indian chronicles- a story by ashwinshekhar

7/28/2019 Indian Chronicles- A Story by ashwinshekhar

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Indian Chronicles- The Kailashanath Diamond

A tribute to the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Written By Ashwin T Shekhar

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Chapter I

It is not every day that you confront a great five feet long snake in the

principals office. But, there we go, all that would definitely happen to Gaurav.

It all started with the school organising a field trip to the Marina Beach for

swimming practice. Gaurav was sick of listening to the same words from the

principal, Mr.Nagraj, stating the terrible state of the school in sports and

athletics. He was really desperate; to send off a whole terrible lot to the Marina

is no small feat, of course.

Once they reached the Beach Road, the students at the back seat howled and

hooted with glee. Gaurav got down with his best friend, Kamal and then came

another bus. This bus had The BLUEBELLS HIGH on the side. Down came

two girls, chatting away their time and laughing. Behind came another two girls,who looked like they were amidst a deep discussion. Then a set of boys poured

out, with one of them reading a paperback novel. He was stern, and his side-

parted black hair made him look likewell, like someone who loves books and

hates disobedience.

Hey, Ashwin, cant you ever leave your novel alone? asked a boy in front.

He did not reply, much too engrossed to talk.


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Um, Gaurav, would you please follow the line, or risk staying back, dear?

asked Mrs. Mehta, their Geography teacher. She did not leave any opportunity

to show the class how the beach was formed and explain about the waves and

tides and the breeze and whatnot.

Kamal dragged him along so that theyd not leave their class. Gaurav hated the

sea. How much ever the teachers forced him, he could not help being

hydrophobic. So, the swimming teacher told them to change, and once they

came back, they headed out to a safe part of the coast.

Students, we have to understand the proper techniques of swimming. It is

essential that you hold yourself properly and make sure that you dont forget the

posture. So let us practice the most essential... said the swimming teacher, but

Gauravs mind had already drifted off. He saw the BLUEBELLS HIGH group

heading towards the lighthouse. He had no control over himself. He slipped

away.

He saw that the boy, Ashwin, had finally stuffed his novel away. He now had a

notepad and a pencil in his hands and intently, he was making notes. The other

girls, the chatting ones had stopped chatting but they were discussing something

and giggling. He heard a few words, Nandita!!; Hey, its not my fault, Swati!

The shorter one, with very dark brown hair, was gazing at the southern horizon,

and she looked at the sea lovingly like it was her life force. The taller one poked

her, her brown eyes twinkling golden in the sunlight.

What,Nandita? asked the shorter one.

To remind you that we are here for half an hour not a lifetime, saidNandita.

Swati and Nandita, will you ever stop chatting? asked Ashwin from behind.

And dont you guess that youre being watched? he said, gazing exactly where

Gaurav stood.

What? asked Swati. She looked behind to find Gaurav looking at them. He felt

himself pressing the urge to run away. Ashwin seemed to have spotted that.


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Hey, dont worry. I do hate spies, but you dont look like one. I just thought

you were purposefully observing these two, he said.

Gaurav must have been taken aback, but he said nothing.

My name is Gaurav, and I am from Class 7,he said.

O course you are! said a voice behind them. Gaurav turned back to see Kamal

in his favourite pink shirt and gentle smile.

So now you are another character from the Redwood School? asked Ashwin.

Yet again, this reasoning ability shocked Gaurav and Kamal.

How did you find out? I mean, are we wearing our uniform? asked Kamal.

Big surprise. I saw another school bus standing next to ours. I noticed the

name, thats all, said Ashwin.

Think we have to go, said Kamal.

Both Gaurav and Kamal rushed off to see their school leaving. They got onto

their bus at the last second.

After the trip, there were a few more lessons to endure. There was Mathematics,

which did not go well. Especially when Gaurav messed up the value of pi and

somehow got the answer in Greek letters, like around alpha and scribbled stuff

all over the notebook.

End of the day was Value Education, and Gaurav forgot his textbook.

That is the tenth time you have not brought your book, Gaurav! Go to the

principals office, now! roared Mr.Gupta.

One thing about Nagrajs office was that it always smelled wet and evil, the

kind of principal personality you dont wish for.

So, as Gaurav entered the room he confronted his principal storming over a rat.

Yes, it was a dead rat.


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Hello, Gaurav. I have been waiting for your entransss. I hope you r parentsss

will believe me that you are dead indeed. Sorry for being your teacher, child! I

have been waiting for too LONG! With the last word, he turned into a huge

five feet long snake in a sickly shade of mauve with a huge rasping voice.

He lunged.

Gaurav just had one thing. He wanted to call out for help, but his moment of

shock overpowered him. Suddenly, Nagraj turned into a huge wisp of purplesmoke. Tum hisaab chukaoge, Gaurav!!! said the same voice before

disappearing.


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Chapter II

Usually, Ashwin would have wanted to stay right there at the lighthouse for a

while to observe the excellent use of logic on the top, but well, maybe he could

use the time to read his novel. This novel was no ordinary novel, a great story,and an absorbing one too. It didnt matter to him all the name-callings and

matter which could just be ignored.

Just then, Swati and Nandita came towards him. Probably they had an

argument, he thought.

Swati is immersedin the world of books. But I am not. Tell me, how to exactly

select the trial method among the principle of Pythagoras? askedNandita.

No, I am not. I have to get marks, dont I? Tell me too.

You can do it this way. Select the smallest square to the next set of numbers

and L-divide it, simple. Anyway, I know you came here to talk about that spy

boy, right? he asked.

Bingo! said Jasnoor from behind. She was sitting with Madhumita, who

seemed to be sleepy. They were talking about something. Parvati approached

Ashwin, too, but with a different question.


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I want to know whether you go for any extra tuition, she declared.

No, I dont. Ashwin replied.

Then tell me how do you get good marks? enquired Madhumita.

All will be learnt in due course, said an unknown person, a parent.

They got down from the bus and approached their school. Ashwin liked this

building. He, of course, like Swati, loved books, but he had a different feelingabout this place, almost like home. Students were running about here and there.

There was perfect commotion around. Yet, he felt some kind of connection with

this place.

I want six of you- Nandita, Swati, you, Parvati, Jasnoor and Madhumita to

come with me, said the parent.

Weird, Ashwin thought. A parent asks them to come for a ride with him?

Suspicious and question arising. That reminded him. Questions-asking session.

Sir, who are you, exactly? What do you want?

My dear, just call all of them. Special orders cannot be ignored, he replied.

So he called all of them. The car of the parent set out towards north.

Sir, we dont have to go north, do we? Thats out of city, said the driver.

The parent muttered something about meanwhile and then continued givingdirections. They reached a huge campus of school outside town. Redwood

School had arrived. Two people were waiting outside. Ashwin did a double-

take. It was Kamal and Gaurav.

Sorry were late. Get in and keep quiet, said the parent.

The car veered off towards east till they raced through the outskirts of Chennai.

They arrived at a small port village.


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North of here is Ishwar Academy. Please keep quiet when you reach there. And

of course, by the looks of it, Mr.Ashwin, youre in altar four. And perhaps

Madhumita is in altar three. I dont know. The Ishwar will only claim your

adoption, he said.

Adoption? Excuse me, sir, we have parents. So if this orphanage is to take us,

say no,boomed Ashwin.

Dear me, mumbled the parent. My dear child, I am Narada, the messenger ofthe lords. Do not say something like that.

The car trembled. They were now in a huge temple complex around a huge lake;

something that cannot be found on Google Maps. With that, they saw, that the

whole temple spread out over altars. Not normal ones, but huge altars with

marvellous colouring.

As they passed the gates, Ashwins face began to illuminate, and a Nandita

appeared over his head and a book fell on his hand from nowhere.

Behold, Ashwin, the son of almighty Saraswati, goddess of wisdom,

knowledge and arts. Please accept Mas offering. SaraswatiNamasthubyam.

Ashwin took the book. It was named Hamare Sanskaarva Icchaen

That was in Hindi. Understandable it was.

