The Children of Shiva & the Exotic Tribes

By Banti R. R. Chandra

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and when hatred against one another is gradually assembled since childhood forwarded by that power, a war is eminent—even amongst brothers.

Jambudweep is divided in kingdoms with its own sets of kings yet ruled by an indulgent and insecure emperor. The catalyst of the war and the fire of the rebellion is an ancient beast that reappears now in the kingdom of Praygjoytispura, causing deaths in its wake.

As the tension of war increases, a mysterious yet most celebrated Maharishi of the land takes advantage of the events to push forward his own propaganda. To sum up all the fears, two of the most deadly weapons have been stolen from the arsenal of the creator.

Oblivious to the events, a young general of the most powerful army of Jambudweep, along with his companions, travels back to his tribe and to his home to find peace and guidance while struggling to choose between morality and duty.

It is 6100 BCE—the time when the land and the air the above it are pure, expecting the human mind to be an ensemble of complex interplay of gunas.

The journey begins . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Nov 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543703702

Banti R. R. Chandra

Banti R. R. Chandra or Banti Debnath was born in a small village called Borgolai Grant No.11 in Assam. Since childhood he was interested in mythological stories. He has a degree in Animation and VFX thus his imagination took the shape of words as he pens down his first novel.

Book preview

THE CHILDREN of SHIVA

&

THE EXOTIC TRIBES

BANTI R.R. CHANDRA

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Copyright © 2018 by Banti R.r. Chandra.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction and not the actual representation of the Indian mythology. Some of the stories mentioned here are as it is found in Indian mythology whereas others has been altered and modified to suite the story. The names of the tribes and characters used here are taken and derived from the tribes and character found in Indian mythology, others names not found in Indian mythology also appear. Any resemblance of the fictional characters, to actual person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Mythological characters, name of the tribes, events or places, are always used fictitiously.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter 0

What is your name?

Chapter 1

The Hunt

Chapter 2

The Saviours

Chapter 3

The Truths

Chapter 4

The Kingdoms of Jambudweep

Chapter 5

The Children of Shiva

Chapter 6

The Ancient World

Chapter 7

The Formidable, Inaccessible and Impregnable

Chapter 8

The Twilight

Chapter 9

Manusmiriti

Chapter 10

The Road to Tripura

Chapter 11

The One Thing That Can Be Done

Chapter 12

The Flying Castles

Chapter 13

The Asura Code & the Blood Oath

Chapter 14

The Manis

Chapter 15

The Secret of the Shans

Chapter 16

The Fight of the Shadows and the Union of the Daiytas and the Danavas

Chapter 17

The Trail

Chapter 18

The Tales

Chapter 19

The Manasputra

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SOMEONE WOULD IMAGE A WRITER’S ROOM TO BE lined with various books and novels, a desk beside the window on the second floor of a European looking house. The house itself siting somewhere on a hill overlooking at the marvellous beauty of the nature outside. But for me this wasn’t the case.

I have had the opportunity to write in rooms where the music would be played so loud that one would be unable to hear their own thoughts or my siblings going on with their silly fights and my mother screaming to stop them.

It was a beauty in itself and I made peace with the circumstances. Even though I started writing alone but I would have been unable to complete it without the help and assistance of the ones named below.

I wish to thank all of you for your interest and support that you all have shown by sending the e-mails for the sample chapters.

Steph Enriquez, my publishing consultant at Partridge Publishing India for being patient with me and for the guidance with the hectic process of publication.

My friends and family, Smarnika Saikia for introducing me to novels and the great stories that it contained. Miki Sen, Manish Sharma, Deepak Urikhinbam Singh, Dipanjan Deb, Shubhobroto Dev Roy, Abhya Vyas, Naveen Gupta, Ankita Sharma, G. Venkat Ramana, Anang Dadhichi, Rishabh Srivastava, Roshni Negi, Sanjib Roy Choudhury, Rinku Deb, Bornali Debnath for providing your moral support and encouragement in your own different ways.

Deepak Dutta, for posing for the book cover and the monetary help in the time of need for the publication. Saurav Chakraborty and Pritam Baruah, for providing the necessary equipment in the completion of the novel. Shantanu Dey, for helping me with the map. Rakesh Deb and Arun Kumar, for editing the sample chapters.

Bakul Bhattacharjee and Uttam Paul for the monetary help for the publication.

