Kaliyug

Kaliyug
The Secret Plot

Kaliyug
The Secret Plot
Written by
B. S. Sarwagna Kumar
HALF BAKED BEANS LITERATURE
e-mail: publish.halfbakedbeans@gmail.com
First Published by Half Baked Beans in 2016
Copyright B. S. Sarwagna Kumar

2016.
All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real
persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Typeset in Garamond 11pt at Half Baked Beans.
Printed and bound in India.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written permission by the publishers.
Acknowledgements
I bow to the divinity and thank the generosity of my mother,

father, Gurus, and of course, the almighty, for gifting me a
better life than I deserve.
I bow to the best writers ever Veda Vyasa (dating back to
about 5000 years), Shankara Bhatt (dating back to about
700 years), Shri Valmiki (dating back to god knows when),
and all the divine souls that contributed their part to
Dharma.
I sincerely thank the media legend, Padma Vibhushan, Shri
Ramoji Rao garu, for creating an amazing opportunity, for
me to learn story telling & film making.
Sincere gratitude to Ramoji Academy of Film &
Television one of the few places, I felt, home. Thanks to
Mr. Pavan K Manvi, Mr. Santosh Pandey, Mr. Sriguha, Mr.
Sandipp, Mr. Sriram, Mr. Jatla, Mr. Saibal, Mr. Ramaprasad
my Gurus who taught me story telling. I bow, with respect.
I thank my best friend Fareed Ahmed for his never ending
moral support. I thank Sudeep Pradeep, for always reading
whatever I wrote. They are Ross and Joey to my
Chandler. Of course, thanks to my little bro, Manu,
because if I dont mention him, hed kill me.
Sincere thanks to all my friends, family, and well-wishers. I
cannot see the end of this list. But you know who you are!
Now coming to my new literary cult Half Baked
Beans. Thanks for inviting me in. Thanks to my new good
friend Chetan Soni for his belief in this book. Thanks to
the cover designer, Mr. Manoj Nath.
Lastly, but utmost importantly, thanking the divinity of &
spirituality, for giving me scope to understand what I
understood so far, and what I would learn afar, as a sincere
seeker.
Dedication
To Shiva. Vishnu. Datta.

To the divine motherly lands of Hindu i.e., the
lands between Himalayas and Indu Sagara.
To Sanathana Dharma.
Prologue
Breathe in. Breathe out. Youve lived through another moment of

