RAAVAN (Amish Tripathi)

["\u2018Thatha\u2026\tthuuu\u2026\tthokay?\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\t tears\t flowed\t more\t strongly\t as\t he\t understood\t what\t his\t younger brother\twas\tsaying.\tEven\tin\tthis\tstate,\tKumbhakarna\twas\tmore\tconcerned\tabout Raavan\u2019s\t wellbeing.\t The\t king\t of\t Lanka\t kissed\t his\t younger\t brother\u2019s\t forehead gently.\t\u2018I\tam\tokay.\tYou\trest,\tlittle\tbrother,\tyou\trest.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\u2019s\tpartially\tparalysed\tface\tshaped\titself\tinto\ta\tcrooked\tsmile. \u2018Thuuu\u2026\tthowe\u2026\tthmee.\u2019 Raavan\t smiled\t through\t his\t tears.\t \u2018Yes.\t Yes,\t I\t owe\t you,\t my\t brother.\t I\t owe you.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t shook\t his\t head\t slightly,\t the\t crooked\t smile\t still\t on\t his\t face. \u2018Thust\u2026\tthoking\u2026\u2019 \u2018Rest,\tKumbha.\tRest\u2026\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tclosed\this\teyes. Raavan\t held\t his\t brother\u2019s\t head\t close\t to\t his\t chest,\t crying.\t \u2018I\t am\t so\t sorry, Kumbha.\tI\tam\tso\tsorry.\tI\tshould\thave\tlistened\tto\tyou.\u2019 \u2018My\t lord,\u2019\t whispered\t one\t of\t the\t Lankan\t soldiers,\t looking\t through\t a porthole. Raavan\tlooked\tup. \u2018The\t gas\t is\t still\t visible,\u2019\t the\t man\t said.\t \u2018It\t has\t wrapped\t itself\t around\t our men.\tWhat\tdo\twe\tdo?\u2019 Raavan\t knew\t what\t that\t meant.\t All\t his\t soldiers\t who\t lay\t on\t the\t ground outside\t the\t Pushpak\t Vimaan\t would\t be\t paralysed\t for\t days,\t if\t not\t weeks.\t They would\tbe\tin\ta\tcoma,\tfrom\twhich\tsome\tof\tthem\twould\tnever\tawake.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t step\tout\teither.\tFor\tthe\teffects\tof\tthe\tgas\tcould\tstill\tbe\tstrong. The\t Battle\t of\t Mithila\t had\t been\t lost.\t His\t bodyguard\t corps\t was\t destroyed. He\thad\tno\tsoldiers\tleft,\tbesides\tthe\tfew\twithin\tthe\tvimaan.\tThere\twas\tnothing\the could\tdo. But\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tmatter\tso\tmuch\tnow. He\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\tbrother.\tAnd\tpulled\thim\tcloser. All\tthat\tmattered\twas\this\tbrother.\tHe\thad\tto\tget\tKumbhakarna\tback\ton\this feet. Raavan\t looked\t at\t the\t pilots\t of\t the\t Pushpak\t Vimaan.\t \u2018Fly\t us\t out\t of\t this cursed\tplace.\u2019","Chapter\t28 Raavan\t breathed\t deeply.\t \u2018Finally,\t a\t chance\t to\t get\t back\t at\t the\t Malayaputras,\u2019\t he said. A\t little\t more\t than\t thirteen\t years\t had\t passed\t since\t the\t Battle\t of\t Mithila. Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t were\t in\t Sigiriya,\t in\t the\t king\u2019s\t private\t office\t in\t the royal\tpalace.\tThe\tmemory\tof\tthe\tbattle\thad\tfaded\twith\ttime,\tbut\tthe\twound\twas still\traw\tfor\tRaavan. The\t humiliating\t defeat\t and\t the\t devastating\t destruction\t of\t Raavan\u2019s\t ten- thousand-strong\t bodyguard\t corps\t had\t not\t had\t as\t much\t of\t an\t impact\t across\t the Sapt\t Sindhu\t as\t he\t had\t feared.\t For\t a\t short\t period\t after\t the\t Battle\t of\t Mithila, others\t within\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu\t had\t started\t dreaming\t of\t challenging\t Lankan authority.\tThey\thad\teven\tbegun\tto\tsee\tRam,\tthe\tprince\tof\tAyodhya,\tas\tthe\tleader of\t the\t resistance.\t But\t before\t the\t movement\t could\t gather\t force,\t Ram\t had\t been banished\t for\t fourteen\t years\t from\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu\t by\t King\t Dashrath,\t for\t the unauthorised\t use\t of\t the\t daivi\t astra,\t in\t accordance\t with\t the\t laws\t of\t the\t previous Mahadev.\t All\t dreams\t of\t a\t rebellion\t had\t died\t with\t his\t departure.\t The\t fact\t that Ram\u2019s\twife\tSita,\tthe\tprincess\tof\tMithila,\tand\this\tyounger\tbrother\tLakshman\thad left\twith\thim\thad\thit\tmorale\tfurther. Raavan\thad\tendured\ta\tloss\tof\tprestige\ttoo.\tHis\tpeople\thad\texpected\thim\tto return\tto\tMithila\tand\tdestroy\tit\tto\tavenge\tthe\tdefeat\the\thad\tsuffered,\tbut\tRaavan knew\tthat\tthe\tLankan\tarmy\twas\tin\tno\tcondition\tfor\tan\tall-out\twar.\tBesides,\tthe Malayaputras\t had\t left\t Mithila\t with\t the\t Lankan\t soldiers,\t who\t had\t been\t revived and\tthen\timprisoned.\tThe\tprice\tfor\treturning\tthem\twas\tRaavan\u2019s\tsolemn\toath,\tin Lord\tRudra\u2019s\tname,\tthat\the\twould\tnot\tattack\tMithila\tor\tany\tother\tkingdom\tin\tthe Sapt\tSindhu. To\t ensure\t that\t Raavan\t kept\t his\t word,\t Guru\t Vishwamitra\t had\t warned\t him that\t if\t he\t so\t much\t as\t thought\t of\t mobilising\t his\t army\t to\t attack\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu,","he\twould\tstop\treceiving\tthe\tmedicines\tthat\tkept\thim\tand\tKumbhakarna\talive.\tTo drive\t the\t point\t home,\t he\t had\t further\t raised\t the\t price\t of\t the\t medicines\t and\t the cave\tmaterial.\tThough\tburning\twith\thumiliation,\tRaavan\thad\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut to\t accept\t these\t terms.\t But\t he\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t a\t chance\t to\t get\t back\t at\t the Malayaputras,\tand\tit\tseemed\tnow\tthat\tan\topportunity\thad\tfinally\tpresented\titself. \u2018It\u2019s\t not\t about\t vengeance,\t Dada,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018It\u2019s\t about\t getting what\twe\twant.\tWe\thave\tto\tbe\tcareful.\tVery\tcareful.\u2019 \u2018That\tmay\tbe\ttrue\tfor\tyou.\tFor\tme,\tgetting\tback\tat\tthe\tMalayaputras\tis\tjust as\timportant.\tBut\tI\twould\tnever\tdo\tanything\tsilly,\tor\tin\tanger.\tI\tam\tnot\tstupid.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tthrew\tup\this\thands\tin\tacceptance.\t\u2018All\tright.\u2019 \u2018The\timportant\tthing\tis,\tthey\thave\ta\tVishnu\tnow.\tAnd\tan\tinteresting\tchoice of\ta\tVishnu\ttoo,\u2019\tRaavan\tsaid\tthoughtfully. \u2018Yes,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018Suddenly\ta\tlot\tof\tthings\tare\tmaking\tsense.\tFor instance,\t I\t could\t never\t understand\t why\t the\t Malayaputras\t were\t so\t desperate\t to save\t Mithila.\t They\t used\t the\t Asuraastra,\t defying\t the\t ban\t by\t Lord\t Rudra\t and possibly\t damaging\t their\t relations\t with\t the\t Vayuputras\t permanently.\t An insignificant\t kingdom\t like\t Mithila\t was\t surely\t not\t worth\t such\t a\t risk.\t But\t it\u2019s apparent\t now\t that\t they\t were\t not\t trying\t to\t save\t their\t precious\t city\t of\t sages,\t but their\t Vishnu!\t They\t knew\t that\t you\t were\t so\t angry,\t you\t would\t have\t killed everyone\tthere\tthat\tday.\u2019 Raavan\tnodded.\t\u2018True.\tThey\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tfor\ttheir\town\tlives.\tThey\tcare\tonly about\ttheir\tmission.\tAnd\tfor\ttheir\tmission\tto\tsucceed,\tthey\tneed\tthe\tVishnu.\u2019 \u2018Princess\tSita.\u2019 \u2018Who\twould\thave\tthought\tthey\twould\tselect\tsomeone\tfrom\ttiny,\tpowerless Mithila\t for\t a\t Vishnu,\u2019\t said\t Raavan,\t flexing\t his\t right\t shoulder.\t He\t was\t close\t to sixty\tyears\told\tnow,\tand\taches\tand\tpains\thad\tbecome\ta\tconstant\tpart\tof\this\tlife. Also,\t the\t medicines\t that\t kept\t him\t alive\t were\t taking\t a\t toll\t on\t his\t strength.\t The mysterious\tplague\travaging\tSigiriya\twas\tonly\tcausing\tfurther\tdamage. \u2018She\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tonly\tcandidate,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna. Raavan\tlooked\tat\this\tyounger\tbrother,\tsurprised. \u2018The\tVayuputras\tand\tGuru\tVashishtha\tbelieve\tthat\tRam\tshould\tbe\tthe\tnext Vishnu,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna. Vashishtha\twas\tthe\traj\tguru\tand\tchief\tadviser\tto\tthe\tAyodhya\troyal\tfamily. But\t his\t position\t within\t the\t Sapt\t Sindhu\t royalty\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t main\t reason\t he\t was held\tin\tsuch\thigh\testeem\tacross\tthe\tland.\tHe\twas\talso\ta\tmaharishi,\ta\tgreat\t man of\t knowledge,\t whose\t intellect\t was\t unmatched.\t His\t only\t equal,\t perhaps,\t was\t the chief\t of\t the\t Malayaputras,\t Maharishi\t Vishwamitra.\t It\t was\t also\t well\t known\t that Maharishi\t Vashishtha\t was\t very\t close\t to\t the\t Vayuputras,\t the\t tribe\t left\t behind\t by the\tprevious\tMahadev,\tLord\tRudra.","\u2018Ram?\tReally?\u2019 \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\t awkward,\u2019\t said\t Raavan.\t \u2018What\t are\t the\t Vayuputras\t and\t Guru Vashishtha\ttrying\tto\tdo?\tCreate\tmarital\tdiscord\tbetween\tRam\tand\tSita?\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t laughed.\t \u2018In\t any\t case,\t what\t the\t Vayuputras\t or\t Guru Vashishtha\t think\t about\t the\t Vishnu\t has\t no\t bearing\t on\t the\t final\t choice.\t The Vishnu\tis\tselected\tby\tthe\tMalayaputras\talone.\tAnd\tGuru\tVishwamitra\thas\tmade his\tchoice.\tSita\twill\tbe\tthe\tnext\tVishnu.\u2019 Raavan\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair\tand\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\t\u2018What\tis\tthe\tcause of\t this\t fight\t between\t Guru\t Vashishtha\t and\t Guru\t Vishwamitra?\t Weren\u2019t\t they friends\tonce?\u2019 \u2018I\t don\u2019t\t know,\t Dada.\t That\u2019s\t something\t for\t another\t story,\t another\t book.