Chapter 71 (स्त्री हठ): The Pride of Divine Wives

Disclaimer:

This chapter incorporates elements of the historical and theological rivalry between the followers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, which has existed in various forms throughout the history of Hinduism. The portrayal of this rivalry in the narrative is a fictionalized interpretation and is intended for storytelling. It does not aim to disrespect or discredit the beliefs of any group or individual. The chapter explores the philosophical differences within the context of mythology and fiction, rather than an accurate reflection of historical or doctrinal disputes.

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Devi Lakshmi's gaze remained fixed on Devi Parvati, her expression a blend of curiosity and unspoken challenge. The stillness between them seemed almost palpable, like the charged air before a storm. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she spoke before the silence could stretch too long.

Her voice broke the quiet like the cry of a peacock—sweet but edged with playful sharpness. "So, how's the guy with the snake around his neck doing?" Her tone carried a teasing lightness, like a breeze that could cool one's skin or leave a sting in its wake. There was no mistaking the hint of amusement in her words.

Parvati's lips curved into a smile, a subtle one, yet her eyes shimmered with the same knowing mischief. She turned her head slightly to the side, unfazed by the jab, her composure as unshakable as ever.

"Ha~," Parvati replied, her voice low and almost a purr. Her gaze shifted towards the distant figure, and she spoke with an air of casual mockery. "Seems a man is sitting on a snake over there."

Lakshmi's lips twitched, but she remained silent for a moment, allowing the words to settle between them. Then, with a touch of impatience, she rolled her eyes. "Is Shiva still wearing that tiger skin?"

Parvati tilted her head, her smile deepening. Her voice, as smooth as silk, came with a mocking lilt. "Does Vishnu still have lotus flowers in his eyes?" she teased, her words pointed yet playful, a reference to Vishnu's iconic epithet, Pushkaraksho, 'Lotus-eyed.'

Indra had been quietly observing the exchange between the two goddesses, his brow furrowed in growing disbelief. His expression hardened as he watched them banter like children. Is this it? He thought, shaking his head with a quiet scoff. The two of you, supreme devis among devis, reduced to petty quarreling on whose husband is best?

Devi Lakshmi, unable to contain her displeasure, snorted coldly, her gaze never leaving Parvati. With an almost derisive tone, she spoke, "Is he still dancing that 'Tandava' of his?"

Parvati's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she met Lakshmi's challenge head-on. "By the way," she quipped, "after your husband went mad, he still had the Vajra mark on his head."

The words were like a dagger, a sharp reminder of an old wound. Lakshmi's expression darkened in an instant, her face flushing with anger. Her lips pressed into a tight, trembling line, and her chest rose and fell with each indignant breath. She glared at Parvati, the fury in her eyes unmistakable.

"You..." Lakshmi began, her voice shaking with fury, "Parvati, you are so rude!"

But Parvati was unyielding. A sly smile danced on her lips as she shot back, "Lakshmi, you talk too much. Every time you open your mouth, you're dripping with sarcasm."

The words hung in the air like a tension-filled storm, crackling with the force of their clash. Both goddesses, their divine poise momentarily forgotten, stood on the precipice of an all-out verbal battle. Their voices rose in angry waves, each cutting sharper than the last, neither willing to back down.

"Vishnu is a benevolent being!" Lakshmi declared, her voice ringing with pride and certainty. The words left her lips like a divine proclamation, filled with an unshakable belief in her husband's greatness.

"Shiva is the Lord of Innocence!" Parvati shot back, her tone equally forceful, the power in her words undeniable. The mention of Shiva's purity was like a shield she wielded with grace and defiance.

"Vishnu is revered!" Lakshmi responded swiftly, her voice rising in passion, an unspoken challenge in her words.

"Shiva is the Deva of Devas!" Parvati countered with equal fervor, her voice unwavering as she spoke of her husband's supreme status.

"Vishnu is supreme!" Lakshmi retorted, her voice now holding an icy edge, her eyes gleaming with the intensity of her conviction.

"Shiva is in the supreme form!" Parvati's words matched Lakshmi's with unwavering defiance, the two goddesses locked in an unspoken battle, their pride fueling the storm between them.

Devi Lakshmi's eyes narrowed, the blue light flickering in their depths. Her expression darkened as she glared at Parvati, the tension thick in the air.

"I suppose we'll never agree, will we?" Lakshmi's voice dripped with icy disdain, her words cold and final, a stark contrast to the lightheartedness of moments ago.

"No!" Devi Lakshmi shouted, her fury palpable in every syllable. "My husband is the greatest god! You, a wife who hasn't even given birth to a child for her husband, have no right to speak!" The words thundered in the air, striking with such force that they sent shockwaves through the gathering Devas.

The atmosphere grew heavy with tension, and even the usually composed Brahma, Sarasvati, Shiva, and Vishnu fell into stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the two goddesses. The words hung in the air, thick with insult and challenge.

Devi Parvati's composure shattered. Her usually serene demeanor flickered, replaced by a fierce, fiery glare. Her breath quickened, her chest rising and falling with barely controlled rage. The insult had cut deeper than she had expected, and the calm veneer she wore cracked like fragile glass.

