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7/28/2019 Indian Chronicles- A Story by ashwinshekhar
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Indian Chronicles- The Kailashanath Diamond
A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Written By Ashwin T Shekhar
1
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Indian Chronicles- The Kailashanath Diamond
A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Written By Ashwin T Shekhar
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Indian Chronicles- The Kailashanath Diamond
A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Written By Ashwin T Shekhar
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Chapter I
It is not every day that you confront a great five feet long snake in the
principals office. But, there we go, all that would definitely happen to Gaurav.
It all started with the school organising a field trip to the Marina Beach for
swimming practice. Gaurav was sick of listening to the same words from the
principal, Mr.Nagraj, stating the terrible state of the school in sports and
athletics. He was really desperate; to send off a whole terrible lot to the Marina
is no small feat, of course.
Once they reached the Beach Road, the students at the back seat howled and
hooted with glee. Gaurav got down with his best friend, Kamal and then came
another bus. This bus had The BLUEBELLS HIGH on the side. Down came
two girls, chatting away their time and laughing. Behind came another two girls,who looked like they were amidst a deep discussion. Then a set of boys poured
out, with one of them reading a paperback novel. He was stern, and his side-
parted black hair made him look likewell, like someone who loves books and
hates disobedience.
Hey, Ashwin, cant you ever leave your novel alone? asked a boy in front.
He did not reply, much too engrossed to talk.
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A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Written By Ashwin T Shekhar
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Um, Gaurav, would you please follow the line, or risk staying back, dear?
asked Mrs. Mehta, their Geography teacher. She did not leave any opportunity
to show the class how the beach was formed and explain about the waves and
tides and the breeze and whatnot.
Kamal dragged him along so that theyd not leave their class. Gaurav hated the
sea. How much ever the teachers forced him, he could not help being
hydrophobic. So, the swimming teacher told them to change, and once they
came back, they headed out to a safe part of the coast.
Students, we have to understand the proper techniques of swimming. It is
essential that you hold yourself properly and make sure that you dont forget the
posture. So let us practice the most essential... said the swimming teacher, but
Gauravs mind had already drifted off. He saw the BLUEBELLS HIGH group
heading towards the lighthouse. He had no control over himself. He slipped
away.
He saw that the boy, Ashwin, had finally stuffed his novel away. He now had a
notepad and a pencil in his hands and intently, he was making notes. The other
girls, the chatting ones had stopped chatting but they were discussing something
and giggling. He heard a few words, Nandita!!; Hey, its not my fault, Swati!
The shorter one, with very dark brown hair, was gazing at the southern horizon,
and she looked at the sea lovingly like it was her life force. The taller one poked
her, her brown eyes twinkling golden in the sunlight.
What,Nandita? asked the shorter one.
To remind you that we are here for half an hour not a lifetime, saidNandita.
Swati and Nandita, will you ever stop chatting? asked Ashwin from behind.
And dont you guess that youre being watched? he said, gazing exactly where
Gaurav stood.
What? asked Swati. She looked behind to find Gaurav looking at them. He felt
himself pressing the urge to run away. Ashwin seemed to have spotted that.
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Hey, dont worry. I do hate spies, but you dont look like one. I just thought
you were purposefully observing these two, he said.
Gaurav must have been taken aback, but he said nothing.
My name is Gaurav, and I am from Class 7,he said.
O course you are! said a voice behind them. Gaurav turned back to see Kamal
in his favourite pink shirt and gentle smile.
So now you are another character from the Redwood School? asked Ashwin.
Yet again, this reasoning ability shocked Gaurav and Kamal.
How did you find out? I mean, are we wearing our uniform? asked Kamal.
Big surprise. I saw another school bus standing next to ours. I noticed the
name, thats all, said Ashwin.
Think we have to go, said Kamal.
Both Gaurav and Kamal rushed off to see their school leaving. They got onto
their bus at the last second.
After the trip, there were a few more lessons to endure. There was Mathematics,
which did not go well. Especially when Gaurav messed up the value of pi and
somehow got the answer in Greek letters, like around alpha and scribbled stuff
all over the notebook.
End of the day was Value Education, and Gaurav forgot his textbook.
That is the tenth time you have not brought your book, Gaurav! Go to the
principals office, now! roared Mr.Gupta.
One thing about Nagrajs office was that it always smelled wet and evil, the
kind of principal personality you dont wish for.
So, as Gaurav entered the room he confronted his principal storming over a rat.
Yes, it was a dead rat.
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Hello, Gaurav. I have been waiting for your entransss. I hope you r parentsss
will believe me that you are dead indeed. Sorry for being your teacher, child! I
have been waiting for too LONG! With the last word, he turned into a huge
five feet long snake in a sickly shade of mauve with a huge rasping voice.
He lunged.
Gaurav just had one thing. He wanted to call out for help, but his moment of
shock overpowered him. Suddenly, Nagraj turned into a huge wisp of purplesmoke. Tum hisaab chukaoge, Gaurav!!! said the same voice before
disappearing.
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A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
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Chapter II
Usually, Ashwin would have wanted to stay right there at the lighthouse for a
while to observe the excellent use of logic on the top, but well, maybe he could
use the time to read his novel. This novel was no ordinary novel, a great story,and an absorbing one too. It didnt matter to him all the name-callings and
matter which could just be ignored.
Just then, Swati and Nandita came towards him. Probably they had an
argument, he thought.
Swati is immersedin the world of books. But I am not. Tell me, how to exactly
select the trial method among the principle of Pythagoras? askedNandita.
No, I am not. I have to get marks, dont I? Tell me too.
You can do it this way. Select the smallest square to the next set of numbers
and L-divide it, simple. Anyway, I know you came here to talk about that spy
boy, right? he asked.
Bingo! said Jasnoor from behind. She was sitting with Madhumita, who
seemed to be sleepy. They were talking about something. Parvati approached
Ashwin, too, but with a different question.
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I want to know whether you go for any extra tuition, she declared.
No, I dont. Ashwin replied.
Then tell me how do you get good marks? enquired Madhumita.
All will be learnt in due course, said an unknown person, a parent.
They got down from the bus and approached their school. Ashwin liked this
building. He, of course, like Swati, loved books, but he had a different feelingabout this place, almost like home. Students were running about here and there.
There was perfect commotion around. Yet, he felt some kind of connection with
this place.
I want six of you- Nandita, Swati, you, Parvati, Jasnoor and Madhumita to
come with me, said the parent.
Weird, Ashwin thought. A parent asks them to come for a ride with him?
Suspicious and question arising. That reminded him. Questions-asking session.
Sir, who are you, exactly? What do you want?
My dear, just call all of them. Special orders cannot be ignored, he replied.
So he called all of them. The car of the parent set out towards north.
Sir, we dont have to go north, do we? Thats out of city, said the driver.
The parent muttered something about meanwhile and then continued givingdirections. They reached a huge campus of school outside town. Redwood
School had arrived. Two people were waiting outside. Ashwin did a double-
take. It was Kamal and Gaurav.
Sorry were late. Get in and keep quiet, said the parent.
The car veered off towards east till they raced through the outskirts of Chennai.
They arrived at a small port village.
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North of here is Ishwar Academy. Please keep quiet when you reach there. And
of course, by the looks of it, Mr.Ashwin, youre in altar four. And perhaps
Madhumita is in altar three. I dont know. The Ishwar will only claim your
adoption, he said.
Adoption? Excuse me, sir, we have parents. So if this orphanage is to take us,
say no,boomed Ashwin.
Dear me, mumbled the parent. My dear child, I am Narada, the messenger ofthe lords. Do not say something like that.
The car trembled. They were now in a huge temple complex around a huge lake;
something that cannot be found on Google Maps. With that, they saw, that the
whole temple spread out over altars. Not normal ones, but huge altars with
marvellous colouring.
As they passed the gates, Ashwins face began to illuminate, and a Nandita
appeared over his head and a book fell on his hand from nowhere.
