Immortals of Meluha

‘Your destiny is much larger than these massive mountains.’
Nonsense! I don’t deserve any destiny. If these people knew my guilt, they would stop this
bullshit instantly!
‘I don’t know what to do, Bhadra.’
Shiva was sitting in the royal gardens on the banks of the Dal Lake while his friend sat at his
side, carefully filling some marijuana into a chillum. As Bhadra used the lit stick to bring the
chillum to life, Shiva said impatiently, ‘That’s a cue for you to speak, you fool.’
‘No. That’s actually a cue for me to hand you the chillum, Shiva.’
‘Why will you not council me?’ asked Shiva in anguish. ‘We are still the same friends who
never made a move without consulting each other!’
Bhadra smiled. ‘No we are not. You are the Chief now. The tribe lives and dies by your
decisions. It cannot be corrupted by any other person’s influence. We are not like the Pakratis,
where the Chief has to listen to whoever is the loudmouth on their council. Only the chief’s
wisdom is supreme amongst the Gunas. That is our tradition.’
Shiva raised his eyes in exasperation. ‘Some traditions are meant to be broken!’
Bhadra stayed silent. Stretching his hand, Shiva grabbed the chillum from Bhadra. He took
one deep puff, letting the marijuana spread its munificence into his body.
‘I’ve heard just one line about the legend of the Neelkanth,’ said Bhadra. ‘Apparently Meluha
is in deep trouble and only the Neelkanth can save them.’
‘But I can’t seem to see any trouble out here? Everything seems perfect. If they want to see
real trouble we should take them to our land!’
Bhadra laughed slightiy. ‘But what is it about the blue throat that makes them believe you
can save them?’
‘Damned if I know! They are so much more advanced than us. And yet they worship me like
I am some god. Just because of this blessed blue throat’
‘I think their medicines are magical though. Have you noticed that the hump on my back has
reduced a litde bit?’
‘Yes it has! Their doctors are seriously gifted.’
‘You know their doctors are called Brahmins?’
‘Like Ayurvati?’ asked Shiva, passing the chillum back to Bhadra.
‘Yes. But the Brahmins don’t just cure people. They are also teachers, lawyers, priests,
basically any intellectual profession.’
‘Talented people,’ sniffed Shiva.
‘That’s not all,’ said Bhadra, in between a long inhalation.
‘They have a concept of specialisation. So in addition to the Brahmins, they have a group
called Kshatriyas, who are the warriors and rulers. Even the women can be Kshatriyas!’
‘Really? They allow women into their army?’
‘Well, apparently there aren’t too many female Kshatriyas. But yes, they are allowed into the
army.’
‘No wonder they are in trouble!’
The friends laughed loudly at the strange ways of the Meluhans. Bhadra took another puff
from the chillum before continuing his story. ‘And then they have Vaishyas, who are craftsmen,