\t It has\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tus.\u2019 \u2018But\tyou\tdo\tknow\ta\tlot\tabout\tmost\tthings,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan.\t\u2018How\tdid\tyou\tfind out\tso\tmuch\tabout\tthis\tVishnu\tbusiness?\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tbest\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u2019 \u2018Why?\u2019 \u2018Just\ttrust\tme,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\t stared\t at\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018Why\t do\t I\t get\t the\t feeling\t sometimes\t that we\tare\tpawns\tin\ta\tmuch\tbigger\tgame?\u2019 \u2018Every\thuman\tbeing\tis\ta\tpawn,\tDada.\tBut\tin\tchess,\tthe\tpawn\tthat\tbreaches the\tother\tside\tsuddenly\tbecomes\tvery\tpowerful.\u2019 Raavan\t raised\t his\t eyebrows\t and\t smiled.\t \u2018There\t is\t a\t difference\t between chess\tand\treal\tlife,\tlittle\tbrother.\u2019 \u2018Of\t course.\t But\t chess\t is\t a\t representation\t of\t real\t life.\t How\t you\t play\t chess says\ta\tlot\tabout\thow\tyou\tlive\tas\twell.\u2019 \u2018Wise\twords,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan.\t\u2018In\tany\tcase,\tI\ttrust\tyou\tcompletely,\tKumbha. Any\ttime\tI\thave\tnot\ttrusted\tyou,\tI\thave\tsuffered.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tlaughed\tand\tstifled\ta\tyawn. \u2018Feeling\tsleepy\tagain?\u2019\tasked\tRaavan,\ta\tguilty\tlook\ton\this\tface. The\t Asuraastra\t had\t had\t a\t debilitating\t effect\t on\t Kumbhakarna.\t Born\t a Naga,\the\thad\tsuffered\taches\tand\tdiscomfort\tsince\this\tchildhood.\tHis\toutgrowths were\t painful\t at\t the\t joints,\t and\t would\t bleed\t profusely\t during\t his\t childhood.\t The Malayaputra\t medicines\t had\t helped\t keep\t the\t pain\t and\t bleeding\t in\t check. However,\texposure\tto\tthe\tnoxious\tAsuraastra\u2019s\tgreen\tlight\thad\tcaused\ta\tmassive deterioration\tin\this\tcondition.\tFurthermore,\tat\tfifty-one,\the\twas\tnot\tas\tstrong\tas he\thad\tonce\tbeen.\tThe\trenewed\tbleeding\tand\tpain\twere\talmost\tunbearable\tnow. The\tMalayaputra\tphysicians\thad\tvisited\tSigiriya\tand\tformulated\tsome\tnew medicines\tthat\thelped\tmanage\tthe\tpain\tand\tthe\tbleeding\tto\tsome\textent,\tbut\tthey","also\t made\t Kumbhakarna\t extremely\t lethargic.\t He\t slept\t for\t most\t part\t of\t the\t day, every\tday.\tThe\tonly\tway\the\tcould\tget\this\tfocus\tback\twas\tby\tavoiding\thaving\tthe medicines\tfor\ta\tfew\tdays.\tBut\tthe\tpain\twould\treturn\talmost\timmediately,\tand\tthe bleeding\t would\t restart\t if\t he\t skipped\t the\t medicines\t for\t more\t than\t five\t days. Anything\tbeyond\tthat,\tand\this\tlife\titself\twould\tbe\tat\trisk. And\tall\tthis\tbecause\the\thad\tput\thimself\tin\tdanger\tto\tsave\this\tbrother\u2019s\tlife during\tthe\tBattle\tof\tMithila. Raavan\thad\tnot\tbeen\table\tto\tforgive\thimself.\tHe\thad\tcurtailed\tall\this\tother plans\t over\t the\t last\t thirteen\t years\u2014from\t the\t expansion\t of\t the\t Lankan\t empire\t to the\t takeover\t of\t Kishkindha.\t He\t focused\t instead\t on\t ensuring\t that\t his\t younger brother\tremained\talive\tand\tas\thealthy\tas\tpossible. Kumbhakarna\tsmiled\tat\tRaavan.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tall\tright,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\tsmiled\tand\tpatted\this\tbrother\u2019s\tshoulder. \u2018In\t any\t case,\u2019\t Kumbhakarna\t continued,\t \u2018we\t have\t nothing\t to\t do\t with\t the Vayuputras\t or\t Guru\t Vashishtha.\t We\t only\t need\t the\t Malayaputras\t under\t our control.\tAnd\tthat\twill\thappen\twhen\twe\ttake\tthe\tVishnu\taway.\tThey\twill\twant\tto free\t her\t at\t any\t cost,\t and\t that\u2019s\t when\t we\t can\t really\t squeeze\t them\t dry.\t We\u2019ll demand\t the\t medicine\t supply\t we\t need\t for\t the\t next\t twenty\t years\t in\t one\t shot\u2014 without\t paying\t their\t ridiculous\t prices.\t Nothing\t stops\t us\t from\t demanding\t more from\tthe\tMalayaputras\tas\tlong\tas\tthe\tVishnu\tremains\timprisoned\tin\tLanka.\u2019 Raavan\tnodded. \u2018Do\twe\tgo\tahead\tthen?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Yes,\twe\thave\tto\tkidnap\tSita.\u2019 \u2018Remember,\tDada,\tit\u2019s\tnot\tabout\tvengeance.\tWe\twill\tonly\task\tfor\twhat\twe want.\t We\t just\t need\t some\t leverage\t over\t the\t Malayaputras.\t We\t will\t not\t kill\t the Vishnu.\u2019 Raavan\tnodded. \u2018She\twill\tbe\tour\tprisoner.\u2019 \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u2018A\tpolitical\tprisoner.\tShe\twill\tbe\tkept\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tpalaces\tin\tLanka,\tnot\tin the\tdungeons.\u2019 \u2018I\tget\tit,\tKumbha!\tYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tgo\ton\tabout\tit!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tsmiled\tand\tput\this\tpalms\ttogether\tin\tapology. \u2018Dada,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthis\tis\ta\tgood\tidea,\u2019\twhispered\tKumbhakarna. Raavan\t was\t in\t his\t private\t chamber\t in\t the\t royal\t palace\t of\t Sigiriya,\t with Kumbhakarna.\t Raavan\u2019s\t son,\t the\t twenty-seven-year-old\t Indrajit,\t was\t also","present.\t Indrajit\t had\t the\t same\t intimidating\t physical\t presence\t as\t his\t father.\t He was\t tall\t and\t astonishingly\t muscular,\t with\t a\t voice\t that\t was\t deep\t and commanding.\t He\t had\t also\t inherited\t his\t mother\u2019s\t high\t cheekbones\t and\t thick brown\thair,\twhich\the\twore\tin\ta\tleonine\tmane,\twith\ttwo\tside\tpartings\tand\ta\tlong knot\t at\t the\t crown\t of\t his\t head.\t An\t oiled\t handlebar\t moustache\t sat\t well\t on\t his smooth-complexioned\tface.\tHis\tclothes\twere\tsober\u2014a\tfawn-coloured\tdhoti\tand a\t creamy\t white\t angvastram.\t He\t wore\t no\t jewellery,\t except\t for\t the\t ear\t studs\t that most\twarriors\tin\tIndia\tfavoured.\tThe\tplague\tthat\twas\travaging\tLanka\thad\thad\tno impact\ton\tIndrajit,\twhich\tmade\tRaavan\tproud. The\t king\t of\t Lanka\t adored\t his\t son.\t He\t had\t picked\t the\t name\t himself: Indrajit\tmeant\tone\twho\tcould\tdefeat\tthe\tking\tof\tthe\tGods,\tIndra. Indra\twas\tthe\tlegendary\tking\tof\tthe\tDevas\tin\tthe\thoary\tpast.\tThe\tname\thad, over\t time,\t become\t a\t title\t for\t all\t who\t were\t considered\t the\t kings\t of\t the\t Gods. Raavan\u2019s\thigh\taspirations\tfor\this\tson\twere\tno\tsecret. \u2018I\t agree\t with\t Kumbhakarna\t Uncle,\u2019\t said\t Indrajit,\t speaking\t quietly\t so\t his voice\twouldn\u2019t\tcarry\tfar.\t\u2018This\tis\tan\timportant\tmission.\tI\tthink\twe\tshould\tbe\tthe ones\t to\t carry\t it\t out.\t We\t can\u2019t\t leave\t it\t to\t Uncle\t and\t Aunty,\t who\t are\t a\t hideous combination\tof\tarrogance\tand\tincompetence.\u2019 Raavan\t regarded\t the\t man\t and\t the\t woman\t who\t stood\t at\t a\t respectful distance\tfrom\thim.\tVibhishan\tand\tShurpanakha\u2014his\thalf-siblings\tand\tIndrajit\u2019s \u2018uncle\t and\t aunty\u2019.\t The\t two\t had\t volunteered\t for\t the\t job\t of\t kidnapping\t Sita. Raavan\t could\t barely\t keep\t his\t revulsion\t from\t showing\t on\t his\t face\t when\t he looked\t at\t them.\t They\t were\t born\t of\t a\t father\t he\t hated\t and\t a\t stepmother\t he despised,\t and\t if\t that\t wasn\u2019t\t enough,\t his\t rent-a-tear\t mother\t Kaikesi\t had\t adopted and\t nurtured\t them.\t She\t would\t go\t to\t any\t length\t to\t undermine\t him,\t he\t thought again. \u2018We\u2019ll\ttake\tcare\tof\tit,\tDada,\u2019\tsaid\tVibhishan\tpolitely\tto\this\tmuch\tolder\thalf- brother. Vibhishan\twas\tof\taverage\theight\tand\tunusually\tfair-skinned.\tHis\treed-thin physique\t was\t that\t of\t a\t runner.\t But\t he\t held\t his\t thin\t arms\t wide,\t as\t if\t to accommodate\timpressive\tbiceps.\tHis\tlong,\tjet-black\thair\twas\ttied\tin\ta\tknot\tat\tthe back\tof\this\thead.\tHis\tfull\tbeard\twas\tneatly\ttrimmed\tand\tdyed\ta\tdeep\tbrown.\tHe wore\ta\trich\tpurple\tdhoti\tand\ta\tpink\tangvastram,\twith\ta\tlot\tof\tjewellery.\tHe\twas\ta complete\tdandy\tand,\taccording\tto\tRaavan,\tfull\tof\tfalse\tpoliteness\tand\thumility. \u2018I\tam\tnot\tyour\tdada,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan\tfirmly.\t\u2018I\tam\tyour\tking.\u2019 \u2018Of\t course,\tmy\tlord,\u2019\t said\tVibhishan,\timmediately\tcorrecting\thimself\tand holding\this\tears\tin\trespectful\tapology. Raavan\trolled\this\teyes. \u2018Our\tidea\twill\twork,\tmy\tlord,\u2019\tVibhishan\tsaid.","Raavan\u2019s\t spies\t had\t informed\t him\t that\t Sita,\t Ram\t and\t Lakshman\t were camped\t in\t Panchavati,\t a\t peaceful\t spot\t along\t the\t Godavari\t River,\t with\t sixteen Malayaputra\tsoldiers\tfor\ttheir\tprotection.\tRaavan\twas\tsuspicious\tof\tthe\tfact\tthat only\tsixteen\tsoldiers\thad\tbeen\ttasked\twith\tthe\tsecurity\tof\tsomeone\tas\timportant as\tthe\tVishnu,\tbut\the\twas\ttold\tthat\tSita\twas\tstill\tangry\twith\tthe\tMalayaputras\tfor forcing\t Ram\t to\t fire\t the\t Asuraastra.\t She\t had\t refused\t their\t support.\t The\t soldiers with\ther\twere\tunder\tthe\tcommand\tof\tJatayu,\twhom\tshe\tconsidered\ther\tbrother\u2014 which\tapparently\twas\tthe\tonly\treason\tshe\thad\tagreed\tto\ttheir\tpresence. Vibhishan\t proposed\t that\t they\t use\t Shurpanakha\u2019s\t beauty\t to\t distract\t Ram and\t Lakshman.