your life! Time is such a beautiful thing. As it passes by, like an
ending monsoon, one can only look back and be either proud of it
or ashamed. Before jumping right into the very interesting and
complexly-strung story of Kaliyug, you and I need to understand
temporal dimensions defined by the Vedas. When exactly in the
time quantum of this universe, are we? Sixty seconds make a
minute. No, noI am not stating the obvious. We all
acknowledge that twelve months form one human year. It is after
this classification that the complex part starts. Many such years
club to form an era called Yuga. Four such Yugas form a Yuga
cycle, just like Sunday-Saturday makes a week cycle.
The four Yugas are namely Krita Yuga (ruled by the time lord
called Satya), Treta Yuga (ruled by the time lord called Treta),
Dwapara Yuga (ruled by the time lord called Dwapara) and Kali
Yuga (or Kaliyug, ruled by the demonic time lord called Kali. Not
to confuse with Kl the goddess destroyer of evil). The last of
these four, Kaliyug, lasts for four hundred thirty-two thousand
human years. Dwapara Yuga lasts twice as long as Kaliyug, Treta
Yuga lasts thrice as long, and Krita Yuga lasts four times as long.
Seventy-one such Yuga cycles form a time period called
Manvantara. We need not remember these names for the story,
luckily. Fourteen such Manvantaras make a day, and fourteen of
these make a night of Brahma, the creator. Each is called a Kalpa.
Thirty of such days and nights (sixty Kalpas) form a Brahmas
Month. Similar to ours, twelve of those months make him a year.
Fifty Brahmas years make a time duration called Parardha. Each
Brahma lives for two Parardhas (hundred Brahma years)then
Brahma turns into dust and is reborn.
Now that we have a rough sketch about the time quantum, well
discuss our presence in the present time period. Currently, this is
the First Brahma ever. Hence, it is the Aadya Brahma time He has
completed one Parardha and is fifty-one years old. Thus, we are in
the second Parardha. We belong to the first day of his fifty-first
year (a Kalpa by name Swetha Varaha Kalpa). Six out of fourteen
Manvantaras have passed, this being the seventh, and is called
Vaivaswatha Manvantara. Twenty-seven Yuga cycles have passed
in this Manvantara. Each Manvantara is allotted seven immortal
sages called Saptarshis, for human guidance. On this twenty-eighth
Yuga cycle, the first three Yugas have passed by, leaving us to live
in the fourth, Kaliyug. Phew. That wasnt as tough as I thought it
to be in the beginning.
Although quite fictionalized, the following story is totally based on
the Hindu mythology. Part I, as indicated in this book, contains the
story that has happened so far and Part II in this book is based on
the story that was predicted in Bhavishya Purana, Kalki Purana,
Vishnu Purana etc. The mythology narrated herein was words by
Sri Vyasa Bhagwan himself and I consider myself a mere toy with
typing hands. This is not just a tale of good fighting against evil.
This is not just a religious story. It contains the quintessential facets
of love, compassion, and a PROMISE; for which everything is to
be sacrificed
Part I The
Journey so Far
Chapter-1: Meet the First
Devil
Life is a game of birth and death, love and hate, success and
failure but mostly, it is a game of ones perspective towards
another. A butterfly moving from one flower to another is
somehow related to an earthquake elsewhere, they say. Of course,
everything is related; a mother consuming alcohol during
pregnancy will lead to her childs retardation, and a public figure
promoting liquor will underscore his followers addictions, etc. Last
nights supper supports this days minimal energy, regardless of the
proof for it. Here we deal with our past, with no remaining
witnesses, deciding our future with no vision to foresee.
Long, long agotoo long ago to pinpoint, a brother and sister had
a lustful relationship. Out of it was born a child, named Kali. The
seed took after the tree. This Kali had a worse mindset than his
incest driven parents. Driven by lust, anger, selfishness, desires,
ego, and envy, he grew up in the mystic lands of heavens, hiding
his true identity. His sociopathy helped him lurk in the darkness
and grow high politically. When the thrones to four quadrants of
time were being split, he managed to grab one, which is the
infamous Kaliyug. This tale is totally dedicated to this Yuga, but
how one is led to it, depends on the following three incarnations of
Lord Vishnu.
Current Yuga Cycle, Treta Yuga: It was the Yuga when Sri
Rama walked the lands of Jambudweep (earth). But this particular
story of that Yuga dates back to the day even before his reign.
Every Manvantara has seven sages guarding the knowledge of
cultures and humanity. They were looked upon as walking guides
to law and justice. The seven sages of any given Manvantara were
literally immortals. Though theyd pass away in battles or so, they
would spring back to life after the respective Yuga cycle in which
their demise occurred.
Kaliyug: The Secret Plot
It all began with the wit of Jamadagni, one of the seven sages in
the current Manvantara. He had witnessed twenty-seven Yuga
cycles in his reignand every time Kaliyug came his way, he and
his colleagues faced the wrath of Kali, the first evil ever born. It got
harder and harder every time, to protect goodness, humanity, law,
justice and mainly, love. Kali always came up with new ways so as
to enter the human race and destroy its integrity. They had to give
in so much to bring back the first Yuga of the next cycle. Vexed,
Jamadagni decided to play out his very own, well-planned game
against Kali.
The sage had traces of black and gray on his facial hair. Fastening
his long hair over his head, he would carry out the everyday rituals.
His eyes were big and green while his heart was blue. The burly
arms could move biggest of rocks that came in his way. And oh, his
height! He was beautifully tall. His only ornaments were made of
Rudraksha fruit, which he wore with pride.
He had always been a simple man. No riches caught his interest.
No poverty could stand against him and let him starve either. The
sage had a peculiar way of sustaining. He had a secret with which
he could harvest the food required for any particular day just
before the lunch hour. Had there been any guests, they wouldnt
return with an empty belly either. Yet he hid no riches in his
pockets, or in some secret trunks under the backyard. His secret
was a cow named Kamadhenu. The word Kama in the Sanskrit
language, which is often mistaken to mean lust, means desires.
And the word Dhenu means giver. The cow was the first of its
race, given by the gods to Jamadagni. It could fulfill any desire if
asked with respect. With this as his lifestyle, he was a perfectionist
at his job. As Kaliyug was close, the disasters could be endless and
he needed help in every way possible.
Jamadagni decided to pay a visit to Lord Vishnu, seeking some
help from his side. On a very pleasant day, he finally set forth on
his journey to the lords place of residence, Vaikunth. A
breathtakingly soft fragrance of sandalwood filled the air, even
outside the doors of his home. Vishnu is definitely here, he
thought. As he marched closer, a rhythmic sound of bangles
clanging and a few frisky soft giggles echoed in his ears. His wife
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Lakshmi is here too. Lucky day, he thought again. Then he heard
the hisses as he moved closer. Ugh, the cantankerous serpent, Adi
Shesha, is there too. Why does Vishnu have to use that gigantic
thing as furniture? I could bend over forever instead, for him to sit
on my shoulders. At least I wouldnt hiss, he thought, smiling.
Just before he could walk past the main door, Lord Vishnu funnily
blew his conch with pauses, making his beloved wife raise her pitch
a little whilst giggling. Thinking of not disturbing, Jamadagni stood
outside, hoping for them to get free from their personal time. The
guards of Lord Vishnu, Jaya, and Vijaya were serving their time on
earth for a little mischief they had done at that time (of course,
another storyfor another day). Thus, he stopped himself and
stood outside, hoping for an appointment.
Come on in! Your father is in a good mood, Lakshmi yelled out.
We can hear you think, you know, Vishnu added.
Im ssssorry. I uh I didnt mean to interrupt, Jamadagni
replied, stammering, as he walked in, looking at the gigantic curled
up serpent, upon which Vishnu was resting. Lakshmi was standing
afar, though, holding her belly tightly, trying to control her
laughter. They were and are one of the most beautiful couples,
ever. You sages always say that. Its like a registered excuse of
your race, Adi Shesha replied, hissing more. Jamadagni gulped.
Ouch, Vishnu interrupted, laughing, Dont mind him. Thats
kind of the nicest thing he said in a decade. Come; take a seat by
my side. The sage stepped in towards the serpent, as he couldnt
deny an offer from Lord Vishnu himself. Adi Shesha hissed aloud
as he almost sat on his scaled body.
I suppose theres no harm in standing, Jamadagni said, jumping
onto his feet. Vishnu laughed aloud while Lakshmi burst into a
louder laughter. Stop playing with him, Vishnu said and patted
the serpents body. Adi Shesha smiled a little and calmed down.
Making sure that there is no harm in sitting on him, Jamadagni
took a seat next to Vishnus feet.
To what pleasure do I have your presence here? he asked,
smiling.
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You know what everyone is up to. Yet you ask! he replied.
Ah! Of course; I just dont want people go to out and blabber that
I dont have courtesy, now, do I? Vishnu said. What bothers you
so much about Kali?
Kali is getting stronger and stronger. Im afraid, he wants to stop
the Yuga cycle and establish a permanent Kaliyug. Every time he
walks in, we virtually exhaust our powers to bring back Krita Yuga.
Sure, you help out, without which we would never be able to do it,
but it almost exhausts the life out of us sages in the process, he
said in a desolate voice.
You know how differently I end Kaliyug each time, right?
Vishnu asked, patting the saints shoulder. He nodded, as a reply.
This time, provide a boost up to that form of me. That way, all
sages wouldnt have to run out of breath. The process would be
faster.
I dont understand. How can a low life like me provide a boost up
to that form of you?
Im known to be a man of riddles, am I not? I will give you a plan.
Just make sure to execute it well. Let Kali do whatever he wants to
do when his time comes. But once his time period ends and I show
up, it should take many Brahma years for him to even think of
supremacy. He should just come, do his business and leave. But to
achieve this, there is the need for a great sacrifice. Do we have a
deal? Vishnu asked. Jamadagni nodded and stood on his feet. He
and Vishnu had a long walk, discussing their plan and its execution.
Lakshmi sat on Adi Shesha, thinking what could be the plan and
how her husband would yet again surprise her with his wisdom.
Well, she is a woman with patience and understanding towards her
husband. After an hour or so, they walked back, each grinning.
I believe, Vishnu said with a deep voice, looking at Adi Shesha,
that Jamadagni was thinking to take your job of allowing me to
rest. The serpents eyes turned red. Jamadagni gulped and stepped
back. Moving his hood closer to the sage, Adi Shesha said, hissing,
You thought what?
Ummwrong thought. Im absolutely sorry, the sage replied.
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Adi Shesha had a friendly bond with every sage that entered
Vishnus palace. The puns between the sages and him were never
meant to hurt each other but were entirely jocular.
Sages dont get thoughts without a reason. Actually, a part of me
and a part of you together will take birth as his son. My knowledge
and your anger should add up to something, Vishnu said to Adi
Shesha. Realizing that it was all part of some plan, he smiled,
bowing his hood at the sage and crawled back.
If it is to dissolve Kali at the end of Kaliyug, why take human
form from right now? Lakshmi asked curiously.
I could reveal it to you but dont you want it to be a surprise? he
asked.
Always with witty words, she smilingly replied and sat by his
side.
With their permission, Jamadagni took leave and headed back
towards his home. Intense scent of a dead dog filled the air as he
was on his way. At first, he didnt think much of it. But it seemed
after a while as if the scent had been following him all along the
way. Then he realized that it was no dog, but the devil himself,
against whom he had been plotting.
Stalking someone isnt good manners, he said out loud, looking
here and there.
Thats what you people blame me for, said a few whispers from
thin air, the evil without mannersisnt it, Sage?
What do you want? Jamadagni roared.
Tell me, Sage, the whispers spoke again, if stalking someone is
bad manners, then what is sneaking into someones business?
The sage didnt reply. He knew for sure, deep inside, that he was
just being a helping hand for the welfare of the world. Short of
words, eh, sage? the whispers said again.
Why dont you just show yourself, Jamadagni roared, in a
thundering voice. The foul smell spread around. Its intensity killed
every green plant in the surroundings. The clouds turned dark.
Upon his shoulder, the sage felt a filthy breath. Without turning
5
around, he said out loud, I recommend taking a few steps back.
Laughing hastily, the person behind him took three steps
backward. Jamadagni turned around to see the first of evil. He
noticed that the shoulders were broad, eyes fiery; a long tongue,
not very tall height, strong bicep and an extremely dense unibrow.
His skin resembled partially combusted charcoal; like a mixed
texture of ash and burning coal. He was barely wearing clothes and
had the charisma of an illiterate.
Do tell me, Sage, he spoke in varying sounds of whispers and a
deep voice, Do I look handsome?
Kali, Jamadagni replied, Youre never stopping the time cycle.
But ironically, only time is to decide that, isnt it? he said, What
evil schemes have you and your lord Vishnu played out? Dont you
think I would get to know about it somehow?
Id be happy to see you try and fail, he replied and turned away.
At sunrise, he had witnessed Vishnu, and by sunset, he had to
come across his arch enemy. Kali laughed and disappeared into
thin air. With his virtuous energy, the sage brought back the
greenery around. I dont like Kalis after effect on nature, he
murmured and walked back to his home.
6
Chapter-2: The Proud
Bleeding God
His wife Renuka had made dinner already, with the help of
Kamadhenu (sages otherwise called Rishis have to marry, but
saints otherwise called Sanyasis should stay bachelors. Theres a
wide difference between them both). Looking at her exhausted
husband, she lovingly offered some beverage and let him rest in the
front yard.
How has it been? she asked, looking into his eyes, after taking a
seat by his side. The sage smirked, Quite an accomplishment, I
must say. We have a plan to oppose the ever strengthening Kali
this time. Sadly I came across him too.
Came across whomKali? she asked, shocked. The sage nodded
and signaled that everything was fine, except he had to see Kali.
Ah, such a disaster; would you like to eat something? she said
again, politely. Renuka had pleasance on her face, round the clock.
She was in no way lesser to her husband either by looks or by wit.
Besides, a mans happiness relies on the compatibility with his life
partnerin which aspect, she was a perfect match for him. Just by
seeing her, all the tensions left his thoughts for the moment and a
pleasant smile beamed on his face. Along with his beloved wife, he
started having supper.
Lord Vishnu has a riddle for us, he said, finishing the first item
served on his plate.
What is it? she asked curiously. He said that we would have five
children, among whom, he would be one, the sage replied. Renuka
went into a trance, unable to believe what she just heard. The
riddle is that we have to find which one he is and give some
purpose to his lifenow, you need to promise me something,
Jamadagni said.
What? she asked, knowing that there would be a knot in between
the plain silky thread of her life as it was a play by Vishnu himself.
Remember that I love you, no matter what happensand
everything will be the same as now once the mist settles, he said in
whispers. Renukas heart ran faster than ever, sensing a subtle
danger in her beloveds words. What does that mean? she asked
in a pained voice.
That is all I am allowed to say. But all is well that doesnt start
well. Forget I said that part for now, he ordered. His words had a
power of mind control. She forgot it all for the time being and
spent her autumn days beside her husband, waiting for Lord
Vishnu to be her son. Four sons took birth, one after another, in
no time. Jamadagni wasnt sure of the one he should consider to be
Lord Vishnu. Since he had five sons promised, he waited further
long to observe and compare the divine signs in them all. Another
human year passed by and there was another glorious male child in
his arms. He named him Rama (not to confuse with Sri Rama of
Ayodhya). That particular kid had a peculiarity apart from his
brothers. For one, he always liked to mount on his fathers
shoulders. Jamadagni remembered how he wanted to carry Lord
Vishnu in such way. But he disregarded it as a childs sense of filial
