Raji

Volume 1

This is the heart of our story... Ancient India.

Golu and Raji, brother and sister, had carnivals as their sweet home.

One day, before their performance, Raji took Golu aside and tied a rakhi on his hand as it was Raksha Bandhan.

Although it was a festival, they still had coins to earn. So, Raji walked on ropes while Golu told stories of ancient times when demons walked the land.

A long time ago, a demon named Mahabalasura did penance. For showing such devotion, Lord Brahma blessed him with immortality and a weapon: the mighty Trishul.

Upon receiving this mighty gift, he united the demons and formed an army, starting a war.

Bhoomi Devi urged her to stop him, but he ruthlessly killed her without a thought.

This angered Shiva, and he stomped, dividing the continents, and the demons were forever lost. But as he spoke, the sky darkened, the earth rumbled, and the demons appeared.

Raji tried to protect him, but she failed. The Mahabalasura demon took Golu away. Raji woke up and looked for her brother.

She kept looking until she came upon the statue of Ma Durga. Raji lost hope and kneeled down. Suddenly, Ma Durga emerged and told her about the threat of Mahabalasura and gave her a Trishul that granted her the power of lightning.

"She is so small," said Vishnu. Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Whenever Dharma is in danger, Vishnu comes to earth and restores Dharma.

Upon leaving the cave, she saw some demons and was able to kill them with the Trishul.

Durga saw her and told Lord Vishnu, "She has great power and great responsibility."

She kept walking for more clues.

There were paintings on the walls showing the death of the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who was granted immortality by Brahma.

Mahishasura took over heaven. Even Indra was scared of him. The gods made Durga the last hope to kill Mahishasura.

Furious, Durga stabbed Mahishasura and killed him.

The death of Mahishasura tells us that from evil comes good, and such is the balance of the world.

Raji entered the beautiful outskirts of a large city to continue her journey: the city of Jaidhar.

Volume 2

"The castle will be a tough place for her, but she will find her way. Soon the demons will regret capturing her brother," said Ma Durga.

After reaching the gates of the castle, Raji saw a dead soldier. Raji was shocked to see it, but she had to move on. She saw more dead soldiers and a cart filled with children.

Golu was in the cart. Raji ran as quickly as she could.

Raji reached downstairs, but it was too late. The cart had already gone, but Raji found another way.

"Keep going, Raji. Do not stop," said Durga.

"Civilization rises and gets destroyed, Durga. I think you have fallen in love with the people."

"What Mahabalasura did to Bhoomi Devi was ruthless. I cannot let Mahabalasura win," replied Durga.

Raji kept thinking about what they would do to the child, but she knew that the heavens were at risk.

There were paintings of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the protector and preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

Finally, she reached the place where her brother was held captive.

A demon was holding the mandala, which was the key to another world, and Golu was the key to it.

Raji rushed to stop them, but the demon and Golu were gone, and there was another big demon left there to put an end to Raji's life.

The demon was defeated by Raji, but it left marks on her.

Raji collapsed, but somebody saved her and carried her away.

As she was carried, she had visions of her dead brother and the evil Mahabalasura becoming stronger.

When she woke up, she saw a city. Time had fashioned the city, but now it was ruled by demons. She was the people's last hope, and now she was in the city of Vishnu: Hiranya Nagri.

Volume 3

Hiranya Nagri floated over water. It was made of white, green, and golden marble and had precious gems. Now it was under the control of Rangada, a child eater. As Raji entered, she saw a big peacock being chased by flying demons. As she moved, she saw a great mechanism. There were lifts that moved her. She was fascinated to see the city, as she had heard tales of it. It was the city of Vishnu, but the shadows of demons had fallen on it. She continued to walk but kept hearing the cries of the giant peacock.

There was something in the temple of Vishnu, something strong and magnificent. But the stairs to the temple were broken, and she had to find another way. There was a painting of Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, who was given immortality by Vishnu. Finally, she found another way to the temple.