Behold, Ashwin, the son of almighty Saraswati, goddess of wisdom,
knowledge and arts. Please accept Mas offering. SaraswatiNamasthubyam.
Ashwin took the book. It was named Hamare Sanskaarva Icchaen
That was in Hindi. Understandable it was.
And then, the sky rumbled, and Nanditas head glowed a reddish hue. Then, a
silver trident appeared above her head.
Behold, my godliness, Nandita, the almighty daughter of Shiva, the great
destroyerof evil and the perfection expert. Om Nama Shivaya.
They entered the city complex and the parent, actually Narada, led them
towards a huge complex. The Sabha, it was called. It was full of mats on the
floor and people talking. They entered.
Nandita, and Ashwin, please go to your respective altars. Ashwin, as I saidbefore, go to that white altar up there, near the Pustakalaya. And Nandita, you
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must go to altar one, the huge altar with three stripes and a red eye, go. Narada
said so, and started in the general direction of the setting sun.
The others were left. They felt really nervous.
Ashwin followed Narada to the main complex, and through a confusing set of
signs in Sanskrit, one sign said: Vidya Ma Viman. That one felt right, so he
followed that path. It was marvellous. The altar was huge: in white and with
enormous bookcases inside, and lots of worktables and beds where you couldread. It was just Ashwins kind of place to live in.
Svagatam. Dear me, welcome to the Vidya Ma Viman that is the Saraswati
Altar, thats what we call it anyway. You will excel if Ma wishes you luck. You
have a great future ahead. Good bye, dear boy.Krupya agya devam.He said so
and rushed off towards a huge temple.
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Chapter III
Nandita was faint with surprise. God! (Correction: gods!) Lord Shiva had
accepted her in! Just like that! A trident appeared over her head, and voila!
Nandita, the daughter of Shiva is referred to as Her Godliness. But her friends,
they were blank, left out, knowing nothing about their godly parent.
Why had Lord Shiva claimed her, anyway? Why was she supposed to be his
daughter? All these questions confused her, but she had no room for more, as
she approached the grand Altar One, a huge dome protruding from a small
sanctorum, with a Shivalinga, and of course, the whole outer colour was deep
blue and three stripes of white were there above.
There also was a red eye, glaring at them, as though it had been forced there.
And it was really scary to look at. Chants ofOm Nama Shivaya were coming
from the sanctorum, though Nandita never saw any living soul inside.
Svagatam. Welcome to Lord Shivas abode for ardha-ishwaras. Half- gods in
your language, I suppose. You and I, sadly, are the only ones part of this huge
cabin, and sadly enough, my sister, Jyoti, is missing, or perhaps dead from the
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deadly quest ourdearNarada had given her. Who can survive Naraka? asked a
boy, fourteen years or so, with such bitterness, that Nandita almost felt pity.
Sorry, but I dont know who you are, and what you do. Please, tell me who this
Naraka is, and perhaps I could help you.Nandita said.
The boy looked stunned, as though he had not even realized that Nandita was
there, and suddenly became aware of that fact. He shrugged and then started
telling, So, welcome to our heavenly abode for Lord Shivas favourite children.I am one of those, so are you. Let me show you around, he pointed at a huge
Shivalinga in front, this, the most prized treasure of our institute, is the
Mahalinga. You must see that this radiates such immense power that the bhoot,
prt, pisach and danav dont enter our premises. But, only our people can
control it. We are the only ones who can make the Shivalinga work for the
camp. So, I hope you do help me.
They followed a thin staircase lined with flaming fire brackets and entered a
huge room with the walls full of candles. Glowing chandeliers and beautiful
golden spheres filled the room. There were sofas and couches spiked on the east
side, with a merry fire burning on the west. It was written, Danavo Bhagatam
Shivam.Loosely translated, it must have meant, all demons must fear Shiva.
There were two doors, one for Mahilaand the other for the Purush.
From here, I cannot guide you. So, please go front, and explore our great altar.
Oh and just come back by five oclock, just to come to the Bhojanalaya on
time, he said and rushed off.
And so the time came. Nandita rushed off to the main hall, that is, The Sabha, to
see a huge set of people gathered around a yagna, or a fire, and she recognized
four of them- Madhumita, Parvati, Swati and Jasnoor.
Sa Vachan, give me your wish, Lords of Kailash and Sagar. Give me the
ability, Narayana, to determine the fates of these people. What should I do?
Narada was saying this in pure Sanskrit, but Nandita somehow understood.
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What is he doing? askedNandita. And where is Gaurav?
There is always a sacrifice ceremony. If one of these four are not suitable for
the gods choices, and they have found out about this, the memory wil l be
erased and cleaned forever, said the boy.
WHAT?! exclaimedNandita.
Narada had started using his rites and rituals. He stood up straight and muttered
mantras, waiting for the Lords to inform them about the decision.
The breeze grew stronger. The water in the pond rose higher. The fire danced
and roared upwards. The sky rumbled, and the Nandita started playing itself.
Then, from nowhere, appeared six figures- the forms of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva,
Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. These were just images, but it sure looked like
the gods had changed a lot over the ages. Vishnu wore a delicately woven kurta
in blue colour with actual fishes swimming in it.
Brahma wore a nice velvet violet suit and had well-groomed silver hair. But
worst of all for Nandita was to see Lord Shiva, her newly acclaimed father. He
wore a nice full-sleeve red shirt, and the symbol of a tiger was present in his
pleated pants. He looked like a normal person who, like Shiva, enjoyed
controlled lives. Saraswati wore a white skirt and top and had a novel- Great
Expectations in her hand along with her aeon oldNandita.
Lakshmi was more modern. She wore a green top and a pink dupatta, and also a
beautiful sea-blue pyjama. Parvati aka Durga wore a nice sari in red with gold
border. This was how the gods looked now.
My gods, how do you think of these children? Are they any help to you? asked
Narada.
Narada, I strongly objected to this method of memory erasing in the council
years ago. You refuse. But if you have read our laws carefully enough, there is a
statement that if we gods claim our adoptions after a particular championship orcontest, you cannot kill the children, said Saraswati.
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Right. So this godly contest must be held on...?
...on Chaitras first day. And that is tomorrow, said Brahma.
Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam!all the students exclaimed.
Chapter IV
Swati had never experienced a colder night than this, of course. She was
abandoned for doing nothing, a child of nobody, and her friend Nandita had
flown away to Shivas Altar. This competition, of course, was not her game.
She knew nothing of what the temple complex offered in the library; about
Chakra Aiming and whatnot.
Swati was hopeless at Talwaar Vaarand no better at other things. And she wasjealous of Nandita for her excellence in YogMukta, their complexs toughest
endurance test.
And there was Ashwin, of course, getting time to be in the library and to have
Vedanta and Ayurveda and Sanskrit classes to enjoy in.
She felt equal to Jasnoor and Madhumita, and of course, not Parvati. Parvatis
mother must be Parvati. She thought and thought, and felt sore not able to
comprehend why Parvati had not been claimed. And she did not want to think.
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She often would say in desperation to Jasnoor, Nandita means Saraswati in
Sanskrit, then why in worldwould she be the daughterof Shiva?
Moreover, the campus seemed to be poisonous to the four of them. Everyone
mostly avoided them, like they were a cluster of seaweed left in the bottom of
the nearby Shrishti Lake, a tribute to Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Swati acquired just one power which she wasnt too happy aboutspeaking to
animals. She discovered it when she was pondering over possibilities of herbrain being infiltrated and destroyed by the gods themselves, under a banyan
tree.
She saw a cute little squirrel approaching her. She saw it and said grumpily, Hi
there, squeaky. How are you?
And, the squirrel spoke to her.
Hi madam. My name is Pip, and I am the chieftain of all squirrels in north
branch sector. I came to ask you about a major crisis in Road A-5, Nutshell
Avenue. Tell me where to get an ah-corn? it said.
Swati got one from the kitchens and gave the animal, and it happily hopped
away.
So, that was all she had: the power of talking to animals. Nothing else, only that
was her power.
The horns and shankh blared and she scuttled away to the podium. She had todo something.
