Is the pacing fine? Let me know what you think :)
This is a simple account of Kama's death, in a way that the Puranas don't show. I have tried to retain the divinity of Lord Shiva, and tried to explore Parvati's feelings too, with my usual dose of Lord Vishnu.
DESTRUCTION
At Vaikunta...
"Swami, said Mahalakshmi, as she pressed Mahavishnu's feet.
"Priye?, asked He, softly, His eyes closed.
"Your face shows signs of disturbance. What is going on?, asked She, lovingly.
"The world is going to see a new phenomenon, shall we call it?, asked Lord Narayana.
"What phenomenon?, asked Lakshmi, curious.
"The phenomenon of true love, said He. "This event will show the desperation of a King, the acceptance of a soldier and the power of a true Yogi
The sad smile on Lord Jagannatha's face told Jaganmata all She needed to know.
A new twist to the tale of Shiva-Parvati was about to happen!
At Himalayas...
Parvati continued to do her duties to Lord Shiva, though she felt the premonition grow stronger and stronger. Something huge was going to happen. Something that was going to separate her from worshipping her Lord face to face, every day, all the time.
But what was it?
Bhai!', she thought. Bhai, what is happening?'
Little sister, don't worry'
The melodious voice of Lord Vishnu filled her heard, causing her to relax instantly.
Bhaiya, what is going on?', asked Parvati, worried.
Whatever happens, happens for a reason. And for good, ultimately', said Lord Narayana, giving her His usual vague answer.
Bhai, what do you mean?', asked a puzzled Parvati.
You will see little sister', said He. My wives are calling me. Byee!'
Parvati huffed. Her brother wanted her to find out for herself. That is why He is doing all this. She knew that everything He said had a reason, pretty much like her Lord Mahadeva and Param Pitamah Brahma Deva.
Sighing, she looked up to see Lord Shankara in meditation. Her love for Him increased, and she walked towards Him, to worship His feet, even as love threatened to burst out of every pore of her being.
Lord Shiva was astonished.
None had loved Him so wholly, so completely, except Sati. There was no doubt that Parvati was Sati Herself, His Aadi Shakti. Yet, her mortal form must be shed, and she must become His equal. A Maha Tapasvini equivalent to His Maha Tapasvi.
And you have to become a householder also', said Lord Vishnu, teasing Mahadeva in His head.
Narayana', said Mahadeva, the fond and exasperated tone taking its place.
Not just Him', came a calm voice.
Jai Brahma Deva!', said Lord Shiva.
Pranaam Mahadeva', said Brahma Deva, with a tone indicating a smile.
You two! Don't take away my amazing teasing efforts', said Lord Narayana, laughing.
Narayana, stop acting like a child', said Brahma Deva, laughing.
I am one', said Narayana, stubbornly.
The most ancient child out there', said Lord Bholenath.
True enough', said Narayana. Now adopting a serious tone, He said, Mahadeva, the time has come'
I know Narayana. I don't like it, but it has to happen. Destruction brings creation, after all', said Lord Shiva.
It does. And this has to happen', said Narayana, His solemn tone showing the heavy truth of what is about to happen.
Parvati sang in her sweet voice, when she suddenly felt the tone of the breeze change. Why was Prakriti changing suddenly? Almost seeming as if it was Vasantha right now. Someone was manipulating Prakriti. Bhudevi, the very primordial Prakriti that one rests on, wouldn't change like this. Who was it? Who could manipulate Prakriti like this, even or a short while?
Parvati looked around, only to see a tall figure with a sugarcane bow standing. Her eyes widened in horrified realisation. Kamadeva had come! To do what? Induce her Lord, who was a true Yogi into falling in love with her? She didn't want that. Yes. She wanted Him to love her, but she knew that the way one loved Him, He loved back the same way. He was, after all, her Bhaiya's soul. Created by Lord Narayana, Mahadev and Brahma Dev equalled Narayana, and were His soul, along with His primordial form, AdiSesha.
Why was this happening?
Lord Shiva felt a disturbance. Ah. Kamadeva had come.
He felt the season of love spreading through the grove, trying to manipulate natural Prakriti. That won't stay for long, He thought grimly. He felt Kamadeva lift up his sugarcane bow. Sighing internally, He readied Himself for what was to come.
He felt the arrow of Cupid hit Him, and His eyes opened, to stare upon the beauteous sight of Parvati. He could feel the inner love He had for her that He hadn't shown come out and fill His eyes; a reflection of the love she had in her eyes. It was this love, that was to bear separation again. For a shorter time though.
As the eyes of Shiva-Shakti met, Prakriti came back naturally, glowing in the beauty of the love that surrounded Shiva-Parvati.
The natural Prakriti flowing stunned Parvati into realisation. If she had felt it, had He also felt it? Of course, He had, thought she, rolling eyes at her question.
Lord Shiva's lips held a small, sad smile, as He closed His eyes. Meditating on Narayana, He opened His third eye, releasing the fire, which burnt a screaming Kamadeva into ashes, even as Kama's wife Rathi watched, in utter horror and disbelief.
Parvati stared at the death of the God of Love, understanding only partially why the death of Kama had to happen. Was it to show that desperation was not a good thing? Or to show the acceptance of a true soldier? For in Kama's eyes, she saw acceptance and understanding. Or was it to show the world the true power of a Yogi?
Her eyes turned to meet the sad eyes of Lord Shiva.
We have to be separated now, my love', thought Lord Shankar. The longest test has begun Parvati. Succeed it and attain me'
With a sad smile on His lips, the God vanished, leaving behind the ashes of Kamadeva, a fainted Rathi, horrified Devas who appeared on the scene and a pale Parvati, the paleness contrasting her dusky skin.
Arjun
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