Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable

(A/N):

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Meanwhile, almost as soon as Indra had finished giving instructions to the celestial commanders, the doors of the royal assembly opened once again.

The guards turned toward the entrance, expecting another Deva or messenger to arrive, but instead two exhausted Gandharvas hurried into the hall.

Their clothes were covered with dust from the journey, and both were breathing heavily as though they had travelled without stopping since escaping their captor.

Indra immediately noticed their condition.

"What happened to you two?"

The Gandharvas approached the throne and bowed respectfully.

"Devaraja, we have come with urgent news."

Indra’s expression became serious.

"Speak."

One of the Gandharvas took a moment to catch his breath before explaining everything that had happened.

They had been travelling through the realm when an enormous force suddenly appeared and surrounded them.

The soldiers who captured them were unlike any army they had encountered before.

Their bodies appeared to be made from clay, yet they moved like living beings and followed the commands of a single master.

"And who was commanding them?"

Indra asked with a serious tone.

The Gandharva swallowed.

"We did not know his name at first. But after we were taken before him, we learned that he was called Kandarpaasura."

Several Devas immediately exchanged uneasy looks.

Indra leaned forward.

"Kandarpaasura?"

The second Gandharva nodded.

"He questioned us about what was happening across the realms. When we told him about the Swayamvara being held in Surya Lok, his entire expression changed."

"Changed how?"

"He became excited."

Indra’s eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

The Gandharva hesitated before answering.

"Because he intends to participate in the Swayamvara."

The hall fell silent.

Indra slowly leaned back against his throne.

"So the army we were warned about is heading toward Surya Lok."

"Yes, Devaraja."

"Did he say what he intends to do?"

The Gandharva shook his head.

"He did not openly threaten Surya Lok. In fact, he seemed pleased that the Swayamvara was being held. He believes that he can win Goddess Yami’s hand through his strength without needing to fight anyone."

Indra’s expression became increasingly serious.

"So he is not marching toward Surya Lok simply to attack."

"No, Devaraja. But he is travelling with an army."

The words hung heavily in the assembly.

Indra looked toward the gathered Devas.

"How large?"

"Large enough to be considered a serious military force. And there is something else."

The Gandharva lowered his voice.

"The soldiers cannot be killed normally."

Indra frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"We saw several of them destroyed. Their bodies broke apart like ordinary clay, but later they returned. It was as though destroying them meant nothing."

Another Deva spoke.

"Then they are undead?"

"We don’t know," the Gandharva replied. "But Kandarpaasura himself told us that his army would remain as long as he remained alive."

Indra’s expression hardened.

"So his army is tied to his own life."

The Gandharva nodded.

Indra slowly stood from his throne.

"Then this changes everything."

Only moments ago, the Devas had been preparing for the possibility of an attack.

Now they knew that a powerful Asura was deliberately travelling toward Surya Lok, accompanied by an army that could seemingly return from destruction, and his destination happened to be the very Swayamvara that Surya Dev had warned them about.

Indra looked toward the commanders.

"Double the preparations."

The commanders immediately bowed.

"Yes, Devaraja."

Indra then turned back toward the Gandharvas.

"You did well to bring this information here."

The two Gandharvas bowed.

Indra’s gaze shifted toward the distant heavens.

"Kandarpaasura may believe he is simply travelling to win a bride."

His expression became grim.

"But if he intends to enter Surya Lok with an army behind him, we will be ready when he arrives."

Bhulok...

Trivenivrata Kingdom...

Meanwhile, back in Bhulok, preparations were already underway in Trivenivrata for Devara’s journey to Surya Lok.

The invitation from Surya Dev had been formally received, and with the Swayamvara only three days away,

Devara knew he could not afford to delay his departure.

He had decided to travel in his Pushpaka Vimana, which would allow him to reach Surya Lok without wasting time on a conventional journey through the realms.

Before leaving, however, Devara had made one small arrangement of his own.

He had brought a carefully prepared box of sweets.

It wasn’t something he had chosen randomly.

He remembered a particular conversation he had shared with Yami inside his mind space, during the time when he had been trapped there after being struck by Pushpasura’s attack.

Those moments had allowed them to speak freely, away from everyone else, and somewhere during those conversations and memory of living together,

Devara had learned about the kind of sweets Yami particularly liked.

It was a small detail.

Most people would probably have forgotten it.

Devara hadn’t.

He carefully checked the box once more before handing it to one of the attendants.

"Keep this somewhere safe. Don’t let anyone open it."

The attendant nodded.

"Yes, Maharaja."

Devara smiled.

"It is for someone special."

The attendant wisely didn’t ask any further questions.

Nearby, the Pushpaka Vimana was already being prepared for departure.

Its magnificent golden structure reflected the sunlight, while the celestial mechanisms within it began responding to the divine energy being channelled into the craft.

