‘So when fanaticism causes rebellions born of frustration, the openness of the feminine brings a breath of fresh air.’

‘Exactly. The feminine way incorporates all differences. People of varying faiths and belief can coexist in peace. Nobody tries to enforce their own version of the truth. There is a celebration of diversity and freedom, which brings forth renewed creativity and vigour causing tremendous benefits to society. The Devas, who were followers of the feminine way, brought in all this when they defeated the Asuras. But as it happens with too much freedom, the feminine civilisations overreach into decadence, corruption and debauchery.’

‘Then the people once again welcome the order of the masculine.’

‘Yes. The feminine Deva way was in decline during Lord Ram’s times. The country was corrupt, immoral and depraved. People clamoured for order and civility. Lord Ram ushered that in as he created a new masculine way of life. Very intelligently, to prevent unnecessary rebellions, he never decried the Deva way. He just called his rule a new way of life: the Suryavanshi path.’

‘But can you really say the masculine and the feminine only exist at the level of civilisations?’ asked Shiva. ‘Doesn’t it really exist within every man and woman? Doesn’t everyone have a little bit of the Suryavanshi and a bit of the Chandravanshi within themselves? Their relative influence within the individual changing, depending upon the situations he faces?’

‘Yes, you are right. But most people have a dominant trait. Either the masculine or the feminine.’

Shiva nodded.

‘The reason why you need to know the two ways of life is because once you have discovered evil, you would have to tailor your message depending on which people you speak to. You will have to convince the Suryavanshis in one manner and the Chandravanshis in an altogether different manner in the battle against evil.’

‘Why would I need to convince them? I don’t think either the Suryavanshis or Chandravanshis lack in courage.’

‘It has nothing to do with courage, my friend. Courage is only needed once the war begins. To begin with you need to persuade the people to embark upon the war against evil. You will need to influence them to give up their attachment to evil.’

‘Attachment! To evil!’ cried a flabbergasted Shiva. ‘Why in the name of the holy lake would anyone be attached to evil?’

The Pandit smiled.

Shiva sighed. ‘Now what? What’s the explanation for stopping the conversation at this moment? I’m not ready? The time is not right?’

The Pandit laughed. ‘I can’t explain it to you right now, O Neelkanth. You would not understand. And when you discover evil, you would not need my explanation in order to understand. Jai Guru Vishwamitra. Jai Guru Vashisht.’

Chapter 4

The City Where the Supreme
Light Shines

‘Prince Surapadman?’ asked a surprised Bhagirath. ‘Here!’

‘Yes, Your Highness,’ said Siamantak, worried.

Bhagirath turned towards Shiva. The Neelkanth nodded.

The prince of Ayodhya turned towards Siamantak. ‘Let Prince Surapadman in.’

Moments later a dashing figure marched in. Tall, well-built and swarthy, Surapadman sported a handle bar moustache smoothly oiled and curled up at the edges. His well-maintained hair was long and neatly arranged under an extravagant yet tasteful crown. He wore an ochre dhoti with a white angvastram, sober for a Chandravanshi royal. There were numerous battle scars on his body, a sign of pride on any Kshatriya.

He walked straight up to Shiva, went down on his haunches and touched the Neelkanth’s feet with his head. ‘My Lord, it is an honour to finally have your presence in India.’

A surprised Shiva had the presence of mind not to step back. That could easily have been seen as an insult. He blessed Surapadman with a long life. ‘Ayushman Bhav, Prince. How did you know who I am?’

‘Divine light cannot be kept secret, My Lord,’ said Surapadman, turning towards Bhagirath with a knowing smile. ‘No matter how strong a veil one puts on it.’

Bhagirath smiled and nodded at Surapadman.

‘I heard about your brother,’ said Shiva. ‘Please accept my condolences.’

Surapadman didn’t say anything to acknowledge the commiseration. He bowed politely and changed the subject. ‘I would like to apologise to you for not receiving you with the ceremonial honour due to the long-awaited Neelkanth. But my father can be a little stubborn.’

‘That’s all right. I’ve not given anybody any reason to honour me just as yet. Why don’t we talk about what you actually came here for, Surapadman?’

‘My Lord, I suppose nothing remains a secret from you. My brother was killed a few days back while in the forest with some friends and his bodyguards. There is a belief that Ayodhya may have carried out this dastardly act.’

‘I can assure you we didn’t...,’ started Bhagirath. Surapadman stretched out his hand, requesting for silence.

‘I know that, Prince Bhagirath,’ said Surapadman. ‘I have a different theory about his murder.’

Surapadman reached into the pouch tied to his waist band and fished out a Branga gold coin. It was exactly similar to the gold coin that Shiva had recovered from the Naga Lord of the People.

‘My Lord,’ said Surapadman. ‘This is something I found near my brother’s body. I believe that you had recovered a gold coin from a Naga while you were in Ayodhya. Is this similar to that coin?’

Bhagirath stared at Surapadman with shock. He was wondering how Surapadman knew about the Neelkanth’s discovery. Rumours about Surapadman building his own spy network must be true. A network independent of the outrageously incompetent Magadh intelligence services.

Shiva took the coin from Surapadman, staring at it hard, his body taut with anger. ‘I don’t suppose that filthy rat has been caught?’

Surapadman was surprised at Shiva’s intense reaction. ‘No, My Lord, regrettably not. I fear he may have escaped into the rat hole he emerged from.’

Shiva handed the coin back to Surapadman. He was quiet.

Surapadman turned towards Bhagirath. ‘This is all the confirmation I needed, Prince. I will report to the King that my brother, Prince Ugrasen, died while valiantly defending Magadh from a Naga terrorist attack. I will also report that Ayodhya had nothing to do with this. I am sure even you don’t want a pointless war between the two pillars of the Chandravanshi confederacy. Especially not now, when we have suffered such a grievous loss to the Suryavanshis.’

The last comment was a jibe. Ayodhya had lost face amongst Chandravanshis due to its leadership in the disastrous war against the Meluhans at Dharmakhet.

‘Your words assuage a deep concern of mine, Prince Surapadman,’ said Bhagirath. ‘I assure you of Ayodhya’s friendly intentions towards Magadh. And please allow me to officially convey Ayodhya’s condolences on your brother’s untimely death.’

Surapadman nodded politely. He turned towards Shiva again with a low bow. ‘My Lord, I can see that you too have a bone to pick with the Nagas. I request you to call me to your service when the war with this particular demon is to be fought.’

Shiva looked at Surapadman with a surprised frown. The prince had not given an impression till now that he loved his brother or even sought vengeance.