\t An\t encounter\t with\t her\t would\t presumably\t lead\t to\t the\t two\t men letting\ttheir\tguard\tdown.\tShurpanakha\twould\tthen\tfind\tsome\tpretext\tto\tlead\tSita away\tfrom\tRam\tand\tLakshman,\tand\tkidnap\ther.\tThe\tAyodhya\tprinces\twould\tbe told\t that\t Sita\t had\t attacked\t Shurpanakha\t out\t of\t jealousy,\t and\t in\t the\t fight\t that ensued,\tshe\thad\taccidentally\tdrowned\tin\tthe\triver.\tSince\tthe\tGodavari\twas\tprone to\tswift\tcurrents,\tit\twas\tlikely\tthat\ther\tbody\twould\tnever\tbe\tfound. This\t way,\t Vibhishan\t reasoned,\t they\t would\t be\t able\t to\t kidnap\t Sita\t without having\tthe\tblame\tfall\ton\tLanka. \u2018Why\tnot\tjust\tsend\tin\tour\tsoldiers\tand\tpick\ther\tup?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. \u2018What\t if\t Ram\t gets\t injured\t or\t hurt\t in\t the\t process?\u2019\t Vibhishan\t responded with\ta\tquestion\tof\this\town. What\t Vibhishan\t left\t unsaid\t was\t obvious\t to\t all.\t Ram\t was,\t technically,\t the king\tof\tAyodhya,\tand\tthe\tking\tof\tAyodhya\twas\tconsidered\tto\tbe\tthe\temperor\tof the\t Sapt\t Sindhu.\t If\t he\t died\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t a\t Lankan,\t treaty\t obligations\t would force\tall\tthe\tkingdoms\tof\tthe\tSapt\tSindhu\tto\tdeclare\twar\ton\tLanka.\tAnd\tLanka could\t not\t afford\t to\t fight\t a\t war\t right\t now.\t The\t army\t was\t too\t weak\t to\t go\t into\t a battle. Kumbhakarna\twas\tstill\tnot\tconvinced.\t\u2018I\tam\tsure\twe\tcan\tfind\ta\tbetter\tway to\tseparate\tRam\tand\tSita\twithout\tusing\tour\town\tsister\tas\tbait.\u2019 \u2018We\t fight\t with\t the\t weapons\t we\t have\t been\t blessed\t with,\t Dada,\u2019\t said Vibhishan.\t\u2018And\tShurpanakha\thas\tbeen\tblessed\twith\textraordinary\tbeauty.\u2019 Shurpanakha\tsmiled\tproudly,\tpleased\twith\tthe\tcompliment.\tShe\tresembled Vibhishan,\tbut\tunlike\ther\tsickly\tbrother,\tshe\twas\tbewitching\tin\tappearance.\tShe had\t more\t of\t her\t Greek\t mother\u2019s\t genes\t than\t her\t Indian\t father\u2019s.\t Her\t skin\t was pearly\twhite,\tand\ther\teyes\tmagnetic.\tShe\thad\ta\tsharp,\tslightly\tupturned\tnose\tand high\tcheekbones.\tHer\thair\twas\tblonde,\ta\tmost\tunusual\tcolour\tin\tIndia,\tand\tevery strand\tof\tit\twas\talways\tin\tplace.\tEverything\tabout\ther\tpetite\tframe\twas\telegant. She\t wore\t a\t classic,\t expensively\t dyed\t purple\t dhoti,\t which\t was\t tied\t fashionably low,\texposing\ther\tslim,\tcurvaceous\twaist.\tHer\tsilken\tblouse\twas\ta\ttiny\tsliver\tof cloth,\t affording\t a\t generous\t view\t of\t her\t cleavage.\t Her\t angvastram,\t deliberately","hanging\t loose\t from\t a\t shoulder,\t revealed\t more\t than\t it\t concealed.\t Extravagant jewellery\tcompleted\tthe\tpicture\tof\texcess. Shurpanakha\t seemed\t convinced\t of\t her\t ability\t to\t pull\t off\t this\t plan. Kumbhakarna,\thowever,\twas\tstill\tsceptical.\tHe\tturned\tto\tIndrajit\tfor\this\topinion. The\tconfident\tyoung\tman\tspoke\tup\timmediately.\t\u2018Vibhishan\tUncle,\tplease don\u2019t\tthink\tI\tam\tbeing\trude,\tbut\tI\thave\thonestly\tnot\theard\ta\tmore\tstupid\tidea\tin my\tlife.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\thow\tthis\twill\twork.\u2019 Vibhishan\t tensed\t in\t anger,\t but\t controlled\t his\t tongue\t with\t superhuman effort.\t Being\t insulted\t by\t his\t elder\t brother\t was\t something\t he\t had\t learnt\t to\t live with.\tBut\tto\thear\tsuch\twords\tfrom\tthis\tpup?\tIt\twas\tintolerable! \u2018Do\t you\t think\t any\t man\t with\t a\t heart\t that\t beats\t can\t even\t think\t of\t resisting this?\u2019\tasked\tShurpanakha,\tpointing\tat\therself. \u2018Good\tGod,\tShurpanakha!\tYou\tare\tmy\tsister.\tHow\tcan\tyou\tsay\tsuch\tthings in\tmy\tpresence?\u2019\tKumbhakarna\twas\tappalled. \u2018You\t have\t turned\t celibate,\t Dada,\u2019\t said\t Shurpanakha\t to\t Kumbhakarna, almost\ttauntingly.\t\u2018You\twill\tnot\tunderstand.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tturned\tto\tRaavan.\t\u2018Dada,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tapprove\tof\tthis.\tI\tsay\twe\tgo with\tour\toriginal\tplan.\u2019 \u2018Dada,\u2019\t said\t Shurpanakha\t to\t Raavan\u2014she\t had\t none\t of\t the\t diffidence\t that Vibhishan\t was\t saddled\t with\u2014\u2018I\t will\t handle\t this.\t You\t don\u2019t\t need\t to\t get\t your hands\tdirty.\tAllow\tus\tto\tearn\tyour\ttrust.\u2019 Raavan\t thought\t about\t it.\t Kumbhakarna\t was\t already\t looking\t tired\t and sleepy.\tHe\twould\thave\tto\tbe\tgiven\this\tmedicines\tsoon.\tThen\tthere\twas\tIndrajit\u2014 his\tpride\tand\tjoy.\tHis\their.\tIf\tthere\twas\ta\tway\tto\tavoid\tputting\tthese\ttwo\tat\trisk\u2026 \u2018Also,\tmy\tlord,\u2019\tsaid\tVibhishan,\t\u2018many\tpeople\tbelieve\tthat\twe\tare\tnot\tclose to\tyou.\tSo,\teven\tif\twe\tare\tcaught\tout,\tin\tall\tlikelihood,\tSita\u2019s\tdisappearance\twill not\t be\t linked\t to\t you.\t It\t will\t be\t like\t an\t independent\t act\t by\t relatives\t you\t don\u2019t like.\tYour\thands\twill\tremain\tclean.\u2019 Raavan\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\tThat\tdoes\tmake\tsome\tkind\tof\tsense. \u2018Dada,\u2019\t Shurpanakha\t persisted,\t \u2018you\t have\t nothing\t to\t lose.\t If\t we\t fail,\t you can\t go\t to\t Panchavati\t with\t your\t soldiers\t in\t any\t case.\t What\u2019s\t the\t harm\t in\t giving us\ta\tchance?\u2019 Yeah\u2026\tWhat\u2019s\tthe\tharm? \u2018All\tright,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan. Shurpanakha\twhooped\tin\tdelight,\tclapping\ther\thands\ttogether. Vibhishan\t went\t down\t on\t his\t knees\t ceremoniously\t and\t brought\t his\t head down\t to\t the\t floor,\t paying\t obeisance\t to\t Raavan.\t \u2018You\t will\t not\t regret\t this,\t my lord.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\tat\thim.\tPretentious\tmoron.","Chapter\t29 It\t had\t been\t many\t weeks\t since\t Vibhishan\t and\t Shurpanakha\t had\t sailed\t out\t of Lanka,\tto\tthe\tport\tof\tSalsette,\ton\tthe\twestern\tcoast\tof\tIndia.\tLocated\tnorth\tof\tthe ruined\t Mumbadevi\t port,\t the\t island\t was\t now\t the\t primary\t Lankan\t outpost\t in\t the area.\tIt\twas\talso\tthe\tport\tclosest\tto\tPanchavati,\twhere\tRam,\tSita\tand\tLakshman were\tcamped,\talong\twith\tsixteen\tMalayaputra\tsoldiers. Indrajit\t had\t accompanied\t his\t uncle\t and\t aunt\t to\t Salsette,\t but\t had\t been ordered\t to\t take\t no\t further\t part\t in\t the\t mission.\t Raavan\t did\t not\t want\t to\t put\t his son\u2019s\t life\t at\t risk.\t The\t brave\t young\t man\t had\t protested\t vociferously,\t but\t had finally\tsubmitted\tto\this\tfather\u2019s\tdirective. From\t Salsette,\t Vibhishan\t and\t Shurpanakha\t had\t marched\t with\t a\t company of\tsoldiers\tto\tPanchavati,\twith\tthe\tintention\tof\tkidnapping\tSita. But\tthe\tmission\thad\tturned\tout\tto\tbe\ta\tdisaster. \u2018I\tam\tsorry,\u2019\tRaavan\tsaid\tto\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018I\tshould\thave\tlistened\tto\tyou.\u2019 Raavan\tand\tKumbhakarna\twere\tin\tthe\tPushpak\tVimaan,\taccompanied\tby\ta hundred\tsoldiers,\tflying\ttowards\tSalsette. Not\t only\t had\t Shurpanakha\t failed\t to\t kidnap\t Sita,\t she\t had\t been\t caught\t and bound\t by\t her.\t Sita\t had\tdragged\tthe\t bleating\t Lankan\tprincess\tto\tthe\tPanchavati camp,\t where\t the\t waiting\t Lankan\t soldiers\t had\t nearly\t come\t to\t blows\t with\t the followers\tof\tRam\tand\tSita.\tWorse,\tShurpanakha\thad\tbeen\taccidentally\tinjured\ton her\tnose\tby\tLakshman. Vibhishan\t had\t quickly\t ordered\t a\t retreat\t without\t offering\t a\t fight,\t thus keeping\t himself,\t his\t sister\t and\t their\t soldiers\t alive.\t They\t had\t rushed\t back\t to Salsette,\t and\t from\t there,\t led\t by\t Indrajit,\t had\t sailed\t back\t to\t Lanka,\t to\t appraise Raavan\tof\ttheir\tplight. Raavan\t had\t responded\t by\t setting\t off\t from\t Lanka\t immediately,\t with\t as many\t soldiers\t as\t could\t be\t accommodated\t in\t the\t Pushpak\t Vimaan.\t While","cosmetic\t surgeries\t would,\t over\t time,\t take\t away\t the\t physical\t marks\t of Shurpanakha\u2019s\tinjury,\tthe\tmetaphorical\tloss\tof\tface\tcould\tonly\tbe\tavenged\twith blood. Raavan\t couldn\u2019t\t stop\t cursing\t his\t inept\t half-siblings\t all\t through\t the\t flight, but\the\talso\trealised,\twith\tsome\tprodding\tfrom\tKumbhakarna,\tthat\the\tfinally\thad a\t legitimate\t excuse\t to\t attack\t Ram\u2019s\t camp.\t After\t all,\t any\t outrage\t against\t a member\t of\t the\t Lankan\t royal\t family\t had\t to\t be\t responded\t to.\t It\t was\t a\t matter\t of honour,\tand\tany\treasonable\tperson\twould\tagree\tthat\tit\tcould\tnot\tbe\tconstrued\tas an\t act\t of\t war.\t And\t that\t would\t hopefully\t nullify\t the\t treaty\t obligations\t which bound\tother\tkingdoms\twithin\tthe\tSapt\tSindhu\tto\tcome\tto\tAyodhya\u2019s\taid. Kumbhakarna\tlooked\tat\this\tbrother\tand\tsmiled,\twaving\tthe\tapology\taside. \u2018It\u2019s\t all\t right,\t Dada.\t We\u2019ve\t spoken\t about\t this\t already\t and\t cussed\t out\t our\t idiot half-siblings\t enough.\t Let\u2019s\t focus\t on\t what\t we\t have\t to\t do\t right\t now.\t We\t have\t to kidnap\tthe\tVishnu.\tThat\u2019s\tit.\tLet\u2019s\tkeep\tour\tminds\tclear.\u2019 \u2018True,\u2019\t said\t Raavan,\t smiling.\t He\t stretched\t his\t arms\t over\t his\t head.