaurs’ – Kinnaras are tall, lanky beings possessing humanoid bodies but with equine heads growing up from their
shoulders. Once pages in the court of King Indra, they now reside in the
netherworld domains serving as minions under Yama.
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Pisachas & Ganas – These shape-shifters are distant cousins of the Rakshas.
Pisachas are soul-eating wraiths whereas Ganas are deformed and mischievous
little dwarves. Ironically, they have sworn service to Shiva, which is why they inhabit the graveyards and charnels of Antarloka (his preferred meditation
grounds away from Mount Kailash).
Rudras – Close cousins of the Maruts, Rudras (howlers) are air-elementals too except that they are considered sons of Bhairava (Shiva’s wrath personified).
Because of this they are more ferocious and prefer to strike by cover of night.
It’s not so strange then that they also keep company with Ganas and Pisachas.
Nagas – A secretive race of serpent people that has been relegated to a remote corner of Patala (the netherworld). There are those who believe that they harbor close ties to the numina of Sivaloka. While their physical forms can vary they remain quintessentially reptilian in character.
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III – Prologue: The Nectar of Immortality
Many eons ago, before planets could take shape within the galaxies of
Bhuloka, the transcendental plains of Antarloka were already
overflowing with life. It was during those early halcyon days that a
mendicant by the name of Durvasas undertook a long walk through
the uncharted wilderness of this dimension most sublime.
Soon enough a heavenly muse separated herself from an
overhanging cloud formation and presented Durvasas with a fragrant
garland of field-flowers. She smirked enigmatically prior to
evaporating completely.
At that moment the wandering pilgrim was struck by a profound
sense of euphoria mixed with nostalgia for something ineffable and
eternal. He became so ecstatic that he burst into song while kicking
up his feet in a dance of devotion! He continued along the foothills
praising the skies and spinning on his heels as he flung his arms about.
It was not long before he crossed paths with Indra – King of the
Devatas – riding upon an elephant. The storm god regarded this
ragged sage with curiosity. Then, without hesitation the strange little
man quietly offered Lord Indra the lei that he wore around his neck.
The king accepted this gift with a polite nod, placing it on the head of
his mount.
However, to the surprise of both and the chagrin of Durvasas
that hulking beast was affected by the scent of the flowers in such a
negative way that it began stomping about, nearly crushing him
beneath its rowdy stride. The pachyderm went on to grab the wreath
using his trunk and slammed it into the dirt – flattening it under heel.
Understandably incensed, Durvasas proclaimed a potent curse against
King Indra:
“Hark ye well king of the Devatas, I hereby condemn you and
your kin to suffer defeat at the hands of your hated foes: the Ashuras!
So long as the Daityas, Danavas and Rakshas exist, your sovereignty
within Antarloka shall never be absolute. And though it may take eons
to culminate, the Devatas will eventually grow so weak because of
their own corruption that Dharmic law will demand nothing short of
their obliteration . . .”
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The wandering ascetic stalked off while uttering random profanities
until he was no longer visible or within earshot.
Still stunned despite his elephant’s renewed calmness, Indra
mulled over the bitter words of the departed stranger for a few
moments. Nevertheless he thought of them as little more than the
crazed inanities of a derelict. He merely shrugged and sighed deeply
before starting back for Mount Meru, the site of his royal palace.
No sooner had he arrived there than he was greeted with
pressing news of another skirmish between one of his people’s patrols
and their enemies, the dreaded Ashuras. According to their reports,
Shukra , a spiritual guru of the Daityas had recently completed a
thousand years of austerity. He had hung upside-down above the
reach of a fierce bonfire and withstood its effects for extended periods.
Due to this Shiva himself had seen fit to grant Guru Shukra whatever
boon he might desire. Therefore the wily Daitya requested an occult
mantra from the Lord (one that could raise the dead whenever it was
chanted). Indra’s scouts claimed they had witnessed Shukra perform
this miracle shortly after their own forces had slain several Danava
giants among the enemy’s ranks. Apparently these were successfully
brought back to life and rejoined the struggle, leaving their small
contingent of Maruts no choice but to flee.
Disconcerted by the details of this latest incident, Indra wasted
no time in convening his war council. Within a few days Antarloka’s
broad expanse became a raging battleground.
Unfortunately for the Devatas their scouts had not exaggerated
with respect to the Ashura’s newfound advantage. As their own
numbers dwindled steadily, those of their rivals were reinforced
constantly by the very casualties that Indra’s troops inflicted.
The situation worsened and the Devatas despaired.
Again King Indra consulted the other gods and they all agreed
that there wasn’t any recourse other than to seek out Lord Brahma:
grandfather to all beings and an inexhaustible reservoir of obscure
wisdom. Hence they entered into a meditative trance together even
as a battering ram thumped against the castle gates.
Following what seemed a prolonged silence – Agni, Vayu,
Varuna, Indra and Guru Brihaspati found themselves in a psychic
clearing devoid of any discernable qualities. It was then that a
gleaming presence made itself known. Their inner eyes beheld a
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snow-bearded individual seated on a lotus-throne. His countenance
and crown shimmered with golden light as if indicating an unmatched
degree of insight. Recognizing his visitors that ancient one spoke:
“Dearest sons of sons, it doth mine heart good to see thee here
before me. However I can feel great tension coming from ye. Tell me
swiftly what circumstances weigh so heavily upon thine otherwise
capable shoulders?”
