15 A Miserable Father-Suryadev
World's P.O.V,
When Mata Ganga angrily left Devi Yamuna at the Sangam (The intersection of the tree rivers). Devi Yamuna was afraid of Mata Ganga's fury.
She was aware of Mata Ganga's might. If Mata Ganga willed so! The three Lokas would drown in her volume so will the entire living beings. .Therefore, She hurried to heaven in an attempt to inform the Devas of the upcoming calamity.
Surprisingly though, the apoplectic atmosphere disappeared when she was half-way through her journey. She thought that Mata Ganga's would have been calmed after hearing the divine chanting. It made her purpose to visit Devloka void. However, She didn't want to return empty handed.
Furthermore, it would have been unwise to do anything futile. Hence, to not become a bedtime story for children/ Laughing stock by Devarishi Narada, She decided to seek answers from her father.
She wanted to know about the familiar children in the basket. The radiance of that child was not inferior to her Father in the least.
These questions, if not answered would haunt her for eternity.
Like, how many of us can tolerate the shock of getting a younger sibling at the age of gifting Grandchildren to your parents?
***
Suryadev's P.O.V,
I am Surya, the Sun God, a duty assigned to me by the Shri Hari-Narayana.
I am one of Aditya, the son of Aditi: mother of all Devas.
In the mortal plane, I am worshipped as the Deity who brings pace in their life by basking them in my radiance. On another hand, I am praised for my might in heaven.
But, it's half truth.
I am no mighty god with infinite strength but a pitiful being...
Although I am worshipped by many, I couldn't appear in-front of my believers due to my radiance. Unlike other Devas, I have to control my Anger and happiness. If I don't? My powers will radiate from my body as they will set the entire world in flames hotter than Agni-deva's.
Only a selected few mortal had been able to face a fraction of my energy to get their due boons. Aside from them, I have to help my believers indirectly.
Yet, it's not even the crust of my problem.
....
In the vast Akashganga, lies a certain loka which constantly moved at a frightening pace. This place is placed in a special plane visible/ accessible to every loka (Realm) aside from Patala (Nether realm).
Light illuminated this realm 24/7, 30 days a month and 12-13 months a year. It is a flat realm stretching infinitely. At the center of this realm is a glamorous castle built on the highest peak, visible to my subjects.
[Note: According to Hindu Vedas, there are mainly 12 months a year with 30 days cycles. Additionally, every 3 years, there exist a13th month. Which ultimately coincides with the roman calendar and the concept of leap year.]
This realm hasn't experience night since it's beginning and it will never... till the day of my death.
****
It is Surya loka, My realm and home.
This place is filled with joyful laughter from my subjects. Despite the lack of darkness, none of them complained. For they know, it was their own choice. By abandoning the darkness within, they lived here by following the path of Dharma (Righteousness) to get the ultimate 'Moksha', freedom from the cycle of reincarnation and merge within the singular consciousness.
After passing the neat and arranged paths of the area my subjects live, We will arrive at a huge castle gate with no doors. Since, For those in the pursuit of knowledge and Dharma, no door can prohibit their entry. Only their lack of wisdom can.
Passing through that gate is a garden surrounding a castle illumination in its silent (faint) golden glow. It is where I live with my family.
Or, I once lived with... my family...
Despite being called as one the most righteous among deities, I had committed some sins. Due to them, I was cursed even by my second wife, Chhaya and Nara-the twin brother of my lord Narayana in the Treta Yuga (A period before Dvapara Yuga).
***
For my first curse, I was fully responsible for the deed. In spite of knowing Dharma, I choose to stay true to my selfish desires. However, I do not regret going against my lord Narayana to protect my devotee. Something that every deity will do. We, Devas, existed solely to manage the order of the World for whom? the creatures residing in the world. Their faith is the source of power for us. Devas can live without food and water, but they can't survive without their believers.
That's why we say, {भगत के वश में है भगवान!}.
For my second curse, It was partially my fault coupled with the will of Niyati, I was cursed by my wife's other half or Shadow, Chhaya.
Actually, I am one of the most radiant men with fair skin in deva-loka, falling behind the Trimurtis.
Therefore, When my wife Chhaya (who was disguised as Sanjana at that time) gave birth to a son. As a father, Of course I was overjoyed! Sadly, my happiness vanished when my gaze fell on the pitch black baby, lying beside my wife.
I am not a racist, I treat every creature equally. And yet, When I thought of my fair-skinned wife Sanjana and my skin tone, I thought that she had betrayed me. I was unaware that Chhaya is a maiden born from the shadow of my wife.
I was unable to accept the little baby 'Shani' as my son as I shouted furiously at my wife. My rage brought out the energy within me, injuring Chhaya in the process due our opposite powers. She is the deity of shadows while I command the light. Opposite of Shadow like Fire and Water.
Witnessing that my power was getting restless, I wanted to return to my room. It is the only place that can withstand my heat.
Unfortunately, Niyati thought against it. Seeing me returning to my room, Chhaya cried sorrowfully. She thought I didn't accept our son.
S-she kneeled and touched my legs and pleaded, "Nath, P-please stop! At l-least take a look at your child's face?"
Honestly, I wanted to console her but I didn't have this luxury. At that time, the farther I was from her the better. So, without looking back, I headed towards my room.
It triggered Chhaya's rage. She defined my lack of action as rejection of our child.
I still remembered her curse which was showered in her rage, "O' great Deva of Dharma, who refuses to accept his own child and see his face. For your pride, you refuse to acknowledge our child! I curse you on all my karma as a mother, You will never see the face of your next child! Your next child will live without your name. You won't be able to tell the world about your child!"
This curse still rings in my ears.
Fortunately, She lessened the curse after calming down and the persuasion of her original self, My first my Sanjana also known as Sandhya (Evening), The deity of twilight.
Therefore, I could observe my son 'Vasusena' but couldn't tell anyone about him. Not even by wives. This truth is only known by a selected few, like Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and the ones who observed me and Kunti.
After passing this hurdle, I was faced with a chaotic household which stopped after both of my wives sorted things with each other.
Sadly, some things didn't change much. Everyone of my children respect and adores me except Shani who has been appointed as the Deity of Justice & Karma.
Yama ruled Yama-loka, where he judged the mortal's deeds.
Yami (Yamuna) and Tapti, went to the mortal plane and stayed there as rivers, helping Devi Bhoomi to flourish life.
...
All in all, Me and my wife are the only one's left in this huge castle. It has already lost its previous liveliness and stayed in serenity, most of the time.
Aside from my inability to help my child, I am living happily with my wives.
No matter the adversaries I face, I (The Deity of the Sun) shall continue my responsibility to provide light to the creatures of the world!