Then she saw the Chakra and understood. She was born to use that thing. It was
round and shaped like a metal ball. They were divided, with Madhumita getting
magic talent show as a challenge, Jasnoor getting cooking, sewing and treasure
hunting in one hour, and Swati getting Chakra throwing. Parvati was about to
get her task, but the head of Mahishasura severed appeared above her head.
Behold, Almighty Durga has claimed you, my child! shouted Narada.
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So, that was end of one contestant. Selected before even getting her task. Now
Swati has three more to defeat.
In one hour, Swati had to throw fifty chakras in the water with a small stretch
of land. The land must be targeted every single time. If not successful, she
would be thrown out.
Narada counted down to ten and blew the conch horn. The task had started.
Chapter V
Jasnoor felt awkward for being have set this task. It was too tough for her,
mostly because she wasnt a great cook. Even if she managed to cook
something good at all, it would take supposedly a few days for her to master
that technique. She was not good at sewing, too, and not to mention her
clumsiness in knitting two strings of yarn in an hour.
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She could simply not finish searching for a treasure; that too underground. She
felt her memory ebbing away from her already. What was she supposed to do?
She could just do what she was told to. She checked her ingredients on the
table: a few loaves of bread, some butter, cheese slices and a small tava. This
was all she could muster of making: a simple sandwich. This sandwich would
have to be very simple. Really hard it would be for her. She fumbled with the
knives for a moment, and finally she was able to cut a few pieces of cheese.
She had to do ten more in around ten more minutes. How much time could she
waste? Suddenly, her friend, Madhumita appeared behind her, apparently
dropping from a trapdoor above them on the ceiling. She whispered, Jasnoor, I
can make things appear out of thin air, you know! What do you want? Tell me,
fast! I have to reappear onstage after two minutes!
Jasnoor thought rapidly. What would she need to make her task easier? A knife
which could cut automatically? No, that would be impossible. Perhaps a bottle
opener? That would be waste of her time. She kept on eliminating choices till
she got it: a bread toaster!
Quick, give me a toaster. Fast!
Madhumita looked like she was concentrating really hard (like once she had
during a history test), and suddenly a toaster appeared out of thin air in front of
Jasnoor.
I caught it! she exclaimed.
Good luck! Madhumita said and disappeared.
Jasnoor had no time left, she had to do it. She assembled the contents in place
and made a passable toast.
She rushed on to the knitting loom. Two pink sets of yarn lay waiting for her.
She picked them up and started sewing them. She found these very soft and
smooth. Not silk, but something as valuable as that.
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She continued knitting, till she got a nymph sized sweater. She had somehow
done this in a short while. Five past eight: twenty five minutes to go!
She rushed along the corridor to the outside ground, where there was a hole. As
she came nearer, this divided into two more holes. Then, she found out that one
of these holes had to be correct. The others were fake.
She somehow sensed that the third path, the one to her left, had some kind of
unearthly metal inside. She knew that would be precious. She went in.
The tunnel seemed long, dark and endless. She whispered, and it echoed down
the low ceilinged tunnel.
She kept on walking till she found a small block of pure pink metal, lustrous
and beautiful, yet it did not feel like part of the Earth. It felt almost heavenly.
She saw the sign next to it,Lakshmi Kamal Stone the most precious stone of the
heavens, only next in value to the Kailashanath Diamond.
She had no real idea what Kailashanath Diamond was, but she found a staircase.
She ran up the staircase.
It emerged right in the heart of the Sabha, and she heard loud cheering coming
from her left. It was Swati: she looked really calmer now, and much, much less
talkative. She radiated a sense of power Nandita and Ashwin did last night.
It meant only one thing: Swati was claimed; she had a beautiful serpent
hovering over her head. She was the daughter of Vishnu: the maintainer, theoperator. She was in Altar Five.
Behind, Madhumita was searching for Jasnoor. She spotted her, and she ran
forwards.
Jasnoor! You made it! I thought you wouldnt be able to finish within the time
limit! You were simply excellent! she said.
Jasnoor didnt know how Madhumita came to know of this but that wasexplained. There was a TV screen in the front.
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My dear friends, Jasnoor, also, will not be insulted mentally, and behold...
Jasnoors face illuminated with pink light. A lotus appeared over her head.
...Jasnoor, the Almighty Daughter of Lakshmi, the bringer of wealth, valour,
and gentleness! Jasnoormay join Altar Six, if you please, boomed Narada.
Madhumita, I realized in the cookery area, you create things, right? So, you are
the daughter of Brahma! said Ashwin.
Of course, so I am in Altar Three! Lucky me... anyway, I have to learn th is art.It is not so easy, you know. Madhumita said so and marched away to
congratulate Swati.
Of course, Gaurav wasstillmissing, but no one noticed that.
Chapter VI
Gaurav felt terrible. The ones at Ishwar Academy had abandoned him, and they
left him in this musty place in the middle of nowhere.
He had last seen Nandita being claimed and felt something sharp hit his head,
and he had fainted.
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And now that he had woken up, he found himself somewhere in a deep and
musty cave, and by the looks of it, it was not in India. It was surely somewhere
colder, and this caves freezing temperature explained that. He then
remembered.
Kamal? he called out.
Nobody answered him. He could see the faint silhouette of something in a
diamond shape, and something which glittered really well. Next to it, gaggedand tied was...
Kamal! he exclaimed.
How he had got there, he didnt know.
Except, he could see and hear two very deep voices arguing over something.
Maharajadhiraj, this Gaurav has not been any use to us. Blacked out for a day,
and he doesnt look like Lords child either. And Nagraj bhai would have notbeen wrong by the looks of him, said a first voice.
Nagraj struck a bell somewhere in Gauravs memory.
Then he remembered. How had Mr. Nagraj disappeared? Gaurav had done
nothing, just he had got nervous and had fumbled, but nothing else.
What did these voices mean by Lord? Who was their master?
This boy will be of no use to us, indeed. But, as Lord Yama tells us to keep
him in, I think he feels really tentative. I checked deep into his memory, but as
far as I could see, he has no memory of his parentage, said another voice.
Maharajadhirajpe kasam, I know that this boy was being claimed by some lord
before we kidnapped him and left a holographic image. Imagine our Lords
plight. He has had no adept children in two centuries, why not adopt him?
Chilly though the cave was, but at the mention of Yama, the cave got colder.
And Gaurav got scared. How had he got kidnapped?
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A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
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Gaurav felt eerie. The school could not be nearby, and Chennai never housed
such mean temperature.
The noises of something grinding were coming from behind. Gaurav did not
understand where they came from.
Karunyaye, Yamiye! Om Bhagwane Priyaye! Om... nashtandriye!
Karuppadivye! Yamiye Vibramhate! some voices echoed down the cavern, as
though chants were being made. The cave bended into a curve and the pathstarted moving uphill. Gaurav panted and wheezed, but this path was not an
easy route.
The voices disappeared now, and the path opened up into a round pipeline. This
pipeline had skeletons of dead mice, rats and other insects like cockroaches.
There was a steep rise in temperature. There were homely voices echoing
above, Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam! Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam! Vishwa janani
Durgaye, bananyare Brahmane! Jodhir nashta vipudaye, purvaya nama Shive!
Prasiddo samsaaro Vishnave, Padhanti saadhana prakritiye, Saraswati
Namostute! Dhanupadiye, ramave Lakshmi namostute! Jai Bhagwan Aham
Priyam, aham Ishwar Gurukulamtam, Vardurtaya Chaturbhujam!
Come on, children, repeat after me. This sloka is our academys anthem. This
means that we pay our homage to all the main gods, and of course, also to our
academy. We pay homage to our gurus, and experts, and pledge our loyalty.
Now, I want each one of you to make a note that in todays Sanskrit class,
whatever learnt, will owe you! So,Dhanyavaad Tvamev Chatron!
Dhanyavaad Guruvam Priyam!
These voices... Gaurav knew. They came from Ishwar Academy, he supposed,
because the total amount of energy of the song was unthinkable.
