the immortal of maluha
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‘We <strong>of</strong> course refused to do that,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘Under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> King<br />
Brahmanayak, his Highness’ fa<strong>the</strong>r, we attacked Swadweep.’<br />
‘The land <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chandravanshis?’ asked Shiva.<br />
‘Yes Shiva,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘And it was a resounding victory. The Chandravanshi army<br />
was routed. King Brahmanayak kindly let <strong>the</strong>m keep <strong>the</strong>ir lands and even <strong>the</strong>ir system <strong>of</strong><br />
governance. We didn’t even ask for any war reparations or yearly tribute ei<strong>the</strong>r. The only term<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> surrender treaty was <strong>the</strong> return <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Yamuna. We restored <strong>the</strong> Yamuna to her original<br />
course to meet with <strong>the</strong> Saraswati.’<br />
‘You fought in that war, Parvateshwar?’<br />
‘Yes,’ said Parvateshwar, his chest swollen with pride. ‘I was a mere soldier <strong>the</strong>n. But I did<br />
fight in that war.’<br />
Turning to Daksha, Shiva asked, ‘Then what is <strong>the</strong> problem now, your Highness? Your<br />
enemy was comprehensively defeated. Then why is <strong>the</strong> Saraswati still dying?’<br />
We believe that <strong>the</strong> Chandravanshis are up to something again. We don’t understand it as<br />
yet. After <strong>the</strong>ir defeat, <strong>the</strong> area between our two countries was made into a no-man’s land and<br />
<strong>the</strong> jungle has reclaimed it. That included <strong>the</strong> early course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Yamuna as well. We stuck to<br />
our part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bargain and never disturbed that region. It appears that <strong>the</strong>y didn’t honour <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> promise.’<br />
‘Are you sure <strong>of</strong> that your Highness? Has <strong>the</strong> area been checked? Has this been discussed<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Chandravanshis’ representative in your empire?’<br />
‘Are you trying to say that we are lying?’ countered Parvateshwar. True Suryavanshis don’t<br />
lie!’<br />
‘Parvateshwar!’ scolded Daksha angrily. ‘The Lord was not implying anything like that.’<br />
‘Listen to me, Parvateshwar,’ said Shiva politely. ‘If I have learnt something from <strong>the</strong><br />
poindess batdes <strong>of</strong> my land, it is that wars should be <strong>the</strong> last resort. If <strong>the</strong>re is ano<strong>the</strong>r solution<br />
possible, <strong>the</strong>re is no harm in saving some young soldier’s life. A mo<strong>the</strong>r somewhere would<br />
bless us for it.’<br />
‘Let’s not fight! Wonderful! What a great saviour we have!’ Parvateshwar muttered under his<br />
breath.<br />
‘You have something to say Parvateshwar?’ barked Kanakhala. ‘I have told you before. You<br />
will not insult <strong>the</strong> Neelkanth in my presence!’<br />
‘I don’t take orders from you,’ growled Parvateshwar.<br />
‘Enough!’ ordered Daksha. Turning to Shiva, he continued, ‘I am sorry my Lord. You are<br />
right. We shouldn’t just declare war without being sure. That is why I have avoided a war till<br />
now. But look at <strong>the</strong> facts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> case. The flow <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Saraswati has been slowly depleting for<br />
<strong>the</strong> last fifty years.’<br />
‘And <strong>the</strong> last few years have been horrible,’ said Kanakhala as she controlled her tears at<br />
<strong>the</strong> slow death <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river most Meluhans regarded as a mo<strong>the</strong>r. ‘The Saraswati doesn’t even<br />
reach <strong>the</strong> sea now and ends in an inland delta just south <strong>of</strong> Rajasthan.’<br />
‘And <strong>the</strong> Somras cannot be made without water from <strong>the</strong> Saraswati,’ continued Daksha.<br />
‘The Chandravanshis know that and that is why <strong>the</strong>y are trying to kill her.’<br />
‘What does <strong>the</strong> Swadweep representative say about it? Has he been questioned?’<br />
‘We have no diplomatic relations with Swadweep, my Lord,’ said Daksha.<br />
‘Really? I thought having representatives <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r countries was one <strong>of</strong> your innovative<br />
systems. It gives you an opportunity to better understand <strong>the</strong>m and maybe avoid jumping into a