The story of two brothers

Vikram and Riya reached the temple next morning. He looked pretty normal and human; none of his supernatural traits visible. But looks does not reflect personality

As they reached the bifurcation he stopped and stared at the forest. He was wearing his sunglasses now. She could not see his eyes glowing.

" Locals say a monster lives here. Could it be another rumour to hide their criminal activities ", she asked.

BUT HE DID FEEL AN EVIL FORCE.

" Could be", he replied.

RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE.

Just like back then. And nobody has a clue.

AND YOU CALL YOURSELF GOD. ...

Vikram drove away angrily taking right. He was entering the forest tonight.

They reached the foot of temple.

He was a regular visitor here. I am back my lord.

" Will you do puja", she asked him. She knew how he got triggered the last time.

" I don't think so", he replied calmly. " I will just take a round of premises".

" Okay", she squeezed his hand in understanding. " Take care".

He nodded.

As she went in he wandered back. The discarded idol was under the banyan tree. He began cleaning leaves over it. Then got water from the river cleaning it. His hands were burned badly. As if he felt nothing he continued. Decorating it with flowers and offering fruits from a tree. By the time he finished his hands were badly bruised. He simply washed them.

" I must say I am quite impressed with your persistence in asking for His forgiveness Srikant ", came a voice.

Vikram smirked. He knew this man. He turned and saw the ascetic from Himalayas.

" Pundit Agnisharma", he said. He touched his feet.

" May Shiva bless you", he said.

" I think I already have what I want. I feel pretty blessed already. And I will not accept any more blessings from your God", said Vikram.

" A century and you are still the same", said the ascetic.

" Did you expect change", he asked. " The constant in me is a Curse your God bestowed on me."

" Well I did recognise you so its a blessing".

"Nah", said Vicky. " You would still have. You are the smart one".

" Shiva guides", said Agni.

" So you did summon me last night", said Vicky.

Agni shook his head.

It was an Akashvani( voice of God)

" And what is your duty", asked Vicky." Guiding me".

He shook his head again.

" That is her job", he replied. " Mine is just revealing the truth".

" And choice is upto me again", said Vicky.

" Right", said Agni.

" What are you actually. An immortal, elemental, or He finally made you an angel".

" I am not immortal Srikant ", replied Agni. " I am here for a purpose. And I will keep on living till the purpose is completed.".

" So what exactly is this purpose", asked Vicky.

" Shiva will reveal it to me as and when time comes", he replid.

" Thats convenient for HIM" , said Vicky.

" Well unlike you I am patient", said Agni. " And a believer ".

" And a complete pet too. I wonder you didn't turn to Nandi bull( A mythological animal lord Shiva rides) yet and let Him mouunt you", said Vicky.

Agni laughed.

" So why me? I am cursed right. He Himself cursed me. So why I am the chosen one? Did He forget", asked Vicky.

" Shiva never forgets. And you are the chosen one because this story relates to you", said Agni. " The Devil has chosen his warrior too. Its the king you defeated and annhilated".

VIKRAM STOOD STUNNED.

" How", he asked Agni.

" The story goes way back then our time", said Agni. " In your clan there were two brothers Uttam and Gautam .

" The ones who laid foundation of this temple", said Vikram.

" Yes" replied Agni. " The elder Uttam was a learned pundit. He knew Vedas, Maths, political science, pujas and many more things. He worked hard in his youth and got a job with the king as his councellor.The younger Gautam was also good in studies not a scholar like his brother but he did well for himself. He remained in village and became a teacher and priest here. The brothers shared a strong bond and loved each other.

" As their fame grew the father decided to get them married. Looking at his eldest horoscope he decided on a girl from neighboring village. But the horoscope of younger one was faulty. It would not be easy to find a girl for him. So he travelled to a pilrimage to find the solution. He married Uttam off before he left to this pilgrimage with Gautam. She was called Sumati".

" What happened next"?

Flashback

A few centuries ago

In the land of Kashi as they were bathing in holy Ganga they saw a young girl drowning. As a good human being Gautam saved her. She was an orphan from a neighbouring village they found out. Her name was Aditi. She was raised by villagers. As the father and son went to her village they found out she was the holy astrologer they have come to visit. The father let her know his problem.

By this time the girl in her heart has accepted Gautam as her groom. He was kind, compassionate, learned in Vedas and righteous. But his horoscope had a PREMATURE DEATH.But she could not accept anyone else. And Goddess Durga blessed her to marry Gautam.

So she put a varamala around his neck and accepted him as her husband. With his father's blessings they married. As villagers considered her as their deity. Gautam stayed back with her in village and his father returned to Uttam after an year.

Uttam was overjoyed to hear of his brother's marriage. A few years went in bliss. Both the brothers prospered. "

THEN CAME THE TIME TO LAY THE FOUNDATION OF THIS TEMPLE.

It was their father who got a dream from Shiva. He relayed it to his elder son. At that time Gautam and his wife were here to visit their family. So to ask for grant from king he accompanied his brother. Uttam was king's aid. So he happily gave the money.

The temple was finally ready. It was time to select the head priest.

Without a doubt it was to be Uttam. He was the most learned of them all.

But an Akashvani came

The priest of this temple shall be Gautam

Everyone was baffled. But it was Akashvani so even Aditi bowed to God's wishes and did not leave for Kashi.

But an evil wormed its way in Uttam's heart.

I am more learned and qualified. I am king's aid but I was not the one chosen. So he devised an evil plan. With the help of second prince who wanted throne for himself. They set meeting between elder prince and Gautam but before Gautam arrived the prince was stabbed to death. Then everyone sawGautam with blood on his hands. He was sentenced to death.

" I am innocent", he pleaded continuously. Aditi saw he was right by her divine powers. She confronted the king and said, " I shall prove my husband's innocence or Shiva burn me away".

Uttam knew she could do it. So he tried to bribe her.

" Why are you saving a culprit? You are young and beautiful. I will marry you once he is gone".

Aditi realised evil in him.

She did not say anything just went in the temple and closed the doors.

" Save your son Shiva", she pleaded " For it is your words that bring him death".

She had read his horoscope. Horrific death it read. Still she married him. Because he was a good man.

"She is going to cause problem", said the prince to Uttam. They made a plan.

After bath Aditi put sandal on her body. They replaced it with camphor. As she lit Shiva aarti she burned away as camphor caught fire.

" She was a liar. Shiva served juztice", said the second prince.

But mild mannered Gautam suddenly turned violent. He picked a sword and challenged the prince. The prince accepted it. What can a Brahmin man fight?

HE UNDERESTIMATED GAUTAM. He killed the prince. Nobody knew he was an excellent swordsman.

But instead of taking the throne he pleaded Shiva.

" I just want to be united with Aditi".

His wish was granted. Aditi's sandal paste suddenly came on his body. He smelled camphor and realised she was betrayed. He had no will to live but he cursed.

" HE WHO BETRAYED HER TURNS TO A MONSTER. THE ONE WHO USURPS THRONE FROM OTHER BE HUDDLED WITH IT".

And the son of Shiva walked in fire.

Agni halted the story.

Flashback ends.

" True to his curse his brother became a monster and he to this date influences behaviour of the kids in his kin. You were one of them.".

"So that curse by my ancestor caused the death of Gunjan", said Vicky.

" And your choices", said Agni.

" How is the king associated with him", asked Vicky.

" He sold his soul to that monster in exchange for a revenge", said Agni.

Vikram nodded.

" I hope you make right choices Srikant", said Agni.

" The world is counting on you".