CHAPTER 13

Blessings of the Impure

Kotdwaar was in all its glory to receive the Neelkanth. Torches had been lit across the fort
perimeter as if it was Diwali. Red and blue pennants, embellished with the Suryavanshi Sun,
had been hung down the fort walls. In a rare breach of protocol, the governor had come outside
the city to personally receive the Neelkanth. After the formal exhibition of the Neelkanth for the
Kotdwaar elite at the local court, a public function had been organised the following day. Sixty-
five thousand people, practically the entire population of Kotdwaar, had converged for the
event. Considering the vast number of attendees, the event had been organised outside the city
platform to ensure that every person could be accommodated.
A speech by Shiva convinced the Kotdwaarans that Meluha’s days of trouble were soon to
end. The remarkable effect Shiva seemed to have on the people was a revelation to him.
Though he was careful with his words, telling them that he would do all he could to support the
people of Meluha, the public made their own interpretations.
‘The cursed Chandravanshis will finally be destroyed,’ said one man.
‘We don’t have to worry about anything now. The Neelkanth will take care of everything,’
said a woman.
Seated with Brahaspati and Sati on the speaker ’s platform, Parvateshwar was deeply
unhappy at the public’s reaction. Turning to the chief scientist, he said, ‘Our entire society is
based on laws and we are not supposed to blindly follow anyone. We are expected to solve our
problems ourselves and not hope for miracles from a solitary man. What has this man done to
deserve such blind faith?’
‘Parvateshwar,’ said Brahaspati politely, for he greatly respected him. ‘I think Shiva is a
good man. I think he cares enough to want to do something. And aren’t good intentions the first
step towards any good deed?’
Parvateshwar didn’t completely agree. Never a believer in the legend of the Neelkanth, the
general thought that every man or woman had to earn his station in life with training and
preparation, not just get it on a silver platter because of a blue throat. ‘Yes, that may be true.
But intentions aren’t enough. They have to be backed by ability as well. Here we are, putting an
untrained man on a pedestal and acting as though he is our saviour. For all we know, he might
lead us to complete disaster. We are acting on faith. Not logic or laws or even experience.’
‘Sometimes one needs a little bit of faith when faced with a difficult situation. Rational
answers don’t always work. We also need a miracle.’
‘You’re talking about miracles? A scientist?’
‘You can have scientific miracles too, Parvateshwar,’ smiled Brahaspati.
Parvateshwar was distracted by the sight of Shiva stepping off the platform. As he came
down there was a surge of people wanting to touch his hand. The soldiers, led by Nandi and