Stories Made Simple

The Asuras were at the pinnacle of their power. The strong and powerful King Bali with his massive asura hordes had wrenched control of the cosmos from the devas. The power of the devas was at its lowest ebb, dented by their own arrogance and vanity.  The Asuras had driven out the devas from Indraloka and had captured, plundered, and looted many of their regions. They were becoming increasingly powerful, and as expected, conceited and vain too. It was time for the tide to turn.   King Bali and Indra, the King of the Devas were standing on the shores of the Ocean of Milk, or the Kshirasagara. “So, the nectar of immortality is hidden in the depths of this vast ocean?” queried Bali. “Yes,” replied Indra. “And the combined strength of the asuras and the devas is needed to bring it up. Neither of us can do this task alone.” “I get that. That’s why I also agreed to a temporary truce between us. But mind you, the nectar should be shared equally amongst all the asuras and devas. No trickery th

D on't go, my dear husband,” pleaded Tara with Vali. “Something’s amiss. How did Sugreeva suddenly get the courage to challenge you?” “Don't fret, Tara. I’ll be fine. Anyway, who can defeat or kill me?” Vali’s chest puffed up in pride; a familiar gesture that not only filled her with dread but, of late, also annoyed and irritated her.  “Oh! I wish you would cut down on your confidence. I’ve told you many times that it comes across as haughty arrogance. Don't we all have to die? So, wouldn’t there be a cause for your death too?” Tara’s voice was angry, but the undercurrent of fear was unmistakable too. “Ok! Ok!” Vali responded, his anger matching hers. “ You are the only one who doesn't trust my power and might. Also, I can’t refuse a challenge. You know that it goes against the grain of my personality.” “At least make some enquiries about Sugreeva before you fight him. Has he made any new friends who are helping him?” “Pah! Stop worrying so much, Tara. I can take care o

Angad sat on a sea rock,  looking unseeing into the vast horizon of the endless ocean. His mind was in turmoil. He was unsure of his feelings. What was right? What was wrong? A burning issue had changed sibling love to sibling hatred between his father, the Vanara Vali, and his uncle, Sugreeva, resulting in the death of his father.  Vali’s strength was unmatched. He had defeated the likes of Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka. He had killed the vicious demons, Dundubhi and Mayavi. Even the powerful warrior, Prince Rama of Ayodhya had to use deceit to kill Vali. Rama shot the powerful Vanara from behind a tree when he was engaged in a one-on-one duel with Sugreeva. Angad was told that Vali’s pot of arrogance and vanity was overflowing and it needed to be stopped to keep Kishkindha and its subjects safe. Both his uncle and Prince Rama told him that treachery was the only way to kill the undefeatable Vali. His father too had repented for his mistakes before he died in peace.  Vali had hand