“Tilism Dev,” a fantastic story from Raj Comics, blends ancient (mythological) tales with fantasy to deliver an exciting narrative. Priced at just 6 rupees, this comic, issue number 253, is part of the “Tilism Dev Series.” Written by Tarun Kumar Wahi, illustrated brilliantly by Kadam Studio, and edited by Manishchandra Gupta, it brings back the classic, powerful style of Raj Comics.
The story begins in Shatulya Nagari, where King Shatulya Dev is performing intense penance to Lord Vishnu, yearning for a child. He continuously chants, “Om Vishnu… Om Vishnu…” Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu appears and says, “Ask for the boon you desire.” The king requests the joy of having children and an end to his sorrows.
Lord Vishnu blesses him, saying Queen Devika will give birth to two children, one of whom will be a girl. However, he adds a crucial condition: “If anyone marries that girl against her will, they will not survive.” This sets the stage for future twists and tension. With that, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi vanish.
Overjoyed, the king believes the queen will be thrilled by this news. Upon returning to the palace, he eagerly shares it with her. But as soon as she hears it, the queen suddenly faints, causing chaos in the palace—everyone panics, wondering what’s wrong.
Soon, the royal physician arrives, examines the queen, and announces, “The queen is pregnant!” He congratulates the king, whose happiness knows no bounds.
With the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, Queen Devika gives birth to a daughter and a son. King Shatulya Dev is overjoyed. The daughter is named “Mahak,” and the son is named “Shatbali.”
Prince Shatbali is sent to a gurukul for education, where he is under the guidance of none other than Adi Guru Shankaracharya. There, he learns archery, and his teachers encourage him, saying, “Well done, Shatbali! Shoot even better arrows!”
Meanwhile, Princess Mahak grows up among the palace maids. As she matures, her beauty blossoms. Her stunning appearance leaves even the maids in awe, exclaiming, “Oh! Even Indra’s apsaras would pale in comparison to you, Princess Mahak… they’d burn with jealousy!” Mahak, laughing, brushes it off, saying, “Oh, stop it! Don’t tease me!”
Gradually, tales of her beauty spread in all directions. Kings, emperors, and princes—everyone becomes enchanted by her name.
The story now takes a turn toward Naglok, the realm of serpents, ruled by King Nagdev, who is immensely proud of his strength. He single-handedly defeats multiple serpents and laughs, saying, “Hahaha! Even all of you together couldn’t harm me!” Addressing another serpent, Vasuki, he boasts, “See, Vasuki? The entire Naglok couldn’t touch me!”
Nagdev has seven wives, each so beautiful that they seem to outshine beauty itself. Gazing at them, he says, “Oh! How fortunate I am… there’s no beauty like yours in all three realms.” His wives flatter him in return, “You look even more handsome than Kamdev himself!”
Sage Narad overhears this, a faint smile crossing his face. He thinks to himself, “It seems Nagdev is overly proud of his strength and his queens’ beauty… perhaps it’s time to address this arrogance!”
The next moment, Narad appears before Nagdev. The king bows respectfully and says, “Your presence in Naglok is our great fortune. Please bless me and my wives.”
Smiling, Narad asks, “So, Nagdev, are you certain your queens are the most beautiful?” With pride, Nagdev replies, “Not just in Naglok, but in all three realms, none can compare!”
Narad, still smiling, says, “Have you ever seen Princess Mahak of Shatulya Nagari? Her swayamvar is tomorrow… go see for yourself.”
Nagdev immediately decides to attend the swayamvar. The next day, a massive serpent emerges from Naglok’s anthill and transforms into human form—it’s Nagdev, heading to Shatulya Nagari.
He makes a vow to himself: “If the swayamvar’s bride is more beautiful than my queens, she will become my bride!”
Meanwhile, preparations are underway at the palace. Princess Mahak is adorned for the swayamvar, and the assembly is filled with kings and princes from far and wide, eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Tarun Kumar Wahi has crafted a gripping fantasy tale in this comic, blending gods, serpents, a beautiful princess, and an arrogant serpent king—everything you’d expect from a Raj Comics classic.
The story kicks off with a king’s longing for children, leading him to seek a boon from Lord Vishnu through intense penance. It then builds up to Princess Mahak’s swayamvar, where a divine condition looms large: “If anyone marries her against her will, they will not survive.” This sets the stage for suspense and conflict.
Meanwhile, Nagdev, brimming with pride over his strength and his seven stunning queens, heads to see Mahak, determined to prove no one outshines his wives. But who will triumph in this clash? You’ll need to read on to find out.
Character Highlights
- King Shatulya Dev: A righteous and noble king, overjoyed by his wife’s pregnancy after his prayers for children are answered.
- Queen Devika: Appears briefly but plays a pivotal role, sparking the story’s momentum with her pregnancy.
- Princess Mahak: The heart of the story—beautiful, charming, and playful, brushing off maids’ praises. Her beauty, however, is set to ignite the coming conflict.
- Prince Shatbali: Mahak’s brother, training in archery at a gurukul under Shankaracharya. Though young, his role promises to grow.
- Nagdev: A formidable, arrogant, and cunning character, proud of his power and his queens’ beauty. The story is poised to humble him.
- Sage Narad: As always, Narad stirs the pot, setting out to shatter Nagdev’s pride and steering the tale in a new direction.
Art and Colors
Kadam Studio’s artwork is quintessential Raj Comics—vibrant, dynamic, and distinctly desi. The expressions of the king’s excitement, the queen’s shock, Mahak’s innocence, and Nagdev’s arrogance are spot-on. Lord Vishnu’s appearance, Naglok’s grandeur, and the gurukul’s ambiance are depicted with flair. Every scene, from the palace to the jungle to Naglok, is richly detailed, capturing the essence of each setting.
Overall
“Tilism Dev” transports longtime Raj Comics fans back to a world of desi supernatural and mythological charm. Priced at just ₹6, issue 253 feels as fresh today as it did in its era. The story carries a powerful message—when a god decrees that a girl’s consent in marriage is paramount, it resonates as a modern, timeless value.
