A Most Awaited Meeting- An SS- Completed- 2/4/18 - Page 8

DESPERATION

Kamadeva, with a happy smile, walked into the grand courtroom of the Devas, with his consort Rathi and his minister, Vasantha, the Deva of spring.

He happened upon a sight that was probably not too rare to most of the Devas, but rare to him. The God of love stared, as the King of the Devas, Deva Indra paced around the courtroom like a caged animal.

"Ah! Kama!, said Dev Indra, looking at him with relief.

"Devraj!, said Kamadeva, bowing to the King. "What can I do for you today, my King?

"You, my dear friend, have to help me, said Dev Indra.

"Anyway I can be of service to you is the day my destiny is fulfilled, Dev Indra, said Kamadeva, a smile on his face. "What is it that I should do? Who should I make fall prey to love and lust, with these five arrows of mine, with the help of Rathi, my beloved and Vasantha?

"Kama, my friend, I am so glad you are willing to help me out, said Indra, relieved.

"What is it Devraj?, asked Kama, staring at the King of Devas. The distress on his face troubled the God of Love.

"It is..., said the King of Devas, he himself troubled with his request.

"You can speak to me my friend. What can I do for you?, questioned Kama.

"I need you to..

Thus faltered the King Of Devas again.

"Indra, are we not friends?, asked Kama, now quietly, such that only he and Indra heard it.

"We are Kama, said he, softly. "But what I am going to ask of you might put your life in jeopardy

"What is it?, asked he, now curious.

"I need you to go to Himalayas..., started Indra.

"And use my arrows on Devi Parvati? She is already love struck with Bhagwan Shiva, said Kamadeva.

"No. You have to.., said Indra.

"Wait. You want me to use my Cupid arrows on Bhagwan Shiva, who is as pure a Yogi as Bhagwan Vishnu and Pitamah Brahma Deva?, asked Kamadeva.

"I do, Kama, said Deva Indra.

"How will it work?, asked Kama Deva, fear slightly shaking him.

"We don't know if it will. But we have to try, said Indra. "I know this is extreme, but as a King, I have to think of securing back my Kingdom. And the only way to do that is the birth of Shiva-Shakti's son, the one who will slay Tarakasura

Kama and Indra were locked in an eye battle; one pleading, one a little fearful.

Kama, seeing the desperation in his King's eyes, nodded, and said, "I will do as you say. I will go to the Himalayas, and with the help of Rathi and Vasantha, try to induce love into Bhagwan Shankar's heart for Devi Parvati

Rathi looked at her Lord, startled. A dread settled in the pit of her stomach, and she prayed, Oh Maa Lakshmi! Please let my husband be protected from this venture'.

Even as she thought those words, she knew that she will not see her husband in a human form in a long time.

In Himalayas...

Parvati felt the breeze of the day change. Something huge was going to happen, something that might potentially stop her service to Lord Shiva.

"Bhaiya! Please let that not happen, she muttered, and carried on with making the garland of bel patra she usually made to place at Lord Shiva's Holy feet, trying to ignore the foreboding feeling washing on her.