Chapter Summaries

Asura Ramba died from Halahala Poison, and his anguish gave rise to Blood Seed Asura, who carried Ramba’s ashes away. In the Heavenly Realm, Indra returned with Shachi while the gods waited to confront him, but he rode Airavata toward Zalin Garden, the place where his ascetic training had begun.

• Asura Ramba poured his remaining power and emotions into his blood as he died, creating Blood Seed Asura, who gathered Ramba’s ashes and flew away to find a river.
• Mahishasura arrived at the crater, found Ramba’s corpse mark without his ashes, and began digging through the shattered ground in hope of recovering some remains.
• Indra returned to the Heavenly Realm with Sarama and Shachi, where Sarama and Shachi noticed a statue resembling Bali among the Asura Kings outside the Heavenly Emperor’s divine hall.
• Airavata prostrated himself before Indra, who boarded him with Shachi; Sarama chased after them, while the gods prepared to test Indra as an Asura.
• The gods realized Indra was not heading to the Heavenly Emperor’s Temple but toward Zalin Garden, where his ascetic training had begun, and they cried out in alarm.

Indra visited Zalin Garden with Shachi, while Vasuki and Takshaka enlisted the Sons of the Mountains to protect the Nagas from Garuda. When Garuda attacked Takshaka at Sunrise Mountain, Mayu Mountain confronted him, leaving the two sides on the brink of battle.

• Indra took Shachi to Zalin Garden, where she wished to stay by his side during his arduous cultivation and embraced him as he rested.
• Takshaka told the Sons of the Mountains that Garuda was hunting Nagas and asked them to help the clan evade him.
• Mayu Mountain and the other mountains agreed to protect the Nagas, though Vasuki worried that events were getting out of hand.
• Garuda gathered his descendants, ordered Flower Tail to stay with Red Crown, and led the golden-winged birds to hunt Nagas.
• Garuda attacked Takshaka at Sunrise Mountain, but the mountain took flight to protect him, prompting Garuda to strike at it.
• Mayu Mountain arrived and challenged Garuda, declaring that no one could kill the Nagas without his permission.

After Garuda retreated from Mayu Mountain, Vishnu urged him to uphold Dharma, while the war between the birds, mountains, and Naga continued. Sage Durvasa was revived and set out to deliver sacred bananas to Wise One Kamapala, but Mayu Mountain’s actions provoked him into cursing the mountain’s sons; as Mayu Mountain attacked, Mahadeva Shiva and Parvati arrived.

• Garuda returned to Vishnu, who told him not to fear Mayu Mountain and to continue fulfilling his blessing; Garuda vowed to drive the Naga from the earth, while Shesha supported their move to the Potara Realm.
• The fighting between Garuda, the mountains, and the Naga resumed, with the Golden-Winged Birds drawing the mountains out to sea to limit destruction.
• Sage Durvasa was revived from a ripened banana tree, offered some bananas in a sacrifice to Mahadeva, and set out to deliver the rest to Wise One Kamapala.
• An earthquake shook the ground as Sage Durvasa crossed a mountain, and falling dust covered the sacred bananas; he blamed Mayu Mountain and demanded that it come down.
• Mayu Mountain offered Sage Durvasa chests of gold instead of apologizing, so Sage Durvasa cursed the sons of the King of Snow Mountains to die, leaving none alive.
• Mayu Mountain attacked Sage Durvasa with a curved blade, but golden light blasted him back as Mahadeva Shiva and Parvati arrived.

Shiva and Parvati clashed over whether the Sons of the Mountains should die for offending Sage Durvasa, until Vishnu summoned Kamapala to mediate. Kamapala blessed Durvasa’s thousand-year-old bananas with peels and persuaded Durvasa to lessen the curse, but the mountains still faced losing their wings, and Kamapala admitted he could not fight.