He kept on walking, and found out that the path was no longer rocky, but it was
becoming sandier, and he was getting nauseous. He kept on walking till he
realised that he was drifting, drifting in the middle of the open ocean. He felt a
plunging feeling in his stomach, and he fainted.
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Chapter VIII
Ashwin saw the point in attending Ishwar Academy. The nice Sanskrit classes,
the well-equipped Pustakalaya, the breathtakingly blissful Altars, the
Bhojanalaya (the food hall) and the Shrishti Lake were simply great.
Number one, he found out about the various Altars within the campus. He got to
know that there were totally nine altars, Nava Sthanaha, or the Nine SacredAltars. They belonged respectively to- Shiva in altar one, Durga in altar two,
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Brahma in altar three, Saraswati in altar four, Vishnu in altar five, Lakshmi in
altar six, Ganesha in altar seven, Hanuman in altar eight, and Kartikeya in altar
nine.
These children, of course, had respective qualities. As Jasnoor and Swati were
in Bhagwan Chatvasthav, or simply the Big Six, along with Nandita,
Madhumita, Parvati, and Ashwin, they felt special. Nandita acted lonely, as
though the Shiva Altar was boring. Swati excellently described the altar five.
You know what? The Vishnu Altar is shaped like a clam, and inside, we have a
collection of seashells, conch horns, and we have a private aquarium! The long
Ananthashayana posture ofPitashri is often seen at night! And, well, I am good
at archery and Chakra throwing suddenly...
The Ishwar Academys students would never address their fathers and mothers
by their name. They would often use Pitashri orMata orAmbe. The students
had to wake up at 6 in the morning, and, must have a compulsory set of
activities in the morning, depending on their altar number.
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Swati did discus throwing, Nandita did meditation and penance, Madhumita did
magic practice (Brahmas children had compulsory creation classes where they
would be taught to make objects appear out of thin air, like magic), Ashwin
went for Sanskrit classes, Jasnoor went for arts and crafts, and Parvati went for
challenges in the ocean.
Ashwin had made one friend at the academy. A boy from altar seven was really
friendly. His name was Vignesh. He always had vibhoodi smeared over his
head, and he spoke faster than anyone could catch.
Hi! Ashwin, did you get the eighteenth translation for Sanskrit? I got it as my
mother is everything, though thy not know thou. What did you get? he asked
at top speed, and Ashwin took a second to interpret his words.
Of course, the Sanskrit translation master had told us not to use old English
words like thy and thou and shalt, but its your wish, to understand about the,
you knowconcept.
The activities around were occupying, and took most of the students energy.
The altars five and four were collaboratively preparing a ceremony, called the
Annual RathSamorav Inauguration. They had planned a set of rules for the
Raths, or the chariots, that there would be a five kilometre long track along
Ishwaralayam Parvat, the nearby mountain, and the altar to come first will get a
prize, a direct conversation with their human parents.
The race inauguration was to be held on the Amavasya on the fifth day of
Chaitra. The members would sign their names. The ceremony would have gone
perfectly, except for the materialisation of a boy. A boy who was thin and
spindly in a red uniform with the logo of Redwood School. This boy appeared
in the YogMukta period.
This boy was named as Gaurav, though Ashwin remembered him, he did not
remember seeing him. A vague and old and tarnished memory is what he was...
Hi everybody...um, Im Gaurav, erm, if you know that I was picked up by
Narada in front of the school and... he mumbled.
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Of course, dear child! You are indeed Gaurav, the son of mighty Lord
Kartikeya... Narada said, as a symbol of a Peacock appeared over Gaurav.
Gaurav was looking unhealthy. He had, as far as Ashwin could tell, not eaten
for days.
Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam!said Narada.
Jai Bhagwan AhamPriyam!!!exclaimed all.
Chapter IX
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Madhumita knew that magic would not be easy for her. She had to focus really
hard, and most of the times there was always a risk of failure. Often the
magicians would turn out to be children of Brahma or else huge liars and cheats.
The irony of magic is, even though it can do anything, it always ends up in a
complete opposite intention, said Narada, once, at Creations class.
Madhumita had a lot of things to do. The days were often busy, and people had
no time to sit in their respective altars and relax. Morning was usually reallybusy. Then, after lunch at the Bhojanalaya, they had to go for skill-moulding,
that is, as Narada put it, different types of arts being learnt rather than one.
The day almost always ended cheerfully, and then after dinner, at the
Bhojanalaya, where they would sit according to their altars at their respective
tables (not just tables, oftenRajgaddis, or royal throne like chairs).
Then the whole academy feared the dreaded lecture by the Sanskrit advisor,
Mr.Gupta, who spoke in pure Sanskrit and spoke about values and karma.
Students, my dears, I do not think you would do such a thing! I have come to
know that during the YogMukta classes, you scream and shout rather than
meditate in peace! Do you know that you are only insulting Lord Shiva, by not
followingproper methods? he said one day, to tumultuous regard by Shiva.
Shiva answered in a weird way. The fire near the diya rose in such vigour, that
the nearest table caught fire, and the ones there were incidentally, Kapil and his
friends, the main troublemakers during YogMukta, the sons of Hanuman.
The fire turned a deep red and everyone gasped as the form became redder and
redder.
My Gods! You have brought up the wrath of the lord! Children, you are not fit
to be taught anything! The Lord approaches with the almighty trident and the
powerful eye! said Mr.Gupta.
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Unfortunately, Madhumita thought, Mr.Gupta was wrong. A deep rasping voice
filled the room. The lights went off. Someone in the back row screamed, for a
skeleton had appeared in their midst and it said in a horrible, rasping voice:
Behold all you people, who do not differentiate the unthinkable powers of
Maharajadhiraj! You who think to betray him, and you who make us
downtrodden! May the Curse of Yamraj hit every one of you!
Ah! Thank you... my dearestpeople in the whole of upper world! How gratefulam I to have heard your voices! You have underestimated our forces for years!
You, the puny living souls, have made death a disgrace rather than something
welcome. You at the very peak of your mischief have stolen my most prized
Yama Bhoomi Diamond!
I, after all these years of complete riddance from the Bharatiya Samaj, have in
turn had good riddance from you! But all your pestering little kinds have
destroyed my most prized possession, which I have painstakingly made as an
exact replica of the Kailashanath Diamond, and you, of all things hateable, have
utterly sentenced it to doom! Your kind is the worst that ever happened to this
world!
Lord Yama curses every single soul in this room. The curse will bring every
living soul in this room to our realm, in a very forcible way. Do not worry how
grateful you must be to Maharajadhiraj, for he gives you a deadline! You must
restore his diamond, as quickly as possible, before the start of Spring, to a
planned location on Mount Aphrahan. Remember, you must get to the realmwherever it is, and bring it back. If you do not... you know the consequences!
continued the horrible rasping voice.
The lights came back on. The heat came back. The room was filled with
whispers; the people in every table were discussing about the same thing: Lord
Yama addresses us personally? And there is a deadline to this and the students
at the academy would perish in just a fortnight.
Suddenly, Narada came in to the lecture hall and announced graver news still.
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My dear students, we have grave news. Lord Shivas power, The Kailashanath
Diamond, the power of Bharatiya Samaj, is lost! Or perhaps, as a second
thought, it is stolen!
We have a tradition, and I hope the older students will inform the newest ones
about this challenge they have to face. One guide will be an old student, and the
others names are as follows: Parvati, Ashwin, Nandita, Jasnoor, Madhumita
and Swati. Who will volunteer for the guidance that is the choice of the
Drishta!
With this, he walked away, and after around five minutes, he returned with an
orb. This orb was very big, about the size of a football, and it was in the colour
of sapphire. Much more, it radiated an immense kind of power.
This is the Drishta, the seer of Lord Vishnu. This will tell you what to do. It
will tell you the guides identity, and it will tell you of your adventure: will it
pass or fail?
The newcomers ordered up according to altar number. When Nandita came
front, it glowed bluer, and words started coming out of it. A clear female voice
spoke:
Ardha-Ishwaras willgo to the Samudra Devtas place,
Led by a boy, the son of the mammoths race.