attachment. As he grew, Ramas parents witnessed enormous rage
in Ramas eyes. For petty little mistakes of his brothers, he would
react so badly that they were all scared of him. Yet while showering
love, he was an ocean full of it. His father thought that the rage
came from Adi Shesha whilst the love came from Lord Vishnu. Yet
again, he disregarded that too, believing that he had vast behavioral
oscillations. Their cow, Kamadhenu had an urge to play with Rama
as a child. Even after seeing all these, Jamadagni wanted to make
sure who Vishnu exactly was.
All the five kids grew by time, each being scholars in Vedas,
Tantra, Mantra, warfare science, medicine, and Yoga (its nothing
like the modern day yoga. Their Yoga gave them access to life
without physiological sustenance, distant communication, and even
soul travel!). Yet there was an ocean full of things left for them to
learn. So humble they were, despite the superior knowledge they
had over others in the neighborhood. Rama though, had anger on
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the tip of his nose; if he sneezed, someone in front faced his rage.
If he could control, the entire world stood at peace.
Renuka was extremely devoted to her husband. Every day, early in
the morning, she used to walk to a nearby river so as to fetch water
for household chores. The couple respectfully cleansed
Kamadhenu every day with that water, as a token of thankfulness
for all the food that it provided. Just so as to avoid extra effort, she
walked to the river empty handed, created a pot out of the sand
and fetched water in it. Her devotion of love for her husband was
driven so deep that just by the thought of him, she had the power
to keep her sand pots immune from dissolving into the ocean.
Jamadagni knew that it was about time for bad things to happen in
his family. He wanted to give the incarnated Lord Vishnu a
purpose in his life and set him on the path towards Kalis
disintegration. The sacrifice which he agreed upon wasnt an
ordinary one. He made an oath to scatter everything he held
beloved to heart, into dust. Secretly, he summoned a few wealthy
people from heaven. They were called Gandharvas. Respecting his
words, the Gandharvas walked down to the sages home.
Jamadagni had had his place deserted by his family for the time
being.
Where are your kids and wife? the rich guests asked humbly.
Theyre outon some business trip. Would you like to have
something? he asked back.
Accepting the sages offer, they all had an early noons brunch. Not
wanting to hurt their feelings by jumping right into the business,
Jamadagni kept his game face on, laughed, and turned out to be a
pro host. Being pleased by his hospitality, the Gandharvas sought
to pay him some respect.
The heavens are pleased by your generosity, the elder most of
them said, in a deep voice, I pray tellwe want to do something
good to a man like you with a good heart. Look at your hut! Its
almost crumbling to dust. We could make this into a fort. You
deserve it.
Ah! Now youre being extremely generous. But what will a sage
9
do with riches and forts? I must apologize, I have no interest in
such things, he replied humbly. He knew that the Gandharvas
were incredibly prestigious at times and his denials would touch
them right in their pride. The elder one of their group was taken
aback. Jamadagnis physical appearance was just a charade of youth,
but he had lived longer than any of them and was equivalently
wiser as per his age.
If not for you, the fort would come in handy to your other half or
your children. Word has it that Lord Vishnu has incarnated in your
home. Which one of the five sons is him? he asked curiously.
I have my theories, but Im not entirely sure. You know how he
isfull of riddles. I will just have to wait and see, Jamadagni
replied.
So it is quite possibly true that he is one among them. Let us build
a fort at least for him! he said, in a tone of excitement. That was
the exact reaction that Jamadagni had waited for since they arrived
at his place.
No, no. I cant take a fort from your goodness. If you really want
to do something for me, you couldumm, Jamadagni said, took a
pause and continued again, Umm, never mind. You wouldnt be
able to do it.
There. He had it; a finger on their eager pulse. Neither could they
resist asking what he wanted nor could they deny anything that he
would ask for. The frustration faced by the Gandharvas was
priceless. They had this soft spot touched and they were ready to
give away their entire riches to do what Jamadagni wanted. Upon
insisting over and over, Jamadagni finally spoke up
It is extremely costly. If I ask you to do it, you will not deny doing
it and you will not ask reasons to do it. If you agree to these
conditions, I might put forth my wish, Jamadagni spoke his witty
words. The elder most, sensed some wit and said, We arent alone
by accident, are we?
Jamadagni smiled and replied in a low voice, Maybe. They
understood that he was cooking some new recipe for creating
historyand was under the guidance of Lord Vishnu himself.
10
Now we humbly ask, one of the Gandharvas said, What can we
do for you?
Tomorrow morning, in the sky, there must be a parade of you
rich lot. The hearts of people that dare to look at you must squeeze
with jealousy; if not, at least distracted from what theyre doing.
Just make sure that you pass over the river. The rest will work out
by itself, he said, with a tone of satisfaction.
The Gandharvas accepted and left before any of his family
members returned from the distraction that Jamadagni had created.
The Sun set and rose naturally. As usual, Renuka was all set to
walk to the river and fetch water for the daily chores. Jamadagni
walked past her, made a casual conversation and then asked, Have
you ever wondered why we arent spending a luxurious life, even
though we can? Be frank with me!
Renuka shook her head, smiled, and walked out of the house,
towards the river. Her thoughts always dwelled around her
husband and thusly, there was a channel between them both which
gave her access to his powers. Even Jamadagni knew that, for a
fact. Yet, he, questioning her if she thought of something else,
bothered her peace. The same question about luxurious life kept
on ringing in her head. On the exact same second, the Gandharvas
walked in the skies, above the river, with an elegant show-off.
There were triumphant trumpets, dazzling drum beats, chorus
vocals, praising their riches.
Creamy white elephants bore each one of them on their shoulders
while slaves ran by their side to hold an umbrella. Their ornaments
had diamonds and gold that glistened brightly under the sun.
Renuka had made a pot out of the sand, and filled it with water, by
channeling her husbands powers. The drastic changes in the sky
and the continuously bothering question on luxurious life
running in her head, made Renuka look at the Gandharvas for a
moment.
The energy channel between her and her husband vanished, as her
thoughts drifted upon the travelers in the sky. So, that is a
luxurious life. Meh, its dull, she thought, Im fine with what I
have. She stood out to be one of the very few women who had no
11
lust for gold. But, before she realized and looked back, the pot had
broken for the first time. No matter how hard she tried, she
couldnt make it again at any cost. Realizing that the Gandharvas
werent there by coincidence and her husband didnt ask a random
question, she marched back towards home to know what it all
meant.
Jamadagni was seated in the front yard with their five sons palely
looking at his serious face. She walked in, to know what that was all
about. The five brothers wondered what went wrong so suddenly
that their father went into a serious trance. Each of them tried so
hard to know what caused Jamadagnis lips to shrink. But the
efforts were futile. Renuka walked by his side, grunted a little to
adjust her tone and said, Im sorry. The sage denied responding.
The family had never seen him so aggressive and calm.
Youre all reputed scholars of Vedas, arent you? he said, after a
while, addressing his children. They all desperately accepted.
This woman herewas so distracted from me, that the energy
channel between us diminished in a fraction of seconds. I consider
it as a sin. If you havent missed the line in Vedas that say never to
cross the words of your father, I assume that you are ready to do
anything that I ask for. Kill your mother, to please me, he
ordered. The five sons were taken aback. The elder most stepped
forward with his weapons, looked into his mothers calm eyes and
broke into tears. Unable to do it, he stepped back and stood calmly.
You broke my heart, Jamadagni said, looking at the elder most.
The words crushed his soul and he stood as stone with no more
feelings in him. The very same happened with the following three
brothers too.
The last of his sons was left with the task, while his first four stood
motionless, knowing that their beloved father was not pleased by
them. Jamadagni had his suspicions that Rama, his last child, could
be Lord Vishnu. Father, he said humbly, Vedas do teach never
to cross a fathers words. And I stand by it. At the very same time,
they also say never to raise a hand or a weapon upon the couple
that gave birth to oneself. I am, here, tied up in a controversy. I
cant obey your words and kill herI cant leave her and not obey
12
your words. A mothers life lives around the love of her children. If
I assume her to be dead to me, she is as equal as lifeless. Thereby I
am abiding by both the laws.
After looking at his mother for one last time, Rama rolled off his
eyes from his mother and stood still. Hardening his heart, he
manipulated himself into thinking that she was indeed, dead. Rama
was no lesser a sage, though he was very young. At the very
thought of his, that his mother no longer existed to him, he turned
invisible to Renuka. Noticing the drastic change, she broke into
tears, searching for Rama. Many versions misinterpreted the
original Sanskrit lines of this story that Rama actually killed his
mother. It was indeed just a personification. Being such a lawful
sage by heart, he would never raise a weapon on his mother. Also,
the misinterpretations say that Jamadagni himself turned his four
sons into stones. He wouldve never been one of the seven sages if
he was so short tempered and ill-mannered that he simply turned
his four sons into stone. Amazed by his wit, Jamadagni sprung
onto his feet and hugged him. The ingenious solution that Rama
came up with, made him sure that he was Lord Vishnu.
Wish for anything. I will grant it, he said happily. Rama fell into a
stream of thoughts and spoke, I wish for two wishes, father.
Jamadagni laughed and accepted his request. My first wish would
be to bring my mother back to life, in my life, he asked humbly,
Secondly; my brothers hearts have turned into stones, being not
loved by their father. I want our family to get back to normalcy.
Impressed by his presence of mind in the worst case scenarios,
Jamadagni sought to begin the mission he was supposed to
accomplish. But for that, Rama needed to be a warrior and not just
a sage. Granting his wishes, Jamadagni let Rama return to his
mothers heart and his four brothers reclaimed his love. Seeking an
interaction alone, Jamadagni took Rama far from them all.
I see a lot of worth in you. Your potential could change some bad
things that are meant to happen. I want you to walk north, into the
depths of Himalayas and find Lord Shiva. Consider him as your
Guru and learn the skills of war. Theres no one in this entire
creation that can fight as boldly as Shiva. Promise me, son, that
13
youll make me proud, Jamadagni spoke. Rama nodded his head.
I dont want you to waste time by going back home just to say
goodbyes. Every second from now matters. Leave right away, he
ordered. Without any sort of counter questions or denials, Rama
started walking due north. His eminence in his skills already started
to grow, as he began to seek for Shiva. In no time, he found
himself at the heart of Himalayas.
The snow fell in tandem to the weathers hustles. Every step he
took left a mark behind on the thick heaps of snow. Migrating
flocks of birds were so dense that they covered up the entire sky
above his head. Every moment the separation between the birds
changed, the way the sun rays scattered, did too. Maybe that very
scenario was an inspiration to the modern day disco lights!
Knowing that Rama was coming, Lord Shiva had sent yetis to
show him the way. They had white fur, walked and talked like
humans, and were burly, tall, fierce-eyed but pious hearted. Being
led by four of them, Rama walked the beautiful lands of Himalayas,
gasping at natures wonders.
There is a famous saying about offsprings, By fathers semen and
by mothers thoughts. Ramas mother and Jamadagni were very
alike in terms of divinity in thoughts. Thusly, Rama thought and
looked like Jamadagni himself, except, with more dark hair rather
gray.
Finally as they reached Kailas, the living town of Shiva and his
subjects, the Yetis took leave of Rama. Step by step he walked in,
hoping to look at Shiva. Ice had formed into several stalactites and
stalagmites, making it hard for him to walk around; each droplet of
water dripped from the former to the latter, creating a beautiful
pattern. There sat a man in a corner, with just a piece of cloth
covering his genital area. The cloth was made out of a tigers
skinthat too, very old. His very long hair withered into
inseparable matted locks. A trident stood by his side, to which a
small drum was tied by what seemed to be an old intestine. A snake
crawled down his shoulder, as Rama watched.
The strange man immediately caught hold of it and wore it around
his neck as if it was a precious ornament. As he looked closer, there
14
was a closed vertical eyelid, above the separation of his eyebrows,
and his entire skin was covered in ash. To his other side, there was
an upper half of a skull, inverted. Most people would have qualms
about touching it. But he had food served in it, which he didnt
care to eat completely. Even with these surroundings, he was
handsomehandsome as in trying to hide it, but still it shows
through- handsome. He was indeed very muscular overall. The
long face had this special cosmic glow that clearly said: Genius
inside. Rama knew who exactly he was, and how deceptive he
could be through his appearances. For the ignorant and arrogant,
he looks like a shelter less man. To the wise ones, he is a bank of
knowledge and wisdom.
I, Rama, fifth son of Jamadagni and Renuka, surrender in humility
at your feet, he said, in a pleasing voice. Lord Shiva pretended not
to hear him. Rama smiled, realizing that Shiva was testing his
patience and sat in front of him, looking into his pleasant eyes. For
six human years, nothing happened. Rama moved, not an inch
from where he sat. Shiva cared not even to look at him, all along.
On the seventh year, Shiva glanced at him for the first time. Then
and there, Ramas training began.
Lord Shiva gazed into his eyes. A stream of knowledge in warfare,
its tactics, set of rules to wage a war etc., passed into his
consciousness from Shivas. The same thing happened
continuously, as days turned into a dozen human years. Ramas
beard grew long enough to touch his belly button. Shiva smiled,
once his silent preaching was done, looking at his student proudly
and signaled him to get up.
As a token of appreciation, Lord Shiva handed him an axe called
Parashu and called him Parashuram. The word spread like a
wildfire through Shivas loyal subjects, to the entire world of sages
and heavens. His father, hearing the news, stood the proudest of
all. He even sent a word of gratitude to the Gandharvas who
helped him start Parashurams journey. Yet there was a major plot
twist in Lord Vishnus play that Jamadagni had yet to carry out.
Vishnu and Shiva have always been friends, as thick as thieves
the good thieves. Before Parashuram took leave from Shiva,
15
Vishnu paid a visit to Kailas.
How well trained is your student? Vishnu asked, I would like to
witness the acclaimed abilities of Parashuram myself. To which,
Shiva proudly responded, Like teacher, like student. Hes ready
for every battle ahead in his life. He shall be eternal as he can fight
death too, now. Upon a special request by Lord Vishnu,
Parashuram and Lord Shiva battled fiercely for twenty-one long
days. The teacher was indestructible whilst the student inherited
the very same characteristics.
On the twenty-first day, Shiva almost hit Parashuram with his
trident, to which Parashuram responded with a unique escape and
counter attack tactic with his Parashu. Both Vishnus and Shivas
intention was to let this happen. As the Parashu swooshed in the
air, it struck Shiva on the right of his forehead. Parashuram was
taken aback, seeing his Guru hurt. Unable to excuse himself,
Parashuram pleaded Shiva to pardon him, for his blunder.
Im actually proud of you, Shiva replied in a bright tone, As
long as forever, I will keep this scar on my forehead, to remind
people of your greatness. I shall also be called Khanda-Parashu
(wounded one, by the Parashu axe), from now on. I am one proud
teacher to have such an interested and keen student like you. Go,
do what you were meant to do now, in your life. Parashuram
didnt actually know what his lifes purpose was. Apologizing again
for the wound, Parashuram took leave of Shiva and headed back
towards home after eighteen long years.
16
Chapter-3: An Oath for
Blood
Lord Vishnu had already set a course of events to turn

