must be!”
Yama swung only once but from then on, Guru Shukra felt
nothing more.
- 51 -
Act Two – To Hell and Back
- 52 -
[ 5 ] Avenues of Deceit
A vehement chorus of female voices protested the unannounced entry of Lords Indra and Varuna into the residential chambers of the Apsaras. Queen Priya herself confronted them without batting a lash as she fastened the waistband around her silken robe.
“To what do we owe this most irregular visit, Lord Indra, King of Devatas?”
“My apologies young majesty,” he offered in turn, “but we are officially under
state of emergency and your assistance is urgently required.”
“Am I to understand that you’ve declared martial law, all over a marital dispute between members of your own godly house?” Queen Priya catechized, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently.
“Be careful Lady Priya,” Varuna warned, “as wives of the insurgent Ghandharvas
you Apsaras are hardly in a position to be passing judgments and can scarcely afford not to cooperate with us.”
“Point taken,” she capitulated through tightened jaw, “but how can we – a troupe of exotic dancers – possibly be of any use in an armed struggle?”
“Not to worry,” Indra reassured her whilst moving among the scantily-clad
nymphs, “we need but one volunteer to act as little more than a messenger.” It was then that he espied a maiden quite unlike all the rest. She was more muscular and possessed smooth skin bronzed to sensuous perfection but there was something else mystifying about her, which he was unable pinpoint. “Girl, please step out from behind that flimsy screen panel, it is rather ineffectual against Devata eyes.”
The Apsara did as he ordered, shyly patting down the folds of her nightgown.
“Pray tell stunning damsel, what is thy name?”
“Milord, I am called Ishtar.”
“Oh? Do tell me that you’re not already betrothed.”
“I am not.”
“Very good then, how would you like to try your hand at seducing an Ashura?”
- 53 -
Indra’s proposition drew gasps from every woman in the room and Queen Priya voiced their collective objections:
“Lord Indra, this proposal is grossly indecent and unbecoming of royalty.
Furthermore, Ishtar is our newest recruit and cannot be considered qualified to carry out such an unmentionable task.”
“Hold your tongue Priya. Queen though you are, do not presume to lecture me on regal etiquette. Desperate times call for desperate measures and I’ll be the final authority on who is qualified to do what.”
Increasing anger welled up in the Apsara’s leader. Fortunately Ishtar interrupted before she could say anything that might have worsened their bad situation:
“It’s alright milady, I am of age and skilled enough to undertake this mission, despite its inherent risks.” She made direct eye contact with the queen, confiding telepathically; Fear not – surely this is part of Kali-Ma’s plan.
Priya visibly relaxed.
“Then the matter is settled,” Indra concluded. “Ishtar, please present yourself at my keep by noon. Your escort will be waiting to explain the finer details as well as transporting you to the lunar palace forthwith.”
“Certainly King Indra.”
Their business done, the two Devatas exited quietly. Ishtar on the other hand
began to rifle loudly through her things as she devised ways to conceal an edged weapon using her new wardrobe.
~ ≈ ~
Kama’s psychic exchange with Chandra when the former approached the latter’s domain to deliver a passenger was characteristically jovial. Congratulations dear cousin Kama transmitted turmoil wracks the realm and everyone has you to thank or curse for it.
Even our king is worried to no end –
Indra is no longer my king! I renounced him when he took Guru Brihaspati’s side over mine and declared war on the moon. All the same, I thank you for the compliments and grant safe passage to fulfill your dubious errand. Now what exactly do you bring?
It’s nothing really, just another strumpet for your harem I’d say. Lord Indra seeks to placate the Daitya’s prince by giving him a virgin Apsara.
- 54 -
Futile machinations. I’ll permit it only because Upaya’s reaction may amuse me.
Make your way to the usual landing area, Captain Silat will usher you inside.
Very well, we shall see you shortly.
Kama then turned his attention to Ishtar, asking out loud: “Have you memorized
the mantra I taught you?”
“Yes,” came the answer from behind him. The saddle on Kama’s large parrot was
broad enough to seat two with adequate comfort.
“Splendid. Remember though, it can be effective only if you’re looking straight into each other’s eyes. That means you’ll have to achieve something considered impossible by many – you must find a way to coax Upaya into removing his helm.”
“While I’m aware that it’s no simple chore,” she made clear, “let me stress that a girl has her ways.”
“That’s the proper spirit,” lauded Kama as they neared the lunar sphere.
~ ≈ ~
Upaya Panther-Mask entered Soma Chandra’s private audience room (located atop the central citadel) to be met there by the moon god as well as a light greenish fellow accompanied by a pretty young woman.
