the immortal of maluha

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Episode from The Secret of the Nagas The Gates of Branga ‘Why are you back so soon? You have enough medicines for a year.’ Divodas was shocked at the manner in which Major Uma was speaking. She was always strict. But never rude. He had been delighted that she had been posted on the gates. Though he hadn’t met her in years, they had been friends a long time back. He had thought he could use his friendship with her to gain easy passage into Branga. ‘What is the matter, Uma?’ asked Divodas. ‘It is Major Uma. I am on duty.’ ‘I’m sorry Major. I meant no disrespect.’ ‘I can’t let you go back unless you give me a good reason.’ ‘Why would I need a reason to enter my own country?’ ‘This is not your country anymore. You chose to abandon it. Kashi is your land. Go back there.’ ‘Major Uma, you know I had no choice. You know the risks to the life of my child in Branga.’ ‘You think those who live in Branga don’t? You think we don’t love our children? Yet we choose to live in our own land. You suffer the consequences of your choice.’ Divodas realised this was getting nowhere. ‘I have to meet the King on a matter of national importance.’ Uma narrowed her eyes. ‘Really? I guess the King has some important business dealings with Kashi, right?’ Divodas breathed in deeply. ‘Major Uma, it is very important that I meet the King. You must trust me.’ ‘Unless you are carrying the Queen of the Nagas herself on one of your ships, I can’t see anything important enough to let you through!’ ‘I’m carrying someone far more important than the Queen of the Nagas.’ ‘Kashi has really improved your sense of humour, Divodas,’ sneered Uma. ‘I suggest you turn back and shine your supreme light somewhere else.’ The snide pun on Kashi’s name convinced Divodas that he was facing a changed Uma. An angry and bitter Uma, incapable of listening to reason. He had no choice. He had to get the Neelkanth. He knew Uma used to believe in the legend. ‘I’ll come back with the person more important than the Queen of the Nagas herself,’ said Divodas, turning to leave.
The small cutter had just docked at the Branga office. Divodas alit first. Followed by Shiva, Parvateshwar, Bhagirath, Drapaku and Purvaka. Uma, standing outside her office, sighed. ‘You really don’t give up, do you?’ ‘This is very important, Major Uma,’ said Divodas. Uma recognised Bhagirath. ‘Is this the person? You think I should break the rules for the Prince of Ayodhya?’ ‘He is the Prince of Swadweep, Major Uma. Don’t forget that. We send tribute to Ayodhya.’ ‘So you are more loyal to Ayodhya as well now? How many times will you abandon Branga?’ ‘Major, in the name of Ayodhya, I respectfully ask you to let us pass,’ said Bhagirath, trying hard not to lose his temper. He knew the Neelkanth did not want any bloodshed. ‘Our terms of the Ashwamedh treaty were very clear, Prince. We send you a tribute annually. And Ayodhya never enters Branga. We have maintained our part of the agreement. The orders to me are to help you maintain your part of the bargain.’ Shiva stepped forward. ‘If I may...’ Uma was at the end of her patience. She stepped forward and pushed Shiva. ‘Get out of here.’ ‘UMA!’ Divodas pulled out his sword. Bhagirath, Parvateshwar, Drapaku and Purvaka too drew out their swords instantly. ‘I will kill your entire family for this blasphemy,’ swore Drapaku. ‘Wait!’ said Shiva, his arms spread wide, stopping his men. Shiva turned towards Uma. She was staring at him. Shocked. The angvastram that he had wrapped around his body for warmth had come undone, revealing his nee/ kanth, the prophesied blue throat. The Branga soldiers around Uma immediately went down on their knees, heads bowed in respect, tears flooding their eyes. Uma continued to stare, her mouth half open. Shiva cleared his throat. ‘I really need to pass through, Major Uma. May I request your cooperation?’ Uma’s face turned mottled red. ‘Where the hell have you been?’ Shiva frowned. Uma bent forward, tears in her eyes, banging her small fists on Shiva’s well-honed chest. ‘Where the hell have you been? We have been waiting! We have been suffering! Where the hell have you been?’ Shiva tried to hold Uma, to comfort her. But she sank down holding Shiva’s leg, wailing. ‘Where the hell have you been?’ A concerned Divodas turned to another Branga friend also posted at the border. His friend whispered, ‘Last month, Major Uma lost her only child to the plague. Her husband and she had conceived after years of trying. She was devastated.’ Divodas looked at Uma with empathy, understanding her angst. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what would happen to him if he lost his baby. Shiva, who had heard the entire conversation, squatted. He cradled Uma in the shelter of his arms, as though trying to give her his strength. ‘Why didn’t you come earlier?’ Uma kept crying, inconsolable.
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Praise for The Immortals of Meluha
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westland ltd Venkat Towers, 165, P.
