["the\tSun\tGod;\ta\tperfect\tcombination\tof\texercise\tand\tspirituality. \u2018Yes,\t the\t sailor\t is\t from\t southern\t Africa,\u2019\t said\t Mareech.\t \u2018It\u2019s\t first-hand news.\tHe\thas\tseen\tthe\tthings\the\tspeaks\tof.\u2019 The\t man\t in\t question\t was\t Lethabo,\t one\t of\t the\t African\t sailors\t who\t had travelled\t to\t Kalinga\t with\t Kumbhakarna.\t He\t had\t turned\t up\t a\t few\t months\t ago with\t a\t message\t for\t Raavan,\t but\t an\t injury\t had\t prevented\t him\t from\t returning\t to his\t post\t with\t Kumbhakarna,\t who\t was\t presently\t in\t Vaidyanath.\t Mareech\t had gone\tto\tvisit\tthe\tsailor\tat\tthe\tGokarna\tAyuralay\twhere\the\twas\tbeing\ttreated.\tAnd that\u2019s\t how\t he\t had\t learnt\t of\t the\t great\t mines\t full\t of\t precious\t stones,\t close\t to\t the southern\t tip\t of\t the\t African\t continent.\t Marked\t by\t a\t giant\t flat-topped\t mountain, which\tlocals\tcalled\tthe\tTable\tMountain. \u2018Hmm\u2026\u2019\t Raavan\t remained\t non-committal\t as\t he\t finished\t his\t routine\t and did\tobeisance\tto\tthe\tSun\tGod. \u2018Raavan,\t it\t may\t be\t worth\t taking\t the\t Pushpak\t Vimaan\t there.\t Even\t if\t we find\t just\t a\t few\t precious\t stones,\t it\t will\t cover\t the\t cost\t of\t the\t trip.\t And\t if\t we\t do find\ta\tmine\u2026\twell,\tI\tleave\tit\tto\tyour\timagination.\u2019 Raavan\t walked\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t balcony\t and\t rested\t his\t hands\t on\t the railing.\tHe\tlooked\ttowards\tthe\tocean,\tthen\taway\tat\tthe\thorizon. \u2018Raavan?\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent. \u2018Raavan,\twhat\tis\tyour\tdecision?\u2019 There\twas\tno\tresponse. Mareech\t sighed.\t He\t walked\t up\t to\t his\t nephew\t and\t touched\t him\t on\t the shoulder. \u2018Raavan\u2026\u2019 \u2018Kumbha\u2026\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019 Raavan\tpointed\tto\ta\tship\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\thorizon.\tIts\tsails\traised\thigh.\tA flag\taflutter.\tThe\tflag\tof\tKumbhakarna. \u2018How\tcan\tyou\tmake\tout\tthe\tmarkings\ton\tthe\tflag\tfrom\tthis\tdistance?\u2019\tasked Mareech\tin\tdisbelief. \u2018It\u2019s\thim.\tI\tknow\tit\tis,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\this\tface\tradiating\tdelight. He\tturned\taround\tand\talmost\tran\toutside,\thollering\tat\this\tguards\tto\tfollow. He\twould\tboard\ta\tship\tquickly\tand\tsail\tout\tto\tmeet\this\tyounger\tbrother.\tHe\twas too\timpatient\tto\twait. He\thad\tto\thave\tnews\tof\ther\tas\tsoon\tas\tpossible. News\tof\tthe\tKanyakumari.","\u2018Are\tyou\tsure?\u2019 Raavan\t had\t sailed\t out\t without\t delay,\t meeting\t his\t brother\t a\t few\t nautical miles\t from\t the\t Gokarna\t port.\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t been\t surprised\t by\t Raavan\u2019s sudden\t appearance,\t but\t he\t could\t understand\t his\t elder\t brother\u2019s\t anxiety.\t It\t had been\tthree\tyears. After\tan\temotional\treunion,\tRaavan\thad\ttaken\tKumbhakarna\taside,\tto\tone end\t of\t the\t upper\t deck.\t And\t fired\t his\t questions.\t Questions\t about\t the Kanyakumari. \u2018Yes,\tDada,\tI\tam\tsure.\tI\thave\tseen\ther\tmyself.\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\teyes\tlit\tup.\t\u2018You\u2019ve\tseen\ther?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tsmiled.\t\u2018Yes.\tLucky\tme!\u2019 Raavan\tsmiled\tbroadly.\t\u2018Indeed.\tBut\thow\tfar\taway\tis\tthis\tplace?\u2019 \u2018The\t village\t she\t stays\t in\t is\t quite\t far\t inland.\t In\t fact,\t it\u2019s\t close\t to\t the Vaidyanath\ttemple.\u2019 \u2018Vaidyanath\t temple?\t Seriously?\t We\t stayed\t there\t for\t some\t time\t when\t you were\ta\tbaby.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tI\tknow,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\theard\tthe\tentire\ttale\tfrom\tmaa.\u2019 \u2018But\tthe\tVaidyanath\ttemple\tis\tquite\tclose\tto\tthe\tlocal\tKanyakumari\ttemple, is\tit\tnot?\tWhat\tis\tthe\tname\tof\tthe\tplace?\tTrikut?\tWhy\twould\tshe\tgo\tback\tto\tlive as\t an\t ordinary\t woman\t in\t the\t land\t where\t she\t was\t once\t worshipped\t as\t a Goddess?\u2019 \u2018Apparently,\t it\u2019s\t quite\t common\t for\t former\t Kanyakumaris\t to\t settle\t down close\t to\t the\t temple\t where\t they\t once\t reigned\t as\t living\t Goddesses.\t It\t has\t been known\t to\t happen\t not\t just\t at\t the\t Trikut\t Kanyakumari\t temple,\t but\t at\t many\t other Kanyakumari\t temples\t across\t India.\t I\t guess\t with\t so\t many\t other\t former Kanyakumaris\t around,\t a\t support\t structure\t is\t available\t for\t them\t to\t rebuild\t their lives.\u2019 \u2018Hmm,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\tbarely\tlistening\tto\twhat\tKumbhakarna\twas\tsaying. I\tshould\thave\tgone\tto\tVaidyanath\tmuch\tearlier.\tIt\twas\tthe\tlogical\tthing\tto do,\tto\tsearch\tfor\ther\tthere.\tHow\tfoolish\tI\thave\tbeen!\tI\u2019ve\twasted\tso\tmany\tyears. \u2018Dada\u2026\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019\tasked\tRaavan,\tbringing\this\tmind\tback\tto\tthe\tpresent. \u2018I\tjust\twant\tto\tsay\tthat\tthere\tis\ta\tslight\tproblem.\u2019 \u2018What\tproblem?\u2019 \u2018Umm\u2026\u2019 \u2018Come\ton,\tout\twith\tit.\tThere\tis\tnothing\tthat\tyour\tdada\tcan\u2019t\thandle.\u2019 \u2018Dada,\tthe\tKanyakumari\u2026\tShe\u2019s\u2026\tshe\u2019s\tmarried.\u2019 Raavan\twaved\this\thand\tin\tdismissal.\t\u2018Oh,\tthat\u2019s\tno\tproblem.\tWe\u2019ll\thandle it.\u2019","\u2018Handle\tit?\tHow?\u2019\tKumbhakarna\tlooked\tanxious. \u2018Don\u2019t\tbe\tstupid,\tKumbha,\u2019\tRaavan\tscoffed.\t\u2018We\twill\tnot\tkill\ther\thusband. How\tcan\twe?\tHe\u2019s\tthe\tKanyakumari\u2019s\thusband.\tWe\u2019ll\tbuy\thim\toff.\u2019 \u2018But\u2026\u2019 \u2018You\tleave\tthat\tto\tme.\tHow\tquickly\tcan\twe\tleave\tfor\tVaidyanath?\u2019 \u2018We\tcan\tleave\tin\ta\tfew\tdays.\u2019 \u2018Good!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t laughed\t and\t mock-saluted\t Raavan.\t \u2018At\t your\t command, Iraiva!\u2019 Iraiva\twas\ta\ttitle\tthat\tAkampana\tused\tfor\tRaavan.\tIt\tmeant\t\u2018True\tLord\u2019\tin the\t dialect\t that\t was\t spoken\t in\t Akampana\u2019s\t homeland,\t far\t away\t in\t the\t Pashtun regions\t of\t north-western\t India.\t The\t title\t had\t caught\t on.\t Many\t of\t Raavan\u2019s sailors\tnow\tcalled\thim\tIraiva. Raavan\t embraced\t his\t brother\t and\t ruffled\t his\t hair.\t Kumbhakarna,\t despite being\tnine\tyears\tyounger\tthan\tRaavan,\twas\tnearly\tas\ttall\tas\the\twas. \u2018But\t you\t haven\u2019t\t asked\t me\t the\t most\t obvious\t question,\t Dada,\u2019\t said Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018I\t guess\t I\u2019ve\t been\t away\t too\t long.\t And\t you\u2019re\t getting\t slower\t as time\tpasses.\u2019 Raavan\t pulled\t back\t from\t Kumbhakarna\t and\t frowned.\t \u2018What\t question\t is that?\u2019 \u2018Something\t you\u2019ve\t wanted\t to\t know\t since\t forever.\t Ask\t me.\t I\t have\t the answer.\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\t face\t brightened\t as\t he\t caught\t on.\t \u2018You\t know\t it?\t You\t know\t her name?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tnodded,\tlaughing\tsoftly. Raavan\t grabbed\t his\t brother\t by\t the\t shoulders.\t \u2018Tell\t me,\t you\t fool!\t What\t is her\tname?\u2019 \u2018Vedavati.\u2019 Raavan\theld\this\tbreath.\tLetting\tthe\tethereal\tname\techo\tin\this\tears.\tThrough his\tbody.\tThrough\this\tspirit. Vedavati. The\tembodiment\tof\tthe\tVedas. Raavan\t looked\t away\t from\t his\t brother,\t towards\t the\t sea.\t He\t felt\t as\t if\t his heart\t would\t burst\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t that\t divine\t name.\t He\t dared\t not\t speak\t it\t out loud.\t His\t soul\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t handle\t it.\t He\t let\t the\t name\t echo\t softly\t in\t the confines\tof\this\tmind. Vedavati\u2026","Chapter\t10 The\t brothers\t were\t to\t leave\t the\t next\t morning.\t The\t fastest\t ship\t in\t their\t fleet\t had been\tprepared\tfor\tthe\tjourney\tahead. Surya,\tthe\tSun\tGod,\thad\tcalled\tit\ta\tnight.\tFortunately,\tSom,\tthe\tMoon\tGod, had\ttaken\tup\tthe\tbaton.\tIt\twas\ta\tbeautiful\tfull-moon\tnight.\tSome\tparts\tof\tthe\tsea and\t the\t exquisite\t coastline\t of\t Gokarna\t were\t illuminated\t in\t the\t glimmer\t of\t the diffused\tmoonlight.\tThere\twere\talmost\tno\tclouds\tin\tthe\tsky,\tand\tthe\tstar-studded night\tresembled\ta\tjewelled\tcanopy.\tA\tcool,\tmoist\tsea\tbreeze\tsoothed\tthe\tsenses. The\tdiscordant\tnoises\tof\tthe\tcity\thad\tdied\tdown.\tRaavan\tlooked\tup\ttowards\tthe sky. Love\twas\tin\tthe\tair.\tAnd\tthe\tpirate-trader\tbreathed\tit\tin. \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\twait\ttill\ttomorrow!\u2019\the\tsaid,\tdrinking\tsome\tmore\twine. Kumbhakarna\t smiled.\t He\t had\t begged\t off\t sharing\t the\t wine\t with\t his\t elder brother.\tTheir\tmother\twas\thome. Raavan\t savoured\t the\t elegant\t flavour\t of\t his\t drink,\t holding\t the\t glass\t up\t in appreciation.\tHe\tglanced\tat\tthe\tbottle.\tThen\tat\tKumbhakarna\u2019s\tempty\thands. \u2018Seriously?\u2019\t asked\t Raavan.\t \u2018She\t actually\t told\t you\t not\t to\t pick\t up\t my\t bad habits?\tSometimes\tI\tthink\tI\tshould\tjust\u2014\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t interrupted\t his\t elder\t brother.\t \u2018Dada,\t does\t it\t really\t matter? She\tis\tour\tmother\u2026\u2019 Raavan\tsighed.\tHe\tdrank\tsome\tmore\twine. Though\t Kumbhakarna\t respected\t his\t mother\u2019s\t wishes,\t at\t least\t in\t her presence,\t Kaikesi\u2019s\t well-meaning\t warnings\t to\t her\t younger\t son\t went\t unheeded. Kumbhakarna\tidolised\tRaavan.\tHis\telder\tbrother\thad\talways\tbeen\this\thero.\tBad habits?\tHe\twanted\tto\temulate\tevery\thabit\tof\tRaavan\u2019s.\tThe\tonly\tthing\the\twished his\tbrother\twouldn\u2019t\tdo\twas\tinsult\ttheir\tmother. \u2018So,\ttell\tme\tmore\tabout\ther,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan.\t\u2018The\tKanyakumari\u2026\u2019","Kumbhakarna\t had\t noticed\t that\t despite\t knowing\t her\t name,\t Raavan\t could not\tbring\thimself\t to\t say\tit.\t He\twondered\twhat\t else\t he\t could\ttell\tRaavan\tabout Vedavati.\t He\t had\t already\t described\t her\t physical\t form.\t It\t was\t remarkable\t how closely\tshe\tresembled\tthe\twoman\tin\tRaavan\u2019s\tpaintings. \u2018She\t truly\t is\t extraordinary,\t Dada,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018You\t know\t how hard\t life\t is\t for\t most\t people,\t right?\t Taxes\t have\t gone\t up\t and\t jobs\t have\t been difficult\tto\tcome\tby.\u2019 The\tanti-trader\tpolicies\tof\tmost\tof\tthe\tSapt\tSindhu\tkingdoms\thad\tresulted in\t a\t dramatic\t decline\t in\t business\t activities.\t An\t equally\t dramatic\t decline\t in\t tax revenues\thad\tfollowed.\tAt\tthe\tsame\ttime,\troyal\texpenditure\thad\tgone\tup\tdue\tto the\t imperial\t preoccupation\t with\t war.\t So\t tax\t rates\t had\t been\t increased.\t This\t had further\tdiminished\tthe\tprospects\tfor\tbusiness\tand\timpacted\tjob\topportunities.\tIn this\t atmosphere\t of\t desperation,\t crime\t too\t had\t increased.\t And\t as\t usual,\t the common\tfolk\t suffered\tthe\tbrunt\tof\tit\tall.\t Mini\t rebellions\twere\t breaking\t out\tall over\t the\t country,\t especially\t against\t the\t petty\t nobles\t and\t landlords\t who\t served the\t kingdoms\u2019\t rulers.\t But\t Raavan\t was\t not\t interested\t in\t the\t condition\t of\t the people\tat\tthis\tmoment. \u2018Tell\tme\tabout\tthe\tKanyakumari.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tlinked\tto\tthat,\tDada.\tThe\tKanyakumari\u2019s\thusband\u2026\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tstopped\tas\the\tsaw\tRaavan\u2019s\tjaw\tclench. Raavan\tlooked\taway\tfor\ta\tmoment\tand\tthen\tback\tat\this\tbrother.\t\u2018Yes,\twhat about\thim?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t continued,\t \u2018His\t name\t is\t Prithvi.\t He\t is,\t or\t was,\t a businessman\t from\t Balochistan,\t in\t the\t far\t western\t corner\t of\t India.\t He\t settled\t in Vaidyanath\tmany\tyears\tago\tand\ttried\this\thand\tat\tsome\tbusiness.\tBut\the\tended\tup making\theavy\tlosses.\u2019 \u2018Loser.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t decided\t to\t let\t Raavan\u2019s\t jealous\t remark\t pass\t without comment.\t He\thad\t been\t told\t that\tPrithvi\twas\tan\t honest,\tstraightforward,\t decent man.\tEven\tif\the\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tsharpest\tbusinessman\tgoing. \u2018These\t losses\t in\t business,\u2019\t continued\t Kumbhakarna,\t \u2018left\t him\t heavily indebted\tto\tthe\tlocal\tlandlord.\tTo\trepay\this\tdebt,\the\tis\tnow\tworking\tfor\tthe\tman.\u2019 \u2018So\t the\t Kanyakumari\t is\t stuck\t doing\t some\t menial\t job\t because\t of\t her\t idiot husband?\u2019 \u2018It\t appears\t she\t is\t there\t by\t choice,\t Dada.\t She\t too\t works\t for\t the\t landlord. Everyone\tin\tthe\tarea\tknows\tthat\tshe\twas\tthe\tKanyakumari\tand\tthey\trespect\ther. Therefore,\t she\t is\t able\t to\t broker\t peace\t between\t the\t common\t people\t and\t the landlord,\t whenever\t it\t becomes\t necessary.\t The\t landlord\t ensures\t that\t there\t is enough\tfood\tfor\this\tpeople.\tHe\talso\tgets\tthem\tjobs\twherever\the\tcan,\ton\this\tfarm,","or\t at\t construction\t sites\t in\t and\t around\t Chilika.\t They\t are\t reasonably\t content because\t of\t this\t and\t have\t no\t reason\t to\t rebel.\t Theirs\t is\t one\t of\t the\t more\t peaceful villages\tyou\twill\tfind\tin\tthe\tSapt\tSindhu.\tWhich\tis\tan\tachievement\tin\tthese\ttimes of\t penury\t and\t anger.\t And\t it\t is\t all\t underwritten\t by\t the\t moral\t authority\t of Vedavatiji.\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\ttakeaway\tfrom\tall\tthis\twas\tjust\tone\tthing.\t\u2018So,\tall\twe\thave\tto\tdo is\trepay\tthe\tdebt\tto\ta\tpetty\tvillage\tlandlord\tand\tthe\tKanyakumari\tis\tfree?\u2019 \u2018Umm\u2026\tDada,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tit\twill\tbe\tthat\tsimple.\u2019 \u2018It\tis\tthat\tsimple.\tThere\tis\tso\tmuch\tyou\thave\tto\tlearn\tabout\tlife,\tKumbha. You\tare\tstill\tvery\tyoung.\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\t ship\t was\t sailing\t up\t the\t eastern\t coast\t of\t India,\t towards\t Branga. Towards\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tholy\tGanga.\tThey\tintended\tto\tsail\tup\tthe\triver,\tto\tthe point\twhere\tit\tcame\tclosest\tto\tVaidyanath.\tThe\tcrew\twould\tthen\tmarch\toverland to\t the\t sacred\t temple\t town.\t The\t river\t Mayurakshi\t began\t its\t journey\t close\t to Vaidyanath,\tand\tflowed\teast\tto\tempty\titself\tinto\tthe\twesternmost\tdistributary\tof the\tGanga.\tAn\tamateur\tsailor\tmight\tmake\tthe\tmistake\tof\tthinking\tthat\tsailing\tup the\t Mayurakshi\t would\t be\t the\t fastest\t way\t to\t reach\t Vaidyanath.\t But\t Raavan\t was not\t an\t amateur.\t He\t knew\t that\t the\t Mayurakshi\t was\t a\t flood-prone\t river\t with treacherous\t and\t fast-moving\t currents.\t Sailing\t on\t it\t would\t be\t hard\t work,\t and slow.\t Better\t to\t sail\t further\t up\t the\t Ganga,\t and\t then\t walk\t or\t ride\t the\t rest\t of\t the way. \u2018Are\tyou\tsure\tyou\tare\tfit\tenough\tto\tride\tall\tthe\tway\tto\tVaidyanath?\u2019\tasked Raavan,\tplayfully\tpatting\tKumbhakarna\u2019s\timmense\tbelly. The\t brothers\t were\t on\t the\t upper\t deck\t of\t the\t ship,\t walking\t down\t the corridor,\ttowards\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\tcabin.\tRaavan\thad\tjust\tfinished\tan\thour\tof\tdance practice\t on\t the\t open\t deck,\t accompanied\t by\t his\t favourite\t musician,\t Surya.\t He had\thired\tSurya\tat\tconsiderable\texpense\tsome\ttime\tago,\tand\tpersuaded\thim\tand his\twife\tAnnapoorna\tto\taccompany\tthem\ton\tthe\tvoyage\tso\the\tcould\tcontinue\tto practice\tthe\tdance\tform\the\twas\tcurrently\tattempting\tto\tperfect. \u2018Don\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tme,\tDada.\tI\tam\tnot\tthe\tone\twho\tgoes\tbreathless\tat\tthe mere\t mention\t of\t that\t \u201cdivine\t name\u201d,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna,\t a\t mock-devout expression\ton\this\tface. Raavan\t burst\t out\t laughing\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t thumped\t him\t on\t the\t back, laughing\t even\t more\t loudly.\t They\t entered\t the\t cabin\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t shut\t the door\t behind\t them.\t Raavan\t walked\t up\t to\t an\t ornate\t cabinet\t and\t fetched\t a\t glass decanter\tand\tgoblet.\tHe\tpoured\thimself\tsome\twine.","\u2018Maa\t is\t not\t here,\t Kumbha,\u2019\t said\t Raavan,\t holding\t the\t glass\t high.\t \u2018You should\ttry\tsome.\u2019 \u2018I\thave\ttried\tsome\talready,\tDada!\u2019\tKumbhakarna\tgrinned.\t\u2018But\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike drinking\tat\tsea.\tIt\tmakes\tme\tfeel\tlike\tvomiting.\u2019 \u2018Yuck,\u2019\tgrimaced\tRaavan,\t\u2018I\tdid\tnot\tneed\tto\tknow\tthat.\u2019\tHe\tflopped\tdown on\t a\t chair\t placed\t near\t a\t porthole,\t across\t from\t his\t brother.