Memoirs of an Immortal Marut

I can bear no more, to live on with the haunting thoughts and memories of Brahmakalpa. I neither know how to keep my mind intact from being marred by them. Brahmakalpa, My brother! My friend! These obscure thoughts... are these just my fictional illusions? Or are you speaking from another dimension? I feel stranded between these conflicting thoughts, without you, I feel stranded in this whole universe. I must go! To the sacred grove of Shangoli where even the Lord of death would hesitate to go. I cannot pay no heed to the enchanting call of my friend's soul..... I must go ....

The sky seems less clouded today than usual. It is unbelievable ..... In the last moment, a nebule would appear and veil the illusory tricks of the morning star. I have a feeling that one of the many Maruts transformed into a cloud and is trailing me, to deceive me. Sometimes I feel that the manner in which these clouds would overcast the sky is beautiful and innocent, just like how the children would hide their toys. After all, the sight of Sun and Moon in a cloudy sky is awe-inspiring.

Oh!! Him again .... Brahmakalpa. Just like how he evokes vivid visions in the minds of humans, his commands are being repeated loud in my thoughts and conscious mind. I was terror-stricken on hearing the berated voice of his spirit. I decided to advance to the Shangoli grove, a place undiscovered or maybe even unheard of for the rest of the world .... A place that seems mysterious to mysterious eyes. I am being guided by the soul of Brahmakalpa to a dark forest located beyond a tribal village inhabited by a few Dravidians and surrounded by a sand forest which is home to a few cavemen. Humans could not see the dark forest with their eyes. In their eyes, it is just a wet land full of snakes and crocodiles. They could see a big lake in the midst of the wetland, but no one would dare go near it since the lake was full of crocodiles.

With astonishment and awe, I walked towards the lake. As i strode forward, the crocodiles made way for me. I entered the lake and walked further into it till the water touched my chest. Suddenly, a luminous portal started appearing in front of me. I could see the tall dark trees which would lead me to Shangoli grove inside the portal. Without wasting another moment, I entered the portal, the gateway to my destiny........

Meanwhile, Brahmakalpa was chanting verses from a bygone Veda taught to him by some Gandharva. His constant recital of these chants kept me spellbound . I strode in the direction of his enchanting voice. I kept walking on and on, for how long I'm not sure.... I lost track of time, space and direction as i was mesmerised by the constant recitals of Brahmakalpa. I came to my senses when I was terribly affected by fatigue. I need some rest, I thought. I lay down on the foot of a huge towering Banyan tree.The recitals seem to have ceased. As I lay down, I observed the surroundings. It seems like the sunlight never touches the ground of this forest. It had a dense canopy, pushing the forest deep into eternal darkness.

A forest where no man has ever set foot on, a forest thick with intertwined twigs, Serpents with large red flowers on their hoods, these snakes are almost indistinguishable with the unending cluster of twigs, and amongst them are ant hills where these serpents dwell. At a distance i could hear the nourishing sound of flowing water. I walked towards the sound. It was a long blue river. As i drank some water to quench my thirst, i could see golden ripples in the river caused by few rays of sun that escaped through the leaves. I felt contented since I am one of the few blessed souls who is able to witness sights that are not accessible to the rest of the world. I washed my face and looked at my reflection in the river. I could see the thick bearded, heavy- eyed face of mine. I lay down beside the river.... In this tranquil and soporific surroundings, I slowly slipped into deep slumber. I woke up when my body started shivering from the biting cold wind that came from far North. The sun had set and the river and forest bathe in the nurturing moon light. The forest is plunged into silence and mist, even the crickets did not cry. I can neither hear the voices of Brahmakalpa that was guiding me so far. This forest must be under a spell, I thought, for i have never seen the phenomenon of mist and wind blowing at the same time.

I could now hear some footsteps. I looked at the direction from where i heard the voice. I can see a blurry blue light at a distance. As the light approached, i could distinguish a human figure in the mist that filled the surroundings. I felt no fear but i was alarmed. I did not have any weapons by my side. I squinted my eyes and looked again. It is a woman! and she is coming to me. A lone girl in this impenetrable forest! That too in this midnight! For sure she mustn't be a human .... Must be a celestial nymph .. or a Yakshi. 

