The Secret of the Nagas

  ‘You are not to mention this to anyone. Is that clear?’

  Daksha remained silent.

  ‘Your Highness,’ said Bhrigu, his voice louder. ‘Is that clear?’

  ‘Yes, My Lord,’ said a scared Daksha, holding Bhrigu’s feet.

  Shiva stood at the Assi Ghat. The sails of the five gleaming Branga ships had been folded in all but one of the ships. On the ship anchored closest to port, the sails had been pulled up, creating a grand sight, much to the appreciative glances of the people present.

  ‘They look good, Divodas,’ said Shiva.

  ‘Thank you, My Lord.’

  ‘I can’t believe that your tribe built all this in just nine months.’

  ‘We Brangas can do anything, My Lord.’

  Shiva smiled.

  Athithigva, standing next to Shiva, spoke up. ‘Divodas, are you sure the ships will sail? This ship here has all its sails open and the winds are strong. And yet, it doesn’t seem to be shaking the ship at all.’

  Clearly the king did not know much about sailing.

  ‘That is a very good point, Your Highness,’ said Divodas. ‘But the ship is not moving because we don’t want it sailing off without us. The sails have been aligned such that they are directly against the wind. Can you see the main sail fluttering dramatically?’

  Athithigva nodded.

  ‘That means that the sail is laughing at us since it’s not catching any wind.’

  Shiva smiled. ‘Laughing?’

  ‘That’s the term we use when the sail has been set wrong and is fluttering, My Lord,’ said Divodas.

  ‘Well,’ said Shiva. ‘I’ll be serious then. We leave in three days for Branga. Make all the preparations.’

  Sati was staring at the Ganga from her chamber window. She could see a small entourage of boats carrying King Athithigva across the river to his palace on the eastern banks.

  Why does he keep going there? Why does he only take his family?

  ‘What are you thinking, Sati?’

  Shiva was standing behind her. She embraced him. ‘I’m going to miss you.’

  He pulled her face up, kissed her and smiled. ‘That’s not what you were thinking.’

  Sati patted him lightly on his chest. ‘You can read my mind as well?’

  ‘I wish I could.’

  ‘I wasn’t thinking anything serious. Just wondering why King Athithigva goes to the Eastern palace so often. Even more oddly, he only takes his family there.’

  ‘Yes, even I’ve noticed that. I’m sure he has some good reason. There is the superstition of the eastern banks being inauspicious, right?’

  Sati shrugged. ‘Is it fixed? You’re leaving in three days?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘How long do you think you’ll be gone?’

  ‘I don’t know. Hopefully, not too long.’

  ‘I wish I could come.’

  ‘I know. But Kartik is simply not old enough for a voyage like this.’

  Sati looked at Kartik sleeping on his bed. He had grown so fast that he didn’t fit in his crib any more. ‘He looks more and more like you.’

  Shiva smiled. ‘It’s been just six months, but he looks like a two–year–old!’

  Sati had to take Shiva’s word for it. Being a Meluhan who did not live in Maika, she had never seen a child younger than sixteen years of age.

  ‘Maybe it’s the blessings of the Somras,’ said Sati.

  ‘Possible. Ayurvati was surprised that he didn’t fall sick the first time he took the Somras.’

  ‘That was surprising. But maybe that’s simply because he is a special boy!’

  ‘That he is. I’ve never seen a baby who could walk at six months.’

  Sati smiled. ‘He will make us proud.’

  ‘I’m sure he will.’

  Sati looked up and kissed Shiva again. ‘Just find a path to the Nagas and come back to me soon.’

  ‘I certainly will, my love.’

  The ships had been provisioned. They did not intend to wait at any port along the way. Speed was of the essence.

  Much to the mortification of Parvateshwar, a joint brigade of Suryavanshis and Chandravanshis had been created. It was difficult to carry more men in the five ships. But the saving grace was that the overall command remained with Drapaku.

  Shiva looked at the ships from the steps of the Assi Ghat. Drapaku, as the commander, was on the lead craft, accompanied by his father Purvaka. The key companions of the Neelkanth were stationed on the main vessel, which would sail in the safest zone, surrounded by the other four boats. Parvateshwar, Bhagirath, Anandmayi, Ayurvati, Nandi and Veerbhadra, all stood at the balustrade of this ship. Shiva was surprised to find Uttanka too on the main ship.