\t \u2018Anyway,\t now\t that\t I know\t you\t have\t tried\t wine\t already,\t I\t have\t to\t get\t you\t to\t try\t women.\t There\t are some\tvery\tgood\tcourtesan-houses\ton\tthe\tway.\tWe\u2019ll\tstop\tat\tone\tof\tthem.\tLet\tyou experience\u2026\tshall\twe\tsay,\ta\twoman\u2019s\ttouch.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tgiggled.\tEmbarrassed\tand\texcited\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime.\tHe\thad heard\tstories.\tBut\the\thad\tno\tidea\twhat\the\twas\tsupposed\tto\tdo\twith\ta\twoman. \u2018The\t only\t problem\t with\t women\t is\t their\t mouth,\u2019\t continued\t Raavan.\t \u2018They talk.\tAnd\twhat\tis\tmore,\tthey\ttalk\tutter\tnonsense.\tYou\tdo\tknow\tthat\tin\tsome\tparts of\tthe\tworld,\tthey\tbelieve\tthat\theaven\tis\tabove\tand\thell\tis\tbelow,\tright?\tWell,\tit\u2019s the\t exact\t opposite\t with\t women.\t With\t women,\t there\t is\t heaven\t below\t and\t hell above!\u2019 Raavan\t laughed\t aloud\t at\t his\t own\t joke.\t Kumbhakarna\t joined\t in\t somewhat uncertainly. \u2018That\tis\tnot\ttrue\tof\tall\twomen,\tDada,\u2019\the\toffered.\t\u2018When\tVedavatiji\tspeaks, one\tcan\tsense\tthe\twisdom\u2014\u2019 Before\the\tcould\tcomplete\tthe\tsentence,\tRaavan\tcut\tin.\t\u2018The\tKanyakumari is\tnot\tjust\ta\twoman.\tShe\tis\ta\tliving\tGoddess.\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\t looked\t out\t of\t the\t porthole,\t sipping\t his\t wine.\t Thinking\t of\t what\t he would\ttell\ther\twhen\the\tsaw\ther.\tHow\the\twould\twoo\ther. Why\twill\tshe\trefuse\tme?\tEspecially\twhen\tshe\tfinds\tout\thow\tI\tfeel\tabout\ther. When\tshe\tgets\tto\tknow\thow\trich\tand\tpowerful\tI\tam\u2026\tand\tworthy\tof\ther\tlove. \u2018Dada,\t I\t just\t want\t to\t be\t honest\t about\t something.\t You\t should\t consider\t it seriously\ttoo.\u2019\tKumbhakarna\u2019s\tvoice\tinterrupted\tRaavan\u2019s\tthoughts. Observing\this\tyounger\tbrother\u2019s\tgrave\texpression,\tRaavan\tbecame\tserious too.\t\u2018What\tis\tit?\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tjust\tthat\u2026\u2019\tKumbhakarna\thesitated. \u2018What\thappened,\tKumbha?\tOut\twith\tit.\u2019 \u2018Dada\u2026\t don\u2019t\t take\t this\t the\t wrong\t way\u2026\t but\t honestly,\t I\t just\t don\u2019t\t think the\t Kanyakumari\t will\t be\t impressed\t by\t your\t dancing.\t So\t don\u2019t\t dance\t for\t her, please.\tI\tcan\tguarantee\tthat\tshe\twill\trun\taway\tfrom\tyou\tif\tyou\tdo.\u2019 Raavan\t picked\t up\t a\t small\t cushion\t that\t lay\t nearby\t and\t threw\t it\t at Kumbhakarna,\twho\tcollapsed\tin\tpeals\tof\tlaughter. Raavan\t was\t laughing\t too.\t \u2018You\t are\t certainly\t not\t the\t good\t little\t boy\t who","maa\tfears\tI\twill\tcorrupt.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tgrinned.\t\u2018Trying\tto\tfollow\tyour\texample,\tDada!\u2019 Raavan\t picked\t up\t another\t cushion\t that\t was\t at\t hand\t and\t threw\t it\t at Kumbhakarna.\t His\t younger\t brother\t caught\t it\t effortlessly,\t and\t put\t it\t behind\t his back.\t \u2018I\t think\t I\u2019m\t comfortable\t enough\t now,\t thank\t you.\t I\t won\u2019t\t be\t needing\t any more!\u2019 Laughter\t filled\t the\t cabin.\t As\t he\t wiped\t away\t the\t tears\t of\t mirth,\t Raavan looked\t at\t his\t younger\t brother\t with\t love.\t And\t pride.\t For\t these\t few\t light-hearted moments,\t even\t the\t ever-present\t pain\t in\t his\t navel\t seemed\t to\t have\t disappeared. Joy\tand\thope\tfilled\this\theart. Kumbhakarna\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tsmiling\tas\the\twalked\tunsteadily\tback\tto\tthe\tship. Raavan\t put\t his\t arm\t around\t his\t little\t brother\u2019s\t shoulders,\t leaned\t in\t close and\twhispered,\t\u2018How\twas\tit?\u2019 They\twere\tin\tMahua\tIsland\tand\tKumbhakarna\thad\tjust\tvisited\ta\tcourtesan- house\tfor\tthe\tvery\tfirst\ttime.\t The\tisland\twas\tat\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\twestern-most distributary\tof\tthe\tGanga,\tat\tthe\tpoint\twhere\tthe\tgreat\triver,\tburdened\twith\twater and\t silt,\t sluggishly\t met\t the\t Eastern\t Sea.\t There\t was\t a\t courtesan-house\t here, owned\t by\t a\t woman\t called\t Vasantpala,\t which\t was\t renowned\t across\t the\t region. Raavan\t had\t decided\t it\t was\t the\t perfect\t place\t for\t his\t brother\u2019s\t initiation\t into\t the world\tof\tcarnal\tpleasures. He\t had\t taken\t Vasantpala\u2019s\t advice\t and\t chosen\t a\t famous\t courtesan\t called Zabibi\t for\t his\t younger\t brother.\t Zabibi\t was\t from\t Arabia,\t and\t had\t come\t to\t India only\trecently,\tto\tmake\ther\tfortune.\tShe\t was\tno\tless\tthan\tan\t apsara,\ta\t celestial nymph.\t Long-limbed\t and\t supple,\t she\t was\t blessed\t with\t lustrous\t black\t hair. Though\t new\t to\t the\t land,\t she\t was\t already\t famed\t for\t her\t beauty\t and\t her impeccable\t taste\t in\t clothes\t and\t jewellery.\t And\t most\t importantly,\t she\t was experienced\tin\tthe\tart\tof\tlove. Only\tthe\tbest\twould\tdo\tfor\tKumbhakarna. \u2018I\t think\t I\t am\t in\t love,\u2019\t whispered\t Kumbhakarna,\t looking\t stricken\t and intoxicated\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime. Raavan\t burst\t out\t laughing.\t He\t continued\t walking,\t then\t stopped\t when\t he realised\this\tbrother\twas\tnot\tnext\tto\thim. Kumbhakarna\t was\t standing\t still.\t Looking\t dreamily\t at\t the\t early\t morning sky.\tThe\ttwo\textra\tarms\ton\this\tshoulders\tdrooped,\tas\tif\tthey\ttoo\twere\tinebriated. \u2018I\tam\tnot\tjoking,\tDada.\tI\tthink\tI\tam\tin\tlove.\u2019 Raavan\traised\this\teyebrows.","\u2018I\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t leave\t her\t here.\t Can\u2019t\t I\t have\t her\t forever?\t Can\u2019t\t I\t marry her?\u2019 Raavan\twalked\tback\tto\twhere\tKumbhakarna\tstood,\tput\this\tarm\taround\this shoulders,\tand\tstarted\twalking\this\treluctant\tbrother\talong. \u2018Dada,\tI\tam\tserious\u2026\u2019 \u2018Kumbha,\twomen\tlike\tZabibi\tare\tmeant\tto\tbe\tused,\tnot\tloved.\u2019 The\tflash\tof\tanger\ton\tKumbhakarna\u2019s\tface\tgave\tRaavan\tpause. \u2018Dada!\tDon\u2019t\tspeak\tof\tZabibi\tthat\tway!\u2019 \u2018It\t was\t a\t transaction,\t Kumbha.\t She\t gave\t you\t pleasure,\t you\t gave\t her money.\tShe\tis\tnot\tinterested\tin\tyou.\tShe\tis\tinterested\tin\tthe\tmoney.\u2019 \u2018No,\tno!\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\ttold\tme.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\tthat\tI\twas just\ta\tboy.\tShe\tsaid\tshe\thad\tnever\tbeen\twith\ta\tman\tlike\tme.\u2019 \u2018I\t paid\t her,\t Kumbha.\t She\t is\t a\t professional.\t Of\t course\t she\t said\t things\t that you\twanted\tto\thear.\u2019 \u2018But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlie\tto\tme\tand\tsay\tthings\tto\tmake\tme\tfeel\tgood.\tShe\tmeant what\tshe\tsaid.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tthat\tI\twas\tgood\tlooking.\tI\tknow\tI\tam\tnot.\tBut\tshe did\t say\t that\t I\t was\t intelligent.\t Which\t I\t am.\t And\t that\t I\t am\t strong.\t And\u2026\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tsmiled\tshyly,\t\u2018and\tgood\tin\tbed.\u2019 Raavan\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tlaughing\tagain.\t\u2018My\tna\u00efve\tlittle\tKumbha!\tThis\tworld is\tfull\tof\tselfish\tpeople.\tThey\twill\ttell\tyou\twhat\tyou\twant\tto\thear\tin\torder\tto\tget what\tthey\twant\tfrom\tyou.\tTo\tprotect\tyourself,\tyou\tmust\tknow\thow\tto\tuse\tthem to\tget\twhat\tyou\twant.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tway\tthe\tworld\tworks.\u2019 \u2018But\tDada,\tZabibi\tis\tdifferent.\tShe\tis\u2014\u2019 \u2018She\t is\t no\t different.\t She\t is\t just\t clearer\t about\t what\t she\t wants.\t She\t wants money.\t And\t she\u2019ll\t give\t you\t sex\t in\t return.\t It\u2019s\t simple.\t Some\t men\t want\t honour. Why?\t I\t don\u2019t\t know.\t But\t they\t do.\t So,\t give\t it\t to\t them.\t Give\t them\t an\t honourable way\tto\tdie.\tAnd\tprofit\tfrom\tit.\tSome\twomen\tbelieve\tthat\tflaunting\ttheir\tbeauty\tis empowering.\t So,\t compliment\t them,\t have\t sex\t with\t them,\t and\t cast\t them\t away. Use\tpeople\tbefore\tthey\tcan\tuse\tyou.\tMost\tpeople\tin\tthe\tworld\tare\tcontemptible. Many\t hide\t behind\t pretentions.\t The\t ones\t who\t succeed\t are\t the\t ones\t who\t are honest\twith\tthemselves.\tZabibi\tis\thonest.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tyou.\tShe\tcares about\therself.\tShe\u2019s\there\tfor\ta\tfew\tyears\tto\tearn\tenough\tmoney,\tand\tthen\tshe\u2019ll go\tback\tto\ther\thusband\tin\tArabia.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\twas\tshocked.\t\u2018She\u2019s\tmarried?\tShe\tlied\tto\tme!\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tshe\tlied\tto\tyou.\tBut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlie\tto\tthe\tmost\timportant\tperson\tin\ther life\u2014herself!\tYou\tshould\tnot\tbe\tshocked.\tInstead,\tyou\tshould\tlearn\tfrom\ther.\tBe clear\tabout\twhat\tyou\twant.\tBut\thide\tit\twell.\tIt\twill\thelp\tyou\tget\twhat\tyou\twant.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\twas\tsilent\tfor\tsome\ttime,\tthinking\tover\twhat\this\tbrother\thad said.\tFinally\the\tsaid,\t\u2018That\u2019s\twhy\twe\tare\tattacking\tKubaer\u2019s\tships,\tright?\tBut\twe","do\tit\tin\tsuch\ta\tway\tthat\teveryone\tthinks\tit\u2019s\tthe\twork\tof\tpirates.\u2019 \u2018Exactly.\t Now\t you\t are\t learning.\t Kubaer\u2019s\t strength\t is\t his\t wealth,\t and\t the more\tof\tit\twe\ttake\taway,\tthe\tmore\tinsecure\the\twill\tget.\tIn\this\tdesperation,\the\twill turn\tto\tthe\tonly\tperson\tin\tLanka\twith\ta\tleague\tof\twell-trained\tand\tarmed\tmen\u2014 me.\tHe\twill\tseek\tmy\thelp\tto\tsecure\this\twealth.\tI\twill\tobviously\thelp\tthe\thapless man.\tAnd\tbecome\tthe\tchief\tof\tthe\tarmy\tof\tLanka.\tFrom\tthere,\tit\twill\tbe\ta\tshort distance\tto\tbecoming\tthe\tking.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t chest\t puffed\t out\t with\t pride.\t \u2018My\t brother,\t the\t king\t of Lanka!\u2019 Raavan\t smiled.\t \u2018Always\t remember\t why\t we\t are\t strong,\t why\t we\t are successful.\tBecause\twe\tdon\u2019t\tfool\tourselves\tthat\twe\tare\thonourable\tor\tgood.\tWe know\t who\t we\t are.\t We\t accept\t it.\t We\t embrace\t it.\t That\u2019s\t why\t we\t beat\t everyone. That\u2019s\twhy\twe\twill\tcontinue\tto\tbeat\teveryone.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\twalked\ton,\twith\tKumbhakarna\tambling\talong\tbeside\thim.","Chapter\t11 \u2018We\thave\tto\tgo\tback,\tDada!\u2019 \u2018Kumbha,\tyou\tare\tbeing\tsilly.\tGo\tto\tyour\tcabin.\u2019 Their\t ship\t was\t to\t leave\t Mahua\t Island\t in\t a\t few\t hours.\t Kumbhakarna\t had just\t come\t rushing\t into\t Raavan\u2019s\t cabin\t with\t some\t news.\t Earlier,\t when\t he\t had been\t with\t Zabibi,\t enjoying\t the\t courtesan\u2019s\t attentions,\t he\t had\t barely\t noticed\t the very\t young\t girl,\t not\t more\t than\t eight\t years\t of\t age,\t who\t had\t served\t him\t alcohol and\t food.\t Before\t she\t left\t the\t room,\t he\t had\t seen\t her\t linger\t beside\t the\t chair\t on which\the\thad\tcasually\tflung\this\tangvastram.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tthought\tmuch\tof\tit\tthen. Back\tin\this\tcabin,\the\thad\tnoticed\ta\tsmall\tknot\ttied\tto\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tfabric. He\thad\topened\tit\tto\tfind\ta\ttiny\tpiece\tof\tpapyrus.\tWith\ttwo\twords\twritten\ton\tit,\tin a\tchildish\thandwriting.\tHe\thanded\tthe\tnote\tto\tRaavan. Raavan\tread\tit\taloud.\t\u2018Help\tme.\u2019 \u2018We\thave\tto.\u2019 \u2018Help\twhom?\u2019 \u2018The\tlittle\tgirl\tin\tthe\tcourtesan-house.\u2019 \u2018How\tdo\tyou\tknow\tit\twas\ther?\u2019 \u2018I\t just\t know,\t Dada.\t She\t looked\t troubled.\t Now\t that\t I\t think\t about\t it,\t there was\tfear\tin\ther\teyes.\tShe\tneeds\tour\thelp.\u2019 \u2018Kumbha,\t I\t gave\t you\t a\t long\t lecture\t only\t half\t an\t hour\t ago!\t We\t succeed because\tof\tour\tability\tto\texploit\tpeople.\tNot\tbecause\twe\tare\tdo-gooders.\u2019 \u2018Dada,\t you\t were\t the\t one\t who\t once\t told\t me\t that\t if\t you\t find\t someone vulnerable\tand\tin\tserious\ttrouble,\thelp\tthem\u2014and\tthen\tmake\tthem\tyour\tslave\tfor life.\tIf\tshe\tis\tbeing\tabused,\tand\twe\thelp\ther,\tshe\twill\tbe\tloyal\tto\tus\tforever.\tShe could\tbe\tuseful.\u2019 \u2018Nonsense,\tKumbha.\tYou\tjust\twant\tto\thelp\ther\tand\tyou\tare\ttrying\tto\tfind\ta justification\tfor\tit.\u2019","\u2018Maybe\tI\tam.\tIt\twill\tcost\tus\tvery\tlittle.\tHow\tmuch\tdoes\tit\ttake\tto\tbuy\tthe services\tof\ta\tyoung\tgirl\tafter\tall?\tShe\twill\tbe\tworth\tit.\tI\tsaw\tfire\tin\ther\teyes.\u2019 \u2018A\tmoment\tago,\tyou\tsaid\tyou\tsaw\tfear\tin\ther\teyes.\tWhich\twas\tit?\tFear\tor fire?\u2019 \u2018Dada,\tI\tam\ttelling\tyou.\tThis\tgirl\tcould\tbe\tuseful.\u2019 Raavan\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t dismay.\t Then\t he\t pointed\t a\t finger\t at Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018This\t is\t the\t last\t time\t I\t am\t helping\t some\t random\t person\t because of\tyou.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tnot\thelp,\tDada.\tIt\u2019s\tbusiness.\tIt\twill\tbe\tprofitable.\tTrust\tme.\u2019 \u2018Vasantpala,\t it\t is\t a\t good\t price\t and\t you\t know\t it,\u2019\t said\t Raavan\t impatiently.\t \u2018Ten gold\tcoins.\tTake\tit\tand\tbe\tdone\twith\tit.\tDon\u2019t\twaste\tmy\ttime.\u2019 Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t returned\t to\t Vasantpala\u2019s\t establishment, accompanied\t by\t twenty\t guards.\t Raavan\t had\t thought\t this\t would\t be\t a\t quick negotiation.\tBut\the\twas\tin\tfor\ta\tsurprise. The\t little\t girl\t Kumbhakarna\t wanted\t to\t rescue\t was\t standing\t by\t the\t wall. Head\tbowed.\tHands\tclasped\ttogether.\tShe\twas\tshaking.\tPerhaps\tin\tfear.\tPerhaps in\tanticipation\tof\tfreedom. \u2018It\u2019s\tnot\tthat\tsimple,\tmy\tlord,\u2019\tsaid\tVasantpala.\t\u2018Ten\tgold\tcoins\tmay\tnot\tbe enough\tfor\ther.\u2019 Raavan\t was\t irritated.\t \u2018You\t have\t made\t more\t than\t enough\t money\t from\t me over\t the\t years,\t Vasantpala.\t Don\u2019t\t be\t a\t fool.\t You\t can\t easily\t get\t another\t serving girl\tor\tboy.\tWho\thas\tjobs\tthese\tdays?\u2019 \u2018She\tis\tnot\tjust\ta\tserving\tgirl.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\tat\tthe\tgirl\tagain.\tHe\tnoticed\tthe\tligature\tmarks\ton\ther\thands and\tfeet;\tmarks\tthat\tindicated\tthat\tshe\twas\toften\ttied\tup.\tHe\tknew\tthat\tsome\tmen liked\t to\t have\t sex\t with\t very\t young\t girls\t and\t boys,\t even\t tie\t them\t up\t during\t the act.\tHe\thad\tnever\tunderstood\tit.\tIt\twas\tdisgusting.\tAbominable. \u2018How\tmuch,\tthen?\u2019\the\tasked. \u2018Two\thundred\tgold\tcoins.\tShe\tis\tprofitable.\u2019 Raavan\theld\this\tright\thand\tout.\tOne\tof\this\taides\tstepped\tup\tand\tgave\thim\ta papyrus\tsheet\tand\tpen.\tRaavan\twrote\ton\tit,\tmarked\tit\twith\this\tseal\tand\tthrew\tit\tat Vasantpala.\t \u2018One\t hundred\t gold\t coins\t is\t my\t final\t offer.\t You\t can\t cash\t this\t hundi anywhere.\u2019 Vasantpala\t picked\t up\t the\t sheet\t and\t read\t it\t carefully.\t She\t smiled.\t \u2018Thank you,\tmy\tlord,\tbut\tthis\twill\tnot\tbe\tenough.\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tnot\thaggling\twith\tyou,\tVasantpala.\tThis\tis\tmy\tfinal\toffer.\tOr\twe\tcan","tear\tup\tthat\thundi\tand\u2014\u2019 Vasantpala\t interrupted\t him.\t \u2018I\t wasn\u2019t\t asking\t for\t more\t money\t for\t myself, my\t lord.\t This\t is\t good\t enough\t for\t me.\t But\t you\t will\t need\t to\t pay\t somebody\t else too.\u2019 Raavan\tfrowned.\t\u2018Who?\u2019 \u2018Her\tfather,\u2019\tanswered\tVasantpala. Raavan\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tlittle\tgirl,\tshocked.\tBut\tonly\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tAll fathers\tare\tassholes.\tJust\tlike\tmine. The\t little\t girl\t raised\t her\t head\t and\t looked\t at\t Vasantpala.\t Her\t eyes\t were burning\twith\trage.\tAnd\thatred.\tBut\talmost\timmediately,\ther\texpression\tchanged. She\tseemed\tstoic\tonce\tmore.\tHead\tbowed.\tDocile. Woah!\tThis\tgirl\tmay\tactually\tbe\tworth\tit. Raavan\tturned\ttowards\tVasantpala.\t\u2018Her\tfather?\u2019 \u2018Who\tdo\tyou\tthink\tsold\ther\tto\tus?\u2019 The\tlittle\tgirl\u2019s\tfather\tlived\ta\tshort\ttwenty-minute\twalk\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcourtesan- house.\t One\t of\t Vasantpala\u2019s\t aides\t led\t Raavan\t and\t his\t entourage\t there.\t On\t the way,\the\tinformed\tRaavan\tthat\tthe\tgirl\tnever\tspoke.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tshe\thad been\tborn\tdumb.\tRaavan\thad\ta\tfeeling\tthat\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tloss\tof\tspeech\thad\tmore\tto do\twith\tthe\ttorture\tshe\thad\tsuffered\tat\tsuch\ta\tyoung\tage. They\t reached\t the\t place\t to\t find\t a\t modest\t house\t in\t a\t relatively\t deserted locality.\t But\t it\t was\t in\t better\t shape\t than\t Raavan\t had\t expected,\t considering\t the state\tof\tthe\tlittle\tgirl.\tThe\tarea\taround\tthe\thouse\twas\tclean.\tThe\twalls\thad\tbeen reinforced\t recently\t with\t fresh\t bricks.\t The\t roof\t looked\t new.\t There\t was\t a\t small garden\toutside,\twith\ta\tflower\tbed.