\t \u2018You know\twhat\tthe\tmost\tirritating\tpart\tof\tan\tattack\tis?\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019 \u2018The\twaiting.\u2019 \u2018That\tis\ttrue.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\t excruciating\t to\t know\t we\t will\t be\t in\t the\t heat\t of\t battle\t soon,\t but\t till\t it starts,\t we\t have\t to\t sit\t around\t doing\t nothing.\t We\t have\t to\t talk\t and\t behave normally,\tkeeping\tour\theartrate\tin\tcheck\tand\tbloodlust\thigh,\tbut\tnot\tso\thigh\tthat we\tlose\tcontrol.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t laughed.\t \u2018But\t you\t will\t keep\t your\t bloodlust\t in\t check\t out there\tas\twell.\u2019 Raavan\tglowered\tat\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Dada,\t be\t realistic.\t You\t are\t not\t what\t you\t used\t to\t be.\t You\t are\t nearly\t sixty years\told\tnow.\tYour\tnavel\toutgrowth\tand\tthe\tcontinuous\tuse\tof\tmedicines\thave weakened\t you.\t You\u2019ve\t fought\t enough\t battles.\t Let\t the\t soldiers\t do\t the\t fighting now.\u2019 \u2018Well,\tyou\u2019re\tnot\texactly\tfighting\tfit\teither!\u2019\tRaavan\texclaimed\tpetulantly. Kumbhakarna\t glanced\t towards\t the\t pilots\t of\t the\t craft,\t who\t were\t within earshot. \u2018Which\tis\twhy\tI\twill\tavoid\tfighting\tas\twell,\u2019\the\tsaid,\tkeeping\this\tvoice\tlow. \u2018They\tattacked\tour\tfamily.\tAnd\tyou\twant\tus\tto\tnot\treact?\u2019\tRaavan\tspoke\tin an\tangry\twhisper. \u2018No,\tDada.\tI\twant\tyou\tto\treact\tintelligently.\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tnot\ta\tcoward!\u2019 \u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tyou\tare.\u2019","\u2018Then\tI\tmust\tfight.\u2019 \u2018Absolutely\tnot.\u2019 \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tright\tto\torder\tme\taround,\tKumbhakarna.\u2019 \u2018You\tare\tright,\t I\t don\u2019t.\tBut\t I\t do\thave\tthe\tright\tto\tdemand\tthe\tfirst\tof\tthe three\tboons\tyou\tpromised\tme.\u2019 In\t a\t fit\t of\t guilt\t and\t remorse\t after\t the\t Battle\t of\t Mithila,\t where\t his\t mistake had\t caused\t permanent\t damage\t to\t Kumbhakarna\u2019s\t health,\t Raavan\t had\t told\t his younger\tbrother\tthat\the\tcould\tdemand\tthree\tboons\tfrom\thim,\tat\tany\ttime\tin\tthe course\t of\t their\t lives.\t And\t that\t those\t three\t demands\t would\t be\t met,\t come\t what may.\tKumbhakarna\thad\tnot\tasked\tfor\tanything.\tUntil\tnow. Raavan\t grunted\t angrily.\t He\t knew\t he\t had\t no\t choice.\t \u2018You\t are\t not\t playing fair,\tKumbha!\u2019 \u2018We\u2019ll\tget\tthe\tVishnu,\tDada.\tWe\u2019ll\tkidnap\ther.\tBut\tthere\tis\tno\tneed\tfor\tyou to\tput\tyour\tlife\tat\trisk.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\taway,\tfuming. Kumbhakarna\t laughed\t softly.\t \u2018Look\t at\t the\t bright\t side,\t Dada.\t I\t only\t have two\tboons\tleft.\u2019 Raavan\tlooked\tout\tof\tthe\tporthole\tat\tthe\tland\tof\tSalsette\tbelow\thim. They\t had\t stopped\t briefly\t at\t the\t port,\t to\t pick\t up\t Samichi\t and\t her\t lover, Khara,\t who\t was\t also\t a\t captain\t in\t the\t Lankan\t armed\t forces.\t The\t vimaan\t had taken\toff\tonce\tagain,\twith\tits\tcourse\tset\ttowards\tthe\tGodavari\tRiver. Ram,\t Sita,\t Lakshman\t and\t the\t Malayaputras\t with\t them\t had\t abandoned Panchavati\t soon\t after\t the\t botched\t encounter\t with\t Shurpanakha\t and\t Vibhishan. Lankan\tintelligence\thad\tlost\ttrack\tof\tthem.\tBut\tSamichi\thad\tmanaged\tto\tfind\tthe exact\tlocation\tof\tthe\tVishnu\tand\ther\tcompanions\tby\tbrutally\ttorturing\ta\tcaptive Malayaputra.\t It\t turned\t out\t that\t they\t were\t still\t close\t to\t the\t river,\t though\t much further\t down\t from\t Panchavati.\t As\t soon\t as\t Kumbhakarna\t was\t informed\t of\t this, he\thad\tordered\tthem\tto\tjoin\this\traiding\tparty. Raavan\t looked\t at\t Samichi,\t and\t then\t at\t his\t younger\t brother.\t \u2018Why\t do\t we need\tto\ttake\tthis\twoman\talong?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\thaving\ther\taround!\u2019 \u2018I\tknow\tit\ttroubles\tyou,\tDada,\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna\tcalmly.\t\u2018But\tshe\tknows their\texact\tlocation.\u2019 \u2018So\twhat?\tWe\thave\tthe\tinformation\tnow.\tWe\tcan\tgo\tby\tourselves.\u2019 \u2018Samichi\tknows\tPrincess\tSita\tbetter\tthan\tany\tof\tus.\tShe\twas\tin\tthe\tservice of\tthe\tVishnu\tfor\tmany\tyears.\tHer\tadvice\tmay\tprove\tuseful.\u2019 \u2018You\t could\t have\t debriefed\t her\t thoroughly\t before\t we\t left\t Salsette.\t I\t still","don\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tshe\thas\tto\ttravel\twith\tus.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tbetter\tto\thave\ther\twith\tus.\u2019 \u2018She\t was\t there\t during\t the\t Battle\t of\t Mithila.\t A\t fat\t lot\t of\t good\t that\t did\t us. She\twas\tuseless!\u2019 \u2018But\t she\t is\t trying\t to\t make\t herself\t useful\t now.\t Let\u2019s\t give\t her\t the opportunity.\tWhat\tdo\twe\thave\tto\tlose?\u2019 Raavan\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand\tdid\tnot\tanswer. \u2018Dada,\t trust\t me,\t please.\t It\u2019s\t important\t that\t we\t get\t the\t Vishnu;\t that\t we capture\ther\talive.\tLet\u2019s\tput\tour\temotions\taside\tand\tfocus\ton\tthat.\u2019 \u2018You\t can\t be\t really\t infuriating,\t Kumbha!\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t why\t I\t even\t painted you,\u2019\tRaavan\tburst\tout\tsuddenly. \u2018You\u2019ve\t made\t a\t painting\t of\t me?\u2019\t Kumbhakarna\t was\t genuinely\t surprised. He\tknew\tthat\tevery\tpainting\tcreated\tby\tRaavan\thad\tonly\tone\tconstant\tcharacter in\tit.\t\u2018You\tpainted\tme\twith\tthe\tKanyakumari?\u2019 Raavan\tnodded\tin\tthe\taffirmative. \u2018When\tdo\tI\tget\tto\tsee\tit?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. Raavan\tpicked\tup\ta\tcloth\tbag\tlying\tnext\tto\thim\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\trolled-up canvas. \u2018What?\tYou\thave\tit\twith\tyou?\u2019\tKumbhakarna\twas\tdelighted. Raavan\thanded\tover\tthe\tcanvas\tto\this\tbrother. Kumbhakarna\t unrolled\t it,\t shifting\t a\t little\t to\t make\t sure\t nobody\t else\t in\t the vimaan\tcould\tsee\tit.\t\u2018Wow!\u2019 Raavan\u2019s\teternal\tmuse,\tthe\tKanyakumari,\twas\tat\tthe\tcentre\tof\tthe\tpainting. She\t looked\t older.\t Her\t hair\t was\t almost\t completely\t grey\t and\t her\t face\t was\t finely lined.\tShe\thad\ta\tslight\tstoop.\tShe\tlooked\tat\tleast\tsixty\tyears\told,\tif\tnot\tmore.\tBut her\tface\tstill\thad\tthat\tangelic\tsplendour\u2014of\tgrace,\tbeauty\tand\tkindness. She\twas\thelping\ta\tsmall\tchild\twho\twas\ttrying\tto\tclimb\ta\twall. Kumbhakarna\tsmiled.\t\u2018This\tchild\tlooks\tfamiliar!\u2019 Raavan\tlaughed\tsoftly,\tfor\tthe\tchild\twas\tKumbhakarna.\tHairy,\talmost\tbear- like,\t with\t pot-like\t ears\t and\t two\t extra\t arms\t sticking\t out\t on\t top\t of\t his\t shoulders. Despite\this\toddities,\tthe\tchild\tlooked\tadorable.\tHappy\tand\thuggable. \u2018Where\tam\tI\tgoing?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna,\this\teyes\tfixed\ton\tthe\tpainting. Raavan\tpointed\tto\tthe\tfencing\ton\ttop\tof\tthe\twall.\tA\tcircular\tsymbol\tin\tthe shape\t of\t a\t wheel\t was\t repeated\t several\t times,\t to\t form\t a\t railing.\t Kumbhakarna recognised\tit\tonly\ttoo\twell. \u2018The\twheel\tof\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan.\t\u2018You\twill\trise\tto\tachieve\tyour\tdharma.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tyou\tin\tthis\tpainting.\tWhere\tare\tyou?\u2019 Raavan\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer.","\u2018Where\tdo\tyou\tsee\tyourself,\tDada?\u2019 Raavan\tremained\tsilent. Kumbhakarna\t examined\t the\t painting\t closely.\t He\t then\t turned\t towards\t his elder\tbrother,\tclearly\tunhappy.\t\u2018Dada\u2014\u2019 On\t the\t wall,\t visible\t only\t if\t one\t looked\t closely,\t were\t ten\t faces.\t Nine\t of them\t exhibited\t the\t navrasas,\t or\t nine\t major\t emotions,\t as\t described\t in\t the Natyashastra:\t love,\t laughter,\t sorrow,\t anger,\t courage,\t fear,\t disgust,\t wonder\t and tranquillity.\tThe\ttenth\tface,\tin\tthe\tcentre,\thad\tno\texpression\tat\tall.\tA\tblank\tslate. Kumbhakarna\t could\t see\t what\t Raavan\t had\t attempted\t in\t the\t painting.\t The king\tof\tLanka\twas\tsometimes\taddressed\tas\tDashanan\tby\this\tsubjects,\t for\tthey said\tthat\the\t had\tthe\tknowledge\tand\tpower\tof\tten\theads.\tRaavan\thad\tsought\tto play\t on\t this\t name,\t and\t the\t symbolism\t that\t attaches\t to\t emotions\t in\t the\t Indian artistic\t tradition,\t to\t convey\t a\t much\t deeper\t meaning.\t Traditional\t wisdom\t says that\t true\t spiritual\t awakening\t is\t possible\t only\t when\t one\t transcends\t the\t wall\t of emotions\t that\t keeps\t one\t imprisoned\t in\t this\t illusory\t world.\t In\t the\t painting, Raavan\t had\t made\t himself\t the\t wall\t that\t the\t child\t Kumbhakarna\t was\t trying\t to scale. \u2018Climb\t over\t the\t wall\t of\t emotions\t you\t have\t for\t me,\t my\t brother,\u2019\t said Raavan.\t \u2018Leave\t me,\t and\t find\t dharma.\t I\t am\t too\t far\t gone.\t There\t is\t no\t hope\t for me.\t But\t you\t are\t a\t good\t man.\t Rediscover\t your\t childhood\t and\t your\t innocence. Leave\tme\tand\tstart\tfrom\tthe\tbeginning\tonce\tagain.