Parashurams life upside down. To the place where Jamadagnis
family lived, there was a ruler by the name Karthaveerya (Though
there is no exact location known, these incidents couldve
happened in the current day Madhya Pradesh region in India, as
that area was ruled by the five Haihaya clans, among whom
Karthaveerya was one). The king, after a long hunting trip, was
tired and hence halted at the sages home, before returning to his
fort. The four elder brothers respectfully showed him their
hospitality. Jamadagni asked what the king wanted to have.
Looking at the old house in which there was no stock of any sort
of food, he laughed and said that they couldnt possibly provide
him something to eat. To that, the sage smiled and asked
Kamadhenu, his cow, to provide them all with sufficient food. In
the bare lands at the front yard, sprout vegetables and wheat,
sufficiently abundant for them to eat. Amused by the wonder he
had seen, the king wanted more than a one time meal.
Could you donate that cow to your king? he asked in a sharp
voice, before taking leave.
That isnt just a cow to donate. It is the first of its race and has
been a part of our family from many Yugas. I apologize, he
replied humbly.
The king insisted again, by lying that he needed the cow for the
welfare of his kingdom, though in reality he wanted it for his selfish
needs. It is written in Vedas that when a ruler approaches any of
his citizens for the welfare of the kingdom, he/she should be
obliged to serve the ruler. But the sage was fully aware of the fact
that the king was greedy. Hence, the request made by the king was
rejected by Jamadagni. His senses took leave of him as rage surged
within him and king Karthaveerya forcefully dragged Kamadhenu
to his royal place. For one, the cow was hurt. Then a sages heart
too was given pain. Jamadagni walked barefoot to the fort made of
sand and stone and pleaded the king to return to him, his source of
food and his family member.
Being denied of all requests, the sage headed towards his home. He
could have cursed the king, but his anger was never a free bird.
Once again, he had proven to everyone around that he wasnt a
slave of his mind. By the exact time, Jamadagni returned to his
home, Parashuram too did, from the other side of the road. Seeing
his youngest son after those many years and having lost his beloved
pet, Jamadagni broke into tears and hugged his son. One of the
tactics of war that was taught to Parashuram was seeing through
someones past through perpetual time vision of anyones life.
Through that skill, one could know what had happened to his/her
subject despite their absence. Knowing that his father got
humiliated, the Adi Shesha part of him was excited with rage and
eager for revenge.
Wasting no time, Parashuram marched towards the kings fort. As
he moved faster, the Parashu swung to and fro in his hand,
whooshing wildly in thirst, for blood. As a sage, he asked once, to
return Kamadhenu. After the expected denial from the king,
Parashuram made his next move. As a warrior, he made a thousand
slits to the kings arms, had him killed and respectfully returned
with the cow. As the warrior walked back, with the mighty axe
stiffly held in his hand, nature comforted Parashuram as a token of
appreciation on his first victory. The wind blew softly over his
warm body. The intensity of the Suns heat nullified as clouds took
over the skies. Dust rose to his fast-moving legs. The cow walked
behind him, proudly, trying to race Parashuram. Lord Shiva was
happy with his students skills. His mother was proud of her childs
efficiency, but it scared Jamadagnis guts after he saw the blood on
Parashu.
Couldnt it have gone more peacefully? he asked, yet knowing
that he was born to be angry.
Not after he made me see you shed those painful tears, he
replied, holding Jamadagnis hands, gently.
18
Your reputation precedes you. Not everyone gets to be honored
with a title by Lord Shiva himself; Parashuram, is it? he asked, as
tears of joy and pride filled his eyes.
Parashuram it is! he replied humbly. His four brothers hugged
him and welcomed him home joyously. Returning to his family
eighteen long years later, the first thing he did was killing the king
of their locality, who insulted his father.
Even though Karthaveerya had passed away, Parashurams anger
had not decreased a bit. He had nightmares about killing him over
and over every night. Seeing his sons imbalanced situation,
Jamadagni suggested him to take some time off and meditate.
Dumping his anger alone could bring him peace, according to
Jamadagni; but that wasnt the purpose of his life. Parashurams
sole reason to be born was to be a catalyst towards Kalis downfall.
The final act of Lord Vishnu waited behind time, waiting to unveil
itself at the right moment.
Taking his fathers advice, Parashuram concentrated more on
meditating and less on his anger. His weapon, Parashu, was meant
to strike down the heads of those who walk down the wrong path.
But it was incongruously sitting idle next to the pious sage.
Karthaveeryas sons knew that their father could be defeated by
none other than Lord Shivas very own student, Parashuram. For
avenging their father, they plotted to kill Jamadagni! He knew that
he had to make that sacrifice, when he made an alliance with Lord
Vishnu, ages ago.
Karma lets nothing in the creation to go unaccounted for or
unpunished. Ignorant people deny seeing it, but it works secretly
and walks away unnoticed. When Parashuram was nowhere
around, the dead kings sons intruded into Jamadagnis home and
took his life away. The sage didnt even fight back, for he knew that
he was the key to unleashing Parashurams rage. Heres how Karma
worked with each person through Jamadagnis death. Parashurams
elder siblings had dithered from killing their mother, though it was
a direct order from their father. That act made karma lose them,
their father. Renuka had her heart distracted from her husbands
energy stream (symbolically), which a wife should never do. That
19
act made Karma lose her, her husband.
Parashuram hurt his Guru with his axe, even though it was
unintentional. Karma acted, by making him lose his father. Lord
Shiva didnt go with Parvati in her earlier life to her fathers family
functionwhich led to her demise (another long story for another
long day). That led him to take the scar on his forehead as long as
this Yuga cycle lasts. Jamadagni denied surrendering Kamadhenu
when a king asked for it, for the welfare of his kingdom. That lost
him his own life. Karthaveerya lied to a sage, stole a cow, and also
hurt it (which should never be done) and insulted a sage at the
gates of his fort. That cost him his life.
Thats how Karma works. If seen normally, it is just a revenge tale.
Karma is not noticed by many, but it always works surreptitiously.
Everything is counted and repaid for when the times ripe. Shiva
had no reason to bear the scar himself. He is the one who
maintains the accounts of everyones Karma. Yet it was just to set
an example to people, on how Karma doesnt leave anyone. Such
has been the divinity of Lord Shiva. Now the turn came for the
dead kings sons. They killed a sage, towards whom they had no
rights or excuses. Karma turned wild and invited Yama, the death
lord, to pay forward what the dead kings sons deserved. Death
awaited to welcome them as Parashuram marched towards the fort
angrily, again. This time, his rage had no bounds. His eyes turned
deep red after his fathers demise. The blood inside him started to
boil, boosting his ever-growing rage.
Being unstoppable by any guard, Parashuram had struck everyone
who came in his way. Seeing no direction to run to for help, the
dead kings sons were ready to embrace death. Each strike of his
Parashu struck through their evil hearts. Gasping their last breaths,
the young princes fell on the floor, wetting it with blood. They
were in no position even to apologize. Corpses scattered all over,
of the ones who tried to protect evil, turning the palace into a
cemetery.
You kings, Parashuram spoke in a thundering voice, You think
that youre superior to everyone else. This is my oath. I will make
sure that every king sheds blood and dies. This is my oath to end
20
your races false pride. This is my oath, for blood. Listening to his
scary voice, the brothers died in pain. Parashuram waged his war
against every so-called king on earth. Lord Vishnus play began
with Parashurams rage. And with the same, began Kalis fear!
He knew for a fact that Lord Vishnu could link an ants birth to an
Elephants demise, an eggs breakage to an earthquake and a seeds
burial to an enormous birth of shade. Kali realized that Jamadagni
had it all schemed out and Lord Vishnu could turn Parashurams
direction towards his dissolution at any moment. Fear began in
Kalis heart while on the other hand Lord Vishnu sat on Adi
Shesha along with his wife, playing chess. Though none came
chasing him, Kali constantly looked for avenues of escape
21
Chapter-4: Twenty Ones the
Charm
After pledging to kill every last king, Parashuram returned home to