  Anandmayi must have insisted. If there is one woman who can entice Parvateshwar into breaking his vow of celibacy, it is her.

  ‘My Lord,’ said Athithigva, interrupting Shiva’s thoughts.

  The King of Kashi bent down to touch the Neelkanth’s feet.

  Shiva touched Athithigva’s head gently. ‘Ayushman Bhav.’

  With folded hands, Athithigva whispered, ‘I beg you to return to Kashi quickly, My Lord. We are orphans without you.’

  ‘You don’t need me, Your Highness. You don’t really need anyone else. Have faith in the one person that loves you the most: Yourself.’

  Shiva turned towards a moist-eyed Sati, who was holding Kartik’s hand as he stood by her side, wobbling slightly due to the strong winds.

  Kartik pointed up at Shiva and said, ‘Ba-ba.’

  Shiva smiled and picked Kartik up. ‘Ba-ba will be back soon, Kartik. Don’t give your mother too much trouble.’

  Kartik pulled Shiva’s hair and repeated. ‘Ba-ba.’

  Shiva smiled even more broadly and kissed Kartik on his forehead. Then he held Kartik to his side and stepped forward to embrace Sati. Some Suryavanshi habits were too hard to break. Sati embraced Shiva lightly, for she was embarrassed of such public displays of affection. Shiva didn’t let go. Sati’s love for Shiva conquered her Suryavanshi reserve. She looked up and kissed Shiva. ‘Come back soon.’

  ‘I will.’

  Chapter 10

  The Gates of Branga

  The waters were rising fast, flooding the small boat.

  Shiva tried desperately to control the vessel, fighting the raging river with his oars, labouring to reach his friend.

  Brahaspati was struggling. Suddenly his eyes opened wide in surprise. What seemed like a rope came out of nowhere and bound itself to his legs. He started getting pulled in rapidly.

  ‘Shiva! Help! Please help me!’

  Shiva was rowing hard. Desperately so. ‘Hold on! I’m coming!’

  Suddenly a massive three headed snake rose from the river. Shiva noticed the rope around Brahaspati slithering up and around him, crushing him ruthlessly. It was the serpent!

  ‘Nooooo!’

  Shiva woke up with a start. He looked around in a daze. His brow was throbbing hard, his throat intolerably cold. Everyone was asleep. He could feel the ground beneath him sway as the ship rocked gently, in tune with the Ganga waters. He walked up to the porthole of his cabin, letting the gentle breeze slow his heart rate down.

  He curled his fist and rested it against the ship wall. ‘I will get him, Brahaspati. That snake will pay.’

  It had been two weeks since Shiva’s entourage had left Kashi. Making good time since they were sailing downriver, they had just crossed the city of Magadh.

  ‘We should be reaching Branga in another three weeks, My Lord,’ said Parvateshwar.

  Shiva, who was staring upriver, towards Kashi, turned around with a smile. ‘Did you speak to Divodas?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Where is he right now?’

  ‘At the mast head, My Lord, trimming his sails to the prevailing wind. Obviously, he too wants to get to Branga quickly.’

  Shiva looked at Parvateshwar. ‘No, I don’t think so. I think he yearns to play his role in my quest and then get back
to his wife and daughter. He really misses them.’

  ‘As you miss Sati and Kartik, My Lord.’

  Shiva smiled and nodded, both of them leaning against the ship rail, looking at the tranquil Ganga. A school of dolphins emerged from the river and flew up into the air. Falling gracefully back into the waters, they jumped up once again, continuing this handsome dance, in graceful symphony. Shiva loved looking at the dolphins. They always seemed happy and carefree. ‘Carefree fish in a capricious river! Poetic, isn’t it?’

  Parvateshwar smiled. ‘Yes, My Lord.’

  ‘Speaking of carefree and capricious, where is Anandmayi?’

  ‘I think the Princess is with Uttanka, My Lord. She keeps going to the practice room with him. Perhaps they are perfecting some other dance moves.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  Parvateshwar kept looking at the river.

  ‘She does dance well, doesn’t she?’ asked Shiva.

  ‘Yes, My Lord.’

  ‘Exceptionally well, actually.’

  ‘That would be a fair comment to make, My Lord.’

