Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

<You have any intersting stories about demons which could be useful> --> Comment here.

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

The bow—Lowered. The astra—Disappeared. From the hands of the middle aged man.

And then—Laughter. Deep. Echoing.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Not anger. Not mockery.

But something vast. Ancient.

The man’s form shimmered. Like illusion peeling away.

Layer by layer—Until—The Truth Stood Revealed

Before Devara—Stood Lord Shiva

Calm. Smiling.

Eyes holding both destruction—And infinite peace.

The same one who had offered him the chance to live the second time.

Devara froze. Not from fear. But from realization.

"...."

Because some truths—Are too vast to react to immediately. Especially getting caught off guard.

Behind from Lord Shiva—The others stepped forward.

No longer hidden.

Parvati Radiant. Warm.

Watching him as a mother who already knew the answer.

Kartikeya. Stood tall. Eyes sharp. Measuring.

Ganesha. Smiled softly.

As if the outcome—Had never been in doubt.

Devara snapped back. Reality returned.

"...."

And without hesitation—He bowed. Deep. Respectful.

Not because they were gods.

But because he understood—What they had just tested. The Meaning Behind the Test.

Not skill. Not power. Not accuracy.

But Dharma. To see life—Even from afar.

To choose restraint—Even when threatened.

To stand firm—Even before death.

Lord Shiva’s Smile Deepens

He Looked at him. Not as a god judging a mortal.

But as a teacher—Recognizing a student.

Who had chosen to uphold his dharma even in the faces of death.

Lord Shiva

Placed his hand on Devara’s shoulder.

Firm. Steady. And spoke—

"I am proud of you..."

A pause.

Then—

"...my son."

Devara stopped when he heard the last part of his words. Just when he was about to think they were addressing him like others.

Still. Not moved. Not reacted. Just—Stopped.

Because that word—Didn’t fit. Didn’t align.

Didn’t belong—To the life he remembered.

"...."

Before his thoughts could form—Goddess Parvati

Stepped forward. And pulled him into a hug.

Warm. Gentle. Real.

"I’ve been waiting ...for this moment."

That broke him out of stillness—But not into understanding.

Because now—Questions flooded.

’He is a Orphan... Reincarnation by Lord Shiva... Then how...?’

Seeing his confusion—Ganesha

Tilted his head slightly. And spoke. Calmly. Casually.

Like dropping a pebble—Into an ocean.

"Not just them."

A pause.

"Even Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi... And Lord Brahma with Goddess Saraswati... are also your parents."

That’s it. That was it. Too much. Too vast. Too sudden.

His heartbeat spiked suddenly beating loudly one could hear just standing besides him.

Fast. Loud. His vision blurred.

"...."

Thoughts tangled.

His mind couldn’t process all the information just been dropped that’s questions his entire existence.

How do one process—Being a son of—Creation. Preservation. Destruction.

And power itself? You don’t.

His legs gave way.

The world tilted—And darkness took him.

He fell unconscious not able to take it any more.

Before he hit the ground—Goddess Parvati

Held him.

Her expression—Shifted.

From joy—To concern.

"What happened?"

Her voice carried worry now.

Not divine.

Just—A mother.

Who was worried about her son. Who suddenly fell unconscious.

She had thought he would be happy meeting them. Or he would be angry about why they didn’t appear sooner. Even through he has two mother Goddess Ganga and Goddess Bhudevi taking care of him.

But not like this where he fell down unconscious.

Lord Shiva. Calm. But observant.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Ganesha. Blinking once—As if realizing—

-Blink!

"Perhaps... too much at once."

In a single breath—They were gone. To Kailash.

Called its own back.

Taking Devara with them.

Leaving behind—Only wind. Only silence.

"...."

"...."

"...."

From above—Hidden. Still. Lord Parashurama. And Karna

Had seen everything.

Not just the reveal. Not just the truth.

But the test itself.

The Moment That Almost Changed Everything.

When the bow was raised—When death was aimed—Karna had moved.

Instinct. Loyalty.

He was ready to step in.

To save his friend even through he needs to face that mysterious powerful archer.

But—A hand stopped him. Firm. On his shoulder.

Lord Parashurama.

"...."

A single gesture. A silent command.

"Watch."

Karna froze hearing his guru’s command.

"...."

Not because he wanted to. But because he trusted.

His guru.

And so—He watched.

Every moment. Every word. Every truth.

Now—Standing there—Looking at the empty sky—Karna exhaled. Slowly. Relived Devara was safe.

-Sigh!

"...."

As if he had been holding his breath the entire time.

"He..."

His voice faltered.

"...was..."

He couldn’t even finish.

Because how do you describe—Someone who is—Son of Lord Shiva

Of Goddess Parvati

And beyond even that...

Karna looked at his own hands in deep thought.

"...."

Just moments ago—He had learned he was Surya’s¹ son.

And that alone—Had shaken him to the core.

But Devara? He wasn’t just touched by gods.

He was claimed by them revealing his past.

Which had shocked him to the core.

Lord Parashurama remained calm.

Not surprised. Not shaken.

"...."

Just... Observing.

’So... He is the son of the most powerful beings present.’

Karna clenched his fist. Not in fear. Not in doubt.

But in decision.

"No matter who he is... Gods... Destiny... Anything... I’ll stand beside him. Even if the whole world stands against him."

Karna uttered in low voice.

Parashurama glanced at Karna. A faint smirk. Not mocking. Approving.

-Smirk!

Because that—Was the kind of resolve—That creates legends.

Goddess Ganga Domain...

Far from the mountain—Far from the storm—In the quiet expanse of her domain—Stood Ganga

And beside her—Bhudevi

"...."

"...."

They had seen everything.

Through the screen which they would use to check on him.

Even they—Paused.

"...."

Because the truth revealed—Was not small.