They will join hands with the tide and moon,
Their powers will lie in Saraswatis throne.
A son of wisdom will lay down a path,
And the powers of one lord will be broken apart
AHA! Anyone from the Ganesha altar who would like to try? asked Narada.
Vignesh tentatively raised his hand, but the sign of Ganesha appeared over his
head- red sandstone, meaning yes, you must go.
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Settled indeed. Now we must move on to the next lines which are important.
Lets see. You have to go to a Samudra Devtas palace, right in the bay of
Bengal, and you must seek some clue. After that, I think, one power, either of
the diamonds will be utterly destroyed. Feels really sad. Please, Nandita, you
must penance to your father. Appeal him. Try to make him believe the state of
the camp and try to undo the curse. That is all we can hope for!
With that, he strode away, leaving all the newcomers and Vignesh in deep
confusion.
I know of one place, the nearest palace of the Samudra Devta: his realm is the
area around the Marina Beach. Maybe we should try that, said Swati.
You can do that? Right then. Everyone, tomorrow morning, we must pray to
our parents, then the godly parents. Try to take their blessings, and once we do
that, lets set out for the beach in the morning, said Ashwin.
As the dawn came, all the seven of them went out to the waiting car- the samewhite car of the parent. They got in, their hearts beating fast.
Chapter X
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Vignesh had never thought that he would lead the journey essential for the
Bharatiya Samaj. A sandstone block had appeared over his head, and voila! A
quest to save the world from peril! The prophecy had clearly stated that a child
of the mammoths race would lead the quest: and Ganesha was (sorry my lord)
after all an elephant headed god.
Vignesh had been giving deep thought about their quest on their ride towards
the Marina. As the city got nearer, the ride became smoother; with fewer
bumps. Ashwin discussed the possibilities of the diamonds location with
Vignesh.
I think this diamond would be up in the Himalayas, and not in Mount
Aphrahan. It is supposed to be the guardian of our time, isnt it? asked Ashwin.
Yes, and a daughter of Shiva, Jyoti, had disappeared after a task given to her
about a month back. She hasnt returned yet, and sources tell she had been to
Naraka.
Naraka? You mean the underworld? How could anyone go to a place meant for
the dead? replied Ashwin, amazed.
Actually, the underworld is meant for the dead. Maybe Jyoti is dead. We cantdo anything about it. Let us check it with the Samudra Devta of the Marina,
first. Then we will think about that.
So they decided to stay calm and the journey was very quiet, for Swati was too
nervous to talk, and Nandita was in a trance, trying to appease Lord Shiva.
About thirty minutes later, their car pulled up at the Beach Road, full of
determined people running and walking to lose weight. A few people were
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running towards the ocean, and they were standing in front of the waves, staring
and grinning, as though they wanted the waves to be fiercer.
Swatis face contorted with rage.
How dare you! You think the waves will obey your command?
Swati was angry enough to go and hit the man doing the baiting trick, but
Jasnoor and Madhumita restrained her from going.
How dare you! I mean, the waves will not obey them, and they will pollute it
for a good cause! They never learn, do they? The tsunami ourPitashri triggered
was not enough to make these people learn a lesson! roared Swati.
Calm down, Swati! We have a quest to finish, remember?
Swati came to her senses at that.
I thought someone said Vishnus children are submissive? asked Jasnoor.
Oh please, heres a proving exception! said Ashwin.
Enough is enough! We are wasting our time. We have to contact the Samudra
Devta. Swati, where exactly is he? asked Vignesh.
Over there.
Swati pointed at the waves, and it was funny enough to see Swati pointing at
nothing. Seconds later, their mouths fell open, as a beautiful crystalline palaceglittered over the horizon.
How come the other people dont see it? asked Jasnoor.
The Dhund takes care of that. This layer masks everything we see, and we
dont see anything until we are adopted by the lords, said Vignesh.
But how do we get over? asked Ashwin.
Thats easy. See over there?
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Swatipointed at an old broken down fishermans boat, The Madrasakappal.
That is, as far as I can see, an illusion. It is not just a simple boat. The neare r
we get, the more it covers up its massiveness, said Swati.
They approached the broken down boat, and it slowly changed before their
eyes. And before they knew it, they were standing beneath a huge ship, with its
sails in pale blue colour, and a marvellous deck with a great view.
The ships real name was Bharatiya Nauka. This was a ship used by the
Vishnus children during the Great Wrath (the 2004 tsunami in Chennai was
called so). They glided this ship in the waters to rescue fishermen who had
almost drowned.
Lets get in! cheered Madhumita.
So they went in. They found out that the whole ship consisted of eight rooms,
each room complete with its own TV and computer. There was also a commons
area, a dining room, and an empty fridge.
Ashwin went near the fridge, and saw a familiar silver mark he had been told
about by his half-brothers, and this was Saraswati Kalyan, or the Mark of
Saraswati.
I know what to do. Anything you all want to eat? he asked.
All of them nodded in exasperation. They had skipped their breakfast because
they were nervous, and they did not have time. Ashwin spoke in pure Sanskrit:
Right then... Saraswati Maye tum ham varadam swaha! Ma jayate! Oh
Goddess Saraswati,Mata, we are in deep hunger, and we want something to eat.
Please fulfil our wishes of food, deep down! exclaimed Ashwin.
And they opened the fridge.
Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow! shouted Madhumita.
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The fridge was filled with goodies unimaginable; bottles of orange juice, water
bottles, packets of bread, butter and jam, marmalade paste, jellies and stuff
Vignesh really hated: pizzas, onion rings and tomatoes.
They ate to their hearts content. And the ships sail was flared up.
Swati prayed to her father.
Shantakaram bhujangashayanam, Padmanabham suresham, Vishwadharam
gaganasudusham, Meghavarnam shubhangam! Lakshmikantam
kamalanayanam, Yogihridyanagamyam, Vande vishnum bhavabayaharam,
SARVALOKAIKANATAM!
At the last word, the ship started moving. Everyone settled comfortably on the
main deck, surrounded by the blue sea on all sides. The ship set sail towards
east. After five minutes, Ashwin muttered,
My goodness! I have something important to tell you! The Great Wrath had
ended with Vishnus children not able to convince their father, and they took the
help ofChandra! Perhaps we could pray to him at night!
Good idea! Ashwin, you must do the praying, because it is Saraswati who
understands Chandra. Chandra hates Ganeshas sons, and you know why, said
Vignesh.
Why? asked Parvati.
I think you know my Pitashri cursed the moon what we call today the phasesof the moon?
Oh, right, said Madhumita.
After around an hour or so, the palace loomed into sharper focus: the sun was
directly above it, but the walls glinted like they had been plastered with
diamonds. Wait, Vignesh thought diamonds!
Hey, do you think that this place might be an underwater mines location? hesaid.
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Swati shook her head. She went to the front of the ship.
Hey, anyone of you could just cut out that piece of rope over there? We might
use it as an anchor.
Nandita obliged. She went to the front of the ship, caught the rope, and cut it
with a single strike of her knife: Trinayan.
The rope was tied to a very huge rock near the palace.
Swati jumped out of the ship and onto the rock. This rock was connected by a
bridge to the palace across the water.
Swati got down, followed by the rest.
Nandita suddenly sighed very deeply.
My father seems too busy to hear my penance, and he is not answering.
Perhaps he is testing my patience, she said.
They walked down the long bridge till Ashwin yelled.
Ouch!
What?
Nothing, just hit my leg with a rock. A very hard rock. Hey, wait. That is
harder than any metal! My gods, it is a diamond!! he shouted.
Parvati picked up the diamond and examined it.
Looks like an alloy- it is oyster diamond. Ever heard of it? she said.
Everybody shook their heads.
The property is like that. It cannot be a pure diamond at any cost.
They ignored it, but Ashwin pocketed it anyway: Vignesh saw it from the
corner of his eye.
They marched towards the palace, and the gates flung open by themselves.
