Kanyaka [Sequel to Durga] | ✓

24. Conversation with the Siddhar- II

“You were married to Vishnu and now you're main family deity is Shiva. Didn't you notice this?”

Durga opened her mouth but her mind was still processing this information.

He chuckled. “You're tired with this? Let's discuss about the half story, shall we?”

The trio nodded in agreement. “Since I was not present, I cannot answer how the soul of tantric entered King's body for cursing her instead he could have saved himself. We can safely presume that he was crushed, entered the King's body, cursed her and left the body. Does anyone still have any doubts?” he asked, looking at Akhil. Sure enough, he asked, “Why is the story so haphazard? Why isn't there any clarity?”

“That's because these stories have been preserved by telling the incidents with one's imagination unlike the epics that have been preserved by writing. When the story was to be put on the temple, Queen Kanyaka decided it to be a bit dramatic because that's what everybody likes, doesn't it?”

Rudra asked, “When was her story inscribed? When she was a Queen?”

Siddhar’s face fell. “She didn't allow anybody to write stories on her. She told had narrated this story to her daughter. Once the news of her death reached, instead of mourning, Omkara decided to tell a story about the queen who went to an extent of sacrificing her life for her people and the secret.”

Rudra’s eyes lit up like those of an excited child. “How was the secret passed to you? Why did you chose this dynasty to safeguard it?”

“The secret was entrusted to me by my guru. He said that a temple construction was going near Tulunadu so I visited and found that this place would submerge soon.”

“You knew it would submerge?”

“Matsya avatar is proof of rising sea levels and the mankind had was saved. Such rise in sea levels were predicted in Kaliyug but I never expected that the secret would leak before that. The link between island and coastline of Bharat was broken. My disciples helped to submerge it.”

Durga shrieked while her husband's face had gone pale. “You submerged an island?”

“Precisely, that spot was selected in case if there was leak of information, it could be submerged. We received news from the spies that exactly one month later, since the day news was leaked, there would be an attack. A week before the evacuation, a letter was sent to the King ruling present day Mangalore. The request was accepted and the evacuation of people to Tulunadu had started. It took place for another week, in the night. Abhimanyu was uninformed and he started preparing to attack in full swing.

Three days later, the island was submerged and Queen Kanyaka had entrusted her daughter, Shakti to Omkara. She knew that Abhimanyu will attack her first when he comes to know that island was submerged. Sure enough her fears came true and Abhimanyu was furious.

He chased her thinking that she may lead to their hiding place. Instead she tricked him by going deeper into Bharatvarsh.”

Durga asked in a soft voice, “What happened then?”

“We don't know but a week later we received confirmed news that she had died. As per her wishes, Shakti was married.”

“To whom?” Rudra asked.

“To the son of one of the devadasis who had served to Raghuveer. Technically, he had royal blood so they were married. Omkara was thread that was tied to Shakti and his family. After his premature death, his family displayed strong resentment towards them because her husband was son of a devadasi. Unable to bear it, she left the place with her family and shifted near hills of Chamundeshwari. She changed her identity in the new place.”

Durga took a deep breath. “Siddhar, can we assume that Queen Kanyaka misguided Abhimanyu and went deep into India, somewhere in the middle?”

He nodded.

“We shall safely assume that she fought a tough battle with him and probably due to her injuries, succumbed to death. Clearly, there would have been someone who witnessed this battle and valour of the Queen Kanyaka.”

“Probably, yes,” he added.

“It could have been that witnessing it, they dedicated Veeragallu?”

He nodded.

Akhil asked, “Which Veeragallu are you asking about?”

Rudra answered, “The ones we saw in the Veera Chennamma temple. Who knows probably it is hers?”

Durga nodded and added, “When Shakti relocated her family near hills of Chamundeshwari, it points to one thing- Mysuru. She would have definitely settled in Mysuru and her lineage grew until it reached me.”

Akhil asked, “You're from her family?”

“The curse is same in Rudra’s and our families. Probably Omkara’s family, that was settled here, stayed here. I feel Rudra is from his lineage.”

Akhil felt his jaw open but the Siddhar’s face became grim. “Abhimanyu’s family would have been born too.”

Rudra answered his impending thought. “Probably, they are born as Abhilash and his son Raghuveer. They're the ones who brought us here.”

Siddhar became suspicious of his surroundings. Akhil assured him, “Don't worry, we three are alone in this temple. The other team is in the palace.”

Ignoring him, Siddhar gestured Durga to come forward and whispered, “What I tell you is of prime importance. The texts contain how to make daivi astras from scratch- the materials required, where these materials are found, how to assemble  and activate them. The world is not ready to accept this weapon as they are sure to misuse it. Every time it has been given to a mortal, very few have proved themselves to be worthy. Otherwise, it is used as a source to avenge their humiliation or defeat.

Abhimanyu’s descendants wouldn't settle for anything less. I shall keep a dummy book near the idol, in a concealed manner. Make sure that you get hold of it and do little drama so that no one gets a doubt about its authenticity.”

“Why drama? Why giving the dummy book?”

“My child, the dummy book will make them feel they have accomplished a great feat. As Queen Kanyaka said one needs little drama in their lives. When Queen Kanyaka decided to safeguard the secret, she lost her life. If they found out that they couldn't find again, they would go on a killing spree. When she died, her people got distributed. I can't let that happen again.”

“What will that dummy book have?”

“It contains a elaborate procedure to make gunpowder,” he smiled.

Durga’s face lit. “Can you tell me where the secret is?”

“Definitely,” he replied. “In the tenth sacred circle lies the application of most powerful device where it is hidden underneath Her fury.”

Durga looked surprised. “Eh? I didn't understand the location.”

“That's why I told you the riddle,” he whispered. “Queen Kanyaka was supposed to pass the secret of location before she died; that's the thing being passed from centuries. But she didn't do so. Queen Sunaina had said that if the link breaks, then the descendants of her clan should be informed about this result. Don't tell this to anyone. Not even to your husband.”

She nodded and turned to find two men staring at her suspiciously. She rolled her eyes and asked, “What? Can't even I ask about my unborn child's future?”

Rudra narrowed his eyes. “When you were discussing about the child's future, shouldn't the father be involved?”

“Enough of your theatrics. Let's go back to home.”

***

Sorry for not updating Kanyaka. I was not well.

Anyways, do let me know what do you think about this chapter and how the story is progressing.

Thank you for reading.