\tAll\tvery\ttastefully\tdone. Vasantpala\u2019s\t aide\t knocked\t on\t the\t door\t and\t stepped\t aside.\t A\t middle-aged man\tanswered\tthe\tdoor.\tHe\twas\tshorter\tthan\tRaavan\tand\tthin,\texcept\tfor\ta\tsmall potbelly.\t He\t wore\t an\t expensive\t silk\t dhoti.\t A\t thick\t gold\t chain\t gleamed\t around his\tneck.\tHis\tlong\thair\twas\tneatly\toiled\tand\ttied. \u2018Is\tthis\tyour\tdaughter?\u2019\tasked\tRaavan,\tpointing\tat\tthe\tlittle\tgirl. The\t man\t looked\t at\t her\t and\t then\t back\t at\t Raavan.\t He\t noticed\t the\t daunting musculature\t of\t the\t pirate-trader.\t His\t eyes\t took\t in\t the\t expensive\t clothes\t and jewellery.\tObviously,\ta\trich\tcustomer.\t\u2018Yes,\tshe\tis.\u2019 \u2018I\thave\tsomething\tto\task.\tI\twant\tto\tknow\u2014\u2019 The\tman\tcut\tin.\t\u2018One\tgold\tcoin\tper\thour.\tYou\tcan\tuse\ta\troom\tin\tmy\thouse. If\tyou\twant\tto\tdo\tsomething\tdifferent,\tlike\twith\ther\tmouth\tor\tbackside,\tthe\trates go\tup.\tHowever,\tif\tyou\twant\tto\ttie\ther\tup,\tor\tbeat\ther,\twe\twill\thave\tto\tnegotiate.","Because\tif\tyou\tbreak\tany\tbones,\tshe\twill\tnot\tbe\table\tto\tearn\tanything\tfor\ta\tfew months\tat\tleast.\u2019 Raavan\tstepped\tcloser\tto\tthe\tman. \u2018So,\twhat\twill\tit\tbe?\u2019\tasked\tthe\tfather,\ta\tlittle\tuncertainly. In\t answer,\t Raavan\t swung\t his\t fist\t viciously\t at\t the\t man\u2019s\t face.\t Hitting\t him squarely\ton\tthe\tnose.\tThe\tsickening\tcrunch\tconfirmed\tthat\the\thad\tbroken\ta\tbone. As\t the\t man\t fell\t to\t the\t ground,\t blood\t spurting\t from\t his\t nose,\t Raavan\t turned\t to look\tat\tthe\tlittle\tgirl.\tShe\twas\tstaring\tat\ther\tfather.\tAt\ther\tfather\u2019s\tblood. She\tdidn\u2019t\tblink.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\taway. Raavan\tturned\tto\this\tmen.\t\u2018Tie\thim\tto\tthat\ttree.\tOn\this\tknees.\u2019 The\tman\twas\thowling\tin\tpain. Raavan\u2019s\tmen\tdragged\thim\tto\ta\ttall\tcoconut\tpalm\tclose\tby\tand\ttied\thim\tto it.\t On\t his\t knees.\t Hands\t behind\t the\t trunk.\t Both\t legs\t secured.\t Face\t towards Raavan.\tUtterly\thelpless.\tStill\tscreaming\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\this\tlungs. \u2018In\tthe\tname\tof\tLord\tIndra,\tcover\tthis\tidiot\u2019s\tmouth,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\this\tface screwed\tup\tin\trevulsion. One\tof\tthe\tguards\timmediately\tproduced\ta\tpiece\tof\tcloth\tand\tstuffed\tit\tinto the\t man\u2019s\t mouth.\t They\t gagged\t him\t with\t another,\t longer\t piece\t of\t cloth\t which was\t then\t secured\t around\t the\t trunk\t of\t the\t tree.\t Not\t only\t could\t he\t not\t create\t a racket\t now,\t he\t could\t barely\t move\t his\t head.\t Only\t soft,\t muffled\t sounds\t escaped his\tmouth. Raavan\t turned\t to\t look\t at\t Kumbhakarna.\t Communicating\t with\t his\t eyes. Watch\tand\tlearn. \u2018You,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan\tto\tthe\tlittle\tgirl.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tyour\tname?\u2019 The\t girl\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything.\t Kumbhakarna\t was\t about\t to\t remind\t Raavan that\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tspeak,\tbut\this\telder\tbrother\tsignalled\tfor\thim\tto\tbe\tquiet. \u2018Come\there,\u2019\tRaavan\tsaid\tto\ther. She\t stepped\t closer.\t The\t tall\t and\t extravagantly\t muscled\t Raavan\t towered over\t her.\t She\t barely\t came\t up\t to\t his\t waist.\t Suddenly\t Raavan\t pulled\t out\t a\t knife. The\tgirl\tstepped\tback\tin\talarm. \u2018Don\u2019t\t be\t afraid.\t This\t knife\t is\t for\t you.\u2019\t Saying\t this,\t Raavan\t flipped\t the knife\taround\tand\thanded\tit,\thilt\tfirst,\tto\tthe\tgirl. She\tstudied\tit\tclosely.\tIt\twas\tlong,\twith\ta\tfirm,\tmetal\thilt\tand\tcross-guard. The\tblade\twas\tsharp\ton\tthe\touter\tside\tand\tserrated\ton\tthe\tinner.\tThe\tsharper\tside helped\t the\t blade\t slide\t smoothly\t into\t flesh.\t The\t serrated\t side\t caused\t maximum damage\t and\t pain\t while\t pulling\t the\t knife\t out.\t Manufactured\t by\t the\t talented metalsmiths\tof\tGokarna,\tit\thad\tbeen\tdesigned\tby\tRaavan\thimself. The\t little\t girl\t held\t the\t knife\t tightly.\t Her\t hands\t were\t trembling.\t Then\t she looked\t at\t her\t father.\t The\t man\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t with\t fear.\t His\t muffled\t cries","became\tmore\thigh-pitched. I\tam\tyour\tfather\u2026 Forgive\tme\u2026 I\tam\tyour\tfather\u2026 \u2018Come\t with\t me,\u2019\t said\t Raavan.\t He\t walked\t up\t to\t the\t pathetic\t figure\t tied\t to the\ttree.\tThe\tlittle\tgirl\tfollowed. The\t man\t was\t now\t shaking,\t and\t in\t a\t state\t of\t utter\t panic.\t He\t struggled against\t the\t ropes\t that\t confined\t him.\t But\t he\t had\t been\t trussed\t up\t well.\t His muffled\tcries\twere\tthe\tonly\tsounds\tto\tbe\theard.\tEveryone\telse\twas\tsilent. Raavan\tslapped\tthe\tman\thard.\t\u2018Oh,\tshut\tup!\u2019 Raavan\t turned\t to\t the\t girl\t and\t pointed\t to\t the\t place\t on\t her\t father \u2019s\t neck,\t at the\t base,\t where\t the\t jugular\t vein\t and\t carotid\t artery\t carried\t blood\t between\t the head\t and\t the\t heart.\t Almost\t as\t if\t imparting\t a\t lesson,\t he\t said\t to\t the\t little\t girl, making\t a\t slashing\t action\t with\t his\t hand,\t \u2018Make\t a\t large,\t deep\t cut\t here,\t and\t your father\twill\tdie\tin\ta\tfew\tminutes.\u2019\tThen\the\tpointed\tto\tthe\theart\tand\tpressed\ta\thand on\t the\t man\u2019s\t chest.\t \u2018Stab\t here,\t and\t he\t will\t die\t much\t faster.\t But\t you\t have\t to make\tsure\tyou\tget\tit\tright.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\twant\tthe\tknife\tto\tget\tdeflected\tby\tthe\tribs. That\tis\thard\tbone.\tSometimes,\tthe\tknife\tcan\tricochet\tback\tfrom\tthe\tribs\tand\tyou may\tend\tup\thurting\tyourself.\tSo,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\trecommend\ttrying\tit\tright\tnow.\tYou can\ttrain\tfor\tit\tlater.\u2019 The\tlittle\tgirl\tnodded.\tLike\tan\teager\tstudent.\tA\tferociously\teager\tstudent. \u2018Or,\u2019\tcontinued\tRaavan,\tpointing\tto\tthe\tman\u2019s\tlower\tabdomen,\t\u2018you\tcould stab\thim\there.\tIn\tthe\tguts.\tNo\tbones\tto\tdeflect\tthe\tknife.\tBut\tthe\tproblem\tis\tthat it\t will\t take\t time\t for\t him\t to\t bleed\t out.\t We\t may\t have\t to\t hear\t him\t scream\t for twenty,\t maybe\t even\t thirty\t minutes,\t as\t he\t bleeds\t to\t death.\t And\t if\t the\t wound\t is not\t deep\t enough,\t the\t blood\t flow\t will\t be\t very\t slow.\t It\t could\t take\t hours.\t And\t I don\u2019t\t have\t that\t much\t time\t to\t waste\t on\t your\t father.\t So,\t if\t you\t are\t going\t to\t stab him\there,\tmake\tsure\tit\u2019s\ta\tdeep\twound.\u2019 The\tdesperate\tman\twas\tstruggling\tto\tfree\thimself. \u2018It\u2019s\tup\tto\tyou\tnow,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan. The\t little\t girl\t looked\t at\t her\t father.\t All\t her\t reserves\t of\t self-control\t seemed to\t have\t run\t out\t as\t she\t shook\t in\t fury.\t She\t gripped\t the\t knife\t hard\t in\t both\t hands. Her\tfather\u2019s\teyes\twere\tpleading\tfor\tmercy.\tTears\tmixed\twith\tsweat\tand\tblood. Raavan\tstood\taside,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tgirl\tto\tdecide. But\teven\the\twas\tsurprised\tby\thow\tquickly\tit\thappened. The\tgirl\tacted\tfast.\tNo\tsecond\tthoughts.\tNo\thesitation.\tShe\tstepped\tup\tand stabbed\t her\t father\t in\t the\t guts.\t Thrusting\t her\t shoulder\t forward\t as\t she\t did\t so. Choosing\t the\t slow,\t painful\t death\t for\t him.\t The\t man\t emitted\t a\t sound\t of\t sheer agony.\tHis\teyes\twere\twide\tin\tpanic\tand\tpain.\tHis\treactions\tonly\tseemed\tto\tegg","the\t girl\t on.\t She\t pushed\t the\t knife\t in\t harder,\t using\t both\t her\t hands.\t When\t she finally\tyanked\tit\tout,\ta\tfountain\tof\tblood\tspurted\tout.\tDyeing\ther\thands\tred.\tHer clothes.\tHer\tbody.\tEverything. She\t didn\u2019t\t flinch.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t step\t back.\t She\t stood\t there\t drenched\t in\t her father\u2019s\twarm\tblood. Raavan\tsmiled.\t\u2018Good\tgirl.\u2019 But\t the\t girl\t was\t not\t done.\t She\t stepped\t forward\t and\t stabbed\t her\t father again.\tAnd\tagain.\tAnd\tagain.\tAnd\tagain.\tAlways\tin\tthe\tabdomen.\tAlways\tin\tthe guts. She\twas\tsilent\tthrough\tit\tall. No\tsounds\tof\tanger.\tNo\tscreaming.\tNo\tshouting. Just\tpure,\tsilent\trage. She\t kept\t stabbing\t her\t father\t until\t his\t abdomen\t was\t ruptured,\t and\t the intestines\tstarted\tspilling\tout. Kumbhakarna\tsaid\tto\tRaavan,\t\u2018Dada,\tmake\ther\tstop.\u2019 Raavan\tshook\this\thead.\tNo. His\teyes\twere\tfixed\ton\tthe\tgirl. She\traised\tthe\tknife\tand\tstabbed\ther\tfather\tagain. When\t she\t finally\t stepped\t back,\t she\t had\t inflicted\t nearly\t twenty-five wounds\t on\t his\t flailing\t body.\t Her\t face,\t her\t hands,\t her\t body,\t her\t clothes,\t were slick\twith\tblood.\tIt\twas\talmost\tlike\tshe\thad\tbathed\tin\ther\tfather\u2019s\tblood. She\tturned\taround\tand\tlooked\tat\tRaavan.\tHe\twas\tmomentarily\tstaggered. She\twas\tsmiling. She\t walked\t up\t to\t Raavan,\t went\t down\t on\t her\t knees,\t and\t placed\t the bloodied\tknife\tat\this\tfeet. Raavan\tplaced\this\thands\ton\ther\tshoulders\tand\tpulled\ther\tto\ther\tfeet. \u2018What\tis\tyour\tname?\u2019\the\tasked. The\tgirl\tsaid\tnothing. Raavan\t said,\t \u2018I\t am\t your\t master\t now.\t You\t will\t work\t for\t me.\t You\t will\t be loyal\tto\tme.\tAnd\tI\twill\tprotect\tyou.\u2019 The\tgirl\tremained\tsilent. Raavan\trepeated\this\tquestion.\t\u2018What\tis\tyour\tname?\u2019 The\t little\t girl\t had\t heard\t what\t Raavan\u2019s\t followers\t called\t him.\t Iraiva.\t The True\tLord. She\tfinally\tspoke.\tIn\ta\tchildish\tvoice\tthat\twas\tdisconcertingly\tcalm.\t\u2018Great Iraiva,\tmy\tname\tis\tSamichi.\u2019","Chapter\t12 Raavan\t and\t his\t entourage\t had\t reached\t the\t bungalow\t in\t Vaidyanath\t that Kumbhakarna\t had\t rented\t for\t their\t stay.\t It\t was\t a\t nondescript\t building\t at\t a\t safe distance\tfrom\tthe\ttemple\tcomplex,\tand\thad\tnone\tof\tthe\tluxuries\tRaavan\twas\tnow used\tto.\tBut\tthe\tbrothers\thad\tdecided\tto\tkeep\ta\tlow\tprofile.\tWith\tso\tmany\tmajor temples\tin\tthe\tregion,\tmany\tmembers\tof\tthe\troyalty\tand\tnobility\tfrom\tacross\tthe Sapt\t Sindhu\t frequented\t the\t area.\t That\t meant\t high\t security.\t And\t a\t well-known smuggler\twould\tbe\ta\tprize\tcatch\tfor\tthe\ttax\tinspectors\tand\tthe\tpolice\tin\tthe\tSapt Sindhu.\tThe\tbrothers\thad\teven\tchosen\tfake\tnames\tfor\tthemselves:\tJai\tand\tVijay, rather\tthan\tRaavan\tand\tKumbhakarna. Within\t an\t hour\t of\t reaching\t their\t place\t of\t stay,\t Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna set\tout\tto\tfind\tVedavati.\tShe\twas\tan\thour\u2019s\tride\taway,\tin\ta\tvillage\tcalled\tTodee. Historically,\t temples\t in\t India\t were\t not\t just\t centres\t of\t worship,\t but\t also hubs\t of\t social\t activity\t around\t which\t community\t life\t revolved.\t Most\t temple complexes\thad\tponds\tfor\tthe\tuse\tof\tthe\tlocal\tpopulation.\tFood\twas\tprovided\tfor the\t poor,\t in\t the\t form\t of\t prasad.\t Free\t primary\t education\t was\t made\t available\t for children\twho\tlived\tin\tthe\tvillages\tnearby.\tTemples\tin\tlarger\ttowns\toffered\thigher education\t as\t well.\t Villagers\t could\t access\t basic\t medical\t help\t at\t temples\t in\t their neighbourhood.\t In\t addition,\t most\t temples\t acted\t as\t storehouses\t where\t essential grains\t were\t kept,\t to\t provide\t for\t people\t when\t the\t rains\t failed.\t If\t they\t were exceptionally\twealthy,\tthey\teven\tpaid\tfor\tlocal\tbuilding\tprojects,\tsuch\tas\thouses for\tthe\tpoor\tand\tcheck\tdams\ton\tstreams.\tAll\tof\tthis\twas\tmade\tpossible\tbecause of\tthe\tdonations\tthat\tthe\ttemples\treceived\tfrom\tpeople,\trich\tand\tpoor. But\tlike\tmost\tthings\tnow,\tthe\tsystem\twas\tfraying.\tAs\ttrade\tdeclined,\tso\tdid the\t donations.\t Even\t at\t the\t major\t temples,\t funds\t were\t beginning\t to\t dry\t up.\t To make\t matters\t worse,\t the\t royal\t families\t were\t using\t some\t pretext\t or\t the\t other\t to take\t over\t temples\u2014ostensibly,\tto\t \u2018run\tthem\tbetter\u2019.\tSoon,\ta\tsignificant\tportion","of\tthe\ttemple\tdonations\twas\tbeing\tsiphoned\toff\tinto\troyal\ttreasuries. Naturally,\t the\t charitable\t work\t that\t most\t community\t temples\t funded\t also began\tto\tsuffer.\tLocal\tinfrastructure\ttoo\twas\tbadly\thit. But\t this\t was\t not\t the\t case\t in\t Todee.\t Here,\t the\t local\t landlord,\t Shochikesh, was\t working\t with\t the\t villagers\t to\t create\t a\t check\t dam\t on\t a\t stream\t that\t flowed close\t by.\t It\t would\t help\t conserve\t water\t for\t the\t dry\t season.\t The\t landlord\t had supplied\t the\t material\t and\t the\t villagers\t provided\t the\t labour.\t Everyone\t would benefit. This\t seemingly\t impossible\t collaboration\t had\t only\t been\t made\t possible because\t of\t Vedavati.\t For,\t while\t the\t villagers\t did\t not\t find\t it\t easy\t to\t trust\t the landlord,\teveryone\ttrusted\tthe\tKanyakumari.\tEveryone. And\tthere\tshe\twas,\tsupervising\tthe\toperation.\tStanding\ton\ta\tslightly\traised platform,\tuncaring\tof\tthe\tsweat\tgathering\ton\ther\tforehead\tand\tthe\tdust\tflying\tall around. Work\ton\tthe\tcheck\tdam\twas\tprogressing\tquickly.\tAll\tthe\table-bodied\tmen of\tthe\tvillage\twere\ton\tthe\tjob,\twith\thardly\tany\tbreaks.\tThe\tlandlord\tstood\ton\tthe same\t platform\tas\tVedavati,\tobserving\tthe\twork.\t They\twere\tracing\tagainst\t time and\t he\t felt\t the\t pressure.\t He\t had\t even\t managed\t to\t convince\t his\t wayward\t son, Sukarman,\tto\tcome\tand\thelp\tout.\tThe\tcheck\tdam\thad\tto\tbe\tcompleted\tvery\tsoon. Not\t because\t the\t rainy\t season\t was\t upon\t them\u2014there\t were\t still\t many\t months\t to go\tfor\tthat.\tThe\treason\twas\tVedavati. She\t was\t pregnant.\t Very\t obviously\t pregnant.\t Work\t on\t the\t dam\t had\t to\t be finished\tbefore\tshe\twent\taway\tto\tthe\thospital\tattached\tto\tthe\tnearby\tVaidyanath temple,\t to\t give\t birth\t to\t her\t child.\t Neither\t the\t villagers\t nor\t the\t landlord\u2019s\t men were\tsure\tthey\tcould\twork\ttogether\twithout\ther\tcalm\tpresence.\tShe\twas\tthe\tonly one\t who\t was\t capable\t and\t trustworthy\t enough\t to\t resolve\t all\t their\t disputes satisfactorily. Raavan\tand\tKumbhakarna\ttethered\ttheir\thorses\ta\tfew\thundred\tmetres\taway from\tthe\tworksite,\tand\tcautiously\tmade\ttheir\tway\ttowards\tit\ton\tfoot.\tRaavan\thad decided\t they\t would\t spend\t the\t first\t day\t observing\t the\t Kanyakumari,\t without showing\tthemselves. \u2018Dada,\u2019\tbegan\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Softer!\u2019\tshushed\tRaavan.\t\u2018Someone\tmay\thear\tus.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t looked\t around.\t There\t was\t no\t one\t to\t be\t seen.\t But\t he dutifully\t lowered\t his\t voice\t to\t a\t whisper.\t \u2018Dada,\t why\t are\t we\t hiding?\t Nobody knows\t us\t here.\t We\t can\t tell\t people\t that\t you\t are\t a\t trader\t visiting\t the\t Vaidyanath temple\tand\tthat\tyou\tstopped\there\ton\tyour\tway\tback\tto\tyour\trest\thouse.\tYou\tcan then\tgo\tand\tspeak\twith\tthe\tKanyakumari.\tOnly\tshe\twill\trecognise\tyou.\u2019 Raavan\tshook\this\thead.","Kumbhakarna\twondered\tif\the\twas\tthe\treason\tfor\tRaavan\u2019s\tcautiousness.\t\u2018I have\t been\t here\t before,\t Dada.\t The\t people\t around\t here\t do\t not\t have\t any\t biases against\tNagas.\tI\u2019m\tsafe\there.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\tat\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\trip\tout\tany\teyes\tthat\tglare\tat\tyou,\u2019\the said\t quietly.\t He\t was\t walking\t carefully.\t Avoiding\t dry\t leaves\t or\t twigs\t that\t might snap\tunder\this\tfeet. Kumbhakarna\tsmiled\tto\thimself.\tHis\tbig\tbrother\twas\tnervous. \u2018Do\tyou\tknow\tthat\twe\tlived\tclose\tto\tTodee\tfor\ta\tfew\tdays\twhen\tyou\twere\ta baby?\u2019\tasked\tRaavan,\tkeeping\this\tvoice\tlow. \u2018You\u2019ve\t told\t me,\t Dada.\u2019\t Kumbhakarna\t raised\t his\t hand\t and\t held\t up\t three fingers.\t\u2018Only\tthree\ttimes\tin\tthe\tlast\tfive\tminutes.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\thave\tI?\tI\tguess\tI\tmust\thave\u2026\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t smiled\t broadly\t this\t time.\t He\t had\t never\t seen\t his\t brother\t so anxious. The\tbrothers\thad\tfound\tthe\tperfect\thiding\tspot,\tbehind\tsome\tdense\tvegetation.\tIt had\ta\tclear\tview\tof\tthe\tworksite\tat\tthe\tstream.\tNone\tof\tthe\tworkers\thad\tnoticed their\tapproach.\tNobody\thad\tnoticed\tthem\thiding.\tThey\twere\tpirate-traders\tafter all.\tConcealing\tthemselves\twhen\trequired\twas\ta\tnecessary\tprofessional\tattribute. There\twere\tover\tfifty\tpeople\tat\tthe\tworksite.\tBut\tRaavan\thad\teyes\tfor\tonly one\tof\tthem. He\twas\ttransfixed.\tPractically\tparalysed.\tHis\tgaze\tfocused\ton\tVedavati,\tas she\twalked\tamong\tthe\tvillagers. He\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t thinking\t that\t the\t muse\t had\t truly\t blessed\t him,\t for\t she looked\t uncannily\t like\t his\t own\t paintings\t of\t her.