Everyone found space on small and big stones or steps and sat down to rest. Adhir placed Shiro down as well. Although Shiro was extremely modern, able to reorganize and become various things (weapons, shields), can roll but can't walk. Therefore, he had to be carried.
After resting for 2 minutes and drinking some water, Adhir started speaking.
Adhir:
"As you all know, many things are spoken about Asuri; there are many stories about it. There are many mountains in Lilichhaya and nearby villages, but Asuri is more famous because of these stories."
Everyone nodded.
Adhir continued,
"Asuri is one of the very ancient mountains. Its existence is connected with the origin of the Earth itself. That means it is from Satya Yuga, and its stories are also prevalent since Satya Yuga."
Ansh:
"Yes, then start from there. Today we want to know everything about Asuri."
Adhir:
"So, the matter is of Satya Yuga. Gods and demons lived in different realms (dimensions). Gods lived in heaven, demons in the underworld(patal lok). Similarly, humans lived on Earth.
Often wars occurred between gods and demons. Many times, gods or demons would come to Earth for penance, after a war, or sometimes to hide.
This is about the final phase of Satya Yuga. There was a demon named Asuri. He frequently fought wars with the gods. Asuri had made this mountain his shelter.
Here he performed much penance and obtained powers and abilities. He himself was very powerful and had defeated many gods in single combat. But when other gods came to help and united together, he had to face defeat, because in his army there was not even one more powerful being who could stand against the gods.
At one time, after a very bad defeat from the gods, he arrived at Asuri with his guru Niskal.
Asuri, in great anger:
"Gurudev, whenever I defeat one god and prepare to imprison him, at that very time all the other gods unite and attack me and defeat me. Gurudev, if in my army there were even one or two warriors equal to me who could stand against these gods, then the gods would long ago have become my captives."
Niskal:
"Son Asuri, I understand your problem, but do not lose courage. The time will come when you will capture all these gods at once."
Asuri:
"Gurudev, now I cannot tolerate the laughter of these gods. Since the origin of the universe, they have done injustice to us."
Niskal:
"The time will come. Our time will also come."
Asuri:
"When, Gurudev? Many great warriors have been born in my lineage, but this one task none of them could complete. I must complete this task."
Niskal:
"Certainly, my son. I have full faith in you that you will become powerful in this universe and rule over the three realms."
Asuri:
"But with this army, how will I conquer the universe?"
Niskal:
"The solution is that you yourself become so powerful that you can give your armies warriors like yourself."
Asuri:
"But Gurudev, how is that possible?"
Niskal:
"Through penance. By anyone's penance, immortality will not be granted. But you can ask for a boon to make your armies powerful. And Mahadev is the only one who can grant you this boon."
Asuri:
"Alright, Gurudev."
In this way, Asuri performed penance for centuries to please Mahadev. In rain, cold, snowstorms, and burning heat, his penance remained firm. Finally, Mahadev became pleased.
Mahadev:
"Open your eyes, son. I have come to give you darshan, pleased by your penance. Your penance is complete."
Asuri opened his eyes and upon seeing Mahadev joined both hands and fell at his feet in reverence.
Asuri:
"O Mahadev, I am blessed that you have given me your darshan."
Mahadev:
"Rise, son. Tell me, what boon do you desire?"
Asuri:
"Your darshan itself is a boon for me."
Mahadev, more pleased, said:
"No, child. Ask. Today I am very pleased with you."
Asuri:
"If you must grant a boon, then give me immortality!"
Mahadev:
"Son, everything in this universe is perishable. Nothing is immortal. At some time, everyone's end is certain."
Asuri:
"Then, Lord, grant me that whoever worships me shall receive all the powers I have attained."
Mahadev:
"Think once more. Powers obtained in this way are not easy to control and sometimes become the cause of one's own destruction."
Asuri:
"But Lord, I want only this boon."
Mahadev:
"So be it. Whoever worships you and pleases you shall acquire powers equal to yours."
Saying this, Mahadev disappeared.
Meanwhile, during the long years of Asuri's penance, the condition of the demons had worsened greatly. The gods had defeated them and forced them to hide in the underworld. Their kingdom was destroyed. After victory, in arrogance, the gods forgot their responsibilities and immersed themselves in the pleasures of heaven.
Asuri gathered all the demons again and created mantras, rituals, and rules of offerings to use the boon he had received.
Soon the demons began efforts to please Asuri to gain his power. His younger brother Akshin and other ministers joined. In a short time, every soldier in Asuri's army possessed power equal to him. Such an army was prepared.
Then he attacked the gods. The gods were badly defeated. All gods were imprisoned, and because of this chaos spread, mainly life on Earth became disturbed.
Seeing this, Brahma freed the gods from Asuri. In return, Asuri demanded rights over the sacrificial offerings of the gods and secured that as long as this mountain exists, according to Mahadev's word, whoever worships him will receive his power.
After that, from the Patallok to heaven, he created upheaval throughout the universe. Considering himself as God, he destroyed humanity. Human life began to cry out in suffering.
Finally, seeing the cries of humans on Earth, the gods went to Brahma. Brahma directed them to seek help from Lord Vishnu.
The gods reached Lord Vishnu and bowed. Vishnu, resting upon Sheshnag, opened his eyes and blessed them.
Indra:
"Lord, help us. After Mahadev's boon, Asuri has created chaos throughout the universe."
Vishnu:
"O Indra, Asuri performed severe penance and earned his boon. You forgot your duty in indulgence. Mahadev is not at fault for granting the boon. This battle is yours. The protection of the humans who worship you is your responsibility."
The faces of the gods became hopeless.
At that moment, Narad arrived.
Narad bowed and said:
"Lord, the human on Earth suffers for the gods' mistake. Show a solution."
Vishnu:
"Narad, the solution was given at the time of the boon itself. And the main role in it is yours."
Narad:
"How, Lord?"
Vishnu:
"If all are equally powerful, then who is the leader?"
Narad understood. Chanting "Narayan Narayan," he went to Akshin and planted the thought of leadership ambition in his mind.
Between the two brothers, and then among the demons, fighting for leadership began. They started destroying one another. Gradually their army weakened. The gods took advantage of the situation, attacked, and defeated Asuri.
"And from this, this mountain received the name Asuri," Adhir said, pausing.
Sheetal:
"What do you all think? Is this story true?"
Suraj:
"I have heard something like this too."
Ansh:
"I don't think it's true. If it were true, wouldn't someone try to gain those powers?"
Adhir:
"I have told what information I know. Believe it or not, it is your choice. And there is one more incident that happened 200 years ago regarding gaining these powers."
Sheetal:
"Sapna, what do you say?"
Sapna:
"Nothing can be said for sure."
Ansh:
"Even if nothing happens, no one will trouble us today who has gained such powers."
Suraj:
"You are not talking about the incident of King Vikram and Brahmin Ankhdai from 200 years ago, are you?"
Adhir:
"Yes, that story."
Ansh:
"Then surely your story has little truth. According to that tale, there was human population here. If humans could live here, then why is this place so infamous?"
Sapna:
"That is true. But Adhir, tell us what exactly is the story of King Vikram and Brahmin Ankhdai?"