Recap: Valli, a fortune teller, arrives at Queen Parvata Vardini’s court and recounts the intertwined fates of Kandika’s divine son Narobha, who becomes a robber, and the kind-hearted Tara. Tungabhadra, a tyrant, abducts and forcefully marries Tara, leading to her becoming queen and her father’s tragic death.

Chapter 7/26: Grasping the Power

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

Queen Tara (Parvadha Vardini) refused dinner and went to bed, deeply disturbed. Her attendant provided her with a plate of nuts and milk and locked the door. She was aware of all that had happened, but hearing it recounted from the beginning disturbed her greatly. She fell on the bed, face down, and immediately burst into tears. Soft cries escaped her, muffled by the walls. She longed to return to her teenage years, before the disaster, and lie down in her father’s lap. Pulling herself together, she rolled over and stared at the roof, lost in nostalgic thoughts, with scenes from the past playing over and over in her mind.

The next day, Valli was ushered into the queen’s double-walled chamber. The air was heavy with unspoken emotions. Tara sat in the low floor chair, her eyes red-rimmed, a delicate hand resting on her forehead. Valli entered and offered a silent greeting. Tara inclined her head slightly, a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes.

There were no spoken words of greeting or inquiry about the previous day. Instead, a shared understanding passed between them. Tara’s weary sigh and the slump of her shoulders conveyed her lingering distress. Valli’s gentle gaze and the softness of her movements offered silent comfort. After a moment of shared silence, Valli continued her verse.

“One day, Narobha entered the city to commit burglary. Despite his best-laid plans, misfortune caused him to kick a brass vessel, which fell and woke everyone up. As he tried to flee, the landlord’s dog rushed out and bit him in the buttocks. In great pain, he drew his dagger and slit the dog’s throat. This enraged the landlord even more, and the whole family joined in, beating him severely. He was nearly dead when Narayana Bhattar, a Vishnu-worshipping Tamil Brahmin and a resident of Kannauj of the Rajputs, rescued him and took him to the local medical facility.”

Valli paused, her eyes meeting Tara’s. A slight frown creased Tara’s brow, a silent question in her gaze. Valli nodded almost imperceptibly and continued.

“The next day, Narobha was recovering, his cheeks showing traces of clotted blood. Narayana Bhattar came to the medical facility around noon.

He asked Narobha, “Oh, you are conscious. Praise the god. I thought you wouldn’t regain your conscious for a week,” he laughed in a way others would get irritated. This was a typical way of engaging people for him. His laughter, a ‘heh hen’ sound, came from his throat, not his heart, and he used it as a filler during conversations.

On seeing Narobha not replying, Narayana did not give up. He continued his teasing and laughing. Narobha thought his laughing sound made him remember donkey’s braying. On realizing it Narobha smiled. But, taking that as an approval, Narayana continued.

He came again the next day. He seemed knowledgeable, but Narobha was suspicious. The following day, as Narobha left the medical facility, Narayana met him and invited him to the nearby Ulagalanthar Temple, the shrine of Vishnu, the one who measured bhuvar-loka and bhuloka-s with his legs.

Narobha, losing patience, asked, “Hey Brahmin. Do you know who I am? What do you want from me? Why do you keep following me?”

Narayana, unperturbed, replied, “Come with me. Spend a few hours with me. If you still want to leave afterward, you are free to go.”

Narobha agreed.

They sat by Sreeman Pushkarani, the temple lake. Narayana, claiming to be a traveler, said he knew of Narobha and his courage. He reminded him of his divine origins.

“And now is the time to activate your goodness and make your fortune using that strength,” he said.

“What are you trying to do?” Narobha asked.

“Raise you as a ruler,” Narayana replied.

Narobha frowned, then immediately asked, “How?” revealing his desire for power.

“Don’t ask ‘how,’ ask ‘why.’ Both Mahakala, the ruler of Durgavati and Tungabhadra, the ruler of Taravati, are tyrants. They defy rules of Dharma and are self-serving scoundrels. No one is happy. Even now, Tungabhadra abducted the priest’s daughter. It wasn’t marriage, but a desire for the girl.”

Tara’s hand clenched slightly on the bedsheet, her face tightening with suppressed anger. Valli’s voice softened, her gaze compassionate and she said, “Narayana Bhattar persuaded Maharani, ‘We Brahmins also suffer. We are forced to worship Mahakala as a god. How can I utter his name with the same mouth that says the Narayana Mantra? We need a change in rulers. We need new blood.’”

Narobha interrupted, “But Brahmana, I am a burglar.”

Narayana Bhattar continued, “…and a thug. I know. Even those with less than virtuous beginnings can ascend to leadership. To rule effectively, one must first secure their position. Being perceived as capable, even if through carefully cultivated appearances, is the initial step.”

Narayana Bhattar’s words sparkled, “If your flaws remain concealed from the populace and your strengths are strategically displayed, then the path to influence, even kingship, opens. I understand the necessary measures to cultivate the people’s trust – through calculated displays of generosity, strategic alliances, and the suppression of dissent. You need not fundamentally alter your nature, but rather, channel your abilities with foresight and heed my counsel. Through strategic action and careful planning, our mutual objectives can be achieved.’”

Narobha, though still suspicious, was intrigued.

Narayana, sensing his doubt, said, “A single person cannot do it alone. But things are changing. The planets are changing. There is widespread anger against Tungabhadra and Mahakala. I can see that this is the right time. I will try my best.”

“What if we fail?” Narobha asked.

“’You can come with me to Kannauj. But what if we succeed?’ Narayana countered.”

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Note:

• This fiction influenced by historical events
• Images generated with ImageFx of Google Gemini.
• Awkward sentences are removed by AI for a smoother reading experience.