Sandeep Chakraborty, my prime editor and proof reader. My dear friend, without your help, moral support and assistance this novel would still be at least a year away. There are no amount of words that I can write to thank you enough.

My parents, my Shiva and Shakti. Even with their worries as parents, a corner of their heart believed in the work that I was doing and in me. Their constant enquires kept me on track. I am happy to be yours son and lead this life.

At last my siblings, Rahul and Ratul, I live for the happiness of you two.

May Lord Shiva bless you all to live a content life.

CHAPTER 0

What is your name?

6100 BCE, Near Mount Kailās

THE LATE WINTER WIND OF ASHWIN WAS NOW flowing with full rage, along with the first snow. The day was born with the bright and magnificent sun, as the afternoon approached, the might of its rays were stripped of its powers by the enraging dark clouds, few hours of snowfall and the earth was already covering itself with a white blanket. A woman of young adult age but about to be a mother was finding her way through the storm. The harsh wind trying to blow her animal skin fur cloths along its direction but she clutched them together near her womb.

Please Mother Shakti have mercy. Save my child. The woman prayed to the mythical yet to a great warrior of the ancient world who is worshiped as a goddess in this new era. The woman knew, few more hours in the storm and she would definitely die, all she was worried about her unborn child. She had strayed from her path, the snow covered all the tracks and terrains for her to know the way back. She was helpless yet she kept on walking, her fear for her child kept her heart beats faster and her body warm and working.

For instance, in which the wind would not carry the snow one could see past the blizzard through the ever transparent air. To her left, she could see the mountain’s foot hills which housed small caves. It was a relief as she learnt that she was not far from the settlement. She was not far from home. She turned and walked in the south-east direction. There was an unexplainable energy coursing through her now, maybe the goddess Shakti had heard her prayers or the knowledge that her child would live now made her walk faster as she clenched the fur coat even more tighter. Few more steps and she stopped, amidst the roaring wind as she heard another roar. She was petrified. There were rumours about a mountain lion or a tiger that devoured their settlement’s yaks.

She slowly stepped back, her feet dig deep in the snow but her leather footwear saved her from the direct cold, confused to give her feet a direction she looked around struggling to find the source of the roar. And as she saw a figure emerged from the snow, its big nostrils were sending out long streak of vapours to the world as it breathed out forcefully. She looked at it she was relived. It’s only a bull. As it came closer, she gazed at it and what she saw made her heart skip a beat. It was a muscular bull and as big as a bull can get, denoting that it belonged to a farm. But there was no rope tied around its neck nor there was any bell, two long and thick horn curved from its equally strong head, one of which tip was broken. There were various poke marks made with sword or pike scattered around its body, especially on the legs, dried scarlet blood painted the two horns, few torn cloths still attached.

She did what made the most sense. She went for the low mountain. The bull still followed snorting and roaring. She climbed the rocky slope with one hand extending forward and low for balance and other around her womb. As she knew she would, she came to an opening of a cave but nobody from her settlement came anywhere near these caves because of the fear of beasts living inside them and neither did she. She went few steps inside, deep enough to save her from the cold and not so deep enough for there may be predators lurking inside. She sat with the cave’s wall behind and the opening to her left, she closed her eyes and prayed to goddess Shakti some more.

Moments later she opened her eyes, she saw the bull looking eye to eye to her. Her heart skipped a beat. The bull maintained distance. The women did not dare move a muscle but maintained her eye contact. She did not have any weapon with her, she slowly raised her back and moved her hand and grabbed a palm sized stone from the cave’s floor again without disconnecting her eye contact. A stone for that enormous bull but what else was left to do. She wished her husband was at her side. All of a sudden the bull broke its eye contact and looked down as if the feeling of guilt surrounded it. It snorted again leaving a streak of vapours as it looked at the valley standing on the entrance of the cave. The storm began to calm now. It turned and slowly went deep inside the cave staggering as if all its powers had been drained.

The woman gave out a sigh of relief and rested her back against the wall again as tears rolled down from her eyes. The fear of death especially for her unborn made her sweat in contrast to her surroundings. She closed her eyes listening to the less frightening winds now. She decided to wait until the storm passes, she would not risk again.

She opened her eyes and squeezed her eye brows as she listened carefully.