\t She\t was\t tall\t for\t a\t woman.\t Fair, round\t face,\t high\t cheekbones,\t and\t sharp,\t small\t nose.\t Black,\t wide-set\t eyes\t with creaseless\t eyelids.\t Her\t long,\t black\t hair\t flowed\t down\t her\t back\t in\t a\t tight\t braid. Her\t image\t was\t burned\t into\t his\t mind.\t He\t had\t painted\t her\t as\t a\t curvaceous woman,\t with\t a\t full\t feminine\t body.\t She\t looked\t even\t more\t voluptuous\t now.\t Her frayed,\tyet\tclean\tclothes\tdid\tnot\tdetract\tfrom\ther\tmagnetism. Kumbhakarna\t whispered,\t \u2018I\u2019m\t sorry,\t Dada.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t that\t the Kanyakumari\twas\tpregnant.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tshow\tearlier\u2026\u2019 But\tRaavan\twasn\u2019t\tlistening.\tHe\tjust\tkept\tlooking\tat\ther,\tunable\tto\tbelieve that\the\twas\tfinally\tin\ther\tpresence. It\t took\t Kumbhakarna\t a\t while\t to\t realise\t why,\t despite\t the\t resemblance, Vedavati\tlooked\tjust\tthat\tbit\tdifferent\tfrom\tRaavan\u2019s\tpaintings\tof\ther.\tIt\twas\tnot her\t baby\t bump.\t It\t was\t something\t else.\t On\t Raavan\u2019s\t walls,\t she\t appeared\t divine","and\tawe-inspiring,\tbut\talso\tquite\taloof\tand\tdistant.\tShe\twas\tdifferent\tin\treal\tlife. She\t still\t looked\t divine,\t yes.\t Awe-inspiring,\t yes.\t But\t there\t was\t nothing\t distant about\t her.\t Warmth\t and\t kindness\t shone\t in\t her\t eyes\t as\t she\t moved\t among\t the villagers.\tLike\ta\tMother\tGoddess. \u2018Dada,\u2019\twhispered\tKumbhakarna. Raavan\t placed\t his\t hand\t on\t Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t shoulder.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t say anything,\tbut\tthe\tgesture\twas\tenough. Stay\tquiet,\tlittle\tbrother.\tLet\tme\tlook\u2026\tLet\tme\tfinally\tlive\tmy\tlife\u2026 Kumbhakarna\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u2018Dada,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tthink\tit\u2019s\ttime\twe\u2026\u2019 He\tstopped\tspeaking,\tas\tRaavan\traised\this\thand\tto\tsignal\tfor\tsilence. A\twhole\tweek\thad\tpassed\tsince\ttheir\tarrival\tin\tVaidyanath.\tThey\thad\tbeen coming\tto\tthe\tworksite\tevery\tday,\tchanging\ttheir\thiding\tplace\teach\ttime.\tGetting a\t different\t perspective\t of\t the\t worksite.\t Getting\t a\t different\t view\t of\t the\t people there.\tGetting\ta\tdifferent\tdarshan\tof\tthe\tKanyakumari. What\t didn\u2019t\t change\t was\t the\t fact\t that\t they\t hadn\u2019t\t spoken\t to\t her\t yet.\t Not even\tmade\ttheir\tpresence\tknown. Kumbhakarna\t was\t at\t a\t loss.\t His\t mighty,\t indomitable\t brother\t simply couldn\u2019t\t muster\t up\t the\t courage\t to\t speak\t to\t Vedavati.\t His\t confidence\t and\t easy charm\twith\twomen\tseemed\tto\thave\tabandoned\thim.\tBereft\tof\this\tusual\tbravado, he\tjust\tstood\tin\thiding\tand\tstared\tat\tthe\tobject\tof\this\tdevotion. His\tKanyakumari.\tHis\tGoddess. But\t Kumbhakarna\t could\t not\t keep\t staring\t at\t the\t Kanyakumari\t forever.\t So he\tobserved\tthe\tothers\tat\ttheir\twork,\tand\tat\trest.\tOver\tthe\tpast\tweek,\the\thad\tseen enough\tof\tthe\tvillagers,\tand\ttheir\tinteractions,\tto\tstart\tforming\topinions\tof\tthem. Shochikesh,\t the\t landlord,\t seemed\t like\t a\t genuinely\t good\t man.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t attired as\t grandly\t as\t most\t landlords\t in\t Lanka,\t but\t he\t seemed\t to\t care\t for\t the\t villagers. The\t villagers\t appeared\t to\t respect\t him,\t even\t if\t they\t did\t not\t trust\t him. Shochikesh\u2019s\tson\tSukarman,\ton\tthe\tother\thand,\twas\ta\tspoilt\tbrat.\tLazy.\tSelfish. Slacking\t off,\t and\t once,\t even\t stealing\t money\t when\t nobody\t was\t looking.\t But always\ton\this\tbest\tbehaviour\twhenever\tthe\tKanyakumari\tor\this\tfather\twere\tclose by. Why\tam\tI\twasting\tmy\ttime\tlooking\tat\tthese\tidiots? Kumbhakarna\tturned\tto\this\tbrother.\t\u2018Dada\u2026\u2019 Raavan\traised\this\thand\tagain\tfor\tsilence. Kumbhakarna\t refused\t to\t be\t silenced\t this\t time.\t He\t was\t at\t his\t wits\u2019\t end, waiting\t for\t Raavan\t to\t make\t a\t move.\t He\t imagined\t spending\t the\t rest\t of\t his\t life","hiding\tbehind\tfoliage\tand\tkeeping\tan\teye\ton\tthe\tKanyakumari.\tNo,\the\thad\tto\tdo something.\t\u2018Dada,\twhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tjust\tkidnap\ther?\u2019 Raavan\t glared\t at\t Kumbhakarna,\t horrified.\t \u2018What\t the\t hell\t is\t wrong\t with you?\tShe\u2019s\ta\tGoddess!\tHow\tcan\u2014\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t interrupted\t his\t brother,\t laughing\t softly,\t \u2018Dada,\t I\t still remember\t your\t speech\t in\t Mahua\t Island.\t The\t Power-of-using-and-exploiting- people\tspeech.\tI\tthought\twe\twere\tgood\tat\tthat!\tWhat\tare\twe\tdoing\thiding\tbehind bushes\tand\tlooking\tat\tvillagers\tgoing\tabout\ttheir\tbusiness?\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\toutraged\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tThen\the\tsmiled\tand\tshook\this\thead. \u2018Vaamah\t kaamo\t manushyaaNaam\t yasmin\t kila\t nibadhyate;\t jane tasmiMstvanukroshah\tsnehashcha\tkila\tjaayate.\u2019 He\t was\t quoting\t the\t words\t of\t a\t brilliant\t philosopher,\t one\t of\t the\t great Valmikis,\t the\t tribe\t left\t behind\t by\t the\t Lady\t Vishnu,\t Mohini.\t The\t line\t in\t old Sanskrit,\t a\t statement\t of\t helplessness\t by\t a\t man\t in\t love,\t translated\t as:\t It\t is ominous\t for\t a\t man\t to\t feel\t desire;\t for\t a\t man\t who\t is\t bound\t up\t in\t desire\t feels compassion\tand\tfondness. The\tunspoken\ttruth:\tsuch\ta\tman\twould\tbe\tweak. Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t eyes\t twinkled\t with\t mischief\t as\t he\t smiled\t at\t his\t elder brother. Raavan\t turned\t to\t look\t at\t Vedavati\t in\t the\t distance\t and\t whispered, \u2018Tomorrow\u2026\tWe\u2019ll\tgo\tspeak\tto\ther\ttomorrow.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna,\t politely\t folding\t his\t hands\t together\t in\t a\t namaste.\t \u2018We are\ttraders\twho\tcame\tto\tvisit\tthe\tgreat\tMahadev\ttemple\tin\tVaidyanath.\tWe\twere on\tour\tway\tto\tthe\trest\thouse\twhen\twe\theard\tthat\tthere\twas\ta\tcheck-dam\tproject going\ton\there.\tSo,\twe\tthought\twe\twould\tcome\tand\tsee\tit.\u2019 As\tdecided,\tKumbhakarna\tand\tRaavan\thad\tfinally\temerged\tfrom\ttheir\tself- imposed\t hideout.\t Both\t the\t brothers\t had,\t wisely,\t come\t dressed\t in\t relatively simple\t clothes.\t In\t these\t impoverished\t times,\t amidst\t a\t community\t that\t was making\t the\t best\t of\t its\t constrained\t circumstances,\t it\t would\t have\t been\t impolite, even\tdangerous,\tto\tshow\toff\ttheir\twealth.\tKumbhakarna\twas\tonly\tthirteen\tyears old,\tbut\the\tunderstood\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tbasic\tof\thuman\temotions:\tjealousy. Of\t course,\t to\t the\t landlord\t and\t the\t villagers,\t Kumbhakarna\t looked\t like\t a grown\tman\tof\tat\tleast\ttwenty.\tAnd\tto\this\tcredit,\tShochikesh\tdid\tnot\teven\tglance at\tthe\toutgrowths\tthat\tmarked\tKumbhakarna\tas\ta\tNaga. \u2018You\t are\t most\t welcome\t to\t share\t our\t lunch,\t noble\t travellers,\u2019\t said Shochikesh.\t \u2018We\t may\t not\t be\t well-off,\t but\t we\t know\t our\t dharma.\t Athithi\t devo","bhava.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t folded\t his\t hands\t and\t bowed\t his\t head\t in\t respect, acknowledging\tShochikesh\u2019s\trecitation\tof\tan\told\tSanskrit\tline\tfrom\tthe\tTaittiriya Upanishad.\t Any\t guest\t is\t like\t God.\t He\t nudged\t his\t elder\t brother,\t who\t followed suit.\t But\t Raavan\u2019s\t attention\t was\t focused\t elsewhere.\t On\t the\t woman\t who\t was walking\ttowards\tthem. The\tKanyakumari. The\tVirgin\tGoddess. Vedavati. \u2018What\tdid\tyou\tsay\tyour\tnames\tare?\u2019\tasked\tShochikesh. \u2018My\t name\t is\t Vijay,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018And\t my\t elder\t brother\u2019s\t name\t is Jai.\u2019 Shochikesh\t smiled.\t \u2018Both\t your\t names\t mean\t victory.\t Your\t parents\t must have\thad\thigh\thopes!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tlaughed\tgenially.\t\u2018And\twe\tdashed\tthose\thopes!\u2019 Shochikesh\tsmiled.\tHe\tpointed\tat\this\tred\thair.\t\u2018Well,\tmy\tparents\tnamed\tme Shochikesh.\tOne\twith\thair\tlike\tfiery\tflames,\tapparently!\tBut\tthere\tis\tnothing\telse about\tme\tthat\tis\tfiery!\u2019 \u2018Maybe\t it\t is\t the\t duty\t of\t all\t children\t to\t disappoint\t their\t parents?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t kept\t the\t banter\t going,\t hoping\t his\t brother\t would\t snap\t out\t of\t his reverie\tsoon. Shochikesh\tchuckled.\tOn\tsome\tunspoken\tinstinct,\the\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\this son,\tSukarman,\twho\twas\tsitting\tnot\tfar\taway,\twatching\tthe\tothers\tat\ttheir\twork. And\tthe\tsmile\twas\twiped\toff\this\tface.\tSukarman\tmeant\tOne\twho\tdid\tgood\tdeeds. Harsh\ttruths,\teven\twhen\tgarbed\tin\thumour,\tcontinue\tto\tinflict\tpain.\t\u2018In\tany\tcase, you\tare\tmost\twelcome\tto\thave\tlunch\twith\tus.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tdid\tnot\tget\ta\tchance\tto\trespond\tto\tShochikesh.\tFor\tVedavati had\t made\t her\t way\t up\t to\t them.\t Her\t left\t hand\t was\t on\t her\t distended\t belly, supporting\ther\tunborn\tchild.\tKumbhakarna\tlooked\tat\ther\tand\tsmiled.\tRaavan,\ton the\tother\thand,\tstood\tstaring\tat\tthe\tground. \u2018Our\t noble\t landlord\t Shochikesh\t is\t right,\u2019\t said\t Vedavati.\t \u2018You\t are\t most welcome\tto\thave\tlunch\twith\tus.\u2019 Raavan\tlifted\this\thead\tslightly\tand\tsmiled.\tThis\twas\tthe\tvoice\the\thad\tached to\thear\tall\tthese\tyears.\tIt\twas\tlike\ta\tsalve\tfor\this\tsoul.\tHe\tlet\tit\techo\tinside\thim, in\this\tentire\tbeing.\tThe\twords\tthemselves\twere\tof\tlittle\tconsequence. He\t tried\t to\t say\t something.\t To\t respond.\t But\t his\t vocal\t chords\t seemed constricted.\tNo\tsound\tescaped\this\tmouth. Kumbhakarna\tlooked\tat\this\ttongue-tied\tbrother,\tand\tthen\tat\tVedavati.\tThe painful\t truth\t was\t obvious\t to\t him.\t Vedavati\t had\t no\t idea\t who\t Raavan\t was.\t She","didn\u2019t\trecognise\thim\tat\tall. Kumbhakarna\tbowed\tand\tsaid\tpolitely,\t\u2018Great\tKanyakumari,\tit\tis\u2014\u2019 \u2018I\t am\t not\t the\t Kanyakumari\t anymore,\u2019\t interjected\t Vedavati,\t smiling warmly. Kumbhakarna\t nodded.\t \u2018Of\t course,\t noble\t Vedavatiji.\t But\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t if we\tcan\tstay\tfor\tlunch.\tBecause\twe\thave\tto\u2014\u2019 \u2018We\u2019ll\tstay!\u2019 If\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t not\t felt\t the\t firm\t hand\t of\t his\t elder\t brother\t squeezing his\t shoulder,\t he\t would\t probably\t not\t have\t recognised\t the\t voice.\t It\t was\t an alarmingly\tchildish\tsqueak.\tNot\tthe\tusual\tbaritone\tof\tthe\tpowerful\tRaavan. \u2018Wonderful!\u2019\t Vedavati\t smiled\t at\t Raavan.\t Then\t she\t turned\t and\t walked away. Kumbhakarna\t stared\t at\t his\t brother,\t who\t was\t now\t smiling\t absurdly\t at Vedavati\u2019s\t retreating\t form.\t He\t had\t a\t bizarre\t look\t on\t his\t face.\t Of\t ecstasy.\t He couldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\thappier. Kumbhakarna\tswallowed\ta\tlump\tin\this\tthroat.\tHe\thad\tread\tsomewhere\tthat there\twas\tnothing\tworse\tthan\tunrequited\tlove.\tBut\tthey\twere\twrong.\tThere\twas something\tworse:\tUnrequited\tlove\tthat\twas\tnot\teven\taware\tof\tit\tbeing\tone-sided. He\t couldn\u2019t\t watch\t his\t brother,\t the\t man\t he\t admired\t above\t all,\t succumbing\t to such\theart-break. He\t looked\t away,\t his\t mind\t racing\t to\t find\t solutions\t to\t this\t strange\t new predicament.","Chapter\t13 \u2018It\twas\tquite\tshocking,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati.\t\u2018We\twere\tgoing\tabout\tour\twork\tas\tusual, when\t suddenly\t these\t people\t emerged\t out\t of\t nowhere\t and\t killed\t one\t of\t our colleagues.\tThis\tis\twhat\tthe\tpowerless\tare\tsubjected\tto\tin\tour\tsociety.\u2019 Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t were\t in\t Todee\t again.\t They\t had\t been\t coming back\t regularly\t for\t the\t last\t few\t days,\t under\t the\t pretext\t of\t wanting\t to\t learn\t the techniques\tof\tcheck\tdam\tconstruction. On\t this\t particular\t day,\t they\t were\t having\t lunch\t with\t Shochikesh\t and Vedavati.\tFar\tenough\tfrom\tthe\twork\tcamp\tto\tbe\taway\tfrom\tthe\tdust. Kumbhakarna\thad\tbeen\tcurious\tto\tknow\tmore\tabout\tsafety\tmeasures\tat\tthe work\tsite.\tAnd\tthey\thad\tgot\ttalking\tabout\tpast\tincidents\tand\taccidents\tthat\tthey had\tthemselves\tencountered,\tor\theard\tabout.\tIt\twas\tShochikesh\twho\thad\tbrought up\t the\t episode\t of\t a\t workman\t who\t had\t lost\t his\t life\t while\t working\t on\t a\t wharf three\tyears\tago.\tAt\tChilika\tLake.\tNear\tGovernor\tKrakachabahu\u2019s\tresidence. Kumbhakarna\t had\t stiffened\t at\t the\t mention\t of\t the\t incident,\t though\t he\t had controlled\t himself\t in\t time.\t Raavan,\t however,\t had\t remained\t unruffled\t as\t they listened\t to\t Shochikesh,\t and\t then\t Vedavati,\t talk\t about\t that\t day,\t about\t the\t cruel men\twhose\thorses\thad\ttrampled\tover\tthe\thapless\tyoung\tworker. Shochikesh\thad\tgone\ton\tto\texpound\tsome\tsketchy\tdetails\tof\tthe\trobbery\tat the\t governor\u2019s\t residence.\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t tried\t his\t best\t to\t pretend\t he\t was hearing\t it\t all\t for\t the\t first\t time.\t With\t appropriate\t expressions\t of\t shock\t and outrage. \u2018From\t what\t we\t found\t out\t later,\u2019\t said\t Shochikesh,\t \u2018the\t attack\t may\t have been\tthe\twork\tof\tGovernor\tKrakachabahu\u2019s\tenemies\tfrom\this\tnative\tland,\tNahar. When\ttwo\telephants\tfight,\tthe\tgrass\tgets\ttrampled.\tWe\twere\tthe\tgrass.\u2019 \u2018But\t this\t is\t adharma,\u2019\t said\t Vedavati.\t \u2018Whatever\t quarrels\t the\t Kshatriyas have\twith\teach\tother,\tthey\thave\tto\tensure\tthat\tno\tinnocents\tare\tharmed.\u2019","Raavan\tnodded\tin\tagreement,\this\texpression\tgiving\tnothing\taway. \u2018That\u2019s\t true,\u2019\t said\t Shochikesh.\t \u2018But\t who\t cares\t about\t dharma\t these\t days? We\t have\t forgotten\t our\t traditions\t and\t culture.\t We\t are\t an\t embarrassment\t to\t our ancestors.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t once\t again\t thanked\t his\t stars\t that\t he\t had\t been\t on\t the\t ship during\t the\t raid\t at\t Chilika,\t too\t far\t away\t for\t these\t people\t to\t recognise\t him.\t He assumed\tRaavan\thad\tridden\tby\tso\tfast\tthat\tnobody\thad\tgot\ta\tgood\tlook\tat\thim, especially\t not\t Vedavati.\t Also,\t Raavan\u2019s\t beard\t was\t fuller\t than\t it\t had\t been\t three years\t ago.\t And\t his\t face\t looked\t very\t different\t with\t the\t handlebar\t moustache\t he now\tsported. Maybe\t it\u2019s\t a\t blessing\t that\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t recognise\t him\t at\t all.\t Either\t from father\u2019s\tashram\tor\tfrom\tChilika. Vedavati\t was\t in\t the\t last\t stages\t of\t her\t pregnancy\t by\t now,\t and\t judging\t by\t the kicks\t that\t often\t took\t her\t by\t surprise,\t she\t was\t carrying\t a\t strong\t baby.\t And\t a strong\t baby\t needed\t robust\t nutrition.\t Rice\t cooked\t in\t milk,\t with\t a\t dash\t of cardamom\t and\t ginger,\t was\t considered\t excellent\t for\t the\t mother\t and\t her\t unborn child.\tBut\tthe\tsmall\tvillage\tof\tTodee\tdid\tnot\tgrow\tor\thave\taccess\tto\tcardamom. Black\t cardamom\t was\t usually\t grown\t in\t the\t foothills\t of\t eastern\t Nepal,\t Sikkim and\tBhutan.\tIt\twas\texpensive\tand\tdifficult\tto\tobtain. But\twhat\twas\tdifficult\tfor\tothers\twas\teasy\tfor\tRaavan.\tHe\thad\tsent\tout\this men\t and\t procured\t five\t sacks\t of\t the\t fragrant\t spice.\t It\t was\t a\t huge\t amount, considering\thow\tlittle\twas\trequired\tfor\tone\tmeal.\tHe\tpresented\tthe\tcardamom\tto Vedavati,\ttelling\ther\tthat\tit\twas\tfor\tthe\tuse\tof\tthe\tentire\tvillage.\tHe\thad\talso\tgot some\ttools\twhich\the\tknew\twould\tmake\tthe\tconstruction\twork\teasier. It\twas\ta\tdeeply\tgrateful\tVedavati\twho\tsat\twith\tRaavan\tover\tlunch\tthe\tnext day.\tShochikesh\twas\taway\tin\tVaidyanath.\tAnd\tKumbhakarna\thad\tsuddenly,\tand conveniently,\tremembered\tthat\the\thad\tsome\tunfinished\twork\tin\tthe\tvillage. As\tthe\ttwo\tsat\teating\tquietly,\tRaavan\tretained\this\tcalm\tdemeanour,\tdespite the\tstorm\tin\this\theart. \u2018Jai,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati,\tusing\twhat\tshe\thad\tbeen\ttold\twas\tRaavan\u2019s\tname.\t\u2018Are you\tfrom\tthe\tIndraprastha\tregion?\tFrom\tyour\taccent,\tit\tappears\tthat\tyou\tare.\u2019 Raavan\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\treveal\this\tantecedents\tto\tVedavati.\tNot\tyet.\t\u2018I\thave spent\tsome\ttime\tthere.\tBut\tnot\tmuch.\u2019 Vedavati\t looked\t uncertainly\t at\t him.