Untitled - Katha

42 ◆
said the land was not a sacrificial goat. The head couldn’t be
separated from its body.”
They resumed their walk. The silence was broken by a clamour
from the temple. It must be crowded inside. The pot-bellied
priest was probably offering obeisance to Hara-Gauri.
With Pulu in tow, the two men explored every narrow,
untrodden path. They peered into the mouths of caves hiding
behind the thick foliage. They poked around in the undergrowth
with their sticks. Ideal places to conceal a cache of arms. Exhausted,
Debeshwar Sarma and Harakanta Sarma were acutely aware of
their advancing years.
“We may as well stay on for a couple of days. We’ll be able to
make a more thorough search.”
“Sir! What will happen to me? I could not carry on living if
my son were to die. Please help me with some money to take my
son to Gauhati for treatment.”
Pulu fell at their feet. Again Debeshwar Sarma stepped back.
“Last week our priest told us about the foreign lady.
It seems she brought out some ointment and bandages for our
women’s hands.”
Harakanta Sarma nodded.
“Listen Pulu, go and lie on the veranda of Darbhanga House.
I have heard that the foreign lady has a whole lot of silver coins
stamped with the likenesses of King George and the Queen.”
With this helpful advice, both gentlemen hurried off in search
of their own priests.
“Ma ... Ma ... Ma Chinnamasta! Ma!”
Dorothy Brown sat up with a start. It came from the direction
of the Chinnamasta temple. It was midnight. Jatadhari must be
The Man from Chinnamasta