"Who are you?" I asked her. She stood there lifeless as if like a statue. Her hair was wavering in the gentle breeze. There was a particular aura associated with her, a lustre that made me stand bewitched. She shone brightly like a goddess. Her charm could mesmerise anyone instantly. Her eyes, like a lamp with blue flame gazed me. I looked into her eye and was lost for a moment. It was magnetic. A stare so strong and intense. I felt a rhapsodic impulse in my mind... an ineffable feeling. 

She was draped in tree barks. She wore a pendant made with lotus beads. Ear rings made out of forest twigs. She truly must be a goddess, I wondered. What a Charm! I exclaimed in my mind. Suddenly she started laughing raucously and i was startled. Her laugh was ear-piercing and it penetrated through the deafening silence of the forest, it sounded like a thousand anklets falling down. 

"Who are you?" I asked again. On hearing my question, she laughed again. This time more loudly.

  

"How dare you ask me who I am?", she said. "You need not know who I am. What are you doing here? In this forest, where no man has ever dared set foot on. Who are you? I need to know! She ordered.

"I .... I" ... My voice trembled unknowingly. Suddenly, a pack of lies started rolling out of my mouth.

"I am a hunter... a woodsman. I was foraging this forest for a good hunt. But as night struck, I lost my direction. I wandered these valleys till I was tired and sleepy... unknowingly i slept here. Now I am lost."

She stood there emotionless.

"You are not a good liar! She exclaimed. If you are a hunter, then where are your weapons?"

I felt embarrassed as i was caught red-handed. She came closer to me. As she approached me, the smell of elengi flower became more and more intense. 

"Hey woman, please show me the path to exit this forest." I pleaded.

"Never Kalppanthaka.... Once you enter this forest, there is no way out. This place is an eyot. A concealed eyot made by time using magic. "

"What? You have mentioned my name. Kalppanthaka..... a name that even I have started forgetting. How do you know my name? Are you a Yakshi? Or a forest goddess? Or a celestial nymph?

On hearing me, She started her iconic laugh again.

"Kalppanthaka... This forest and mountains were mine all these years.... Now it belongs to you too."

Her eyes watered and voice trembled slightly when she said that. There was a bit of some strange emotion attached to her tone.  

Just like how a parched man would want some water to quench his thirst, I felt extremely attracted to this nymph. "Hey woman..... You look extremely gorgeous and much more mysterious. I wish to be in your realm for eternity. But, I am here for a purpose .... My brother brahma...."

She interrupted me and said, "Brahmakalpa's soul is indulging in extreme penance on top of that death rock". She pointed towards a mountain located far away and said, "Go in the direction of that mountain."

"Marvellous!" I exclaimed. "How did you read my mind? Who are you? Tell me your name atleast."

"Kalppanthaka.... Don't strain your mind wondering who I am. A soul is penancing for you ... It is waiting for your arrival to gain salvation. Don't keep him waited. Go to that death rock .... He will be waiting for you in the cave adjacent to it."

"But ...... ". Before i could say something, she soared up and flew over me to the river. Suddenly, a giant serpent with a fiery flower on its hood appeared from the river.. She turned and looked at me in a manner as if we were in love for aeons .... She mounted top of the serpent and rode the snake in the river in an eloquent manner ...... both she and the snake seemed to be in perfect synchronisation and danced atop the river. The forest went lively. It was the most beautiful sight of my life. They then disappeared into the depths of river. I watched as the blue light got progressively smaller and smaller into the depths of the river water.

As she left, i felt a sort of emptiness .... I have a purpose and I should achieve it. I was determined to continue my journey to end the penance of my brother ..... I bid goodbye to the trees and rivers that nurtured me like a mother. I started my journey once again ... to Death rock .... Brother, Brahmahkalpa ! Your long wait is going to cease .... It is just a matter of time before i set you free. And then, with all my strength i started walking as fast as possible, towards the mountain.............

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