Medini, a spark of joy ran through her veins and made her stand up to her feet. Uncontrolled tears rolled down hers cheeks. It was her husband’s voice.

Medini, it was her sister’s voice, Prakriti.

Medini. Medini. Medini. There were others from the settlement. They were five of them she learnt from their voices.

She hurried up to the cave’s entrance. The sun was already down and there was still some time for the moonlight to reflect its complete beauty. She could see the light of the torch they were carrying the flame fluttering in the aftermath of the storm.

Up here! her voice reflected joy.

She placed her hand on her womb caressing it a bit. She pressed her hand involuntarily as she felt an unexpected pain. This day is not over yet. She cursed the same goddess she was praying to. She looked down the cave’s entrance.

Quickly, she screamed and yelled out another scream of pain. The water had broken. She let herself fall on the floor.

The screams had surely hastened the pace of her rescuers. As she laboured in pain, some moments later, she saw the fire of the torches emerge from the floor of the cave’s entrance.

Ah! You stupid woman! Why did you leave in this condition? Pashupati held her head scooping it from the cave’s floor as he threw his belongings and torch carelessly. A parchment emerged from his bag which caught Prakriti’s attention. There were alien writings on it belonging to the people that settled near the river Sindhu. But this was not the time for it.

Quickly build fire, use fresh snow to make hot water, Prakriti ordered the rest of the members of Medini’s rescue party. I knew we were going to need these.

The two male spontaneously cut open the sack containing firewood there was no time for cautious work and lit fire with the help of the torches. The female carefully took out an earthen pot and settled it above the fire with three large stones placed around it for balance, as the two male poured fresh snow in it. They were precise and clam. They were disciplined warriors of their tribe and Prakriti was their leader.

I couldn’t let the yak ling die without even trying to find him. Medini spoke still in pain.

Don’t speak now, Pashupati comforted his wife as he held her hand. I understand dear.

You came for the yak ling? Prakriti frowned as she took out clean white sheets from her bag and placed it on the floor of the cave for the baby. You know what’s your condition is and we thought you were the intelligent one.

I still am, Medini could not let go yet she screamed in pain and held her husband’s hand even tighter. Prakriti smiled, the talk would help her ease for what she has been through and still going through.

You three, face the other side and stand guard, Prakriti ordered. Now sister, I need you to push but don’t use all your energy at once or else you will faint.

I must leave too, Pashupati suggested.

No, I need you. Do not let go her hand, Prakriti held her sister’s hand too. Deep breathes and now, push… push… push.

Moments later she gave out her last scream as she tightened her husband and sister’s hand for the last time, slowly she eased her grip as the baby came out covered in embryotic fluid. The cries were the most beautiful sound for the three of them. Prakriti took the alcohol sterilized knife placed by her side on a piece of cloth and cut the umbilical cord. She wrapped the baby with another piece of clean white cloth.

You both have a son, Prakriti smiled as she gazed at her nephew. He is as fair as you are Pashu.

Let me look at him, Medini raised her head to look at her son but instead she faced her husband and tightened her grip once more.

There is one more! Prakriti exclaimed. Medini suddenly remembered her goddess once more.

Second time, it did not take much labouring. As the baby came to the world, Medini collapsed. She was tired and weak. You both have another son and he has got your skin my sister. Prakriti cleaned them both with the warm water, wrapped them with clean piece of cloth and then again with animal fur and handed them to their mother. Feed them.

As the babies drank their mother’s milk, they calmed down. The cave now echoed with Prakriti’s laughter and Pashupati’s famous smile, their happiness. The whole tribe knows the story of how Medini fell in love with Pashupati just because of his smile of strong jaw and shrunken cheeks and this time it was everlasting.

What was that? The lady guard spoke.

What was what? Prakriti jumped to attention and grabbed her sword. Their moment of joy had ended.

Listen! as they quiet down the cave echoed with the cries of a baby. Their instinct was to look at the new born both feeding on their mother’s milk. It’s coming from inside. Pashupati suggested as he stood up.

Don’t go in there, Medini was worried she had enough for the day.

There is someone with a baby, they may need help. Pashupati debated.

No, wait! There is an enormous bull there inside.

Then you know why I should go in there.

You three protect my sister. Prakriti commanded as they headed deep.

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There is only a baby out here why do you need the sword? Pashupati asked.

It’s for safety. Prakriti argued.