“Welcome Upaya,” Chandra signaled invitingly for him to take a seat across from their visitors. True to form, Soma himself was sitting in the middle on a higher platform in order to mediate between everyone else. “I’d like you to meet my cherished cousin, Kama, Lord of Desire and his entrusted ward.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Prince of the Daityas. I, acting as goodwill envoy on behalf of King Indra hereby introduce to you Lady Ishtar, who is a heavenly dancer that would pledge her life and love to you all in the interest of peace.”
Ishtar nodded submissively, to which the prince growled almost inaudibly:
“Although I am not so uncouth to flatly refuse such a gesture, I distrust Devatas, especially when they come bearing gifts.”
“That is understandable,” permitted Kama, “but know this: Lord Indra makes no
demands in exchange for your acceptance of his token. Instead, he is letting you see that there is no reason why we should carry on like outright enemies. Perhaps once you have
- 55 -
learnt the true value of Ishtar’s betrothal you will realize that a truce and negotiations are actually the best course of action.”
“Perhaps,” Upaya purred, “but I want to hear from Ishtar’s own lips what she
opines over this whole sordid affair.”
“My lord,” she acknowledged, “it is as Kama says. I am committed to serve you
no matter what and do everything within my limited power to please your sensibilities.”
“If that is truly the case then by all means feel free to stay,” the Daitya warrior allowed. “Keep in mind however that I have much to attend to among my kinfolk and cannot be bothered with wedding plans or anything of the sort at present. I hope Lord Chandra has readied separate accommodations.”
“A suite is being prepared adjacent to your own,” the moon god informed.
“I suppose that’ll have to do,” accepted the prince.
“Thank you kind sir, your wise decision won’t backfire,” Ishtar promised him.
At that, Soma rang a tiny silver bell. One of four doors connected to adjoining walkways opened and Lady Tara stepped inside with a cursory bow. “Hello Tara love, please do us a favor and show Ishtar here to her quarters as we previously discussed.”
Lady Tara kissed him on the lips in a passionate display of affection, after which she led the new girl out.
Kama cleared his throat and spake anew: “Perfect, my duty is served and I would hasten back to Amaravati. Prince Upaya, this has been a pleasant meeting and King Indra will hear of it from me. My cousin can call me back again whenever you are ready to bargain with us Devatas.”
The Ashura would have shaken Kama’s hand except that it appeared far too frail.
He merely craned his head down to denote respect before also taking courteous leave.
~ ≈ ~
That was the easy part the clandestine Yogini deliberated, following Lady Tara. Ishtar didn’t honestly estimate a high probability of success in convincing Upaya to unmask.
Something about how he had scrutinized her back there was extremely unsettling. It had been as if his hidden gaze pierced right through her and yet he was letting events unfold naturally, utterly unafraid. Even so, he couldn’t have much to go on apart from suspicions. To some degree she still had the advantage of secrecy on her side.
Lamentably Kama’s subservience mantra might be no help whatsoever.
- 56 -
Eventually both women arrived at another area and Tara took Ishtar into her designated quarters. These were spacious and elegant, lacking nothing. The posing Apsara started to make sense of why Tara was irreparably smitten by Soma Chandra. “Make yourself at home Lady Ishtar,” she recommended.
“You have my humble gratitude.”
“Don’t mention it, there is none more beneficent than my beloved Lord Chandra.”
~ ≈ ~
Later in the evening Upaya contemplated the oddity of Lady Ishtar while sitting alone in his room, waiting for her to enter in response to his summons. There was definitely a peculiar aura around her – but at the same time – its quality felt vaguely familiar.
Whatever the case, it would be foolish to lower his guard in her presence until he got to the bottom of things. This interview should ideally go a long way toward alleviating those concerns. He heard a knock at his door. “Come in please.”
The girl did as requested and stood before him bedecked in the ceremonial veil
and garb of an Apsara performer. “Salutations my liege. I hope that my appearance pleases you. If nothing else, maybe a dance can allay the prince’s nerves?”
“As you will,” he agreed, getting to his feet. The dancer put a small shiny box on the floor and depressed its top lid; musical tones sounded throughout their dwelling.
Soon her hips were gyrating and her belly undulated through an opening in the clothes.
She raised a toned pair of arms, forming hands into mudras then spun her whole body while flailing limbs smoothly. Upaya stalked about her outer radius like a cat circling a mouse. She was truly a sight to behold, particularly with his heightened senses.
“Tell me Ishtar – and try being sincere – who you really are. Though you possess unquestionable talent and beauty, you don’t come across as an ordinary Apsara.”
“Have you known many Apsaras milord?” She fended off without wavering,
continuing to move fluidly along with the atmospheric melody.