The temple showed the ten avatars of Vishnu:

Matsya

Kurma

Varaha

Narasimha

Vamana

Parashurama

Rama

Krishna

Balarama

Kalki

There, she found a sword and shield that granted her the power of fire.

The demons that came were killed by her with the sword and shield.

"So, this small fly also attacks," said Rangda.

Now she had to kill Rangada and save Hiranya Nagri. Rangada was angry to see Raji killing her demons and moving freely. Raji found a big beacon. She knew she had to ignite it, and she did so. Rangada didn't seem happy after that. As Raji reached the terrace, Rangada emerged, and she was ready to fight.

"Ready yourself, Raji," said Durga.

Rangada attacked Raji with her nails. As a counter, Raji broke her nail. Rangada felt injured. Raji knew that Rangada's power remained in her nails. Slowly, Raji broke all of her nails, and Rangada and her demon army were defeated. The giant peacock landed, and a person was on its back: a messenger. He told Raji that Mahabalasura appeared with her brother in the city of Lord Shiva. Raji sat on the peacock and reached the city of Lord Shiva.

Volume 4

Raji arrived in the city of Lord Shiva and realized everything was destroyed and on fire. It was like hell. The voices of the dead disturbed her. Wherever she went, she saw dead bodies, but then she saw a giant Shivling. It was marvelous. She prayed to Lord Shiva and continued her journey. As she moved on, she saw the giant Naga, the protector of the divine land. She was angered to see the city's situation. The Naga was killing everyone, but as it saw Raji, it stopped itself, picked her up, and took her to a place.

The Naga returned to kill more demons.

Mahabalasura appeared and attacked her. She tried to protect herself, but nothing was working. She fell down, and her weapon broke.

Raji started hallucinating about her and Golu. She woke up and saw people praying around her. An old person told Raji that Mahabalasura won and took the mantra, which was the last thing to open the gates of heaven.

He continued that the power of heaven could change fate, and if Mahabalasura was able to grasp the power, he would destroy the three worlds:

Bhuloka

Antraloka

Shivloka

Raji continued her journey and reached the great Thar Desert.

Final Volume

Raji kept walking unarmed when she suddenly saw some water and went to drink it. She saw something; she saw the magnificent Sudarshan Chakra.

"A gift from Lord Shiva to me and my gift to Raji and humanity. Climb high, Raji, and defeat the menace," said Lord Vishnu.

Raji saw Mahabalasura sitting with the Trishul. "I killed Bhoomi Devi. I never felt fear, but the first time I felt it was when I saw Lord Shiva. But now, with the power of heaven which I will grasp after I drink your blood, it will be great. Humans will sing the song of sorrow when I cheat my fate of death and defeat the gods," said Mahabalasura.

"I will stop you," said Raji.

She tried to attack Mahabalasura, but he had incredible speed and power.

Raji brought Mahabalasura to his knees, but little did she know, Mahabalasura divided himself into two and overpowered Raji.

It was a mere clone of Mahabalasura. The real Mahabalasura was at the gateway of heaven, using Golu and the mantra. He opened the gates of heaven. He achieved what he wanted. Golu ran to save Raji. Golu found Raji.

On the other hand, Mahabalasura started to crumble heaven. Finally, Shiva appeared.

"Shiva, you cannot defeat me. I have the power of heaven. I fear no one," Mahabalasura said fearlessly.

The war began, but Mahabalasura's power to cheat fate was nothing against Shiva's rage.

Soon, the mighty weapon of Mahabalasura broke, and he was on his knees.

"This cannot be real. I have achieved the power of gods. The power of heaven. I shall be the one king." Before Mahabalasura could create any menace, Shiva beheaded him.

Mahabalasura was dead. Golu and Raji now live happy life.

Acknowledgement

The Power of heaven was inspired by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Made in Heaven character.