say goodbyes to his fathers body. Renuka sat by her beloveds
corpse, crying out loud. The voice echoed in the hollow hut,
devastating the entire family. Unable to alleviate her pain, she hit
against her heart vigorously for twenty-one times without a pause.
Parashuram was standing at the entrance, feeling the same pain as
his mother did. That was astonishingly the first and the last time he
had shed tears. He counted the number of times his mother hit
against her broken heart.
Where have you been, she roared, looking at Parashuram,
angrily, Meditating was so important to you, wasnt it? The kings
sons broke in, showered arrows upon your father as if he was a
deer being hunted and
Mother, Ive seen it while meditatingI, Parashuram tried to
explain while his mother interrupted.
As if that wasnt enough, they decapitated his head and took it
along with them as a royal price. What are you worth for, if you
just stand by and look at his body? she cried.
Mother, please calm down, he said, hugging her, in comfort,
With the teachings of Lord Shiva I could know what exactly
happened. Before coming here, I went straight to the fort,
slaughtered every last man breathing there, chopped off the kings
sons heads and brought back fathers honorable one. I took an
oath to kill every last king on this earth and destroy their egos once
and for all.
Have you, now? she asked, loosening herself from Parashurams
hug, Give me his head, walk out of this house, and return only
with the news of the demise of every last king that dares to rule
over peoples innocence. Its your choiceyou can chop their
heads off or drag their hearts out or bleed them to death. I dont
want any other normal family to shed tears just because a king was
too proud or selfish!
Parashuram untied the saffron cloth in which he brought back his
fathers head and placed it next to his body. Gently, he took out
one arrow after another from his chest. Each tear he shed, fell right
into a stream of blood and dissolved into red. Keeping the blood
soaked cloth as a memoir he took a few steps back and stood
calmly. Should more blood flow? He is one of the seven sages for
this Manvantara. He will spring back to life after this Yuga cycle
anyway, said someone from the crowd that gathered.
But he is dead till then, isnt he? Our family has to wait millions of
years to see him breathing again. All of that is happening because
of a greedy king. Imagine such horrible thing happening to your
family for once. What makes you think that it wont? My son has
taken an oathand if he wants to stand on his words like the
Vedas say, then he will! Renuka replied with rage, and then turned
to her son, I dont think you have an authority to wait here. Walk
the earthbring an end to every self-obsessed royal person
aliverelieve all the slaves from their misery. Leave!
Gandharvas took the remains of Jamadagni to heaven, so as to
preserve it for his return. Taking his axe into his right hand, and
the blood-soaked cloth into his left, Parashuram left home to fulfill
his oath for blood. Thrones began to quiver as he marched towards
each successive kingdom, after winning in previous ones. So far,
so-called royal kings threw their dignity into sewages and hid
behind their women and children, pleading for their lives. Fake
sentiment couldnt beat his anger. For the greater good, little wars
have to be won. Many heads were chopped, hearts were plunged
out and royal lives were ended. To the young princes, he left a
warning, Climb up the throne and I will come back to shove you
into hell.
He had already circled the earth twice. While Parashuram was at
one-half of the earth, slaughtering kings, new ones formed on the
other half. Treta Yuga needed no kings, for the time period itself
had a divine impact on the citizen, turning them into acclaimed
23
citizens. There was absolutely no necessity of a ruler to show them
the path of righteousness. The kings, though, as forever curled
dogs tails, kept on crawling back to empty thrones.
If only they had stopped, Parashuram wouldve returned to his
home victoriously and wouldve lived with his family ever after,
waiting for his fathers returnend of the story. But Lord Vishnus
plans for him were entirely distinct. Although Parashuram had a
skill of bi-locating himself (being at two different places at the same
time), his axe, Parashu was one of a kind in the entire universe.
Without that, he denied fighting at all. No one could stand against
the Parashu and survive. Not a single kill counted as a sin, as he did
it for the welfare of the suppressed people. He was honored as a
noble warrior in the heavens too.
In a kingdom, there was a king who just got married to a beautiful
princess. She knew nothing in her life but the divinity of piety. At
the very same moment, Parashuram walked in with his axe,
slaughtering every soldier that came in his way. Raising his axe on
the newly married king, he was about to slaughter him too. The
bride came in the way and begged him to stop for a minute. In her,
he saw his own mother.
She hadnt touched earthly pleasures; which every woman had
rights toshe hadnt had children; which every woman wants
toand she hadnt aged enough to live with her husbands death;
which no woman deserves to! Without moving his axe another
inch, Parashuram walked away calmly, only to return some other
day when the woman had lived it all, and the kings misdeeds
brooked retribution. Her husband would die, but wouldnt leave
the thronewhich shocked her; Parashuram would kill every king,
but make an exception for a woman with a possibly bright
futurewhich astonished her even more. With a mothers heart,
she blessed him from the inside. The king proudly sat back on his
throne. Thinking of which, who exactly won; Parashuram, or the
king?
The news spread like a wildfire. Many kings instantaneously
married, just in case Parashuram showed up. Wherever he went, he
only looked at a newly married innocent woman, and in each, he
24
saw his own mother. The Adi Shesha in him wanted to smite them
all, sooner or later. While walking everywhere on earth, smiting
every king he came across, for the first time, he entered a kingdom
called Ayodhya, the king to which was Dasarath. Parashurams
arrival frightened the hearts of everyone in the palace.
Forcing king Dasarath to save his life, his subjects got him married
to Kousalya. She was the sole princess to Magadha kingdom.
Keeping his morals, Parashuram let Dasarath live for a further long
time. When he returned after a while again, Dasarath was talked
into a second marriage, with Sumitra, the princess of Kashi. The
same thing happened again and for the third time, Dasarath got
married to Kaikeyi, the princess of Kekeya kingdom. The rage in
Parashurams eyes only increased with each humiliation. It was time
when Lord Vishnu had to mold his path towards disintegrating
Kali.
Kaliyugs plot reaches to the part where king Dasaraths sons, Sri
Rama, and Lakshmana were all set to get married. Again, Sri Rama
(not Parashuram) was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and
Lakshmana was an incarnation of Adi Shesha. While Parashuram
had no knowledge of his real self, Sri Rama did.
The axe warrior was summoned by his Guru, Lord Shiva, to the
Himalayas. Respecting his words, Parashuram halted his hunt for
kings and left for Shivas place. By that time, he had already walked
around earth twenty-one times. That was the exact count to which
his mother thrashed her heart painfully at Jamadagnis demise.
Somehow, Renuka (Parashurams mother) remembered the words
said by Jamadagni. He had told her how he would love her no
matter what happened, and that all would be well that wouldnt
start well. It was then that she realized how Jamadagni mightve
known about his demise all along and how it couldve probably
been Lord Vishnus play through Karma! She couldnt exactly call
Parashuram back home, as she knew her son to be a man of his
words. Deciding to wait for her husbands and sons return for the
family reunion, she began to live with the rest of her sons, under
cover. As a wife of one of seven sages in the Manvantara, she and
her children too had immortality (but could be killed, unlike
25
Parashuram. Just natural death wouldnt knock their door).
As Parashuram walked into Kailas, Lord Shiva warmly welcomed
his favorite student. The scar on his head reminded Parashuram of
the unforgivable act he had done. Saddened by it, he apologized
again, to which Shiva responded with immense laughter and a
gentle pat on his shoulder. Ive heard a lot about your victories
lately, Shiva said, congratulations on being called the fatal one to
the kings!
They are all the first fruits of your training, he replied, humbly, I
wouldve lost in the very first second if not for your blessings and
this Parashu that youve gifted. No one can stand against this.
Many kings tried and failed to destroy this knight-weapon!
Excellent! Lord Shiva said, in a tone of excitement, But dont
you think you should be saving this lot of energy for the war that is
coming in Kaliyug?
Parashuram didnt understand. He looked into his Gurus eyes,
hoping for a further explanation. Youll know what I meant, in
time, Shiva replied, smiling, I have a favor to ask. Would you
deliver a bow to a king and not kill him in the process?
You couldve had it delivered by anyonebut you chose me,
which apparently means that it has to do something with me in the
future. Youre one hard puzzle to solve, he replied, in a humble
and loving tone, I am bound to do anything that you ask for!
In the kingdom of Mithila, there is a king called Janaka. In his
home, took birth, the goddess of prosperity, my sister, and the
beloved wife of Lord Vishnu. You are aware of Lakshmi, arent
you? She goes by the name Sita, as an incarnation. It is time, we
find her a match. Lord Vishnu will come to her and get her hand
upon the blessing of her father. For that, I need this particular bow
in the palace. Not everyone can lift thismy entire weight lives on
this from now on. Take it carefully, Shiva ordered.
Parashuram walked to the main gates of Mithila and announced his
presence. Seeing an additional bow on his shoulders, every royal
member of the court began to run in random directions, knowing
the reputation of his hatred towards their kind. Few ministers
26
hurriedly brought a bride to get king Janaka married again, to save
his life. The king started denying as he had a daughter who was of
the same age as the instantaneously produced bride and that he
would welcome death if it was his time.
Though Parashuram tried to convince people that he wasnt on a
hunting trip, everyone fled in fear of death. Meaninglessly, they all
scattered around the royal palace, trying to jump out of the tall
boundaries they had built. No one even dared to walk to the main
gate as Parashuram stood there.
It took him a while, but finally, he convinced everyone that he
meant no harm. Then the king happily invited the sage in, offered
him fruits, foods of all varieties, a couple of servants to fan him
some air, and he also offered the throne if he wanted to sit on it.
Having no interests in any of those, Parashuram denied all the
services he was provided with.
Please, he said, laughing, There is absolutely no need to
patronize me. I have no intention to hurt anyone in this kingdom.
Your daughterSitacan I see her?
The king doubtfully summoned her. Pleasantness filled the air at
her arrival. Her big eyes didnt dare to rise and look into the eyes of
the sage. The broad eyebrows frowned, as she thought that she was
into some trouble. She was decorated with the fragrance of
sandalwood by her maidens. Her natural pink lips, reddish cheeks
and the little dimple on her chin added up more beauty to her face.
The ornaments glistened, yet they were no match to her inner glow.
Her long hair had those curls that made quick swirls along with the
wind. Parashuram knew that Lord Vishnu was supposedly coming
to take her hand. He couldnt stop himself and blessed her with the
words, May nothing happen to your husbands life as long as you
live!
I humbly thank you for your kind words, she replied. If she and
a nightingale had competed with their voices, the bird wouldnt
stand a chance to prove its voice to be sweeter. Parashuram
requested her to return to her chamber, while he ordered everyone
else to desert him and the king, for a while.
27
I come as a messenger from Lord Shiva, he said, looking right
into the kings eyes, He sent this particular bow on his behalf. He
promised that his entire weight would rest upon this bow. The only
person who accomplishes to use it would be worthy of your
daughters hand!
The king looked curiously, at the sage as he was successfully
holding it without effort. Oh, its not me, if thats what youre
thinking. Announce a competition to claim the heart of your
daughter. Many warriors will come. But only one would be
victorious in doing the task, he replied. The king had one last
question.
If the bow bears the entire weight of Lord Shiva, would anyone
be able to lift it at all? he asked, in a dull voice, What if no one
does. Should my daughter be alone forever?
Words dont come out of Shiva without a reason. Hes the wisest
of all. Ill keep this bow right here. No one but the rightful groom
would be able to move it. I should be moving now, Parashuram
said and took leave from the king, without killing anyone in the
kingdom. It only happened rarely. People sighed and applauded
with joy. The verse he said about Shiva kept ringing in his mind.
Words dont come out of Shiva without a reason. He also
remembered how Lord Shiva said, Save the energy for Kaliyugs
war. He realized that Lord Shiva was indeed giving him a hint.
When a Guru says something, he doesnt mindlessly talk. There
would definitely be a depth to it, which the student himself must
realize.
King Janaka of Mithila put the word out about the mythical bow
and the challenge. Many had already heard of Sitas beauty. They all
tried over time and successively failed. Of course, the task was
accomplished by a young prince from Ayodhya, called Sri Rama.
Known for his burly arms, perfectly shaped biceps, big beautiful
eyes, dark eyebrows, long hair, curvy waist as that of a lion, a very
broad chest, impeccable skin tone and his height, he stood out as
the lone winner.
It was Sitas job now, to welcome Sri Rama into her lifeand
symbolically, she had to put a flower-garland around Sri Ramas
28
neck.
The maidens brought her a garland made of handpicked fresh and
colorful flowers. Shyly she walked through the spacing between the
guests, towards Sri Rama. Her heart raced, as she approached
towards him, step by step. By that time, Sri Ramas parents too had
arrived. With everyones acceptance, Sita tried to put the garland
around his neck. As she didnt look at him, her hands failed in their
intended destination. Feeling the softness beneath her fingers, Sita
glanced at Rama for a second and rolled off her eyes again. His
skin was so soft that it made her gasp right away while she
accidentally touched him. Sri Rama smiled and bowed a little to
make it convenient for her.
Looking at their romance, everyone started cooing and applauding.
Her redness reflected on the skin of Sri Rama and he looked as if
he was the sun, in the flesh. Thanking him for cooperating with her
by bowing a little, she put the garland around his neck and shyly
hugged her father. Tightly closing her eyes, she listened quietly to
the big round of applause. Suddenly, a hush descended upon the
gathering. A serious roar echoed in the hall. She loosened her grip
over her father and looked around. Parashuram showed up with his
Parashu, swinging it widely, as he marched. The assembled kings
fled in all directions and away from Parashuram. Clearly, there was
rage in his eyes and hatred in his heart.
Was this all a trap? Janaka said, confused.
Lord Vishnu was supposed to marry Sita. What devilry is this?
Who is the human that decided to change the course of
predestined events? Parashuram roared. Sri Rama smiled and
stood calmly. Not thinking for another second, Parashuram lifted
his axe and aimed to chop Sri Ramas head. If anything at all,
Parashuram was a man of his word. Even he couldnt break what
he said. Blessing Sita to live long with her husband and the garland
denoting her marriage with Sri Rama, Parashuram couldnt move
his axe to strike him. Astonished and enraged, Parashuram thought
to curse all the kings for the tactics they used to test his patience.
Just before that, Sri Rama spoke up
Im glad to finally meet you, he said.
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Have you been waiting, prince? Parashuram roared, For what;
your demise?
Im Rama. We share the same name; at least, your real name! We
share the same soul toogive or take a little, he said.
Sri Rama touched the right-hand arm of Parashuram, with his
palm. He then realized, the universe running its course in front of
his eyes. He saw everything, starting from the lone frog under an
unknown rock being fed somehow, till Brahma creating breeds to
keep the world running. He could see his soulso pure and
purposeful. He realized that he was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu
himself. Looking at Sri Rama, he apologized through his eye
gesture, before leaving the palace immediately. Remembering his
Gurus word to save his energy for the war in Kaliyug, Parashuram
halted his invasion on kings after circling the earth twenty-one
times. You will have your vengeance on kings, but just not now,
a voice said to him.
30
Chapter-5: The Promise
The plot is entirely dedicated to Kaliyug. As the clock ticks towards