“Admittedly I haven’t but I have spoken with several Ghandharvas today and they expressed doubts similar to mine.”
“Did they? Well I am a neophyte inductee if that’s what you’re seeking to hear.”
“How very convenient. Obviously the Devatas are up to something more than
meets the eye here and I must find out what that is. My best guess is that Kama gave you a charm of the same kind that Soma has used to maintain Lady Tara at his beck and call.
Indra thinks me susceptible to carnal temptations. He shall be sorely disappointed.”
- 57 -
“The prince is astute as he is strong. Clever guesses notwithstanding, he cannot see the full picture.”
“Oh?”
“What if I were to reveal that I am in fact a free agent with my own agenda to
look after?”
“Would that explain why there’s a burdensome object hidden within the layers of your extravagant disguise?”
For a moment Ishtar froze in place. She hadn’t foreseen such acuity of
perception. Now her eyes narrowed and nostrils flared slightly. In a blink she grasped the heavy war sickle’s handle and tore it free from fashionable capes!
Shaped like a tongue of flame, its blade flashed purple when it struck hard against Garuda’s Feather . . . both adversaries locked in defensive stance.
“Fascinating,” snarled Upaya, pushing forward a single step. “I knew that I
recognized certain aspects of your appearance and behavior. Even your dance resembled Mahamudra Tandava. Yet I never thought that Kali-Ma’s Yoginis could stoop to the employ of King Indra.”
“I’ve already told you that I’m here of my own accord and it’s to settle a score from our days in Patala. Upaya Panther-Mask, Prince of The Daityas, you will pay in blood for defeating my sister Yaksha outside the Temple of Shesha-Naga!”
With those words she broke loose and lashed out once again.
“We’ll see about that little one. I’ve been spoiling for a fight since I received Amrita the other night. Don’t expect me to hold back on account of your youth.”
The Daitya parried each of her strokes with minimal effort but the Yogini was just warming up too. Her attacks became increasingly powerful, making it necessary for him to expend energy avoiding them instead of absorbing their impact. A few quick swings of the sickle reduced the surrounding walls to rubble. Inevitably, this bout was going beyond the confines of their private chamber for all to witness. In short order, gawkers started gathering at the periphery of that expanding conflict.
Blinding arcs of sparks were produced as the swords clashed in a deafening series of echoes. Upaya had begun a vigorous counterattack and his catlike speed compensated for Ishtar’s overwhelming fortitude. He batted wildly at his target, shredding through marble columns in the process. Ishtar for her part rose to the crystal ceiling above, aware
- 58 -
that Upaya was unable to fly. She lifted her weapon high up with both arms while exhaling:
“Om Kring Kaliyai Namah! ”
Like a blazing comet she dropped and cleaved a chasm across the entire floor,
which caved in immediately. Upaya barely managed to jump away and ride the
shockwave but was able to grab onto a spiral staircase that provided him with useful altitude. Her laughter rebounded from the distant walls left standing.
“The wielder of Kali’s sickle is rendered virtually invincible by it,” she boasted,
“for it is imbued with Tamas – the tendency of decay responsible for cosmic dissolution.”
Upaya chuckled unabashedly when he heard that. “Then our armaments are
equally pitted and the outcome of this contest will be decided by skill alone. Garuda’s Feather contains pure Rajas – the active tendency that propels atoms, bodies, planets, stars and galaxies. It’s impossible to break or bend. What’s more, it can generate wind anywhere. Watch!”
The Ashura wrapped his arms tightly around himself, gripping haft in one hand.
He unwound as he kicked off from the top step, whirling toward her. An intense gale blasted Ishtar through the glass enclosure overhead and out of sight into the starry night.
Upaya went to the closest stable ledge and searched the sky intently. Minutes
seemed to pass although they were actually breaths. She has to be up there somewhere he judged or can she transpose? The hair on his neck stood on end when he sensed her standing behind him. He turned in time to block an impending coup-de-grace but it sent him smashing through the fissure below.
Momentarily Soma arrived, floating above the epicenter of this disaster. He was flushed pale with anger. “Would someone care to explain why my estate is being rent asunder from within?”
There was an audible shift beneath the wreckage followed by a loud explosion of dust and debris. Upaya had pulverized what he was buried under using his clawed fists.
Brushing detritus from shoulders he pointed at Ishtar. “Lord Chandra, thy brethren hath planted an assassin betwixt thine carefree auspices.”
“Girl is this true? Wait a minute – you – you’re a Yogini!”
“Guilty as charged, what of it?”
“Why the nerve. I was explicitly told by Kali’s emissary that this sort of
interference would not occur!”
