Free The Oath of The Vayuputras by Amish Page B

you have in mind?’
    ‘I had asked Brahaspati if he’d like to meet Parvateshwar and Ayurvati, to explain to them as to how he is still alive.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘He readily agreed.’
    ‘I would have expected nothing less from him.’

    ‘Are you all right?’ asked Anandmayi.
    Parvateshwar and Anandmayi were in their private room in the Panchavati guesthouse colony.
    ‘I’m thoroughly confused,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘The ruler of Meluha should represent the best there is in our way of life – truth, duty and honour. What does it say about us if our emperor is such a habitual law-breaker? He broke the law when Sati’s child was born.’
    ‘I know what Emperor Daksha did was patently wrong. But one could argue that he is just a father trying to protect his child, albeit in his own stupid manner.’
    ‘The fact that he did what was wrong is enough, Anandmayi. He broke the law. And now, he has broken one of Lord Rudra’s laws by using the daivi astras . How can Meluha, the finest land in the world, have an emperor like him? Isn’t something wrong somewhere?’
    Anandmayi held her husband’s hand. ‘Your emperor was never any good. I could have told you that many years ago. But you don’t need to blame all of Meluha for his misdeeds.’
    ‘That’s not the way it works. A leader is not just a person who gives orders. He is also the one who symbolises the society he leads. If the leader is corrupt, then the society must be corrupt too.’
    ‘Who feeds this nonsense to you, my love? A leader is just a human being, like anyone else. He doesn’t symbolise anything.’
    Parvateshwar shook his head. ‘There are some truths that cannot be challenged. A leader’s karma impacts his entire land. He is supposed to be his people’s icon. That is a universal truth.’
    Anandmayi bent towards him with a soft twinkle in her eyes. ‘Parvateshwar, there is your truth and there is my truth. As for the universal truth? It does not exist.’
    Parvateshwar smiled as he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. ‘You Chandravanshis are very good with words.’
    ‘Words can only be as good or as bad as the thoughts they convey.’
    Parvateshwar’s smile spread wider. ‘So what is your thought on what I should do? My emperor’s actions have put me in a situation where my god, the Neelkanth, may declare war on my country. What do I do then? How do I know which side to pick?’
    ‘You should stick to your god,’ said Anandmayi, without any hint of hesitation in her voice. ‘But this is a hypothetical question. So don’t worry too much about it.’

    ‘My Lord, you called,’ said Ayurvati.
    She had been as surprised as Parvateshwar when the both of them had been summoned to Shiva’s chambers. Since their arrival in Panchavati, Shiva had spent most of his time with the Nagas. Ayurvati was convinced that the Nagas were somehow complicit in the attack on Shiva’s convoy. She also believed the Neelkanth was perhaps investigating the roots of Naga treachery in Panchavati.
    ‘Parvateshwar, Ayurvati, welcome,’ said Shiva, ‘I called you here because it is time now for you to know the secret of the Nagas.’
    Parvateshwar looked up, surprised. ‘But why only the two of us, My Lord?’
    ‘Because the both of you are Meluhans. I have reason to suspect that the attack on us at the Godavari is linked to many things: the plague in Branga, the plight of the Nagas and the drying up of the Saraswati.’
    Parvateshwar and Ayurvati were flummoxed.
    ‘But I am certain about one thing,’ said Shiva. ‘The attack is connected to the destruction of Mount Mandar.’
    ‘What?! How?’
    ‘Only one man can explain it. One whom you believe is dead.’
    Ayurvati and Parvateshwar spun around as they heard the door open.
    Brahaspati walked in quietly.

    ‘The Somras is Evil?’ asked Anandmayi incredulously. ‘Is that what the Lord Neelkanth thinks?’
    Parvateshwar and Anandmayi were in their chambers at the Panchavati guest