Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 28) The Storm Clouds

Chaitanya cursed the tasteless food but he swallowed it. He needed his strength to make his escape from the cell to find his Dharma. She had given him the slip the other day and the auto-driver had brought him to the station. He swore that he would kill the rascal once he was out of the lock-up. Nonetheless, right now he needed to escape and take Dharma to an unknown destination where there was a place only for the two of them.

He had already made friends with two of the inmates. With their help, he would get out of the stinking hole. Due to public holidays, the hearing was adjourned for another week. He had heard that they were closing in on him with multiple charges. Therefore, he was aware that the law would not let him free soon. The only way for him was to make an escape as soon as possible.

There were five of them in the lock-up and out of the five, two of them were old and miserable. Chaitanya hadn't bothered to talk to them. The other two had made friends with him and in three days, they would be out on the roads.

*********

The storm clouds gathering over Modhera worried Dharma. After learning the weather pattern of the region, she had been confident that there was not a chance of rain at this time of the year. And hence, she was on pins and needles at the sight of the darkening clouds. With only a couple of days left for the event, Dharma and her team had arrived earlier to oversee the preparations. The trial run with models was planned a day before the event.

While she was consulting the event manager about the light and sound effects for the show, there was a visitor at the gate, curious to know the reason for the unusual activities on the premises of the age-old temple.

**************

Though the weather report had warned him about a windstorm in Mehsana and Modhera, it had not stalled Dushyant from exploring Mehsana.

The next morning, he journeyed to the Sun temple in Modhera. To his surprise, the place was bustling with activity. Other than a few tourists, there were also workers setting up a makeshift stage for an event. When he inquired, the guard informed him about a show scheduled in the next couple of days.

On his way to the main entrance of the temple, Dushyant paused near the ancient water tank. He was particularly fascinated by the magnificent shrines built around the Kund. He couldn't take his eyes off them. Noticing the small group huddled together in discussion, he walked towards them. His gaze caught the tall and beautiful girl. Her short hair was tied back in a high ponytail and she was showing her sketch to others. From her stance, Dushyant got the impression that she was heading the project. He waited for her to finish the discussion so that he could have a word with her.

*****************

Dharma was satisfied with the event manager, Ayesha's plans. Her seating arrangements sounded perfect.

"These storm clouds are bothering me. I hope it does not rain that evening," Dharma voiced her concern.

"I was thinking of the same. Why not be prepared for an alternate arrangement? The show starts at seven. If bad weather persists by that evening, we should be able to shift the show inside," Ayesha suggested.

"How do we carry that out?"

"We will have to arrange it inside the Gudhamandapa and Garbhagriha."

"But we don't have permission to do that. We managed to get permission for this with great difficulty," Dharma pointed out, thinking of other options.

"They do conduct a three-day dance festival and Mahotsavs. Why not allow this?"

"I think Uttararadha Mahotsav is a state-sponsored festival. Even that is conducted on the outer premises, not inside the halls."

"Then talk to Rashika or Maurya. We need the permit, Dharma. If by chance, it starts to rain, all our efforts will go to waste. Also, we need to arrange the lighting and sound system inside the halls, in case we have it there."

"Ok, I will discuss it with them. Let us hope we don't have to face it," Dharma counted on her prayers, keeping her fingers crossed.

After convincing Ayesha that she would talk to the management, Dharma moved to have a word with the technicians. Rashika, Maurya, and the rest of the team would be arriving only on the morning of the day of the event. Dharma debated if she should request them to reach earlier.

Someone greeted her. Turning around, she saw a handsome, middle-aged man.

"Hello, I believe you are conducting an event here," Dushyant asked the lovely young girl. Her radiant eyes captivated him.

"Yes," she answered politely, wondering what an aristocratic-looking man like him did for a living. "Are you here to help us?"

"No no… I am here as a tourist. I was just curious about the event," he replied.

"Oh... We are organizing a fashion show."

"Are you in charge of the event?" he hoped that she wouldn't mind his interest.

"No, I am just the designer.” The man's bearings spoke of authority however she was not certain.

"Right! So, you are an artist?"

"Yes..."

"Never seen a live fashion show in my life," Dushyant uttered thoughtfully.

"If you are interested, I can give you a pass," she offered out of courtesy.

"Aren't they priced exorbitant?" Dushyant asked, even though he could afford such prices.