• Sage Durvasa’s curse took effect, but Shiva used golden light to relieve his burning agony.
• Shiva prepared to punish Mayu Mountain and the other mountains, but Parvati intervened and argued that killing her brothers would harm the world.
• Vishnu stepped between Shiva and Parvati, then summoned Kamapala to judge the dispute after Sage Durvasa refused to withdraw his curse.
• Kamapala urged non-killing and blessed the bananas, giving them golden peels that would protect their fruit from filth.
• Shiva shared a banana with Parvati, and Vishnu urged Sage Durvasa to lessen the curse by keeping his heart pure.
• Sage Durvasa spared the mountains from the death curse but ordered them to apologize to Kamapala and let him chop off their wings; Kamapala said he was not skilled at fighting.

The Sons of the Mountains abandoned the Nagas and planned to seek Indra’s help lifting Sage Durvasa’s curse, while Vasuki decided to find Kashyapa as a way to persuade Kadru to move to the Potara Realm. Kadru rejected Takshaka’s suggestion at first, but when she let her children choose, all the great snakes gathered behind Takshaka, leaving her furious and apparently ready to retaliate.

• Vishnu, Shiva, and Parvati departed, while Kamapala led Sage Durvasa away to hear stories about the world.
• Mayu Mountain silenced the arguing Sons of the Mountains and decided they would seek Indra’s help, then told Vasuki and Takshaka that the mountains would no longer protect the Nagas.
• Vasuki left to find someone who could persuade Kadru to accept the Potara Realm, while Takshaka returned to report what had happened.
• Kadru raged when Takshaka told her the mountains were seeking Indra’s help, and she insisted the Nagas could still defeat Garuda.
• Takshaka suggested moving to the Potara Realm, and Kadru told the Nagas they could follow him if they wished.
• The great snakes gathered behind Takshaka, and Kadru accused them of betraying her as the Power of Arduous Cultivation rose around her.

Sage Kashyapa cursed Kadru to be reborn as a mortal after she cursed their serpent sons, and promised to accompany her; Vishnu revealed plans for his future incarnation and asked Lakshmi and Shesha to join him. Meanwhile, Mayu Mountain and the other mountains persuaded Varuna and Vayu to take them to the Heavenly Realm to awaken the Heavenly Emperor and lift Durvasa’s curse.

• Kadru cursed her serpent sons to die in a future serpent sacrifice, but Sage Kashyapa arrived and rebuked her for harming them.
• Sage Kashyapa cursed Kadru to be reborn as a mortal, then promised to accompany her, while he instructed Vasuki to lead the Nagas to the Potara Realm.
• Vishnu told Lakshmi that he would be born into Kashyapa and Aditi’s family, and Shesha agreed to accompany him as his brother.
• Mayu Mountain gave Varuna a flower garland and asked him for help lifting Sage Durvasa’s curse on the mountains.
• Varuna brought the Sons of the Mountains to the Heavenly Realm, where Vayu welcomed them and offered to lead them to the Heavenly Emperor.

Mayu Mountain and his brothers arrived in the Heavenly Realm seeking Indra’s help to end their curse, but the gods could not find the Heavenly Emperor. Varuna proposed asking the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree for guidance, while Indra continued cultivating in secret with Shachi and Divine Dog Sarama nearby.

• Vayu, Agni, and Surya escorted Mayu Mountain and his brothers through the Heavenly Realm to Zalin Garden.
• Surya, Varuna, and Vayu searched for Indra but could not find him, leaving the mountains worried that their curse could not be lifted.
• Mayu Mountain offered the gods chests of jewels and a manuscript written by Goddess Saraswati, but Indra remained absent.
• Mount Minaka begged Varuna for help, and Varuna suggested praying and making a sacrifice beneath the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree.
• The gods and mountains flew to the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree, where Mayu Mountain eyed its jeweled crown and wondered about the fallen leaves.
• Divine Dog Sarama returned to Shachi and Indra, reporting that the gods and strangers had visited and left while Indra continued cultivating.

