The citizens of Mrittikavati continued to be engrossed in his speech.

‘I did try to stop this peacefully. I sent out a notice to every city, in every kingdom, all across this fair land of our India. But in Meluha, my message was replaced by another put up by your Emperor, stating that it wasn’t I who banned the Somras, but some fraud Neelkanth.’

Nandi could sense the tide turning.

‘Your Emperor lied to you!’

There was pin-drop silence.

‘Emperor Daksha occupies the position that was Lord Ram’s more than a thousand years ago. He represents the legacy of the great seventh Vishnu. He is supposed to be your Protector. And he lied to you.’

Parshuram looked at Shiva with reverence. He had swayed the Meluhans firmly to his side.

‘As if that wasn’t enough, he sent his army to drive a wedge between you and me. But I know that nothing can tear us apart; I know that you will listen to me. For I am fighting for Meluha. I am fighting for the future of your children!’

A collective wave of understanding swept through the crowd; the Neelkanth was fighting for them, not against them.

‘You have heard myths about the tribe of Vasudev, left behind by our great lord, Shri Ram. Well, the legendary tribe does exist, the ones who carry the legacy of Lord Ram. And they are with me, sharing my mission. They also want to save India from the Somras.’

Almost every Meluhan was familiar with the fable of the Vasudevs, the tribe of Lord Ram himself. Now knowing that they not only existed in flesh and blood, but were with the Neelkanth as well, drove the issue beyond debate in their minds.

‘I am going to save Meluha! I’m going to stop the Somras!’ roared Shiva. ‘Who is with me?’

‘I am!’ screamed Nandi.

‘I am!’ shouted every citizen of Mrittikavati.

‘I love Meluha more than the Somras,’ said Shiva, ‘so I put up a proclamation banning the Somras. Your Emperor loves the Somras more than Meluha, so he decided to oppose me. Whose side are you on? Meluha or the Somras?’

‘Meluha!’

‘Then what do we do with the army that fights for your Emperor; that fights for the Somras?’

‘Kill them!’

‘Kill them?’

‘Yes!’

‘No!’ shouted Shiva.

The people fell silent, dumbfounded.

‘Your army was only following orders. They have surrendered. It would be against the principles of Lord Ram to kill prisoners of war. So once again, what should we do with them?’

The audience remained quiet.

‘I want the soldiers to be imprisoned in Mrittikavati,’ said Shiva. ‘I want you to ensure that they do not escape. If they do, they will follow your Emperor’s orders and fight me again. Will you keep them captive in your city?’

‘Yes!’

‘Will you ensure that not one of them escapes?’

‘Yes!’

Shiva allowed a smile to escape. ‘I see gods standing before me. Gods who are willing to fight Evil! Gods who are willing to give up their attachment to Evil!’

The citizens of Mrittikavati absorbed the praise from their Neelkanth.

Shiva raised his balled fist high in the air. ‘Har Har Mahadev!’

‘Har Har Mahadev!’ roared the people.

Nandi, Veerbhadra and Parshuram raised their hands and repeated the stirring cry of those loyal to the Neelkanth. ‘Har Har Mahadev!’

‘Har Har Mahadev!’

The governor’s palace in Mrittikavati had been modified to serve as a prison for the surviving soldiers of the Meluhan army. Shiva’s troops escorted the prisoners into the make-shift prison in small batches. Shiva, Kali, Sati, Gopal and Chenardhwaj were standing at a small distance from the entrance when Vidyunmali was led in. He tried to break free and lunge at Shiva. A soldier kicked Vidyunmali hard and tried to push him back in line.

‘It’s all right,’ said Shiva. ‘Let him approach.’

Vidyunmali was allowed to walk past the bamboo shields held by the soldiers, and move towards Shiva.

‘You were doing your duty, Vidyunmali,’ said Shiva. ‘You were only following orders. I have nothing against you. But you will have to stay imprisoned till the Somras has been removed. Then you will be free to do whatever it is that you want to do.’

Vidyunmali stared at Shiva with barely concealed disgust. ‘You were a barbarian when we found you and you are still a barbarian. We Meluhans don’t take orders from barbarians!’

Chenardhwaj drew his sword. ‘Speak with respect to the Neelkanth.’

Vidyunmali spat at the governor of Lothal-Maika. ‘I don’t speak to traitors!’

Kali drew her knife out, moving towards Vidyunmali. ‘Perhaps you shouldn’t speak at all...’

‘Kali...’ whispered Shiva, before turning towards Vidyunmali. ‘I have no enmity with your country. I tried to achieve my purpose with peace. I had sent out a clear proclamation asking all of you to stop using the Somras, but...’

‘We are a sovereign country! We will decide what we can and cannot use.’

‘Not when it comes to Evil. When it comes to the Somras, you will do what is in the interest of the people and the future of Meluha.’

‘Who are you to tell us what is in our interest?’

Shiva had had enough. He waved his hand dismissively. ‘Take him away.’

Nandi and Veerbhadra immediately dragged a kicking Vidyunmali towards the make-shift prison.

‘You will lose, you fraud,’ screamed Vidyunmali. ‘Meluha will not fall!’

‘Shiva, I’d like you to meet someone,’ said Brahaspati.

Brahaspati had just walked into Shiva’s private chamber in the Mrittikavati official guesthouse, accompanied by a Brahmin. Sati, Gopal and Kali were with the Neelkanth.

‘Do you remember Panini?’ asked Brahaspati. ‘He was my assistant at Mount Mandar.’

‘Of course I do,’ said Shiva, before turning to Panini. ‘How are you, Panini?’

‘I am well, great Neelkanth.’

‘Shiva,’ said Brahaspati, ‘I found Panini in Mrittikavati, leading a scientific project being conducted at the Saraswati delta. He has asked me if he can join us in our battle against the Somras.’

Shiva frowned, wondering why Brahaspati was disturbing him with such an inconsequential request at this time. ‘Brahaspati, he was your assistant. I completely trust your judgement. You don’t have to check with me about...’

‘He has some news that may be useful,’ interrupted Brahaspati.

‘What is it, Panini?’ asked Shiva politely.

‘My Lord,’ said Panini. ‘I was recruited by Maharishi Bhrigu for some secret work at Mount Mandar.’

Shiva’s interest was immediately piqued. ‘I thought the Somras factory at Mount Mandar has not been rebuilt as yet.’

‘My mission had nothing to do with the Somras, My Lord. I was asked to lead a small team of Meluhan scientists personally chosen by the Maharishi to make daivi astras from materials that he had provided.’

‘What? Was it you who made the daivi astras?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did the Vayuputras come and help you?’

‘We were trained by Maharishi Bhrigu himself on how to make them from the core material that he provided us. I do know a bit about the technology of daivi astras, but not enough to make any usable weapons. Perhaps I was selected because even my little knowledge is more than most.’