“Oh thou eldest of gods,” Indra replied, “an unprecedented
calamity hast befallen us. We now stand on the brink of annihilation
and it is in this our darkest hour that we seek thy unfailing advice!”
The young king continued to explain everything that had
transpired throughout his domain over the last while. Brahma listened
attentively and smiled knowingly as Indra finished briefing him.
“Hast any among thee heard tell of Amrita ?” Brahma
questioned.
The Devatas looked around at one another but ended by
collectively shaking their heads in bewilderment.
“Amrita,” Brahma proceeded, “is the nectar of immortality.
In every universe it hath been responsible for sustaining the virtuous
so that they may uphold blessed Dharma: the perennial law born here
in Sivaloka. Only by obtaining Amrita canst ye hope to conquer these
powerful Ashuras.”
“But where grandfather or how are we to find this legendary
nectar?” Brihaspati ventured to ask.
“Abandon Antarloka temporarily and enter Bhuloka, the coarsest
plane of reality. There from amongst infinitesimal galaxies thou art to
choose one that is suitable to be churned as if ‘ twere an ocean of milk.
Choose wisely for this deed can be carried out a single time and no
more. I wouldst be happy to accompany thee since I am certain that
churning said ocean shouldst yield amazing results as always.”
“An excellent idea no doubt,” commented Indra, “but let us not
forget that our enemies close in as we speak. How, honored
progenitor of Dharma, dost thou suggest we handle the problem at
hand?”
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“Strike thee a truce with yon foes noble king. After all, their assistance wilt be quite indispensable for the task that lies ahead. Go now and do
as I have instructed. In the meantime I shalt speak to Lord Vishnu
concerning this matter. Thou may summon us both when everyone is
prepared to depart for Bhuloka.”
Having said that, Brahma vanished and the Devatas found
themselves back amid the chaos enveloping their celestial palace.
Nonetheless, over the course of that next fight they were able to
negotiate an armistice with the Ashuras (who were equally intrigued
by the prospect of extracting Amrita from a fabled ocean of milk).
When the gods and their demonic counterparts gathered and
burned oblations by dint of Agni’s incendiary hands, Brahma and
Vishnu appeared as promised. The former was seated on an enormous
swan whereas the latter stood astride his immense eagle Garuda (who
some believe spawned the race of Ghandharvas).
After formalities were exchanged Brahma went on to produce a
resounding: “A-U-M!”
They had the distinct impression that all three planes vibrated
within and without their assembly. It was an overwhelming sensation
to be sure – gripping at one’s core – although it took place in the blink
of an eye. Suddenly the complete host of Antarloka was surrounded
by a myriad of swirling galactic bodies. Some much larger or denser
than others.
At first the various members of that celestial company drifted
freely throughout the unlimited reaches of this vast physical field.
Fortunately, selecting an exceptional candidate didn’t turn out to be as
difficult as the creator had predicted. And so those tenuous allies
congregated at an agglomeration of tightly-packed star clusters.
The plasmic gas of nebulas flashed periodically, releasing pure energy
into this promising maelstrom.
Brahma flew his swan up to its summit and by his alchemy its
center was transmuted into a lofty mountain whilst Vishnu and Garuda
soared within the void to trace out a widespread figure eight from
which Vasuki (King of Nagas) materialized. The cosmic serpent flowed toward the Devatas and Ashuras like a violet river of light.
“Ussse me asss rope,” Vasuki hissed.
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With that, he coiled ‘round the solid central mass of the young
megacosm and stretched either half of himself across its entire
breadth. The Devatas were quick to grab a hold of his tail-end, leaving
that Naga’s big head to their adversaries. Now Vishnu leapt off
Garuda’s back and transformed into a gargantuan tortoise, making his
way to the mountain’s bottom in order to stabilize it. Brahma floated
above its peak and signaled for the tug-of-war to commence.
Under his direction the Ashuras went first, pulling with their
combined strength, followed by a vigorous response from the gods.
They continued like this for a fleeting period that was interrupted when
Vasuki (agitated by such monumental strain) began coughing out a
rancid miasma that engulfed the whole area. This noxious Halahala
poison wouldn’t stop spreading and the heavenly hosts scattered,
driven by fear. Even both supreme Devas were at a loss; the skin of
Vishnu’s human form turned onyx as it came into contact with that
venom.
During this crucial juncture a general clamor rang throughout
space, crying for Lord Shiva’s help. Ever gracious and merciful
Mahadeva (greatest among gods) proved the truth of his namesake by
arriving in Bhuloka. The universal destroyer had only to cup his hands
and inhale, drawing the murky vapor into his throat. Parvati , Shiva’s faithful wife manifested then too. She clasped her hands around his
neck to stem the Halahala poison from circulating. All those present
sang their praises for this marvelous feat and nicknamed him
Nilakantha (Lord Blue Neck).
Thus the churning was taken up anew and this time Vishnu lent
both sides half of his phenomenal stamina. Soon the luminous surface
of that galactic ocean was covered by seething froth. Incredible
archetypes started emerging from its waves: a white horse followed by
a white elephant, which were claimed by Bali (King of Ashuras) and Indra respectively. Next came Surabhi , the primeval cow. And then a paradisiacal tree accompanied by many Apsaras who would later
become wives of Ghandharvas. These Apsaras circled the tree while
dancing elegantly and were led by Queen Varuni , goddess of wine.