The Secret of the Nagas (Shiva Trilogy, #2)

by Amish Tripathi

‘You know what makes humans special when compared to animals?’ asked the Pandit. ‘What?’ asked Shiva. ‘The fact that we work together. We collaborate to achieve combined goals. We pass on knowledge to each other, so every generation begins its journey from the shoulders of the previous generation and not from scratch.’

‘The masculine way of life is “life by laws”. Laws that could be made by a great leader, perhaps a Vishnu like Lord Ram. Or laws that come down from a religious tradition. Or collective laws decreed by the people themselves. But the masculine way is very clear. Laws are unchangeable and they must be followed rigidly. There is no room for ambiguity. Life is predictable because the populace will always do what has been ordained. Meluha is a perfect example of such a way of life. It is obvious, therefore, why the people of this way of life live by the code of Truth, Duty and Honour. Since that’s what they need to be successful in this system.’ ‘And the feminine?’ ‘The feminine way of life is “life by probabilities”. There are no absolutes. No black or white. People don’t act as per some preordained law, but based on probabilities of different outcomes perceived at that point of time. For example, they will follow a king who they think has a higher probability of remaining in power. The moment the probabilities change, their loyalties do as well. If there are laws in such a society, they are malleable. The same laws can be interpreted differently at different points of time. Change is the only constant. Feminine civilisations, like Swadweep, are comfortable with contradictions. And the code for success in such a system? Unmistakeably, Passion, Beauty and Freedom.’

Courage is only needed once the war begins.

To begin with you need to persuade the people to embark upon the war against evil.

‘I know. But when something is so beautiful, achieving it cannot be easy, can it?’

Kanini stared hard at Anandmayi and smiled. The Princess was obviously in love. She hoped Parvateshwar had the good sense to realise his good fortune in time.

‘Firstly, my wife and I would like our child to be born here. May we impose on your hospitality for this duration?’ ‘My Lord, my entire palace is yours. Lady Sati and you can stay here for all time to come.’

Standing by and doing nothing while a sin is committed is as bad as committing the sin yourself.

But sometimes, the only way to prevent a grave wrong is to commit a small wrong.

Krittika bowed low to Lady Mohini. While some refused to honour her as Vishnu, Krittika was amongst the majority which believed that Lady Mohini deserved the title of the Propagator of Good.

Because sometimes, nothing clarifies and focuses the mind except fear. Lord Rudra needed to inspire fear to achieve his goals.

‘Just because you can’t imagine it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.’

Believe the theory that gives you peace and reject the one that causes you pain.

Truth doesn’t have to be liked. It only has to be spoken. Speak it out. The truth may hurt you, but it will set you free.

The truth doesn’t ask for belief. It just exists.

There is a god in every single one of us. And there is evil in every single one of us. The true battle between good and evil is fought within.

And the name?’ ‘Krittika.’ ‘Krittika! You don’t have to do this for me my friend.’ ‘I’m not doing it for you, you fool!’ said Shiva. ‘If I wanted to do that, I would name my daughter Bhadra! I am doing it for Krittika and Sati. Krittika has been a rock of support in my wife’s life. I want to celebrate that.’ Veerbhadra smiled. ‘She is a good woman, isn’t she?’ ‘That she is. You have done well.’

Kartik.’

‘Father,’ whispered Sati. ‘Your first grandchild...’ Daksha didn’t answer. He gently picked up Kartik and much to Sati’s irritation, unfastened the white cloth that had bound the baby tightly, letting it fall back to the bed. Daksha held up Kartik, turning him around, admiring every aspect of his grandson. Tears were flowing furiously down the eyes of the Emperor of India. ‘He’s beautiful. He’s just so beautiful.’

Always remember this. You don’t live with the consequences of other people’s karma. You live with the consequences of your own.’

‘It’s strange how life works,’ said Anandmayi, without turning towards Parvateshwar. ‘A good man rebelled against an injustice in a foreign land more than two hundred and fifty years ago. Today, that very rebellion is causing me injustice...’ Parvateshwar turned to glance at Anandmayi. He stared hard at her beautiful face, a soft smile on his lips. Then he shook his head and turned back towards the river.

‘Such humility, despite so much power. It could only be you, the great Mahadev.’

The ultimate truth one has to realise is that we actually need nothing. Because to possess an illusion is as good as possessing nothing.’

‘Fate controls only the weak, Your Highness. The strong mould the providence they want.’

Sati stared at the Naga Queen. ‘I swear I don’t know. Who are you?’ The Naga Queen shut her eyes, took a deep breath and spoke with all the sarcasm at her command. ‘Then listen, oh exalted Princess. I am your twin sister, Kali. The one whom your two-faced father abandoned!’ Sati stared at Kali, mouth half-open, too shocked to react. I have a sister?

‘And this sad soul,’ said Kali, pointing at the Lord of the People, ‘is the son you abandoned, Ganesh.’

Sati gasped in shock. My son is alive? She stared at Ganesh. My son! Angry tears were flooding down Ganesh’s face. His body was shaking with misery. ...

But... but father said my son was stillborn. She continued to stare. I was lied to. Sati held her breath. She stared at her twin sister. An exact replica of her. A visible p...

‘My son is alive?’ Ganesh looked up, tears still rolling down his eyes. ‘My son is alive,’ whispered Sati...