"Neither did you!" Parvati snapped back, her voice sharp, biting, laced with venom. Her eyes blazed with indignation, the playful back-and-forth now forgotten in the wake of their heated words.

Lakshmi's lips curled into a cold, almost predatory smile, the venom in Parvati's retort not phasing her in the slightest. "Who says I didn't?" she chuckled darkly, standing taller, her regal posture commanding attention. "When I used peacock feathers to clean my husband's ears, two pieces of earwax fell into the Sea of Milk, and life was born. I am already a mother."

Lakshmi's eyes sparkled with pride as she turned to Vishnu, her gaze soft and affectionate, a playful wink dancing across her face.

Vishnu's smile faltered, his expression turning bitter. For a moment, he was left speechless, unsure of how to respond to the heated exchange.

"I see!" Indra finally exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization. "They're arguing over who is the greater among their husbands—Shiva or Vishnu!"

He took in the tension between the two goddesses, noting Devi Lakshmi's words. A strange unease settled over him. Wait, did she just say life was born from Vishnu's earwax?

Indra couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. He frowned, his arms crossing as he stood back, instinctively distancing himself from the brewing conflict. Is she talking about the asuras who forced Vishnu to ask a boon from them to end them?

With a quiet step, Indra moved behind the other Devas, deciding that it was best to stay far from the potential battlefield.

Meanwhile, the two goddesses stood locked in a stare, their eyes burning with intensity, lips pressed tightly together in a battle of wills. The tension was palpable, as if their anger was on the verge of erupting into an all-out confrontation.

Saraswati floated delicately in the air, her gaze flicking between the two goddesses with a mixture of hesitation and concern. She wondered if she should intervene and stop the escalating quarrel. But would she, too, be swept up in the storm if she approached too rashly?

"Narayana Narayana~"

Suddenly, a lively, free-spirited voice echoed through Vaikuntha, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a splash of color on a blank canvas.

With cheerful, brisk steps, the plump, exuberant figure of Narada Muni appeared in the heavenly realm, holding his Veena with one hand, a wide grin on his face. His entrance was as dramatic as ever.

His exuberant praises filled the air, breaking the oppressive silence that had settled over the gathering. Everyone's attention shifted toward the divine sage, and even Devi Lakshmi and Devi Parvati turned their heads, their focus now entirely on Narada's unexpected appearance.

Narada blinked, momentarily disoriented. He stood with his Veena cradled in his arms, his eyes slightly unfocused, a look of pure contentment on his face.

Looks like I'm in for some fun today!

But as he took in the scene, it became apparent that he had arrived a bit too late—and had unwittingly become a part of the entertainment. The two goddesses, no longer content with their verbal sparring, turned their ire towards him.

"Narada!" The chorus of voices—filled with irritation and authority—echoed, each syllable sharp with anger. Narada's eyes widened in shock, and a slight panic crossed his face as he realized that the fun he anticipated was about to be anything but lighthearted.

"Narada, let me ask you!" Devi Lakshmi raised her hand, a scolding tone dripping from her voice as she pointed at him with a finger as clear and sharp as crystal. "Who is the greatest deva in the world?"

Narada, caught off guard, could only blink in surprise. Before he could gather himself, Devi Parvati's intense gaze met his. Her eyes burned with an energy that hinted at her near-transformation into Kali—the goddess of destruction—should the situation escalate further.

Narada gulped. He hadn't expected to be thrust into the heart of this rivalry.

Indra, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but smirk. His eyes glinted with amusement as he surveyed the unfolding scene. Even mischievous Narada has found himself caught in the crossfire this time.

Suppressing a chuckle, Indra crossed his arms, enjoying the spectacle. Well, it seems I've come to the right place today. This is going to be one interesting show.

Narada Muni's heart skipped a beat as panic flooded over him. The question that had just been asked was as tricky as the age-old dilemma: if your mother and your wife both fell into the water at the same time, who would you save first? There was no right answer, no simple way to escape the situation.

He wanted to say Vishnu—of course, that seemed like the safest choice. But Devi Parvati's intense gaze made his blood run cold. She was... a little too terrifying when angered.

Sweat began to bead on Narada Muni's forehead. He cast a desperate glance at his Lord Vishnu, hoping for some kind of help. But Vishnu simply gazed back, his expression melancholy and silent.

No help there.

Narada then turned his eyes to the sky, seeking some divine intervention. But even Shiva looked uncomfortable, his usual composure wavering in the face of the growing tension.

Not even Shiva?

Narada's gaze then shifted to his father, Brahma, and to the serene goddess Sarasvati. But Brahma only offered a helpless shrug, his face mirroring Narada's helplessness. There was nothing he could do to resolve this mess.

Desperate, Narada glanced around at the gathering of Rishis and Devas. Their eyes were wide with surprise, and some of them, sensing the brewing storm, took an instinctive step back.

Could it be?

Narada's frantic gaze flitted across the crowd.

Is he... trying to shift the responsibility onto us? The Devas and Rishis exchanged uneasy looks. They all had the same thought.

Would Narada Muni really go so far as to make them the scapegoats for this divine debate?

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