Kanyaka [Sequel to Durga] | ✓

11. The Symbol of Unification

“That's for you to think. Think in terms of separate triangles. What does upper triangle and lower triangle represent?”

Ramaiah looked aghast. “The symbol of Shakti and Shiva!”

Taking the cue, Rudra said, “The lower triangle represents vagina which is Shakti. . .”

“. . . the upper triangle representing phallus which is Shiva,” completed Durga.

Abhilash smiled. “Indeed that was a good teamwork. The upper triangle represents extrovert behaviour, action and masculinity while the lower triangle represents introvert behaviour, meditative state and femininity.”

“The meditative state is usually associated with Shiva, isn't it?” Ramaiah asked.

“That's because He is Ardhanarishwara. This symbol is also called as ‘the secret of six’ owing to the various theories surrounding it. This sacred symbol appears in many other religions, known by the names- the Hexagram, the Star of David, the seal of Solomon and the symbol of Shiva- Shakti.”

Rudra pondered for a while.“Kanyaka united Shaktism and Shaivism?”

Taking the cue, Mallanna turned the page. “The back of the coin also had some inscriptions. Surprisingly, it was in Sanskrit.”

शिवाय विष्णु रूपाय, शिव रूपाय विष्णवे।
शिवस्य हृदयं विष्णुर, विष्णुश्च हृदयं शिवः।।

Shivay vishnu roopaay, shiv roopaay vaishnav;
Shivasya hridayam vishnur, vishnukshch hridayam shivah.

Vishnu is a form of Shiva, and so is Shiva a form of Vishnu,
In Shiva's heart is Vishnu, and in Vishnu's heart is Shiva.

Durga looked with her eyes wide open. “She united three major sects of Bhaktism- Shaktism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism with a single coin!”

Srihari pointed towards the lower portion and explained, “Out of the charred letters, a few of them were saved from burning. The royal seal was of similar pattern except that the symbol and sholka were in the same seal.”

Ramaiah didn't want to reveal but the image was highly blurred. Rudra sensed it and signalled him to be quiet.

Suddenly, Abhilash started clicking his pen. Durga asked him out of irritation, “Sir, is everything okay?”

“I am waiting for a call. A coin was sent to conduct carbon-14 radioactive dating in Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. According to our calculations, it can be anywhere around 750- 450 years but the range is a bit wide.”

She took a deep breath. What if he knows that the Portuguese were coming to attack? It could be somewhere around 600-450 years. Why does he need to do carbon-14 dating?

The very moment, Abhilash’s phone started ringing. Excusing himself, he answered the call. An awkward silence filled the room. What Rudra couldn't understand was what was the purpose of Abhilash’s visit.

“The coins dates back 500 years ago. Along with Devadasi system and Bhaktism, there could possibly have been a foreign invasion. Keeping aside these things, we need to know a bit about Akshad Rao.”

Durga looked at him in confusion. “Appa? What does Appa know about it?”

“Your father was a part of ASI until he got fed up with the internal politics. He took the job of the teacher. . .”

Though she didn't wanted to remember her past, her brain left no option.

“Akshad! What is this? You left your job?”

“Neeravati, I just can't handle things over there.”

“. . . After many we met again here, in Mysore, where he promised me that my son and you will be married. But you were still sixteen year old girl so we decided to wait for at least two more years . .”

“Appa, what happened? You look so worried?”

“Nothing kanna, just a bit of work.”

“I will get you a cup of strong masala flavoured tea, wait,” she got up and ran.

“Durga, one minute,” he said and gestured her to sit next to him. “If suppose, when you reach 18 years of age and I get married you to someone I chose, will that be okay?”

She smiled. “Whatever you do Appa, there must be some good in it. But I have one condition- no matter what happens, my studies should not be distributed.”

“. . . Your father betrayed our friendship, our promise by marrying you to your uncle. The day I got to know, I cut all my ties.”

Rudra gritted his teeth. “Why do you have to talk about it now?”

Abhilash heaved a deep sigh. “I clearly remember Akshad mentioning about Sahasyabhumi and some map associated with it. I thought it was some rubbish until I was assigned this expedition.”

Durga looked with teary eyes. “Just now you said you had cut all your ties with Appa then when did he tell you about this?”

“In the hospital, when he suffered his first cardiac arrest. My son, a doctor was on duty when he saw Akshad in the Emergency Ward. I came to meet him and he told me about this. When I asked about it, he said, Durga knows about it.”

All the heads were turned towards her. “Me?”

Rudra asked, “If that was the case, why didn't you approach her then?”

Abhilash looked at him with irritation. “When I have clearly mentioned to you that I didn't believe this, why will I meet her? If I had made up my mind, what would I go and ask her?”

Ramaiah tensed the situation was getting a bit heated. “Who is your son, Sir?”

“Dr. Raghavendra.”

She looked a bit puzzled. “Dr. Raghavendra? The hypnotist I met the other day?”

“Yes, it's him,” he replied. “Durga, I have provided all the confidential information that ASI has discovered in past one week. I want you to tell me, where is that map?”

Durga tried thinking about it. A few moments later, she felt herself sweating despite of the cool air conditioning. The more she started thinking about it, the more she sweat. Her breathing and palpitations had increased. Meanwhile, Rudra and Ramaiah were discussing about the discovery by Epigraphy department.

A few seconds later, she felt she was slowly losing her unconscious and pain seethed into her head. Abhilash looked puzzled but maintained a straight demeanour. He gently asked, “Mrs, Durga, are you okay?”

The question caught Rudra and Ramaiah’s attention who saw her clutching her head; it banged on the table and she lost her conscious. Rudra ran towards her and shook her. “Durga! Durga! Look here, open your eyes.”

An ambulance was called and she was taken to the hospital. Next to their office, a car was waiting for Abhilash.