- 59 -
“Yaksha was here?”
“Yes, and she spoke of your coming without describing its circumstances. I have even put a helping of Amrita aside for you as per Devi Kali’s request. If it is Kali-Ma that you serve and not Indra then you must comply with her orders and put your weapon away this instant. That is the sole stipulation of our sacred pact!”
Ishtar hesitated briefly. She was seriously driven to avenge her sister but
incapable of contravening Kali’s mandate. Besides she felt her point had been made and Amrita was a highly acceptable consolation prize. The war sickle went back into its sling and the Yogini bowed at the waist, hands folded. “This has been a most sporting match Prince Upaya.”
“Indeed cheeky girl. We shall have to do it again sometime.”
~ ≈ ~
Afterwards Ishtar took the opportunity to publicly disclose that the Apsaras were being held hostage by Indra and his subordinates. This of course caused much commotion among the Ghandharvas, who were insistent on taking action. Various arguments ensued between members of the alliance until Priestess Kaitabh of the Rakshas came forward and introduced her sister Namuchi. That lamia proceeded to transfigure before their eyes, becoming indistinguishable from Ishtar in every respect. Kaitabh claimed that she had numerous subalterns at her command with this same ability, suggesting that they could switch places with heaven’s dancers in order to act as decoys and lay an ambush. Thus was hatched a plan to lure their rivals into palaver with the pretense that Upaya had been snared via Kama’s love-mantra.
Soma had felt it necessary to underline their scheme with an indispensable caveat:
“Be wary ye Rakshas, this illusion will not work on all Devatas. I for one can see through it clearly as can my cousin Surya.”
The errant Yogini then put forth that she could further empower Namuchi with
Kama’s charm, in case her detachment did cross the sun god. It wasn’t long thereafter that those shape-shifters were surreptitiously dispatched to the woods bordering Amaravati. Presently, Namuchi herself was in the Apsara’s temple, still assuming Ishtar’s role. She had already conveyed the workings of their plot to Queen Priya, who she sat next to while they both waited for King Indra’s arrival.
The embattled monarch now entered and regarded them blankly. “Back so soon
Lady Ishtar? What news from the moon?”
- 60 -
“Esteemed lord, the mission has been a dashing success. Prince Upaya is currently in my thrall and I come to deliver a message on behalf of Commander Viswava. Having learnt of the situation here the Ghandharvas wish to conciliate.” She handed Indra a scroll, which bore the unmistakable seal of Viswava.
The king unfurled said scroll and took his time mulling over its import.
According to what he read Viswava and his renegade knights would betray Soma’s forces during the upcoming struggle on one condition: that they be summarily reunited with their wives. Indra was pleased with these results but debated whether or not to temporarily relocate these Apsaras. It would be a lot easier to use them for leverage and prevent their abscondence if they were kept in his lunar outpost. Such a move would also ensure the continued support of their husbands since they would have to fight that much harder to forestall harm from befalling their mates. Having considered those angles he turned back to the women. “You say that Upaya is under your control Ishtar?”
“Verily highest king. He is as docile toward me as Lady Tara is to Lord Chandra.
I would have brought him to you if it didn’t rouse suspicion.”
“You did the right thing and I am duly impressed by your expedience in this
trial,” Indra commended. “Queen Priya, prepare the full complement of Apsaras to depart by morning. We are all going to the moon together.”
“Straightaway my liege.”
~ ≈ ~
That same night by the shadowed moon, a swarm of Rakshas snuck into the city. Yet not only did they go undetected – they opened a portal back to the forest – enabling the real Apsaras to escape. Namuchi let Priya know that a vessel lay not far off from where they were being sent and that a guide awaited as they spoke. In the morning Varuna escorted the impostors to a specially designed transport vehicle. Even then the Devatas were none the wiser that something calamitous was happening.
~ ≈ ~
From a watchtower at one corner of their provisional fortifications Surya observed as Vayu aided Varuna in landing Lord Indra’s long overdue reinforcements. It looked like Yama had come too along with fresh Kinnara shock-troops. To be sure, the god of death brought with him as many equine henchmen as he had originally lent them. Surya’s curiosity was piqued when he saw a long rhombus-shaped structure being set down painstakingly by the Maruts. The sun god descended for a closer inspection and was met by both Yama and Indra. “What have we here?” Surya pried while motioning to the apparent ark.
- 61 -
“A little insurance to safeguard us against the Ghandharvas,” the king told him.
“Apsaras then?”
“Correct. No more questions though. Chandra has probably detected us and we
must ready ourselves for the imminent confrontation. Help Yama organize our ranks.”
