the immortal of maluha
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eginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> third prahar, by which time <strong>the</strong> ceremony should be over.’<br />
Shiva clenched his fist. He frantically wanted to wring Tarak’s neck but he controlled himself<br />
with superhuman effort. Within minutes Sati was out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> guest-house, along with Krittika and<br />
five personal bodyguards. Shiva turned to look at Nandi and Veerbhadra, both <strong>of</strong> whom rose to<br />
join Sati. They understood that Shiva wanted <strong>the</strong>m to ensure that she was safe outside <strong>the</strong> city.<br />
‘It is disgusting that you did not realise this yourself,’ Tarak said scornfully to Sati. What kind<br />
<strong>of</strong> a princess are you? Don’t you respect <strong>the</strong> law?’<br />
Sati looked at Tarak. Her face calm. She refused to be drawn into a debate and waited<br />
patiently for her guards to prepare <strong>the</strong> horses.<br />
‘I don’t understand what a vikarma woman is doing travelling with <strong>the</strong> convoy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Neelkanth. She is polluting <strong>the</strong> entire journey,’ raged Tarak.<br />
‘Enough!’ intervened Shiva. ‘Princess Sati is leaving with dignity. Stop your diatribe right<br />
now.’<br />
‘I will not!’ screeched Tarak. What kind <strong>of</strong> a leader are you? You are challenging Lord Ram’s<br />
laws.’<br />
‘Tarak!’ yelled Jhooleshwar. ‘The Lord Neelkanth has <strong>the</strong> right to challenge <strong>the</strong> law. If you<br />
value your life, you will not defy his authority’<br />
‘I am a Meluhan,’ shrieked Tarak. ‘It is my right to challenge anyone breaking <strong>the</strong> law. A<br />
dhobi, a mere washerman, challenged Lord Ram. It was his greatness that he acceded to <strong>the</strong><br />
man’s objection and renounced his wife. I would urge <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth to learn from Lord Ram’s<br />
example and use his brains for making decisions.’<br />
‘ENOUGH TARAK!’ erupted Sati.<br />
The entire congregation was stunned into silence by Tarak’s remark. But not Sati.<br />
Something inside her snapped. She had tolerated too many insults for too long. And she had<br />
endured <strong>the</strong>m with quiet dignity. But this time, this man had insulted Shiva. Her Shiva, she finally<br />
acknowledged to herself.<br />
‘I invoke <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> Agnipariksha’ said Sati, back in control.<br />
The stunned onlookers could not believe <strong>the</strong>ir ears. A trial by fire!<br />
This was getting worse and worse. Under Agnipariksha, an unfairly injured soul could<br />
challenge <strong>the</strong>ir tormentor to a duel. It was called Agnipariksha as combat would take place<br />
within a ring <strong>of</strong> fire. There was no escape from <strong>the</strong> ring. The duellists had to keep fighting till<br />
one person surrendered or died. An Agnipariksha was extremely rare <strong>the</strong>se days. And for a<br />
woman to invoke <strong>the</strong> right was almost unheard <strong>of</strong>.<br />
‘There is no reason for this, my lady,’ pleaded Jhooleshwar. Just like his subjects, he was<br />
terrified that Princess Sati might be killed in his city. For <strong>the</strong> gargantuan Tarak would certainly<br />
slay her. The Emperor’s wrath would be terrible. Turning to Tarak, Jhooleshwar ordered, ‘You<br />
will not accept this challenge.’<br />
‘And be called a coward?’<br />
‘You want to prove your bravery?’ spoke Parvateshwar for <strong>the</strong> first time. ‘Then fight me. I<br />
will act as Sati’s second for <strong>the</strong> challenge.’<br />
‘Only I have <strong>the</strong> right to appoint a second,pitratulya’ said Sati, reverentially referring to<br />
Parvateshwar as being ‘like a fa<strong>the</strong>r’. Turning to Tarak, she said, ‘I am appointing no second.<br />
You will fight with me.’<br />
‘You will do no such thing Tarak,’ Brahaspati objected this time.<br />
‘Tarak, <strong>the</strong> only reason you wouldn’t want to fight is if you are afraid <strong>of</strong> being killed,’ said