\tWalk\tthe\tpath\tof\tdharma,\tfor I\tknow\tthat\tis\twhat\tyour\tsoul\tdesires.\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t rolled\t up\t the\t canvas\t tightly\t without\t a\t word,\t and\t slipped\t it back\tinto\tRaavan\u2019s\tcloth\tbag. \u2018Kumbha\u2026\tlisten\tto\tme.\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tcarrying\tout\tmy\tdharma,\tDada,\u2019\the\tsaid. \u2018Kumbha\u2014\u2019 \u2018Enough\tnow.\u2019 An\t unseasonal\t storm\t had\t buffeted\t the\t Pushpak\t Vimaan\t as\t the\t Lankans approached\t the\t temporary\t campsite\t of\t the\t exiles.\t The\t pilots\t had\t somehow managed\tto\tland\tthe\tcraft\twithout\tany\tdamage.\tDangerous\tas\tthe\tstorm\twas\tfor the\t flying\t vehicle,\t it\t had\t inadvertently\t helped\t the\t Lankans.\t The\t howling\t winds had\tdrowned\tout\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe\tvimaan\u2019s\tmassive\trotors.\tThey\thad\tmanaged\tto disembark\twithout\tbeing\tnoticed\tand\thad\tsuccessfully\tmaintained\tthe\telement\tof surprise\tas\tthey\tattacked\tthe\ttemporary\tcamp. The\tbattle\thad\tbeen\tshort\tand\tsharp.","The\t Malayaputras\t were\t heavily\t outnumbered,\t so\t it\t was\t no\t surprise\t that there\twere\tno\tLankan\tcasualties.\tAll\tthe\tMalayaputras,\tsave\tCaptain\tJatayu\tand two\tof\this\tsoldiers,\twere\tdead\tor\tcritically\tinjured. But\t Ram,\t Lakshman\t and\t Sita\t were\t missing.\t Kumbhakarna\t had\t organised seven\tteams,\tof\ttwo\tsoldiers\teach,\tto\tspread\tout\tand\tsearch\tfor\tthe\ttrio. At\t the\t same\t time,\t Captain\t Khara\t had\t been\t tasked\t with\t extracting information\tfrom\tthe\tsurviving\tMalayaputras,\tespecially\tCaptain\tJatayu. Raavan\tand\tKumbhakarna\tstood\tat\ta\tdistance,\twhere\tthey\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tto get\ttheir\thands\tdirty.\tThirty\tsoldiers\tstood\tclose\tto\tthem,\t ready\tto\tprotect\ttheir royals\tat\tthe\tfirst\tsign\tof\ttrouble. \u2018This\tis\ttaking\ttoo\tlong,\u2019\tmuttered\tRaavan\tto\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Should\twe\tgo\tback\tand\twait\tinside\tthe\tvimaan?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. Raavan\tshook\this\thead.\tNo. Khara\twas\tstill\tworking\ton\tJatayu,\twho\twas\tnow\ton\this\tknees,\theld\tby\ttwo Lankan\tsoldiers.\tThe\tMalayaputra\u2019s\thands\twere\ttied\tbehind\this\tback.\tJatayu\thad been\tbrutalised;\the\twas\tseverely\tinjured\tand\tbleeding,\tbut\the\twas\tnot\tbroken. \u2018Answer\t me,\u2019\t said\t Khara,\t as\t he\t slid\t the\t knife\t along\t Jatayu\u2019s\t cheek, drawing\tsome\tmore\tblood.\t\u2018Where\tis\tshe?\u2019 Jatayu\t spat\t at\t him.\t \u2018Kill\t me\t quickly.\t Or\t kill\t me\t slowly.\t You\t will\t not\t get anything\tfrom\tme.\u2019 Khara\traised\this\tknife\tin\tanger,\tabout\tto\tstrike\tat\tJatayu\u2019s\tthroat.\tSuddenly, an\t arrow\t whizzed\t in\t from\t behind\t the\t forest\t line\t and\t struck\t his\t hand.\t The\t knife fell\tto\tthe\tground\tas\the\tyelped\tin\tsurprise\tand\tpain. Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t whirled\t around,\t startled.\t The\t Lankan\t soldiers close\t to\t them\t rushed\t in\t and\t formed\t a\t protective\t cordon\t around\t them. Kumbhakarna\tgrabbed\tRaavan\u2019s\tarm\tto\trestrain\this\timpulsive\telder\tbrother\tfrom charging\tinto\tbattle. Other\t Lankan\t soldiers\t raised\t their\t bows\t in\t the\t direction\t that\t the\t enemy arrow\thad\tbeen\tfired\tfrom.\tThey\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tanything.\tSomebody\thad\tshot\tthe arrow\tfrom\tdeep\tbehind\tthe\tforest\tline,\tbehind\tthe\tvisually\timpenetrable\tline\tof trees. \u2018Don\u2019t\tshoot!\u2019\tordered\tKumbhakarna\tloudly.\tHe\twanted\tthe\tVishnu\talive. The\tLankan\tbows\twere\tswiftly\tlowered. Khara\t broke\t the\t shaft,\t leaving\t the\t arrowhead\t buried\t in\t his\t hand.\t It\t would stem\tthe\tblood\tfor\ta\twhile.\tHe\tlooked\tinto\tthe\timpenetrable\tline\tof\ttrees.\tInto\tthe darkness.\t And\t scoffed\t in\t disdain.\t \u2018Who\t shot\t that?\t The\t long-suffering\t prince? His\toversized\tbrother?\tOr\tthe\tVishnu\therself?\u2019 There\twas\tno\tresponse. \u2018Come\tout\tand\tfight\tlike\treal\twarriors!\u2019\tKhara\tshouted","There\twas\tno\tresponse\tto\tthat\ttaunt\teither. Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t remained\t well\t protected\t by\t their\t soldiers,\t their shields\traised\thigh. \u2018Send\tthe\tsoldiers\tin,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\tpointing\ttowards\tthe\tpart\tof\tthe\tforest that\tthe\tarrow\thad\tbeen\tshot\tfrom. \u2018No,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna.\t \u2018We\t should\t not\t thin\t out\t our\t force\t any\t further. There\t are\t three\t of\t them.\t They\t could\t have\t spread\t out.\t They\t can\t pick\t you\t off\t if our\tsoldiers\taren\u2019t\twith\tus.\u2019 \u2018Kumbha,\tI\tam\tnot\tthat\timportant.\tGet\tthose\u2014\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t interrupted\t his\t elder\t brother.\t \u2018Dada,\t you\t are\t the\t entire reason\t for\t this\t raid.\t We\t are\t kidnapping\t the\t Vishnu\t to\t keep\t you\t alive\t with\t the Malayaputra\tmedicines.\tI\twill\tnot\tput\tyour\tlife\tat\trisk.\u2019 Before\t Raavan\t could\t argue\t any\t more,\t five\t more\t arrows\t were\t shot\t in\t a rapid-fire\t attack.\t In\t quick\t succession.\t Right\t where\t Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna were.\tBut\tthis\twas\tfrom\ta\tdifferent\tdirection.\tFar\tfrom\twhere\tthe\tfirst\tarrow\thad been\tshot. The\t arrows\t hit\t the\t soldiers\t surrounding\t the\t brothers.\t Five\t Lankans\t went down.\t But\t the\t others\t did\t not\t budge.\t The\t cordon\t around\t Raavan\t remained resolute.\tReady\tto\tfall\tfor\ttheir\tking. The\tbodyguards\twere\tshowing\tthe\tmettle\tthey\twere\tmade\tof. \u2018It\tlooks\tlike\tthere\tare\ttwo\tof\tthem\tin\tthe\tforest,\u2019\twhispered\tKumbhakarna. \u2018I\thope\tthe\tVishnu\thasn\u2019t\tescaped.\u2019 Raavan\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything.\t He\t was\t getting\t suspicious.\t There\t was\t too much\tof\ta\ttime\tlag\tbetween\tthe\tfirst\tattack\ton\tKhara\tand\tthe\tsecond\tfive-arrow attack\tdirected\tat\thimself\tand\tKumbhakarna. Some\tof\tthe\tLankan\tsoldiers\ttook\toff\tin\tthe\tdirection\tthat\tthe\tlatest\tattack had\tcome\tfrom. Then\t came\t the\t sound\t of\t someone\t stepping\t on\t a\t twig.\t From\t another direction.\tThree\tsoldiers\trushed\ttowards\tthe\tsound. Raavan\t was\t sure\t now.\t \u2018There\t is\t just\t one\t person.\t He\t is\t moving\t around quickly\tbehind\tthe\tforest\tline\tto\tconfuse\tus.\u2019 \u2018Are\tyou\tsure?\u2019\tasked\tKumbhakarna. Before\t Raavan\t could\t respond,\t Khara\t moved.\t He\t stepped\t behind\t Jatayu, and\tusing\this\tuninjured\tleft\thand,\theld\ta\tknife\tto\this\tthroat. One\tcan\tchase\thidden\tattackers\tin\tall\tdirections.\tOr,\tone\tcan\tdraw\tthem\tout with\ta\twell-targeted\tthreat.\tKhara\twas\tsmart.\tHe\tdid\tthe\tsmart\tthing. \u2018You\t could\t have\t escaped,\u2019\t he\t said\t tauntingly.\t \u2018But\t you\t didn\u2019t.\t So\t I\u2019m betting\tyou\tare\tamong\tthose\thiding\tbehind\tthe\ttrees,\tgreat\tVishnu.\tAnd\tyou\twant to\t protect\t those\t who\t worship\t you.\t So\t inspiring\u2026\t so\t touching\u2026\u2019\t Khara","pretended\tto\twipe\taway\ta\ttear. Raavan,\tfar\tin\tthe\tdistance,\this\tview\tof\tKhara\tblocked\tby\tthe\tmany\tLankan soldiers\tsurrounding\thim,\tsmiled.\tHe\tturned\tto\tKumbhakarna.\t\u2018I\tlike\tthis\tKhara.\u2019 Khara\t continued\t aloud,\t \u2018So\t I\t have\t an\t offer.\t Step\t forward.\t Tell\t your husband\tand\tthat\tgiant\tbrother-in-law\tof\tyours\tto\talso\tstep\tforward.\tAnd\twe\twill let\t this\t captain\t live.\t We\t will\t even\t let\t the\t two\t sorry\t Ayodhya\t princes\t leave unharmed.\tAll\twe\twant\tis\tyour\tsurrender.\u2019 No\tresponse. Khara\t grazed\t the\t knife\t slowly\t along\t Jatayu\u2019s\t neck,\t leaving\t behind\t a\t thin red\tline.\tHe\tsaid\tin\ta\tsing-song\tvoice,\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\thave\tall\tday\u2026\u2019 Suddenly,\t Jatayu\t struck\t backwards\t with\t his\t head,\t hitting\t Khara\t in\t the groin.\tAs\tthe\tLankan\tdoubled\tup\tin\tpain,\tJatayu\tscreamed,\t\u2018Run!\tRun\taway,\tmy lady!\tI\tam\tnot\tworth\tyour\tlife!\u2019 Three\t Lankan\t soldiers\t moved\t in\t and\t pushed\t Jatayu\t to\t the\t ground.\t Khara cursed\tloudly\tas\the\tgot\tback\ton\this\tfeet,\tstill\tbent\tover\tto\tease\tthe\tpain.\tAfter\ta few\t moments,\t he\t inched\t towards\t the\t Malayaputra\t and\t kicked\t him\t hard.\t He surveyed\t the\t treeline,\t turning\t in\t every\t direction\t that\t the\t arrows\t had\t been\t fired from.\tAll\tthe\twhile,\the\tkept\tkicking\tJatayu\tagain\tand\tagain.\tHe\tbent\tand\troughly pulled\tJatayu\tto\this\tfeet. This\t time\t Khara\t held\t Jatayu\u2019s\t head\t firmly\t with\t his\t injured\t right\t hand,\t to prevent\t any\t head-butting.\t The\t sneer\t was\t back\t on\t his\t face.\t He\t held\t the\t knife\t to the\t Malayaputra\u2019s\t throat.\t \u2018I\t can\t cut\t the\t jugular\t here\t and\t your\t precious\t captain will\tbe\tdead\tin\tjust\ta\tfew\tmoments,\tgreat\tVishnu,\u2019\the\tsaid.\tHe\tmoved\tthe\tknife to\t the\t Malayaputra\u2019s\t abdomen.\t \u2018Or,\t he\t can\t bleed\t to\t death\t slowly.