  ‘What do you think of Uttanka’s dancing skills?’

  Parvateshwar looked at Shiva and then towards the river once again. ‘I think there is scope for improvement, My Lord. But I’m sure Princess Anandmayi will teach him well.’

  Shiva smiled at Parvateshwar and shook his head. ‘Yes, I’m sure she will.’

  ‘The Neelkanth and his entourage left for Branga a month back, Your Highness,’ said the Naga Lord of the People to the Queen.

  They were sitting in her private chambers.

  ‘Good to see you focus once again. I’ll send a warning message to King Chandraketu.’

  The Naga nodded. He was about to say something more, but kept silent. Instead, he looked out of the window. From this position in Panchavati, he could see the calm Godavari river in the distance.

  ‘And?’ asked the Queen.

  ‘I’d like your permission to go to Kashi.’

  ‘Why? Do you want to open trade relations with them?’ asked the Queen, highly tickled.

  ‘She did not go with the Neelkanth.’

  The Queen stiffened.

  ‘Please, Your Highness. This is important to me.’

  ‘What do you hope to achieve, my child?’ asked the Queen. ‘This is a foolhardy quest.’

  ‘I want answers.’

  ‘What difference will that make?’

  ‘It will give me peace.’

  The Queen sighed. ‘This quest will be your downfall.’

  ‘It will complete me, Your Highness.’

  ‘You are forgetting that you have duties towards your own people.’

  ‘I first have a duty unto myself, Mausi.’

  The Queen shook her head. ‘Wait till the Rajya Sabha is over. I need you here to ensure that the motion to support the Brangas is not defeated. After that you can go.’

  The Naga bent low and touched the Queen’s feet. ‘Thank you, Mausi.’

  ‘But you will not go alone. I don’t trust you to take care of yourself. I will come with you.’

  The Naga smiled softly. ‘Thank you.’

  Shiva’s entourage was just a week’s distance from the gates of Branga. The ships had maintained a punishing schedule. Parvateshwar and Divodas had taken a clipper to the lead boat in order to confer with Drapaku about the protocol on reaching the gates. Parvateshwar made it very clear that the Lord Neelkanth did not want any bloodshed. Divodas was to complete the negotiations necessary in order to enter the restricted Branga territory. He felt it would be impossible to enter without showing the Neelkanth, for the Brangas too believed in the legend. Parvateshwar advised him to try and enter without having to resort to that.

  Divodas was left with Drapaku so they could plan the flag display as well, while Parvateshwar returned to the central vessel. He wanted to take the Lord Mahadev’s advice on how he would like the Branga border guards handled. Parvateshwar did not want to let his guard down and yet, given the delicacy of the mission, it was imperative that the Brangas did not view the five ship fleet as a threat.

  His rowers tied the cutter to the main ship and he climbed up to the aft section. He was taken aback to see Anandmayi there. She had her back to him. Six knives in her hand. The standard target board at the wall had been removed and the expert board, much smaller in size, had been hung up there. Bhagirath and Uttanka were standing a short distance away.

  Uttanka turned towards Anandmayi. ‘Remember what I’ve taught you, Princess. No breaks. A continuous shower of knives.’

  Anandmayi rolled her eyes. ‘Yeeesss Guruji. I heard you the first time. I’m not deaf.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Your Highness.’

  ‘Now stand aside.’

  Uttanka moved away.

  Parvateshwar standing at the back was dumbfounded by what he saw. Anandmayi was standing correctly. Like a trained warrior. With her feet slightly spread in a stable posture. Her right hand relaxed to her side. The left hand holding the six knives from the hilt, positioned close to her right shoulder. Her breathing, light and calm. Perfect.

  Then she raised her right hand. And in a dramatically rapid action, pulled the first knife from her left hand and threw. Almost simultaneously, she reached for the second knife and released it. And then the third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

  Anandmayi’s movements were so flawless that Parvateshwar did not even see the target. He stood there admiring her action. His mouth open in awe. Then he heard Uttanka and Bhagirath applauding. He turned towards the board. Every knife had hit dead centre. Perfect.

  ‘By the great Lord Ram!’ marvelled Parvateshwar.

  Anandmayi turned with a broad smile. ‘Parva! When did you get here?’

