the immortal of maluha
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CHAPTER 12<br />
Journey through Meluha<br />
‘Who was Manu?’ asked Shiva. ‘I have heard <strong>of</strong> him <strong>of</strong>ten, referred to as “<strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r”.’<br />
The caravan had been travelling for a few days on <strong>the</strong> broad road from Devagiri to<br />
Kotdwaar. The central part consisted <strong>of</strong> a row <strong>of</strong> seven carriages identical to <strong>the</strong> ones used<br />
during <strong>the</strong> trip to Mandar. Five <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were empty. Shiva, Sati, Brahaspati and Krittika<br />
travelled in <strong>the</strong> second carriage. Parvateshwar was in <strong>the</strong> fifth, along with Ayurvati and his key<br />
brigadiers. The general’s presence meant every rule had to be adhered to strictly. Hence<br />
Nandi, whose rank did not allow him to travel in <strong>the</strong> carriage, was riding a horse with <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> cavalry. Veerbhadra had been inducted as a soldier in Nandi’s platoon. Led by <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
respective captains, <strong>the</strong> brigade were in standard forward, rear and side defence formations<br />
around <strong>the</strong> caravan.<br />
Both Brahaspati and Sati started answering Shiva simultaneously.<br />
‘Lord Manu was <strong>the</strong>...’<br />
They both stopped talking.<br />
‘After you please, Brahaspatiji,’ said Sati.<br />
‘No, no,’ said Brahaspati with a warm smile. ‘Why don’t you tell him <strong>the</strong> story?’<br />
He knew whose voice <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth would prefer.<br />
‘Of course not, Brahaspatiji. How can I supersede you? It would be completely improper.’<br />
‘Will somebody answer me or are you two going to keep up this elaborate protocol forever?’<br />
asked Shiva.<br />
‘Alright, alright,’ laughed Brahaspati. ‘Don’t turn blue all over now.’<br />
‘That is hilarious Brahaspati,’ smiled Shiva. ‘Keep this up and you might actually get<br />
someone to laugh in a hundred years.’<br />
As Brahaspati and Shiva chortled, Sati was astounded at <strong>the</strong> inappropriate manner in which<br />
<strong>the</strong> conversation was going on. But if <strong>the</strong> revered chief scientist seemed comfortable, she<br />
would not say anything. And in any case, how could she reprimand Shiva? Her code <strong>of</strong> honour<br />
forbade it. He had saved her life. Twice.<br />
‘Well, you are right about Lord Manu being <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r,’ said Brahaspati. ‘He is considered<br />
<strong>the</strong> progenitor <strong>of</strong> our civilisation by all <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> India.’<br />
‘Including Swadweepans?’ asked Shiva incredulously.<br />
‘Yes, we believe so. In any case, Lord Manu lived more than eight and a half thousand<br />
years before <strong>the</strong> present day. He was apparently a prince from south India. A land way beyond<br />
<strong>the</strong> Narmada river, where <strong>the</strong> earth ends and <strong>the</strong> great ocean begins. That land is <strong>the</strong><br />
Sangamtamil.’<br />
‘Sangamtamil?’<br />
‘Yes. Sangamtamil was <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> richest and most powerful country in <strong>the</strong> world. Lord