Chapter 10

Older men married to younger women often face the issue of being unable to satisfy their wives, leading to their wives feeling lonely and empty.

Similarly, gods can feel lonely and empty too!

Bringing joy to a god, making them smile, is a remarkable skill. In fact, pleasing a lonely and empty god can even result in receiving blessings.

That's right!

Pleasing gods is a shortcut to receiving blessings.

Indra discovered a new path to this by pleasing the goddess Sarasvati, creating a small path through the woods that no one had walked before.

Now, the goddess Sarasvati, with a joyful and satisfied smile, transformed into a golden light, vanished before Brahma, and swiftly appeared in the heavens.

Suddenly, lotuses bloomed in the heavens, like a celestial flower shower, bringing a brief moment of fragrance and splendor to the heavenly realm.

Seeing the goddess arrive, the gods folded their hands in reverence and praised Sarasvati.

"Praise to the goddess! Praise to Sarasvati!"

Indra and the other gods exclaimed.

Sarasvati, holding a veena, dressed in a red dress adorned with gold, with a delicate and wise smile, her skin as pure as snow, exuding the scent of books and flowers, surrounded by divine light, radiating a glorious golden glow, spoke with a sweet smile.

"What is the name of that musical instrument you're holding?"

Indra, thinking quickly, replied.

He didn't know why Sarasvati had arrived, but judging by her smiling demeanor, it didn't seem to be anything bad.

Flattering her might get him some benefits.

"Goddess, I hadn't thought of a name before, but seeing the lotuses fall as you arrived, and since you are the goddess of music and arts, I thought of calling it 'Lotus Drop'."

Hearing this, Sarasvati's face flushed with a deeper smile, looking even more pleased.

"Lotus is the purest of things. This instrument is suitable for composing, and the name 'Lotus Drop' is fitting. I shall bless you!"

As she spoke, Sarasvati raised her right hand, and a brilliant light appeared in her pale palm.

"From now on, anyone who sings praises with the 'Lotus Drop' will have their sins lessened with each recitation."

Sarasvati said slowly.

Then her gaze fell upon Indra.

Indra looked up, full of expectation.

Sarasvati continued to smile.

A blessing?

Where was his blessing?

"Indra…" Sarasvati continued.

Indra sighed in relief.

She finally spoke; he thought she was about to leave without saying anything!

He enjoyed seeing women's graceful and slow movements only when they were dressing while he lay in bed.

"I bless all the gods. Whenever you encounter difficulties, you may enter Brahma's realm by praising with this."

Sarasvati declared.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, the goddess disappeared.

Indra: "..."

Brahma's realm isn't accessible to just anyone; only those with pure hearts can enter.

But this blessing was useless to him!

What was he supposed to do with this blessing? Lead the gods to Brahma's realm to eavesdrop? Admire the yoga poses of the divine couple?

However, the other gods were clearly delighted.

The Sun God Surya said, "Great! Now, when we face great trouble, we can go directly to Brahma's realm to seek refuge."

"Should we move there now?" Fire God Agni asked, looking around.

The gods fell silent.

Moving there immediately after receiving the blessing seemed too presumptuous.

Wind God Vayu shook his head. "We shouldn't. We still need to meet Vishnu. Let's wait until we face real trouble."

"Yes, we must go see Vishnu!" Sage Priests reminded.

The gods began discussing among themselves.

Suddenly, a massive wind rose in the heavens, causing the gods to stagger and struggle to stand.

"This is bad. We can't stay here. Let's go to Brahma's realm!" Vayu panicked, grabbing Fire God Agni.

"Wait!"

"It's Garuda!"

Indra recognized the approaching golden giant shadow.

The gods relaxed, and Vayu returned to normal.

"Ahem! I was wondering who it was, causing such a small wind."

Vayu said.

Boom!

Garuda landed, causing waves of energy.

"Humph!"

Garuda snorted, speaking immediately.

"I saw Sage Sukracharya and an Asura at the Milky Ocean. The Asura didn't seem affected by the curse. I think they're going to seek Vishnu. If you don't go, those Asuras will come for you. When they do…"

"Stop!"

Indra interrupted.

He stepped forward, pointing at Garuda. "Since you're back, apologize!"

"You! I'm talking about the Asuras!"

"I know about the Asuras, so apologize!"

"You…"

"What!"

Indra wouldn't let Garuda off easily.

Garuda lowered his head, no longer defiant, muttering quickly, "Sorry!"

"Is that an attitude for an apology? It sounds like I owe you something!"

Indra continued.

"I did it for Vishnu!"

"For Vishnu!"

Garuda gritted his teeth, almost breaking them, took a deep breath, and adjusted his mindset.

He bowed deeply, closing his eyes, and shouted, "Sorry!"

"Because of my arrogance, I violated the Dharma. Please lift the curse, so I may see Vishnu. I will honor and serve you, Indra."

Garuda said, with a mixture of sadness, sacrifice, and stubbornness in his expression.

Indra nodded slowly, smiling.

Satisfied!

He was very satisfied!

He loved seeing Garuda's reluctant submission.

"Good!"

Indra raised his right hand towards Garuda.

"As long as Garuda respects me, Indra, and appreciates my effort in curbing his arrogance, and doesn't insult or harm me, the curse will be lifted."

Suddenly, a power of ascetic practice surged.

A golden light rose from Indra and instantly fell upon Garuda.

Garuda glowed with golden light.

He clasped his hands, closed his eyes, and praised Vishnu.

"Praise the Lord!"

In this praise, Garuda felt fulfilled, sensing Vishnu's presence again.

"He's back!"

"All back!"

(The end of this chapter)