  Parvateshwar, meanwhile, had found something else to admire. He was staring at Anandmayi’s bare legs. Or so it seemed.

  Anandmayi shifted her weight, relaxing her hips to the side saucily. ‘See something you like, Parva?’

  Parvateshwar whispered softly, pointing with a bit of wonder at the scabbard hanging by Anandmayi’s waist. ‘That is a long sword.’

  Anandmayi’s face fell. ‘You really know how to sweep a woman back onto her feet, don’t you?’

  ‘Sorry?’ asked Parvateshwar.

  Anandmayi just shook her head.

  ‘But that is a long sword,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘When did you learn to wield that?’

  Wielding a sword that was significantly longer than a warrior’s arm length was a rare skill. Difficult to master. But those who mastered it, dramatically improved their chances of a kill.

  Bhagirath and Uttanka had now walked up close.

  Bhagirath answered, ‘Uttanka has been teaching her for the last month, General. She is a quick student.’

  Parvateshwar turned back to Anandmayi, bowed his head slightly. ‘It would be my honour to duel with you, Princess.’

  Anandmayi raised her eyebrows. ‘You want to duel with me? What the hell do you think you’re trying to prove?’

  ‘I’m not trying to prove anything, Your Highness,’ said Parvateshwar, surprised at Anandmayi’s belligerence. ‘It would just be a pleasure to duel with you and test your skills.’

  ‘Test my skills? You think that’s why I’m learning the art of warfare? So that you can test me and prove yourself superior? I already know you’re better. Don’t exert yourself.’

  Parvateshwar breathed deeply, trying to control his rising temper. ‘My lady, that’s not what I was trying to imply. I was just...’

  Anandmayi interrupted him. ‘For a sharp man, you can be remarkably stupid sometimes, General. I just don’t know what I was thinking.’

  Bhagirath tried to step in. ‘Umm listen, I don’t think there is a need to...’

  But Anandmayi had already turned and stormed off.

  The sun had just risen over the Ganga, tinting it a stunning orange. Sati was standing at her chamber window, looking down at the river. Kartik was playing in the back with Krittika. Sati turned to look at her
friend and son. She smiled.

  Krittika is almost like a second mother to Kartik. My son is so lucky.

  Sati turned back towards the river. She noticed a movement. Peering harder, she saw what was going on and frowned. Emperor Athithigva was off again to his mystery palace. Apparently, for yet another puja for the future of Kashi. She found this odd.

  The entire city of Kashi was celebrating Rakshabandhan that day. A day when each sister tied a thread on her brother’s wrist, seeking his protection in times of distress. This festival was celebrated in Meluha as well. The only difference in Swadweep was that the sisters also demanded gifts from their brothers. And the brothers had no choice but to oblige.

  Shouldn’t he be spending his time in Kashi? In Meluha, women would come to tie a rakhi to the local governor. And, it was his duty to offer protection. This had been clearly established by Lord Ram. Why is King Athithigva not following this tradition and is instead going to his other palace? And why in Lord Ram’s name is he carrying so many things? Are they part of some ritual to rid the eastern banks of bad fate? Or are they gifts?

  ‘What are you thinking, Your Highness?’

  Sati turned around to find Krittika staring at her. ‘I must find an answer to the mystery of this Eastern palace.’

  ‘But nobody is allowed in there. You know that. The king even made some strange excuses to not take the Neelkanth there.’

  ‘I know. But something is not right. And why is the King taking so many gifts there today?’

  ‘I don’t know, Your Highness.’

  Sati turned towards Krittika. ‘I’m going there.’

  Krittika stared at Sati in alarm. ‘My Lady, you cannot. There are lookouts at the palace heights. It is surrounded by walls. They will see any boat approaching.’

  ‘That’s why I intend to swim across.’

  Krittika was now in panic. The Ganga was too broad to swim across. ‘My Lady...’

  ‘I’ve been planning this for weeks, Krittika. I’ve practised many times. There’s a sand bank in the middle of the river where I can rest, unseen.’

  ‘But how will you enter the palace?’

  ‘I can hazard a guess about the structural layout from the terrace of our chamber. The Eastern palace is guarded heavily only at the entrance. I have also noticed that guards are not allowed into the main palace. There is a water drain at the far end of the palace. I can swim in through it, without leaving anyone the wiser.’