And then, the sky rumbled, and Nanditas head glowed a reddish hue. Then, a

silver trident appeared above her head.

Behold, my godliness, Nandita, the almighty daughter of Shiva, the great

destroyerof evil and the perfection expert. Om Nama Shivaya.

They entered the city complex and the parent, actually Narada, led them

towards a huge complex. The Sabha, it was called. It was full of mats on the

floor and people talking. They entered.

Nandita, and Ashwin, please go to your respective altars. Ashwin, as I saidbefore, go to that white altar up there, near the Pustakalaya. And Nandita, you


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must go to altar one, the huge altar with three stripes and a red eye, go. Narada

said so, and started in the general direction of the setting sun.

The others were left. They felt really nervous.

Ashwin followed Narada to the main complex, and through a confusing set of

signs in Sanskrit, one sign said: Vidya Ma Viman. That one felt right, so he

followed that path. It was marvellous. The altar was huge: in white and with

enormous bookcases inside, and lots of worktables and beds where you couldread. It was just Ashwins kind of place to live in.

Svagatam. Dear me, welcome to the Vidya Ma Viman that is the Saraswati

Altar, thats what we call it anyway. You will excel if Ma wishes you luck. You

have a great future ahead. Good bye, dear boy.Krupya agya devam.He said so

and rushed off towards a huge temple.


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Chapter III

Nandita was faint with surprise. God! (Correction: gods!) Lord Shiva had

accepted her in! Just like that! A trident appeared over her head, and voila!

Nandita, the daughter of Shiva is referred to as Her Godliness. But her friends,

they were blank, left out, knowing nothing about their godly parent.

Why had Lord Shiva claimed her, anyway? Why was she supposed to be his

daughter? All these questions confused her, but she had no room for more, as

she approached the grand Altar One, a huge dome protruding from a small

sanctorum, with a Shivalinga, and of course, the whole outer colour was deep

blue and three stripes of white were there above.

There also was a red eye, glaring at them, as though it had been forced there.

And it was really scary to look at. Chants ofOm Nama Shivaya were coming

from the sanctorum, though Nandita never saw any living soul inside.

Svagatam. Welcome to Lord Shivas abode for ardha-ishwaras. Half- gods in

your language, I suppose. You and I, sadly, are the only ones part of this huge

cabin, and sadly enough, my sister, Jyoti, is missing, or perhaps dead from the


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deadly quest ourdearNarada had given her. Who can survive Naraka? asked a

boy, fourteen years or so, with such bitterness, that Nandita almost felt pity.

Sorry, but I dont know who you are, and what you do. Please, tell me who this

Naraka is, and perhaps I could help you.Nandita said.

The boy looked stunned, as though he had not even realized that Nandita was

there, and suddenly became aware of that fact. He shrugged and then started

telling, So, welcome to our heavenly abode for Lord Shivas favourite children.I am one of those, so are you. Let me show you around, he pointed at a huge

Shivalinga in front, this, the most prized treasure of our institute, is the

Mahalinga. You must see that this radiates such immense power that the bhoot,

prt, pisach and danav dont enter our premises. But, only our people can

control it. We are the only ones who can make the Shivalinga work for the

camp. So, I hope you do help me.

They followed a thin staircase lined with flaming fire brackets and entered a

huge room with the walls full of candles. Glowing chandeliers and beautiful

golden spheres filled the room. There were sofas and couches spiked on the east

side, with a merry fire burning on the west. It was written, Danavo Bhagatam

Shivam.Loosely translated, it must have meant, all demons must fear Shiva.

There were two doors, one for Mahilaand the other for the Purush.

From here, I cannot guide you. So, please go front, and explore our great altar.

Oh and just come back by five oclock, just to come to the Bhojanalaya on

time, he said and rushed off.

And so the time came. Nandita rushed off to the main hall, that is, The Sabha, to

see a huge set of people gathered around a yagna, or a fire, and she recognized

four of them- Madhumita, Parvati, Swati and Jasnoor.

Sa Vachan, give me your wish, Lords of Kailash and Sagar. Give me the

ability, Narayana, to determine the fates of these people. What should I do?

Narada was saying this in pure Sanskrit, but Nandita somehow understood.


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What is he doing? askedNandita. And where is Gaurav?

There is always a sacrifice ceremony. If one of these four are not suitable for

the gods choices, and they have found out about this, the memory wil l be

erased and cleaned forever, said the boy.

WHAT?! exclaimedNandita.

Narada had started using his rites and rituals. He stood up straight and muttered

mantras, waiting for the Lords to inform them about the decision.

The breeze grew stronger. The water in the pond rose higher. The fire danced

and roared upwards. The sky rumbled, and the Nandita started playing itself.

Then, from nowhere, appeared six figures- the forms of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva,

Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. These were just images, but it sure looked like

the gods had changed a lot over the ages. Vishnu wore a delicately woven kurta

in blue colour with actual fishes swimming in it.

Brahma wore a nice velvet violet suit and had well-groomed silver hair. But

worst of all for Nandita was to see Lord Shiva, her newly acclaimed father. He

wore a nice full-sleeve red shirt, and the symbol of a tiger was present in his

pleated pants. He looked like a normal person who, like Shiva, enjoyed

controlled lives. Saraswati wore a white skirt and top and had a novel- Great

Expectations in her hand along with her aeon oldNandita.

Lakshmi was more modern. She wore a green top and a pink dupatta, and also a

beautiful sea-blue pyjama. Parvati aka Durga wore a nice sari in red with gold

border. This was how the gods looked now.

My gods, how do you think of these children? Are they any help to you? asked

Narada.

Narada, I strongly objected to this method of memory erasing in the council

years ago. You refuse. But if you have read our laws carefully enough, there is a

statement that if we gods claim our adoptions after a particular championship orcontest, you cannot kill the children, said Saraswati.


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Right. So this godly contest must be held on...?

...on Chaitras first day. And that is tomorrow, said Brahma.

Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam!all the students exclaimed.

Chapter IV

Swati had never experienced a colder night than this, of course. She was

abandoned for doing nothing, a child of nobody, and her friend Nandita had

flown away to Shivas Altar. This competition, of course, was not her game.

She knew nothing of what the temple complex offered in the library; about

Chakra Aiming and whatnot.

Swati was hopeless at Talwaar Vaarand no better at other things. And she wasjealous of Nandita for her excellence in YogMukta, their complexs toughest

endurance test.

And there was Ashwin, of course, getting time to be in the library and to have

Vedanta and Ayurveda and Sanskrit classes to enjoy in.

She felt equal to Jasnoor and Madhumita, and of course, not Parvati. Parvatis

mother must be Parvati. She thought and thought, and felt sore not able to

comprehend why Parvati had not been claimed. And she did not want to think.


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She often would say in desperation to Jasnoor, Nandita means Saraswati in

Sanskrit, then why in worldwould she be the daughterof Shiva?

Moreover, the campus seemed to be poisonous to the four of them. Everyone

mostly avoided them, like they were a cluster of seaweed left in the bottom of

the nearby Shrishti Lake, a tribute to Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Swati acquired just one power which she wasnt too happy aboutspeaking to

animals. She discovered it when she was pondering over possibilities of herbrain being infiltrated and destroyed by the gods themselves, under a banyan

tree.

She saw a cute little squirrel approaching her. She saw it and said grumpily, Hi

there, squeaky. How are you?

And, the squirrel spoke to her.

Hi madam. My name is Pip, and I am the chieftain of all squirrels in north

branch sector. I came to ask you about a major crisis in Road A-5, Nutshell

Avenue. Tell me where to get an ah-corn? it said.

Swati got one from the kitchens and gave the animal, and it happily hopped

away.

So, that was all she had: the power of talking to animals. Nothing else, only that

was her power.

The horns and shankh blared and she scuttled away to the podium. She had todo something.