\t \u2018Jai,\t we\t are\t grateful\t for\t your generosity,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tI\tdo\thope\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tstretched\tyourself\ttoo\tmuch\tfor us.\tIf\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tmind\tmy\tasking,\twhat\tis\tit\tthat\tyou\tdo?\tHow\tcan\tyou\tafford\tto","do\tso\tmuch\tcharity?\u2019 \u2018Oh,\t I\t work\t in\u2026\t trade.\t Importing\t things\t people\t here\t may\t need,\t and exporting\titems\tfrom\there\tthat\tpeople\tin\tother\tlands\tmay\tfancy.\u2019 \u2018I\tsee.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tprofitable?\u2019 If\t I\t had\t misplaced\t that\t money\t spent\t on\t the\t cardamom\t and\t the\t tools,\t I wouldn\u2019t\teven\thave\tnoticed\tit. Raavan\t kept\t his\t thoughts\t to\t himself,\t and\t said,\t \u2018Yes.\t It\u2019s\t a\t little\t difficult with\tthe\tnew\tlicenses\tand\trestrictions.\tBut\tI\tcan\tmake\tends\tmeet.\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\t good\t to\t know,\u2019\t said\t Vedavati.\t People\t who\t are\t innately\t decent\t and straightforward\t tend\t to\t accept\t others\t at\t face\t value.\t \u2018Thank\t you,\t Jai.\t Your\t help means\ta\tlot\tto\tmy\tvillage.\u2019 Raavan\tshrugged.\tIt\u2019s\tnothing. \u2018Not\t everyone\t who\t can\t help,\t does,\u2019\t continued\t Vedavati.\t \u2018Not\t in\t these times.\u2019 \u2018Not\t everyone\t is\u2026\t Jai,\u2019\t Raavan\t said,\t laughing,\t and\t stopping\t himself\t just in\ttime\tfrom\tgiving\taway\this\treal\tname. Vedavati\t smiled,\t ignoring\t his\t conceit.\t \u2018These\t villagers\t have\t suffered greatly.\t They\t are\t the\t real\t victims\t of\t all\t that\u2019s\t going\t on\t these\t days.\t And\t most people\t don\u2019t\t care\t about\t helping\t those\t less\t fortunate\t than\t themselves.\t The tradition\t of\t charity\t is\t slowly\t being\t forgotten\t in\t India.\t We\t are\t forgetting\t our dharma.\u2019 Raavan\tblanched\tbut\theld\this\ttongue. \u2018I\t don\u2019t\t mean\t someone\t like\t you,\u2019\t said\t Vedavati,\t misinterpreting\t Raavan\u2019s expression.\t \u2018But\t across\t the\t land\t today,\t dharma\t has\t been\t reduced\t to\t just\t rituals and\t talk.\t The\t philosophy\t that\t underpins\t the\t rituals,\t and\t the\t reason\t why\t we follow\tthem,\tis\tbeing\tforgotten.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tI\tagree\twith\tyou,\u2019\tRaavan\tsaid.\t\u2018There\tis\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tof\tuncalled\tout hypocrisy\teverywhere.\tBut\u2026\u2019 \u2018But\twhat?\u2019\tasked\tVedavati. \u2018Well,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthese\tvillagers\tshould\tbe\tthought\tof\tas\tvictims.\u2019 Vedavati\tstopped\teating,\tsurprised.\t\u2018You\tthink\tthey\taren\u2019t?\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tthey\tare\tvictims.\u2019 Vedavati\t smiled,\t shook\t her\t head\t and\t resumed\t eating.\t \u2018I\t don\u2019t\t understand what\tyou\tare\tsaying.\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse\tthey\tare\tvictims,\u2019\tRaavan\tsaid.\t\u2018Just\tlike\tevery\tother\tperson\tin the\tworld.\tAll\tof\tus\tare\tvictims\tin\tsome\tway\tor\tthe\tother.\tBut\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean we\tshould\tthink\tof\tourselves\tas\tvictims.\u2019 Vedavati\tlooked\tup\tat\tRaavan,\tintrigued. He\tcontinued,\t\u2018All\tof\tus\thave\tbeen\tthrough\ttimes\twhen\tlife\tseemed\tunfair.","In\tsuch\tsituations,\twe\tcan\tchoose\tto\tsee\tourselves\tas\tvictims\tand\tblame\tthe\trest of\tthe\tworld.\tWe\tcan\tdrown\tourselves\tin\tthe\tfalse\tcomfort\tof\tknowing\twe\tare\tnot responsible\tfor\tour\tdifficulties\tand\texpect\tothers\tto\tchange\tour\tlives.\tOr,\twe\tcan pick\tourselves\tup.\tBe\tstrong.\tAnd\tfight\tthe\tworld.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\ttrue\tthat\tall\tof\tus\tface\tadversity\tin\tlife,\tJai,\tbut\tsurely\tnot\teveryone\u2019s troubles\t are\t the\t same.\t Some\t people\t are\t at\t a\t greater\t disadvantage\t than\t others. And\t they\t need\t our\t assistance.\t Of\t course,\t nobody\t should\t expect\t others\t to\t solve their\tproblems\tentirely\tbut\tthe\tstrong\tmust\thelp\u2026\u2019 \u2018\u2026help\tthe\t\u201ccult\tof\tvictimhood\u201d?\u2019\tinterrupted\tRaavan. \u2018What?\u2019 \u2018The\t lot\t who\t just\t want\t to\t whine\t and\t complain.\u2019\t Raavan\t put\t his\t hands\t up and\t mimed\t in\t a\t high-pitched\t voice,\t \u2018Oh,\t poor\t me.\t Look\t at\t me.\t Look\t at\t how much\t I\u2019m\t suffering.\t Somebody\t come\t and\t take\t care\t of\t me.\t I\u2019m\t a\t victim\t of society.\u2019 Vedavati\tbit\ther\tlip\tas\tthough\tto\tstop\ta\tsmile\tfrom\tforming,\tthen\tfrowned. \u2018Jai,\twe\tshouldn\u2019t\tindulge\tthe\tweaknesses\tof\tothers,\tbut\twe\tshouldn\u2019t\tmock\tthem either.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\u2026\t I\u2019m\t not\u2026\t Noble\t Kanyakumari,\t perhaps\t it\t was\t wrong\t of\t me\t to make\t fun\t of\t them.\t I\u2019m\t sorry.\t But\t this\t is\t the\t way\t I\t see\t it:\t There\t is\t a\t lion\t and\t a deer\t within\t each\t of\t us.\t Only\t if\t we\t nurture\t the\t lion\t will\t we\t make\t something\t of ourselves.\tIf\twe\tindulge\tthe\tdeer,\twe\u2019ll\tbe\trunning\tand\thiding\tall\tour\tlives.\u2019 \u2018So\u2026\tthe\thunter\tand\tthe\thunted.\u2019 \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u2018And\t we\t should\t always\t aim\t to\t be\t the\t hunter,\t I\t suppose?\t Because\t the hunted\tcannot\tpossibly\thave\tany\tvirtues\tto\trecommend\tthem?\u2019 \u2018If\twe\tcannot\tfight\tfor\tourselves,\thow\twill\twe\tprotect\tand\tprovide\tfor\tthose who\tdepend\ton\tus?\u2019 \u2018So\t that\u2019s\t how\t you\t see\t it?\t Every\t hunter\t is\t a\t magnificent\t warrior,\t and\t the hunted\tdeserve\tno\trespect?\u2019 \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tagree,\tgreat\tVe\u2026\tVeda\u2026\tKanyakumari?\u2019 Vedavati\t looked\t at\t him\t sympathetically.\t She\t thought\t Raavan\t had\t a\t stutter that\t became\t acute\t whenever\t he\t had\t to\t speak\t a\t name,\t especially\t one\t that\t began with\ta\t\u2018v\u2019.\tSo\tshe\thad\tyielded\tto\tbeing\tcalled\tKanyakumari\tby\thim. \u2018Jai,\thave\tyou\theard\tof\tthe\tPanchatantra?\u2019 Raavan\tnodded\treadily.\t\u2018Of\tcourse!\u2019 Panchatantra,\tliterally\tthe\tfive\ttreatises,\twas\ta\tpart\tof\tthe\tprimary\tlearning of\t every\t child\t in\t India.\t It\t contained\t stories\t of\t talking\t animals,\t with\t a\t moral lesson\tembedded\tin\teach\ttale. \u2018Sometimes,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati,\t\u2018we\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tdepend\ton\tanimal\tfables\tto","learn\tlessons\tin\tdharma.\tSometimes,\twe\tcan\tlearn\tfrom\treal\tanimals\ttoo.\u2019 Raavan\tleaned\tforward,\this\tcuriosity\taroused. \u2018This\thappened\ta\tlong\ttime\tago,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati.\t\u2018I\twas\tstill\ta\tKanyakumari. I\t had\t travelled\t a\t great\t deal,\t including\t to\t the\t wonderful\t lands\t of\t the\t brave Andhras.\tClose\tto\tthe\triver\tport\tof\tAmaravati.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019ve\tbeen\tthere.\tIt\u2019s\tstunningly\tbeautiful.\tTruly\ta\tcity\tworthy\tof\tits\tname.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\t there\t are\t people\t who\t believe\t that\t the\t modern\t city\t of\t Amaravati\t is located\t in\t exactly\t the\t same\t place\t where,\t sometime\t in\t the\t faraway\t past,\t Lord Indra,\tthe\tking\tof\tthe\tDevas,\tlived.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tI\thave\theard\tthat\ttoo.\tFor\tall\tyou\tknow,\tit\tcould\tbe\ttrue.\u2019 \u2018Anyway,\twhile\twe\twere\tthere,\tthe\tlocal\truler\twished\tto\ttake\tus\ton\ta\ttour of\tthe\tjungle\tthat\tlies\tbetween\tthe\tholy\tKrishna\tand\tGodavari\trivers.\tMuch\tof\tit was\t open\t grassland,\t and\t we\t travelled\t on\t elephant\t back.\t Sometime\t during\t the day,\twe\tsaw\tan\told\tlion,\twith\this\tcubs.\u2019\tVedavati\tpaused\tbefore\tasking,\t\u2018Do\tyou know\twhat\thappens\tto\tmany\tlions\tin\ttheir\told\tage?\u2019 \u2018Yes.\u2019\t Raavan\t nodded.\t \u2018There\t is\t no\t sight\t more\t painful\t than\t that\t of\t a powerful\thunter\tpast\tits\tprime.\tI\u2019ve\tseen\tit\toften\tenough:\tan\told\tlion\tchallenged by\tanother,\tusually\tyounger,\tlion.\tIf\the\tis\tdefeated\tbut\tlucky\tenough\tto\tsurvive, he\t has\t to\t flee\t the\t territory.\t The\t young\t challenger\t takes\t over\t the\t pride,\t and\t the lionesses\t switch\t their\t allegiance\t to\t him.\t This\t younger\t lion\t might\t even\t kill\t the cubs\t of\t the\t older\t lion.\t The\t mothers\t watch\t from\t the\t side\t lines,\t helpless.\t They probably\t see\t it\t as\t a\t command\t from\t their\t new\t master\u2014new\t rules\t in\t the\t new pride.\u2019 \u2018The\tways\tof\tthe\tjungle\tcan\tbe\tcruel.\u2019 \u2018Now,\t if\t this\t older\t lion\t you\t saw\t had\t his\t cubs\t with\t him,\t he\t must\t have managed\t to\t save\t them\t somehow.\t Maybe\t he\t and\t his\t cubs\t together\t escaped\t the wrath\tof\tthe\tyoung\tchallenger.\u2019 \u2018Very\tpossible,\u2019\tVedavati\tsaid.\t\u2018So,\tas\tyou\tknow,\thunting\tis\tdifficult\tfor\tan old\tlion.\tAnd\tif\tyou\thappen\tto\tbe\tone\twith\ta\tfew\tcubs\tto\tfeed,\tlife\tcan\tbecome\ta huge\tstruggle.\tThis\tlion\u2019s\tcubs\twere\tstarving.\tHe\twas\tstarving.\tThey\twere\tweak. And\tdesperate.\u2019 \u2018What\thappened\tnext,\tnoble\tKanyakumari?\u2019 \u2018When\twe\tsaw\tthis\tlion,\the\twas\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tgrassland,\twith\this three\t cubs\t behind\t him.\t He\t had\t just\t spotted\t a\t few\t deer\t that\t had\t probably\t got separated\tfrom\tthe\tmain\therd.\tA\tmother,\twith\ther\tbabies.\tThere\twere\tfour\tfawns. One\tof\tthem\twas\tclearly\tweaker\tthan\tthe\tothers.\tThe\trunt\tof\tthe\tfamily.\u2019 \u2018Food\tfor\this\tcubs\u2026\u2019 Vedavati\tnoticed\tthat\tRaavan\u2019s\tfirst\tthought\twas\tfor\tthe\tlion\tand\this\thungry cubs.\t He\t seemed\t to\t identify\t with\t the\t hunter,\t even\t when\t the\t hunter\t was\t old\t and","weak.\t \u2018Of\t course.\t But\t remember,\t the\t lion\t was\t old.\t A\t hunter\t past\t his\t best\t days. What\tdo\tyou\tthink\the\tdid?\u2019 \u2018Why,\t he\t would\t have\t gone\t for\t the\t weakest\t fawn,\t of\t course.\t It\t would provide\tless\tmeat,\tbut\tat\tleast\the\tcould\tbe\tcertain\tof\tcatching\tit\tand\tfeeding\this cubs.\tA\tlittle\tfood\tis\tbetter\tthan\tno\tfood.\tHis\tcubs\tand\the\twould\tsurvive\tanother day.\tBecome\ta\tlittle\tstronger.\u2019 Vedavati\tsmiled.\t\u2018You\tunderstand\tthe\thunter\u2019s\tmind-set\twell,\tJai.\u2019 Raavan\t returned\t her\t smile,\t though\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t entirely\t certain\t she\t meant\t it as\ta\tcompliment. \u2018So,\tas\tyou\tcorrectly\tguessed,\tthe\tlion\tcharged\tat\tthe\trunt\tamong\tthe\tdeer,\u2019 continued\t Vedavati.\t \u2018The\t doe,\t sensing\t danger,\t lifted\t her\t head\t up,\t her\t eyes searching\tfor\tany\tmovement.\tOn\tspotting\tthe\tlion,\tshe\tmoved\tinstantly,\talerting the\t fawns,\t and\t they\t fled\t towards\t the\t tree\t line,\t running\t and\t leaping\t over\t each other.\t They\t were\t swift.\t All\t except\t one.\t The\t lion\t increased\t his\t pace.\t He\t was weak,\t but\t he\t was\t still\t a\t lion.\t He\t began\t closing\t the\t distance\t to\t the\t tiny\t fawn.\t It was\tjust\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime,\ta\tfew\tseconds\tperhaps,\tbefore\the\twould\tcatch\tup\twith his\tprey.\tIt\tseemed\tthat\tthe\tlion\tand\this\tcubs\twould\tfinally\tget\ttheir\tmeal.\u2019 \u2018And\tthen?\u2019 \u2018Then,\t much\t to\t our\t surprise,\t the\t doe\t slowed\t down.\t The\t bigger\t fawns\t had reached\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tclearing,\tand\twould\tvanish\tinto\tthe\tfoliage\tany\tmoment. Away\t from\t the\t lion.\t But\t the\t runt\t was\t still\t at\t risk.\t The\t mother\t stopped\t running, then\tcame\tto\ta\tstop.\u2019 Raavan\tfound\tthat\the\twas\tholding\this\tbreath.\t\u2018Then?\u2019 \u2018The\tlion\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tdoe.\tA\tfull-grown\tdeer\twould\tlast\thim\tand\this cubs\tmuch\tlonger\tthan\tthe\tlittle\tone.\tHe\tchanged\tcourse.\tSince\tthe\tmother\tdeer was\tpractically\tstationary,\the\twas\tupon\ther\tin\tno\ttime\tat\tall.\u2019 \u2018Didn\u2019t\t the\t doe\t bolt\t away\t at\t the\t last\t minute?\t Now\t that\t she\t had\t deflected attention\tfrom\ther\tbaby?\u2019 Vedavati\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018No.\tShe\tjust\tstood\tthere,\twatching\tthe\tlittle\tone get\tto\tsafety.\u2019 \u2018What\tdid\tthe\tlion\tdo?\u2019 \u2018The\t lion\t also\t came\t to\t a\t halt.\t Just\t a\t few\t metres\t from\t the\t doe.\t He\t seemed confused.\tThe\trunt,\tmeanwhile,\thad\tcaught\tup\twith\this\tsiblings.\tThey\tturned\tto look\tat\ttheir\tmother,\tbleating\tfrantically,\tas\tif\tpleading\twith\ther\tto\tflee.\tBut\tthe doe\t remained\t where\t she\t was.\t She\t made\t a\t sound,\t just\t once.\t Like\t she\t was ordering\t her\t children\t to\t run\t away.\t Perhaps\t she\t did\t not\t want\t them\t to\t see\t what was\tto\tfollow.\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent.\tWhat\ta\tmother\u2026 Vedavati\tsaid,\t\u2018The\tstory\tdoesn\u2019t\tend\tthere.\u2019","\u2018So\twhat\thappened\tnext?\u2019 \u2018The\t lion\t looked\t at\t the\t fawns,\t way\t out\t of\t his\t reach\t now.\t Crying\t and bleating\tfor\ttheir\tmother.\tThen\the\t looked\tat\t the\tmother\tdeer,\tstanding\tjust\tone short\tleap\taway.\tAnd\the\tseemed\tparalysed.\tLike\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\thimself\tto\tkill the\tsplendid\tdeer\tin\tfront\tof\thim.\tAnd\tthen,\the\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\this\town\tcubs\tin the\tdistance.\tHungry\tand\twaiting\tto\tbe\tfed.\u2019 Raavan\twatched\tthe\tchanging\texpressions\ton\tVedavati\u2019s\tface\tas\tshe\trelived those\tmoments\tin\tthe\tjungle. \u2018What\t should\t the\t lion\t do?\t What\t does\t dharma\t say?\t Should\t he\t be\t a\t good father\tand\tkill\tto\tfeed\this\tstarving\tchildren?\tOr\tshould\the\texercise\this\tgoodness and\tgift\tlife\tto\ta\tmagnificent\tmother?\u2019 \u2018I\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u2019\tanswered\tRaavan. \u2018We\tassume\tthat\tanimals\tcannot\tthink\tin\tterms\tof\tdharma.\tPerhaps\tthey\tare not\table\tto\texpress\tdharma,\tsince\tthey\tcannot\tspeak.\tBut\twhy\tshould\twe\tassume that\tdharma\tdoes\tnot\ttouch\tthem\ttoo?\tDharma\tis\tuniversal.\tIt\ttouches\teveryone.\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent,\tlistening\twith\this\thead\tand\this\theart. Vedavati\tcontinued\tto\tspeak.\t\u2018Dharma\tis\tcomplicated.\tIt\tis\toften\tnot\tabout the\t what,\t but\t the\t why.\t If\t the\t lion\t had\t been\t hunting\t for\t pleasure\u2014which\t most animals\t are\t not\t capable\t of\u2014we\t might\t call\t it\t an\t exercise\t in\t adharma.\t Since\t he was\t hunting\t to\t feed\t his\t starving\t children,\t it\u2019s\t fair\t to\t say\t he\t was\t following\t his dharma.\t If\t the\t deer\t had\t allowed\t circumstances\t to\t overwhelm\t her\t and\t not attempted\tto\tsave\ther\tchildren,\tit\twould\thave\tbeen\tadharma.\tBut\ther\tsacrifice\tto save\t her\t children\t can\t only\t be\t thought\t of\t as\t dharma.\t In\t the\t field\t of\t dharma, intentions\tmatter\tas\tmuch,\tif\tnot\tmore,\tthan\tthe\tact\titself.\tBut\tone\tthing\tis\tclear. Only\tif\tyou\tput\tyour\tduty\tabove\tyourself\tdo\tyou\teven\thave\ta\tchance\tof\tattaining a\tlife\tof\tdharma.\tSelfishness\tis\tthe\tone\tthing\tthat\u2019s\tguaranteed\tto\ttake\tyou\taway from\tit.\u2019 \u2018Life\t was\t unfair\t to\t both\t the\t lion\t and\t the\t deer,\u2019\t Raavan\t remarked thoughtfully.\t\u2018Both\twere\tvictims.\u2019 \u2018Life\tis\tunfair\tto\teveryone.\tAs\tSikhi\tBuddha\tsaid,\tthe\tfundamental\treality of\tlife\tis\tdukha.\tThere\tis\tno\tescaping\tthe\tgrief\tthat\tpermeates\tevery\tcorner\tof\tthis illusory\t world.\t Accepting\t this\t basic\t truth\t is\t the\t first\t step\t towards\t trying\t to overcome\tit.\u2019 \u2018Everyone\t is\t struggling\u2026\t I\t suppose\t we\t must\t try\t to\t understand\t and\t learn, rather\tthan\tjudge.\u2019 \u2018Precisely.\tIf\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tjudge,\tyou\tcan\topen\tthe\tspace\tin\tyour\theart\tto\thelp others.\tAnd\tthat\twill\ttake\tyou\ttowards\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018But\thow\tdid\tit\tall\tend,\tnoble\tKanyakumari?\tDid\tthe\tlion\tkill\tthe\tdoe?\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tpoint\tof\tthis\tstory,\tJai.\u2019","Raavan\tsmiled.\tAnd\tstopped\tasking\tquestions. \u2018This\t is\t taking\t too\t long,\t Dada,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t They\t had\t been\t in\t the Vaidyanath\t area\t for\t nearly\t a\t month\t already.\t \u2018Mareech\t uncle\t had\t wanted\t us\t to return\tas\tsoon\tas\tpossible.\tThere\u2019s\tthat\tbusiness\tin\tAfrica\u2014\u2019 Raavan\t stopped\t him\t with\t a\t gesture.\t \u2018It\u2019s\t nothing\t that\t Mareech\t cannot handle\ton\this\town.\u2019 \u2018But\tDada,\twhat\tabout\tour\tcrew?\tAnd\tSamichi.