A fleet of sacred chariots cut through the void, streaking across layers of space like meteors chasing the moon. One by one, they hurtled toward Patala Loka, their speed unmatched.
As the Devas neared Pātāla-loka, the light of the upper worlds faded, and a dim twilight enveloped the path. The earth below was vast and jeweled—its lands rich with gold, silver, and rare gems, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The air was dense, heavy with the scent of unknown flowers and subtle incense, while faint mists curled along the ground like living veils.
Yet, as they drew closer to the Asura stronghold, the grandeur of Pātāla revealed itself. Towering palaces of dark gold and crystal loomed ahead, their architecture ancient and awe-inspiring, bearing the mark of a proud and formidable civilization.
"Behold—the palace of the Asura King," Simihka declared, his voice low with reverence, as she guided the radiant chariots of Devas. Standing firm upon their divine vehicles, the Devas tightened their grips and gazed ahead, their eyes wary yet filled with solemn respect.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Suddenly, beams of light erupted from the palaces, soaring into the sky before bursting into a shower of golden characters that filled the heavens.
"Swāgatam Devas!" The massive golden Sanskrit words shimmered brightly in the otherwise darkened land, casting an ethereal glow over everything. The sight was breathtaking, almost surreal.
Surya nodded in approval, and the Devas, too, could not help but admire the display.
Agni's eyes still fixed on the sky, murmured, "It seems they are quite enthusiastic."
"It's better to be friends than enemies," Vayu chimed in, his tone light, yet thoughtful.
As the sacred chariots continued their descent toward the Asura Palace, the reins of Aruna, the Dev of Dawn, fluttered in the wind. The horses whinnied, their hooves striking the earth as the chariots landed gracefully on the vast, fiery land.
"Welcome, mighty Devas! Welcome, noble Devas! Welcome, revered Devas!" The voices of Asura soldiers rang out as they lined up on either side of the chariots, holding sacred spears high in the air. Their voices filled the air with a thunderous welcome.
The Devas were momentarily taken aback. But once they realized it was a welcoming ceremony, their expressions softened, and smiles began to form on their faces.
Soon, a procession of women approached, their hands filled with flower baskets. They threw the bright golden marigolds into the air, which cascaded down like a shower of stars, surrounding the Devas in a breathtaking display of color.
And then, from the grand entrance of the palace, Hayagriva stepped forward. Clad in light armor, his horse's mane flowing gracefully behind him, he radiated an air of regal authority. Flanking him were Madhu and Kaitambha, both carrying sledgehammers with ease, their expressions as stoic as ever.
The scene was set. The Devas had arrived. And the game was about to begin.
"Welcome, Devas! My new friends and allies!" Hayagriva greeted him, his arms wide open in a gesture of grand welcome.
In that instant, thunder and lightning crackled around him, surging like an electric storm. His face flickered with shadows, obscuring any clear expression, yet a sly smile lingered at the corner of his lips beneath his horse-headed visage.
"Didn't Indra come along with you?" he asked, scanning the Devas with a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
Surya stepped forward, his presence commanding. With a solemn expression, he lifted his golden sacred cloth from his forearm, its radiant light casting an aura of majesty and sacredness around him.
"The King of Svarga has important matters to attend to," Surya stated, his voice firm. "I, Surya, will oversee all matters in Svarga in his stead."
Hayagriva's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a hint of suspicion flickering within them. Not here?
"That guy isn't here?" Madhu, his voice dripping with sarcasm, muttered with a tilt of his head. "He must be too scared to show up!"
"Hahaha!" Kaitambha joined in, laughing loudly at the supposed absence.
In an instant, Surya and the other Devas glared fiercely at the two Asura generals, their patience thinning. Even the Asura leader, Hayagriva, cast a disapproving look toward them, his eyes flashing with silent annoyance. These two are fools, he thought, shaking his head inwardly.
Raising his hand, Hayagriva signaled for Madhu and Kaitambha to silence themselves. "My friends, please, come inside!" he urged with a pleasant smile.
The Devas, led by Surya, moved into the grand Asura Palace.
Inside, it was clear that Hayagriva had prepared for their arrival. At the top of the vast platform were four thrones, while several more lined the sides, where Asura generals stood at attention.
Surya took the central throne, flanked by Madhu and Kaitambha on either side. The Devas, in turn, took their seats along the left side, settling in their designated spots.
Snapping his fingers, Hayagriva tilted his head slightly, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips. He clapped his hands, his voice echoing through the hall. "Now, let the games begin!"
The air was alive with the sound of music, a cascade of melodious tunes that seemed to dance through the air. The Asura girls sang and swirled in elegant dances, their movements enchanting, as fragrant winds swirled around them. Meanwhile, exquisite wines were served, filling the air with warmth and the promise of celebration.
For a moment, the Devas were mesmerized, their eyes glistening with curiosity and admiration. The Asura women truly know how to captivate the senses; they thought, captivated by the charm of it all.
After several rounds of indulgence in the wines, Hayagriva's eyes shifted thoughtfully, his gaze landing on Surya beside him.
"My friend Surya," Hayagriva said with a sly grin. "Why don't we step away from the Soma ras and music for a bit? How about a game?"
Surya's eyes narrowed, his posture straightening. So it begins... His senses sharpened instantly.
Hayagriva, sensing the shift, turned toward the hall's entrance and called out. "Step back!" he commanded.
Asura gracefully withdrew, their sweet melodies fading as the atmosphere in the hall grew tense with anticipation. In their place, a golden low table was brought forward, its surface intricately etched with horizontal and vertical stripes, forming a cross-shaped chessboard.