Smiling, she answered, "Not always."

"Oh then, I will certainly be happy to watch it. By the way, I am Dushyant Bhadera."

"I am Dharma...Where do you come from?" Dharma asked, searching for the invitations in her bag.

“I am from Almora."

Dharma's face shot up. "Oh, how nice! I am from Parijatpur," Dharma gushed with excitement.

"Never thought that I would come across someone from the mountains here."

"I have heard that Almora is very beautiful at this time of the year," she handed him the pass and Dushyant glanced at it.

"Yes, the clouds vanish and one gets to see the Kumaon peaks. How about Parijatpur? I have been there once to see a relative."

"Oh, very beautiful. I grew up in Mohandham," Dharma didn't know why she said that because she was never this effusive with strangers.

"What a coincidence then! Jaydev Mohan was a distant relative of my family. You must have heard of him."

Astonished, Dharma nodded vehemently, "Yes, I know him and Ambika ma'am very well."

"What a small world we live in...."

Dushyant's opinion of Dharma went a notch higher after he learnt that she grew up in Mohandham.

"Now that you have told me that you are from Parijatpur, I will not miss the event for sure," he glanced at the invitation once again. "How much do I pay for it?"

"No, no, you are my guest..."

The show was named, "A Walkway into the sunny past". It had the time, date, and venue of the event. Very artistically designed, the invitation had no mention of the designer.

"You designed this?"

"No, I only design garments."

"So why is your name not mentioned?"

"The company is organizing the show. We are part of the company," Dharma explained, amused by the man's interest.

"Why is it called the past? Are you showcasing old trends?"

"No, actually, the trends are new and the textiles are from this region but the theme and the prints depict those times when this temple was built, the war with Ghazni, the rebuilding of the temple, and the story of the Sun. The prints have the Sun god riding a chariot and commanding the universe hence we call it "A walkway into the sunny past."

"Fascinating..."

Unable to hold back, Dharma blurted out, "I only hope that it does not rain."

Dushyant looked up at the ominous sky, "I understand what you mean. I guess the storm would be over before the event. The event is the day after tomorrow, right?"

"Yes!"

"The storm will pass by then," Dushyant's words were comforting.

"I hope you are right."

"Thank you for the invitation. Let me take a look at the temple. I will catch you before leaving."

Dharma nodded, staring after him as he strolled towards the halls.

**************

Even at four in the evening, the work continued in full steam and some of the temple officials visited the site to instruct the team on what not to encroach. The sky cleared and Dharma heaved a sigh of relief.

One of the local workers fixing lights on the erected pole pointed out, "When it rains heavily, the river fills up and it overflows this side."

Dharma countered, "But the sky has cleared. So, it is safe."

"Can you hear any sound of a bird? They have all gone silent because they fear an incoming storm."

His reasoning once again made Dharma anxious. She ran her eyes around the arrangements. What would she do if it rained? Dharma sauntered towards the reservoir and gazed at the architectural beauty.

"I see you haven't finished your work yet..." Dushyant said, coming to stand beside her.

"It will take another hour to wind up. Have you finished your tour?"

"No, I have come in search of something so I will be visiting the temple regularly for the next couple of days. "

"Oh," curiously, Dharma wanted to know his objective. He didn't look like a normal tourist. There was a purpose to his visit. He was probably a historian, searching for evidence.

"I visited many historical places before this but I realized that this temple may have what I am looking for."

"Why this particular temple?" Dharma asked, studying Dushyant's classical features.

"It is built on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It is a tributary of a very ancient river, and I thought this being a very old construction, I might find something interesting. I believe the river is right behind this temple. I am going to have a look at it. You can join me if you are interested..." Dushyant suggested and Dharma mulled. Some of the workers had eaten lunch by the riverside and they had told her that it was quite peaceful there. Tempted beyond reason, Dharma accompanied Dushyant to the river Pushpavati.

As they walked across the garden towards the river, Dushyant asked, "Can you smell the wetness in the air? A river flows quietly but it makes sure that the surrounding inhabitants know that it exists..."

"True...but the air is very still today. No breeze..."

"Yes, the storm is arriving...it is the lull before the storm..."

"Oh no, this would not be good for the show."

"I told you the storm will be over before the show. Relax and ask the workers to not put up tents."

"No, there will be no tents."