\t All\t of\t you have\tsome\ttime\tto\tthink\tabout\tit.\u2019 There\twas\tstill\tno\tresponse. \u2018All\t we\t want\t is\t the\t Vishnu,\u2019\t yelled\t Khara.\t \u2018Let\t her\t surrender\t and\t the\t rest of\tyou\tcan\tleave.\tYou\thave\tmy\tword.\tYou\thave\tthe\tword\tof\ta\tLankan!\u2019 A\tfeminine\tvoice\twas\theard\tfrom\tbehind\tthe\ttrees.\t\u2018Let\thim\tgo!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\twhispered\tto\tRaavan,\t\u2018It\u2019s\ther.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tVishnu.\u2019 Khara\t shouted,\t still\t holding\t the\t knife\t to\t Jatayu\u2019s\t abdomen,\t \u2018Step\t forward and\tsurrender.\tAnd\twe\twill\tlet\thim\tgo.\u2019 And\tSita,\tthe\tprincess\tof\tMithila,\tthe\tone\trecognised\tas\tthe\tVishnu\tby\tthe Malayaputras,\t stepped\t out\t from\t behind\t the\t forest\t line.\t Holding\t a\t bow,\t with\t an arrow\tnocked\ton\tit.\tA\tquiver\ttied\tacross\ther\tback. The\tLankan\troyals\tcould\tnot\tsee\tthe\tVishnu.\tRaavan\ttried\tto\tpush\tthrough the\t cordon\t surrounding\t him,\t to\t catch\t a\t glimpse\t of\t her.\t But\t he\t was\t pulled\t back by\tKumbhakarna. \u2018Dada,\u2019\t said\t Kumbhakarna,\t \u2018her\t husband\t and\t brother-in-law\t could\t still\t be","hidden\tin\tthe\ttrees.\tWe\tcannot\trisk\tyou\tbeing\tin\tthe\topen.\u2019 \u2018Dammit!\u2019 \u2018You\tpromised\tme,\tDada.\u2019 Raavan\tremained\twhere\the\twas.\tAngry.\tBut\tcompliant. \u2018Great\t Vishnu,\u2019\t sniggered\t Khara,\t letting\t go\t of\t Jatayu\t for\t a\t moment,\t and running\t his\t hand\t along\t an\t ancient\t scar\t at\t the\t back\t of\t his\t head.\t Stirring\t a\t not- quite-forgotten\tmemory.\t\u2018So\tkind\tof\tyou\tto\tjoin\tus.\tWhere\tis\tyour\thusband\tand his\tgiant\tbrother?\u2019 Sita\t didn\u2019t\t answer.\t Some\t Lankan\t soldiers\t began\t moving\t slowly\t towards her.\tTheir\tswords\twere\tsheathed.\tThey\twere\tcarrying\tlathis,\tlong\tbamboo\tsticks, which\t were\t good\t enough\t to\t injure\t but\t not\t to\t kill.\t Their\t instructions\t were\t clear. The\tVishnu\thad\tto\tbe\tcaptured\talive. Sita\t stepped\t forward\t and\t lowered\t the\t bow,\t an\t arrow\t still\t nocked\t on\t it.\t \u2018I am\tsurrendering.\tLet\tCaptain\tJatayu\tgo.\u2019 Khara\t laughed\t softly\t as\t he\t pushed\t the\t knife\t deep\t into\t Jatayu\u2019s\t abdomen. Gently.\tSlowly.\tHe\tcut\tthrough\tthe\tliver,\ta\tkidney,\tnever\tstopping\u2026 \u2018Nooo!\u2019\tscreamed\tSita.\tShe\traised\ther\tbow\tand\tshot\tan\tarrow\tinto\tKhara\u2019s eye.\tIt\tpunctured\tthe\tsocket\tand\tlodged\titself\tin\this\tbrain,\tkilling\thim\tinstantly. \u2018I\t want\t her\t alive!\u2019\t screamed\t Kumbhakarna\t from\t behind\t the\t protective Lankan\tcordon. More\tsoldiers\tjoined\tthose\talready\tmoving\ttoward\tSita,\ttheir\tbamboo\tlathis held\thigh. \u2018Raaaam!\u2019\t shouted\t Sita,\t as\t she\t pulled\t another\t arrow\t from\t her\t quiver, quickly\tnocked\tand\tshot\tit,\tbringing\tanother\tLankan\tdown\tinstantly. It\tdid\tnot\tslow\tthe\tpace\tof\tthe\tothers.\tThey\tkept\trushing\tforward. Sita\t shot\t another\t arrow.\t Her\t last.\t One\t more\t Lankan\t sank\t to\t the\t ground. The\tothers\tpressed\ton. \u2018Raaaam!\u2019 The\tLankans\twere\talmost\tupon\ther,\ttheir\tbamboo\tlathis\traised. \u2018Raaam!\u2019\tscreamed\tSita. As\t a\t Lankan\t closed\t in,\t she\t lassoed\t her\t bow,\t entangling\t his\t lathi\t with\t the bowstring,\tsnatching\tit\tfrom\thim.\tSita\thit\tback\twith\tthe\tbamboo\tlathi,\tstraight\tat the\tLankan\u2019s\thead,\tknocking\thim\toff\this\tfeet.\tShe\tswirled\tthe\tlathi\tover\ther\thead, its\t menacing\t sound\t halting\t the\t suddenly\t wary\t soldiers.\t She\t stopped\t moving, holding\ther\tweapon\tsteady. Conserving\t her\t energy.\t Ready\t and\t alert.\t One\t hand\t held\t the\t stick\t in\t the middle,\t the\t end\t of\t it\t tucked\t under\t her\t armpit.\t The\t other\t arm\t was\t stretched forward.\t Her\t feet\t spread\t wide,\t in\t balance.\t She\t was\t surrounded\t by\t at\t least\t fifty Lankan\tsoldiers.\tBut\tthey\tkept\ttheir\tdistance.","\u2018Raaaam!\u2019\t shouted\t Sita,\t praying\t that\t her\t voice\t would\t somehow\t carry across\tthe\tforest\tto\ther\thusband. \u2018We\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\thurt\tyou,\tLady\tVishnu,\u2019\tsaid\ta\tLankan,\tpolitely.\t\u2018Please surrender.\tYou\twill\tnot\tbe\tharmed.\u2019 Sita\tcast\ta\tquick\tglance\tat\tJatayu. \u2018We\t have\t the\t equipment\t in\t our\t Pushpak\t Vimaan\t to\t save\t him,\u2019\t said\t the Lankan.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tforce\tus\tto\thurt\tyou.\tPlease.\u2019 Sita\tfilled\ther\tlungs\twith\tair\tand\tscreamed\tyet\tagain,\t\u2018Raaaam!\u2019 She\tthought\tshe\theard\ta\tfaint\tvoice\tfrom\ta\tlong\tdistance\taway.\t\u2018Sitaaa\u2026\u2019 A\tsoldier\tmoved\tsuddenly\tfrom\ther\tleft,\tswinging\this\tlathi\tlow.\tAiming\tfor Sita\u2019s\t calves.\t She\t jumped\t high,\t tucking\t her\t feet\t in\t to\t avoid\t the\t blow.\t While\t in the\t air,\t she\t quickly\t released\t her\t right-handed\t grip\t on\t the\t lathi\t and\t swung\t it viciously\t with\t her\t left.\t The\t lathi\t hit\t the\t Lankan\t on\t the\t side\t of\t his\t head. Knocking\thim\tunconscious. As\tshe\tlanded,\tshe\tshouted\tagain,\t\u2018Raaaam!\u2019 She\t heard\t the\t voice\t of\t her\t husband.\t Soft,\t from\t a\t distance. \u2018Leave\u2026\ther\u2026\talone\u2026\u2019 Kumbhakarna\t heard\t the\t faint\t voice\t too.\t He\t looked\t towards\t Raavan.\t And then\tshouted\this\torder\tto\tthe\tsoldiers.\t\u2018Capture\ther\tnow!\tNow!\u2019 Ten\t Lankans\t charged\t in\t together.\t Sita\t swung\t her\t lathi\t ferociously\t in\t all directions,\tincapacitating\tmany. \u2018Raaaam!\u2019 She\theard\tthe\tvoice\tagain.\tNot\tso\tdistant\tthis\ttime.\t\u2018Sitaaaa\u2026\u2019 The\tLankan\tonslaught\twas\tsteady\tand\tunrelenting\tnow.\tSita\tkept\tswinging rhythmically.\tViciously.\tAlas,\ther\tenemies\twere\tone\ttoo\tmany.\tA\tLankan\tswung his\tlathi\tat\ther,\tfrom\tbehind.\tInto\ther\tback. \u2018Raaa\u2026\u2019 Sita\u2019s\t knees\t buckled\t under\t her\t as\t she\t collapsed\t to\t the\t ground.\t Before\t she could\t recover,\t the\t soldiers\t ran\t in\t and\t held\t her\t tight.\t She\t struggled\t fiercely\t as\t a Lankan\t came\t forward,\t holding\t a\t neem\t leaf\t in\t his\t hand.\t It\t was\t smeared\t with\t a blue-coloured\tpaste.\tHe\theld\tthe\tleaf\ttight\tagainst\ther\tnose.\tAnd\tSita\tkeeled\tover into\tunconsciousness. \u2018Carry\ther\tto\tthe\tvimaan!\tQuickly!\u2019 Kumbhakarna\tturned\tto\this\telder\tbrother.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tgo,\tDada.\u2019 \u2018Let\tme\tsee\tSita.\u2019 \u2018Dada,\tthere\u2019s\tno\ttime.\tKing\tRam\tand\tPrince\tLakshman\tare\tclose\tby,\tthey might\tget\there\tsoon.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tforced\tto\tkill\tthem.\tThis\tis\tperfect.\tWe\u2019ve got\t the\t Vishnu\t and\t the\t king\t of\t Ayodhya\t has\t not\t been\t injured.\t You\t can\t see\t her once\twe\tare\tall\tin\tthe\tvimaan.\tLet\u2019s\tgo.\u2019","Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t started\t walking\t towards\t the\t craft,\t still surrounded\t by\t their\t bodyguards.\t The\t Lankan\t soldiers\t followed,\t carrying\t Sita, unconscious\ton\ta\tstretcher. The\tLankans\tbegan\tclimbing\tin\tand\ttaking\ttheir\tseats\tin\tthe\tPushpak\tVimaan. The\t last\t of\t the\t soldiers\t pressed\t a\t metallic\t button\t on\t the\t sidewall\t and\t the door\tbegan\tto\tslide\tshut\twith\ta\thydraulic\thiss. As\t the\t brothers\t reached\t their\t seats,\t Kumbhakarna\t turned\t towards\t the pilots.\t\u2018Get\tus\tout\tof\there\tquickly.\u2019 While\tRaavan\tand\tKumbhakarna\tbraced\tfor\ttake-off,\tthe\tunconscious\tSita was\tbeing\tstrapped\ton\tto\ta\tstretcher\tfixed\ton\tthe\tfloor\tof\tthe\tPushpak\tVimaan. \u2018She\u2019s\ta\tfighter!\u2019\tsaid\tKumbhakarna,\twith\tan\tappreciative\tgrin. When\t the\t attack\t took\t place,\t Sita,\t accompanied\t by\t a\t Malayaputra\t soldier called\t Makrant,\t had\t gone\t to\t cut\t banana\t leaves\t for\t dinner.\t Ram\t and\t Lakshman were\t away\t hunting.\t They\t had\t all\t assumed\t that\t the\t Lankans\t had\t lost\t track\t of them. The\t two\t Lankan\t soldiers\t who\t had\t discovered\t Sita\t had\t managed\t to\t kill Makrant\t but\t were,\t in\t turn,\t killed\t by\t Sita.\t She\t had\t then\t stolen\t to\t the\t devastated Malayaputra\t camp\t and\t had\t killed\t several\t Lankans\t from\t behind\t the\t tree\t line, using\ta\tbow\tand\ta\tquiver\tfull\tof\tarrows\tvery\teffectively\tfrom\ther\thiding\tplaces. But\ther\tdesire\tto\tsave\ther\tloyal\tfollower\tJatayu\thad\tbeen\ther\tundoing. \u2018The\tMalayaputras\tbelieve\tshe\tis\tthe\tVishnu,\u2019\tsaid\tRaavan,\tlaughing.\t\u2018She had\tbetter\tbe\ta\tgood\tfighter!\u2019 Just\tthen,\tthe\tLankans\twho\twere\tcrowded\taround\tSita\tleft\ther\tand\twent\tto find\ttheir\town\tseats\tin\tthe\tvimaan. Her\t unconscious\t body\t lay\t on\t a\t stretcher,\t some\t twenty\t feet\t away\t from where\tRaavan\tsat.\tShe\twore\ta\tcream\tdhoti\tand\ta\twhite\tsingle-cloth\tblouse.\tHer saffron\t angvastram\t had\t been\t drawn\t over\t her\t entire\t body,\t with\t the\t straps\t of\t the stretcher\t tight\t across\t her.\t Her\t head\t was\t turned\t to\t the\t side,\t and\t her\t eyes\t were closed.