So, the baby is going to attack you?

You never know. Prakriti replied. It made Pashupati laugh. Just let me do what I am good at. If there is a baby, there might be people inside and we don’t know how many, even the weakest and smallest will attack in self-defence.

All the more reason to hide the sword. Pashupati stated the obvious.

But Prakriti did not. Not as a warrior she cannot. Few steps of walk they came to a clearing with a high roof and a thin stream that flew across the floor and vanished into the wall. The stone had some other element in it too. Their torches made them glitter that resembled the burning sun.

Its gold, isn’t it? Prakriti made sure.

Yes but look! Pashupati exclaimed.

There was a baby on the floor wrapped with a piece of cloth. The bull lay around the baby, sensing intruder the bull charged up. Snorting and holding ground preparing to attack.

Drop your sword. Pashupati ordered.

What? Are you mad? Look at it. It looks like it has been at war.

Do it. Pashupati was serious with his command.

Prakriti frowned she slowly placed her sword on the floor. Pashupati moved closer and extended his right hand forward and looked directly at its eyes. Pashupati’s attachment with animals was greater than that of with people. Some say it’s a gift from the gods whereas others say he developed the ability himself, whatever the reason may be, he could communicate with animals, he could speak to them, make them understand, make them clam down. He did the same. He looked at the bull, the bull looked at him and moments later it was done. The bull calmed down. He moved further and placed his hand on its head. The bull sat down quietly, it looked at the child and closed its eyes as it gave out its last breath.

You have killed it? Prakriti was surprised. This still makes me uncomfortable no matter how many times I see you do it.

No, I didn’t kill him. He died, having served his purpose. Pashupati would always address the animals with respect. He treated them equal to humans or in some cases even greater than them. Therefore, the people started calling him Pashupatinath – The lord of the animals.

Pashupati hurried towards the baby and carefully picked it up.

Mother Shakti knows for how long it has been here.

Didn’t the bull tell you? Prakriti meant to be amusing.

Do not make fun of him. You don’t know what he had been through, Pashupati said in a stern voice. As he cradled the baby it calmed down. It’s hungry, Medini have to feed it.

What is it? Prakriti asked.

Pashupati picked the cloth to look for the gender. It’s a boy.

Great! Now you two have another boy.

We? Pashupati was least confused, he perfectly knew what would be the reason and the answer too.

Yes, do you see anyone around? If you leave him here he will defiantly die, it would be just a little less than murder, both of you need to take care of him now. Mother Shakti is raining her blessing in the form of boys to you both.

Since when have you started preaching philosophy instead of using your strength? Pashupati meant to be amusing. Prakriti frowned on the casual comment of his brother-in-law. We will take care of him my sister. I was not going to leave him here. As he covered the baby again he suddenly stopped, his expression suggested he saw a Bhoota.

What? What is it? Prakriti came closer.

Look. He removed the cloth from the baby’s neck.

Mother Shakti! Is this real? Could this be him?

We just needed a way and now all our questions have been answered Prakriti. Mother Shakti has been listing to our prayers. We finally do have a way. Pashupati looked at Prakriti.

You do realize things are going to be different from now on. This is going to complicate our ways.

Listen carefully Prakriti, no one, mind you no one is to say anything about his truth until we are ready or at least I am ready. Please do not fail me. Pashupati’s face reflected utter concern and worries.

"On my life Pashu. I will make sure no one ever finds out about it or say a word. He is going to be my karma from now on."

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Medini’s gaze was fixed on the inside of the cave, worried for her husband and sister. She relaxed as the torch’s light reflected from the inside of the cave’s wall approached nearer. She looked at her husband as he emerged with a baby in his arms and her sister following quietly. She then saw the look at her sister’s face that she saw only few times in her life. Something must be of grave importance.

There is a baby. Pashupati knelled close to his wife. His voice was calm and serious.

But where are the parents. Medini asked with confusion.

There is no one else there. You have to take care of him.

It’s a boy.

Yes. Pashupati replied with the same tone.

But I already have two children. How can I take care of three?

I will help and some of us will too. Prakriti came forward.

And why would the others help raising an adopted or an orphaned child? The tribe will not accept any outsider. Her confusion grew more.

Instead of saying anything, Pashupati picked up his sons and place the found baby in Medini’s arms.

