Hari Priya

The Storm

Word Count :- 2384

The lightning was bright and loud, and the rain was heavy outside. The leaves rustled loudly in the wind. Trees were uprooted, and some houses were badly damaged. It was a stormy night.

The rain had been continuous for the past two days, and everyone had gathered in Nanda's palace, clueless and agitated about the situation. This had become a ritual—every two to three days, a new problem arose and miraculously disappeared, without anyone knowing how or why.

Gokula had been attacked many times. It seemed Kansa had a personal vendetta against them.

"Maharaj, if this continues, we won't survive here! Every day, we face a new problem!" Subal said anxiously.

"Yes! All these troubles started from the birth of your son, Nanda. He is a bad omen for all of us! Since his birth, Gokula has been plagued by demons," Padma spat with pure hatred toward Nanda's little child.

"How dare you blame a small child?" Balwanta retorted. "Kansa is a demon; he acts according to his nature. He spares no one, not even his own father and sister. Why would he care about us? We have defied his order to produce more butter, so it's obvious he would destroy our homes." Saying this, Balwanta lit a lamp near the Shiva linga.

Nanda, distressed, slowly walked to the window. His heart was heavy. How could people blame his son, who was barely a four  year old? He sighed and turned to his people.

"Gokul vasi, we are farmers. We produce food for everyone, even the king. We have always been united, and we will continue to stand together. As your leader, I promise to stand with you in all hardships. I will go and meet Maharaj Kansa. It seems we have no choice but to comply with his demands."

The people nodded in agreement. It was true; they had no choice. If they didn't follow Kansa's orders, they would continue to suffer.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

In Mathura , Kansa was fully intoxicated with madira , beside him lay  the most beautiful demoness ,  Yojna. Her beauty was so enchanting that even gods would be captivated.

Yojna Slowly hovered over Kansa ,  enjoyed the attention form her king.

"Tommorow , I need news of a death , sundari ," Kansa said , his hands making their way to her waist. I've sent so many asuras but they were all morons and deserved their fate."

"I need that small child dead. But beware , he is mayavi. Don't fail , or you know what will happen to you," he said Pushing her down as Yojna smiled.

"Don't worry Maharaj. I will use such magic on those gokul nivasis that they will be enchanted and dance on my fingers.

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Vaikuntha Dham

A man in ascetic attire, his neck adorned with a mala, held a veena in one hand and a kartal in the other. He scanned the surroundings of Shripitha, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

"Munishree Narad, are you here again with something cheesy and funny?" Uluka, the beloved mount of Mahalakshmi, spoke unexpectedly, making Narada flinch a bit.

"Uluka Mahodaya, I am here to meet Shri Bhagvati Lakshmi. Sharad Purnima is nearing, the day when Devi Bhagvati Lakshmi and Prabhu Shri Narayan bless all beings of Bhuloka, and Chandra Dev wholeheartedly donates the amrita to the Bhuloka nivasi."

"I know what happens on Sharad Purnima, Munishree, but you know Pita Narayan is enjoying his time on Bhuloka. So, what's the request you came up with?" Uluka said, his eyes gleaming with happiness.