the immortal of maluha
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enormous, all embracing ocean. The mystery <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ocean’s final destination though was yet to<br />
be unravelled.<br />
‘What is Ram?’ enquired Shiva as he looked down at <strong>the</strong> word covering every inch <strong>of</strong> his<br />
saffron cloth.<br />
The three accompanying soldiers rode at a polite distance behind Shiva and Nandi. Far<br />
enough not to overhear any conversation but close enough to move in quickly at <strong>the</strong> first sign <strong>of</strong><br />
trouble. It was a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir standard Meluhan service rules.<br />
‘Lord Ram was <strong>the</strong> emperor who established our way <strong>of</strong> life, my Lord,’ replied Nandi. ‘He<br />
lived around one thousand two hundred years ago. He created our systems, our rules, our<br />
ideologies, everything. His reign is known simply as ‘Ram Rajya’ or ‘<strong>the</strong> rule <strong>of</strong> Ram. The term<br />
‘Ram Rajya’ is considered to be <strong>the</strong> gold standard <strong>of</strong> how an empire must be administered, to<br />
create a perfect life for all its citizens. Meluha is still run according to his principles. Jai Shri<br />
Ram.’<br />
‘He must have been quite a man! For he truly created a paradise right here on earth.’<br />
Shiva did not lie when he said this. He truly believed that if <strong>the</strong>re was a paradise<br />
somewhere, it couldn’t have been very different from Meluha. This was a land <strong>of</strong> abundance, <strong>of</strong><br />
almost e<strong>the</strong>real perfection! It was an empire ruled by clearly codified and just laws, to which<br />
every Meluhan was subordinated, including <strong>the</strong> emperor. The country supported a population <strong>of</strong><br />
nearly eight million, which without exception seemed well fed, healthy and wealthy. The average<br />
intellect was exceptionally high. They were a slightiy serious people, but unfailingly polite and<br />
civil. It seemed to be a flawless society where everyone knew his role and played it perfectly.<br />
They were conscious, nay obsessive, about <strong>the</strong>ir duties. The simple truth hit Shiva: if <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
society was conscious <strong>of</strong> its duties, nobody would need to fight for <strong>the</strong>ir individual rights. Since<br />
everybody’s rights would be automatically taken care <strong>of</strong> through someone else’s duties. Lord<br />
Ram was a genius!<br />
Shiva too repeated Nandi’s cry, signifying Glory to Lord Ram. ‘Jai Shri Ram.’<br />
Having left <strong>the</strong>ir horses at <strong>the</strong> government authorised crossing-house, <strong>the</strong>y crossed <strong>the</strong> river<br />
Ravi, close to Hariyupa, or <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> Hari. Shiva lingered <strong>the</strong>re admiring Hariyupa at a slight<br />
distance, while his soldiers waited just beyond his shadow, having mounted <strong>the</strong>ir freshly<br />
allocated horses from <strong>the</strong> crossing-house on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ravi. Hariyupa was a much<br />
larger city than Srinagar and seemed grand from <strong>the</strong> outside. Shiva thought seriously about<br />
exploring <strong>the</strong> magnificent city but that would have meant a delay in <strong>the</strong> trip to Devagiri. Next to<br />
Hariyupa, Shiva saw a construction project being executed. A new platform was being erected<br />
as Hariyupa had grown too populous to accommodate everyone on its existing platform.<br />
How <strong>the</strong> hell do <strong>the</strong>y raise <strong>the</strong>se magnificent platforms?<br />
Shiva made a mental note to visit <strong>the</strong> construction site on his return journey. At a distance,<br />
Jattaa, <strong>the</strong> captain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river crossing house, was talking to Nandi while he was about to climb<br />
<strong>the</strong> platform to mount his fresh horse.<br />
‘Avoid <strong>the</strong> road via Jratakgiri,’ advised Jattaa. ‘There was a terrorist attack <strong>the</strong>re last night.<br />
All <strong>the</strong> Brahmins were killed and <strong>the</strong> village temple was destroyed. The terrorists escaped as<br />
usual before any backup soldiers could arrive.’