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A conch horn blew.
Behold! My dear friends, allies of the lords! said a deep merry voice.
A tall man ran forward, with black- blue hair (was there such a colour?) and
smiles so broad, that it could have been the mouth led to Naraka.
He was wearing robes of pure silk, and the colour was the colour of the waves,
if there was any. He had a crown on the top of his head, which was wavy, and
shaped like an oyster.
How may I help you, Swamini Swati?
He held out his hand and looked really nice.
Actually, we are here to ask your advice.
Seek, child, seek.
So, yeah, we are here on the purpose of finding Mount Aphrahan, and alsoKailash. The diamonds are missing from both the places. Could you help us
out?
The sea god grinned.
Sure, my dear. You are the guests of my palace now, do come in and make
yourselves comfortable. He replied.
Swati explained about their ship, and the sea king looked very sad.
Oh we cannot have you then? Anyway, all you have to do is to find the
Samudra Hira and it will give you all the advice. Know the mantras and you
will find your path! I am really busy today. So please dont pester me now.
Vignesh was shocked. All the hospitality ended in just one dialogue. He knew
why, because of his experience in sea gods. He did not tell anything.
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(Actually, the sea gods usually would lure sailors into their palaces, and after
doing a favour to those unwary sailors, they would put them to death or
imprison them as bait to sea monsters)
Dont listen! Run back to the ship! he shouted.
They ran as fast as they could, with Ashwin puffing behind, and finally fed up,
Ashwin vanished.
My gods! Where did he go?
After the six of them reached the ship, they found Ashwin waving at them.
How did you get there so fast? enquired Swati.
Sunlight travel... it is the method of using heat molecules to transfer your
substance into another place.
Huh? asked Swati.
Oh nothing.
Ashwin opened his palm. He still had the Samudra Hira. He whispered to the
others, This is the Hira. I have it, and keep quiet. I am going to consult it.
With that, he opened up his palm, placed the Hira on a sacred stool, the Palag
and chanted words in Sanskrit, which Vignesh could translate as
Thy almighty Hira! You are the one we seek, thou almighty. You shall tell usthe way we could find Aphrahan, and thou shalt tell us true!
The Hira glowed blue: Vishnu was always related to Prophecies on Sea.
The four Ardha Ishwaras shall make a call,
The power of Luna, greatest of all.
They will traverse the seas of yore,
To the land far ashore.
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They will think of the old Samaj,
The olden forests of Koulen-Kambaj.
Another prophecy? Madhumita complained.
Well, we have to figure it out, dont we? said Ashwin.
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Chapter XI
Being the daughter of Vishnu and all, Swati knew how to control theBharatiya
Nauka. She also knew the perfect bearings of the sea; that they were at 11.55
degree north of the equator and 91.24 degree east of the prime meridian. She
also knew that they were passing an island to the west of Little Andaman,
named as South Sentinel Island.
She knew that this area was deserted and prone to earthquakes, and she also
knew that they were quite near to Barren Island, and as anybody knows, that is
where the only active volcano in India is.
She tried to stir the ship away from that particular island, just in case anything
erupted. She was gazing at the afternoon sky, and the serene ocean below.
Behind her, at the deck of the ship, the others were discussing the possibilities
of the location of the old Bharatiya Samaj.
Old Bharatiya Samaj, at some Kamaj? What does that mean?
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The Bharatiya Samaj declared one place throughout the Indian Territory as
their main seat of power. And this place, as far as we should know, must be in
the west, as the prophecy tells us to traverse the seas of yore, said Vignesh.
That means we must look for a country conquered by India in the east, is it
not? askedNandita, twirling Trinayanbetween her fingers.
Ashwin looked as though in deep thought. He was frowning as though looking
for something in a book with a thousand words per page. His eyes were movingtoo, like some kind of virtual book was in front of him.
Hey! I have got it! We have to set sail to Cambodia! Now, or else we would be
too late for it! he exploded, leaving Jasnoor whimpering in pain as she closed
her ears.
His eyes gleamed strangely, like as though something had covered them for a
while. He glanced about, looking for a reply.
Exactly... said Vignesh.
Swati turned around, and spoke.
I thought this voyage would be nice and comfortable. All we find is ... she
muttered something that nobody could hear, and she turned pale.
This was because she had seen her fathers most powerful enemy, Kalia, or the
mighty five headed serpent. He had such poison that could turn things to ashes,
and he could kill goats with a stare. He was just like a basilisk.
I have seen Kalia lurking beneath our ship, she announced, looking grim.
Cest impossible! Kalia a t killed par seigneur Vishnu ya trs longtemps!
shouted Ashwin, and he covered his mouth.
I dont know French! he said glumly.
No one had time to ponder over that French outbreak, for a loud hiss filled the
deck of the ship.
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Sssurrender, Ardha Ishwarasss, for I am the king of the evil snakesss of the
world. I know that thy friend, SsSwati, knows of me, and my almighty father.
He was ssslayed by thy father in the form of a puny boy. The snake said all this
in a cold whisper, and it dragged out thes like a snake should.
Swati was the only one who could control that snake. She knew that the snake,
Kalia could only be killed underwater, which her father had done. She did not
know swimming that well, but she supposed Vishnu could help her in such a
sticky situation.
She prayed for emergency and jumped into the water.
She saw why the Bay of Bengal was considered a cluster of the cleanest water.
The least number of ports in the eastern coast made it clear that this sea was less
polluted, and more vibrant than the one on the other end.
All around her were corals that gleamed in silver, lavender, hazel, blue and red.
Small and cute goldfish scuttled past, and they stopped in front of her, and benttheir little bodies like they were bowing to her.
She went in front, and saw a black tail gleaming in front. Then she realised that
she had forgotten herChakraback at the ship.
She saw something glittering in front of her.
It was a pearl Chakra. This looked sharp enough, so she threw it with all her
might. The Chakra moved amazingly fast, and hit the snake at its tail. It howled
in agony, but did not look quite diminished.
How had her father killed the snake? Then she got it. He had not killed the
snake, but he had removed the power out of it by dancing on its head.
So it was. Swati knew the acidic properties of the snakes venom. She also had
done chemistry in class. She somehow knew that something with a base would
be perfect to give to the snake for eating. She got it. There were many bars of
soap in the common bathroom in the ship. She would summon some of thoseinto the snakes stomach.
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Hey, Snaky! Come here if you are truly a venomous python! she taunted.
It turned around, hissed and came forward.
I have a deal with you. In our ship, we have some excellent Cake of Amrit
which you would like to have. You will not go to the underworld, you see. You
will become immortal, and you will be the ever god of snakes! she told it.
It hissed in delight.
Surely I will not refuse such an excellent deal. The children of Vishnu are
getting better, perhaps? it muttered to itself and pushed Swati ashore with the
back of its fin.
Swati broke the surface of the ocean, and tumbled back on to the ship.
Ashwin interjected her, Hey, is Mr. Snaky dead? he asked.
No, Ashwin, and I dont have time for all your questions. Nandita, please
quickly fetch me five bars of soap from the restroom. She shouted.
Nandita obliged and ran into towards the commons.
Look here, we dont have time at all. That snake is thinking if devouring all of
us, and it is vicious enough to survive the Great Wrath. So, I have thought about
weakening it by adding basic properties to acidic properties of its venom. That
explains the soap, she explained to the others.
Good thinking. Sorry about my French. That wasMatasblessing, I suppose.
Nandita came back in, with her arms laden with Fiama di Wills and Cinthol
soap bars, and a few sachets of hand wash.
Swati ran towards the railing and jumped in.
The serpent did not wait for her, and it just snatched everything. It ate all the
bars in one gulp, and drunk the handwash liquid in one go.
Bitter and I thought Amrit was sweet, it muttered.
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Suddenly it jumped fiercely. It opened its mouth, as wide as it could. It spat a
bit of its venom on a seaweed, which remained stable, and if possible, became
brighter.
You wretched Ardha Ishwaras! You never keep thy promises. You shall suffer,
only in later times. Let the wrath of the serpent be with you!
