The Oath of The Vayuputras (31 page)
‘What are you thinking?’ asked Sati.
‘I’m just thinking that marrying you was the best thing I ever did.’
Sati smiled. ‘I’m not going to disagree with that. But what specifically brought that up at this time?’
Shiva ran his hand along Sati’s face. ‘Because I know that for as long as you’re with me, you will always keep me centred on the right path.’
‘So, you’ve decided to do the right thing with...’
‘Yes, I have.’
Sati nodded in satisfaction. ‘We will win, Shiva.’
‘Yes, we will. But it has to be the right way.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Sati, and quoted Lord Ram. ‘There is no wrong way to do the right thing.’
A select assembly awaited the arrival of Parvateshwar, who was to be produced in the court of Kashi during the second prahar. The Kashi nobility was represented by Athithigva alone. Shiva sat impassively, his closest advisors around him in a semi-circle: Gopal, Sati, Kali, Ganesh and Kartik. Bhagirath and Ayurvati stood at a distance. Anandmayi was missing.
Shiva nodded towards Athithigva.
Athithigva called out loudly. ‘Bring the General in.’
Parshuram, Veerbhadra and Nandi escorted Parvateshwar into the hall. The Meluhan general was unchained, keeping in mind Shiva’s explicit orders. He glanced briefly at Sati before turning to look at Shiva. The Neelkanth’s rigid face was inscrutable. Parvateshwar expected to be put to death. He knew Shiva would not have wanted to do it, but the others would have convinced him of the necessity of getting rid of the general.
Parvateshwar also knew that regardless of what happened to him, he would treat the Neelkanth with the honour that the Lord deserved. The general clicked his heels together and brought his balled right fist up to his chest. And then, completing the Meluhan military salute, he bowed low towards the Neelkanth. He did not bother with anyone else.
‘Parvateshwar,’ said Shiva.
Parvateshwar immediately looked up.
‘I do not want to drag this on for too long,’ said Shiva. ‘Your rebellion has shocked me. But it has also reinforced my conviction that we are fighting Evil and it’ll not make things easy for us. It can lead even the best amongst us astray, if not through inducements then through dubious calls of honour.’
Parvateshwar continued to stare at Shiva, waiting for the sentence.
‘But when one fights against Evil, one has to fight with Good,’ said Shiva. ‘Not just on the side of Good, but with Good in one’s heart. Therefore, I have decided to allow you to leave.’
Parvateshwar couldn’t believe his ears.
‘Go now,’ said Shiva.
Parvateshwar was only half listening. This magnificent gesture from the Neelkanth had brought tears to his eyes.
‘But let me assure you,’ continued Shiva coldly, ‘the next time we meet, it will be on a battlefield. And that will be the day I will kill you.’
Parvateshwar bowed his head once again, his eyes clouded with tears. ‘That will also be the day of my liberation, My Lord.’
Shiva stayed stoic.
Parvateshwar looked up at Shiva. ‘But for as long as I live, My Lord, I shall fight to protect Meluha.’
‘Go!’ said Shiva.
Parvateshwar smiled at Sati. She brought her hands together in a polite but expressionless Namaste. Parvateshwar mouthed the word
‘Vijayibhav’
silently, blessing his god-daughter with
victory
.
As he turned around to leave, he saw Ayurvati and Bhagirath standing by the door. He walked up to them.
‘My apologies, Parvateshwar,’ said Bhagirath.
‘I understand,’ replied Parvateshwar, impassively.
Parvateshwar looked at Ayurvati.
Ayurvati just shook her head. ‘Do you realise that you are leaving one of the most magnificent men ever born?’
‘I do,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘But I will have the good fortune of dying at his hands.’
Ayurvati breathed deeply and patted Parvateshwar on his shoulder. ‘I will miss you, my friend.’
‘I will miss you too.’
Parvateshwar scanned the room quickly. ‘Where’s Anandmayi?’
‘She’s waiting for you at the port,’ said Bhagirath, ‘beside the ship that will take you away.’
Parvateshwar nodded. He looked back one last time at Shiva and then walked out.
The harbour master came up to him just as Parvateshwar reached the Assi Ghat. ‘General, your ship is berthed in that direction.’
He began walking in the direction indicated. Parvateshwar saw Anandmayi by the gangplank of a small vessel, obviously a merchant ship.
‘Did you know that I would be allowed to leave honourably?’ asked a smiling Parvateshwar as soon he reached her.