He looks only five months old. Medini cradled the baby. Ah! The poor thing.

Remove the cloth from his neck. Pashupati asked.

Medini looked at her husband, her heart beats grew faster as she became serious, she could only guess, a part of her mind already knew the reason but she carefully did as she was asked to do. Her hands froze, she did not even remove it completely a peek was enough. She looked at her husband. Is this him? Could this be really him? Her voice was serious and calm.

That we have to find out and you have to take care of him, raise him till we are sure of it. Pashupati replied.

There were murmurs amongst the warriors. Prakriti glanced at them and they resumed their posture. No one, no one knows about this. From the looks of it someone tried to kill him. You all must make sure no word comes out of your mouth.

Upon our lives as warriors and upon our lives we live in the tribe. The female warrior replied. Prakriti was satisfied.

Medini could not remove her eyes from her son that she didn’t give birth. I will raise him till my last breath. I will always be his mother even if he becomes what he is destined to be or not.

The warriors kneeled down to their god. Prakriti kneeled down to her god. Pashupati lowered his head to his god. Medini was mesmerised by her god.

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14 years later

The great hut would only be used by the chief and the elders for meeting purposes and other important decision making times. It was built as a dome with strong wood and animal fur covered the inner walls derived from only naturally dead animals under specific instruction from the chief of the tribe and decorated with animal skulls especially of yaks and bulls, salted and dried fish hung from the ceiling. There were some dried herbs and bone beads too; their uses were for medicinal purposes. On the circumference of the hut, wooden baskets lay in groups which contained dried nuts and grains and cereals of various types. The availability of these grains was unknown as these would not grow in this cold climate. Black salt and rock salts were kept on stone jars. Weapons were oiled and kept in crude wooden racks. These were to be used only in emergencies. A hole was made at the centre of the roof, a large stone cauldron lay settled directly under it, during the rain the cauldron would serve as a medium to accumulate the rain drops and during winter such as a night as today fire would be lit to make the inside of the hut warm as the smoke would escape through the hole in the roof. There were no doors but only windows and the entrance as well as the windows were covered with animal fur curtains.

A fourteen year old boy stood on the entrance of the hut of his tribe’s people. The boy wore only a tiger skin loincloth that extended to his knees the cold did not seem to have much effect on him, bone necklace hung around his neck, Rudraksh beads garland around his wrists, biceps, waist and neck. He was fair skinned but his completion had become one shade darker due to long exposure under the sun, his body was muscular. There were various stretch marks on appropriate place of his body as his body grew forcefully due to vigorous physical exercise. There were wound scarce on his upper chest, right eye brow, back and thighs. An experienced warrior would know that these were received during training and not battle wounds. He looked like eighteen years old about to be an adult. His posture and discipline were that of a warrior. His face was expressionless.

Come my son, sit with me. I have missed you. his father welcomed him inside.

The boy sat opposite to his father looking each other in Padma asana or the lotus posture. The fire between them had already burnt out. The red ember still provided enough heat to keep the room warm, yet few flames trying to struggle out of it clenching on the almost spent wood. I have missed you too father. The boy replied. He looked carefully at his father; Pashupati did not seem to age even a day.

Pashupati too was seated in the lotus posture. He took a deep breath, he looked at his adopted son and then at his neck as he exhaled. Now, listen carefully my child and listen well for what I am about to tell you is the truth. He started.

"In the beginning there was nothing but darkness and an empty void. The concept of time did not even exist. Once in the centre of this void there appeared light. It was blinding yet beautiful.

It was shapeless. It was neither male nor female. It was never created nor could it be destroyed. It did not have any beginning nor any end. It was Sunya {Zero}.

Now, we have acquired a habit of naming and creating gods and goddess for we find god in everything and nature is our shrine. It is also necessary to show respect to all the things that make our lives better and to all the things that we are so blessed to live this life by worshiping these gods and goddesses. The concept itself is concrete because these gods and goddesses live inside all living and non-living things alike. Therefore, we named the light as Bhuvaneshwari {Energy}, the creator of all gods and goddess. The supreme. We vision it as a female and as a mother, for she created the world as we know it to be and as mother brings to this world a new life. Therefore, a female it is. A mother it is.

To create the process of creation itself, she created the three basic particles. Three gods. Brahma the creator {Electron}, Vishnu the caretaker {Proton} and Shiva the destroyer