The serpent had nothing other than its venom as its power, and as Swati had
predicted, it swam away like it could disappear.
*************
Swati and the others went back into their cabins in their ship, and each cabin
magically suited itself for its owner.
Ashwins and Swatis changed themselves into Marine Libraries,Nanditas
became a meditation hall (almost), Vigneshs became a study hall, lined with
blackboard and whatnot, Madhumitas room was full of statues and had its own
TV, Jasnoors room was complete with a table, chair and an extra fitting- an
induction stove. Parvatis room was like a mini- science lab.
The second Swati sat on her bed, with a novel in her hand, she felt her eyes
close, and the novel drop behind her.
**********
Swati did not have a peaceful night. She dreamt that there were huge bugs
feasting on something disgusting. She saw the silhouette of something in adome like shape- a temple, perhaps, and trees all around her.
Sounds were coming from the temple.
Do you not know, wicked soul, that you and your worse colleagues cannot
even try to find the legendary diamonds? And I am sure you wicked ones do not
have the power to control this forest, as it is the life source, and a living thing. I
am sure your kind has no power over my territory, said a high pitched voice,
something more primitive rather than a human voice.
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No, Lord of The Wild, Shri Hanuman, it is not that which I am talking of, said
another voice, which sounded panicky.
Oh nonsense. I know of my co operators of the world. I know what Yama is up
to. I know of his plans to seize the Kailashanath which is identical to the Yama
Bhoomi. I just know of your work. Why will you set fire to my territories
around the world, otherwise? said Hanuman.
My Lord, it is only we want to protect your pestering children, thats all.
Behind Swatis dreamy self, huge figures were moving. Crying and shouting
filled the area.
Why did you set fire to Angkor Wat? I must regret this, said Hanuman.
The second voice shouted in pain as the owner of the voice crumpled beneath,
the ground dissolving around him.
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Chapter XII
Nandita was not able to sleep at all even when the ship was silent and it rocked
its way through the bay. The adjacent cabin, Ashwins had its light on, but there
was no audible sound. All the other cabins occupants were soundly asleep.
Nandita felt a bit uneasy, and she always was a bit scared of the sea sometimes,
but she had never felt so uncomfortable. So, she switched on her light, and
walked over, went outside, and leaned over the railing, and viewed the horizon.
She peeked inside Ashwins cabin through the window, and saw him reading a
book in full attention. She suspected if he was deserted of his extra powerful
senses when he was reading.
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She moved a bit closer, only to find that he was reading is mothers gift:
Hamare Sanskaar va Icchaen. He was too engulfed in its world to observe his
surroundings. She wondered of his sudden French outbreak during Swatis
return, and how sudden it had been...
She felt it did not matter much, but she knew that Swati had changed a lot after
her claiming and adoption. The chatterbox had somehow turned a bit more
subtle, if possible. Swati was a bit more patient and less impulsive. She had
inherited herPitashris traits: Vishnu was submissive and gentle, but his anger
was really immense: especially the Great Wrath...
She knew that the 2004 tsunami at Chennai had caused the most disaster in
Indian history, and she also knew of Vishnus children and how they had
eradicated their fathers Wrath.Nandita was thinking too much, a bit just more
and more...
She was too occupied to notice a strange red light near her shoulder, where she
usually kept Trinayan and she was thinking of too many things.
If she had been any observant, she would have noticed that this particular glow
spread through her dress like anything, and she was glowing like a lustrous
diamond. Until a voice spoke to her, she never knew what was happening to
her...
Dear child, you have my blessing. I have removed the curse from your
academy, and of course, I have entrusted the search of my own diamond to you.
You see, child, my diamond is made out of the very things Yama Bhoomi feeds
upon: happiness, hope and cheer. If you need to get my diamond, sense these
feelings in an extreme around you, and you will find the Kailashanath. If not, I
do shudder to think of my despair, and of this countrys, too. You are my only
hope, child...
With that, the calm yet overpowering voice faded, and so did her glow. She was
sure that that message was from her very own father. She knew it.
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Whereas, Ashwin was inside his room, and Nandita peeped inside, beside
herself in anxiety.
Ma, how in the world can I pinpoint this location? Firstly, I must go out now
and pray to Chandra. Then I must also accomplish your task... How do you
expect me to do this? he whispered, to a white glow on his book.
Nandita saw it and gasped. It was Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and
knowledge and studies. She looked a bit angry and sad at the same time.
Son, you are the only one I feel worthy of this quest. You will have to do it.
The throne is very weak without that particular mantra, and the mantra is the
holder of all universal truths, out of which only two have been revealed.
But Ma, I have to accompany these people on their quest too. I must not parry
with a double burden, it might lead to my failure. He said it with such
modulation that it felt almost desperate not to leave this quest.
I know you are one of the only children of mine who has read this book in my
prescribed time: a week after I gave this book. You have done it and proved
yourself worthy. You will at all costs, join me and my other children on this
quest. You will be the one to seek the power ofGyana, or knowledge! You
must alert all your friends of it. You should make sure that you remain faithful
in both your quests. Varadam ichhavam Padhanti!
She said so and vanished.
Ashwin seemed to have got back his extra senses.
Nandita! What in the world are you doing here? he asked.
Thinking of coincidences
What kind of coincidences? he asked.
I got a message form Pitashri, and you get one from Ma. How very deliberate it
seems...
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Oh, so you witnessed it all. Wish Id closed the window shutters. Anyway, I
have to go on another flipping quest to save theBrahmane Shweta Padma. How
so unlucky... These gods have made us their verypowerful aids, he said.
Oh, and I have to find Jyoti, saidNandita exasperatedly.
So both of us have the woes of our parent gods... And the others? It is already
nearing dawn, and Swati must wake up to accelerate the ship! said Ashwin.
So it was. After around fifteen minutes of brushing teeth, washing up and
having breakfast, Swati signalled everyone at the table and swallowed her toast
forcefully.
Friends, Gulp. I have something to tell you. I dreamt last night of something
really weird. I saw Lord Hanuman blast an underworld creature to pieces, near a
forest, near a huge temple called Angko What.
Surely you meanAngkor Wat? asked Ashwin.
Yeah, yeah. So I am setting sail for Kambaj right away.
It was as arranged. They passed a huge island with sprawling acres of forests
and a nasty mountain up at the top.
According to Nandita, that looked like someones turned up nose. Swati
informed it was Barren Island, and she could think of no other way to
Cambodia.
What about our quests? I mean,Nanditas quest is too too connected. She gets
to find Jyoti, while I have to search for a white lotus made of pure knowledge,
and every grain of pollen made from a Vedic hymn.
Ashwin moaned a lot, but he remained occupied with his gift.
What is so interesting in there? asked Swati.
Oh just facts about gods, us and demons, and we also have a glossary on the
main places related to the Bharatiya Samaj.
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So Cambodia is there in the list?
Of course. The ruler Jayavarman II, the son of Lord Vishnu, built a temple in
the honour of the Big Six at Angkor, where he stored his Ardha Ishwara
faculties. His empire was lost after his death, and it was covered in the Kanyo
and Koulen forests till an excavation happened.
Oh!
Chapter XIII
Ashwin could not comprehend the location of the White Lotus, the symbol of
Ma Saraswati. He thought and pondered over it, but he could in no way find any
pinpointed location anywhere in thatworld.
Meanwhile, Swati and Nandita were discussing how to navigate through the
ocean towards Cambodia.
I think we must set sail through Borneo, said Swati.
No, it will be foolish. We must move to Cambodia through the Indian Ocean
right away! exclaimedNandita.
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Ashwin felt he was being selfish and he opened up his gift,Hamare Sanskaar
Va Icchaen.
He flipped over the page to Kambaj, the old power of the gods. He read out an
interesting passage to the others.
Hey, hear this. Cambodia is one of the countries in the SAARC. It is a country
filled with marvellous forests and ancient temples to all our lords. Mainly, the
people of this region follow Buddhism, and the area around the ancient templeof Angkor Wat houses more than a hundred Hindus. Geographically, Cambodia
is divided into two by Tanyakoa River, which is underground, and is mythical.