\tThey\u2019re\tall\tsitting\taround doing\tnothing,\tprobably\twondering\t why\tthey\tare\tcooped\tup\tin\tthis\tguesthouse with\tno\u2014\u2019 Raavan\tinterrupted\this\tbrother.\t\u2018Just\tgive\tthem\tsomething\tto\tdo,\tKumbha. Send\tthem\ton\tsome\tshort\ttrade\tmission\tor\tsomething.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t fell\t silent.\t Raavan\t looked\t dreamily\t out\t of\t the\t window.\t It was\tlate\tat\tnight.\tAll\tthey\tcould\thear\twas\tthe\tchirping\tof\tcrickets.\tOccasionally, an\t owl\t hooted\t in\t the\t distance.\t Raavan\t had\t returned\t to\t the\t guesthouse\t in\t the evening\t after\t a\t long\t conversation\t with\t Vedavati.\t He\t stared\t at\t the\t moon\t and sighed. \u2018Isn\u2019t\tit\tbeautiful\ttoday?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t turned\t and\t stared\t at\t the\t moon.\t It\t looked\t pretty\t ordinary\t to him.\tHe\texhaled\tsoftly\tand\tlooked\tback\tat\tRaavan.\t\u2018Dada\u2026\u2019 \u2018Shhh!\u2019\tRaavan\tpicked\tup\tthe\tRaavanhatha\tlying\tnext\tto\thim.\t\u2018Listen.\tI\u2019ve composed\tsomething\tnew.\u2019 He\tstrummed\tthe\tinstrument,\tas\tthough\ttesting\tits\tsound.\tAnd\tbegan. From\t the\t first\t time\t he\t had\t heard\t it,\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t thought\t of\t the Raavanhatha\tas\tan\tinstrument\tof\tgrief.\tIt\ttugged\tat\tyour\theart\tand\tbrought\ttears to\tyour\teyes. But\t tonight,\t Raavan\u2019s\t deep,\t attractive\t voice,\t the\t lilt\t of\t the\t melody\t he\t had composed,\tand\tthe\twhisper\tof\tthe\twind,\tcombined\twith\tthe\tethereal\tsound\tof\tthe Raavanhatha\t to\t create\t an\t island\t of\t ecstasy\t and\t bliss.\t He\t managed\t to\t coax\t the musical\tinstrument\tof\tgrief\tto\tcreate\ta\tmelodious\ttune\tof\tjoy. The\t possibility\t to\t turn\t negative\t into\t positive\t always\t exists.\t But\t it\t takes\t a Goddess\tto\tinspire\tthe\tchange.","Chapter\t14 What\t do\t you\t do\t when\t a\t woman\t you\t love\t deeply,\t a\t woman\t you\t have\t dreamt\t of and\t worshipped,\t is\t lost\t to\t you\t forever?\t You\t steel\t your\t heart\t and\t reconcile yourself\tto\tlife\twithout\ther. Then,\t by\t a\t twist\t of\t fate,\t you\t meet\t her\t again.\t And\t you\t find\t out\t that\t she\t is committed\tto\tsomeone\telse.\tYou\ttry\tto\tignore\tthis\ttruth.\tIgnore\tthe\texistence\tof another\tin\ther\tlife.\tSuppress\tthe\tinstinctive\thatred\tyou\tfeel. But\tyou\tcannot\tkeep\taway\tfrom\ther.\tYou\tget\tto\tknow\ther\tbetter.\tFall\teven more\t deeply\t in\t love\t with\t her\u2014if\t that\u2019s\t possible.\t And\t then,\t you\t meet\t the\t other man.\tThe\u2026\thusband.\tAnd\the\tis\teverything\tyou\tdid\tnot\texpect.\tHe\tis\thandsome. Honest.\tKind.\tGenerous.\tHe\tis\tnoble,\tin\ta\tway\tthat\tyou\tknow\tyou\tcan\tnever\tbe. And\t he\t loves\t her.\t Perhaps\t as\t much\t as\t you\t love\t her.\t He\t respects\t her. Perhaps\tmore\tthan\tyou\trespect\ther. And\tsomewhere\tdeep\tin\tyour\theart,\ta\tsoft,\tmonstrous,\tunwelcome\tvoice\tis heard.\t You\t are\t forced\t to\t listen\t to\t the\t truth\t that\t you\t don\u2019t\t even\t want\t to acknowledge:\tthat\tmaybe,\tjust\tmaybe,\the\tis\tbetter\tfor\ther\tthan\tyou\tare. What\tdo\tyou\tdo\tthen?\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tdo? The\t only\t logical\t thing\t to\t do\t is\t to\t hate\t and\t despise\t that\t man,\t even\t more than\tyou\tdid\tearlier. It\twas\tlogical.\tRaavan\ttold\thimself\tthat. Prithvi,\t Vedavati\u2019s\t husband,\t had\t returned\t to\t the\t village.\t When\t he\t heard this,\tRaavan\tdecided\tto\tstay\taway\tfor\ta\tfew\tdays,\tpleading\tsome\tpersonal\twork. Until,\t one\t day,\t he\t took\t the\t bit\t between\t his\t teeth\t and\t made\t his\t way\t to\t the worksite\twith\tKumbhakarna. It\t was\t late\t in\t the\t afternoon\t and\t a\t welcome\t breeze\t cooled\t the\t hot\t day. Shochikesh\t was\t away,\t ostensibly\t to\t make\t arrangements\t for\t some\t materials\t that were\trequired\tfor\twork\tto\tcontinue\ton\tthe\tcheck\tdam.\tBut\tRaavan\tknew\tbetter.","Shochikesh\u2019s\t son,\t Sukarman,\t had\t been\t caught\t stealing\t from\t the\t temple donation-box\t again;\t he\t claimed\t he\t had\t gambling\t debts\t to\t pay\t off.\t Shochikesh was\ttrying\tto\tget\tthe\tmoney\tback\tquietly,\tbefore\tword\tgot\taround.\tRaavan\tkept the\t news\t to\t himself.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t cause\t any\t distress\t to\t the\t pregnant Vedavati. \u2018Thank\t you\t once\t again,\t Jai,\u2019\t said\t Prithvi,\t addressing\t Raavan.\t Like\t many people\t from\t the\t Baloch\t region\t in\t the\t far\t west\t of\t India,\t Prithvi\t was\t tall,\t with clean-cut\tfeatures\tand\ta\tclear,\tfair\tcomplexion.\tEven\tRaavan\thad\tto\tadmit\tthat\the was\t a\t handsome\t man.\t \u2018The\t tools\t you\t donated\t have\t really\t helped\t pick\t up\t the pace\tof\twork\there.\tIt\u2019s\theartening\tto\tmeet\ta\tbusinessman\twho\tbelieves\tin\tdharma and\tcharity.\u2019 Raavan\t smiled\t and\t waved\t his\t hand\t awkwardly,\t not\t sure\t how\t to\t react\t to compliments\tfrom\ta\tman\the\tloathed. \u2018So\thow\twas\tyour\ttrip,\tPrithviji?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. Prithvi\t glanced\t at\t Vedavati\t before\t replying.\t \u2018It\t went\t very\t well.\t I\t made\t a good\tprofit\tthis\ttime.\tAround\tsix\thundred\tand\tfifty\tgold\tcoins.\u2019 Raavan\tfound\tit\thard\tnot\tto\tsnigger.\tThat\u2019s\ta\tgood\tprofit?\tI\tearn\tas\tmuch\tin an\thour. \u2018Finally,\t I\t have\t enough\t to\t take\t care\t of\t my\t wife\t and\t child,\u2019\t said\t Prithvi, taking\tVedavati\u2019s\thand\tin\this. Vedavati\t rested\t her\t head\t on\t Prithvi\u2019s\t shoulder.\t Raavan\t looked\t away, focusing\ton\tsome\tbirds\ton\tthe\ttreetops\tclose\tby. \u2018And\tyou\thave\treturned\tjust\tin\ttime,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Yes!\u2019\t said\tPrithvi\tproudly.\t \u2018Just\ta\tfew\tmore\tweeks\t now\tbefore\t our\tchild enters\tthe\tworld.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tnodded\tin\tagreement.\t\u2018By\tthe\tway,\tI\twas\tthinking\tthat\tsome more\t tools\t might\t help\t advance\t the\t work\t on\t the\t check\t dam.\t If\t you\t have\t some time,\tI\tcould\tshow\tyou\twhat\tI\tmean.\u2019 Prithvi\tlooked\tat\tVedavati. \u2018I\u2019d\tmuch\trather\trest,\tPrithvi,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati.\t\u2018My\tback\tis\tkilling\tme.\u2019 Prithvi\tsmiled\tand\tcaressed\tVedavati\u2019s\tface\tgently.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tbe\tback\tsoon.\u2019 After\t Prithvi\t had\t left\t with\t Kumbhakarna,\t Raavan\t relaxed\t a\t little.\t \u2018How bad\tis\tit?\tShould\tI\tsend\tfor\tsome\tmedicines\tfrom\tVaidyanath?\u2019 Vedavati\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u2018No,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t that\u2019s\t necessary.\t We\u2019ll\t be leaving\tfor\tVaidyanath\tin\ta\tweek\tin\tany\tcase.\u2019 Raavan\tnodded,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tlet\this\tfeelings\tshow. \u2018He\tis\ta\tgood\tman,\tyou\tknow,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati. Raavan\t looked\t at\t her,\t startled.\t \u2018Of\t course\t he\t is.\t I\t would\t never\t think otherwise.\u2019","\u2018And\tI\tlove\thim.\tHe\tis\tmy\thusband.\u2019 \u2018I\u2026\tof\tcourse\u2026\tI\tmean\u2026\u2019 Vedavati\t held\t Raavan\u2019s\t gaze\t steadily.\t She\t was\t making\t sure\t her\t message carried\twithout\thurting\this\tfeelings. \u2018So\twhere\tdid\twe\tfirst\tmeet?\u2019\tshe\tasked\tsuddenly. Raavan\twas\ttaken\taback.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tshe\tmeant. \u2018I\t asked\t Vijay\t one\t day,\t why\t it\t is\t that\t you\t both\t look\t at\t me\t like\t you\t know me\t from\t before.\t From\t my\t days\t as\t a\t Kanyakumari,\t perhaps.\t For\t some\t reason\t I can\u2019t\t be\t sure\t of,\t you\t seem\t familiar\t to\t me\t as\t well.\t Not\t Vijay,\t to\t be\t honest.\t I would\t certainly\t have\t remembered\t him.\u2019\t Vedavati\t was\t too\t polite\t to\t state\t the obvious\u2014Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t Naga\t features\t made\t it\t difficult\t for\t anyone\t to\t forget him.\t\u2018So,\tI\tam\tcertain\tyou\tand\tI\thave\tmet\tbefore.\tBut\twhere\tdid\twe\tmeet?\u2019 The\t lie\t came\t smoothly\t to\t Raavan\u2019s\t tongue.\t \u2018It\t could\t be\t when\t I\t came\t to Vaidyanath\t many\t years\t ago.\t I\t visited\t the\t Kanyakumari\t temple\t and\t you\t blessed me.\t It\t was\t so\t long\t ago,\t though.\t We\t were\t both\t children.\t It\u2019s\t amazing\t that\t you find\tanything\teven\tremotely\tfamiliar\tabout\tme.\u2019 Vedavati\t stared\t into\t Raavan\u2019s\t eyes.\t For\t a\t moment,\t he\t thought\t she\t was going\tto\ttell\thim\tthat\tshe\tknew\the\twas\tlying.\tBut\tshe\tmerely\tnodded. \u2018So\tyou\tare\ta\tdevotee\tof\tLord\tRudra?\u2019\tVedavati\tasked. Raavan\tsmiled\tand\ttouched\this\tekmukhi\trudraaksh\tpendant.\t\u2018Yes,\tI\tam.\tJai Shri\tRudra!\u2019 \u2018Jai\t Shri\t Rudra,\u2019\t repeated\t Vedavati,\t smiling\t and\t clasping\t her\t own rudraaksh\tpendant.\t\u2018So,\tlet\tme\task\tyou:\tAre\tyou\ta\tdevotee\tof\tHis\tactions\tor\twhat He\trepresents\tas\tthe\tMahadev?\u2019 Raavan\tfrowned.\t\u2018Is\tthere\ta\tdifference?\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse\tthere\tis.\u2019 \u2018How\t so?\t A\t person\t is\t defined\t by\t what\t he\t or\t she\t does.\t By\t his\t vocation\t or career.\t Karma\t defines\t the\t individual.\t A\t person\t without\t karma\t may\t as\t well\t be dead.\u2019 Vedavati\tsmiled.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tthat\tkarma\tis\tnot\timportant.\tBut\tit\u2019s\tnot\tthe only\tthing\tthat\u2019s\timportant.\tThere\tare\tother\tthings\ttoo.\u2019 \u2018And\twhat\tare\tthose\tother\tthings?\u2019 \u2018Swatatva,\t in\t old\t Sanskrit.\t Literally,\t the\t essence\t of\t your\t Self.\t Or\t more simply,\tyour\tBeing.\u2019 \u2018Being?\u2019 \u2018Being\tis\ta\tcomplex\tword,\tand\tnot\teasy\tto\tunderstand.\tLike\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018I\tunderstand\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018Do\tyou?\u2019\tVedavati\tsmiled. \u2018All\t right.\t I\t admit\t dharma\t is\t a\t complex\t concept.\t We\t could\t debate\t its","nuances\tfor\tmany\tlifetimes.\tBut\tsurely,\tBeing\tis\tnot\tso\tcomplex.\u2019 \u2018It\tis.\tBut\tto\tunderstand\tBeing,\tyou\t first\tneed\tto\tunderstand\tkarma.\tYour actions\t are\t your\t karma.\t It\t is\t what\t you\t do.\t Tell\t me,\t why\t do\t you\t perform\t any action\t that\t concerns\t others?\t Because\t you\t expect\t a\t reaction\u2014hopefully,\t a reaction\tthat\twill\tmake\tyou\thappy.\u2019 \u2018So,\tare\tyou\tsaying\tthat\tkarma\tis\ttransactional\tand\thence,\tselfish?\u2019 Does\tshe\tknow\tthat\tI\tdonated\tthings\tto\tthis\tpathetic\tvillage\tonly\tto\tbe\tclose to\ther? Vedavati\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tget\tinto\twhat\tis\tgood\tor\tbad.\tIt\tis\twhat\tit is.\tThat\u2019s\tall.\tKarma\tis\tmost\tcertainly\ttransactional.\u2019 \u2018And\tBeing\tisn\u2019t?\u2019 \u2018No,\tit\tisn\u2019t.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tmakes\tit\tso\timportant.\tAnd\tpowerful.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tsure\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold\tthat\tthe\tonly\tway\tfor\tthe\tmind\tto\tfind\tpeace\tis by\tlearning\tto\tbe\tcalm\tand\tcentred.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\trolling\this\teyes. \u2018Why\tdid\tyou\troll\tyour\teyes?\u2019 \u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u2019 Vedavati\tlaughed.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tit\twas\twrong.\tI\tjust\tasked\twhy\tyou\tdid\tit.\u2019 Raavan\tlaughed\tsoftly.\t\u2018Because\tit\u2019s\tvery\teasy\tto\tcounsel\tpeople\tthat\tthey should\tbe\tcalm\tand\tcentred.\tBut\tno\tone\ttells\tyou\thow\tto\tdo\tit!\u2019 \u2018Exactly.\t That\t is\t the\t problem.\t People\t keep\t thinking\t that\t they\t have\t to\t do something\tto\tachieve\tthat\tstate.\tBe\tsuccessful\tin\ttheir\tprofession,\tperhaps,\tor\tgo on\t a\t holiday,\t or\t make\t the\t right\t friends,\t or\t find\t a\t different\t spouse\u2026.\t But\t even after\tthey\tmake\tthat\tchange,\tthey\tfind\tthey\tare\tnot\tcalm.\tSo\tthen\tthey\tthink\tthey have\t to\t do\t something\t more.\t Something\t different.\t It\u2019s\t a\t never-ending\t cycle. Basically,\tcalmness\tand\tcenteredness\tare\talways\telusive\tbecause\tpeople\tassume they\thave\tto\tdo\tsomething,\tgain\tgood\tkarma,\tto\tget\tthere.\u2019 \u2018So,\tthe\tproblem\tis\twith\tour\tfocus\ton\tkarma?\u2019 \u2018Yes.\t It\u2019s\t very\t difficult\t to\t be\t calm\t and\t centred\t if\t your\t entire\t focus\t is\t on that.\t For\t karma\t is\t action\t in\t the\t hope\t of\t something\t in\t return.\t Like,\t if\t you\t give charity\tto\tsomeone,\tyou\texpect\tat\tleast\trespect\tin\treturn.\tIt\u2019s\ta\ttransaction.\tAnd\tif the\t result\t of\t your\t actions\t is\t not\t what\t you\t expected,\t you\t feel\t let\t down\t and become\tunhappy.\tEven\tworse,\tif\tthe\tkarma\tyou\tget\tin\treturn\tfor\tyour\tactions\tis, in\tfact,\twhat\tyou\texpected,\tyou\tdiscover\tthat\tthe\thappiness\tyou\tderive\tfrom\tit\tis fleeting.\tIf\tdissatisfaction\tis\tguaranteed,\thow\tcan\tyou\tfind\tpeace\tof\tmind?\u2019 \u2018How?\u2019 \u2018Simply\t by\t Being\t what\t you\t are\t meant\t to\t Be.\t By\t staying\t true\t to\t your Swatatva.\u2019","Raavan\tleaned\tback.\tThe\tbeauty\tof\tthe\tlogic\tfilled\this\tmind. Vedavati\t continued,\t \u2018I\t am\t not\t saying\t we\t shouldn\u2019t\t focus\t on\t action. Without\tour\tkarma,\twe\tmay\tas\twell\tbe\tdead.\tBut\tkarma\tshould\tnot\tbe\tthe\tcentre of\t our\t lives.\t If\t we\t truly\t discover\t our\t Being,\t our\t Swatatva,\t and\t live\t in consonance\t with\t what\t we\t are\t meant\t to\t be,\t then\t everything\t becomes\t easy.\t We don\u2019t\thave\tto\ttry\thard\tto\tcarry\tout\tour\tkarma.\tBecause\twe\twill\tnot\tdo\tanything\tin the\tvain\thope\tof\tsomething\telse.\tWe\twill\tdo\tit\tsimply\tbecause\tit\tis\tin\tconsonance with\tour\tBeing.\tWith\twhat\twe\twere\tborn\tto\tBe.\u2019 Raavan\t had\t never\t felt\t as\t centred\t or\t calm\t as\t in\t these\t last\t few\t weeks\t with Vedavati.\t She\t had\t answers\t for\t him.\t Answers\t to\t questions\t that\t he\t didn\u2019t\t even know\t he\t had.\t \u2018And\t what\t do\t you\t think\t I\t am\t born\t to\t Be,\t great\t Kanyakumari? What\tis\tmy\tSwatatva\tsupposed\tto\tbe?\u2019 \u2018A\thero.\u2019 Raavan\tburst\tout\tlaughing.\tVedavati\tremained\tsilent,\tconfident\tin\tthe\ttruth of\ther\tassertion. Raavan\tcontrolled\this\tmirth\tand\tsaid,\t\u2018I\tapologise,\tKanyakumari.\tI\tam\tnot a\t hero.\t You\t certainly\t are.\t But\t not\t me.\t I\t am\t as\t close\t as\t anyone\t can\t be\t to\t a\u2026\u2019 Raavan\tstopped\tbefore\tthe\tword\t\u2018villain\u2019\tcould\tescape\this\tmouth. Vedavati\tleaned\tforward.\t\u2018Your\tSwatatva\tis\tdemanding\tit\tof\tyou.\tYou\twant to\t be\t a\t hero.\t You\t want\t to\t be\t an\t arya.\t You\t want\t to\t be\t noble.\t That\u2019s\t why, whatever\tyour\treasons\tfor\tleaving\tthe\tSapt\tSindhu,\tyou\tcame\tback\there.\tI\thave been\t told\t that\t you\t live\t in\t Lanka.\t That\u2019s\t where\t all\t the\t rich\t people\t in\t the\t Sapt Sindhu\t are\t escaping\t to.\t But\t you\t keep\t coming\t back\t here.\t Why?\t Because\t you want\tthe\tacceptance\tand\trespect\tof\tthe\taryas\there.\tYou\twill\tnever\thave\tpeace\tof mind\ttill\tyou\taccept\twho\tyou\tare.\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent.\tHis\teyes\tglazed\tover.\tHe\twas\ta\tsmall\tchild\tagain. Desperately\t seeking\t the\t approval\t of\t Vedavati.\t Of\t the\t Kanyakumari.\t His\t heart picked\t up\t pace.\t He\t could\t smell\t her\t fragrance\t again.\t The\t scent\t from\t all\t those years\tago.\tHe\tcould\thear\ther\tcommands,\ther\tyoung\tvoice,\tin\this\tmind. You\tare\tbetter\tthan\tthis.\tAt\tleast\ttry. No,\tI\tam\tnot. Yes,\tyou\tare.\tThis\tis\twho\tyou\twant\tto\tbe. I\tjust\twant\tto\thurt\tmy\tfather.\tI\thate\thim. Do\tyou\twant\tto\tdefeat\thim? Yes. Defeat\t your\t father,\t by\t all\t means.\t But\t don\u2019t\t do\t it\t by\t hurting\t him.\t Do\t it\t by being\tbetter\tthan\thim. \u2018Jai?\u2019 Vedavati\u2019s\t voice\t pulled\t Raavan\t out\t of\t his\t internal,\t tumultuous\t world.","\u2018Sorry\u2026\twhat?\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tnot\tsuggesting\tthat\tyou\tdesire\tthe\trespect\tof\tthe\tnobility\tin\tthe\tSapt Sindhu.\t There\t is\t nothing\t \u201carya\u201d\t about\t them,\t no\t real\t nobility.\t But\t I\t can\t see\t you want\t the\t respect\t of\t the\t true\t aryas.\t Those\t who\t still\t remember\t our\t old\t ways. Those\t who\t are\t genuinely\t noble.\t Who\t may\t not\t be\t powerful\t today,\t but\t are dharmic.\tYou\twant\ttheir\tacceptance.\tJai,\tall\tyou\thave\tto\tdo\tis\tto\taccept\twho\tyou are.\tAnd\tyou\twill\tfind\tpeace.\u2019 She\tlooked\tat\thim\tintently.\t\u2018At\tleast\ttry.\u2019 \u2018That\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tas\tplanned,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna. He\thad\tjust\tcome\tback\tfrom\tTodee.