Then she saw the Chakra and understood. She was born to use that thing. It was

round and shaped like a metal ball. They were divided, with Madhumita getting

magic talent show as a challenge, Jasnoor getting cooking, sewing and treasure

hunting in one hour, and Swati getting Chakra throwing. Parvati was about to

get her task, but the head of Mahishasura severed appeared above her head.

Behold, Almighty Durga has claimed you, my child! shouted Narada.


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So, that was end of one contestant. Selected before even getting her task. Now

Swati has three more to defeat.

In one hour, Swati had to throw fifty chakras in the water with a small stretch

of land. The land must be targeted every single time. If not successful, she

would be thrown out.

Narada counted down to ten and blew the conch horn. The task had started.

Chapter V

Jasnoor felt awkward for being have set this task. It was too tough for her,

mostly because she wasnt a great cook. Even if she managed to cook

something good at all, it would take supposedly a few days for her to master

that technique. She was not good at sewing, too, and not to mention her

clumsiness in knitting two strings of yarn in an hour.


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She could simply not finish searching for a treasure; that too underground. She

felt her memory ebbing away from her already. What was she supposed to do?

She could just do what she was told to. She checked her ingredients on the

table: a few loaves of bread, some butter, cheese slices and a small tava. This

was all she could muster of making: a simple sandwich. This sandwich would

have to be very simple. Really hard it would be for her. She fumbled with the

knives for a moment, and finally she was able to cut a few pieces of cheese.

She had to do ten more in around ten more minutes. How much time could she

waste? Suddenly, her friend, Madhumita appeared behind her, apparently

dropping from a trapdoor above them on the ceiling. She whispered, Jasnoor, I

can make things appear out of thin air, you know! What do you want? Tell me,

fast! I have to reappear onstage after two minutes!

Jasnoor thought rapidly. What would she need to make her task easier? A knife

which could cut automatically? No, that would be impossible. Perhaps a bottle

opener? That would be waste of her time. She kept on eliminating choices till

she got it: a bread toaster!

Quick, give me a toaster. Fast!

Madhumita looked like she was concentrating really hard (like once she had

during a history test), and suddenly a toaster appeared out of thin air in front of

Jasnoor.

I caught it! she exclaimed.

Good luck! Madhumita said and disappeared.

Jasnoor had no time left, she had to do it. She assembled the contents in place

and made a passable toast.

She rushed on to the knitting loom. Two pink sets of yarn lay waiting for her.

She picked them up and started sewing them. She found these very soft and

smooth. Not silk, but something as valuable as that.


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She continued knitting, till she got a nymph sized sweater. She had somehow

done this in a short while. Five past eight: twenty five minutes to go!

She rushed along the corridor to the outside ground, where there was a hole. As

she came nearer, this divided into two more holes. Then, she found out that one

of these holes had to be correct. The others were fake.

She somehow sensed that the third path, the one to her left, had some kind of

unearthly metal inside. She knew that would be precious. She went in.

The tunnel seemed long, dark and endless. She whispered, and it echoed down

the low ceilinged tunnel.

She kept on walking till she found a small block of pure pink metal, lustrous

and beautiful, yet it did not feel like part of the Earth. It felt almost heavenly.

She saw the sign next to it,Lakshmi Kamal Stone the most precious stone of the

heavens, only next in value to the Kailashanath Diamond.

She had no real idea what Kailashanath Diamond was, but she found a staircase.

She ran up the staircase.

It emerged right in the heart of the Sabha, and she heard loud cheering coming

from her left. It was Swati: she looked really calmer now, and much, much less

talkative. She radiated a sense of power Nandita and Ashwin did last night.

It meant only one thing: Swati was claimed; she had a beautiful serpent

hovering over her head. She was the daughter of Vishnu: the maintainer, theoperator. She was in Altar Five.

Behind, Madhumita was searching for Jasnoor. She spotted her, and she ran

forwards.

Jasnoor! You made it! I thought you wouldnt be able to finish within the time

limit! You were simply excellent! she said.

Jasnoor didnt know how Madhumita came to know of this but that wasexplained. There was a TV screen in the front.


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My dear friends, Jasnoor, also, will not be insulted mentally, and behold...

Jasnoors face illuminated with pink light. A lotus appeared over her head.

...Jasnoor, the Almighty Daughter of Lakshmi, the bringer of wealth, valour,

and gentleness! Jasnoormay join Altar Six, if you please, boomed Narada.

Madhumita, I realized in the cookery area, you create things, right? So, you are

the daughter of Brahma! said Ashwin.

Of course, so I am in Altar Three! Lucky me... anyway, I have to learn th is art.It is not so easy, you know. Madhumita said so and marched away to

congratulate Swati.

Of course, Gaurav wasstillmissing, but no one noticed that.

Chapter VI

Gaurav felt terrible. The ones at Ishwar Academy had abandoned him, and they

left him in this musty place in the middle of nowhere.

He had last seen Nandita being claimed and felt something sharp hit his head,

and he had fainted.


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And now that he had woken up, he found himself somewhere in a deep and

musty cave, and by the looks of it, it was not in India. It was surely somewhere

colder, and this caves freezing temperature explained that. He then

remembered.

Kamal? he called out.

Nobody answered him. He could see the faint silhouette of something in a

diamond shape, and something which glittered really well. Next to it, gaggedand tied was...

Kamal! he exclaimed.

How he had got there, he didnt know.

Except, he could see and hear two very deep voices arguing over something.

Maharajadhiraj, this Gaurav has not been any use to us. Blacked out for a day,

and he doesnt look like Lords child either. And Nagraj bhai would have notbeen wrong by the looks of him, said a first voice.

Nagraj struck a bell somewhere in Gauravs memory.

Then he remembered. How had Mr. Nagraj disappeared? Gaurav had done

nothing, just he had got nervous and had fumbled, but nothing else.

What did these voices mean by Lord? Who was their master?

This boy will be of no use to us, indeed. But, as Lord Yama tells us to keep

him in, I think he feels really tentative. I checked deep into his memory, but as

far as I could see, he has no memory of his parentage, said another voice.

Maharajadhirajpe kasam, I know that this boy was being claimed by some lord

before we kidnapped him and left a holographic image. Imagine our Lords

plight. He has had no adept children in two centuries, why not adopt him?

Chilly though the cave was, but at the mention of Yama, the cave got colder.

And Gaurav got scared. How had he got kidnapped?


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Gaurav felt eerie. The school could not be nearby, and Chennai never housed

such mean temperature.

The noises of something grinding were coming from behind. Gaurav did not

understand where they came from.

Karunyaye, Yamiye! Om Bhagwane Priyaye! Om... nashtandriye!

Karuppadivye! Yamiye Vibramhate! some voices echoed down the cavern, as

though chants were being made. The cave bended into a curve and the pathstarted moving uphill. Gaurav panted and wheezed, but this path was not an

easy route.

The voices disappeared now, and the path opened up into a round pipeline. This

pipeline had skeletons of dead mice, rats and other insects like cockroaches.

There was a steep rise in temperature. There were homely voices echoing

above, Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam! Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam! Vishwa janani

Durgaye, bananyare Brahmane! Jodhir nashta vipudaye, purvaya nama Shive!

Prasiddo samsaaro Vishnave, Padhanti saadhana prakritiye, Saraswati

Namostute! Dhanupadiye, ramave Lakshmi namostute! Jai Bhagwan Aham

Priyam, aham Ishwar Gurukulamtam, Vardurtaya Chaturbhujam!

Come on, children, repeat after me. This sloka is our academys anthem. This

means that we pay our homage to all the main gods, and of course, also to our

academy. We pay homage to our gurus, and experts, and pledge our loyalty.

Now, I want each one of you to make a note that in todays Sanskrit class,

whatever learnt, will owe you! So,Dhanyavaad Tvamev Chatron!

Dhanyavaad Guruvam Priyam!

These voices... Gaurav knew. They came from Ishwar Academy, he supposed,

because the total amount of energy of the song was unthinkable.

He kept on walking, and found out that the path was no longer rocky, but it was

becoming sandier, and he was getting nauseous. He kept on walking till he

realised that he was drifting, drifting in the middle of the open ocean. He felt a

plunging feeling in his stomach, and he fainted.