This river is the channel to Cambodia from 12.2778 N, 93.8583 E, that is, our
modern Barren Island. He said this slowly, so each and everyone could
comprehend.
So, we have to find this Tanyakoa River? asked Swati.
The real Indian name of this river is Tanyakaveri River, so you must just find awater source which is like a river around here.
Dyou have any idea where this river would end up? askedNandita.
According to Ma, it ends up right in the Kanyo and Koulen forests, in the heart
of Cambodia. That is about fifteen miles to Angkor Wat.
Ashwin thought he had overstuffed everybody with facts, but he had no other
choice but to inform them.
What about the first line of the secondprophecy?
Yeah, what about it?
My goodness, havent you guessed? Four of us must appeal Chandra, and make
him help us in this quest for surviving! said Ashwin, exasperated.
Nandita looked serious, and thoughtful at the same time.
We have to find it, no other go.
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Swati suddenly exclaimed.
Oh no! I think we have a whirlpool below our ship, she said.
Swati was right. The ship lurched forcefully to one side, and then to another.
There was a huge plunge hole right in front of their ship.
Swati looked like she had had a heart attack.
That whirlpool, it ends up somewhere in a lake I think it is the TanyakaoRiver which else river would teleport us somewhere else? she said.
Ashwin looked determined.
We must will the ship to get inside. The power of the river wont be enough to
break this ship, I know. Swati, do it now. He said it with such command; Swati
obliged and forced the ship.
Jasnoor and Madhumita screamed together, as they plunged deeper and deeper
into a field of dark blue
******
Ashwin was the one to wake up first. He found that all of them were
unconscious, and that the ship was sailing peacefully through a calm river, and
Ashwin craned his neck up, to see a deep tube-like structure in which water
flowed, like a pipe.
He willed himself to walk to the fridge and take out ice-cold water.
He went to Swati and spilt five really cold drops on her eyes.
She shook, and then opened her eyes.
I feel like I hit a brick wall, she said, clutching her forehead.
Ashwin thought that Swati was the best simile speaker, because that was exactly
how he felt, too.
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Swati now aided him in waking up all the others, who groaned and held their
temples as though they too experienced the same feeling.
Cosmovelocity, said Vignesh.
What?
Cosmovelocity occurs when you enter an impossible world, according to
physics, and your human side faces pain, whereas your god side remains
healthy. You experience slight pain on your forehead, explained Vignesh.
Ashwin gestured everyone to come to his cabin. He went inside, the others
followed, and he closed the door.
He went to the TV, switched it on, and opened surveillance CCTV.
What do you want to do? asked Madhumita.
Ashwin remained silent. He selected the deck camera, and hit enter.
All of them gasped, except Ashwin, who still seriously stared at the screen.
How on earth is the moon visible? asked Swati.
The moon was visible, even though they were in a cosmic world.
Nandita, Swati and Parvati, come here. Repeat after me, he ordered.
Chandrasya srunu naamaani, shubadhani mahee pathe,Yani sruthwa narodukhan muchyathe nathra samsaya.
They repeated properly. Swati clasped her mouth when they saw the Moon
getting bigger and bigger, and finally, a young man of about twenty descending
from it. He wore a silver pyjama-kurta and had a warm smile. He walked onto
the ship, and the moons brightness seemed to follow him.
Knock. Knock.
Noises came from the door. Ashwin went and answered the door.
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Svagatam, my lord. Welcome to our abode. I really enjoy your sheetal
company. Please help us in navigating through this river, Ashwin said,
Chandra Devta smiled and raised his right hand. He blessed them, and
disappeared.
The ship started sailing faster.
Swati noticed the speed and spoke:
How are we getting faster? I am not doing anything, she said.
Tides, Swati the moon has blessed us with high tide! said Vignesh.
Vignesh had kept quiet through the meeting. He whimpered behind the curtain
all the time when Chandra spoke.
Ashwin somehow became cheerful.
One burden over! Two more to go, he said to himself.
Ashwin opened the door of his cabin and sent everybody to their cabins and told
them to sleep. They were puzzled like Ashwin, because they could not believe
they were out for twelve hours and day had become night?
Ashwin opened his book.
O Ma, please give me the power to find our location. Please shower your
knowledge on us too, he said.
The book glowed white, and Saraswati appeared.
Son, you are the cleverest I have met. You understood the value of Chandra on
your trip. I of course want your success, but I myself do not have any way to
find my own Shweta Padma. If you have to find it, you must, as a hint, think
how we churned Amrit, she said, and disappeared, leaving Ashwin more
disturbed than ever.
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Chapter XIV
Parvati was confused for this trip was in no way rational or scientific. They had
just plunged into deep darkness, fainted for half a day, and reached a cosmic
river which looked more like a giant pipeline than a river. More than that, the
moon had just jumped on board their ship.
The next morning when they woke up, Parvati walked over to Ashwin andasked him for the new element he had discovered at the Samudra Devtas
Palace. He gave it to her and whispered.
Dont judge me badly; no lab machine can decipher this element. This is the
precious mark of the ocean. It values a lot, he said so, looking grave.
Parvati thought about all the impossible things that were happening around her,
and she decided to give up her Quest for a new element. She had other things on
her mind, after all.
Ashwin, she noticed, was feverishly scanning his gift. His eyes moved fast as a
rocket as he scanned each page. She decided to leave this alleyway. She went to
the deck out in the front.
She found Jasnoor and Madhumita fussing over a puny thing.
I can try cooking, what is wrong with you? asked Jasnoor.
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Why work hard, when I can bring food out of thin air for you? countered
Madhumita, with a concerned look. Ashwin entered the deck, without his book.
He sighed deeply and went to the fridge.
You all have memory disorders, I think, he said meekly and opened the door,
Maye tvam mam abhilasham jagrati! Fill our desires forannplease!
As usual, the white fridge filled itself with the tastiest delights Parvati could
think of. Very neatly, Jasnoor arranged the toast and milk at the table foreverybody. It seemed that Nandita and Swati were still sleeping.
Suddenly, Swati entered the hall, grinning widely, followed by Nandita.
Hey, I have something to tell you. Nandita, do the honours, she said.
Well, last night, we were discussing about Jyoti. We were wondering she
disappeared on a quest forwhat? asked Nandita. You see, we have guessed
that Jyoti was sent by Narada to Naraka to search for something else that was
stolen. As I know, Ashwin has been granted a job by Saraswati. So, this means,
that someone from Naraka has stolen the Shweta Padma. That could be the only
reason, Nandita said this with such confidence, that it made Parvati think in the
same way.
So you claim our special quests to save mankind are interconnected? asked
Ashwin, frowning and looking moody.
Parvati thought about it. It seemed very unlikely that the Shweta Padma would
be in the Underworlda place with no knowledge at all.
Ashwin stared at Nandita in surprise.
So this theory is- Swatis? he asked.
Swati nodded. She seemed to back at her usual self again.
The real reason for Kambaj being destroyed is the Angkor Wat temple being
lost across the centuries isnt it? asked Swati.
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True.
Then there must be an entrance to Naraka in this temple, Nandita declared.
Of course! So the bad luck from Naraka inflicted on Angkor, and Kambaj
declined. That must be it! exclaimed Parvati, establishing the connection.
Hmm So the Underworld entrance was right there and the powerful influence
of Yamraj made the empire decline Vignesh thought deeply, for he had not
spoken the entire time.
Oh my gods, I did not read this paragraph! Ashwin opened up his book, and
read out for everyone.
The Cambodian Authorities hide this fact, but all gods know that Angkor Wat
was destroyed by Yamrajs Wrath, a curse. This curse inflicted forgetfulness
among kambujans (Cambodians) who slowly forgot their homeland. Later, after
the excavation, the temple serves only as a tourist spot and its aura (Oravam) is
gone completely.
After reading the paragraph, Swati looked triumphant and glared at Ashwin.