\tRaavan\thad\tsent\thim\tto\toffer\ta\tjob\tto Prithvi\t and\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t him\t eagerly\t at\t the\t guesthouse.\t But\t the\t news was\tdisappointing. \u2018Did\tyou\ttell\tthem\teverything?\u2019\tasked\tRaavan.\t\u2018Including\tthe\tbit\tabout\tthe money?\u2019 \u2018Yes\tI\tdid,\tDada.\tI\tknow\thow\timportant\tthis\tis\tfor\tyou.\u2019 \u2018All\tthat\tidiot\twill\thave\tto\tdo\tis\tto\tbe\tmy\tpersonal\tsecretary,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan. \u2018Write\t letters.\t I\t am\t sure\t even\t he\t can\t manage\t that.\t I\t am\t willing\t to\t pay\t him\t two thousand\tgold\tcoins\tevery\tyear\tfor\tit!\tWhy\tdid\the\tsay\tno?\u2019 \u2018Perhaps\tthe\toffer\twas\ttoo\tkind\tfor\tVedavatiji.\u2019 \u2018The\tKanyakumari?\tWhy\tdid\tshe\tget\tinvolved\tin\tthis?\u2019 \u2018Well,\t Prithviji\t was\t very\t enthusiastic\t about\t the\t offer.\t He\t said\t they\t could leave\tfor\tLanka\ta\tfew\tmonths\tafter\tthe\tbirth\tof\ttheir\tbaby.\tThen\the\twent\tto\task Vedavatiji\tabout\tit.\tAnd\tshe\tsaid\tno.\u2019 \u2018But\twhy?\tI\tthought\tshe\twants\tme\tto\u2026\u2019 \u2018Wants\tyou\tto\twhat?\u2019 \u2018Nothing.\tWhy\tdid\tshe\trefuse?\u2019 \u2018She\twouldn\u2019t\tsay.\u2019 \u2018But\tdid\tyou\task\ther?\u2019 \u2018I\tdid,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\taway.\tStaring\tout\tof\tthe\twindow. \u2018And\tthen\tshe\tsaid\tthe\tstrangest\tthing.\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019 \u2018She\t told\t me\t to\t tell\t you\t that\t it\t took\t her\t some\t time,\t but\t she\t finally remembered.\u2019 \u2018Remembered\twhat?\u2019 \u2018About\tthe\thare\tand\tthe\tants.\u2019","Raavan\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\tKumbhakarna,\tstunned.\tHe\thad\tbeen\trecognised. How\tmuch\tdid\tshe\tknow?\tDid\tshe\tknow\tabout\tthe\trobbery\ttoo?\tShe\twould\thate him\tif\tshe\tdid.\t\u2018Did\tshe\tsay\tanything\tabout\tChilika?\tAbout\tKrakachabahu?\u2019 \u2018No.\tWhy\twould\tshe?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\tconnects\tthat\twith\tus.\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent. \u2018But,\tDada,\twhat\tdid\tshe\tmean\tby\tthe\thare\tand\tthe\tants?\u2019 Raavan\tdid\tnot\trespond.","Chapter\t15 \u2018I\tthought\tyou\twanted\tto\tencourage\tme\tto\tdo\tgood,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan. Raavan\thad\tcome\tto\tTodee\tby\thimself\tto\tmeet\tVedavati.\tHe\tknew\the\tcould not\t prolong\t his\t stay\t much\t longer\t and\t would\t have\t to\t leave\t for\t Lanka\t soon.\t He had\t been\t away\t too\t long.\t But\t how\t could\t he\t leave\t without\t her?\t Raavan\t was desperate\u2014he\thad\tto\tconvince\ther,\tsomehow. \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\ttravel,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati. \u2018After\tyour\tbaby\tis\tborn?\tPerhaps\tyou\tcan\tcome\tthen.\u2019 Vedavati\tremained\tsilent. \u2018Please\u2026\tI\tam\tbegging\tyou.\u2019 \u2018You\tknow\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme.\u2019 \u2018I\tdo!\tPlease\u2026\tNothing\tneeds\tto\tchange.\tYou\tcan\tremain\tmarried\tto\thim. To\u2026\t Prithvi.\t I\t will\t not\t make\t any\t demands\t on\t you.\t I\t just\t need\t you\t to\t be\t in Lanka.\t Just\t be\t there\u2026\t just\t let\t me\t look\t at\t you\t every\t day.\t That\u2019s\t all\t I\t ask\t for. Please\u2026\tplease\u2026\tVeda\u2026\tVe\u2026\tPlease,\tgreat\tKanyakumari.\u2019 \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme,\u2019\tVedavati\trepeated\tcalmly. There\twere\ttears\tin\tRaavan\u2019s\teyes.\t\u2018I\tdo\u2026\tI\tknow\twhat\tI\tneed.\u2019 \u2018No.\tYou\t don\u2019t\tknow\t what\tyou\tneed.\tFor\tthen\tyou\twould\tknow\tthat\tyou already\thave\tit.\u2019 \u2018But\t I\t don\u2019t!\u2019\t Raavan\t couldn\u2019t\t conceal\t his\t agitation.\t \u2018I\t need\t you!\t I\t need you!\u2019 \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme.\tYou\tneed\tyourself.\u2019 \u2018What\tdoes\tthat\tmean?\tI\tdon\u2019t\u2026\u2019 \u2018Think\t about\t it.\t What\t have\t I\t been\t to\t you\t so\t far?\t Only\t an\t image\t in\t your mind.\tIt\u2019s\tyou\twho\twanted\tto\tbe\ta\tbetter\tversion\tof\tyourself.\tAll\tyou\tneeded\twas an\texcuse.\tAn\texcuse\tto\tmotivate\tyou,\thelp\tyou\timprove\twhat\tyou\thad\tbecome as\ta\treaction\tto\twhat\tyour\tfather\tdid\tto\tyou.\tYou\thung\ton\tto\tme\tas\tthat\texcuse.","What\tI\tam\ttrying\tto\ttell\tyou\tis\tthat\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tthe\texcuse\tanymore.\tIn\tfact, you\t should\t never\t need\t someone\t else\t to\t better\t yourself.\t That\t is\t dangerous.\t I could\tdie\ttomorrow.\tThen\twhat\twill\tyou\u2026\u2019 Raavan\tclenched\this\tfists.\t\u2018I\twill\tdestroy\tanyone\twho\thurts\tyou.\tI\twill\trip their\u2014\u2019 \u2018Why\t do\t you\t assume\t someone\t will\t hurt\t me?\t I\t could\t die\t of\t an\t illness. There\twill\tbe\tnobody\tto\tblame\tthen,\tright?\u2019 Raavan\tfell\tsilent. \u2018When\tyou\tstart\ton\tthe\tmost\timportant\tjourney\tof\tyour\tlife,\tyou\tcannot\tbe dependent\t on\t anyone\t else.\t For\t you\t would\t be\t binding\t your\t purpose,\t your swadharma,\t to\t the\t fate\t of\t another\t person.\t That\t is\t dangerous.\t Especially\t for someone\tas\timportant\tas\tyou\tare.\u2019 \u2018I\t am\t not\u2026\u2019\t Raavan\t stopped\t himself\t from\t cursing.\t \u2018I\t am\t not\t important.\t I am\tnot\teven\ta\tgood\tperson.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tthe\tkinds\tof\tthings\tI\u2019ve\tdone.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tbe\tso\thard\ton\tyourself.\tYou\u2019ve\tbeen\ttaking\tcare\tof\tyour\tmother\tand your\t younger\t brother\t since\t you\t were\t a\t child.\t You\t have\t built\t a\t trading\t empire almost\t single-handedly.\t You\t have\t strength,\t you\t have\t courage,\t and\t you\t are\t a capable\tman.\u2019 \u2018I\u2026\tI\thave\tdone\tsome\tterrible\tthings\tto\tbuild\tmy\tempire.\tI\tam\u2026\u2019\tRaavan was\t struggling\t to\t be\t completely\t honest\t for\t the\t first\t time\t in\t his\t life.\t \u2018I\t am\t a monster.\tI\tknow\tI\tam\ta\tmonster.\tI\tenjoy\tbeing\ta\tmonster.\tI\tneed\tyou\tto\tsave\tme. You\t are\t my\t chance.\t My\t only\t chance,\t if\t I\t am\t to\t make\t something\u2026\t something noble\tof\tmyself.\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\t where\t you\t are\t wrong.\t I\t am\t not\t your\t chance.\t You\t are\t your\t own chance.\tYou\tthink\tyou\tare\ta\tmonster?\tWhich\tgreat\tman\tdoes\tnot\thave\ta\tmonster inside\thim?\u2019 Raavan\tstared\tat\tVedavati.\tSilent. \u2018What\tyou\tterm\ta\tmonster\tis\tthe\tfire\tevery\tsuccessful\tman\thas\twithin\thim,\u2019 continued\t Vedavati.\t \u2018A\t fire\t that\t will\t not\t let\t him\t rest.\t A\t fire\t that\t drives\t him\t to work\thard.\tTo\tbe\tsmart.\tTo\tbe\trelentless.\tFocused.\tDisciplined.\tFor\tthose\tare\tthe ingredients\tof\tsuccess.\tThat\tfire\tis\tlike\ta\tmonster\tthat\twill\tnot\tallow\tyou\tto\tlead an\tordinary\tlife.\tBut\tthere\tis\tone\tthing\tthat\tdifferentiates\ta\tsuccessful\tman\tfrom\ta great\t man.\t One\t key\t thing:\t Does\t the\t monster\t control\t you\t or\t do\t you\t control\t the monster?\tWithout\tthe\tmonster,\tyou\twould\thave\tbeen\tordinary.\tWith\tthe\tmonster, you\t have\t a\t chance\t to\t attain\t greatness.\t Not\t a\t guarantee,\t but\t a\t chance.\t To\t seize that\tchance,\tyou\tneed\tto\tcontrol\tthe\tmonster\tand\tuse\tyour\tunique\tand\tenormous abilities,\tin\tthe\tcause\tof\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tit\twithout\tyou.\u2019 \u2018Me?\tI\u2019m\tnobody.\u2019","\u2018You\t are\t the\t Kanyakumari!\t You\t are\t a\t living\t Goddess!\t You\t are\t noble\t in\t a way\t I\t could\t never\t be.\t You\t are\t kind\t and\t generous.\t You\t are\t the\t purest\t person\t I have\tever\tmet.\tI\tam\tan\timpure,\tselfish\tbastard.\u2019 Vedavati\tlooked\tat\thim\tsteadily\twithout\tsaying\tanything. Raavan\timmediately\tturned\tcontrite.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto\tcurse.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u2019 \u2018There\tis\tno\tneed\tto\tuse\tan\texpletive\tto\temphasise\ta\tpoint.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tsorry.\u2019 Vedavati\tsmiled.\t\u2018So,\tyou\tthink\tI\u2019m\tpure?\tHave\tyou\tnoticed\tthat\tthere\tare no\tfish\tto\tbe\tfound\tin\twater\tthat\tis\ttoo\tpure?\u2019 Raavan\twas\tquiet.\tIt\ttook\thim\ta\tfew\tmoments\tto\trealise\tthat\tVedavati\twas right. \u2018I\tmay\tbe\tpure,\tbut\thave\tI\tmade\tany\treal\tdifference\tin\tthe\tlives\tof\tpeople?\tI may\t be\t noble\t in\t my\t actions,\t but\t I\t am\t not\t capable\t of\t commanding\t the\t attention of\t those\t outside\t my\t village.\t Only\t those\t who\t can\t reach\t millions\t of\t people\t can improve\tthe\tlives\tof\tmillions\tof\tpeople.\tNobility\twithout\tcapability\tis\tlimiting,\tit only\tresults\tin\tgood\ttheory.\u2019 \u2018But\u2026\u2019 \u2018Listen\tto\tme,\tRaavan.\tTruly\tgreat\tpeople,\twho\thave\tleft\ta\tpositive\tstamp on\t history\t and\t in\t the\t hearts\t of\t millions\t of\t followers,\t combined\t a\t cold,\t ruthless mind\twith\ta\twarm,\tdharmic\theart.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\thave\tit.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\theart.\tI\tdon\u2019t\u2026\u2019 Vedavati\t leaned\t forward\t and\t took\t Raavan\u2019s\t hand\t in\t hers.\t It\t was\t the\t first time\tshe\thad\ttouched\thim.\tHis\theartbeat\tseized\tfor\ta\tmoment. \u2018You\t do\t have\t a\t warm\t heart,\t Raavan.\t Don\u2019t\t use\t it\t just\t to\t pump\t blood through\tyour\tbody.\tLet\tit\talso\tpropel\tdharma\tthrough\tyour\tsoul.\tRise\tto\tdo\tgood. Do\t good\t for\t this\t land\t of\t ours,\t which\t is\t suffering\t in\t poverty,\t chaos\t and\t disease. Help\tthe\tpoor.\tHelp\tthe\tneedy.\tDo\tgood.\u2019 Tears\tpooled\tin\tRaavan\u2019s\teyes. \u2018Lead\tIndia\tback\tto\tgreatness,\tmake\tit\ttruly\tAryavarta\tonce\tagain.\tMake\tit a\tnoble\tland\t once\t more.\t And\t then\t I\t will\t come\t and\t live\t in\t Lanka.\t Not\t as\t your Goddess.\tBut\tas\tyour\tdevotee.\tMy\thusband\tand\tI\twill\tworship\tyou.\u2019 Raavan\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay.\tHe\twas\tsurprised\tto\tsee\thimself\tthrough Vedavati\u2019s\teyes.\tWas\the\treally\tas\tcapable\tas\tall\tthat? \u2018I\thave\tfaith\tin\tyou.\tYou\tcan\tdo\tit.\tThis\tlong-suffering\tmotherland\tof\tours has\tenough\tvillains\talready.\tIt\tdesperately\tneeds\ta\thero.\tRise\tto\tbecome\tone.\u2019 Raavan\tsat\tquietly,\tlistening. \u2018You\tare\ta\tdevout\tworshipper\tof\tLord\tRudra,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u2019\tasked\tVedavati, her\tvoice\tkind\tand\tgentle. Raavan\tlooked\tup\tand\tnodded.\tYes.","\u2018I\tam\tsure\tyou\tknow\twhat\tthe\tLord\u2019s\tname\tmeans.\tRudra\tis\tthe\t\u201cOne\twho roars\u201d.\t The\t One\t who\t roars\t to\t protect\t good\t people.\t And\t what\t do\t you\t think Raavan\tmeans?\tWhat\thave\tyou\tbeen\ttold\tit\tmeans?\u2019 Raavan\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything. \u2018What\tdid\tyour\tfather\ttell\tyou?\tWhat\tdoes\tit\tmean?\u2019 \u2018He\t told\t me\t it\t means\t \u201cOne\t who\t scares\t people\u201d.\t Raavan\t is\t one\t who\t puts fear\tinto\tpeople.\u2019 \u2018Your\t father\t was\t only\t half\t right.\t The\t root\t of\t the\t word\t \u201cRaavan\u201d\t is\t \u201cRu\u201d. So\tRaavan\twould\tbe\t\u201cthe\tOne\twho\troars\tto\tfrighten\tpeople\u201d.\u2019 \u2018Are\t you\t saying\t that\t the\t root\t of\t my\t name\t and\t that\t of\t Lord\t Rudra\u2019s\t is\t the same?\u2019 \u2018It\tis.\tBut\tthe\tquestion\tis,\twhat\twill\tyou\troar\tfor,\tRaavan?\tWill\tyou\troar\tto frighten\t people?\t Or\t will\t you,\t like\t Lord\t Rudra,\t roar\t to\t shield\t those\t who\t need protection?\u2019 Vedavati\u2019s\t words\t sent\t a\t flood\t of\t positive\t energy\t and\t inspiration\t coursing through\t Raavan.\t More\t than\t ever,\t he\t felt\t connected\t to\t the\t Mahadev,\t the\t God\t of Gods. \u2018Roar,\tnoble\tRaavan,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati.\t\u2018But\troar\tin\tfavour\tof\tdharma.\tRoar\tto protect\tthe\tinnocent,\tthe\tpoor,\tthe\tneedy.\tBe\ta\ttrue\tfollower\tof\tthe\tMahadev.\tBe aggressive,\tbut\tfor\tthe\tgood\tof\tothers.\tBe\ttough,\tbut\tonly\tto\tnurture\tthe\tweak.\tBe fearsome,\t but\t only\t to\t fight\t for\t the\t virtuous.\t That\t is\t what\t Lord\t Rudra\t stood\t for. Follow\tthe\tLord\u2019s\texample.\u2019 Raavan\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\ta\tword. \u2018Jai\tShri\tRudra,\u2019\tsaid\tVedavati. \u2018Jai\tShri\tRudra!\u2019 Vedavati\tsmiled\tand\tgently\tlet\tgo\tof\tRaavan\u2019s\thand. The\t first\t step\t on\t the\t path\t for\t all\t true\t followers\t of\t the\t Mahadev\t is\t a\t ritual sacrifice\tof\tthe\tego.\tRaavan\tknew\twhat\the\thad\tto\tdo.\tHe\tkneeled\tin\tfront\tof\tthe seated\t Vedavati.\t Taking\t a\t deep\t breath,\t he\t bent\t his\t hitherto\t unyielding\t back\t and brought\this\thead\tdown\tto\tthe\tKanyakumari\u2019s\tfeet.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\this\tlife,\the sought\tthe\tblessings\tof\tanother\tliving\tperson. Vedavati\tput\tboth\ther\thands\ton\tRaavan\u2019s\thead\tand\tblessed\thim.\t\u2018May\tyou always\tlive\tin\tdharma.\tMay\tdharma\talways\tlive\tin\tyou.\u2019 Raavan\tdrew\thimself\tup\tto\this\tfull\tsix\tfeet\tand\tthree\tinches,\tand\tpulled\tout a\t sheet\t of\t papyrus\t from\t the\t pouch\t tied\t to\t his\t cummerbund.\t \u2018Please\t accept\t this, noble\tVedavati.\tDon\u2019t\tsay\tno.\u2019 For\t the\t first\t time,\t Raavan\u2019s\t heart\t was\t in\t control\t as\t he\t spoke\t aloud\t that divine\tname.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tstutter. \u2018No\tto\twhat?\u2019\tshe\tasked.","\u2018My\tfirst\tact\tof\tgenuine\tgoodness.\u2019 \u2018Why\tdo\tyou\trun\tyourself\tdown\tlike\tthat?\tYou\thave\tdone\tgood\tbefore.\tYou have\tdone\tgood\tfor\tyour\tbrother.\tFor\tthis\tvillage.\tFor\u2026\u2019 \u2018Those\t were\t selfish\t acts.\t I\t protected\t those\t who\t were\t my\t own.\t Even\t the stuff\tI\thanded\tout\there\twas\tmeant\tto\timpress\tyou.\tWhen\tI\twrote\tand\tsealed\tthis hundi,\t I\t had\t a\t selfish\t reason\t for\t it,\t but\t I\t don\u2019t\t anymore.\t I\t am\t giving\t it\t to\t you because\tI\tknow\tyou\twill\tdo\tgood\twith\tit.\u2019 \u2018Raavan,\tI\tcannot\ttake\tmoney\tfrom\tyou.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\t not\t for\t you,\t noble\t Vedavati.\t This\t is\t a\t hundi\t for\t fifty\t thousand\t gold coins,\tand\tit\u2019s\tfor\tthis\tentire\tregion.\tI\tknow\tyou\twill\tuse\tit\twell.\u2019 \u2018But\u2026\u2019 \u2018Please\t don\u2019t\t refuse.\t Don\u2019t\t stop\t me\t in\t my\t first\t act\t of\t genuine\t kindness.\t I will\tconsider\tit\ta\tblessing.\u2019 Vedavati\t took\t the\t hundi\t from\t Raavan\u2019s\t hand,\t touched\t it\t to\t her\t forehead and\t said,\t \u2018It\t is\t my\t privilege,\t noble\t Raavan.\t I\t will\t use\t it\t for\t the\t good\t of\t the common\tpeople.\u2019 \u2018That\tmeans\ta\tlot\tto\tme.\tI\tintend\tto\tcome\tback\there\tas\tan\tarya\tand\task\tfor what\tis\tdue\tto\tme\tthen.\u2019 \u2018And\tit\twill\tnot\tbe\tdenied.\tPrithvi\tand\tI\twill\tbe\thonoured.\u2019 Raavan\tfolded\this\thands\ttogether\tin\ta\tnamaste.\t\u2018I\twill\ttake\tyour\tleave\tnow, gentle\tVedavati.\tMy\tblessings\tfor\tyour\tunborn\tchild.\tHe\tor\tshe\tis\ttruly\tlucky\tto have\ta\tmother\tlike\tyou\tand\ta\tfather\tlike\tPrithvi.\u2019 \u2018Thank\tyou,\tgreat\tRaavan.\u2019 Every\t time\t Vedavati\t said\t his\t name\t out\t loud,\t a\t pleasurable\t current\t ran through\tRaavan\u2019s\tbeing.\t\u2018Till\twe\tmeet\tagain,\tVedavati.\tJai\tShri\tRudra.\u2019 \u2018Jai\tShri\tRudra.\u2019 As\t Raavan\t walked\t away\t from\t her,\t he\t felt\t a\t lightness\t in\t his\t being\t that\t he had\tnever\tfelt\tbefore.\tPositive\tenergy\tcoursed\tthrough\thim.\tEven\tthe\tpain\tin\this navel\thad\tceased\tto\tbother\thim.\tHe\twalked\twith\ta\tspring\tin\this\tstep,\tthe\tname\tof the\tMahadev\ton\this\tlips\tand\tthe\tKanyakumari\tin\this\theart. A\tman\twith\ta\tpurpose. A\tman\twalking\twith\tdharma. Neither\t he\t nor\t Vedavati\t noticed\t Sukarman,\t Shochikesh\u2019s\t son,\t hiding behind\tthe\tbushes.\tHe\thad\tbeen\tthere\tthe\tentire\ttime\tand\thad\theard\teverything. But\t only\t four\t words\t from\t the\t conversation\t reverberated\t in\t his\t mind.\t Fifty thousand\tgold\tcoins!","\u2018This\tis\tgenerous,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna,\this\teyebrows\traised\tin\tsurprise. \u2018This\tis\tonly\tthe\tbeginning,\u2019\tRaavan\tresponded,\ta\tserene\tsmile\ton\this\tface. Kumbhakarna\thad\tnever\tseen\this\tbrother\tsmile\tas\tmuch\tas\the\thad\tover\tthis past\t week.\t In\t the\t seven\t days\t since\t Raavan\t had\t last\t met\t Vedavati,\t he\t had transformed\t into\t a\t new\t person\u2014full\t of\t hope\t and\t enthusiasm.\t He\t had\t been planning\thow\tto\tuse\this\timmense\twealth\tto\thelp\tIndia.\tHe\twas\tcontemplating\tthe conquest\t of\t a\t small\t kingdom\t in\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu,\t to\t be\t set\t up\t as\t a\t model dominion\tfor\tthe\tcommon\tpeople He\talso\twanted\tto\tbuild\ta\tlarge\thospital\tattached\tto\tthe\tVaidyanath\ttemple, which\t would\t treat\t poor\t people\t from\t across\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu,\t free\t of\t cost.