Shachi cared for Indra as he cultivated in seclusion while Agni led a sacrifice to the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree in place of the Priest Sage. The gods’ request to locate Indra went unanswered, and Vayu discovered a face beneath the tree’s fallen leaves.

• Shachi recalled moving Indra’s stone bed among the lotus flowers to protect his cultivation and gently wiped his face as his armor absorbed Vayu and Varuna’s powers.
• Surya and Vayu discussed their teacher’s work with the Gandharvas, and Agni arrived to say the Priest Sage was researching the Thunder Pestle Formation and could not lead the sacrifice.
• Agni conducted the sacrifice beneath the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree, which briefly glowed before returning to calm when Mayu Mountain asked where Lord Indra was.
• Agni insisted that something had interfered with the sacrifice, and the gods noticed a pile of fallen leaves beneath the tree.
• Vayu sent tornadoes toward the leaves, but they weakened into a breeze and revealed a distinctive face, prompting him to cry out in shock.

The gods found Yashoda cultivating beneath the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree and feared her power would prevent their sacrifice. Mayu Mountain dismissed their warnings and approached her, growing weaker with every step.

• Vayu, Agni, Surya, and Varuna recognized Yashoda beneath the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree and retreated in alarm.
• Agni concluded that Yashoda’s presence had weakened the tree’s power and made the sacrifice impossible.
• Mayu Mountain reacted with anger and contempt when he saw Yashoda, despite Surya identifying her as Lakshmi’s sister and the Goddess of Misfortune.
• Mayu Mountain ignored Varuna’s warning and set out to move Yashoda while his brothers cheered him on.
• As Mayu Mountain neared Yashoda, he grew increasingly weak but continued forward, reaching three steps away before raising his leg.

Mayu Mountain and the Sons of the Mountains struggled to rescue him from Yashoda’s power, which drained their strength as they approached. After Mayu Mountain was pulled free, Agni proposed strengthening their offering with Soma Wine, and Xiangzui Mountain volunteered to seek Soma.

• Mayu Mountain fell and could not stand as Yashoda’s power drained his strength, while Agni explained that her presence weakened the Sons of the Mountains.
• Mayu Mountain tried to rise again but collapsed, so Xiangzui Mountain attempted to rescue him with a rope of divine power that vanished near Yashoda.
• Varuna advised the Sons of the Mountains to link hands, and Agni led the gods in a chant that helped Xiangzui Mountain reach Mayu Mountain.
• Mount Minaka pulled Mayu Mountain out of Yashoda’s weakening domain, restoring his strength.
• Agni suggested summoning Soma and offering his Soma Wine to strengthen the sacrifice, and Xiangzui Mountain said he was friends with Soma.

Xiangzui Mountain and the other mountains sought Soma’s help to perform a sacrifice against Sage Durvasa’s death curse, but Anusuya said Soma could not leave before giving birth. As the mountains and gods considered the curse, a violent earthquake shook the Heavenly Realm, and the Priest Sage revealed a figure standing on one leg.

• Xiangzui Mountain volunteered to visit Soma, and the gods explained that Soma was awaiting childbirth and would see no one.
• Surya and the other gods stayed outside the Moon God Palace, citing their promise to respect Soma’s wish for privacy, while Xiangzui Mountain and the Sons of the Mountains went inside.
• Anusuya refused to let Soma leave but advised the mountains to wait in the Heavenly Realm until his child was born.
• Mayu Mountain worried that Sage Durvasa’s death curse would inevitably come true, while the gods decided the mountains had to face their own karma.
• A violent earthquake shook the Heavenly Realm, and the Priest Sage arrived and revealed a figure standing on one leg.

Dharaka Asura completed his arduous cultivation and received a boon from Brahma that made him vulnerable only to a child born by Shiva. As the gods sought help, Mayu Mountain proposed stealing the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree to use as leverage to lift the mountains’ curse.

