"Keep these statues as they are?" Vayu cast a doubtful glance at the towering dark structures that loomed over Svarga. The architecture was undeniably Asuric, imposing, unyielding, and completely at odds with the refined grace of the Devas. Yet the King of Svarga had spoken. If Indra had decreed they remain, then so be it.
The Devas drifted slowly through the celestial city, their radiant forms gliding past the remnants of Asuric craftsmanship. The towering statues stood in solemn ranks, each one a silent tribute to the might of the Hayagriva warriors. Some had their arms folded behind their backs, others gripped massive battle axes, and a few were captured mid-draw, eternally poised to loose their divine arrows.
There was a disturbing precision to them. Flying manes, intricately carved armor, and eyes that seemed almost sentient were all immortalized in unyielding stone.
As they reached the Grand Court of Svarga, three monolithic statues came into view. They were larger than any of the Devas had encountered so far.
Indra's gaze settled on the colossal figure to the left, a warrior arrested in time. Golden gemstones gleamed where its eyes should have been, glowing with an ominous luster. Muscles coiled beneath its form like knots of iron, fists clenched, and its face frozen in a snarl of unrelenting fury.
"Hiranyākṣa?" Indra muttered, tilting his head.
His gaze then shifted to the right. The second statue bore the same imposing presence, but its armor shimmered with intricate gold inlays. A massive gada (mace) rested upon its shoulders, its expression noble, yet seething with unspoken defiance.
"Hiraṇyakaśipu?"
Then his eyes fell upon the central figure. If the first two were titanic, then this one was monumental, towering far above the others.
Hayagriva behemoth, its powerful neck stretched skyward, as if frozen in an eternal neigh. Its mane, each strand carved with impossible detail, flowed like a river of stone down its broad back. Strong arms rested on its waist, its stance radiating overwhelming pride.
Indra's brows furrowed.
"Hayagrīva."
Even Hiranyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, legends in their own right, appeared dwarfed beside him. Their heads barely reached his armpits, like lesser sentinels standing guard before a mightier kin.
The Devas exchanged glances, their eyes lingering on the bizarre composition of the statues.
"This… is unexpected."
Surya's voice broke the silence.
"Mayāsura sculpted Hiranyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu as well?"
Vāyu frowned. "I don't know why, but something about this setup… makes me want to laugh."
Varuṇa scratched his head. "Right? It just feels… off."
Indra examined the statues once more, his lips twitching. Finally, he could hold back no longer.
A smirk played on his face. "This Hayagrīva understands contrast."
He gestured at the uneven proportions between the statues.
"If you're going to make them look like dwarves, why stop at the armpits? Just shrink them to the knees while you're at it!"
He chuckled.
And then, without warning, he raised his hand.
CRACK!
A flash of lightning splits the heavens. Thunder roared as a blinding arc of celestial energy tore through the central statue.
BOOM!
The stone shattered into a thousand fragments, debris raining down like fallen stars. The mighty Hayagrīva's head crumbled, its once-proud visage reduced to scattered rubble.
And yet… the statue's body still stood.
Blue lightning cascaded like a waterfall, crackling as it wrapped around the towering statue of the Hayagriva. Stone trembled under the divine force, and a rain of dust fell, scattering like sacred ash upon the ground.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the transformation was complete.
The colossal figure had shrunk. Though it retained its original pose, it now stood equal in height to Hiranyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu. The three figures loomed side by side, no longer a solitary titan, but an eerie triad of fallen Asura kings.
Indra crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Well? What do you think?"
Surya stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the newly altered statues. He circled them twice, scrutinizing every detail, before finally nodding in satisfaction.
"Not bad. What craftsmanship!" He exhaled, tilting his head. "Much more balanced this way."
Agni followed, his fiery gaze lingering on the statues. A low chuckle escaped his lips.
"These will do nicely," he said. "Leave them as a warning, so the Asuras never forget what becomes of those who defy the Devas."
"Agreed."
"Yes, perfect."
A ripple of approval moved through the assembly. Their King truly possessed the touch of divine artistry. The statues, once remnants of Asuric pride, now blended with the grandeur of Svarga. They would stand not only as monuments of conquest, but as silent sentinels, reminders to any Asura bold enough to challenge the throne of the Svarga.
Two birds with one stone.
Vaikuntha
Upon the serpent's bed, where time flowed like a gentle river, Devi Lakshmi's eyes flickered with concern. Her delicate fingers pressed lightly against Vishnu's calf, offering the softest of touches, yet her beloved remained motionless, his gaze distant.
He was troubled.
Lakshmi exhaled softly. She rose from beside him, stepping gracefully away from the divine coils of Ananta Shesha.
Walking through Vaikuntha's sacred gardens, she let the tranquil beauty of the realm surround her. Light filtered through the lush canopy, scattering golden hues across the emerald grass. The lake mirrored the stillness of the heavens, undisturbed save for the sound of her gentle footsteps.
Her brows furrowed.
"He seems burdened…" she murmured. "Is this… because of Madhu and Kaitabha?"
Regret flickered in her heart. It had been her voice that urged Vishnu to banish the twin Asuras to the underworld. She had believed it necessary at the time, a just punishment for their transgressions.
But now…
Seeing the weight that pressed upon her beloved's soul, she wondered if her judgment had been too harsh.
"There must be a way to ease his sorrow." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Perhaps… Kalaishapatinath holds the answer."
Just as the words left her lips, a massive serpent head emerged from the shadows.
Shesha, the eternal guardian, slithered forth his gleaming fangs, catching the light, his forked tongue flickering like a whisper of prophecy.
"Mother," he hissed smoothly. "Shiva Shambhu knows Hari well. If he has not come of his own accord, then perhaps it is because he knows there is no need. Even if you go there… he may not answer your call."
Lakshmi paused mid-step, tilting her head slightly.
Her presence was radiant, regal, yet effortlessly graceful. She did not speak immediately; instead, she regarded Shesha with an unreadable gaze.
Then, at last, she smiled.
"You may be right." Her voice was soft, yet resolute. "But I have other plans. I am going to see Garuda."
Without another word, she stepped forward, moving past the serpent with quiet determination.
Shesha blinked, tilting his head as he watched her go.
Noticing the shift in Devi Lakshmi's mood, Shesha slithered closer, his massive head tilting as he observed her.
"Is Devi going to find Garuda?" His voice carried a note of curiosity, his forked tongue flickering. "But why not come to me instead? If something is troubling you, I can help too!"
His golden eyes gleamed with sincerity, though his serpentine form coiled with uncertainty.
Lakshmi's star-like eyes shimmered as she walked, her steps light yet purposeful. Though Shesha's words weren't the most elegantly phrased, they carried a grain of truth. Seeking Mahadeva might yield no answers.
Perhaps… another path was better.
Indra!
Yes, Indra was always full of ideas.
"This time, Madhu and Kaitabha caused trouble, and it was Indra who devised a way to defeat them."
A thought sparked in her mind.
"Wait, there's also Surya! He is a father too, surely, they would both know how to lift my husband's spirits!"
A small smile graced her lips as the plan took shape. Vishnu would surely feel better after speaking with them.
Her heart felt lighter.
Without hesitation, she quickened her pace, stepping into the vast, open sky where golden clouds drifted like waves upon an eternal sea.
She raised her voice, soft yet resolute.
"Garuda!"
A single call, yet it echoed through the skies—
Garuda! Garuda! Garuda!
The air trembled. A powerful gust stirred the clouds as if the very sky held its breath in anticipation.
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