the age of darkness, the narrative skips to the part where Rama,
Sita and Lakshmana are exiled into forests and Sita is taken away by
a demon, named Ravan. In short, Kaikeyi, the third wife of Sri
Ramas father was poisoned with negativity towards the newlyweds.
She tricked her husband into exiling Sri Rama and Sita from
Ayodhya. Unable to stay separated from his brother, Lakshmana
too left the kingdom and walked into the forests, leaving behind
the palatial riches and pleasures. In Sri Ramas absence, Ayodhya
was in a state of maelstrom.
The three built themselves a small hut as protection from the
inclement weather. Once royal princes and princess, they roamed
the forests in search of twigs and logs to make a shelter. Though he
was exiled for no reason, Sri Rama did not curse his father even
once. Unlike the usual description of Rama, he actually adopted a
rough look with an unkempt beard. The demon from Lankapuri
(Sri Lanka) Island tricked the brothers and kidnapped Sita in their
absence.
There began the journey of Rama and Lakshmana, with a purpose
in their life to destroy the demon, Ravan. But for that, they needed
an army. As they were exiled, they couldnt go back to their
kingdom and pack a dozen million army men and raid on Lanka to
get back Sita. Also, Sri Rama was not a turnaround type. His
mission was to reach Sita as soon as possible. On their way, they
met a scholarly Brahmin. Sri Rama noticed a locket with a
carbuncle type of stone around the Brahmins neck. But the rest of
the attire suggested that the Brahmin was an immense victim of
poverty.
For a poor Brahmin, the necklace is beyond your means. Would
you mind if I inspect you? Sri Rama said, with a serious tone. The
Brahmin looked astonished. What necklace? Lakshmana asked.
Not everyone can see it, the strange Brahmin said, He saw it
because he was supposed to.
To the brothers astonishment, hair began to grow on the
Brahmins face, chest, arms, and legs. Soon, it turned into fur. A tail
began to protrude, and his mouth bulged a little. In no time, there
was an ape in clothes standing in front of them. Sri Rama thought
that he encountered another shape-shifting demon. But the
piousness on his face suggested something entirely different.
Im Hanuman, first in hand of the king of apes; at least, to our lot.
If youre able to see my locket, you deserve our hospitality, the
ape-like man said and led them through the deeper woods. They
were served with food and shelter. Sri Rama, being a wise man,
noticed their strengths and abilities. He needed an army and they
were wandering without a purpose in life. Sri Rama narrated his
story to their king and asked for his help.
I would be most obliged to help you after listening to your story!
the king said, But, most of my men are captured and are being
tortured by my brother. Help me fight him and claim back my
throneI will walk my troops till Lanka and fight with you for
Sita. Do I see a deal?
You are all strong enough. Why would you need my help to defeat
your brother? Sri Rama asked back.
Defeating him is a twisted task. He goes by the name Vaali. He
has a blessinganyone who stands in front of him to battle, he can
channel their entire energy and powers into him, without their
conscience. Defeat is inevitable during a duel with him. No matter
how many of us tried to fight him, he kept on winning so far, the
king said. Sri Rama thought for a while and said, You go wage a
war against him, yourself I will make sure that you wont lose.
The king wasnt entirely sure to trust him. But after hearing how he
had dealt with Parashuram, the slayer of kings, he thought that
somehow, Sri Rama would succeed in this elephantine task too.
Accepting his proposal, the king held his weapons close to his
heart and set out to fight his brother, Vaali. Sri Rama and
Lakshmana quietly followed him, while maintaining a reasonable
32
distance.
Came here to die, did you? Vaali asked, addressing his brother
from his very throne.
We dont have to do this. Give me my rightful kingdom, the king
pleaded.
Peace is for childrenbattle is for warriors. I surely hope that you
belong to the latter, Vaali said, staring right into the eyes of his
brother. Sri Rama hid behind a gigantic tree. That very moment,
something else happened in the background storyParashuram
had realized his life essence once he met Sri Rama. He went right
to Kali and warned him to say goodbye to any sort of evil plans.
He also warned him that if he even thought of crossing paths with
the natural order, he would sort out a way to make Kali a victim of
his Parashu. Kalis panic knew no bounds. Right from the first
moment, he kept an eye on Jamadagni and his plans with Lord
Vishnu. Finally, Parashuram did walk down his path and stood as
an obstacle. Not knowing who to run to, Kali went straight to Sri
Rama, the one who changed Parashurams motives in life.
I was promised by you the throne to time for four hundred thirty-
two thousand human years on earth, after Dwapara Yuga. Now my
ruling time is threatened by another person who shares a soul with
you. How do I believe that you arent planning something? Prove it
to me or I will accuse you of being a liar around the universeyou
know how far I can create impressions, he said. No one else saw
what Kali said to him or where he stood beside him.
Im no liar. If you even assume that youre threatening me
successfully with your petty little propaganda schemes, I will have
Adi Shesha string out your veins and use them as his ornaments.
And how dare you come to me when Im in my human form? I
dont lie, Sri Rama murmured, rolling his eyes off Kali. He picked
his bow, aimed his arrow at Vaali and stared constantly at his
target, so as to lock the arrows path. Vaali was absorbing his
brothers powers, making him struggle to even stand properly. Sri
Rama let his forefinger loose, letting the arrow into motion. It took
away one hair strand from the king and pierced right into Vaali.
33
As Sri Rama was not exactly in front of Vaali, his powers werent
accessed by him. Nor did he strike down an unarmed man. The
only wrong he did was to hide and strike. The hair strand that Sri
Ramas arrow took off from the king, also settled his Karma for
fighting with his brother. The only person in debt of Karma was
Sri Rama, for illegally killing a warrior. Actually, he did not need to
answer Karma, just like Lord Shiva, for he controlled it. Then
again, to hold the promise to Kali that he made ages ago, he bound
himself to it. Vaali was drawing his final breaths. Sri Rama revealed
himself from his hideout.
Im sorry to kill you this way, he said, kneeling beside the fallen
warrior, Vaali.
I should kill you for this, he said in pain, I deserve revenge.
Sri Rama touched him on his forehead. Vaalis consciousness could
communicate with Sri Ramas. Im Vishnu, nonetheless. You will
have your revenge, but just not now. In the end of Dwapara Yuga,
I will be roaming the earth with another name, in another form. As
long as I exist, Kaliyug cannot begin. You will take my life from
behind a bush, just like I did, and get your rightful place in heaven
forever. This is my word to you. I grant you, your dying wish to kill
a god, he said, without speaking a word out loud. Vaali closed his
eyes as life passed out of those, into time, waiting to take rebirth by
the end time of Dwapara Yuga.
Sri Rama later killed Ravan and claimed back his dear wife, Sita.
Then he returned to Ayodhya and ruled his kingdom with
righteousness. Kali was the happiest, for Sri Rama promised the
demise of the walking Lord Vishnu during Dwapara Yuga, assuring
him his throne. For all he knew, Parashuram would be the only
incarnation of Lord Vishnu to be alive during Dwapara Yuga.
Parashuram had the skill to fight death, but he couldnt possibly
fight the words promised by Lord Vishnu! Patting his own
shoulders, Kali assured himself that Parashuram would die at the
hands of Vaali (reborn). Thus, he would take control over time,
without any interference hindering him. When it was time, Sri
Rama drowned himself into a river and turned back into Lord
Vishnu. Lakshmana followed him too and he turned back into Adi
34
Shesha. In short, Vaalmiki simplifies Ramayana into these four
beautiful Sanskrit lines:
Aadau Rama Tapovanadi gamanam, hathva mrugam kaanchanam
Vaidehi haranam Jatayu maranam Sugreeva Sambhashanam,
Vaali nirdalanam, samudra taranam lanka puri daahanam
Pashchad Ravana Kumbakarna hananam Yettadvi Ramayanam
Meaning,
Exiled was Sri Rama, into woods, chased he, a golden deer.
Abducted was Sita, Dead was Jatayu, ape-king had a visitor.
Killed was Vaali, Crossed was an ocean, and burnt was Lanka,
Defeated were Ravan and Kumbhakarna, This being Ramayana!
As the destined time of Treta Yuga came to an end, a few changes
took place on earth, with the help of natural calamities, and then
the next Yuga started. Lord Vishnu had saved every species to
continue their race, following the rules of the new Yuga,
Dwapara, and fight against ever degrading humanity.
35
Chapter-6: No Land for
Children
Current Yuga Cycle, Dwapara Yuga: There was only one Yuga
left between Kali and his reign. This part of the story is incredibly
complex and confusing, but it has the entire essence of life in the
depths of it! Many souls might have heard of this storybut this
time, it is told from the perspective of Karma, describing what
happened and why. To wait for eight hundred sixty-four thousand
human years to rule over peoples hearts just for half of that long
time requires a ton of greed, cruelty, and mostly, lust towards the
throne. Kali compounded the requirements of evil by twice the
amount required. As promised by Rama, the living Lord Vishnu on
earth during this Yuga would be killed by the re-born version of
Vaali. Thinking that Parashuram was the incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, destined to die in the hands of Vaali, Kali decided to relax
till the end of that era.
But its never that easy with either Vishnu or Shiva, is it? Kali might
be cunning, but those best friends were clever. Every moment he spent,
he thought of his upcoming autumn when Parashuram would take his
last breath. Parashuram on the other hand, prepared himself for a battle,
just in case it was necessary to take down Kali from his throne. They
both had their own perception, based on Sri Ramas words. Shiva and
Vishnu let Kali enjoy his beliefs for many human years, but they didnt
lie to himthey just hid a few details under a cloak. When the time was
right, they threw in a new plot twist at poor old Kalis face.
Mathura. That was the kingdom where their new plot was meant to
happen. There were riches, and there was joy, there were enormous
resources endlessly deployed. But the kingdom had an emperor,
who was a demon by soulonly pain, war and destruction gave
him consolation. His army comprised of demons, whose rage fell
on the happy citizen every now and then. Yet their joy saw no end,
for they believed in the almighty. Hope was still alive in their hearts
that Vishnu and Shiva were looking out for them. Once the
emperors deeds crossed limits, Vishnu decided to pay him a visit
as a human. Of course, he couldve sent Parashuram directly, but
he wouldnt control his anger and might start smiting all the kings
again.
The emperor was called Kamsa. When Sri Rama was born, his
parents were king Dasarath and Kousalya. The very same couple
was reborn in Dwapara Yuga too. Kousalya was born as Devaki,
and as Kamsas sister. Dasarath was born as Vasudeva. They let
Sri Rama be exiled from his rightful kingdom and throne, didnt
they? Karma came back to them, making them blood-related to the
same demon clan, that they led Rama to, through the exile! Luckily,
this couple had a word from Lord Vishnu that he would be their
son, thrice (this happened even before Sri Rama was born).
This was the time when Devaki was still unmarried and lived under
her brothers shelter. Though she hated his deeds, she loved him as
he was her brother. He too took care of her like a princess. By the
time she reached the right age, he decided to marry her to a great
prince and give her a happy life that she deserved. In his search, he
found Vasudeva, a young and handsome prince from the
neighborhood kingdom. As the loving big brother, he arranged for
a big carnival in the streets of Mathura after their alliance. Citizen
wished them well from their hearts, despite Kamsas cruelty.
Kamsa acted as the charioteer for the newly-wed couple.
They say youre a demon. But they dont know your good heart.
No king would be a charioteer for his sisters sake, Devaki said,
complimenting him. Her husband too supported her statement.
Well, thank you! Anything for you, sister, he said, smiling at the
couple and whipping the horses to move along.
It would be hard for me to live away from you. I will miss you at
my in-laws home, she said, almost breaking into tears. Vishnu,
who was invisibly right there, commented, Wait till you cross two
more streets and let me see if you can say the same thing!
The siblings turned emotional as they crossed street after street,
leading her closer to her new home. Maya, otherwise called mist,
37
is the materialistic form of Shiva. It doesnt let someone see the
truth. It doesnt let someone think straight. It just shows a path
right into a pit and walks away once its work is done. The very
Maya whispered a strange prophecy into Kamsas ears (he was a
demon. He could hear the cosmic voice of Maya). He stopped his
chariot to hear what it had to say.
Your eighth nephew will be your death, the whispers from thin
air said.
What do you mean? he asked, furiously.
Dont you understand? The eighth seed that your sister and
brother-in-law would turn into a fruit would be your demise, the
voice said and dissolved into thin air.
A wild animal wouldnt just turn into a pious sage. It could
pretend to love until such time that it isnt threatened.but once it
sees the danger, it would turn back into a beast. Same was the case
with Kamsa. His eyes turned red, and the whip he used to run the
horses turned into his weapon against his sister. In a rage, he
dragged her off the chariot onto the dusty grounds, grabbing her
long hair.
Vasudeva tried to stop Kamsa but hardly succeeded against the
demon. He threw them both into his dungeons and thought about
their eventual fate. Maya definitely creates confusion. Even though
it was a sin, he couldve simply separated the couple. No, he didnt
do that clever thing. What he did was that he let them be together
stupidly and decided to kill their children.
You idiot, Vishnu thought, You threw your sister, who is as
holy as your mother, into the dirt. Youve locked her up in
dungeons as dark as a moonless night. Karma will come back to
biteand it wont be pretty at all!
Kamsa summoned his council for their advice. The people he
looked forward to for advice were demons too, just like him. What
good would come out of a meeting among like-minded evil
creatures? The council suggested killing Devaki and Vasudeva,
which would mean an eighth son would never be born! Then they
thought, what would be the fun in killing just two while we could
38
kill eight infants?, and suggested to the king that killing a sister
would be an inexcusable sin and that he could kill the children
instead. Kamsa took their advice and let them go.
Few months passed by, the first child took birth in the dungeons.
The guards informed of the same to Kamsa. Furiously, he walked
to the prison and saw the first born, and his sisters eyes; they were
scared, saddened, and wet at the same time. Her arms tightly
cuddled her child, and her lips loudly begged him to let the child
live. At first, he didnt want to take any chances, but the brothers
heart did melt a little.
You will give me your eighth child, then? I wont spare his life,
though, he said. She nodded, hugged the infant with all love and
promised him her eighth child. Years passed. Devaki was a mother
