Recap:

Valli, a fortune teller, arrives at Queen Parvata Vardini’s court and begins recounting a tale of intertwined destinies. She narrates the story of Kandika’s son, Narobha, a divine child turned robber, and the virtuous Tara, who is abducted by the tyrant Tungabhadra and made queen. Narobha, seeking power, aligns with a Brahmin, Narayana Bhattar, while Tungabhadra’s actions lead to a curse and growing unrest. Narobha and Narayana Bhattar plan for a change in kingdom

Chapter 8/26: Heavenly Obsession

Part 1/2 of the novella ‘The cursed keris of Taravati’

Queen Tara didn’t get any sleep. Fortune-teller Valli‘s narration and her own troubled thoughts kept her awake. She rose from her bed and stood near the large window, gazing at the moonlit rain-forest. The palace oil torches cast dim lights. As the king was away, she was able to reflect on her past. Though still saddened by her father’s memory, she continued to survive. Valli’s words echoed in her ears.

Valli said earlier in that day, “One day, Tungabhadra, the king and Tara’s husband, announced a religious gathering of all religions. The announcement stated that seers of Shaktam from Chera, Saiva Siddhanta of Gonamalai Patna, Ajivaka of Tamil land, and Vaishnavites from Pallava lands would participate.”

Narayana Bhattar said to Narobha, “This is the time.”

With arrangements made by Narobha, both of them traveled to Taravati.

The preparations made by Tungabhadra and Mahakala – King of Durgavati kingdom on the other side of Mount Ranadhira – were lavish. Groups of people welcomed the guests and showed them to pandal-s for their stay. Temporary Annachatra-s provided food three times a day. Local Buddhist, Shaivite and Vaishnavite shrines received generous donations to organize pooja-s. Local merchants were pleased with the opportunity to make money. In addition to Silk merchants of Kashi, Pattu Saliya-s, and Padma Saliya-s opened their shops, selling their silk and fine cotton fabrics.

Smoke constantly rose from the kitchens. Ox-carts regularly distributed firewood to each kitchen. Communication systems were established using drums to address any ad-hoc missing items, ensuring they were obtained from the warehouse and distributed to the workers.

Narayana Bhattar took a pinch of nasyam powder from a knot in his sarong, inhaled it with a screeching sound, cleared his throat, and cleaned his nose with a towel. He and Narobha settled into their cottage.

“The two kings want to please the religious leaders and gain their approval,” said Narayana.

“But why?” asked Narobha.

“Because they can sanctify them and make people believe in them.”

“If priests believe the king, will the people believe them too?”

“It’s a universal truth, Narobha! Few priests are strict in their duties, but many others are susceptible to influence. Now, about tomorrow’s conference…”

Narayana murmured a few ideas into Narobha’s ear, and Narobha listened carefully.

“Will it work out?”

“I think so. You need to be a leader in your own right, or challenge the existing leader and establish your presence,” Narayana concluded, before leaving for his evening bath and rituals.

The next day morning, Narobha happened to arrive early, before taking a dip in the Manvi River. He enjoyed diving and staying underwater for long periods. Accidentally, while swimming underwater, he reached a prohibited area – a temporary ritual bathing area for royal ladies and lady seers attending the religious event.

Luckily, no one was present. A palanquin carried by four men arrived and dropped someone off before leaving. A lady opened the red velvet screen and emerged from the palanquin.

They reached the covered shelter guarded by female attendants. Narobha, seeing them approach, hid himself near the temporary arrangements.

The lady entered the river through steps leading into the water, prayed and took three holy dips, and came out. She sensed human eyes on her back and turned around. She saw a brownish man, Narobha, submerged and swimming fast underwater. She ordered their attendants to find him but returned to the palace instead of going to the event, as she was afraid to change her clothes there.

Arrival time at the event campus was approaching . Parvata Vardini wore a white silk with silver zari that day, choosing minimal ornaments, befitting the religious festival. By the time she reached the venue, it was crowded. The king was absent, as the event was to be presided over by her. She welcomed guests of different beliefs from various parts of the world.

With reddish lips from chewing betal, an old Brahmin volunteered his name as Narayana Bhattar. He attempted to project himself as a mature and sensible demeanor. Beside him stood a brown-skinned man with eager eyes, reminiscent of someone seen in the royal ladies’ private area by the river. She frowned and moved on to the next guest, later leaving after inaugurating the event.

Her attendants informed them that the brownish guy was charming but spoke ill of the king. Different religious leaders were gathered, but Brahmins praised the brownish young man for his clear vision, saying he was the one who could bring justice to the land, and that a old Brahmin was promoting him among key influential dignitaries.

After the event, Narobha and Narayana Bhattar were returning to their shelters in the evening. A lunatic old woman, Sivappi, crossed their path and begged for coins.

“You have ingots, Brahmin. O Brahmin, you have ingots or not?,” she followed them despite their refusals.

On the way, Narayana took his evening bath.

“His tuft may go along with the river. Hey young man, go and warn him. He’s bald except for a patch of hair in the center of his head.” the cranky woman laughed and asked Narobha, “By the way, do you have ingots, at least?”

“Hey, go away,” Narobha threw a stone at her.

“Aww. If this stone lands on Brahmin’s bald head, what will happen, you idiot. You have ingots?” the cranky lady retorted. Eventually, the cranky lady left, and both reached their hut.

Narayana was pleased with the day’s events, satisfied with his efforts to introduce Narobha to key people. “What do you think?” Narayana asked Narobha.

Narobha didn’t respond, lost in thoughts. Narayana hit a nearby wooden pillar with a stick to bring Narobha back to reality.

“What? I’m talking about the event, and you’re in your own world,” said Narayana.

“Something happened this morning. I saw someone, very beautiful. I don’t know if ‘beautiful’ is the right word. I don’t know if she was a woman or a forest spirit. Such a heavenly, beautiful person,” Narobha explained.

Narayana listened.

“She came in a palanquin for ritual bathing.”

“What? You peeked into her bathing place? Narobha, you know why we are here.”

“I know. Don’t worry. It happened by accident. She was shining like a gold idol in the morning sunlight.”

“Who is that?”

“She is the queen. We met her at the event today,” said Narobha.

Sensing danger, Narayana warned, “Who? Rani Parvata Vardini? My goodness. Don’t say this outside, Narobha. You’ll lose your head.”

“But how can she be so beautiful?”

“She is the new queen. Tungabhadra abducted her from her father and married her. I told you that day, do you remember?”

“Oh, that one,” Narobha mused. “I need her. At any cost.”

“Hmm.” Narayana was resting his head on one of his pointing fingers and said, “That’s one way to attain the crown, Narobha. If you were talking about other girls, I would have forced you to focus on our goal. But in this case, I won’t say your thoughts are wrong. But she has a husband, who is the tyrant.”

“Of course. But I can’t stop thinking about her. Shall I kill him and make her my wife?” Narobha asked.

“It is not a Brahmin’s duty to accept or reject your idea of killing Tungabhadra…” Before he finished, there was a noise at the gate. “But the Brahmin can sanctify after you murder someone. Right, Brahmana?”

They turned towards the voice. The cranky lady stood at the door, biting a raw mango, hand outstretched, asking, “Do you have ingots?”.

—

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Note:

• This fiction is a retelling of a mythology.
• Images generated with ImageFx of Google Gemini.
• Awkward sentences are removed by AI for a smoother reading experience.