KEVIN MISSAL - 10 June

BOOK 1

NARASIMHA

THE MAHAAVATAR TRILOGY

KEVIN MISSAL

To all my readers you have been awesome.

To all aspiring writers keep writing and dont give up.

CONTENTS

Before you begin this novel, I have the responsibility of telling you the truth: this is not an accurate tale of Lord Narasimha. This is only my interpretation of it; my reimagining of him.

This is the story of Narasimha, a warrior who is half-man, half-lion, from the world of Illavarti (a fictionalized, fantastical version of the Vedic Age) where I take different analyses of religious texts and create a coherent narrative around them. For example, Lord Narasimha is worshipped as a physician in some villages of India, so I added that part in the book. Also, some texts depict Prahlad not just as a Vishnu Bhakt, but also as a soldier in Hiranyakashyaps army. So I put both depictions together and included them in the story.

The overarching tale, though, is similar to the mythology. I have only stitched different stories together for narrative consistency.

DEVAS

The Devas are foreigners who come from the island of Swarg, which lies to the north of Illavarti. They usurped the northern part of the country and gained control of major cities. Their ruler is called Indra. They worship various elements of nature, like fire, water and ice. They have long lifespans two to three hundred years. They are really fair and are often associated with the colour white. They are the creators of Somas, which is a blue medicinal liquid derived from the Somalia plants found in Swarg. They believe in Dharma as well as the Trinity GodsVishnu, Mahadev and Brahma.

ASURAS

The Asuras are foreigners from the island of Pataal, which is to the east of Illavarti, across the Black Ocean. They are brown-skinned, golden-eyed and worship attributes like strength and valour, rather than the elements like the Devas. They rule the southern lands of Illavarti and their capital is Kashyapuri. They are often associated with evil because they do not have a religion and dont believe in one. They do not partake of the Somas. They have a strong exoskeleton and are competent in battle.

DANAVS

The Danavs are divided into Poulomas and Kalakeyas. The Poulomas are short giants, often ranging from ten to fifteen feet, while the Kalakeyas are over twenty feet tall. They live in large towers that are specially constructed for them. They eat large amounts of food and water. They are historically blood brothers of the Asuras and live in Hiranyapur. Other than the need for constant sleep and food, they do not have a purpose in life.

SIMHAS

According to mythology prevalent in Illavarti, the Simhas were created by Lord Vishnu in his first battle against evil. The Simhas are half-lion and half-human in spirit. They wear the skin of a deceased lion. They live in Vaikuntha, the forgotten religious city of Lord Vishnu. Since the Devas are close to being on the side of Dharma, the Simhas fight the battle on the side of the Devas. They are against practices looked at as being related to Adharm. They have strong claws and their skin is pale yellowish. They have reddish beards. This Yugs Avatar is destined to be from the Tribe of the Simhas.

KAYADHU

Death was close.

Kayadhu saw the balls of fire falling and exploding against the ground, the parks and fields, the huts in the kingdom. A volley of flaming arrows struck close to the heart of her palace, striking her Asura guards who fell back, bleeding.

She watched from her window before evading an arrow, which missed her by a hairs breadth.

What is happening?

Before she could comprehend the situation, she saw guards in black armour enter her room, with the Manav Guru Narada close behind them.

My lady, we need to escort you out of the kingdom, he pleaded.

Who is behind this attack? she asked, the curls on her temple dancing in the wind.

Before Narada could answer, another arrow flew into the room and struck close to the cradle. The baby began to cry.

Where is Anuhrad? she asked as she rushed to the cradle, grabbing hold of the infant.

Hes uh hes in the underground passage, Narada whimpered. He was a bald man, wearing a white dhoti with a long white muffler across his chest. Hidden. The enemies will not find him.

Thats good. She picked up the infant from his cradle and handed him to Narada. Let them not find Prahlad either.

Narada took the child and looked up at Kayadhu in anguish. What about you? he asked.

Kayadhu swallowed a nervous lump. She didnt know what to do. She couldnt hide. She had come all the way from the island of Pataal for a better future, for hope to not be burdened by the evils of society.

Where are the Kalakeyas and Poulamas? Kayadhu asked, referring to the Danav forces that resided in Kashyapuri.

Most of them left with your husband, my lady, Narada said.

She cursed. How foolish was Hiranya to leavethe kingdom isolated with a reduced army? She knew her husband had gone to scatter the ashes of his brother over the holy river in Pataal.

And she knew that he would not be returning for a while.

Bana is here, though, Narada said, reading Kayadhus mind and referring to the Danav lord who was in the palace. As is Holika. Shes holding them off at the southern gates.

So there was some hope, Kayadhu thought to herself and smiled. But then she looked at the infant in Naradas arms; innocent, confused and crying, and her brow furrowed. She leaned over and kissed the childs forehead. Take him to safety.

But what about you, my lady? Narada asked.

Kayadhu grabbed her sword and unsheathed it. She took two daggers and a breastplate from the guards, who had come with Narada. I need to be out there, fighting for my kingdom. I just want to know whom do the banners belong to?

Narada lowered his eyes. Thunder.

That bloody warmonger! she cursed to herself.

He agreed to the truce! Why is he attacking now?

My lady, Narada nodded apologetically, hes an opportunist. Seeing Lord Hiranya leave, he decided to attack and conquer Kashyapuri.

I shall not let him do that, Kayadhu vowed to herself.

As the queen bid farewell to her son, she held his tiny, dimpled hands and realized that despite the war outside, there was a lot of beauty in the world.

Everything had seemed unreal until my sons were born.

As she tried to pull away, the infant Prahlad held on, as if he knew something that she didnt. Kayadhu pulled out her locket and handed it to her son, whose chubby fingers closed around it.

I shall always be with you. Dont worry. She kissed the infant once more before parting ways. Narada reluctantly left with Prahlad in his arms, followed by the guards.

As Kayadhu walked further, the corridors of her palace were strewn with corpses handmaidens pierced with arrows, soldiers with their throats slashed. And just as she was taking in the horror of the scene before her, she was accosted by the sight of the Vanars, who had been waiting to pounce on her.

So the monkey tribe is involved too, she thought, preparing herself.

The Vanar Sena, in their white armour, attacked the instant they spotted her. Using her sword and deflecting their attack with ease, she smashed and slashed the skin and bones of the monkey men, and they fell back.