Immortals of Meluha

frantic rhythm. He could swear that he had a whiff of his favourite fragrance in the world: the
aroma of the holy lake at sunset. As before, he was mesmerized.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Except for the noise made by the
unfortunate glass which fell from Sati’s hand again. The clang of the rolling glass distracted Sati
slightly from her fixed gaze. With superhuman effort, she managed to control the look of shock
on her face. She was breathing heavily, as if she had just danced a duet with Shiva. What she
did not know was that her soul was doing exactly that.
Daksha gazed at the dumbstruck couple with glee. He had the look of a director who had
just seen his play being perfectly executed. Nandi, standing right behind Shiva, could see Sati’s
expression. Suddenly everything became clear to him. The dance practices, the vikarma touch,
the shudhikaran and his Lord’s anguish. While some part of him was afraid, another reconciled
to it quickly. If his Lord wanted this, he would support it in every way possible. Brahaspati
stared blankly at the couple, deep in thought about the implications of this unexpected situation.
Parvateshwar looked at the goings on with barely concealed repugnance. What was happening
was wrong, immoral and worst of all, illegal.
‘My Lord,’ said Daksha pointing to the empty seat at his right. ‘Please take your seat and
we shall begin.’
Shiva did not react. He had not heard Daksha’s words. He was in a world where the only
sound was the harmonious melody of Sati’s heavy breathing. A tune he could blissfully dance to
for his next seven lives.
‘My Lord,’ repeated Daksha, a litde louder.
A distracted Shiva finally looked at Daksha, as if from another world.
‘Please take your seat, my Lord,’ said Daksha.
‘Yes of course, your Highness,’ said Shiva averting his eyes in embarrassment.
As Shiva sat down, the food was brought in. It was a simple delicacy that the Meluhans
loved for breakfast. Rice and some cereals fermented and ground into a thick batter. Small
portions of this batter were then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed into cylindrical
roundels. The preparation was served while still draped in the banana leaf, along with some
spicy lentils for taste. The dish was called an idli.
‘You’re the Neelkanth?’ a still shocked Sati whispered softly to Shiva, as she had willed
some calmness into her breathing.
‘Apparently so,’ replied Shiva with a playful grin. ‘Impressed?’
Sati answered that question with a raised disdainful brow. The mask was back. ‘Why would
I be impressed?’
What?!
‘My Lord,’ said Daksha.
‘Yes, your Highness,’ said Shiva, turning towards Daksha.
‘I was thinking,’ said Daksha. ‘Our puja should be over by this evening. Yet I have to stay
here for two more days for some reviews with Brahaspati. There is no point in having Veerini
and Sati get thoroughly bored out here for so much time.’
‘Thank you, your Highness,’ said Brahaspati with a sly grin. ‘Your vote of confidence in the
interest that the royal family has in Mount Mandar is most reassuring.’
The entire table burst out laughing. So did Daksha, exhibiting a sporting spirit.
‘You know what I meant Brahaspati!’ said Daksha, shaking his head. Turning back to Shiva,
he continued, ‘From what I know, my Lord, you were planning to leave for Devagiri tomorrow