• The gods watched Dharaka Asura’s cultivation reach completion, and Brahma descended to grant him a boon.
• Dharaka rejected Amrita and immortality, then asked that only a child born by Shiva could harm or kill him; Brahma granted the request.
• Dharaka celebrated his power, and the gods decided to seek help from Brahma or Vaikuntha.
• The Sons of the Mountains argued over whether to stay in the Heavenly Realm as the Asuras prepared to attack.
• Mayu Mountain proposed digging up the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree and using it to pressure the returning Heavenly Emperor into lifting their curse.
• Mount Minaka objected that taking the divine tree while the gods were away would be stealing.

Mayu Mountain tried to seize the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree, defeating Mandara Mountain and dismissing the Gandharvas until Airavata led their army against him. Airavata and the Gandharvas blocked Mayu Mountain’s attack and countered with a powerful lightning strike, leaving Mayu Mountain stunned.

• Mayu Mountain rejected Mount Minaka’s objections, claimed that taking the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree was necessary, and challenged the other mountains to stop him.
• Mandara Mountain confronted Mayu Mountain and accused him of greed and lies, but Mayu Mountain defeated him in battle.
• Mayu Mountain prepared to take the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree as the other mountains retreated and Mount Minaka worried that no one could stop him.
• Airavata appeared with the Gandharvas army and used Dry Thunder and Moist Thunder to block Mayu Mountain’s blades with a canopy of lightning.
• Airavata sounded the Heaven-Bestowed Conch, and the Gandharvas formed the Thunder Pestle Formation and sang to empower him.
• Airavata and the Gandharvas joined their lightning into a powerful counterattack that struck through Mayu Mountain’s golden sphere and surprised him.

Airavata and the Gandharvas struck Mayu Mountain, but the Vajra Pestle ultimately smashed him into the fractured void. The devas returned to find the mountains battered, then learned that the Asuras had captured Curly-Haired City.

• Airavata and the Gandharvas’ lightning attack hurled Mayu Mountain near Yashoda Goddess, where her power weakened him.
• The Thunder Pestle Formation summoned Indra’s Vajra Pestle from Zalin Garden, and Shachi set out to investigate.
• Airavata charged Mayu Mountain, but the Vajra Pestle struck Mayu Mountain’s head and sent him falling from the Heavenly Realm.
• Surya, Agni, Vayu, and the other devas returned and discussed seeking Mahadeva’s son to defeat Dharaka.
• A golden fat man rushed in and announced that the Asuras had taken Curly-Haired City.

Kubera reported that Dharaka had stolen the treasures from Kubera City, and the gods hesitated to seek Mahadeva’s help because it could anger Parvati. After the gods confronted the Sons of the Mountains over their attempt to steal the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree, Mandara Mountain pleaded for another chance and offered to find Indra.

• Kubera told the gods that Dharaka had stolen the treasures from Kubera City, and Vayu explained that only a child born by Mahadeva could harm the Asura.
• The gods worried that asking Mahadeva to bear a child alone would enrage Parvati.
• The gods heard Airavata’s cries and accused the Sons of the Mountains of trying to steal the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree.
• Mandara Mountain asked the gods to forgive the mountains, arguing that they could help in the coming war between the gods and the Asuras.
• Varuna reminded the gods that Mount Minaka had resisted Mayu Mountain and that the mountains were Parvati’s brothers.
• Surya agreed to let Mandara Mountain search for Indra, while Sarama arrived and wondered what the group was doing.

Mandara Mountain failed to sense Indra, but Sarama led the gods toward Zalin Garden. Mayu Mountain returned to the Heavenly Realm and attacked them, while Indra awakened when the Vajra Pestle destroyed a spear aimed at Airavata.

• Mandara Mountain searched the Netherworld and Human Realm but could not find Indra.
• Sarama offered to lead the gods to Indra, and the gods, mountains, Airavata, and Gandharvas followed her.
• Mayu Mountain burst back into the Heavenly Realm through a void tunnel and attacked the assembled gods.
• Kubera’s golden sphere shattered into Mayu birds, which the gods and mountains fought off.
• Mayu Mountain hurled a spear at Airavata, who fled toward Zalin Garden and the Vajra Pestle.
• The Vajra Pestle struck and destroyed the pursuing spear, and Indra opened his eyes.

