We could only know his first-adopted.’
‘Fair point.’
‘But in addition, it was not necessary that the first-adopted child would succeed. This was
another one of the laws that Lord Ram instituted for stability and peace. You see, in the olden
days there were many royal families, each with their own small kingdoms.’
‘All right,’ said Shiva, paying as much attention to Sati’s words as to the hypnotising dimples
that formed on her cheeks when she spoke. ‘These kings would probably be at war all the time,
so that one of them could be overlord for however short a period.’
‘Obviously,’ smiled Sati, shaking her head at the foolishness of the kings before Lord Ram’s
time.
‘Well, it is the same everywhere,’ said Shiva, remembering the constant warfare in his part
of the world.
‘Battles for supremacy between the kings led to many unnecessary and futile wars, where
the only ones who suffered were the common people,’ continued Sati. ‘Lord Ram felt it was
ridiculous for the people to suffer so that the egos of their kings were fed. He instituted a
system where a Rajya Sabha, the ruling council, consisting of all Brahmins and Kshatriyas of a
specific rank, was created. Whenever the Emperor died or took sanyas, the council would meet
and elect a new Emperor from amongst Kshatriyas of the rank of brigadier or above. The
decision could not be contested and was inviolate.’
‘I have said it before and I’ll say it again,’ said Shiva with a broad smile. ‘Lord Ram was a
genius.’
‘Yes, he was,’ said Sati, enthusiastically. ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
‘Jai Shri Ram,’ repeated Shiva. ‘But tell me, how come your father became the Emperor
after Lord Brahmanayak. After all, his Highness is the first born of the previous Emperor,
correct?’
‘He was elected, just like every other Emperor of Meluha. Actually it was the first time in
Meluhan history that a ruling emperor’s son was elected Emperor,’ said Sati proudly.
‘Hmm. But your grandfather helped your father get elected?’
‘I’ve never been sure about that. I know my grandfather would have liked it if my father had
become Emperor. But I also know that he was a great man who followed the rules of Meluha
and would not openly help his son. Lord Bhrigu, a great sage respected across the land, helped
my father a great deal in his election.’
Shiva smiled at her tenderly running his hand across the side of her face. Sati closed her
eyes, exulting in the sensation. His hand glided along the side of her body to rest on her hand
again. He squeezed it softly.
Shiva was about to ask more about the relationship between Daksha and Lord Bhrigu when
the door suddenly swung open. Daksha, looking deeply exhausted, stormed in. Following him
were Veerini and Kanakhala. Shiva immediately withdrew his hand before Daksha could see
where it was. But Daksha had noticed the movement.
‘Father!’ cried a surprised Sati.
‘Sati, my child,’ sighed Daksha, kneeling next to Sati’s bed. Veerini knelt next to Daksha and
ran her hand lovingly over her daughter’s face. She was crying. Kanakhala remained at the door
and greeted Shiva with a formal namaste. Shiva returned Kanakhala’s namaste with a beaming
smile. Parvateshwar and Ayurvati waited next to Kanakhala, politely leaving the royal family
alone in their private moment. Nandi, Veerbhadra and Krittika stood behind them. A discrete
singke
(singke)
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