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Chapter VIII

Ashwin saw the point in attending Ishwar Academy. The nice Sanskrit classes,

the well-equipped Pustakalaya, the breathtakingly blissful Altars, the

Bhojanalaya (the food hall) and the Shrishti Lake were simply great.

Number one, he found out about the various Altars within the campus. He got to

know that there were totally nine altars, Nava Sthanaha, or the Nine SacredAltars. They belonged respectively to- Shiva in altar one, Durga in altar two,


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Brahma in altar three, Saraswati in altar four, Vishnu in altar five, Lakshmi in

altar six, Ganesha in altar seven, Hanuman in altar eight, and Kartikeya in altar

nine.

These children, of course, had respective qualities. As Jasnoor and Swati were

in Bhagwan Chatvasthav, or simply the Big Six, along with Nandita,

Madhumita, Parvati, and Ashwin, they felt special. Nandita acted lonely, as

though the Shiva Altar was boring. Swati excellently described the altar five.

You know what? The Vishnu Altar is shaped like a clam, and inside, we have a

collection of seashells, conch horns, and we have a private aquarium! The long

Ananthashayana posture ofPitashri is often seen at night! And, well, I am good

at archery and Chakra throwing suddenly...

The Ishwar Academys students would never address their fathers and mothers

by their name. They would often use Pitashri orMata orAmbe. The students

had to wake up at 6 in the morning, and, must have a compulsory set of

activities in the morning, depending on their altar number.


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Swati did discus throwing, Nandita did meditation and penance, Madhumita did

magic practice (Brahmas children had compulsory creation classes where they

would be taught to make objects appear out of thin air, like magic), Ashwin

went for Sanskrit classes, Jasnoor went for arts and crafts, and Parvati went for

challenges in the ocean.

Ashwin had made one friend at the academy. A boy from altar seven was really

friendly. His name was Vignesh. He always had vibhoodi smeared over his

head, and he spoke faster than anyone could catch.

Hi! Ashwin, did you get the eighteenth translation for Sanskrit? I got it as my

mother is everything, though thy not know thou. What did you get? he asked

at top speed, and Ashwin took a second to interpret his words.

Of course, the Sanskrit translation master had told us not to use old English

words like thy and thou and shalt, but its your wish, to understand about the,

you knowconcept.

The activities around were occupying, and took most of the students energy.

The altars five and four were collaboratively preparing a ceremony, called the

Annual RathSamorav Inauguration. They had planned a set of rules for the

Raths, or the chariots, that there would be a five kilometre long track along

Ishwaralayam Parvat, the nearby mountain, and the altar to come first will get a

prize, a direct conversation with their human parents.

The race inauguration was to be held on the Amavasya on the fifth day of

Chaitra. The members would sign their names. The ceremony would have gone

perfectly, except for the materialisation of a boy. A boy who was thin and

spindly in a red uniform with the logo of Redwood School. This boy appeared

in the YogMukta period.

This boy was named as Gaurav, though Ashwin remembered him, he did not

remember seeing him. A vague and old and tarnished memory is what he was...

Hi everybody...um, Im Gaurav, erm, if you know that I was picked up by

Narada in front of the school and... he mumbled.


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Of course, dear child! You are indeed Gaurav, the son of mighty Lord

Kartikeya... Narada said, as a symbol of a Peacock appeared over Gaurav.

Gaurav was looking unhealthy. He had, as far as Ashwin could tell, not eaten

for days.

Jai Bhagwan Aham Priyam!said Narada.

Jai Bhagwan AhamPriyam!!!exclaimed all.

Chapter IX


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Madhumita knew that magic would not be easy for her. She had to focus really

hard, and most of the times there was always a risk of failure. Often the

magicians would turn out to be children of Brahma or else huge liars and cheats.

The irony of magic is, even though it can do anything, it always ends up in a

complete opposite intention, said Narada, once, at Creations class.

Madhumita had a lot of things to do. The days were often busy, and people had

no time to sit in their respective altars and relax. Morning was usually reallybusy. Then, after lunch at the Bhojanalaya, they had to go for skill-moulding,

that is, as Narada put it, different types of arts being learnt rather than one.

The day almost always ended cheerfully, and then after dinner, at the

Bhojanalaya, where they would sit according to their altars at their respective

tables (not just tables, oftenRajgaddis, or royal throne like chairs).

Then the whole academy feared the dreaded lecture by the Sanskrit advisor,

Mr.Gupta, who spoke in pure Sanskrit and spoke about values and karma.

Students, my dears, I do not think you would do such a thing! I have come to

know that during the YogMukta classes, you scream and shout rather than

meditate in peace! Do you know that you are only insulting Lord Shiva, by not

followingproper methods? he said one day, to tumultuous regard by Shiva.

Shiva answered in a weird way. The fire near the diya rose in such vigour, that

the nearest table caught fire, and the ones there were incidentally, Kapil and his

friends, the main troublemakers during YogMukta, the sons of Hanuman.

The fire turned a deep red and everyone gasped as the form became redder and

redder.

My Gods! You have brought up the wrath of the lord! Children, you are not fit

to be taught anything! The Lord approaches with the almighty trident and the

powerful eye! said Mr.Gupta.


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Unfortunately, Madhumita thought, Mr.Gupta was wrong. A deep rasping voice

filled the room. The lights went off. Someone in the back row screamed, for a

skeleton had appeared in their midst and it said in a horrible, rasping voice:

Behold all you people, who do not differentiate the unthinkable powers of

Maharajadhiraj! You who think to betray him, and you who make us

downtrodden! May the Curse of Yamraj hit every one of you!

Ah! Thank you... my dearestpeople in the whole of upper world! How gratefulam I to have heard your voices! You have underestimated our forces for years!

You, the puny living souls, have made death a disgrace rather than something

welcome. You at the very peak of your mischief have stolen my most prized

Yama Bhoomi Diamond!

I, after all these years of complete riddance from the Bharatiya Samaj, have in

turn had good riddance from you! But all your pestering little kinds have

destroyed my most prized possession, which I have painstakingly made as an

exact replica of the Kailashanath Diamond, and you, of all things hateable, have

utterly sentenced it to doom! Your kind is the worst that ever happened to this

world!

Lord Yama curses every single soul in this room. The curse will bring every

living soul in this room to our realm, in a very forcible way. Do not worry how

grateful you must be to Maharajadhiraj, for he gives you a deadline! You must

restore his diamond, as quickly as possible, before the start of Spring, to a

planned location on Mount Aphrahan. Remember, you must get to the realmwherever it is, and bring it back. If you do not... you know the consequences!

continued the horrible rasping voice.

The lights came back on. The heat came back. The room was filled with

whispers; the people in every table were discussing about the same thing: Lord

Yama addresses us personally? And there is a deadline to this and the students

at the academy would perish in just a fortnight.

Suddenly, Narada came in to the lecture hall and announced graver news still.


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My dear students, we have grave news. Lord Shivas power, The Kailashanath

Diamond, the power of Bharatiya Samaj, is lost! Or perhaps, as a second

thought, it is stolen!

We have a tradition, and I hope the older students will inform the newest ones

about this challenge they have to face. One guide will be an old student, and the

others names are as follows: Parvati, Ashwin, Nandita, Jasnoor, Madhumita

and Swati. Who will volunteer for the guidance that is the choice of the

Drishta!

With this, he walked away, and after around five minutes, he returned with an

orb. This orb was very big, about the size of a football, and it was in the colour

of sapphire. Much more, it radiated an immense kind of power.

This is the Drishta, the seer of Lord Vishnu. This will tell you what to do. It

will tell you the guides identity, and it will tell you of your adventure: will it

pass or fail?

The newcomers ordered up according to altar number. When Nandita came

front, it glowed bluer, and words started coming out of it. A clear female voice

spoke:

Ardha-Ishwaras willgo to the Samudra Devtas place,

Led by a boy, the son of the mammoths race.