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To Preeti & Neel... You both are ev
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Acknowledgements The Shiva Trilogy
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The Shiva Trilogy Shiva! The Mahade
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Shiva mused that he would certainly
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It had been five days since Shiva h
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‘If this is the border province,
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side. Nandi was genuinely starded a
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stricken voice, ‘Shiva, I’m sor
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Ayurvati looked up from her palm-le
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‘Your destiny is much larger than
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The cravat felt warm on his still c
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enormous, all embracing ocean. The
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‘No, I am not. You people are jus
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Suryavanshi soldier, judging by his
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which had been adorned by pillars a
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tried to gather his wits, his overw
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The noble woman averted her eyes in
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who would want to use this symbol n
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they don’t even realise how many
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‘That also sounds like a good ide
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with me? He has been my constant co
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CHAPTER 5 Tribe of Brahma Shiva was
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Shiva folded his hands into a namas
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It was late in the morning the next
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his gurukul as his successor. This
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CHAPTER 6 Vikarma, the Carriers of
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and the commerce being conducted, t
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asked Shiva. ‘Yes Shiva,’ said
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Those of the vanquished who survive
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‘What bloody nonsense!’ yelled
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‘And presumably they don’t, you
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war. I had heard of a diplomatic mi
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up to you. As Daksha spoke once aga
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Shiva raised his eyebrow a bit. Par
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CHAPTER 8 Drink of the Gods Shiva a
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exact location. There was an elite
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similar formation. A side guard of
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with it? The medicine has to work o
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CHAPTER 9 Love and its Consequences
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A few aspects of the story he was r
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frantic rhythm. He could swear that
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‘I am uncomfortable with the atte
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CHAPTER 10 The Hooded Figure Return
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Shiva could not recognise the cacop
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pounded him from the back. As he fe
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attle just a few hours ago. They we
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CHAPTER 11 Neelkanth Unveiled The n
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nearly got herself killed for her p
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The preparations for Shiva’s tour
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CHAPTER 12 Journey through Meluha
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At a short distance from the road o
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had just saved. ‘No, Vishwadyumna
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‘Private Veerbhadra,’ said Nand
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Veerbhadra, were holding them back.
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the life of an outcast.’ ‘I DON
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genuinely think the law itself is u
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‘No it isn’t,’ explained the
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‘What is the Lord doing in there?
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all this in her transactions with s
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CHAPTER 15 Trial by Fire The little
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This was just a traditional questio
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Shiva. Every person turned towards
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duel. However, there wasn’t enoug
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CHAPTER 16 The Sun & Earth There wa
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‘Yes, your Highness.’ The Queen
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Ayurvati as well. It was the first
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ipped off his cravat and threw it a
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forward. A jump timed to perfection
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and Dhruvini had already fanned out
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Sati smiled sadly and put her hand
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Neelkanth.’ ‘I didn’t drop fr
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leeding. Then he quickly helped the
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Devagiri. This is big news. We must
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aide silently brought in two chairs
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ought it to his lips and kissed it
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particular puja, however, celebrate
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Veerbhadra came forward, embraced S
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another.’ ‘I know,’ said Brah
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‘And I’ll know all that by talk
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‘What the hell was that?’ cried
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‘I’m coming with you,’ said S
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Page 173 and 174: Parvateshwar nodded. The Meluhan wa
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Page 177 and 178: ‘It will be done, my Lord,’ sai
Page 179 and 180: they ask me how I let a non-Kshatri
Page 181 and 182: wished that Shiva would rise to be
Page 183 and 184: Sati laughed heartily. Shiva joined
Page 185 and 186: ‘Drapaku,’ said Shiva. ‘I don
Page 187 and 188: ‘Perhaps I should leave, your Hig
Page 189 and 190: CHAPTER 23 Dharmayudh, the Holy War
Page 191 and 192: Shiva had the answer: ‘Har Ek Hal
Page 193 and 194: the bow formation. The Chandravansh
Page 195 and 196: CHAPTER 24 A Stunning Revelation Sa
Page 197 and 198: Nagas, he genuinely believed he had
Page 199 and 200: Shiva looked up, his eyes half shut
Page 201 and 202: ‘So this route seems to make the
Page 203 and 204: ‘And,’ continued Anandmayi, ‘
Page 205 and 206: excuse for action. The roads were n
Page 207 and 208: Possibly in the hope of a grand unv
Page 209 and 210: ‘That, my Lord,’ said Anandmayi
Page 211 and 212: piece of bread and gruel. It looked
Page 213 and 214: CHAPTER 26 The Question of Question
Page 215 and 216: ‘More so than you can imagine. Th
Page 217 and 218: ‘Vayuputra?’ asked Shiva. The n
Page 219 and 220: Hat Har Mahadev: Hariyupa: Holi: In
Page 221: Shakti Devi: Shamiana: Mother Godde
Page 225: Amish is a 36-year-old, IIM (Kolkat
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