Daksha raised his hand. He waited for just enough time for the anticipation to build up. And
then jubilantly bellowed, ‘Yes! The rumours are true. Our saviour has come! The Neelkanth has
come!’
Shiva winced at being put on display on the royal platform with his cravat removed. The
Meluhan elite thronged around him, their varying statements buzzing in Shiva’s ears.
‘We had heard the rumours, my Lord. But we never believed them to be true.’
‘We have nothing to fear anymore, my Lord. The days of evil are numbered!’
‘Where are you from, my Lord?’
‘Mount Kailash? Where is that, my Lord? I would like to take a pilgrimage there.’
Answering these repeated questions and being confronted by the blind faith of these people
disturbed Shiva. The moment he had a chance, he requested Daksha for permission to leave
the court.
A few hours later, Shiva sat in the quiet comfort of his chamber, considering what had
happened at the court. The cravat was back around his neck.
‘By the Holy Lake, can I really deliver these people from their troubles?’
‘What did you say, my Lord?’ asked Nandi, who was sitting patiently at a distance.
‘The faith of your people makes me anxious,’ said Shiva, loud enough for Nandi to hear. ‘If
there was a one-on-one battie, I could take on any enemy to protect your people. But I am no
leader. And I am certainly not a “destroyer of evil”.’
‘I am sure that you can lead us to victory against anyone, my Lord. You beat them back on
the road to Devagiri.’
‘That wasn’t a genuine victory,’ said Shiva dismissively. ‘They were a small platoon, aiming
to kidnap and not to kill. If we face a well organised and large army, whose aim is to kill, the
situation may be very different. If you ask me, it appears that Meluha is against some
formidable and ruthless enemies. Your country doesn’t need faith in just one man. That is not
the answer. Your people need to adapt to the changing times. Maybe you are too innocent in
your way of life to actually take on such a cold-blooded enemy. A new system is needed. I am
not some god who will magically solve your problems.’
‘You are right, my Lord,’ said Nandi, with all the conviction of a simple, lucky man not
troubled by too many thoughts. ‘A new system is required, and I obviously don’t know what this
new system should be. But I do understand one thing. More than a thousand years back, we
faced a similar situation and Lord Ram came and taught us a better way. I am sure that,
similarly, you will lead us to a superior path.’
‘I am no Lord Ram, Nandi!’
How can this fool even compare me to Lord Ram, the Maryada Purushottam, the Ideal
Man?
‘You are better than Lord Ram, my Lord,’ said Nandi.
‘Stop this nonsense, Nandi! What have I done to even be compared with Lord Ram? Let
alone be considered better?’
‘But you will do deeds that will place you above him, my Lord.’ ‘Just shut up!’