Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Neurotic Nagas

The Secret of the Nagas - The sequel to 'The Immortals of Meluha' from The Shiva Trilogy...

                Just as Amish states in his acknowledgement, this will be clear by itself, but it will be more pacifying if you read the prequel "Immortals Of Meluha" firstEver been in a roller coaster! This book gives you a shrill and thrill as such!

------------**** skip if you've visited the previous post "Meluha Pravesh" ****------------
The Prequel
Shiva, now worshiped as god, was then one of us, much human just like you and me. Shiva - a man who raised to be god not by apathy but by perseverance, not savaging but salving, he's ferocious yet with a fervent desire to straighten out the evil. He became GOD ofGODs, he became The Neelkanth

Now called "Indus Valley Civilization' was well known as Meluha by the inhabitants back then. Those residing in Meluha were the well disciplined Suryavanshi's. The eastern part of India was occupied by their numerously yet despicable spread Chandravanshi's who allied with the evil Nagas put up in south alongside the river Narmada.


This tale was about a fable where the Neelkanth was supposed to show up and enact the role of a savior cum slayer of evil (Chandravanshi's). Suryavanshi's being immortals as they have a scientific drug somras produced from the holy river Saraswathi. Chandravanshi's are plotting plans to deplete the flow of Saraswathi, Suryavanshi's being immortals yet less populated hesitate to act against them. Suryavanshi's patiently await the neelkanth's arrival for centuries. 


Finally he arrives, faces some direct threats from Nagas who are well known for unethical and immoral acts of plunder. Falls in love, looses his beloved ones, seeks advice from the Vasudev's and after a series of twists and turns he fulfills the seething wish of Suryavanshi's - Yes they go on a war against Chandravanshi's and apparently feat over Chandravanshi's.


But were they the actual EVIL, whom Shiva was looking for!!!


The book ends with a compelling thirst for it's sequel - The Secret of the nagas, with a Naga who killed his beloved friend now charging upon his knocked up wife - Sati 
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The Sequel

            The Naga attacking Sati, flees when Shiva joins hand with Sati to foil his attack plan. Though he managed to make an opportunity to slaughter Sati, he backed off when he came to know she was carrying an infant in her womb. He flees off stealing a horse from the marketplace, it can't be called a theft as he paid more like threw Bangra gold coins 10 times worth the horse. Now that Branga coin was Shiva's lead to the mysterious Nagas. 


Still guilty Shiva, for sacking the innocent Chandravanshi's who as well believe in the legend of Neelkanth, seethes to avenge Nagas for murder of his brother like Brahaspathi and another foiled attack upon his wife Sati. He comes in search of Vasudevs - the holy advisers of Mahadev, not wanting to jump into conclusions that Brangas where funding Nagas. Vasudevs as usual spill beans on the incontrovertible, shedding light on only what they feel should be revealed and Shiva accumulates facts as such. only this time the vasudev, passes on a brown tethered semi solid medicine and advice him to apply on Sati's stomach at the time of her delivery.


Sati's delivery reveals yet another astounding secret, their connection to Nagas as Ayurvati declares if not for the medicine Nagas (unaware that Vasudev) gave, the life of the infant would have been in grave trouble. Shiva feels lost, the most trusted Vasudev's have betrayed him, having allied with evil Nagas.


The Secret

          Shiva starts his voyage to the land of Branga to uncover the mystery of Nagas. This time he is certain that he wouldn't act before he knows the facts for sure, he's not ready to commit the mistake he did with the innocent Chandravanshi's. 


king Daksha, father of Sati visits, gives stupefying look at his grandchild as if he expected something else. He presents his grandchild with tons of Somaras which would literally last for him until he turns 18. Though Sati declines his offer with a statement he is misusing his power as a King, sharing the somras with kartik (named after her close friend Krithika) while Meluha is running out of Somras for it's inhabitants. Daksha in rage revels a secret unknowingly, that even though the manufacturing place of Somras was destroyed by Nagas, he had built a backup which will hold supplies for centuries ahead. He soon flees not wanting to spill more beans on what he felt was way too much already.


While Shiva journeys, Sati stays back in Kashi to raise kartik . She attends to local problems of kashi, and on her curiosity she also discovers a secret of the kashi king. In the eastern palace, which was restricted for any of the subject or the council except for the king and his family. Sati sneaks in to find why he visits so often and why is it always so suspicious. she discovers that the king has a sister who was born a Naga. The father of King had gotten a promise at his deathbed to safeguard his sister no matter what happens. The naga is hideous with a single body until chest and it partitions to two above having two heads. Sati coming to know about his promise and saddened by the innocence of Naga promises that the secret remains safe with her.


Back there Shiva meets branga's, who as well believe in the saga of the Neelkanth, reveal their secret that they have allied with Nagas not by chaste but by fate. Nagas have cursed them that the Branga's die in plague and only the medicine that Naga's give in-return for the wealth branga showers will save them. This takes twists and turns further.