to six children in total. Every night, Kamsa saw nightmares of his
death while his sister stood back, laughing. At one point, Kamsa
lost all his patience. He knew very well that prophecies like that
wouldnt be just a word from the air. That is the effect of Kali! He
thrived on the evilness of demons. No matter how hard they tried
to think well, his presence vitiated their minds. Breaking his
promise, Kamsa killed the six children one after the other, by
thrashing their heads against a rock. The Karma background of the
six children, leading to their death, is an entirely different story. No
one suffers without Karma. By that time, Devaki was expecting,
with a three-month-old fetus growing in her womb. That being the
time that a soul enters into the fetus to take life, Adi Shesha walked
down first, to be the elder brother this time. Shivas Maya returned.
No sooner than the fetus came to life with the presence of soul in
it, than Devaki was considered a mother to seven children.
Maya dissolved that fetus which led her into thinking that her
unborn child was aborted. But it had shifted the three-month-old,
alive fetus into another wife of Vasudeva. That child continued
growing in that womans womb, yet Devaki was his blood mother.
As far as Kamsa knew, only six children were born to Devaki and
two more had to take birth as per the foretold prophecy. Time flew
faster than light. For the last time, Devaki turned pregnant.
Kamsas tension grew as he thought that the next child would
39
surely come and kill him right away. Parallel to her pregnancy,
another woman by the name Yashoda turned pregnant too. She
lived in the very kingdom of Mathura, but in a small village called
Brundaavan, amongst nomads. The only partition between the
capital city and her village was the river, Yamuna. Three months
passed by after the formation of their fetuses. Lord Vishnus soul
entered Devakis womb while Maya entered Yashodas. The news
of his sisters pregnancy reached Kamsas ears.
Two more kills and youre free, he said, looking at the wet and
disgusted eyes of Devaki. Causing tears to a mother by bringing
distress to her motherhood is the only deed that has no escape
from Karma. That was exactly what Kamsa did. Every child he
killed added a curse from his sister onto his shoulders. Devaki
looked away from him and hoped that the child wouldnt take birth
at all, instead of getting killed.
July 13th, 3230 BCE, Dwapara Yuga, Present Yuga cycle:
Devakis womb was ready to deliver the child. Kamsa had her
husband tied in iron chains. He had the guard doubled to the
dungeons and left to his chambers. No one was around to help
them. Just because they exiled their children Sri Rama and
Lakshmana from their home in an earlier life, they were
imprisoned, lost six children, didnt even get to see their seventh,
didnt have a clue about their lasts future, and were chained like
wild animals. Karma didnt soften its effect on them, even though
they were giving birth to god himself.
Many sages chanted Vedas from their abodes, knowing that Lord
Vishnu was coming by. The guards around their prison fell asleep,
just like Devaki did. Vasudeva was the only one awake to see the
new born baby. Neither did he cry nor did he moanthe beautiful
little boy just stared into the eyes of Vasudeva with his lips widely
beaming with joy. That smile alone cleared the mist in front of
Vasudeva, breaking the chains of ignoranceand how stronger
would metal chains be, than the chains of mist? Vasudeva had his
hands and feet free, as he saw a child through his eyes, and Vishnu,
with his soul. Yashoda too gave birth to a female child in
Brundaavan, in her sleep.
40
Maya spoke to Vasudeva and revealed the childs identity to him.
His task was to replace his child with Yashodaswhich he
successfully accomplished. Next morning, Kamsa came by, looked
at the female infant and thought to stop for a second. But the fear
of his own death made him drag away Maya into the killing room.
He raised her into the air, just like he dealt with everyone else and
swung his hand to thrash her against a rock. She was Maya, and of
course, she was nowhere around him. The mist that covered his
eyes vanished away. The whispers spoke again.
You couldve separated Vasudeva and Devaki, avoiding the birth
of any child. Or you couldve left death to Karma and lived in the
pages of history as a legend. Your evilness made you drown into
Maya so deep that you dont even know that the eighth child is
already growing up elsewhere to kill you, Maya said and turned
mute to his ears forever. Ashamed of his cruelty towards his sister
and brother-in-law, he let them go free. But his hunt began for the
child that would kill him.
At Brundaavan, Yashoda woke up to feel her womb empty. Scared,
she yelled out loud without looking around. All the nomad women
rushed in, to notice a beautiful little male child by her side. He had
wide eyes. His right-hand thumb disappeared in between his cute
little lips, as he strangely looked at the people bending over him.
Everyone was astonished that the child was not crying. While
giving birth to the child, Devaki had dark thoughts against Kamsa.
By mothers thoughts and by fathers semen, they saythe childs
skin texture was dark, with an inner glow. Seeing that, Yashoda
named him, Krishna, a Sanskrit word meaning, a dark beauty.
For eleven years Kamsa sent his demons to spot the miracle child.
On the eleventh year of Krishna, he was really vexed with
enormous amounts of infant deaths and so many mothers heart
breaks.
February 9th, Friday, 3219 BCE: Sri Krishna crossed the river
Yamuna and walked into the arena of Mathuras palace. It was
where Kamsa made innocent people battle with his demons, for his
fun. The winner was always obvious. And this time, Krishna
decided to make his death obvious. Seeing his nephew march into
41
the arena, Kamsa stood up from his throne in fear. As Krishna
mounted the stairs, Kamsa took his steps towards the open end. A
single kick from Krishnas feet threw his body into the arena and
extinguished his life.
For the lay witnesses, Kamsa slipped onto the floor as a child
kicked him. For people who saw with knowledge, Kamsa was
assassinated by Lord Vishnu for the welfare of the citizens. Karma
laughed at Kamsas face, seeing him in the dust in the arena, and
made him recall how he mistreated his sister in a very similar way!
It hurt Kali, every time a demon was defeated. He went in person
to know how Kamsa, a very powerful demon, died at the hands of
an eleven-year-old boy.
I did not die in the hands of an eleven-year-old boy. He is Lord
Vishnu. I shouldve known, Kamsas soul said to Kali.
What? How do you know? cried Kali, trembling.
I saw his feet before he kicked me in the chest. It had all the
gestures that only Lord Vishnu has. This is the last Yuga for
demons on earth. Maybe hes here to slay every last one before
your rule begins, he said and walked away to his world.
42
Chapter-7: A Man of His
Words
Kali fell into deep thoughts. If Parashuram wasnt the only Lord
Vishnu, Vaali could kill Krishna too. Thusly, Parashuram would be
both alive and an obstacle to his scheme. Kali couldnt stand
against the Parashu and win the battle, for it was impossible.
Krishna was a human form and thus killablealso, he had no
invincible weapons like Parashu in his hand. Rather, Krishna had a
normal flute in one hand and most of the time, some dairy product
in the other. So if Kali could manage to kill Krishna, the only living
form of Lord Vishnu would be Parashuram. Vaali anyhow had a
promise from Sri Rama that the latter would by him, during the
end of Dwapara Yuga. Since the lord is a man of his words, Vaali
would defeat Parashuram and it would be a win-win for Kali in
every aspect. Thinking so, he took birth in the house of the Kuru
king and stood to be the first among the hundred famous brothers,
Kauravas. Kali, as a human, was named Duryodhana.
Interesting move, Lord Vishnu thought, laughing If your knight
can move one step at a time, mine can walk through the chess
board, slaughter everyone in a single move and get the throne in a
goI am the inventor of the gameMy game, my rules. Your
tricks dont even disturb the dust around me!
Indra, the king of celestial beings, got cursed by a sage, in a rather
parallel background story. The terms of that curse compelled him
to take birth as a human. Lord Vishnu though, guided Indras soul
into five bodies, as the sons of the King, Pndu, and thus they
were called Pandavas. The spanner in Kalis plans came herethe
kings Pndu and Kuru were blood brothers. Thereby, the hundred
Kauravas among whom Kali was one were cousins to Pandavas.
They all grew up into young men, eligible to inherit their parents
thrones. Indras wife was born as Draupadi and got married to all
the five brothers.
She is often mistaken to have had earthly pleasures with all
husbands. But this is how she behaved with each husband. With
the elder most of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira (also known
famously as King Dharma), she shared her views on the kingly
aspects. She acted as a wise minister to him. For the second
brother, Bheema, she took care of his food and shared her sorrows
and troubles with himbeing a good friend. With the third
brother, Arjuna, an archer and well-known warrior, she shared her
bed and gave him earthly pleasures. With the fourth and fifth of
Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva, she overlooked their propensity in
warfare practice and shared her views adding something or the
other to their knowledge.
These acts, as described by the Vedas, are five elements that a wife
has rights to, over her husband, making him thus a complete man.
Commenting on her chastity is easy, but the realization that she
bore the thorns of vicissitudes calmly, is something that we often
overlook. One wrong move and she wouldve become the
antagonist in the entire story of Mahabharata! Yet Draupadi
proved her dignity and royalty throughout, by following every rule
laid down by Dharma.
With Arjuna, Draupadi had five children. Sri Krishna had a half-
sister called Subhadra. With his acceptance, Arjuna got married to
her too and gave birth to a child called Abhimanyu. Thus, Sri
Krishna moved closer to their family and thereby his nemesis,
Duryodhana (Kalis incarnation as human). The Kauravas invited
Pandavas for a friendly visit. The elder most, king Dharma, had a
soft spot for the game of gamble. Knowing that for a fact,
Duryodhana provoked him for a gamble marathon, betting on
everything that belonged to each one of them.
First, they both bet on their wealth. Duryodhana won. Then they
bet on their palaces, kingdoms, crowns, jewelry, etc, and in each
case, Duryodhana stood as the winner. Of course, his winning was
not fair, as he used magical dice that listened only to him. Just
before the last go, Duryodhana provoked king Dharma for another
match, in which he would give back their entire kingdom and
everything that he had, just in case he wins. But if he lost, he had to
44
live in the forests with his brothers for twelve years and one year
without anyone recognizing them. Tempted, king Dharma accepted
the challenge. The dice rolled and obviously lost him his match.
Again, Duryodhana offered the same, and in return, king Dharma
had to bet their wife, Draupadi. Fate made him say yes and in just
seconds, they lost her too.
Karma was the angriest, at Pandavas. Duryodhana asked his next
brother, Dusyasan to drag Draupadi into his presence. Holding her
by the hair, Dusyasan dragged her into the courtroom. By that
time, Duryodhana was seated on his throne. No sooner did she yell
for help, than Krishna swapped places with Draupadi, without
anyone noticing it. She understood that Krishna shape-shifted her
into him and him into her. Thinking that it was Draupadi,
Duryodhana ordered his brother to strip her in the middle of the
courtroom. Dusyasan tried to strip Krishna but no matter how
hard he tried, the cloth would just expand, seemingly never-ending.
They realized that it was Krishnas Maya, standing in the hall.
If anyone had even tried to strip the real Draupadi, a woman of
that honor, Krishna wouldve ended both Kauravas and Pandavas
in mere seconds, for bringing her into their mess, for no reason. In
the Mahabharata, it is mentioned that Krishna saved her
dignityand by dignity it meant that Krishna saved Draupadi from
not only her stripping but also every other insult that was supposed
to hit her in the heart. On her behalf, he bore the humiliation!
Duryodhana signaled the Maya Draupadi in front of him to sit on
his lap and accept him as his sixth husband.
You already have five husbandswhat harm would a sixth do,
added Karna, a subject in the courtroom. Everyone laughed out
loud, while the Pandavas felt helplessleading to tears in the eyes
of Draupadi who sat as Krishna. One man didnt laugh
thoughthe famous Bhishma! He was the grandfather to both
Kauravas and Pandavas, yet he sat calmly without stopping the
nonsense. Krishna, in the form of Draupadi, asked Bhishma if
what Kauravas were doing was righteous. That was the only time in
his life when Bhishma did not stand up for goodness. His soft spot
for Kauravas muted his voice. Everyone played their roles in the
45
game of gamble. Now, it was Karmas move. Thats the fun part of
every story, in Indian mythology. Characters assume theyre doing
all great. But then Karma settles the score.
For gambling and dragging Draupadi into it, Karma taunted the
brotherhood of five, for thirteen prescribed years during their exile,
creating all sorts of troubles to Pandavas. If not for Krishna, they
wouldnt have lasted a single day out there in the woods. They
realized how they were deceived by Kauravas with magical dice.
They did not just walk and sleep for thirteen yearsbut they
prepared for battle in the woods for that long time to counter
attack.
Draupadi (the real one), took an oath to not take any care of her
hair until she washed it with Dusyasans blood, for he had insulted
it with his filthy touch. She had not forgotten for thirteen long
years how she was mishandled and dragged into the courtroom.
Such was her hatred towards the men that acted like animals in that
courtroom. Every drop of her blood wanted to slaughter those
savages who dared to lay a hand on her dignity & divinity.
And when women like her have hatred in their hearts, Karma will
bow to them and create enormous troubles for the victims. Look
at Ramayana or Mahabharata or any great mythologydownfall of
great people began with an insult towards a righteous woman.
Ravan was a learned scholar, a favorite devotee of Lord Shiva
himself and knew every aspect of Vedas. One wrong move towards
Sita brought his entire kingdom to ruins; whereas, Lakshmana was
called a noble man for chopping Ravans sisters ears and nose
when she lustfully fell after him and his brother. There is a huge
difference. Kauravas couldve stopped at taking the kingdom in a
gamble, and ruled the kingdom happily forever. But insulting
Draupadi was the worst wrong move from their side. Karma
wouldnt have brought them to ruins just for gambling. Sure, a little
poverty wouldve come by for a while for gambling and cheating,
as an act of Karmabut the Kauravas couldve lived forever
happily.
The battle started between Kauravas and Pandavas after thirteen
years of the latters exile. Sri Krishna, with his glowing dark texture,
46
stood as the charioteer to Arjuna in the battle. It was decided to
take place in the bare grounds of Kurukshetra. Both parties had
endless strengths in their respective armies. Before starting the war,
Arjuna looked at Krishna with all the belief that he would lead him
to victory. The peacock feather that he tied to his head band,
swung due to the air. The reddish musk he bore on the forehead
filled the vicinity with a distinctive aroma. A diamond called
Koustubha hung on his chest. His nose twinkled under the sun as
