The Call to Patala

In the celestial realm of Swarga, a somber assembly gathered in Indra's golden hall, its crystal pillars reflecting the unease of the devas. Indra, lord of thunder, sat on his throne, his vajra gleaming, but his face etched with worry.

Beside him stood Agni, his flames subdued, Vayu, his winds restless, Varuna, his waters turbulent, and other gods, their divine auras dimmed by a looming threat.

The demon Kindhasura, a tyrant of Patala Lok, had amassed a colossal army of fifteen akshauhini sena, his minions ravaging the netherworld and threatening to invade the higher realms. The devas, despite their might, knew Kindhasura's boon and sheer numbers posed a peril even they could not easily quell.

Indra rose, his voice resonant yet heavy. "My brothers, devas of Swarga, the crisis in Patala grows dire. Kindhasura's army, vast as the ocean, wields asuric magic that defies our astras. His ambition knows no bounds—if Patala falls, his gaze will turn to Bhuloka and Swarga. We've battled asuras before, but this foe's strength is unlike any we've faced. Our counsel leads us to one refuge: Mahadev, the destroyer of evil, whose trident humbles all. Let us seek His aid, for only His wisdom can guide us to victory. Who among you agrees we journey to Kailash?"

Agni's flames flickered, his voice crackling with urgency. "I agree, Indra. Kindhasura's sorcery burns even my sacred fires, twisting them into shadow. Mahadev's blessing is our only hope to cleanse this blight. Let us go, and may His grace light our path."

Vayu nodded, his winds swirling gently. "The air carries whispers of Patala's despair, Indra. Kindhasura's minions choke the life from the netherworld. Mahadev, who holds the cosmos in His dance, will know how to still this storm. I stand with you."

Varuna's voice, deep as the ocean, joined them. "The waters of Patala weep under Kindhasura's tyranny, their purity defiled. Mahadev's third eye sees all truths—He will guide us. Let us hasten to Kailash, brothers, before the balance of the worlds falters."

United, the devas ascended to Kailash, its snow-capped peaks shimmering under an eternal moon. Mahadev sat in meditation, His matted locks adorned with the Ganga, Mata Parvati beside Him, Her serene gaze welcoming the gods.

The devas bowed, their voices harmonious in reverence. "Pranam, Mahadev, Lord of Destruction and Creation! Pranam, Mata Parvati, Mother of the Cosmos! We, humble devas, seek Your aid. Kindhasura, demon of Patala, gathers fifteen akshauhini sena, his dark arts threatening Patala and beyond. We fear his power may overwhelm us. Grant us Your strength, O Shiva, to vanquish this evil and restore dharma."

Mahadev opened His eyes, a spark of cosmic fire within them, His voice calm yet resonant, like the hum of creation. "I see Kindhasura's shadow spreading across Patala, his pride defying the order of the worlds. Yet, this trial is not for Me to resolve directly, for the age of mortals demands their heroes rise. Go to Bhuloka, to Magadha, and seek Maharaj Bahubali, My disciple. His heart, forged in dharma, and his might, blessed by Me and Parvati, will shatter Kindhasura's army. Trust in him, as I do, and your victory is assured."

Mata Parvati smiled, Her voice gentle. "Bahubali is no ordinary king, devas. He wields Ajaydhansu, gifted by Mahadev, and carries the wisdom of Our teachings. He will heed your call, not as a servant, but as a son of dharma. Go with faith, and Patala will be freed."

The devas, their troubled faces brightening, offered pranam and descended to Bhuloka, appearing in Magadha's capital at dawn. Bahubali, clad in simple white, was performing his Surya Puja by the Ganga, his skin glinting as he offered water to the rising sun, his chants resonating with devotion.

The devas materialized, their divine light illuminating the riverbank. Indra stepped forward, his voice regal yet respectful. "Magadha Naresh Bahubali, slayer of Jarasandha, disciple of Mahadev. We, the devas of Swarga come with a plea. Kindhasura, demon of Patala, threatens the worlds with his fifteen akshauhini sena and dark sorcery. Mahadev bids us seek your aid to vanquish this evil. Will you, noble king, lend your might to save Patala and uphold dharma?"

