Week #3 Storytelling: Vishnu's Choice

Storytelling Week 3: Vishnu's Choice

Indra and the Council of the Gods finally had to convene. They met and conversed for a long time, drinking coffee until the night sky overwhelmed them like a flood on the plain. They had finally agreed on the course of action. The next morning, they woke up and set out on their journey. They were headed to the heaven of Brahma. Just beyond the pearly entrance, Indra was able to make out the figure that was Brahma. 

"It is good to see you again, my friends. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Brahma's deep voice echoed throughout the air. 

"It is good to see you as well, old friend. We need to speak to Vishnu. It's about Ravana." Indra replied.

"Very well. Let us make haste then." replied Brahma. He began to escort them to the Ocean of Milk, where the palace of Vishnu resided. 

The gods slowly trekked inside the palace. It was as opulent as ever, and crown jewels adorned the long stretches of hallways. However, for how ostentatious the building was, Indra never got a good feeling from being in the palace of Vishnu. Perhaps because they never convened there to exchange pleasantries and tea. Rather, they only convened at the palace to discuss extremely serious affairs. 

The gods walked into the room where Vishnu was. He was pored over a glowing sphere. Upon closer look, one could see that the entirety of the mortal world below was displayed across the sphere. Vishnu appeared as if he had not slept in a few days, and his eyes appeared strained as if he had been staring at something for too long. 

After exchanging greetings, the gods sat down. "It's Ravana" Indra softly mentioned. He was afraid if he spoke any louder that he would break the atmosphere of the room. "I know" sighed Vishnu. 

He walked away from the sphere and joined the other gods at the table they sat at. 

Vishnu continued: "there's a decision to be made, and it's not an easy one. But it does have good consequences. As we all know, Ravana is invulnerable to demons and gods alike. However, he is plenty vulnerable to the acts of man. As it so happens, there is an unfortunate king by the name of Dasharatha who, despite having three wives, has not had a son borne unto him yet. For lack of one son, I will split myself into 4 reincarnations and I will give this king four sons. He has ruled justly and fairly and deserves to have his bloodline continue. Though this does mean that I will be temporarily...dispatched. I need to ask you all to pick up the slack around here while I am gone."

After he finished speaking, he let out a heavy sigh. Indra was the first to break the silence that followed: "You will make this king beyond happy. You already make us beyond proud. We will be happy to carry your duties here while you are gone. Return safely to us."

With that, Vishnu's skin became separated by orbs of light. They started small but grew to a massive size and overwhelmed his body. When the light dissipated, Vishnu was no longer in the room. Indra got up from the table and looked at the sphere Vishnu had consulted previously. He saw the abode of King Dasharatha and watched the birth of his four sons: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

For this storytelling, I decided to adapt the story of Rama: Avatar of Vishnu from Part A of the Ramayana (PDE version). Source - Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I thought that this part would make for an interesting story, as the Mackenzie version discusses the events, but there doesn't seem to be any emotion attached to the decision. i imagined that this must be a hard decision for Vishnu and his friends, but that they would know that it was a choice that they ultimately had to make. I also added the coffee and the sphere for a pinch of anachronism.

(Image - the Four Sons of Dasharatha - credit)