‘My son is alive...’ She cradled his head. ‘I didn’t know, my child. I swear. I didn’t know.’ Ganesh didn’t raise his arms.

‘My child,’ whispered Sati, pulling Ganesh’s head down, kissing his forehead, holding him tight. ‘I’ll never let you go. Never.’

Ganesh’s tears broke out in a stronger flood. He wrapped his arms around his mother and whispered that most magical of words. ‘Maa...’ Sati ...

Ganesh cried like the sheltered little child he had always wanted to be. He was safe. Safe at last. Saf...

‘For once, listen to your heart.’ ‘My Lord?’ ‘You know what I am saying. She loves you. You love her. What else is there to think about?’ Parvateshwar turned beet red. ‘Has it been that obvious?’ ‘Obvious to everyone, General!’ ‘But My Lord, this is wrong.’ ‘How? Why? You think Lord Ram purposely designed laws for you to be unhappy?’ ‘But my grandfather’s vow...’ ‘You have honoured it for long enough. Trust me, even he would want you to stop now.’ Parvateshwar looked down, not saying anything.

Now let your heart serve another purpose.’

‘But then... most unexpectedly, I also found a woman that I could look up to, could admire and adore. I have reached a crossroads in my life, where my destination is a blur. I do not know where my life is going. The road ahead is unclear. But to my surprise, I find that I am happy with that. Happy, as long as you walk this road with me...’ Anandmayi remained silent. Smiling. Tears in her eyes. He had really pulled it together at the end.

Anandmayi lunged forward and kissed Parvateshwar hard. A deep, passionate kiss. Parvateshwar stood stunned, his hands to his side, taking in a pleasure he hadn’t ever imagined. After what seemed like a lifetime, Anandmayi stepped back, her eyes a seductive half-stare. Parvateshwar staggered, his mouth half open. Not even sure how to react. ‘Lord Ram be merciful,’ the General whispered. Anandmayi stepped closer to Parvateshwar, running her hand across his face. ‘You have no idea what you have been missing.’ Parvateshwar just continued to stare at her, dumbfounded. Anandmayi held Parvateshwar’s hand and pulled him away. ‘Come with me.’

Omg did they 😱

‘You are my sister. I don’t care what society says. If they accept me, they will accept you. If they reject you, I leave this society too.’ Kali smiled slightly, teary eyed. ‘I was very wrong about you, didi.’ It was the first time Kali had called Sati her elder sister. Sati smiled and embraced Kali.

Extremes of the Chandravanshi and Suryavanshi thought processes. Traditionally, they should be enemies. Yet they found love in each other. I like stories like that. Reminds me of my parents.’

They are the best people amongst us all. Angels who fight for the oppressed.’ Shiva frowned. ‘Who?’ ‘The Nagas,’ replied Parshuram.

‘They never kill innocents. They fight for justice, despite the injustices they endure. They help the oppressed whenever and wherever they can. They truly are the best amongst us all.’

‘Didi, you think we would attack people just because they were a part of a system which humiliated and wounded us? That is wrong. We never attacked anyone who hasn’t directly harmed us.’

Your wife is wise, great Mahadev. It is rare to find such beauty and wisdom in one person.

Do you believe there is nothing random in the universe? That everything exists for a reason. That everything serves a purpose. Yes. If anything appears random, it only means that we haven’t discovered its purpose just as yet.

It is obvious that you feel drawn to the Nagas. That you feel that your path to Evil lies through them. Yes. That can be due to two reasons. Either Evil exists at the end of that path. Or? Or Evil has caused its greatest destruction on that path. Shiva took a deep breath. You mean the Nagas may be the ones who suffered the most at the hands of Evil? Maybe.

‘But you saved Kartik’s life,’ said Sati. ‘You saved me. I know that’s worth a lot to Shiva. Give him time. He will come around.’ Ganesh remained silent, clearly sceptical.

At a distance, Kartik was engaged in a furious duel with Parvateshwar. He was moving at a speed that shocked Ganesh. The three-year-old may have been the size of a seven-year-old, but he was still significantly smaller than the gargantuan Parvateshwar. The Meluhan General was swinging hard with his sword. But Kartik was using his size to devastating effect. He bent low, forcing Parvateshwar to sweep lower with his sword, an action that most skilled swordsmen were not good at. Nobody trained to battle midgets. Kartik also had the ability to jab and swing with shattering speed and accuracy, swinging up at Parvateshwar at an angle that any grown man would have found impossible to defend. In just a few minutes, Kartik had already stopped short of three deathly blows at the Meluhan General, all in the lower torso area. Ganesh stood gaping. ‘He’s been practicing every day since you were injured,’ said Kali.

‘Kartik uses two swords simultaneously.’ ‘Yes,’ smiled Kali. ‘He doesn’t use a shield. He strikes with his left hand also. The boy says that offence is better than defence!’

‘You know what Krittika said. Ganesh fought like a man possessed to save Kartik, nearly sacrificing his own life in the process. Krittika is a good judge of character. She says that Ganesh has a heart of gold.’

‘I heard from Queen Kali,’ continued Veerbhadra, ‘that it was Ganesh who arranged for the Naga medicine which saved Kartik’s life during his birth.’