\t The amount\the\twas\tthinking\tof\tdonating\twas\tsizeable\tand\thad\tled\tto\tKumbhakarna\u2019s comment\ton\this\tgenerosity. \u2018Are\t you\t sure,\t Dada?\u2019\t asked\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018This\t is\t a\t huge\t amount\t of money.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\t only\t a\t drop\t in\t my\t ocean\t of\t wealth,\t Kumbha.\t You\t know\t that.\t Now, take\tthe\thundi\tto\tthe\tlocal\tmoneylender\tand\tget\tthe\tgold.\tWe\twill\tdonate\tit\tand then\tleave\tfor\tLanka.\tThere\tis\ta\tlot\tto\tdo\tand\tnot\tenough\ttime.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t smiled\t and\t nodded.\t \u2018Your\t word\t is\t my\t command,\t great devotee\tof\tthe\tKa\u2026\tKa\u2026\tKanyakumari.\u2019 Raavan\tpunched\tKumbhakarna\ton\this\tarm.\t\u2018Stop\tteasing\tme,\twill\tyou!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\twas\tstill\tlaughing\tas\the\tleft\tthe\troom. \u2018Wow,\u2019\t said\t the\t moneylender.\t \u2018Two\t hundis\t from\t the\t great\t Raavan\t on\t the\t same day.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\ttook\tthe\treceipt\tfrom\tthe\tmoneylender\tand\tput\this\tseal\ton\tit. The\tmoneylender\twould\tuse\tthis\tsigned\treceipt\t and\tRaavan\u2019s\toriginal\thundi\tto get\t the\t amount\t reimbursed\t through\t Raavan\u2019s\t closest\t trading\t office,\t in\t Magadh. And\tof\tcourse,\tearn\ta\tgenerous\tcommission\ton\tthe\ttransaction. \u2018Eighty\tthousand\tgold\tcoins,\u2019\tcontinued\tthe\tchatty\tmoneylender,\t\u2018is\ta\tlot\tof money\tfor\tour\tsmall\tVaidyanath.\tAnd\tall\tin\tthe\tsame\tday!\u2019 \u2018And\t a\t good\t commission\t for\t you\t as\t well,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna,\t good- humouredly. \u2018Yes!\u2019\t beamed\t the\t moneylender.\t \u2018I\t can\t finally\t buy\t the\t piece\t of\t land\t my wife\tand\tI\thave\tbeen\teyeing\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t smiled\t as\t he\t handed\t the\t receipt\t over\t and\t took\t the\t outsized bags\tof\tcoins.\tTwo\tsoldiers\tfrom\this\tposse\tof\tarmed\tmen\tpicked\tup\tthe\tbags\tand moved\t towards\t their\t bullock\t cart.\t Kumbhakarna\t thanked\t the\t moneylender\t and","turned\tto\tleave. Then\tsuddenly,\the\tstopped.\tHis\tsixth\tsense\tprickled. \u2018The\t woman\t who\t came\t earlier\t to\t redeem\t Raavan\u2019s\t other\t hundi,\u2019\t said Kumbhakarna.\t\u2018Did\tshe\u2014\u2019 \u2018Not\t a\t woman,\u2019\t interrupted\t the\t moneylender.\t \u2018It\t was\t a\t man.\t He\t was\t here just\tan\thour\tago.\u2019 It\twas\tPrithviji\tthen. \u2018A\tvery\tyoung\tman\the\twas\ttoo,\u2019\tcontinued\tthe\tmoneylender. Kumbhakarna\t felt\t a\t sense\t of\t foreboding\t enter\t his\t heart.\t \u2018Show\t me\t the receipt.\u2019 The\t moneylender\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u2018I\t can\u2019t\t show\t you\t the\t receipt.\t It would\u2026\u2019 He\t stopped\t talking\t as\t Kumbhakarna\t dropped\t fifty\t gold\t coins\t on\t the counter\tand\textended\ta\thand\tcommandingly.\tWithout\tany\tfurther\thesitation,\tthe moneylender\treached\tinto\tthe\tsmall\tcabinet\tbelow\tthe\tcounter\tand\tfished\tout\tthe receipt.\tKumbhakarna\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\tit,\tturned,\tand\tran\tfor\this\thorse. He\t was\t soon\t galloping\t through\t the\t streets\t to\t the\t main\t stables\t of Vaidyanath.\tThat\twas\twhere\ta\tman\twould\tgo,\tto\thire\ta\thorse\tor\tfind\ta\tplace\ton\ta departing\tcart,\tif\the\twished\tto\ttravel\tbeyond\tthe\tcity\tlimits. He\tknew\the\thad\tto\trush.\tThere\twas\tlittle\ttime. For\tthe\tname\ton\tthe\treceipt\thad\tbeen\tclearly\tinked:\tSukarman.","Chapter\t16 Raavan\tslapped\tSukarman\tviciously\tacross\tthe\tface.\t\u2018Did\tyou\tactually\tthink\tyou would\tget\taway\twith\tthis?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t had\t reached\t the\t horse\t stand\t just\t in\t time.\t Sukarman\t and\t his five\t associates\t were\t about\t to\t leave\t with\t their\t ill-gained\t wealth.\t Kumbhakarna and\t his\t guards\t had\t easily\t overpowered\t the\t six\t youths\t and\t confiscated\t the\t coins they\twere\tcarrying.\tThe\tthieves\thad\tthen\tbeen\tpresented\tbefore\tRaavan. \u2018You\t are\t lucky\t I\t am\t a\t changed\t man,\u2019\t growled\t Raavan.\t \u2018Otherwise\t your tortured\tbody\twould\tbe\tlying\there,\thalf-dead\tby\tnow.\u2019 Sukarman\tstrained\tagainst\this\tcaptors,\tlooking\tterrified. Kumbhakarna\t gestured\t to\t the\t other\t five,\t who\t stood\t clustered\t around Sukarman.\t\u2018Who\tare\tthese\tmen,\tSukarman?\tI\tdon\u2019t\trecognise\tthem.\tThey\tare\tnot from\tyour\tvillage,\u2019\the\tsaid. Sukarman\twas\tshivering\tnow,\ttoo\tpetrified\tto\tanswer. \u2018Let\u2019s\t take\t him\t back\t to\t Todee,\t Dada,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018We\t can\t let Vedavatiji\tdecide\twhat\tis\tto\tbe\tdone\twith\thim.\u2019 Raavan\tcontinued\tto\tstare\tat\tSukarman.\tDespite\tthe\tshow\tof\tanger,\the\twas quite\tin\tcontrol\tof\this\temotions.\tAt\tthe\tmention\tof\tVedavati,\the\tfelt\teven\tcalmer. \u2018We\tcould,\tbut\tI\tsuspect\tshe\twill\tforgive\thim.\tAnd\tthis\tbastard\tdoes\tnot\tdeserve forgiveness.\u2019 Sukarman\t suddenly\t lost\t control\t of\t his\t bladder\t and\t wet\t himself.\t Raavan\u2019s first\treaction\twas\tto\tlaugh,\tbut\tthen\the\tstopped. A\t thought\t too\t painful\t to\t consider\t mauled\t its\t way\t into\t his\t consciousness. For\ta\tfew\tseconds,\the\twas\tparalysed,\tafraid\teven\tto\tacknowledge\tit. Oh\tLord\tRudra\u2026\tNo\u2026 Stricken\t with\t horror,\t Raavan\t turned\t to\t look\t at\t his\t younger\t brother.\t His heart\t sank\t when\t he\t saw\t that\t Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t expression\t mirrored\t his\t own.\t He","turned\this\tgaze\tto\tSukarman,\tas\tif\tin\ta\ttrance.\tThe\tcolour\thad\tvanished\tfrom\tthe man\u2019s\tface.\tHe\t stood\tthere,\ttrembling,\t a\twretched\tfigure.\tRaavan\tfelt\this\t heart turn\tto\tice.\tThis\twasn\u2019t\tjust\ta\trobbery\u2026\tThis\twas\u2026 Lord\tRudra,\thave\tmercy! It\t was\t Kumbhakarna\t who\t gathered\t his\t wits\t first.\t He\t moved\t swiftly, shouting\tas\the\tran,\t\u2018Guards!\tEveryone!\tWe\tare\triding\tout\tto\tTodee!\tNow!\u2019 Less\t than\t an\t hour\t later,\t Raavan\u2019s\t entourage\t of\t over\t one\t hundred\t soldiers thundered\t into\t Todee.\t Only\t Samichi\t had\t been\t left\t behind\t on\t Kumbhakarna\u2019s orders.\t Sukarman\t had\t been\t tied\t to\t the\t back\t of\t a\t horse,\t whose\t reins\t were\t in\t the hand\t of\t one\t of\t Raavan\u2019s\t mounted\t warriors.\t His\t five\t companions\t were\t being hauled\tback\tto\tTodee\tin\ta\tsimilar\tmanner. As\tthe\thorses\tgalloped\tinto\tthe\tvillage,\tit\tbecame\timmediately\tobvious\tthat something\twas\tamiss. There\twas\ta\tdeathly\tsilence\tall\taround. Raavan\twhipped\this\thorse\tand\tcontinued\tto\trace\tahead,\tleading\tthe\tway\tto Vedavati\u2019s\t house\t at\t the\t centre\t of\t the\t village.\t There\t was\t a\t massive\t crowd\t in\t the open\t square\t right\t outside\t it.\t Almost\t the\t entire\t village\t seemed\t to\t have congregated\tthere. Raavan\t vaulted\t off\t his\t horse\t and\t ran\t towards\t the\t house,\t pushing\t people aside.\tHis\theart\twas\tpounding.\tHis\tmouth\tfelt\tdry\twith\tforeboding. Kumbhakarna\twas\tclose\tbehind\thim. As\tRaavan\tshoved\ta\tscrawny\tvillager\tout\tof\this\tway,\the\tnearly\ttripped\tover something\tlying\ton\tthe\tground. Without\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tglance,\the\tstraightened\tup\tand\tstumbled\ton,\ttowards the\tmodest\thut\tthat\tbelonged\tto\tVedavati\tand\tPrithvi. It\t was\t Kumbhakarna\t who\t realised\t what\t it\t was\t that\t Raavan\t had\t tripped over. Prithvi\u2019s\tbloodied\tand\tmutilated\tbody. Oh\tLord\tRudra\u2026 There\thad\tclearly\tbeen\ta\tstruggle.\tPrithvi\thad\tbeen\tstabbed\tmultiple\ttimes, and\t had\t probably\t bled\t to\t death.\t It\t was\t clear\t that\t he\t had\t died\t slowly.\t A\t trail\t of blood\t on\t the\t ground\t suggested\t that\t he\t had\t tried\t to\t drag\t himself\t towards\t his house,\ttill\this\tbody\tgave\tway. Kumbhakarna\t looked\t up.\t Towards\t Prithvi\u2019s\t house.\t Where\t the\t pregnant Vedavati\twould\thave\tbeen. And\tthen\the\theard\ta\tcry.","It\twas\tthe\tsound\tof\traw,\tunfathomable\tanguish.\tThe\tbroken\tvoice\tof\ta\tsoul struck\tdown\twith\tunimaginable\tgrief. He\tran\ttowards\tVedavati\u2019s\thut,\troughly\tpushing\taside\teveryone\tin\this\tpath. He\temerged\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd\tto\tsee\tRaavan\ton\this\tknees\toutside\tthe\topen\tdoor. Sobbing\tuncontrollably. Steeling\t his\t heart,\t Kumbhakarna\t looked\t through\t the\t open\t door\t into\t the one-room\t hut.\t The\t sight\t made\t his\t blood\t curdle.\t Vedavati\t lay\t on\t the\t floor,\t her right\tarm\ttwisted\tat\ta\tstrange\tangle.\tHer\tleft\thand\twas\ton\ther\tbelly,\tas\tif\tshe\twas protecting\ther\tunborn\tchild.\tOr\thad\tdied\ttrying\tto\tprotect\tit.\tFor\tmost\tof\tthe\tstab wounds\t were\t on\t her\t belly.\t She\t had\t been\t knifed\t at\t least\t fifteen\t to\t twenty\t times. The\tblood\thad\tflowed\tand\tcongealed\taround\ther,\ta\tmacabre\tred\tshroud\tcradling her\t dead\t body.\t Her\t face,\t always\t so\t still\t and\t serene,\t had\t not\t been\t spared\t either. The\t attacker\t had\t jabbed\t the\t knife\t straight\t into\t her\t left\t eye.\t By\t the\t look\t of\t it,\t it was\ta\tdeep\twound.\tPerhaps\tthe\twound\tthat\thad\tfinally\tkilled\ther.\tThe\tblow\tthat had\tsnuffed\tout\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tLiving\tGoddess. Kumbhakarna\tbent\tover,\tunable\tto\tbelieve\twhat\the\twas\tseeing.\tBlinded\tby tears,\the\tstumbled\ttowards\this\tbrother\tand\treached\tout\tto\ttouch\this\tshoulder. Raavan\tshrank\tback\tat\tthe\ttouch,\tas\tthough\tseared\tby\tfire.\tHe\tlooked\tat\this younger\tbrother.\tTears\tstreaming\tdown\this\tface. Kumbhakarna\tcollapsed\ton\this\tknees.\t\u2018Dada\u2026\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tskies.\tTo\tthe\tcloud\tpalaces\twhere\tthe\tGods\twere supposed\tto\tlive.\t\u2018YOU\tSONS\tOF\tBITCHES!!\tWHY?!\tWHY\tHER?!\tWHY?!!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tembraced\tRaavan,\tnot\tknowing\twhat\telse\tto\tdo,\tor\tsay. They\tsay\ttears\tcan\twash\taway\tgrief.\tThey\tlie. There\tare\tsome\tkinds\tof\tgrief\tthat\teven\ta\tmillion\ttears\tcannot\twash\taway. Which\thaunt\tyou\tfor\tlife.\tFor\tall\ttime. They\tsay\ttime\theals\tall\twounds.\tThey\tlie. Sometimes,\t the\t grief\t one\t is\t cursed\t with\t is\t so\t immense\t that\t even\t time surrenders\tto\tit. The\tbrothers\theld\teach\tother.\tCrying\tinconsolably. Raavan\u2019s\t men\t had\t slowly\t gathered\t around\t Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna.\t None\t of them\t truly\t understood\t what\t was\t going\t on.\t But\t they\t could\t see\t that\t their\t trader- prince\twas\tdevastated. The\tvillagers,\ttoo\tstunned\tto\tdo\tanything,\tstood\taround\tweeping. Shochikesh\t slowly\t staggered\t up\t to\t Raavan.\t His\t eyes\t were\t swollen\t with tears\tand\this\tbody\tstooped\twith\tgrief.\t\u2018I\tam\tso\tsorry,\tJai\u2026\tI\u2026\u2019","He\tstill\thad\tno\tidea\twho\tRaavan\twas. \u2018Where\tthe\thell\twere\tall\tof\tyou\twhen\tthis\thappened?\u2019\tRaavan\tsnarled.\tThe rage\tof\tthe\tentire\tuniverse\tseemed\tto\tsweep\tthrough\thim. \u2018Jai\u2026\t There\u2019s\t nothing\t we\t could\t have\t done\u2026\t We\t rushed\t here\t when\t we heard\tnoises\u2026\tbut\tthey\twere\tarmed\u2026\u2019 Raavan\tfelt\tthe\tfury\trise\tagain\twithin\thim.\tHe\tlooked\taround.\tThere\twere at\t least\t two\t hundred\t villagers\t assembled\t near\t the\t hut.\t He\t looked\t at\t Sukarman and\this\tfive\taccomplices,\teach\tone\tsecurely\ttied\tto\tthe\ttrunk\tof\ta\ttree\tbeside\tthe hut. Two\thundred\tagainst\tsix. Raavan\u2019s\t voice\t dropped\t to\t a\t menacing\t whisper\t as\t he\t addressed Shochikesh.\t \u2018She\t was\t your\t Goddess.\t She\t held\t up\t this\t entire\t pathetic\t village. Cared\tfor\tit\tlike\ta\tmother.\tAnd\tall\tof\tyou\ttogether\tcould\tnot\tprotect\ther\tfrom\tsix thugs?\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tso\tsorry\u2026\twe\u2026\tMany\tgot\tscared\tand\tran\taway\u2026\u2019 Raavan\trose\tto\this\tfull\theight,\ttowering\tover\tShochikesh.\t\u2018Ran\taway?\tYou sons\tof\tbitches\tran\taway?\u2019 Shochikesh\t looked\t at\t the\t Lankan\t trader\u2019s\t bloodshot\t eyes,\t his\t own\t panic rising.\tHe\ttried\tto\treason\twith\tRaavan.\t\u2018But\u2026\tBut\twhat\tcould\twe\u2026\u2019 The\t words\t remained\t frozen\t on\t Shochikesh\u2019s\t lips.\t His\t eyes\t widened\t as\t he looked\t down\t to\t see\t a\t knife\t buried\t deep\t in\t his\t body.\t He\t stood\t in\t shock\t for\t a moment,\tbefore\the\tlet\tout\tan\tagonised\tscream.\tRaavan\thad\tdrawn\this\tlong\tknife in\tone\tsmooth,\trapid\tarc\tand\tthrust\tit\tinto\tthe\tother\tman\u2019s\tabdomen.\tThe\tscream infuriated\t Raavan\t even\t more.\t He\t rammed\t the\t knife\t in\t further,\t twisting\t it viciously.\t The\t blade\t ripped\t through\t to\t the\t other\t side,\t the\t point\t bursting\t out\t of Shochikesh\u2019s\tback.\tRaavan\tyanked\this\tweapon\tout\tand\tpushed\tShochikesh\tback. The\tflame-haired\tman\tfell\tto\tthe\tground,\tbleeding\tcopiously.\tIt\twould\tbe\ta\tslow, painful\tdeath. The\tvillagers\tstood\trooted\tto\ttheir\tspots,\tparalysed\twith\tfear. Raavan\tlooked\tdown\tat\tShochikesh\u2019s\tbody\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tThen\tthe\ttrader from\tLanka\thawked\tand\tspat\ton\tthe\tTodee\tlandlord. Continuing\t to\t look\t down,\t Raavan\t ordered\t in\t a\t low\t growl,\t \u2018Kill\t them\t all.\u2019 Then\the\tpointed\tto\twhere\tSukarman\tand\this\tgang\twere\ttied\tup.\t\u2018Except\tthem.\u2019 The\t villagers\t scattered\t and\t ran\t screaming\t in\t all\t directions\t as\t Raavan\u2019s soldiers\t rushed\t to\t obey\t their\t lord\u2019s\t command.\t The\t residents\t of\t Todee\t did\t not stand\ta\tchance.\tEvery\tone\tof\tthem\twas\tkilled.","Corpses\t littered\t the\t ground.\t Men.\t Women.\t Children.\t Cut\t down\t where\t they stood.\tIt\twas\tall\tover\tin\tjust\ta\tfew\tminutes. Raavan\t stood\t next\t to\t one\t of\t Sukarman\u2019s\t associates,\t while\t Kumbhakarna stood\t on\t his\t other\t side.\t The\t Lankan\t soldiers,\t holding\t their\t bloodied\t swords, were\tat\tthe\tback.\tSukarman\u2019s\thands\thad\tbeen\tnailed\tto\ta\tdoor\tthat\tfaced\tthe\ttrees where\this\tassociates\thad\tbeen\ttied\tup.\tHe\tcould\tsee\texactly\twhat\twas\tbeing\tdone to\tthem. Raavan\theld\ta\tburning\tlog\tto\tthe\tman\u2019s\tarm,\tletting\tthe\tfire\tincinerate\tthe skin\t and\t roast\t the\t flesh.\t The\t sickening\t smell\t of\t burning\t flesh\t pervaded\t the atmosphere.\t The\t blood-curdling\t screams\t of\t the\t man\t being\t slowly\t burnt\t alive rent\tthe\tair. But\tRaavan\twasn\u2019t\teven\tlooking\tat\tthe\tvictim\tof\this\ttorture.\tHis\teyes\twere focused\t on\t Sukarman\u2019s\t face.\t \u2018Did\t you\t do\t this\t only\t for\t money?\t Or\t were\t you ordered\tby\tsomeone\tto\tkill\ther?\u2019 The\t petrified\t Sukarman\t began\t to\t blabber.\t \u2018I\u2026\t so\t sorry\u2026\t forgive me\u2026\tplease\u2026\tforgive\tme\u2026\ttake\tall\tthe\tmoney\u2026\u2019 Pure,\t unadulterated\t rage\t flashed\t in\t Raavan\u2019s\t eyes.\t He\t raised\t the\t flaming log\tand\theld\tit\tcloser\tto\this\tagonised\tvictim\u2019s\tface.\tThen\the\tturned\this\tattention back\tto\tSukarman.\t\u2018You\tthink\tthis\tis\tabout\tmoney?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tspoke\tup.\t\u2018Where\tis\tthe\tKanyakumari\u2019s\tbaby?\u2019 When\t Vedavati\u2019s\t body\t was\t examined,\t her\t womb\t had\t been\t found\t to\t be empty.\tWhich\tmeant\tthat\tshe\thad\tgiven\tbirth\tto\ther\tchild\tbefore\tshe\twas\tkilled. However,\tthere\twas\tno\ttrace\tof\tthe\tbaby. \u2018Sukarman,\t I\t asked\t you\t a\t question.\t Where\t is\t the\t baby?\u2019\t growled Kumbhakarna. Sukarman\tremained\tsilent,\tlooking\tdown\tat\tthe\tground.\tFear\thad\tmade\thim lose\tcontrol\tof\this\tbladder\tagain. \u2018Sukarman.\u2019\tKumbhakarna\u2019s\tfists\twere\tclenched\ttight.\t\u2018You\u2019d\tbetter\ttalk.\u2019 Suddenly,\tone\tof\tSukarman\u2019s\tassociates\tspoke\tup.\t\u2018He\tordered\tme\tto\tdo\tit. Sukarman\tdid.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto.\u2019 \u2018What\tdid\tyou\tdo?\u2019\tsnarled\tKumbhakarna,\tglaring\tat\tthe\tman. \u2018He\tordered\tme\tto.\tIt\u2019s\this\tfault\u2026\u2019 \u2018WHAT\tDID\tYOU\tDO?\u2019 The\tman\tfell\tsilent. Kumbhakarna\tstrode\tup\tand\tlooked\thim\tfiercely\tin\tthe\teye. \u2018What\tdid\tyou\tdo?\tTell\tme.\tAnd\tyou\twill\thave\tmercy.\u2019 The\tman\tlooked\tat\tSukarman\tand\tthen\tback\tat\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018He\tordered me\tto\u2026\tthrow\tthe\tbaby\tinto\tthe\twild.\tAnd\tlet\tthe\tanimals\u2026\teat\u2026\tI\tmean\u2026\u2019\tHis words\t stumbled\t to\t a\t stop.\t Even\t his\t pathetic\t barbarian\t soul\t was\t ashamed\t of\t the"]
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