Back in Kashi, as Sati tends to local problems in and around Kashi, comes to know about a village being frequently attacked by tiger prides. She heads a troop of 60 members misjudging the count of tigers to be just three! After an almost battle, at the verge of loosing it, she is suddenly rescued by the Naga who attacked her earlier, her queen and her Naga army. When the tigers flee, Sati panics not knowing whether to thank them or to confront them. Nagas always being a hooded figure, removes his hood and discloses his frightening face that which is of an Elephant while his body is of a normal human being. kali - the Naga queen urges Ganesh the Naga to behead Sati and avenge his birth to Sati. All the while Sati remains stunned unable to decipher the mystery on what they speak about.


Kali then discloses the fact that Sati's first child was not stillborn but was a Naga and was banished for being one just like kali who as well was blood related to Sati, to be precise - her sister. Kali and Ganesh had believed that Sati had known this all the while, but when she submits with tears she hasn't, they opt to believe her and in turn love her the way she did does now.


The Secret of the Secrets

           Meanwhile Shiva returns to Kashi with the facts he's uncovered and one of which is that Nagas as well weren't evil. Resembling his thoughts Sati shares the news of her unborn child Ganesh and sister Kali. Shiva soon finds place in her heart for his deeds and her acceptance despite being a Naga. But as for Ganesh, the worst of fury awaits. As soon as Shiva meets Ganesh he recognizes Ganesh from his previous encounters from prior attacks and one in specific of the mount mandar where his beloved brother like Brahaspathi was killed!


He spares him alive for he was Sati's son and wants him banished from his home, while Sati confronts him, he places her in a trivial situation as to choose between him and her son. Sati who has deprived Ganesh unknowingly once and not wanting to repeat it knowingly this time, chooses to go with Ganesh. She moves to another quarters in Kashi, though Shiva had rejected Ganesh, all others close to Sati has accepted him, that which includes Kartik. In fact Ganesh happens to be his new best friend as Ganesh spoils him with his favorite mangoes. one such fine day, the tigers from the village had followed them Kashi with it's remaining pride to seek redemption. Unfortunately enough, Ganesh, Krithika and a couple other soldiers were there besides kartik. After a dreadful battle Ganesh saves Kartik from the bloodthirsty creatures, but almost lost his life though. But this benevolent act had united Shiva and Sati with Shiva accepting Ganesh as he has no choice as the Naga Ganesh has saved kartik's wife twice! but he still feels bad for what Ganesh had caused to Brahaspathi. Everytime Kali approaches to talk to Shiva to defend him for what happened in Mount Mandar, Ganesh restricts her from doing so.


Meanwhile Daksha pays a visit to Sati and his family as he misses Kartik much. Shiva intends to find out the mystery behind Kali and Ganesh being banished. He orders kali and Ganesh to show up before Daksha leaving him astounding. As Daksha reacts just as Shiva had frightened, spares his life for his ruthless acts.


Finally Kali comes forward to share their secret, the secret of the Nagas, but for that Shiva will have to travel to Panchavati, the residence of Nagas situated alongside river Narmada. Not trusting the Survanshi's who accompany Shiva in their journey to Panchavati, submits that she shall be taking them round the ear route  for their safety and to keep the other paths to Panchavati a secret.


This time Sati and Kartik accompanies Shiva along with both Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi brigade headed by Nagas, after a year long journey they almost reach Panchavati when they are attacked by anonymous battleships. Though they altogether manage to drive away these pesters, panic strikes them. Nagas believe Survanshi's betrayed and Suryavanshi's vice versa. The Neelkanth intervene their thoughts and suppress them to gather their wits "all Nagas and Suryavanshi's and Chandravanshi's were attacked in this massacre". Failing to find out the master mind behind this, Shiva proceed to Panchavati to find out the much awaited secret.


What is that secret (or) should that be WHO is that secret, ever felt that question leads to an answer that which is a question by itself and so the pipeline remains dynamically constant!!! That is how Amish drops the screen with this sequel, as always keeping you thirsty for it's grand finale - The Oath of Vayuputras

Flaws/ Glitches as I call - The book will not be clear by itself (will be clear, but will not be enjoyable) as he claims in his acknowledgement. Unless you've read the prequel 'The Immortals of Meluha' you will not be able to judge the behavior of characters especially of Shiva's desire to avenge the death of Brahaspathi, Naga's (Ganesh) hatred towards Sati, and more as such.


Impeccable Ambush for the anguish, a secluded question from/ for every answer, apathy over betrayal, secret of the secrets, cliches with glitches, whatnot and whynots - The Secret Of the Nagas


Official Website

Buy here

About the author - Amish Tripathy 


Thenappan
Tue 03/21/2012