Indra was sitting on his majestic throne, with a troubled expression etched upon his face due to the terror of Surapadma instilled upon humans. The air is thick with tension as courtiers and gods whispered anxiously amongst themselves.

Suddenly the grand doors swung open, causing everyone to look at the direction. A sense of relief washed over everyone seeing Kartikeya coming forward. Seeing his fearless form, Indra stood up and welcome him.

"Kartikeya, kshama karna ki aapko itne shigreh bulana pada. Abhi toh Ganesh ji ka vivah sampann hi huya tha kuch dino pehle." He said.

"Devraj, mere liye kartavya sarvapratham hai. Kahiye, devgan ko kya kasht hai ?" Kartikeya asked.

"Dakshinavart mei Surapadma namak asur, manushyo ko pratadit kar raha hai." Indra said.

Kartikeya's eyes narrowed at that, his innate sense of justice burning within him.

"Aadesh de, Devraj." He said.

"Surapadma ka vadh." The king of gods, said in a firm voice.

"Jaisa aap kahe. Mai aaj hi Dakshinavart hetu jaa kar, uss asur ko lalkarunga. Usse aur uski samast sena ka annt mere haatho ko hoga." Kartikeya said, determination sparkling in his eyes.

Indra's face brightened with a glimmer of hope. He stepped closer to Kartikeya, placing a hand upon his shoulder.

"Awashya Shivputra. Satya aur Dharm aapke saath hai. Vijay nishchaye hi aapki hogi." Indra said.

-------

The sun's golden rays gently filtered through the swaying trees, casting a peaceful glow on the eager faces that filled the open courtyard of Devarshi Narad's ashram.

The sage of gods was sitting atop a high seat, his melodious voice resonated through the air as he gave his daily discourse on the third purusharth of life, 'Kaam'.

His words danced like a melodic symphony, as he recited stories and teachings of love from ancient scriptures, enlightening the souls of those who listened.

"Ab divyatmao, yaha gaur kijiye." Narad Muni said looking at the paper that was given to him by Srinav, "Shreeshaktiswar, jinhe adwitiya premi kaha jata hai, woh prem ke baare mei kya kehte hai."

The seekers of wisdom who had gathered there, looked at Narad Muni with anticipation. Except one. A sage named Aachaandit, whose mind was steeped in preconceived notions and his heart guarded by prejudice.

"यद्यपि दीप-अग्नि-तारक-सूर्य-चन्द्र-सन्निधौ सन्ति, तथापि मम कान्तं विना सर्वं जगत् अन्धकारेण व्याप्तमिव दृश्यते |" Narad Muni read one line. (Though there are lamps, fire, stars, sun and moon, yet the whole world seems to be engulfed in darkness without my beloved who has lotus like eyes.)

His words floated through the air just as beautifully as the poetry he read. It evoked a profound sense of admiration and awe among his students. While Aachaandit, held onto his biased beliefs, convinced that love was a mere weakness.

"यदा मम प्रियः चन्द्रमुखः, सूर्यः इव कान्तिः, पूजनार्थं पुष्पसङ्ग्रहं कुर्वन्ती मन्दं गच्छति तदा सा रहस्यमयः ग्रहः इव दृश्यते। न आश्चर्यं यत् सा मम दैवं शासति।" Narad Muni read another line. (When my beloved with moon like face, and sun like radiance, walks slowly while collecting flowers for veneration, she looks likes a mysterious planet. No wonder she rules my destiny.)

"Toh yeh baat Shreeshaktiswar bhi maante hai, ki streeya purusho ki niyati par raaj karti hai." A female scholar said, earning a chuckle from all.

"Awashya karti hai. Prem se dekho toh stree swarg ka dwaar hai. Aur yadi vaasna se dekho toh nark ka." Narad Muni said.

"Mai nahi maanta !" Aachaandit said standing up, unable to contain his disapproval.

"Aap Shreeshaktiswar ka kathan nahi maante ?" A student asked.

"Arrey woh toh hai hi patni ke daas. Unse toh aisi hi kavitaye milegi !" Aachaandit said.

"Mariyada ka palan ho !" Narad Muni said. "Apna mat sabhyatapurn rakho, Aachaandit."

"Munivar, mai toh keval itna kehna chaahta hu ki aap prem aur saajhedaari ki baat kyu vyarth mei kar rahe hai ? Kya yeh samanya gyaan nahi ki stree purusho ke aadhin hai, aur prem keval shakti ka khel jisse kuch streeya purusho par raaj kar sake ?" Aachaandit said.

"Anarya ! Anarya !" The students disapproved of his points.

"Shaanti !" Narad Muni raised his hands, all his students became quiet. He then looked at Aachaandit and said, "Tumhe aisa kyu lagta hai ?"

Rather than dismissing him, the sage of gods decided to engage him and to foster an open dialogue. Narad Muni gently sought to understand the roots of his disillusionment with 'kaam'.

"Kyu na lage devarshi ? Lakshmi keval Narayan ke charan dabati hai. Saraswati keval veena vadan kar Brahma ke man ko anandit karti hai. Sachi ka samman kya devraj karte hai ? Amarsri ne toh kutilta poorvak apne pati toh daas bana ke hi rakha hai. Aur Parvati toh keval Shiv ki sewa karti hai. Jab deviyo ki yeh dasha hai, toh sadharan streeyo ko vishesh adhikaar kyu mile ?" Aachaandit voiced his frustrations.

The rest of the disciples exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of how to react to such misguided views. While Narad Muni stayed unperturbed and composed.

'Vaad se iska bhram nahi tutega. Lagta hai sanatan gyaan se iska parichaye karana padega.' Narad Muni thought.

"Chalo vats," He addressed Aachaandit, "Tumhe vastavik satya dikhayu."

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A/N

Munivar Narad ne thaan li hai, lagta hai ab isko Shaakt pujari bana ke hi chhodenge 😂😂✨✨

Btw this segment is for all the people who couldn't find an inch of misogyny in our gods and scriptures so decided to make them up 🌝✨