They will join hands with the tide and moon,

Their powers will lie in Saraswatis throne.

A son of wisdom will lay down a path,

And the powers of one lord will be broken apart

AHA! Anyone from the Ganesha altar who would like to try? asked Narada.

Vignesh tentatively raised his hand, but the sign of Ganesha appeared over his

head- red sandstone, meaning yes, you must go.


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Settled indeed. Now we must move on to the next lines which are important.

Lets see. You have to go to a Samudra Devtas palace, right in the bay of

Bengal, and you must seek some clue. After that, I think, one power, either of

the diamonds will be utterly destroyed. Feels really sad. Please, Nandita, you

must penance to your father. Appeal him. Try to make him believe the state of

the camp and try to undo the curse. That is all we can hope for!

With that, he strode away, leaving all the newcomers and Vignesh in deep

confusion.

I know of one place, the nearest palace of the Samudra Devta: his realm is the

area around the Marina Beach. Maybe we should try that, said Swati.

You can do that? Right then. Everyone, tomorrow morning, we must pray to

our parents, then the godly parents. Try to take their blessings, and once we do

that, lets set out for the beach in the morning, said Ashwin.

As the dawn came, all the seven of them went out to the waiting car- the samewhite car of the parent. They got in, their hearts beating fast.

Chapter X


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Vignesh had never thought that he would lead the journey essential for the

Bharatiya Samaj. A sandstone block had appeared over his head, and voila! A

quest to save the world from peril! The prophecy had clearly stated that a child

of the mammoths race would lead the quest: and Ganesha was (sorry my lord)

after all an elephant headed god.

Vignesh had been giving deep thought about their quest on their ride towards

the Marina. As the city got nearer, the ride became smoother; with fewer

bumps. Ashwin discussed the possibilities of the diamonds location with

Vignesh.

I think this diamond would be up in the Himalayas, and not in Mount

Aphrahan. It is supposed to be the guardian of our time, isnt it? asked Ashwin.

Yes, and a daughter of Shiva, Jyoti, had disappeared after a task given to her

about a month back. She hasnt returned yet, and sources tell she had been to

Naraka.

Naraka? You mean the underworld? How could anyone go to a place meant for

the dead? replied Ashwin, amazed.

Actually, the underworld is meant for the dead. Maybe Jyoti is dead. We cantdo anything about it. Let us check it with the Samudra Devta of the Marina,

first. Then we will think about that.

So they decided to stay calm and the journey was very quiet, for Swati was too

nervous to talk, and Nandita was in a trance, trying to appease Lord Shiva.

About thirty minutes later, their car pulled up at the Beach Road, full of

determined people running and walking to lose weight. A few people were


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running towards the ocean, and they were standing in front of the waves, staring

and grinning, as though they wanted the waves to be fiercer.

Swatis face contorted with rage.

How dare you! You think the waves will obey your command?

Swati was angry enough to go and hit the man doing the baiting trick, but

Jasnoor and Madhumita restrained her from going.

How dare you! I mean, the waves will not obey them, and they will pollute it

for a good cause! They never learn, do they? The tsunami ourPitashri triggered

was not enough to make these people learn a lesson! roared Swati.

Calm down, Swati! We have a quest to finish, remember?

Swati came to her senses at that.

I thought someone said Vishnus children are submissive? asked Jasnoor.

Oh please, heres a proving exception! said Ashwin.

Enough is enough! We are wasting our time. We have to contact the Samudra

Devta. Swati, where exactly is he? asked Vignesh.

Over there.

Swati pointed at the waves, and it was funny enough to see Swati pointing at

nothing. Seconds later, their mouths fell open, as a beautiful crystalline palaceglittered over the horizon.

How come the other people dont see it? asked Jasnoor.

The Dhund takes care of that. This layer masks everything we see, and we

dont see anything until we are adopted by the lords, said Vignesh.

But how do we get over? asked Ashwin.

Thats easy. See over there?


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Swatipointed at an old broken down fishermans boat, The Madrasakappal.

That is, as far as I can see, an illusion. It is not just a simple boat. The neare r

we get, the more it covers up its massiveness, said Swati.

They approached the broken down boat, and it slowly changed before their

eyes. And before they knew it, they were standing beneath a huge ship, with its

sails in pale blue colour, and a marvellous deck with a great view.

The ships real name was Bharatiya Nauka. This was a ship used by the

Vishnus children during the Great Wrath (the 2004 tsunami in Chennai was

called so). They glided this ship in the waters to rescue fishermen who had

almost drowned.

Lets get in! cheered Madhumita.

So they went in. They found out that the whole ship consisted of eight rooms,

each room complete with its own TV and computer. There was also a commons

area, a dining room, and an empty fridge.

Ashwin went near the fridge, and saw a familiar silver mark he had been told

about by his half-brothers, and this was Saraswati Kalyan, or the Mark of

Saraswati.

I know what to do. Anything you all want to eat? he asked.

All of them nodded in exasperation. They had skipped their breakfast because

they were nervous, and they did not have time. Ashwin spoke in pure Sanskrit:

Right then... Saraswati Maye tum ham varadam swaha! Ma jayate! Oh

Goddess Saraswati,Mata, we are in deep hunger, and we want something to eat.

Please fulfil our wishes of food, deep down! exclaimed Ashwin.

And they opened the fridge.

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow! shouted Madhumita.


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The fridge was filled with goodies unimaginable; bottles of orange juice, water

bottles, packets of bread, butter and jam, marmalade paste, jellies and stuff

Vignesh really hated: pizzas, onion rings and tomatoes.

They ate to their hearts content. And the ships sail was flared up.

Swati prayed to her father.

Shantakaram bhujangashayanam, Padmanabham suresham, Vishwadharam

gaganasudusham, Meghavarnam shubhangam! Lakshmikantam

kamalanayanam, Yogihridyanagamyam, Vande vishnum bhavabayaharam,

SARVALOKAIKANATAM!

At the last word, the ship started moving. Everyone settled comfortably on the

main deck, surrounded by the blue sea on all sides. The ship set sail towards

east. After five minutes, Ashwin muttered,

My goodness! I have something important to tell you! The Great Wrath had

ended with Vishnus children not able to convince their father, and they took the

help ofChandra! Perhaps we could pray to him at night!

Good idea! Ashwin, you must do the praying, because it is Saraswati who

understands Chandra. Chandra hates Ganeshas sons, and you know why, said

Vignesh.

Why? asked Parvati.

I think you know my Pitashri cursed the moon what we call today the phasesof the moon?

Oh, right, said Madhumita.

After around an hour or so, the palace loomed into sharper focus: the sun was

directly above it, but the walls glinted like they had been plastered with

diamonds. Wait, Vignesh thought diamonds!

Hey, do you think that this place might be an underwater mines location? hesaid.


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Swati shook her head. She went to the front of the ship.

Hey, anyone of you could just cut out that piece of rope over there? We might

use it as an anchor.

Nandita obliged. She went to the front of the ship, caught the rope, and cut it

with a single strike of her knife: Trinayan.

The rope was tied to a very huge rock near the palace.

Swati jumped out of the ship and onto the rock. This rock was connected by a

bridge to the palace across the water.

Swati got down, followed by the rest.

Nandita suddenly sighed very deeply.

My father seems too busy to hear my penance, and he is not answering.

Perhaps he is testing my patience, she said.

They walked down the long bridge till Ashwin yelled.

Ouch!

What?

Nothing, just hit my leg with a rock. A very hard rock. Hey, wait. That is

harder than any metal! My gods, it is a diamond!! he shouted.

Parvati picked up the diamond and examined it.

Looks like an alloy- it is oyster diamond. Ever heard of it? she said.

Everybody shook their heads.

The property is like that. It cannot be a pure diamond at any cost.

They ignored it, but Ashwin pocketed it anyway: Vignesh saw it from the

corner of his eye.

They marched towards the palace, and the gates flung open by themselves.


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A conch horn blew.

Behold! My dear friends, allies of the lords! said a deep merry voice.