Bahubali turned, his eyes serene, offering pranam to the gods, his voice humble yet firm. "Pranam, Lord Indra, revered devas. You are my elders, divine beings whose blessings sustain Aryavrat. To ask is too humble—your words are an order, a call to dharma I cannot refuse. Mahadev, my guru, has sent you to me, and I am His instrument, as I am yours. I know of Kindhasura's threat, and I vow, by Ajaydhansu and the grace of Mata Parvati, to face his army and restore balance to Patala. Speak, and I obey."

Indra's face softened, his voice warm with relief. "Bahubali, your humility and devotion honor Mahadev's choice. We'll aid you with our blessings, but the battle is yours, as Mahadev decrees. When will you march, noble king?"

Bahubali's gaze turned to the Ganga, his voice resolute. "Lord Indra, I'll depart in two days, once Magadha's affairs are secured. My people must be protected in my absence. I'll face Kindhasura alone, as dharma demands, and with Mahadev's grace, his tyranny will end. Return to Swarga with hope, devas, for Patala's liberation is my vow."

The devas, their hearts lifted, blessed Bahubali and vanished, their light fading into the dawn. Bahubali returned to the palace, summoning his ministers and generals to the marble court. "Loyal sabha of Magadha," he began, his voice commanding. "I have a divine mission to fulfill. I depart in two days. In my absence, govern with justice, protect our people, and continue our reforms. Send a rider to Angaraj Karna in Anga, informing him I'll be beyond reach for a time. He is to oversee Magadha's safety until I return. Prepare my chariot, provisions."

The court bowed, their voices united, "Jai Magadha Naresh! Jai Mahadev!" A scribe drafted the message to Karna: *"Pranipat, Angaraj Karna, my brother. I have been given a divine task I cannot refuse. I depart in two days and may be unreachable. Guard Magadha in my absence, as you rule Anga, with dharma's light. Trust in my return, guided by our gurus. Your mitra, Bahubali."* The rider galloped to Anga, the message sealed with Magadha's trident.

Two days later, Bahubali, clad in battle armor, Ajaydhansu at his side, descended to Patala Lok through a mystic portal, its dark energies swirling. The netherworld's caverns loomed, their shadows alive with Kindhasura's malice. Reaching the asura's stronghold, a vast plain ringed by jagged peaks.

Bahubali beheld the demon's army—fifteen akshauhini sena, a sea of armored asuras, their weapons glinting, their roars shaking the earth. Undaunted, he sent a message to Kindhasura, carried by an arrow: *"Kindhasura, tyrant of Patala, I, Bahubali, Magadha Naresh, challenge you and your army. Face me in battle, or cower behind your minions. Dharma demands your reign end—meet me at dawn."*

In his obsidian palace, Kindhasura, a towering demon with eyes of flame, read the message, his laughter booming. "A mortal dares challenge me?" he roared to his senapati.

A hulking asura named Vritraghna. "This Bahubali, a lone human, thinks to face my fifteen akshauhini? Prepare the army, Vritraghna! We march at dawn to crush this fool. His blood will stain Patala's stones, and Swarga will tremble at my might!"

Vritraghna bowed, his voice eager. "As you command, Maharaj Kindhasura. Our sena will swarm him like locusts. No mortal can withstand our numbers or your sorcery. By dusk, his head will adorn your throne."

At dawn, Bahubali stood alone on the plain. The asura army approached, a tidal wave of spears, maces, and dark astras, their laughter echoing as they saw a single warrior. Vritraghna, atop a spiked chariot, sneered, "Is this the champion Swarga sends? A lone mortal against Kindhasura's might? Soldiers, crush him! Let his bones be our trophy!"

The asuras roared, charging, their war cries deafening. Bahubali closed his eyes, invoking Mahadev and Mata Parvati, his heart steady. "O Mahadev, O Mata Parvati, guide Your disciple. Let dharma reign supreme, and may Patala be freed." Opening his eyes, he raised his weapon, its divine aura flaring, and the war began, one man against an ocean of demons, his resolve unbreakable.