Devara stepped toward it, dressed for the journey.

Before boarding, he looked back toward the palace.

Gandhari had insisted that he attend the Swayamvara, and the rest of his family had already been informed about the invitation from Surya Lok.

There had been plenty of teasing from his wives, especially after they learned that Yami herself had chosen him.

Devara had simply endured it with a smile.

Now, as he stood before the Pushpaka Vimana, his thoughts briefly returned to Yami.

He remembered the conversations they had shared in his mind space.

The vulnerability she had shown there.

The little things she had told him.

Including that particular sweet.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Let’s see if she remembers telling me."

He stepped aboard the Pushpaka Vimana.

The moment he settled inside, the divine craft began to rise from the ground, its radiant mechanisms humming softly as it prepared to cross the boundaries between realms.

Devara looked toward the heavens.

Three days until the Swayamvara.

And somewhere in Surya Lok, Yami was waiting.

What Devara did not know was that another man was travelling toward the same destination, accompanied by an army and carrying an entirely different intention.

The paths of Devara and Kandarpaasura were slowly converging.

And Surya Lok was about to become the meeting point.

Meanwhile, Lord Indra wasted no time after hearing the Gandharvas’ report.

He left Indra Lok and travelled directly to Surya Lok, wanting Surya Dev to hear about Kandarpaasura from him rather than through another messenger.

By the time he arrived, the entire realm had already begun preparing for the Swayamvara of Goddess Yami, and what had initially been a royal ceremony had slowly turned into a celebration involving the whole of Surya Lok.

The moment Indra entered the royal palace, Surya Dev personally came forward to receive him.

"Indra, you came sooner than I expected."

Indra returned the greeting but didn’t waste time with formalities.

"Surya Dev, there is something you need to know before we discuss the Swayamvara."

The seriousness in his voice immediately caught Surya Dev’s attention.

"What happened?"

Indra told him about the two Gandharvas who had escaped from Kandarpaasura, explaining how the Asura had gathered an enormous army whose soldiers were made from clay and whose existence was somehow connected to their master’s life.

He then explained that Kandarpaasura had learned about Yami’s Swayamvara and was now travelling toward Surya Lok with the intention of participating.

Surya Dev’s expression hardened.

"Kandarpaasura..."

He had heard the name before and knew enough about the Asura to understand that this was not an ordinary suitor arriving for his daughter’s Swayamvara.

"Did he declare war?"

Indra shook his head.

"Not yet. That is what makes the situation complicated. According to the Gandharvas, he believes he can win Yami’s hand through the Swayamvara itself."

Surya Dev frowned.

"And he is bringing an army with him?"

"Yes."

For several moments, Surya Dev remained silent.

Then he looked beyond the palace balcony toward the realm outside.

The sight was almost the complete opposite of the conversation taking place inside.

Surya Lok had been transformed for Yami’s Swayamvara.

Golden banners hung from the magnificent buildings, celestial flowers decorated the streets and enormous lamps had been placed along the roads.

Gandharvas were performing music throughout the city while Apsaras rehearsed their performances for the celebration.

Celestial craftsmen had spent days decorating the palace and the ceremonial grounds, while messengers moved constantly between the different parts of the realm carrying invitations and instructions.

The entire realm was alive with excitement.

For the people of Surya Lok, this was not merely the marriage of a princess.

It was the marriage of Surya Dev’s daughter.

Everywhere one looked, preparations were underway.

Surya Dev watched the celebration in silence before finally speaking.

"My daughter should not have her Swayamvara overshadowed by the threat of an Asura."

Indra nodded.

"Agreed."

Surya Dev turned toward him.

"But neither will I allow Kandarpaasura to enter this realm unchecked."

Indra looked at him seriously.

"That is why I came personally. The celestial army is already prepared. If he attempts anything, we will respond."

Surya Dev nodded.

"Then let the celebrations continue."

Indra raised an eyebrow.

"You intend to proceed with the Swayamvara?"

"Of course."

Surya Dev’s expression became firm.

"I will not allow fear to dictate my daughter’s future. If Kandarpaasura truly intends to participate according to the rules, then he will be treated like every other participant."

He paused.

"But the moment he violates those rules..."

His eyes hardened.

"...he will discover that Surya Lok is not a realm that can be threatened without consequence."

Indra gave a small nod.

"Then we are prepared."

Outside, the music grew louder as another procession passed through the golden streets.

Neither the citizens nor the visiting guests wanted to think about war.

They wanted to celebrate Yami.

And somewhere beyond the radiant boundaries of Surya Lok, Kandarpaasura was steadily approaching with his clay army.

At the same time, Devara’s Pushpaka Vimana was already making its way through the celestial paths.

Three forces were moving toward the same destination.

One came to marry.

One came to claim.

And one waited to protect the realm when the difference between the two finally became clear.

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(Author note:)

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