A tall man ran forward, with black- blue hair (was there such a colour?) and

smiles so broad, that it could have been the mouth led to Naraka.

He was wearing robes of pure silk, and the colour was the colour of the waves,

if there was any. He had a crown on the top of his head, which was wavy, and

shaped like an oyster.

How may I help you, Swamini Swati?

He held out his hand and looked really nice.

Actually, we are here to ask your advice.

Seek, child, seek.

So, yeah, we are here on the purpose of finding Mount Aphrahan, and alsoKailash. The diamonds are missing from both the places. Could you help us

out?

The sea god grinned.

Sure, my dear. You are the guests of my palace now, do come in and make

yourselves comfortable. He replied.

Swati explained about their ship, and the sea king looked very sad.

Oh we cannot have you then? Anyway, all you have to do is to find the

Samudra Hira and it will give you all the advice. Know the mantras and you

will find your path! I am really busy today. So please dont pester me now.

Vignesh was shocked. All the hospitality ended in just one dialogue. He knew

why, because of his experience in sea gods. He did not tell anything.


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(Actually, the sea gods usually would lure sailors into their palaces, and after

doing a favour to those unwary sailors, they would put them to death or

imprison them as bait to sea monsters)

Dont listen! Run back to the ship! he shouted.

They ran as fast as they could, with Ashwin puffing behind, and finally fed up,

Ashwin vanished.

My gods! Where did he go?

After the six of them reached the ship, they found Ashwin waving at them.

How did you get there so fast? enquired Swati.

Sunlight travel... it is the method of using heat molecules to transfer your

substance into another place.

Huh? asked Swati.

Oh nothing.

Ashwin opened his palm. He still had the Samudra Hira. He whispered to the

others, This is the Hira. I have it, and keep quiet. I am going to consult it.

With that, he opened up his palm, placed the Hira on a sacred stool, the Palag

and chanted words in Sanskrit, which Vignesh could translate as

Thy almighty Hira! You are the one we seek, thou almighty. You shall tell usthe way we could find Aphrahan, and thou shalt tell us true!

The Hira glowed blue: Vishnu was always related to Prophecies on Sea.

The four Ardha Ishwaras shall make a call,

The power of Luna, greatest of all.

They will traverse the seas of yore,

To the land far ashore.


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They will think of the old Samaj,

The olden forests of Koulen-Kambaj.

Another prophecy? Madhumita complained.

Well, we have to figure it out, dont we? said Ashwin.


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Chapter XI

Being the daughter of Vishnu and all, Swati knew how to control theBharatiya

Nauka. She also knew the perfect bearings of the sea; that they were at 11.55

degree north of the equator and 91.24 degree east of the prime meridian. She

also knew that they were passing an island to the west of Little Andaman,

named as South Sentinel Island.

She knew that this area was deserted and prone to earthquakes, and she also

knew that they were quite near to Barren Island, and as anybody knows, that is

where the only active volcano in India is.

She tried to stir the ship away from that particular island, just in case anything

erupted. She was gazing at the afternoon sky, and the serene ocean below.

Behind her, at the deck of the ship, the others were discussing the possibilities

of the location of the old Bharatiya Samaj.

Old Bharatiya Samaj, at some Kamaj? What does that mean?


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The Bharatiya Samaj declared one place throughout the Indian Territory as

their main seat of power. And this place, as far as we should know, must be in

the west, as the prophecy tells us to traverse the seas of yore, said Vignesh.

That means we must look for a country conquered by India in the east, is it

not? askedNandita, twirling Trinayanbetween her fingers.

Ashwin looked as though in deep thought. He was frowning as though looking

for something in a book with a thousand words per page. His eyes were movingtoo, like some kind of virtual book was in front of him.

Hey! I have got it! We have to set sail to Cambodia! Now, or else we would be

too late for it! he exploded, leaving Jasnoor whimpering in pain as she closed

her ears.

His eyes gleamed strangely, like as though something had covered them for a

while. He glanced about, looking for a reply.

Exactly... said Vignesh.

Swati turned around, and spoke.

I thought this voyage would be nice and comfortable. All we find is ... she

muttered something that nobody could hear, and she turned pale.

This was because she had seen her fathers most powerful enemy, Kalia, or the

mighty five headed serpent. He had such poison that could turn things to ashes,

and he could kill goats with a stare. He was just like a basilisk.

I have seen Kalia lurking beneath our ship, she announced, looking grim.

Cest impossible! Kalia a t killed par seigneur Vishnu ya trs longtemps!

shouted Ashwin, and he covered his mouth.

I dont know French! he said glumly.

No one had time to ponder over that French outbreak, for a loud hiss filled the

deck of the ship.


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Sssurrender, Ardha Ishwarasss, for I am the king of the evil snakesss of the

world. I know that thy friend, SsSwati, knows of me, and my almighty father.

He was ssslayed by thy father in the form of a puny boy. The snake said all this

in a cold whisper, and it dragged out thes like a snake should.

Swati was the only one who could control that snake. She knew that the snake,

Kalia could only be killed underwater, which her father had done. She did not

know swimming that well, but she supposed Vishnu could help her in such a

sticky situation.

She prayed for emergency and jumped into the water.

She saw why the Bay of Bengal was considered a cluster of the cleanest water.

The least number of ports in the eastern coast made it clear that this sea was less

polluted, and more vibrant than the one on the other end.

All around her were corals that gleamed in silver, lavender, hazel, blue and red.

Small and cute goldfish scuttled past, and they stopped in front of her, and benttheir little bodies like they were bowing to her.

She went in front, and saw a black tail gleaming in front. Then she realised that

she had forgotten herChakraback at the ship.

She saw something glittering in front of her.

It was a pearl Chakra. This looked sharp enough, so she threw it with all her

might. The Chakra moved amazingly fast, and hit the snake at its tail. It howled

in agony, but did not look quite diminished.

How had her father killed the snake? Then she got it. He had not killed the

snake, but he had removed the power out of it by dancing on its head.

So it was. Swati knew the acidic properties of the snakes venom. She also had

done chemistry in class. She somehow knew that something with a base would

be perfect to give to the snake for eating. She got it. There were many bars of

soap in the common bathroom in the ship. She would summon some of thoseinto the snakes stomach.


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Hey, Snaky! Come here if you are truly a venomous python! she taunted.

It turned around, hissed and came forward.

I have a deal with you. In our ship, we have some excellent Cake of Amrit

which you would like to have. You will not go to the underworld, you see. You

will become immortal, and you will be the ever god of snakes! she told it.

It hissed in delight.

Surely I will not refuse such an excellent deal. The children of Vishnu are

getting better, perhaps? it muttered to itself and pushed Swati ashore with the

back of its fin.

Swati broke the surface of the ocean, and tumbled back on to the ship.

Ashwin interjected her, Hey, is Mr. Snaky dead? he asked.

No, Ashwin, and I dont have time for all your questions. Nandita, please

quickly fetch me five bars of soap from the restroom. She shouted.

Nandita obliged and ran into towards the commons.

Look here, we dont have time at all. That snake is thinking if devouring all of

us, and it is vicious enough to survive the Great Wrath. So, I have thought about

weakening it by adding basic properties to acidic properties of its venom. That

explains the soap, she explained to the others.

Good thinking. Sorry about my French. That wasMatasblessing, I suppose.

Nandita came back in, with her arms laden with Fiama di Wills and Cinthol

soap bars, and a few sachets of hand wash.

Swati ran towards the railing and jumped in.

The serpent did not wait for her, and it just snatched everything. It ate all the

bars in one gulp, and drunk the handwash liquid in one go.

Bitter and I thought Amrit was sweet, it muttered.


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Suddenly it jumped fiercely. It opened its mouth, as wide as it could. It spat a

bit of its venom on a seaweed, which remained stable, and if possible, became

brighter.

You wretched Ardha Ishwaras! You never keep thy promises. You shall suffer,

only in later times. Let the wrath of the serpent be with you!