"A game of chausar," Hayagriva declared, his voice ringing out, cutting through the tense silence of the hall. "While the worlds of Svarga and Pataloka may no longer be allowed to intervene in our struggle, here, on this board, our battle shall unfold. A challenge bound by the law."
His eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and he tilted his head ever so slightly, a sly smile playing at the corners of his lips. "As the current representative of Svarga, I present this challenge. Surely, you won't refuse, will you?"
Surya was silent for a moment, his mind racing as he weighed the challenge. His thoughts lingered on Hayagriva's words, the subtle taunt in the air.
Hayagriva leaned in, his voice low and coaxing. "My friend Surya, you are the great Sun Dev. You are never alone. You have your family, your friends, your allies. The King of Svarga is your brother, and the Devas are your closest companions. You are a powerful kshitrya... surely, you won't shy away from such a small challenge?"
He glanced over at the assembled Devas and added with a smile, "Of course, even if you lose, there is no true consequence. Your allies will not abandon you, and they will surely aid you."
Surya took a deep breath, his expression hardening as he glanced at his companions. His gaze then returned to Hayagriva, and after a moment of careful consideration, he spoke with quiet determination. "Good. I accept."
With that, both Surya and Hayagriva stood and moved to their positions at opposite ends of the chessboard. The Devas gathered on the left side, while the Asuras stood on the right. The room was thick with anticipation.
Hayagriva sat with regal poise, a golden sword gleaming beneath him, two rectangular dice resting in his hands. The dice were an unusual shade of blue, their shape sharp and precise, with dots only on the four side faces—none on the top or bottom.
"I will use this golden plate," Surya announced, touching the ornament on his chest. In an instant, it blazed with divine light, illuminating the entire palace nd casting long, bright shadows on the walls.
Hayagriva's hand glowed with power, and with a flourish, a massive war mace appeared in his grip. "And I will use this mace," he declared proudly. "Heavier than ten thousand nagas!"
He gripped the war mace tightly and pressed the first piece forward with a confident smile, the weight of the challenge settling in.
The air was thick with tension as all eyes focused on the game. Surya and Hayagriva exchanged determined glances, both knowing this would be no ordinary match. The atmosphere was charged, anticipation buzzing in the air.
"Twelve!" Surya finally declared, breaking the silence.
Hayagriva grinned, rubbing his hands together as the two dice rolled swiftly across the table. They came to a stop, and the result was two sixes.
"I won!" Surya exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise.
The Devas erupted into excited cheers, praising their companion's luck and skill.
"Yes, you won! Truly worthy of being the Sun Dev!" Hayagriva chuckled, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He didn't seem bothered by the loss, continuing the game with renewed enthusiasm. "In the next round, I'll wager my divine bow, forged by Mayasura himself. It can fire fiery arrows, water arrows, and poisonous arrows."
Surya's face lit up with a grin. "I'll stick with twelve! It seems my lucky number," he declared confidently.
Once again, the dice clattered across the table, and as they landed, the result was twelve, much to the delight of the Devas watching.
"Hahahaha!" Surya threw his head back and laughed. "This divine bow is now mine!"
With a triumphant gesture, he reached forward and grasped the weapon, feeling its divine power surge through him.
"Let's continue!" Hayagriva urged his voice, smooth but laced with challenge. "This time, I'll wager the eight hundred Asura dancers in this Palace!"
The mention of dancers caught the attention of the crowd, and Soma, standing nearby, glanced over, but his eyes faltered when he didn't spot Simhika among the dancers. A brief flash of disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly recovered and clapped Surya on the back.
"Bet! Win again, just like this! This is the way a Dev should be!" Soma encouraged with enthusiasm.
The Devas cheered once more, their divine energy swirling as they scrutinized the dice with their powers, ensuring fairness. The odds seemed to favor Surya once again, as he had already secured two victories in a row.
"Devi Lakshmi is with us!" Surya grinned, his confidence growing.
The third round began, and Surya emerged victorious again. Cheers rang out from the Devas, their voices echoing through the palace like a powerful wind.
The fourth round was no less intense. Hayagriva, ever the gambler, bet all the gold in the world, while Surya, with a sly smile, wagered a spark of his divine essence.
And once more, Surya triumphed.
"Hahaha!" Surya laughed, his head held high. "I told you, Devi Lakshmi is on our side!"
Hayagriva grinned, showing no sign of frustration despite the losses. As the gold transformed into golden birds and flew towards Svarga, it was clear this match was far from over.
The fifth round arrived, and this time, Hayagriva bet all the jewels of the earth. But once again, Surya emerged victorious, his grin widening as he raised his arms in celebration.
"Hahaha, my friend! I told you!" Surya shouted, his voice booming. "Devi Lakshmi is truly with us!"
The Devas roared with laughter, their spirits lifted. The sound of their joy reverberated throughout the hall, making it feel as though nothing could stand in their way. With each victory, their belief in the favor of Devi Lakshmi grew stronger.
"Now, for the final round," Hayagriva said, his tone playful yet serious. "I wager my two most trusted servants—Asura Madhu and Kaitambha. What will you wager, Surya?"
Without missing a beat, Surya raised his hand and declared with a loud, confident laugh, "I bet my sun chariot!"
The final challenge was set, and the excitement in the room reached a fever pitch. The game had become more than just a battle of luck—it had turned into a clash of wills, and the Devas were ready to witness Surya's victory once more.
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