if it were a pearl. In his right hand, he dearly held a flute. On the
wrist, was a bracelet, which glistened brightly. In the other hand, he
held the leather strips that controlled the seven horses tied to their
chariot. His skin smelled like sandalwood, just like Lord Vishnus.
You could end the battle before it starts. Why are you being a
charioteer? Arjuna asked.
This is life. I am just here to show you the right path. To fight
against evil or surrender to it is in your hands. Win and I will take
you victoriously to your next destination. Lose and I will take you
sadly to your next place accordinglywhich ever case it might be, I
will come to you again to show you the path over and over,
Krishna replied.
Youre not talking just about the battle, are you? Arjuna asked, as
he realized something. Krishna smiled, looked ahead and swung his
left hand, thereby ordering the horses to run ahead. I wont kill a
man with any weapon in this battle, Krishna said, as an oath, while
the chariot moved. A fierce battle began. Arjuna chopped off the
head of Dusyasan with his arrows. Karma didnt go easy on him,
did it? By the end of the day, troops retreated to their camps.
Arjuna returned to Draupadi with Dusyasans blood as a gift. She
washed her hair after thirteen years with it and relieved her revenge
against the man that dragged her by her hair. After thirteen long
years, she accepted earthly pleasures again, with Arjuna. There yet
lived the person who signaled her to sit on his lap. Krishna had not
forgotten that incident either.
He led Bheema to Duryodhana. The lap that he wanted Draupadi
to sit on was his main target. The concept of Karma is simple: one
gets worse/better than what one gives, depending on their divinity
47
or devilry. Though it is illegal to hurt someone below their waist in
a battlefield, Bheema tore Duryodhanas lap and sent his soul back
to where it came from. As sunset, he took back the news to
Draupadi, making her proud. She served him with delicious food
and encouraged him for the battle ahead.
Bhishma, the grandfather of both the clans, did not stand for
justice, back in the courtroom. Except for that, he is considered as
the father of humanity. Yet for that small mistake too, Karma gave
him equivalent results. Bhishma knew how Krishna had promised
not to kill anyone with any weapon during the battle. He too took
an oath in return, that he would act in such a way that Krishna
would at least touch a weapon in the battlefield. That would risk
the death of every last person fighting for the Kauravas, including
Bhishma himself. All he had to do was shower arrows onto Arjuna,
wounding him to the extreme.
A few arrows wounded Krishna too, but he cared not. He carried
on with his charioteers job and led Arjuna through the bloody
battlefield. Bhishma kept on encountering them. Krishna looked
back just to see how Arjuna dealt with the shower of arrows.
Seeing him, soaked in blood, Krishnas rage crossed every bound.
He remembered no promise. The only two things that ran through
his mind was that someone under his protection was bleeding and
that the opponent fought for evil. The next second, he had a
weapon in his hands, ready to smite Bhishma. Krishna roared aloud
and alit the chariot. Every brave warrior in the vicinity momentarily
halted, looked at the weapon in Krishnas hand and began to run in
every direction possible, for he looked like the death lord, walking
hungrily.
Bhishma knelt on his knees and pleaded for mercy, but still had his
weapons on him (which still significantly counted Bhishma as a
warrior in the battlefield). Arjuna stopped him too, as he would
break his promise about not killing anyone in the battlefield.
Coming back to calmness from rage, Krishna let go of Bhishma
alive. Only after making entirely sure that Krishna left his weapons,
the army troops returned to the battlefield to continue the fight.
Sadly, leaving a warrior with weapons by mercy is as good as
48
killing him in the field. Thus, it was accounted as a kill on Krishnas
accountwhich meant that Krishna broke his vowwhich in turn
meant that he was bound to Karma!
The first arrow struck into the body of Bhishma was flung by a
warrior called Shikhandi. His sole purpose of life was to kill
Bhishma, for they had a little history ages ago. With that strike,
Bhishma loosened his hold over his weapons Arjuna seized the
opportunity and showered a stream of arrows into his body,
leaving only his head alone, unharmed. For not standing against
injustice, the noble mans body was pierced with arrows all over.
He fell off of his chariot and rested on the arrows, without
touching the ground. Though Arjuna hurt his own ancestor with
arrows, his intention was only to honor him by not letting his body
touch the ground. Thus, it didnt count as a sin! Karma works in
mysterious waysit sees the intention in every act and accordingly
gives results. Later, Arjuna made a pillow of arrows for his head to
rest. Before the legend passed away, Arjuna pierced one of his
arrows gifted by Shiva into the earths core and brought up the
Ganges waters to quench his thirst.
There was a sage cum warrior, whose skills exceeded every soldier
that fought for the Pandavas. He single-handedly caused scores of
deaths each day. If that had continued, Pandavas wouldve been at
a risk of defeat. His son and an elephant bore the same name,
Ashwatthama. Krishna guided king Dharma into the battlefield
that day. First, he instructed the king to kill the elephant that bore
the same name as the sages son. Following Krishnas orders, he
did it without asking any further questions. Then he asked him to
yell about it and then speak of the detail that it was the elephant, in
whispers.
Ashwatthama is dead, king Dharma yelled aloud, and then said in
whispers, And the dead one, being an elephant.
The sage heard the part where Ashwatthama was dead. Thinking
that it was his son, he lost his concentration in the battle. The next
second, his head was separated from his body. Seeking revenge, the
real Ashwatthama attacked the Pandavas camp at night and killed
the five brothers. It was during the day after, that he realized his
49
mistakehe hadnt killed the Pandavas in their sleepbut he
killed the five children of Draupadi, by mistake!
Arjuna and Krishnas half-sister had a son called Abhimanyu. He
died in the battle too, after impregnating his wife. If that child
would go unborn, the entire Pndu lineage would end with
Pandavas. Krishna took the burden of protecting the child.
Ashwatthama had used a weapon called Brahmastra. The weapon
was guided by Lord Brahma himself. It is often referred to as the
weapon that can bring down anything that its user intended to. His
intention in using Brahmastra was to end the Pandavas clan once
and for all. Thus, he asked the magical weapon to enter as heat into
Abhimanyus wifes womb. With Lord Vishnu on the Pandava
side, this plan was bound to fail.
The Brahmastra entered the womb successfully in the form of heat
energy. The nine-month-old baby in the womb was full of life, but
couldnt tolerate the enormous heat around. His mother too yelled
out loud for Krishna and his help, for she felt a great danger to her
child. Lord Vishnu walked into that holy place himself and rested
by the babys side. His presence negated the effects of the
Brahmastra. It did successfully enter the womb as heat, as asked by
Ashwatthama, but his intentions werent fulfilled. And once the
aftereffects of Brahmastra ended, Lord Vishnu left the womb,
presenting long life to the child. Like everyone else, he too
successfully came into the world, bringing cheer and prosperity for
the family. His grandparents, the Pandavas, knew how he was alive
and expressed their gratitude to Krishna. They all named him
Vishnu Ratha, meaning, the saved one, by Lord Vishnu. His
destiny was to be the barrier between Dwapara Yuga and Kaliyug!
After every last person in Kauravas clan went to dust, Pandavas
claimed the kingdom that rightfully belonged to them. The only
person of that generation who was left with Karma was Krishna,
for breaking his vow about not killing anyone in the battlefield.
Thirty-six years passed by, after Kurukshetra battle. The battlefield
still reeked of blood. Vishnu Ratha was made the king, as the
successor to Pandavas. Kali and Krishna had a little interesting chat
that day, as the former paid a surprise visit to the latter.
50
Getting ready for Kaliyug? Krishna asked innocently.
I know that you are planning something against me and my reign
in Kaliyug. Wasnt it intentional that you killed my human form?
Kali asked.
I killed your human form? Krishna played the innocent card, yet
by not lying, Who were you as a humanand what were you
doing in Dwapara Yuga, anyway?
I was Duryodhana. Of course, you knew that and you killed me,
he accused Krishna.
How would I know that you were Duryodhana? (He still did not
lie. He just asked how he would know about his identity). Also, I
didnt lay a finger on you. It was Bheema who killed your human
form. If you have any complaints, go deal with Indra, who has
taken birth as Pandavas, he said coolly.
Dear lord! What did I dowhats the necessity to point me out to
Kali? He already bats an eye for my throne! commented Indra,
who was eavesdropping on them both.
Remember your promise, demigod? Kali whispered.
Which promise, Kali? he asked, whilst eating curd.
The promise that you made to methat I would rule the fourth
Yuga in every Yuga cycle, he reminded.
Of course, yes, of courseyou will rule Kaliyug until the end of
its timedid someone say that you wouldnt? he asked.
I think Parashuram is after me. Though he participated in
Kurukshetra battle, his main purpose is to end my reign or most
probably even me, isnt it? he asked.
Parashuram, who? Krishna asked, licking the remaining curd in
the barrel.
Parashuram, the other incarnation of yours that can fight even
deaththe one that holds the powerful Parashu that no one can
stand against, he spoke in whispers, though he was losing his
patience.
Oh, that one; come on, it wouldnt require an incarnation of mine
51
to stop you from starting your reign. Even a normal human can do
that, Krishna commented.
Is that so? Kali said, enraged, You think Im so vulnerable that a
human can stop me? I think Im a little more powerful than that.
Ummnope; I will prove it to you. And dont try that whispering
thing with meIm not scared of your whispers or ugly smell. A
human will delay you from doing anything, even though your reign
begins. I will prove your strengths to you. Now, if youll excuse me,
I would like to refill my bowl with some curdor probably
butter, he said and smiled. It took five seconds for Kali to realize
that he was in an entirely different location, just upon Krishnas
wish.
What have I done, Kali cursed himself. He was supposed to get a
boon as protection from Parashuram, and instead, he was cursed to
get defeated by a human!
He couldnt obviously waste his time on getting to know who that
human would be. He started his search for the reborn version of
Vaali, who was given a word that hed take a living Lord Vishnus
life on earth during Dwapara Yuga. If Vaali could be led to
Parashuram, the former would somehow kill the latter. Thusly, he
could deal with Krishna later, who he assumed was vulnerable.
After a ton of research, he found Vaalis soul in a hunters family.
Jara, a thirty-six year-old hunter lived along with his old parents.
Every day, he would go into the woods, hunting, and bring back a
dead hare or a deer for their meal. They lived on the banks of the
Prabhas Sea (today known as the Arabian Sea). Their little tent
was their entire world. Jara took care of his parents more than
anything else that he held close to his heart. Kali got to know right
away that he was the very same Vaali of yore.
One day, Jara decided to catch some fish from the salty waters.
Sadly, he managed to get only one, and that too was very little.
Unable to hold his hunger, he slit open the body of that fish, only
to find a poisonous metal inside. In a parallel story, a clan of
nomads was cursed to be killed by the very same poisonous metal,
by a sage. Being bound to that curse, they all fought amongst each
52
other with the same poison on the banks of the Prabhas Sea for
days and nights, leading to the extinction of their race. They were
related to Krishna during his childhood. Parashuram too walked
towards the same beach, to pay his respects to the people who
were like family, to Krishna. Jara, who found probably-the-last-
piece of that poisonous metal, molded it into the tip of an arrow,
so as to get an animal for supper.
Kali thought that Parashuram would see Jara with the poison and
get enraged at him. Of course, he would turn angry, why wouldnt
he? The very poison killed very dear people to Krishna;
Parashuram would be happy to see it in the hands of a hunter. He
would take his axe to strike him down in a go. And according to
Kalis plan, Jara would use the arrow in fear as self-defense and
Parashurams incarnation would come to an end. But no matter
how many clever moves he made, Lord Vishnu was always a
million steps ahead of him.
With Parashuram still miles away from the beach, Jara was looking
out for at least one animal to catch. A big bush ruffled a little
distance away, indicating that something was moving. Immediately
without looking who was behind it, Jara used the poisoned arrow at
the bushes. Following his arrow quickly, he went to see if he got
something. There he was, Sri Krishna, smiling, though an arrow
pierced through his left leg. That smile was a gesture of sarcasm to
Kali. The nemesis hit his head hard, for the failure of his
schemesAGAIN. Jara fell onto his knees with tears in his eyes
and begged Krishna to forgive him for what he had done. Holding
his hand, Krishna lovingly replied that it was meant to happen and
that it wasnt his fault at all. Then Jara had the memories of his
earlier life, making him realize that he was just a pawn in the big
chess board. Thusly, Karma was invalid on Jara, as he was not the
actor in the deed.
If Krishna had not broken his promise in the battlefield, Karma
wouldnt come to him in the form of unnatural death. Then
according to the word given by Rama, who would Jara have killed;
Krishna or Parashuram? That was the main reason behind Krishna,
breaking a vow. Krishna, who is known to stand by his words,
53
broke a big promise just because he saw someone under his
protection in trouble. Later on, he bowed to his own rule of
accepting Karma and thus, unnatural death. Yet, he used all of that
against Kali and his petty little schemes. No one could possibly tie
an unbreakable knot like Lord Vishnuliterally, no one! He is a
man of his words and each word, could mean a million things.
February 17th, 3102 BCE (with respect to Proleptic Julian calendar),
midnight: Sri Krishna passed away, and took along with his body,
his soul.
February 18th, 3102 BCE (with respect to Proleptic Julian calendar),
time: 00 hrs: 00 min:-Kaliyug began, with Kali as its king, with
Parashuram, still alive and kicking.
54

Kaliyug - The Secret Plot

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Kaliyug - The Secret Plot

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The Secret Plot

First Published by Half Baked Beans in 2016

Copyright B. S. Sarwagna Kumar

Typeset in Garamond 11pt at Half Baked Beans.

Printed and bound in India.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

I bow to the divinity and thank the generosity of my mother,

To Shiva. Vishnu. Datta.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Youve lived through another moment of

Lord Vishnu had already set a course of events to turn

After pledging to kill every last king, Parashuram returned home to

The plot is entirely dedicated to Kaliyug. As the clock ticks towards

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