Few outside this circle knew that Yama had not been born a Devata. Factually
speaking he was humanity’s prototype and had been granted Amrita by Lord Brahma for being the first human to ever reach Patala – the underworld. From then on he had existed as a custodian of the nether sphere, the bleakest social station anywhere. At the moment he stared dispassionately at Surya (who was incidentally his creator). The solar deity found it hard not to turn his nose up at Yama’s sweaty facial hair and the lumbering ox he rode in on, which defecated loudly then as if to thoroughly vex him. Surya restrained an impulse to undo his creation before finally saying: “I’ll fetch my horse.”
~ ≈ ~
Indra was right in supposing that Soma might sense their accession. Indeed, the traitor had been keeping a close eye on his kin the whole time. He knew that they were located in the craterous badlands where they’d established a crude bivouac using jagged rocks.
Earlier on the lunar god had experienced a compulsion to expel them from his
principality by causing moonquakes but he was confident that his allies would spare him such trouble. Now that Queen Priya and her vassals were hidden safely inside a guesthouse, their husbands’ reprisal should prove a grand spectacle.
Outside Chandra’s palace Upaya’s vast army was beginning to mobilize.
Viswava had taken his contingent ahead to play the part of scouts and for the second time in as many nights Soma shrouded the Devata’s hemisphere with uttermost darkness.
~ ≈ ~
“This is nothing compared to the despairing murk of Patala,” Yama ridiculed, spitting on the ground. His buffalo kicked up dust when its ears caught wind from flapping wings.
Vayu flew up to intercept those responsible. “Halt and identify yourselves in the name of Indra, destroyer of worlds, Maharajah of the Devatas!”
“Lord Vayu, it is I, Commander Viswava of the Ghandharvas.”
“Ah yes, the duplicitous brood of Garuda. State thy business.”
- 62 -
“We come to give thy Rajah word of the Ashura’s advance and to resume our allegiance to thine clan.”
Having heard the exchange King Indra levitated to their level and made public:
“Thou art welcome back into mine fold provided ye kneel and kiss Vayu’s ring.”
An awkward pause preceded the Ghandharva commander’s response:
“Where are our women?”
The storm gods casually pointed out the ark, illumined by its proximity to Surya.
“Fair enough, I shall do what you have asked of me.”
Captain Silat held out his lance lengthwise so that Viswava could perch there.
The fledged immortal stooped below Vayu, bringing his rostrum near the Devata’s ring.
He looked up at the wind god and took in his smug expression. Split-seconds later a pair of scimitars glimmered through the darkness. Vayu’s severed head hung in the air briefly before vanishing like his body.
“What have you done?” Indra clamored!
“Annihilate the Maruts!” Viswava commanded his comrades. Therewith
commenced a massacre as the sons of Vayu, caught largely at unawares, received the vindictive strikes of Ghandharva arms. Varuna tried to intervene but was met midst the fray by a Yogini.
“You put your proud ancestor to shame Viswava,” Lord Indra berated, hovering
opposite to him, “and you force me to douse my hands in the blood of Apsaras.”
“You’ll never get that chance!” The raptor reproached. No sooner than he uttered those words, cacophonous rumblings were heard emanating from a distance.
These rumblings came from the drums of devastation played by the Daityas in Upaya’s front line. The planetoid’s surface shook beneath the weighty steps of Danava titans who blared morbid notes through bone trumpets.
Coming to terms with dire straits Indra called on Yama: “Fire the artillery now!”
Great balls of fire pierced the surrounding shadows. Fortunately, shield-bearers among the giants mitigated the carnage inflicted by bombs and spiked missiles, although they could not stave off injury for all. After the initial cannonade, unharmed demons charged the barracks. Berunni’s people made a concerted effort to slam clubs, hammers and mauls simultaneously against the barricade. Their combined pounding caused seismic ripples that even Soma could feel back at headquarters. Breaking through the makeshift gates Upaya’s infantry collided head on with seven thousand Kinnaras.
- 63 -
Concurrently the Rakshas locked inside the box colluded to attract Surya’s attention. He was unable to ignore an insistent torrent of whispers in his mind that drew him to the ark and cajoled him to unlatch its door. What compels me? He wondered, not wholly given to their trickery. Nevertheless Surya wanted to find out what was amiss for himself. He threw open the ark and out burst the ghouls, screeching aggressively as they clawed past their unsuspecting liberator.
“Damnation!” The solar Devata wailed, bursting defensively with deadly flames
that scathed at least a score of Rakshas. “I’ll incinerate you lot!”
Namuchi’s division then received the support of Kaitabh’s airborne sorceresses
who started casting projectile spells that laid waste to ordnance.