Not something easily absorbed.

They were shocked to hear about the background of their son.

They don’t know how to take it.

Goddess Ganga’s waters trembled slightly.

Not violently. But enough.

"So... this is who he is..."

Not disbelief. But realization.

Goddess Bhudevi stood still.

Grounded. Unshaken on the surface. But even she—Felt the weight.

A silence passed between them.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then—Unspoken—The Same Thought between them.

’What if...’

’...he stays there?’

Mount Kailash.

The place where Lord shiva reside.

Where he now belonged—By origin.

Goddess Ganga’s gaze lowered slightly.

"He is their son... Born of their source... Claimed by them..."

A pause.

"...what if he chooses them?"

Then—A voice.

Not present. But she remembered from her past.

Devara’s words when he was little.

’No matter what... I won’t choose anyone over you mother...’

Her waters steadied. The ripple faded.

As she calmed down now. A faint smile.

"He won’t."

Goddess Bhudevi finally spoke. Simple. Certain.

"He is my son."

No doubt. No hesitation.

Because earth does not question what it holds—It simply knows.

"No matter where he goes... No matter who claims him... That cannot change."

They didn’t argue. Didn’t compete. Didn’t claim.

Because both understood—Love isn’t ownership. But The Path Forward

"We’ll visit him. From time to time."

"Without disturbing. Without interfering."

Not because they must. But because they trust in their son and their mother’s love for him who was born from them.

Mount Kailash...

In Kailash, Time didn’t move like it did elsewhere.

It slowed. Softened.

And beneath a sacred tree—Lay Devara.

Peaceful. Unaware.

Lord Shiva. Sat still.

"...."

Devara’s head resting on his lap.

One hand gently placed—Not restraining. Just... there.

Like a presence that said—

’Rest.’

Around them—The Shiva Ganas. Gathered.

Not in fear. Not in reverence. But curiosity. Of a boy who was the son of their lord Shiva and goddess Parvati.

They leaned in—One by one. Faces close. Too close.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Whispering among themselves excitedly—

"He’s the one?"

"The child?"

"He doesn’t look dangerous..."

Then—A few of them pulled aside Ganesha who would usually play with him.

Whispering eagerly—

"What does he like?"

"What should we prepare?"

"Tell us! Tell us!"

Ganesha’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

His trunk curled slightly—Hiding a smile.

He leaned in. Whispered. Softly. Carefully.

The ganas froze hearing it.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then—Their eyes lit up. Wide. Excited.

They scattered. Running in all directions.

Gathering. Preparing. Plotting. As per the Ganesha’s instructions.

Like children given a festival to organize.

While all this happening.

From the side—Kartikeya. Watched. Arms crossed.

Expression... narrowed.

"...."

He stepped closer to Ganesha. Placed a hand on his shoulder.

Suspicion clearly written on his face.

"What did you tell them?"

A pause.

Ganesha looked up. Innocent. Too innocent. As he whistled.

-Whistle!

"...."

"Something appropriate."

Ganesha didn’t give answer immediately just vague answer.

Kartikeya’s eyes narrowed further.

"...."

Because when Ganesha says "appropriate"—It rarely means calm.

Meanwhile... Nearby—Goddess Parvati

Watched everything unfold.

Her gaze—Soft. Warm.

Not worried. Not anxious. Just... happy.

Because for the first time—Her son rested in her home.

She is been waiting for this moment for years.

The scene unfolded... A boy slept peacefully.

A father watched over him. A mother smiled contentedly.

A brother suspected chaos by his little brother.

And somewhere nearby—A surprise was being prepared... by very excited ganas.

Meanwhile... Devara who was unconscious.

Before his eyes opened—In his mind... In his dream. His past did a replay like it was a movie.

Not gently. Not in fragments.

But like a relentless stream.

An orphan. Alone. Ignored by others. Judged for being orphan. The whispers about being careful when he is around. He might steal something.

The looks with disgust. Pity. Mocking. Easy to bully. Bottom of the society.

The distance people kept—As if he carried something contagious.

The Feelings... That Stayed with him no matter how he grew up in his previous life.

Pain. Jealousy. Which was reflecting when ever he sees a kid happy with their parents.

A quiet question in his mind—

’Why not me?’

Then—Darkness. A moment. A strike. Death.

At the tricks of Indra who was angered because he had opinion of him about how he took Karna’s armor.

And then—Light once again looked at him. Rebirth.

Given a second chance—By Lord Shiva

A system. A path.

A Life he was contended with. Born to Goddess Ganga. And Goddess Bhudevi

A family. A place. Even bonds—In Hastinapur.

A brother.

A life—He had finally accepted.

But now—That life—Was no longer enough to explain him.

Because now—He belonged to more

Not just them. Not just one world.

But the very pillars of existence.

The Trimurti.

Creation. Preservation. Destruction.

’Then... who am I?’

The question echoed—Without any answer.

As the dream ended. His eyes slowly opened.

Light hit him. Bright. Sharp.

Blinding for a moment—Then—Clarity.

Then it appeared. A face. Very close. Too close.

One eye open.

The other shut tight.

Examining him like—A curious creature inspecting a rare object.

"...."

A Shiva Ganas

Both him and Devara stared at each other.

For a second—Neither moved. Neither spoke.

A awkward silence appeared.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Just stared. Then—

"HE’S AWAKE!"

The shout exploded across Kailash.

Immediately. Echoing. Multiple Footsteps.

Running. Shouting.

Things dropping. Things breaking.

Excited voices overlapping—

"He woke up!"

"Finally!"

"Bring it! Bring it!"

Devara blinked. Once. Twice.

"...."

Still processing—From existential crisis... To absolute chaos around him as he looked in confusion.

*******************************

(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.

-->

Don’t forget to review guys...