Time doesn't exist in the Brahmaloka (the realm of truth), the eternal abode of the Creator, yet an unbroken serenity reigns. Elegant rivers flow with pure sweet waters, their surfaces covered with glowing lotuses. Interestingly, this place doesn't require the sun or the moon to be illuminated; its only source of light is… well, books. More precisely, knowledge. This place has books floating around, spreading light—huge palace... ahum... archives, with more books in there. And just near the banks of a river bending away from a tree that bestows desires, there lies a gigantic lotus throne. There on that throne sits an individual with four faces. Thick white beards and moustaches on all those faces, so dense that his lips aren't visible. This individual is the ultimate source of light here - the one with the most spiritual knowledge and purity. His throne is surrounded by Siddhis (the accomplished) and Rishis (sages). This is Lord Brahma, peacefully watching the dance of the Apsaras, accompanied by the music of the Gandharvas, only for this profound peace to be shattered by an astonishing figure—a radiant, holy cow—a blue cow with large green patches that closely resemble the Earth.
She is indeed Goddess Earth, the personification of Brahma's own creation, standing before him, weeping. Accompanied by the Gods of Wind, Fire, Water, and twenty-seven others, she assumes human form, bows to the Lord and praises him while she weeps. She wears an emerald green saree with deep blue-gold embroidery and blue sapphire jewellery—the true attire of a Goddess. With her deep, light brown eyes and fair skin, this Indian woman is the most alluring figure in the room. Yet a hint of circumjacent darkness clings to her.
"O, noble lady! Don't praise me and weep at the same time! Tell me, young woman! What is it that makes the Goddess Earth weep?" speaks Brahma in fragments, his sentences jumping from one mouth to the next. "O deities!! What purpose brought you to this realm?"
"O, Four-faced one, the creator of the universe. We've come to you to ask for help! The Earth and its residents are suffering from the uprising of Demons. Even Deities and Elemental Gods are having a hard time!" replies one of the Deities.
"O Lord of Knowledge! I can't bear the weight of these monsters! People who don't uphold their Dharma (righteousness), Demons, Corrupt Deities, I can't bear them any more. I've come here to ask the Creator for help!" she pours out her cosmic agony. Brahma consoles her, saying that the Supreme will fix everything.
"It's time…" says Brahma to himself as he draws one of his four arms, and a book floating midair comes racing towards him. He recites a summoning shloka (traditional Sanskrit poetic verse), and the book opens - and projects a bright canvas of light. A mysterious weight covers the airspace.
On this canvas, a dark silhouette appears against a dark blue night sky. "History repeats itself. The time has come yet again!" says Lord Brahma as if he is trying to send a cypher. He and all the gods present bow in reverence.
"Tathastu", replies Lord Vishnu, unfazed. The canvas spirals into the book, and the book spins close. Silence lingers for a brief moment. Upon hearing the word of the Preserver, the Goddess Earth stops weeping, and her mind is filled with bliss.
"I leave everything to you, Father of the universe. Now is the right time to take my leave." With the final greetings, the Goddess vanishes from the realm. Lord Brahma ascends the throne, for he is about to leave to meet Lord Shiva.
Kailasa- the abode of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer and Transformer of the Universe. The air is filled with the fragrance of Night-flowering Jasmine and Hibiscus flowers, and the music of the Gandharvas. Lord Shiva sits wearing a tiger skin, watching the dance of the Apsaras under the eternal banyan tree, thousands of feet tall, at the banks of the celestial river Mandakini. A Crescent Moon glows on his matted hair, the beams of which spread nectar of immortality around him. King Vasuki, the great cobra, rests coiled around his neck alongside a lotus seed garland, while his hands loosely hold a Trident and a Damaru (an hourglass drum).
Once he catches the eye of Brahma, he gets up to receive him along with Goddess Parvati, his beloved wife. After Brahma offers his salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, he narrates the tragic story of Goddess Earth and her residents. Upon hearing the sufferings of their devotees, their gazes soften and grow wet.
"Do not despair, Lord. We shall restore the balance of the cosmos!" exclaims Lord Brahma, unable to endure watching his beloved friend, Shiva, weep. Brahma and Shiva venture towards Goloka - the abode of Lord Vishnu, for further discussions.
Goloka, one of Lord Vishnu's abodes —the absolute highest realm —is far away from the Brahmaloka, spanning hundreds of millions of Yojanas—a cosmic expanse equivalent to 681 light-years. Brahma and Shiva arrive here with speed as swift as thought, and soon Shiva's despair turns into bliss. Entering the inner chambers of the royal palace, they find themselves in a divine court. There on a jewelled lion-throne, sits Lord Vishnu, radiating a charm that eclipses ten million Kamadevas. With a serene, smiling face and four arms, he is attended by his companions—Sunanda, Nanda, and Kumuda. As they see this magnificent figure, Shiva and Brahma, overwhelmed by immense bliss, bow with devotion. Due to his omnipresent nature, Vishnu already knows all about what Goddess Earth and her residents are going through.
"I shall deal with the sufferings of Goddess Earth, and fulfil the curse on my beloved Radhika. I shall reincarnate in the material realm for the 8th time, this time as Krushn, and fulfil my Karma."
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