The serpent had nothing other than its venom as its power, and as Swati had

predicted, it swam away like it could disappear.

*************

Swati and the others went back into their cabins in their ship, and each cabin

magically suited itself for its owner.

Ashwins and Swatis changed themselves into Marine Libraries,Nanditas

became a meditation hall (almost), Vigneshs became a study hall, lined with

blackboard and whatnot, Madhumitas room was full of statues and had its own

TV, Jasnoors room was complete with a table, chair and an extra fitting- an

induction stove. Parvatis room was like a mini- science lab.

The second Swati sat on her bed, with a novel in her hand, she felt her eyes

close, and the novel drop behind her.

**********

Swati did not have a peaceful night. She dreamt that there were huge bugs

feasting on something disgusting. She saw the silhouette of something in adome like shape- a temple, perhaps, and trees all around her.

Sounds were coming from the temple.

Do you not know, wicked soul, that you and your worse colleagues cannot

even try to find the legendary diamonds? And I am sure you wicked ones do not

have the power to control this forest, as it is the life source, and a living thing. I

am sure your kind has no power over my territory, said a high pitched voice,

something more primitive rather than a human voice.


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No, Lord of The Wild, Shri Hanuman, it is not that which I am talking of, said

another voice, which sounded panicky.

Oh nonsense. I know of my co operators of the world. I know what Yama is up

to. I know of his plans to seize the Kailashanath which is identical to the Yama

Bhoomi. I just know of your work. Why will you set fire to my territories

around the world, otherwise? said Hanuman.

My Lord, it is only we want to protect your pestering children, thats all.

Behind Swatis dreamy self, huge figures were moving. Crying and shouting

filled the area.

Why did you set fire to Angkor Wat? I must regret this, said Hanuman.

The second voice shouted in pain as the owner of the voice crumpled beneath,

the ground dissolving around him.


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Chapter XII

Nandita was not able to sleep at all even when the ship was silent and it rocked

its way through the bay. The adjacent cabin, Ashwins had its light on, but there

was no audible sound. All the other cabins occupants were soundly asleep.

Nandita felt a bit uneasy, and she always was a bit scared of the sea sometimes,

but she had never felt so uncomfortable. So, she switched on her light, and

walked over, went outside, and leaned over the railing, and viewed the horizon.

She peeked inside Ashwins cabin through the window, and saw him reading a

book in full attention. She suspected if he was deserted of his extra powerful

senses when he was reading.


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She moved a bit closer, only to find that he was reading is mothers gift:

Hamare Sanskaar va Icchaen. He was too engulfed in its world to observe his

surroundings. She wondered of his sudden French outbreak during Swatis

return, and how sudden it had been...

She felt it did not matter much, but she knew that Swati had changed a lot after

her claiming and adoption. The chatterbox had somehow turned a bit more

subtle, if possible. Swati was a bit more patient and less impulsive. She had

inherited herPitashris traits: Vishnu was submissive and gentle, but his anger

was really immense: especially the Great Wrath...

She knew that the 2004 tsunami at Chennai had caused the most disaster in

Indian history, and she also knew of Vishnus children and how they had

eradicated their fathers Wrath.Nandita was thinking too much, a bit just more

and more...

She was too occupied to notice a strange red light near her shoulder, where she

usually kept Trinayan and she was thinking of too many things.

If she had been any observant, she would have noticed that this particular glow

spread through her dress like anything, and she was glowing like a lustrous

diamond. Until a voice spoke to her, she never knew what was happening to

her...

Dear child, you have my blessing. I have removed the curse from your

academy, and of course, I have entrusted the search of my own diamond to you.

You see, child, my diamond is made out of the very things Yama Bhoomi feeds

upon: happiness, hope and cheer. If you need to get my diamond, sense these

feelings in an extreme around you, and you will find the Kailashanath. If not, I

do shudder to think of my despair, and of this countrys, too. You are my only

hope, child...

With that, the calm yet overpowering voice faded, and so did her glow. She was

sure that that message was from her very own father. She knew it.


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Whereas, Ashwin was inside his room, and Nandita peeped inside, beside

herself in anxiety.

Ma, how in the world can I pinpoint this location? Firstly, I must go out now

and pray to Chandra. Then I must also accomplish your task... How do you

expect me to do this? he whispered, to a white glow on his book.

Nandita saw it and gasped. It was Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and

knowledge and studies. She looked a bit angry and sad at the same time.

Son, you are the only one I feel worthy of this quest. You will have to do it.

The throne is very weak without that particular mantra, and the mantra is the

holder of all universal truths, out of which only two have been revealed.

But Ma, I have to accompany these people on their quest too. I must not parry

with a double burden, it might lead to my failure. He said it with such

modulation that it felt almost desperate not to leave this quest.

I know you are one of the only children of mine who has read this book in my

prescribed time: a week after I gave this book. You have done it and proved

yourself worthy. You will at all costs, join me and my other children on this

quest. You will be the one to seek the power ofGyana, or knowledge! You

must alert all your friends of it. You should make sure that you remain faithful

in both your quests. Varadam ichhavam Padhanti!

She said so and vanished.

Ashwin seemed to have got back his extra senses.

Nandita! What in the world are you doing here? he asked.

Thinking of coincidences

What kind of coincidences? he asked.

I got a message form Pitashri, and you get one from Ma. How very deliberate it

seems...


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Oh, so you witnessed it all. Wish Id closed the window shutters. Anyway, I

have to go on another flipping quest to save theBrahmane Shweta Padma. How

so unlucky... These gods have made us their verypowerful aids, he said.

Oh, and I have to find Jyoti, saidNandita exasperatedly.

So both of us have the woes of our parent gods... And the others? It is already

nearing dawn, and Swati must wake up to accelerate the ship! said Ashwin.

So it was. After around fifteen minutes of brushing teeth, washing up and

having breakfast, Swati signalled everyone at the table and swallowed her toast

forcefully.

Friends, Gulp. I have something to tell you. I dreamt last night of something

really weird. I saw Lord Hanuman blast an underworld creature to pieces, near a

forest, near a huge temple called Angko What.

Surely you meanAngkor Wat? asked Ashwin.

Yeah, yeah. So I am setting sail for Kambaj right away.

It was as arranged. They passed a huge island with sprawling acres of forests

and a nasty mountain up at the top.

According to Nandita, that looked like someones turned up nose. Swati

informed it was Barren Island, and she could think of no other way to

Cambodia.

What about our quests? I mean,Nanditas quest is too too connected. She gets

to find Jyoti, while I have to search for a white lotus made of pure knowledge,

and every grain of pollen made from a Vedic hymn.

Ashwin moaned a lot, but he remained occupied with his gift.

What is so interesting in there? asked Swati.

Oh just facts about gods, us and demons, and we also have a glossary on the

main places related to the Bharatiya Samaj.


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So Cambodia is there in the list?

Of course. The ruler Jayavarman II, the son of Lord Vishnu, built a temple in

the honour of the Big Six at Angkor, where he stored his Ardha Ishwara

faculties. His empire was lost after his death, and it was covered in the Kanyo

and Koulen forests till an excavation happened.

Oh!

Chapter XIII

Ashwin could not comprehend the location of the White Lotus, the symbol of

Ma Saraswati. He thought and pondered over it, but he could in no way find any

pinpointed location anywhere in thatworld.

Meanwhile, Swati and Nandita were discussing how to navigate through the

ocean towards Cambodia.

I think we must set sail through Borneo, said Swati.

No, it will be foolish. We must move to Cambodia through the Indian Ocean

right away! exclaimedNandita.


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Ashwin felt he was being selfish and he opened up his gift,Hamare Sanskaar

Va Icchaen.

He flipped over the page to Kambaj, the old power of the gods. He read out an

interesting passage to the others.

Hey, hear this. Cambodia is one of the countries in the SAARC. It is a country

filled with marvellous forests and ancient temples to all our lords. Mainly, the

people of this region follow Buddhism, and the area around the ancient templeof Angkor Wat houses more than a hundred Hindus. Geographically, Cambodia

is divided into two by Tanyakoa River, which is underground, and is mythical.

