-- THE KINDOM OF CHEDI --

"Yeh toh Rakshas hai !"

The newborn lay on the ornate cradle with his four arms flailing in distress and his three eyes wide open, emitting a piercing cry that echoed through the room. The sound was so unsettling that even the bravest hearts trembled in fear. He screamed and brayed like a donkey.

Queen Shrutashrava, with tears streaming down her face, clutched onto King Damaghosha's arms. The weight of their worry and sorrow hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once joyous occasion of their son's birth.

The relatives gathered in the room exchange fearful glances, their hearts heavy with anxiety and trepidation. They cannot help but feel a deep sense of foreboding at the sight and sound of the unusual child. The air is thick with unease, as their minds struggle to comprehend the strange and unsettling presence of the baby.

The priests, sensing the tension in the room, whispered among themselves, their voices filled with trepidation.

One of the priests, with a grave expression, suggested, "Rajan, iss balak ka janm shubh sanket nahi de raha. Yeh awashya apne hi kul ka aur devtao ka shatru banega.... Ise... Ise tyaag dena hi sabke hit mei hoga."

Desperation and fear filled the air as Damaghosha and Shrutashrava, their hearts heavy with sorrow, exchanged a sorrowful glance filled with unspoken understanding.

"Kadachit yahi uchit hoga..." The king said, looking at the queen who nodded in reluctant agreement.

Just as they were about to carry out the heartbreaking decision, a divine voice filled the room, commanding them to stop, "THEHERO !"

The voice spoke with authority and compassion, "Maharaj, tumhara yeh putra saubhagyashaali aur atyant balwaan hoga. Iss balak ka prem se palan karo. Iski mrityu tumhare haatho nahi, kisi aur ke haatho hogi. Iske kaal ka janm, pehle hi ho chuka hai."

Overwhelmed with conflicting emotions, Shrutashrava, driven by motherly affection, felt a surge of anxiety grip her heart.

She joined her hands and looked above, her eyes darting around, "Yeh shabd jisne kahe hai, mai use pranaam karti hu. Kripiya mere putra ke Kaal ke baare mei mujhe bataye."

The invisible voice spoke again, "Ek hai... Jiske goud mei aane ke baad iss balak ke do adhik bhujaaye, sarp ke bhaati, bhumi par gir jaayengi aur teesra netra lupt ho jaayega. Wahi vyakti iska kaal hoga."

Shrutashrava's heart was heavy with fear and uncertainty, as approached the cradle where the baby lay. His four arms twitched erratically, his three eyes wide with an otherworldly gaze, and his cries echoed like a haunting scream through the palace walls.

With trembling hands, she reached out to pick up her malformed child. Shrutashrava closed her eyes, trying to block out the negative thoughts and fears that plagued her mind. She cradled him close to her chest, she felt a mixture of fear and motherly love wash over her.
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Thousands of rulers from neighboring lands descended upon Chedi to witness the enigmatic child with four arms and three eyes, named Shishupal. King Damaghosha, respectfully honoured and welcomed the distinguished guests into his palace. The grandeur of the court was unmatched as royal delegates mingled with priests, scholars, and mystics, all seeking to decipher the significance of Shishupal's extraordinary appearance.

Queen Shrutashrava, her heart heavy with concern, followed the guidance of the divine voice. With trembling hands, she placed her son in the lap of each visiting king, her eyes searching for any sign of the prophesied slayer. The air crackled with tension as each king held the child, their expressions a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

As the child was passed from one ruler to another, a hushed silence fell over the assembly. Some kings recoiled in fear at the sight of the malformed infant, while others looked on in disgust. A few, however, gazed upon the child with a keen interest and curiosity. And though the child ascended thousands of laps, what had been said did not come to pass.

"VARSHANEYA SHRI BALRAM AUR SHRI KRISNNA PADHAAR RAHE HAI !" The announcer announced.

A hush fell over the crowd, as they gazed at the entrance from where Krishna and Balram entered. Their divine presence captivated all eyes, drawing every gaze towards them. The radiance emanating from the brothers illuminated the hall, causing a stir among the assembled kings.

The brothers walk gracefully towards the king and queen, their hands joined in greeting to the guests. As they pass by, Krishna and Balram pause to inquire about the welfare of familiar faces, their kindness and humility captivating all who witness their demeanor.

Shrutashrava, filled with awe, is left speechless at the sight of the divine brothers. She watches as Krishna approaches, his gaze filled with compassion, and Balram follows with a reassuring smile.

"Pranaam Bua. Pranaam Maharaj." They greet.

"Aapke aane se Chedi pavitra ho gayi, Rajkumaro." King Damaghosha smiled

He was overjoyed and welcomed them with great honor, by offering them a high seat befitting their stature and bestowed them with tokens of respect. His heart swelled with joy at the sight of the two brothers, feeling blessed by their presence in his kingdom.

Sensing their aura, Shrutshrava thought, 'Yadi Shishupal inn divyaatmao ke goud mei baithe, toh uska kalyaan awashya hoga.'

With a mix of hope and trepidation, she approached Krishna and hands her baby to him with great pleasure. As Krishna held the baby in his arms, his eyes showed compassion unlike any other who had held the child. A knowing smile played on his lips as he gently placed Shishupal in his lap, and that very moment his extra arms dropped and his third eye disappeared.

Shrutashrava's eyes widened as she witnessed the prophecy unfolding before her eyes. Confusion and fear intertwined in her expression, now that she knew it was her nephew Krishna who held the destiny of her son in his hands.

Krishna's compassionate gaze never wavered as he cradled the transformed child in his lap. The room echoes with gasps and murmurs as the realization dawns upon the onlookers.

"O Krishna ! O Mahabahu !" Shrutshrava got on her knees, holding the arms of her nephew, "Mera hridaye bhaye se grast ho chuka hai ! Mujhe ek vardaan do, vats. Tum peedito ka uddhar karte ho, tum bhayebhit ko bhayemukt karte ho, tum iss sansaar mei nirbalo ke liye sharan ho.... Mujhe ek vardaan de do !" She pleaded.

"Bhayebhit na hoyiye." Krishna said, "Kahiye bua, mai aapko kya vardaan de sakta hu ? Aap jo bolengi mai wahi karunga, chaahe sambhav ho ya asambhav."

Shrutshrava said, "Krishna, kripiya mere putra Shishupal ke bhulo ko kshama kar dena."

"Uchit hai, bua. Mai aapke putra ke 100 bhul kshama karunga, bhale woh bhul mrityudand ke adhikaari hi kyu na ho." Krishna replied.

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A/N

RAVAN IS BACK 🔥
This time a little cheaply-
(Ngl, mujhe Ravan ke comparison mei Shishupal humesha cheap laga... Like Hiranyaksh toh fir bhi uss level ka tha... Lekin yeh gaali bakne wala-💀)

Also, this reminds me... You know how Ravan was the grandson of Saptrishi Pulatsya. Well, the 99 sons of Pulatsyas were born as the 99 Kaurav brothers.....

Yeh Dushashan and the rest are LITERALLY Ravan ke chachas... No wonder-🤣

Lekin I'm happy because Jay and Vijay ka third and last birth hai yeh, then they'll be free and return back to Vaikunth 😍✨