Immortals of Meluha

Turning to Shiva, Sati asked, ‘What was that you did before the dance? Was it some kind of
preparatory step?’
‘Yes. It’s called the Natarajpose. The pose of the Lord of dance!
‘The Nataraj pose? What does it do?’
‘It aligned my energy to the universal energy so that the dance emerges on its own.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Well, it’s like this: amongst our people, we believe that everything in the world is a carrier of
shakti or energy. The plants, animals, objects, our bodies, everything carries and transmits
energy. But the biggest carrier of energy that we are physically in touch with is Mother Earth
herself — the ground that we walk on.’
‘What does that have to do with your dance?’
‘For anything that you do, you need energy. You have to source the energy around you. The
energy comes from people, from objects, from Mother Earth herself. You have to ask for that
energy respectfully.’
‘And your Nataraj pose helps you to access any energy that you want?’ asked the Guruji.
‘It depends on what I want the energy for. The Nataraj pose helps me to ask respectfully for
energy for a dance that wants to come to me. If I wanted the energy for a thought to come to
me, I would have to sit cross-legged and meditate.’
‘It seems that the energy favours you, young man,’ said the Guruji. ‘You are the Nataraj, the
Lord of dance!’
‘Oh no!’ exclaimed Shiva. ‘I am just a medium of the boundless Nataraj energy. Anyone can
be the medium.’
‘Well, then you are a particularly efficient medium, young man,’ said the Guruji. Turning to
Sati, he said, ‘You don’t need me if you have a friend like him, my child. If you want to be taught
by Shiva, it would be my honour to excuse myself.’
Shiva looked at Sati expectantly. This had gone much better than he expected.
Say yes, dammit!
Sati however seemed to withdraw into herself. Shiva was starded to see the first signs of
vulnerability in this woman. She bowed her head, an act which did not suit her proud bearing
and whispered softly, ‘I mean no disrespect to anyone, but perhaps I do not have the skills to
receive training of this level.’
‘But you do have the skill,’ argued Shiva. ‘You have the bearing. You have the heart. You
can very easily reach that level.’
Sati looked up at Shiva, her eyes showing just the slightest hint of dampness. The profound
sadness they conveyed took Shiva aback.
What the hell is going on?
‘I am very far from any level, Shiva,’ mumbled Sati.
As she said that, Sati found the strength to control herself again. The politely proud manner
returned to her face. The mask was back. ‘It is time for my puja. With your permission Guruji, I
must leave.’ She turned towards Shiva. ‘It was a pleasure meeting you again Shiva.’
Before Shiva could respond, Sati turned quickly and left, followed by Krittika.
The Guruji continued to stare at a flummoxed Shiva. At length, he bent low with a formal
namaste towards Shiva and said, ‘It has been my life’s honour to see you dance.’
Then he too turned and left. Shiva was left wondering at the inscrutable ways of the
Meluhans.