looked closely though, one could see just a hint of defiance in his eyes.
‘Oh no, your Highness,’ mumbled Shiva, a little mortified. ‘I didn’t mean to look. Please
accept my apologies.’
‘Why should you apologise, my Lord?’ asked Daksha. ‘It is my chosen-tribe. It is worn on
the arm so that everyone can see it and classify me.’
‘But you are much beyond your chosen-tribe, your Highness,’ said Shiva politely. ‘You are a
far greater man than what that amulet symbolises.’
‘Yes,’ smiled Daksha. ‘I really showed the old man, didn’t I? The Neelkanth did not choose
to appear in his reign. He came in mine. The terrorists were not defeated in his reign. They
were defeated in mine. And the Chandravanshis were not reformed in his reign. They will be
reformed in mine.’
Shiva smiled cautiously. Something about the conversation niggled at him. He took one more
glance at the amulet on Daksha’s arm. It represented a humble goat, one of the lowest chosen-
tribes amongst the Kshatriyas. In fact, some people considered the goat chosen-tribe to be so
low that its wearer could not even be called a full Kshatriya. Shiva turned back towards the
sacred fire on receiving the verbal cue from the pandit. Scooping some more ghee, he poured it
into the fire with a ‘Swaha’.
At nightfall, in the privacy of their chambers, Shiva had considered asking Sati about the
relationship between Emperor Brahmanayak and his son, Daksha. But for some reason, his
instincts told him that he would have to be careful in how he asks the questions.
‘How was the relationship between Lord Brahmanayak and your father?’
Sati stopped playing with Shiva’s flowing locks. She took a deep breath and whispered, ‘It
was strained at times. They were very different characters. But Lord Bhrigu...’
The conversation was interrupted by knocking at the door.
‘What is it?’ growled Shiva.
‘My Lord,’ Taman, the doorkeeper, announced nervously. ‘The Chief Scientist Brahaspatiji
has requested an audience with you. He insists that he must meet with you tonight.’
Shiva was always happy to meet Brahaspati. But before answering the doorkeeper, he
looked at Sati with a raised eyebrow. Sati smiled and nodded. She knew of the importance that
Shiva attached to his relationship with Brahaspati.
‘Let Brahaspatiji in, Taman.’
‘Yes, my Lord.’
‘My friend,’ said Brahaspati. ‘My apologies for disturbing you so late.’
‘You never need to apologise to me, my friend,’ answered Shiva.
‘Namaste, Brahaspatiji,’ said Sati, bending to touch the Chief Scientist’s feet.
‘Akhand saubhagyavati bhav,’ said Brahaspati, blessing Sati with the traditional invocation
that may her husband always be alive and by her side.
‘Well,’ said Shiva to Brahaspati, ‘what is so important that you had to pull yourself out of bed
so late at night?’
‘Actually, I didn’t get the chance to speak to you earlier.’
‘I know,’ said Shiva, smiling towards Sati. ‘Our days have been full with one ceremony after