the immortal of maluha
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‘Your destiny is much larger than <strong>the</strong>se massive mountains.’<br />
Nonsense! I don’t deserve any destiny. If <strong>the</strong>se people knew my guilt, <strong>the</strong>y would stop this<br />
bullshit instantly!<br />
‘I don’t know what to do, Bhadra.’<br />
Shiva was sitting in <strong>the</strong> royal gardens on <strong>the</strong> banks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dal Lake while his friend sat at his<br />
side, carefully filling some marijuana into a chillum. As Bhadra used <strong>the</strong> lit stick to bring <strong>the</strong><br />
chillum to life, Shiva said impatiently, ‘That’s a cue for you to speak, you fool.’<br />
‘No. That’s actually a cue for me to hand you <strong>the</strong> chillum, Shiva.’<br />
‘Why will you not council me?’ asked Shiva in anguish. ‘We are still <strong>the</strong> same friends who<br />
never made a move without consulting each o<strong>the</strong>r!’<br />
Bhadra smiled. ‘No we are not. You are <strong>the</strong> Chief now. The tribe lives and dies by your<br />
decisions. It cannot be corrupted by any o<strong>the</strong>r person’s influence. We are not like <strong>the</strong> Pakratis,<br />
where <strong>the</strong> Chief has to listen to whoever is <strong>the</strong> loudmouth on <strong>the</strong>ir council. Only <strong>the</strong> chief’s<br />
wisdom is supreme amongst <strong>the</strong> Gunas. That is our tradition.’<br />
Shiva raised his eyes in exasperation. ‘Some traditions are meant to be broken!’<br />
Bhadra stayed silent. Stretching his hand, Shiva grabbed <strong>the</strong> chillum from Bhadra. He took<br />
one deep puff, letting <strong>the</strong> marijuana spread its munificence into his body.<br />
‘I’ve heard just one line about <strong>the</strong> legend <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth,’ said Bhadra. ‘Apparently Meluha<br />
is in deep trouble and only <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth can save <strong>the</strong>m.’<br />
‘But I can’t seem to see any trouble out here? Everything seems perfect. If <strong>the</strong>y want to see<br />
real trouble we should take <strong>the</strong>m to our land!’<br />
Bhadra laughed slightiy. ‘But what is it about <strong>the</strong> blue throat that makes <strong>the</strong>m believe you<br />
can save <strong>the</strong>m?’<br />
‘Damned if I know! They are so much more advanced than us. And yet <strong>the</strong>y worship me like<br />
I am some god. Just because <strong>of</strong> this blessed blue throat’<br />
‘I think <strong>the</strong>ir medicines are magical though. Have you noticed that <strong>the</strong> hump on my back has<br />
reduced a litde bit?’<br />
‘Yes it has! Their doctors are seriously gifted.’<br />
‘You know <strong>the</strong>ir doctors are called Brahmins?’<br />
‘Like Ayurvati?’ asked Shiva, passing <strong>the</strong> chillum back to Bhadra.<br />
‘Yes. But <strong>the</strong> Brahmins don’t just cure people. They are also teachers, lawyers, priests,<br />
basically any intellectual pr<strong>of</strong>ession.’<br />
‘Talented people,’ sniffed Shiva.<br />
‘That’s not all,’ said Bhadra, in between a long inhalation.<br />
‘They have a concept <strong>of</strong> specialisation. So in addition to <strong>the</strong> Brahmins, <strong>the</strong>y have a group<br />
called Kshatriyas, who are <strong>the</strong> warriors and rulers. Even <strong>the</strong> women can be Kshatriyas!’<br />
‘Really? They allow women into <strong>the</strong>ir army?’<br />
‘Well, apparently <strong>the</strong>re aren’t too many female Kshatriyas. But yes, <strong>the</strong>y are allowed into <strong>the</strong><br />
army.’<br />
‘No wonder <strong>the</strong>y are in trouble!’<br />
The friends laughed loudly at <strong>the</strong> strange ways <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Meluhans. Bhadra took ano<strong>the</strong>r puff<br />
from <strong>the</strong> chillum before continuing his story. ‘And <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y have Vaishyas, who are craftsmen,