\tSaliva\tdrooled\tout\tof\ther\tmouth. It\twas\ta\tlarge\tquantity\tof\ta\tvery\tstrong\ttoxin\tthat\thad\tbeen\tused\tto\trender her\tunconscious. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ttheir\tlives,\tRaavan\tand\tKumbhakarna\tsaw\tSita. The\twarrior\tprincess\tof\tMithila.\tThe\twife\tof\tRam.\tThe\tVishnu. Raavan\tstared\tat\ther. Breath\ton\thold.\tHeart\timmobile.\tTransfixed. A\t shocked\t Kumbhakarna\t looked\t at\t his\t elder\t brother,\t and\t then\t at\t Sita.\t He","couldn\u2019t\tbelieve\this\teyes. The\tbaby\thad\tsurvived.\tThirty-eight\tyears.\tShe\twas\ta\twoman\tnow. Sita\t was\t unusually\t tall\t for\t a\t Mithilan\t woman.\t With\t her\t lean\t muscular physique,\t she\t looked\t like\t a\t warrior\t in\t the\t army\t of\t the\t Mother\t Goddess.\t There were\tproud\tbattle-scars\ton\ther\twheat-complexioned\tbody. But\tRaavan\u2019s\teyes\twere\tglued\tto\ther\tface.\tOne\tthat\the\thad\tseen\tbefore. It\twas\ta\tshade\tlighter\tthan\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tbody,\twith\thigh\tcheekbones\tand\ta sharp,\t small\t nose.\t Her\t lips\t were\t neither\t thin\t nor\t full.\t Her\t wide-set\t eyes\t were neither\tsmall\tnor\tlarge;\tstrong\tbrows\tarched\tin\ta\tperfect\tcurve\tabove\tcreaseless eyelids.\t Her\t long,\t lustrous\t black\t hair\t had\t come\t undone\t and\t fell\t in\t a\t disorderly manner\tto\tthe\tside\tof\ther\tface.\tShe\thad\tthe\tlook\tof\tthe\tmountain\tpeople\tfrom\tthe Himalayas. He\t knew\t this\t face\t well.\t It\t was\t a\t little\t thinner\t than\t the\t original.\t Tougher. Less\ttender.\tThere\twas\ta\tfaint\tbirthmark\ton\tthe\tright\ttemple;\tperhaps\ta\tremnant of\ta\tchildhood\tinjury. But\tthere\tcould\tbe\tno\tdoubt.\tMother\tNature\thad\tcrafted\tthis\tface\tfrom\tthe same\tmould. It\twas\ta\tface\tthat\tRaavan\tcould\tnever\tforget.\tIt\twas\ta\tface\tthat\the\thad\tseen grow\told\tin\this\tmind.\tIt\twas\ta\tface\tthat\the\tloved. The\t vimaan\t began\t to\t ascend\t as\t the\t mighty\t rotors\t roared\t to\t life,\t spinning powerfully. Raavan\tcould\tnot\tbreathe.\tHe\tclutched\this\tarmrest\ttightly,\ttrying\tto\tfind\ta stable\thold\tin\ta\tworld\tspiralling\tout\tof\tcontrol. Perhaps\tthe\ttime\thad\tcome,\tto\tfinally\tsettle\tan\told\tkarmic\tdebt. Ka\u2026\tKa\u2026 The\tvimaan\tlurched,\tbuffeted\tby\ta\tsudden\tgust\tof\tstrong\twind.\tBut\tRaavan didn\u2019t\tnotice. He\tcontinued\tstaring,\twordlessly. His\tbreathing\tragged. His\theart\tparalysed. Time\tstanding\tstill. It\twas\tobvious.\tIt\twas\tobvious\tfrom\ther\tface. Sita\twas\tthe\tchild\tof\tPrithvi. Sita\twas\tthe\tdaughter\tof\tVedavati. \u2018Guruji!\tGuruji!\u2019 Arishtanemi\t rushed\t into\t the\t modest\t private\t chamber\t of\t his\t guru\t in","Agastyakootam,\tthe\thidden\tcapital\tof\tthe\tMalayaputras. Vishwamitra\t opened\t his\t eyes\t slowly,\t roused\t from\t his\t deep,\t meditative state.\tNormally,\tno\tone\twould\tdare\tto\tinterrupt\thim\tat\tsuch\ta\ttime.\tBut\tthis\twas an\t exception.\t He\t was\t expecting\t some\t news\t and\t had\t ordered\t Arishtanemi\t to inform\thim\tthe\tmoment\tit\twas\treceived. \u2018Yes?\u2019\the\tasked\tnow\tin\this\tdistinctive\tvoice. \u2018It\thas\thappened,\tGuruji.\u2019 \u2018Tell\tme\teverything.\u2019 \u2018Raavan\t and\t Kumbhakarna\t received\t intelligence\t from\t Samichi\t about\t the whereabouts\t of\t Sita,\t Ram\t and\t Lakshman.\t They\t flew\t there\t in\t the\t Pushpak Vimaan\tand\tcarried\tout\ta\tsurprise\traid.\u2019 \u2018And?\u2019 \u2018They\thave\tkidnapped\tSita.\tEveryone\tin\tthe\tcamp\twas\tkilled.\tI\thave\tbeen told\tthat\tRam\tand\tLakshman\tsurvived\tonly\tbecause\tthey\twere\tout\thunting\tat\tthe time.\u2019 Vishwamitra\t leaned\t back,\t a\t slight\t smile\t on\t his\t face.\t We\u2019re\t back\t in\t the game. \u2018Guruji,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\twe\tdelayed\tsending\tmore\tMalayaputras\tto\ttheir aid.\t We\t knew\t Raavan\t would\t seek\t vengeance\t for\t what\t happened\t with Shurpanakha.\tWe\tcould\thave\tsaved\u2014\u2019 \u2018Saved\twhom?\u2019 \u2018Jatayu\t and\t the\t other\t Malayaputras\t with\t them.\t They\t were\t all\t killed\t in\t the raid.\u2019 \u2018They\tsacrificed\tthemselves\tfor\tthe\tgreater\tgood\tof\tMother\tIndia.\tThey\tare true\t martyrs.\t We\t will\t honour\t them.\t We\t will\t build\t temples\t to\t Jatayu\t and\t his band.\u2019 \u2018But\twhat\tabout\tSita,\tGuruji?\tThe\tLankans\thave\tour\tVishnu.\tFrom\twhat\tI have\theard,\tthey\tcaptured\ther\talive.\tBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tRaavan\tcan\tbe\ttrusted\tto not\thurt\ther.\tOr,\teven\tworse,\tkill\ther.\u2019 \u2018He\twill\tnot\thurt\ther.\tTrust\tme.\u2019 \u2018Guruji,\t you\t and\t I\t both\t know\t he\t is\t a\t monster.\t Who\t can\t predict\t how\t a monster\twill\tbehave?\u2019 Vishwamitra\t looked\t at\t Arishtanemi\t thoughtfully.\t The\t time\t had\t come\t to reveal\tthe\tsecret. \u2018A\tmonster,\tyou\tsay?\tLet\tme\task\tyou\tthen,\tdo\tyou\tknow\tof\tany\tperson\tthis monster\thas\tbeen\tgood\tto?\u2019 Arishtanemi\t frowned\t at\t the\t strange\t question.\t \u2018I\t can\t only\t think\t of\t his brother,\tKumbhakarna.\tAnd\teven\the\thas\tbeen\till-treated\tat\ttimes.\u2019 \u2018Only\this\tbrother?\tReally?\tNobody\telse?\u2019","\u2018Well,\t obviously,\t he\t is\t kind\t to\t his\t son.\t Oh\t yes!\t Also,\t his\t long-dead\t love, Vedavati.\u2019 \u2018Vedavati\tis\tthe\treason\the\twill\tnot\thurt\tSita,\u2019\tsaid\tVishwamitra. Vishwamitra\t had\t long\t suspected\t that\t their\t earlier\t interpretation\t of\t the events\tat\tTodee\thad\tbeen\toff\tthe\tmark.\tMany\tyears\tago,\the\thad\tsent\tArishtanemi and\ta\tfew\tothers,\tonce\tagain,\tto\tunearth\tmore\tdetails.\tArishtanemi\thad\tspoken\tto the\tmen\twho\thad\tdiscovered\tthe\tcorpses\tat\tTodee\tand\tlearned\tthat\ta\tfew\tbodies had\t been\t found\t tied\t to\t the\t trees\t close\t to\t Vedavati\u2019s\t house.\t Each\t of\t them\t bore clear\t signs\t of\t extreme\t torture.\t The\t bodies\t of\t the\t others\t who\t had\t died\t had\t been found\t strewn\t all\t around\t the\t village,\t suggesting\t that\t they\t had\t been\t chased\t and struck\t down\t while\t trying\t to\t escape.\t The\t corpses\t had\t been\t left\t to\t be\t eaten\t by wild\t animals.\t Arishtanemi\t had\t also\t ascertained\t that\t the\t only\t bodies\t that\t had been\t treated\t with\t respect\t and\t cremated\t with\t full\t Vedic\t honours\t were\t those\t of Vedavati\tand\ther\thusband\tPrithvi. All\t this\t had\t caused\t Vishwamitra\t to\t revise\t his\t opinion\t on\t what\t had transpired.\t Perhaps\t Raavan\t had\t behaved\t honourably,\t contrary\t to\t what\t they\t had thought.\t Perhaps\t the\t men\t who\t had\t been\t tied\t to\t the\t trees\t and\t tortured\t were\t the ones\twho\thad\tkilled\tVedavati\tand\ther\thusband. The\t conclusion\t was\t clear:\t Raavan\t had\t loved\t Vedavati\t deeply\t and\t had treated\t her\t well,\t till\t the\t end.\t The\t massacre\t was\t a\t result\t of\t his\t anguish\t at\t losing her.\tHe\tmust\thave\tordered\tthe\tkilling\tof\tthe\tvillagers\tin\ta\trage,\tafter\ther\tdeath. Vishwamitra\t was\t fairly\t certain\t that\t the\t tribe\t of\t the\t Mahadev,\t the Vayuputras,\t had\t reached\t the\t same\t conclusion.\t But\t he\t suspected\t they\t were unaware\t of\t what\t had\t happened\t after\t the\t massacre.\t They\t had\t not\t made\t that\t last crucial\t connection.\t That\t Vedavati\u2019s\t child\t had\t survived.\t Or\t they\t would\t have behaved\tdifferently\ttowards\tSita. Arishtanemi\t was\t still\t looking\t puzzled.\t \u2018What\t connection\t can\t there\t be between\tVedavati\tand\tSita,\tGuruji?\tWhy\twill\tRaavan\tnot\thurt\ther?\u2019 \u2018He\twill\tnot\thurt\ther\tbecause\tSita\tis\tVedavati\u2019s\tdaughter.\u2019 Arishtanemi\twas\tstunned.\t\u2018What?\u2019 Vishwamitra\t nodded,\t the\t hint\t of\t a\t smile\t on\t his\t face.\t Yes,\twe\u2019re\t definitely back\tin\tthe\tgame. \u2018How\tlong\thave\tyou\tknown\tthis,\tGuruji?\tWhen\tdid\tyou\tfind\tout?\u2019 \u2018Just\t before\t my\t decision\t to\t appoint\t Sita\t as\t the\t Vishnu.\t When\t she\t was about\tthirteen\tyears\tof\tage.\u2019 \u2018By\tthe\tgreat\tLord\tParshu\tRam!\tThat\u2019s\tnearly\ttwenty-five\tyears\tago!\u2019 \u2018Yes.\t And\t it\t was\t the\t sound\t of\t a\t hill\t myna\t that\t helped\t me\t make\t the connection.\u2019 \u2018A\thill\tmyna?\tReally?\u2019","\u2018Yes.\tWhen\tI\trealised\tthe\tconnection,\tI\tbecame\teven\tmore\tcertain\tthat\tmy choice\t was\t right.\t Sita\t will\t be\t the\t perfect\t Vishnu,\t the\t ideal\t hero.\t Because\t the villain\twill\tnever\tbe\table\tto\tbring\thimself\tto\tkill\tthis\thero.\u2019 Arishtanemi\t bowed\t to\t his\t chief,\t in\t awe.\t \u2018You\t are\t truly\t worthy\t of\t being Lord\tParshu\tRam\u2019s\ttorch-bearer,\tmy\tlord.\u2019 Vishwamitra\t acknowledged\t the\t compliment\t with\t a\t smile\t and\t said,\t \u2018Jai Parshu\tRam.\u2019 \u2018Jai\tParshu\tRam,\u2019\trepeated\tArishtanemi.\t\u2018What\tnow,\tGuruji?\u2019 \u2018Now,\twe\tuse\tall\tour\tresources,\tour\tsoldiers,\tour\tmoney\u2014and\tHanuman\u2014 to\tattack\tLanka.\tSita\twill\tdestroy\tRaavan.\tAnd\tall\tof\tIndia\twill\taccept\ther\tas\tthe Vishnu.\u2019 \u2018Why\t Hanuman?\t Considering\t he\t is\t close\t to\u2026\t \u2019\t Arishtanemi\t stopped himself\t just\t in\t time.