Indra defeated Mayu Mountain, learned that Dharaka could only be harmed by a child of Mahadeva, and led the gods and repentant mountains toward Kailasa. Meanwhile, Dharaka gathered the Asuras with promises of wealth and conquest, then challenged them to attack him together.

• Indra destroyed the Mayu birds with his bow, shattered Mayu Mountain’s shield, and struck him down with the Vajra Pestle.
• Kubera told Indra that Dharaka had stolen his treasury, and Surya explained that only a child of Mahadeva could harm the Asura.
• Indra decided to go to Kailasa for Mahadeva’s coming son, while the mountains begged forgiveness for their role in stealing the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree.
• Indra ordered the mountains to atone by following him, then departed with the gods for Kailasa and left Shachi behind with her finished bracelet.
• Dharaka demolished the Asura Temple’s walls, distributed riches and weapons to the Asuras, and proclaimed himself their future king.
• An Asura general attacked Dharaka for the treasures, and Dharaka invited all the Asuras to come at him together.

Dharaka defeated the Asuras and claimed their allegiance, while Trikuta left to practice austerities and master the power of sound. At Kailasa, Indra revealed that only Shiva’s son could kill Dharaka, prompting Parvati to decide to release Andhaka—until Surya clarified that Andhaka did not meet the boon’s condition.

• Dharaka crushed the Asuras who challenged him, claimed the throne, and won followers by promising wealth and power.
• Trikuta decided to practice austerities and pursue mastery of sound, music, and the sound “Om.”
• Indra told Parvati that Dharaka could be killed only by Shiva’s son, and Andhaka begged to be released so he could fight Dharaka.
• Parvati happily agreed to ask Shiva to release Andhaka after he called her “Mother.”
• Surya warned Parvati that Brahma’s boon required a child born by Shiva alone, so Andhaka could not kill Dharaka.

Parvati erupted in fury after learning that Brahma's boon required Mahadeva to bear a child alone, then calmed when Indra reminded her that Andhaka was already her child. The gods resolved the dispute over Mayu Mountain, and Indra was left wondering how to wake Shiva.

• Surya told Parvati that only a child borne solely by Mahadeva could defeat Dharaka the Asura, and Parvati transformed in rage.
• Brahma confirmed the boon, but Parvati's fury intensified when King of Snow Mountains and Meena arrived with the unconscious Mayu Mountain, whom the gods had injured.
• Indra reminded Parvati that Andhaka was her child, prompted him to call her mother, and stopped her from attacking the gods.
• The gods revealed that Mayu Mountain had tried to steal the Wish-Fulfilling Divine Tree, and Indra argued that his injuries were the karmic consequence of his greed.
• Meena asked Indra to lift the mountains' curse, but Vishnu advised King of Snow Mountains to take Mayu Mountain home and promised Indra would help if he admitted his mistake.
• After the gods departed, Indra looked toward Shiva and wondered how to wake him.

After Dharaka threatened the Heavenly Realm, Indra persuaded the gods to relocate to Vaikuntha while Brahma proposed summoning Kama to awaken Shiva from meditation. Kama hurried toward Kailasa, believing he might get to shoot Indra with his love arrows, unaware that Shiva was the intended target.

• Indra read Dharaka’s ultimatum demanding the gods’ mounts and threatening to attack the Heavenly Realm.
• Indra persuaded Vishnu to let the gods move to Vaikuntha, citing Yashoda’s presence in the Brahma Realm, and the gods departed.
• Brahma suggested summoning Kama to awaken Shiva, and Parvati urged him to call the God of Love.
• Kama left the Moon God Palace with Rati after hearing their calls and rode his green parrot toward Kailasa.
• Kama prepared to shoot all five love arrows at Indra, mistakenly expecting the Heavenly Emperor to be the one meditating.