the immortal of maluha
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genuinely think <strong>the</strong> law itself is unfair? Or is it because you are attracted to Sati and you want<br />
to remove an inconvenient law which stands in your path.’<br />
‘I genuinely think <strong>the</strong> vikarma law is unfair. I felt that from <strong>the</strong> moment I found out about it.<br />
Even before I knew Sati was a vikarma.’<br />
‘But Sati doesn’t think <strong>the</strong> law is unfair.’<br />
‘But she is a good woman. She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.’<br />
‘She is not just a good woman. She is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> finest I have ever met. She is beautiful,<br />
honest, straight-forward, brave and intelligent — everything a man could want in a woman. But<br />
you are not just any man. You are <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth.’<br />
Shiva turned around and rested his hands on <strong>the</strong> craft’s railing. He looked into <strong>the</strong> distance<br />
at <strong>the</strong> dense forest along <strong>the</strong> riverbanks as <strong>the</strong>ir boat glided across <strong>the</strong> water. The soothing<br />
evening breeze fanned Shiva’s long locks.<br />
‘I’ve told you before, my friend,’ said Brahaspati. ‘Because <strong>of</strong> that unfortunate blue throat,<br />
every decision you take has many ramifications. You have to think many times before you act.’<br />
It was late in <strong>the</strong> night. The royal convoy had just set sail from <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> Sutgengarh on <strong>the</strong><br />
Indus. The emotions at Sutgengarh had erupted in <strong>the</strong> now predictable routine <strong>of</strong> exuberance at<br />
<strong>the</strong> sight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth. The saviour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir civilisation had finally arrived.<br />
Their saviour, however, was in his own private hell. Sati had maintained her distance from<br />
Shiva for <strong>the</strong> last few weeks. He was torn, experiencing pain and dismay at depths he didn’t<br />
think fathomable.<br />
The convoy’s next stop was <strong>the</strong> famous city <strong>of</strong> Mohan Jo Daro or <strong>the</strong> Platform <strong>of</strong> Mohan.<br />
The city, on <strong>the</strong> mighty Indus, was dedicated to a great philosopher-priest called Lord Mohan,<br />
who lived in this region many thousands <strong>of</strong> years ago. Once he had met with <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong><br />
Mohan Jo Daro, Shiva expressed a desire to visit <strong>the</strong> temple <strong>of</strong> Lord Mohan. This temple stood<br />
outside <strong>the</strong> main city platform, fur<strong>the</strong>r down <strong>the</strong> Indus. The governor <strong>of</strong> Mohan Jo Daro had<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered to take <strong>the</strong> Lord Neelkanth <strong>the</strong>re in a grand procession. Shiva however insisted on<br />
going alone. He felt drawn to <strong>the</strong> temple. He felt that it would have some solutions for his<br />
troubled heart.<br />
The temple itself was simple. Much like Lord Mohan himself. A small non—descript structure<br />
announced itself as <strong>the</strong> birthplace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sage. The only sign <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> temple’s significance was<br />
<strong>the</strong> massive gates in <strong>the</strong> four cardinal directions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> compound. As instructed by Shiva, Nandi<br />
and Veerbhadra, along with <strong>the</strong>ir platoon, waited outside.<br />
Shiva, with his comforting cravat back around his neck, walked up <strong>the</strong> steps feeling tranquil<br />
after a long time. He rang <strong>the</strong> bell at <strong>the</strong> entrance and sat down against a pillar with his eyes<br />
shut in quiet contemplation. Suddenly, an oddly familiar voice asked: ‘How are you, my friend?’