\t He\t had\t been\t about\t to\t name\t his\t guru\u2019s\t arch-rival, Vashishtha. \u2018Many\t reasons,\u2019\t said\t Vishwamitra.\t \u2018The\t most\t important\t one\t being\t that Hanuman\tloves\tSita\tlike\ta\tsister.\tAnd\tSita\ttrusts\thim\tlike\tshe\twould\ta\tbrother.\u2019 Arishtanemi\t smiled,\t shaking\t his\t head\t in\t wonder.\t \u2018There\t is\t nobody\t like you,\tGuruji.\tNo\tone\telse\tcould\thave\tplanned\tthis.\u2019 \u2018Wait\t and\t see.\t I\t have\t no\t doubt\t that\t Mother\t India\t will\t be\t saved.\t And\t she will\t be\t saved\t by\t our\t Vishnu.\t We\t will\t be\t remembered\t forever\t for\t this.\t Our ancestors\twill\tbe\tproud\tof\tus,\u2019\tVishwamitra\tdeclared. Arishtanemi\tput\this\thands\ttogether\tin\trespect\tand\tsaid,\t\u2018Jai\tShri\tRudra.\tJai Parshu\tRam.\u2019 Glory\tto\tLord\tRudra.\tGlory\tto\tLord\tParshu\tRam. Vishwamitra\t repeated\t the\t chant\t of\t the\t Malayaputras.\t \u2018Jai\t Shri\t Rudra.\t Jai Parshu\tRam.\u2019 \u2018Divodas!\tTurn\taround\tand\tface\tme!\u2019 Vashishtha,\tknown\tas\tDivodas\tduring\this\tgurukul\tdays,\tturned\tto\tface\tthe man\twho\thad\tonce\tbeen\this\tclosest\tfriend:\tVishwamitra. \u2018Kaushik\u2026\u2019\tsaid\tVashishtha,\tthrough\tgritted\tteeth,\tusing\tthe\tgurukul\tname of\tVishwamitra.\t\u2018This\tis\tall\tyour\tfault.\u2019 Vishwamitra\t looked\t at\t the\t cremation\t pyre\t and\t then\t back\t at\t Vashishtha. \u2018She\u2019s\t dead\t because\t of\t you.\t Because\t you\t simply\t couldn\u2019t\t do\t what\t had\t to\t be done!\tSigiriya\tand\tTrishanku\twere\tsupposed\tto\tbe\u2014\u2019 Vashishtha\tstepped\tcloser,\tinterrupting\tVishwamitra.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tyou\tdare!\tShe died\tbecause\tof\tyou,\tKaushik!\tShe\tdied\tbecause\tyou\tinsisted\ton\tdoing\tsomething","that\tshould\tnever\thave\tbeen\tdone.\tI\ttold\tyou!\tI\twarned\tyou!\u2019 Vashishtha\twas\tthin\tand\tlanky\tto\ta\tfault.\tHis\thead\twas\tshaved\tbare\tbut\tfor a\t knotted\t tuft\t of\t hair\t at\t the\t top\t of\t his\t head,\t which\t announced\t that\t he\t was\t a Brahmin.\t His\t flowing\t black\t beard\t gave\t him\t the\t look\t of\t a\t philosopher.\t At\t the moment,\t though,\t he\t looked\t anything\t but\t gentle.\t He\t was\t shaking\t with\t fury,\t fists clenched\ttight.\tRage\tpoured\tout\tof\this\teyes. As\t tall\t as\t Vashishtha\t was,\t he\t was\t dwarfed\t by\t the\t strapping\t Vishwamitra, who\t stood\t facing\t him.\t Almost\t seven\t feet\t in\t height,\t dark-skinned\t and\t barrel- chested,\t with\t a\t muscular\t torso\t and\t a\t rounded\t belly,\t Vishwamitra\t intimidated people\t just\t by\t his\t presence.\t His\t long\t black\t beard\t and\t knotted\t tuft\t of\t hair\t flew wild\t and\t free\t in\t the\t wind.\t He\t looked\t like\t he\t was\t fighting\t for\t control,\t to\t stop himself\tfrom\twringing\tVashishtha\u2019s\tneck. \u2018Get\tout\tof\there,\u2019\tsnarled\tVishwamitra.\t\u2018I\twill\tnot\tkill\tyou\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\u2019 Vashishtha\t stepped\t even\t closer\t and\t stared\t coldly\t at\t Vishwamitra.\t Their friendship\twas\tlong\tdead.\tIts\tremains\tburned\tin\tthe\tpyre\tthat\twas\tconsuming\tthe woman\t they\t had\t both\t loved.\t From\t that\t same\t seething\t fire,\t a\t new\t enmity\t was being\tborn.\tAn\tenmity\tthat\twould\tlast\tmore\tthan\ta\thundred\tyears. \u2018You\t think\t I\t am\t scared\t of\t you?\t Bring\t it\t on!\t Let\u2019s\t battle!\t Say\t when!\u2019 Vashishtha\tproclaimed. Vishwamitra\traised\this\thand,\tthen\twith\tgreat\teffort,\tcontrolled\thimself\tand stepped\tback.\t\u2018I\twill\tfulfil\ther\tdream.\tI\twill\tshow\ther\tthat\tI\tam\tbetter,\tbetter\tthan you\tare.\u2019 \u2018You\tare\tnobody\tto\tdo\tanything\tfor\ther!\tShe\twas\tmine.\tI\twill\u2014\u2019 \u2018Guruji!\u2019 Vashishtha\t opened\t his\t eyes,\t coming\t back\t to\t the\t present\t from\t the\t ancient, nearly-century-old\tmemory. He\t said\t a\t quick\t prayer\t in\t his\t mind\t and\t asked,\t \u2018What\t happened?\u2019\t He\t had sent\this\tfriend\tHanuman\tto\tsave\tthem,\tto\tsave\tSita\tand\tRam.\tHe\tcould\tonly\thope Hanuman\thad\treached\tin\ttime. \u2018We\t received\t word\t from\t Lord\t Hanuman,\t Guruji.\t I\t am\t sorry,\t but\t Raavan has\tkidnapped\tPrincess\tSita.\u2019 \u2018And\tRam?\u2019 \u2018The\tLankans\tkilled\tall\tthe\tMalayaputras\twho\twere\twith\tPrincess\tSita.\tBut from\twhat\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold,\tPrince\tRam\tand\tPrince\tLakshman\tare\tstill\talive.\tOur Vishnu\tis\tsafe.\tThe\tnews\tis\tnot\tas\tbad\tas\tit\tfirst\tseemed.\u2019 The\t Vayuputras\t had\t supported\t Vashishtha\u2019s\t decision\t to\t recognise\t Ram\t as the\t Vishnu.\t They\t too\t believed\t that\t it\t would\t be\t good\t for\t India.\t Technically, though,\tas\tthe\ttribe\tof\tthe\tprevious\tMahadev,\tthey\tonly\thad\tthe\tright\tto\trecognise the\tnext\tMahadev\tand\tnot\tthe\tnext\tVishnu.","\u2018The\t news\t is\t bad,\t my\t friend,\u2019\t said\t Vashishtha.\t \u2018The\t war\t has\t been triggered.\u2019 \u2018But\u2026\tbut\tI\tam\tnot\tsure\tRaavan\twants\ta\twar,\tGuruji.\tWe\tknow\tthat\tLanka is\tvery\tweak.\u2019 \u2018It\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter\twhat\tRaavan\twants.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tmere\tpuppet.\tHe\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tone who\tis\tbehind\tthis.\u2019 \u2018Then\twho\tis?\u2019 \u2018Vishwamitra.\u2019 \u2018But\u2014\u2019\tThe\tVayuputra\tmessenger\theld\this\ttongue.\tHe\tknew\tof\tthe\tanimus between\t Vashishtha\t and\t Vishwamitra.\t The\t worst\t enemy\t you\t can\t have\t is someone\twho\twas\tonce\ta\tdear\tfriend.\tHe\tknew\tbetter\tthan\tto\tget\tin\tthe\tway\tof\ta battle\tas\ttitanic\tand\tmalignant\tas\tthat\tbetween\tVashishtha\tand\tVishwamitra. \u2018What\tdo\twe\tdo\tnow,\tGuruji?\u2019 Vashishtha\u2019s\t fists\t were\t clenched\t tight,\t his\t muscles\t tense.\t His\t eyes, normally\t kind\t and\t gentle,\t burned\t with\t fury.\t His\t face\t was\t a\t picture\t of determination. \u2018Now\u2026\twe\tfight!\u2019 \u2026\tto\tbe\tcontinued.","Other\tTitles\tby\tAmish The\tShiva\tTrilogy The\tfastest-selling\tbook\tseries\tin\tthe\thistory\tof \tIndian\tpublishing THE\tIMMORTALS\tOF\tMELUHA (Book\t1\tof \tthe\tTrilogy) 1900\tBC.\tWhat\tmodern\tIndians\tmistakenly\tcall\tthe\tIndus\tValley\tCivilisation,\tthe inhabitants\t of\t that\t period\t knew\t as\t the\t land\t of\t Meluha\t \u2013\t a\t near\t perfect\t empire created\tmany\tcenturies\tearlier\tby\tLord\tRam.\tNow\ttheir\tprimary\triver\tSaraswati is\t drying,\t and\t they\t face\t terrorist\t attacks\t from\t their\t enemies\t from\t the\t east.\t Will their\tprophesied\thero,\tthe\tNeelkanth,\temerge\tto\tdestroy\tevil? THE\tSECRET\tOF\tTHE\tNAGAS (Book\t2\tof \tthe\tTrilogy)","The\t sinister\t Naga\t warrior\t has\t killed\t his\t friend\t Brahaspati\t and\t now\t stalks\t his wife\tSati.\tShiva,\twho\tis\tthe\tprophesied\tdestroyer\tof\tevil,\twill\tnot\trest\ttill\the\tfinds his\t demonic\t adversary.\t His\t thirst\t for\t revenge\t will\t lead\t him\t to\t the\t door\t of\t the Nagas,\tthe\tserpent\tpeople.\tFierce\tbattles\twill\tbe\tfought\tand\tunbelievable\tsecrets revealed\tin\tthe\tsecond\tpart\tof\tthe\tShiva\ttrilogy. THE\tOATH\tOF\tTHE\tVAYUPUTRAS (Book\t3\tof \tthe\tTrilogy) Shiva\treaches\tthe\tNaga\tcapital,\tPanchavati,\tand\tprepares\tfor\ta\tholy\twar\tagainst his\t true\t enemy.\t The\t Neelkanth\t must\t not\t fail,\t no\t matter\t what\t the\t cost.\t In\t his desperation,\t he\t reaches\t out\t to\t the\t Vayuputras.\t Will\t he\t succeed?\t And\t what\t will be\t the\t real\t cost\t of\t battling\t Evil?\t Read\t the\t concluding\t part\t of\t this\t bestselling series\tto\tfind\tout. The\tRam\tChandra\tSeries","The\tsecond\tfastest-selling\tbook\tseries\tin\tthe\thistory\tof \tIndian\tpublishing RAM\t\u2013\tSCION\tOF\tIKSHVAKU (Book\t1\tof \tthe\tSeries) He\t loves\t his\t country\t and\t he\t stands\t alone\t for\t the\t law.\t His\t band\t of\t brothers,\t his wife,\tSita\tand\tthe\tfight\tagainst\tthe\tdarkness\tof\tchaos.\tHe\tis\tPrince\tRam.\tWill\the rise\t above\t the\t taint\t that\t others\t heap\t on\t him?\t Will\t his\t love\t for\t Sita\t sustain\t him through\this\tstruggle?\tWill\the\tdefeat\tthe\tdemon\tLord\tRaavan\twho\tdestroyed\this childhood?\tWill\the\tfulfil\tthe\tdestiny\tof\tthe\tVishnu?\tBegin\tan\tepic\tjourney\twith Amish\u2019s\tlatest:\tthe\tRam\tChandra\tSeries. SITA\t\u2013\tWARRIOR\tOF\tMITHILA (Book\t2\tof \tthe\tSeries) An\tabandoned\tbaby\tis\tfound\tin\ta\tfield.\tShe\tis\tadopted\tby\tthe\truler\tof\tMithila,\ta powerless\t kingdom,\t ignored\t by\t all.\t Nobody\t believes\t this\t child\t will\t amount\t to much.\t But\t they\t are\t wrong.\t For\t she\t is\t no\t ordinary\t girl.\t She\t is\t Sita.\t Through\t an","innovative\tmulti-linear\tnarrative,\tAmish\ttakes\tyou\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\tepic\tworld\tof the\tRam\tChandra\tSeries. Non-fiction IMMORTAL\tINDIA Explore\tIndia\twith\tthe\tcountry\u2019s\tstoryteller,\tAmish,\twho\thelps\tyou\tunderstand\tit like\t never\t before,\t through\t a\t series\t of\t sharp\t articles,\t nuanced\t speeches\t and intelligent\t debates.\t In\t Immortal\t India,\t Amish\t lays\t out\t the\t vast\t landscape\t of\t an ancient\tculture\twith\ta\tfascinatingly\tmodern\toutlook."]