‘When they told me this morning to arrange a ship to sail up the Ganga,’ said Anandmayi, ‘I could surmise it was not to carry your corpse all the way to Meluha and display it to the Suryavanshis.’
Parvateshwar laughed.
‘Also, I never lost faith in the Neelkanth,’ said Anandmayi.
‘Yes,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘He’s the finest man born since Lord Ram.’
Anandmayi looked at the ship. ‘It’s not much, I admit. It will not be comfortable, but it’s quick.’
Parvateshwar suddenly stepped forward and embraced Anandmayi. It took a surprised Anandmayi a moment to respond. Parvateshwar was not a man given to public displays of affection. She knew that it was deeply uncomfortable for him so she never tried to embrace him in public.
Anandmayi smiled warmly and caressed his back. ‘It’s all over now.’
Parvateshwar pulled back a little, but kept his arms around his wife. ‘I will miss you.’
‘Miss me?’ asked Anandmayi.
‘You have been the best thing that ever happened to me,’ said an emotional Parvateshwar, tears in his eyes.
Anandmayi raised her eyebrows and laughed. ‘And I will continue to happen to you. Let’s go.’
‘Let’s go?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where?’
‘Meluha.’
‘You’re coming to Meluha?’
‘Yes.’
Parvateshwar stepped back. ‘Anandmayi, the path ahead is dangerous. I honestly don’t think that Meluha can win.’
‘So?’
‘I cannot permit you to put your life in danger.’
‘Did I seek your permission?’
‘Anandmayi, you cannot...’
Parvateshwar stopped speaking as Anandmayi held his hand, turned around and started walking up the gangplank. Parvateshwar followed quietly with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes.
‘I have a brilliant plan,’ said Daksha.
Daksha and Veerini were dining at the royal palace in Devagiri. A wary Veerini put the morsel of roti and vegetables back on her plate. She stole a quick glance towards the attendants standing guard at the door.
‘What plan?’ asked Veerini.
‘Believe me,’ said an excited Daksha. ‘If we can implement it, the war will be over even before it has begun.’
‘But, Lord Bhrigu...’
‘Even Lord Bhrigu would be impressed. We will be rid of the Neelkanth problem once and for all.’
‘Wasn’t it the Neelkanth
opportunity
some years ago?’ asked a sarcastic Veerini.
‘Don’t you understand what is happening?’ asked an irritated Daksha. ‘Do I have to explain everything to you? War is about to break out. Our soldiers are training continuously.’
‘Yes, I’m aware of that. But I think we should keep out of this and leave the matter entirely to Lord Bhrigu.’
‘Why? Lord Bhrigu is not the Emperor of India. I am.’
‘Have you told Lord Bhrigu that?’
‘Don’t irritate me, Veerini. If you’re not interested in what I have to say, just say so.’
‘I’m sorry. But I think it’s better to leave all the decision-making to Lord Bhrigu. All we should be concerned about is our family.’
‘There you go again!’ said Daksha, raising his voice. ‘Family! Family! Family! Don’t you care about how the world will see me? How history will judge me?’
‘Even the greatest of men cannot dictate how posterity will judge them.’
Daksha pushed his plate away, shouting, ‘You are the source of all my problems! It is because of you that I haven’t been able to achieve all that I could have!’
Veerini looked at the attendants and turned back towards her husband. ‘Keep your voice down, Daksha. Don’t make a mockery of our marriage.’
‘Ha! This marriage has been a mockery from the very the beginning! Had I a more supportive wife, I would have conquered the world by now!’
Daksha got up angrily and stormed out.
‘This is a huge mistake,’ said Kali. ‘In his obsession for the right way, your father may end up losing the war.’
Ganesh and Kartik were in her chamber in the Kashi palace.
‘I disagree,
mausi
,’ said Kartik. ‘I think
baba
did the right thing. We have to win, but we must do it the right way.’
‘I thought you were in agreement with us,’ said a frowning Kali.
‘I was. But
maa’s
words convinced me otherwise.’
‘In any case,
mausi
,’ said Ganesh. ‘It has happened. Let us not fret over it. We should focus on the war instead.’
‘Do we have a choice?’ asked Kali.
‘
Baba
told me that I will lead the war effort in Ayodhya,’ said Ganesh. ‘Kartik, you will be with me.’
‘We’ll destroy them,
dada
,’ said Kartik, raising his clenched right fist.
‘That we will,’ said Ganesh. ‘
Mausi
, are you sure about Lothal and Maika?’
‘I’ve already asked Suparna to send ambassadors to Governor Chenardhwaj,’ said Kali. ‘Trust me, he is a friend.’