They reached the bank of the river. The water flowed very quietly in the narrow river. They couldn't go very close to the river. Wild vegetation blocked them so they viewed it from a distance.

"There used to be a port here. Modhera was famous as a busy port those days..." Dushyant informed as they watched the river.

"Why does this river interest you so much? It is an ordinary river..."

"But it carries an extraordinary legacy. I believe this one branched from a major river that used to be worshipped and revered by many tribes in the olden days. The ancient kingdoms devoted a certain period of a year to celebrate the sacred river."

"Oh, that reminds me. When I was here last time, I met the caretaker of this temple in Mehsana. He does not work here anymore but I visited him to hear some tales so that I could add it in my narration for the show."

"And did he tell you anything?"

"Yes, apparently in those days, there was a very brave governor to King Bhim – I."

"Yes, I heard about the one who helped the king to crush the rebellion at Arbuda."

Surprised and impressed by his knowledge, Dharma continued, "That is right. He was the one who helped the king. His name was Jalindra and he was found by the river."

Dushyant's gaze pivoted to her, "Found by the river? What do you mean?" his disbelief flared at the piece of information. He listened to the story of Jalindra with charged-up attention.

"Jalindra meaning the lord of the water was found by the river when he was twenty or so. He and the king became very good friends and when the king returned after Ghazni's invasion, he made Jalindra his right-hand man. Although he was a successful governor, there was something that haunted Jalindra all through his life. He was tormented by something that never allowed him to sleep well. He is believed to have visited magicians and witches to release him from the agony."

Dushyant's instincts told him that this was what he had been seeking to discover.

"The local puppeteers used to recount his story. They believed that Jalindra was tortured by his past life or some love that he had left behind. Subsequently, he was worshipped as a tragic romantic hero."

As Dharma concluded Jalindra's story, they contemplated the slow-moving river. The passing of time had indeed stripped the river of its glory. To Dharma, it seemed to flow now without hope or care.

The thick and menacing clouds appeared once again. The rolling thunder reminded Dharma of the approaching trouble.

"I told you the storm will pass before the event," Dushyant reiterated as they sauntered back to the temple.

Pooja called out, "Dharma, we are winding up for the day. The workers are saying that it will rain tonight. Hopefully, it will be over by the day after."

Nodding at Pooja, Dharma turned to Dushyant, "It was nice meeting you. I will see you at the event."

"Sure, I will be here tomorrow also. Now that you have told me about Jalindra, I will be searching for more evidence."

"You can start with his cenotaph."

"Is there one here?"

"Yes, it is built in one corner of the Kund. There is a poem written on its wall. The caretaker told me that the then ruler inscribed the poem on the cenotaph."

Dushyant caught his breath at the news of the inscription. He glanced at the reservoir but he was confused by the numerous ones.

"Dharma, I want your help. I hope you won't mind."

"No, of course not."

"Can you point out Jalindra's shrine to me?"

"I will take you there."

"No, that is alright. You have so much to do here. I can go on my own."

"I love going down the steps to the well, Come, I will take you," she led the way. His heart beat erratically as he followed her. He hoped he would not be disappointed once again.

They went down the steps very carefully. When they reached the corner of the sides where Jalindra's shrine was built, Dharma pointed out, "See, that one is Jalindra's. The writing is in Hindi but there is no idol inside."

Dushyant knelt to study the inner walls of the shrine. Dharma stayed as he scrutinized the etchings.

Moments later, Dushyant rose, his face sweating profusely.

"Are you alright? You seem shocked," Dharma asked with concern.

Dushyant shook his head in incredulity. He could not believe his luck.

"Do you need help to climb up?" Dharma berated herself for urging the older man to come down the steps.

"I have been searching my whole life for this. Good lord, I still can't believe it," Dushyant uttered dramatically.

Dharma waited for him to elaborate.

"Fair of face and heart of gold,

Mistress of love and goddess of happiness,

My heart will hold you forever in gratitude."

Dushyant recited the inscription by heart.

Surprised by his rendering, Dharma asked him, "Have you read the verse before?"

"I know the full poem."

"Oh! Is it in praise of a queen or Jalindra's old love?"

Dushyant laughed heartily, "No, this is priceless. It is an ode to a river called Yakshagni of the olden time."  

#Fiction #FantasyRomance #Yakshagni #River #Ancients #Prophecy #Stories #TimeTravel #Universe