This river is the channel to Cambodia from 12.2778 N, 93.8583 E, that is, our

modern Barren Island. He said this slowly, so each and everyone could

comprehend.

So, we have to find this Tanyakoa River? asked Swati.

The real Indian name of this river is Tanyakaveri River, so you must just find awater source which is like a river around here.

Dyou have any idea where this river would end up? askedNandita.

According to Ma, it ends up right in the Kanyo and Koulen forests, in the heart

of Cambodia. That is about fifteen miles to Angkor Wat.

Ashwin thought he had overstuffed everybody with facts, but he had no other

choice but to inform them.

What about the first line of the secondprophecy?

Yeah, what about it?

My goodness, havent you guessed? Four of us must appeal Chandra, and make

him help us in this quest for surviving! said Ashwin, exasperated.

Nandita looked serious, and thoughtful at the same time.

We have to find it, no other go.


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Swati suddenly exclaimed.

Oh no! I think we have a whirlpool below our ship, she said.

Swati was right. The ship lurched forcefully to one side, and then to another.

There was a huge plunge hole right in front of their ship.

Swati looked like she had had a heart attack.

That whirlpool, it ends up somewhere in a lake I think it is the TanyakaoRiver which else river would teleport us somewhere else? she said.

Ashwin looked determined.

We must will the ship to get inside. The power of the river wont be enough to

break this ship, I know. Swati, do it now. He said it with such command; Swati

obliged and forced the ship.

Jasnoor and Madhumita screamed together, as they plunged deeper and deeper

into a field of dark blue

******

Ashwin was the one to wake up first. He found that all of them were

unconscious, and that the ship was sailing peacefully through a calm river, and

Ashwin craned his neck up, to see a deep tube-like structure in which water

flowed, like a pipe.

He willed himself to walk to the fridge and take out ice-cold water.

He went to Swati and spilt five really cold drops on her eyes.

She shook, and then opened her eyes.

I feel like I hit a brick wall, she said, clutching her forehead.

Ashwin thought that Swati was the best simile speaker, because that was exactly

how he felt, too.


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Swati now aided him in waking up all the others, who groaned and held their

temples as though they too experienced the same feeling.

Cosmovelocity, said Vignesh.

What?

Cosmovelocity occurs when you enter an impossible world, according to

physics, and your human side faces pain, whereas your god side remains

healthy. You experience slight pain on your forehead, explained Vignesh.

Ashwin gestured everyone to come to his cabin. He went inside, the others

followed, and he closed the door.

He went to the TV, switched it on, and opened surveillance CCTV.

What do you want to do? asked Madhumita.

Ashwin remained silent. He selected the deck camera, and hit enter.

All of them gasped, except Ashwin, who still seriously stared at the screen.

How on earth is the moon visible? asked Swati.

The moon was visible, even though they were in a cosmic world.

Nandita, Swati and Parvati, come here. Repeat after me, he ordered.

Chandrasya srunu naamaani, shubadhani mahee pathe,Yani sruthwa narodukhan muchyathe nathra samsaya.

They repeated properly. Swati clasped her mouth when they saw the Moon

getting bigger and bigger, and finally, a young man of about twenty descending

from it. He wore a silver pyjama-kurta and had a warm smile. He walked onto

the ship, and the moons brightness seemed to follow him.

Knock. Knock.

Noises came from the door. Ashwin went and answered the door.


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Svagatam, my lord. Welcome to our abode. I really enjoy your sheetal

company. Please help us in navigating through this river, Ashwin said,

Chandra Devta smiled and raised his right hand. He blessed them, and

disappeared.

The ship started sailing faster.

Swati noticed the speed and spoke:

How are we getting faster? I am not doing anything, she said.

Tides, Swati the moon has blessed us with high tide! said Vignesh.

Vignesh had kept quiet through the meeting. He whimpered behind the curtain

all the time when Chandra spoke.

Ashwin somehow became cheerful.

One burden over! Two more to go, he said to himself.

Ashwin opened the door of his cabin and sent everybody to their cabins and told

them to sleep. They were puzzled like Ashwin, because they could not believe

they were out for twelve hours and day had become night?

Ashwin opened his book.

O Ma, please give me the power to find our location. Please shower your

knowledge on us too, he said.

The book glowed white, and Saraswati appeared.

Son, you are the cleverest I have met. You understood the value of Chandra on

your trip. I of course want your success, but I myself do not have any way to

find my own Shweta Padma. If you have to find it, you must, as a hint, think

how we churned Amrit, she said, and disappeared, leaving Ashwin more

disturbed than ever.


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Chapter XIV

Parvati was confused for this trip was in no way rational or scientific. They had

just plunged into deep darkness, fainted for half a day, and reached a cosmic

river which looked more like a giant pipeline than a river. More than that, the

moon had just jumped on board their ship.

The next morning when they woke up, Parvati walked over to Ashwin andasked him for the new element he had discovered at the Samudra Devtas

Palace. He gave it to her and whispered.

Dont judge me badly; no lab machine can decipher this element. This is the

precious mark of the ocean. It values a lot, he said so, looking grave.

Parvati thought about all the impossible things that were happening around her,

and she decided to give up her Quest for a new element. She had other things on

her mind, after all.

Ashwin, she noticed, was feverishly scanning his gift. His eyes moved fast as a

rocket as he scanned each page. She decided to leave this alleyway. She went to

the deck out in the front.

She found Jasnoor and Madhumita fussing over a puny thing.

I can try cooking, what is wrong with you? asked Jasnoor.


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Why work hard, when I can bring food out of thin air for you? countered

Madhumita, with a concerned look. Ashwin entered the deck, without his book.

He sighed deeply and went to the fridge.

You all have memory disorders, I think, he said meekly and opened the door,

Maye tvam mam abhilasham jagrati! Fill our desires forannplease!

As usual, the white fridge filled itself with the tastiest delights Parvati could

think of. Very neatly, Jasnoor arranged the toast and milk at the table foreverybody. It seemed that Nandita and Swati were still sleeping.

Suddenly, Swati entered the hall, grinning widely, followed by Nandita.

Hey, I have something to tell you. Nandita, do the honours, she said.

Well, last night, we were discussing about Jyoti. We were wondering she

disappeared on a quest forwhat? asked Nandita. You see, we have guessed

that Jyoti was sent by Narada to Naraka to search for something else that was

stolen. As I know, Ashwin has been granted a job by Saraswati. So, this means,

that someone from Naraka has stolen the Shweta Padma. That could be the only

reason, Nandita said this with such confidence, that it made Parvati think in the

same way.

So you claim our special quests to save mankind are interconnected? asked

Ashwin, frowning and looking moody.

Parvati thought about it. It seemed very unlikely that the Shweta Padma would

be in the Underworlda place with no knowledge at all.

Ashwin stared at Nandita in surprise.

So this theory is- Swatis? he asked.

Swati nodded. She seemed to back at her usual self again.

The real reason for Kambaj being destroyed is the Angkor Wat temple being

lost across the centuries isnt it? asked Swati.


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True.

Then there must be an entrance to Naraka in this temple, Nandita declared.

Of course! So the bad luck from Naraka inflicted on Angkor, and Kambaj

declined. That must be it! exclaimed Parvati, establishing the connection.

Hmm So the Underworld entrance was right there and the powerful influence

of Yamraj made the empire decline Vignesh thought deeply, for he had not

spoken the entire time.

Oh my gods, I did not read this paragraph! Ashwin opened up his book, and

read out for everyone.

The Cambodian Authorities hide this fact, but all gods know that Angkor Wat

was destroyed by Yamrajs Wrath, a curse. This curse inflicted forgetfulness

among kambujans (Cambodians) who slowly forgot their homeland. Later, after

the excavation, the temple serves only as a tourist spot and its aura (Oravam) is

gone completely.

After reading the paragraph, Swati looked triumphant and glared at Ashwin.

indian chronicles- a story by ashwinshekhar

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