This is the final book in the Shiva trilogy. A much awaited
book I think and probably was having high expectation of the story as well. The
last book ended with an apt cliff-hanger where Shiva comes face to face with
someone he thought was dead in the blast which destroyed the somras factory.
The trek through the forest and up river in ships have
brought the main characters to the land of the Nagas and meeting his old friend
Shiva is wanting to know what had happened? He needs to know this before he can
let the others in the accompanying entourage to know Brahaspati is alive and
hear his story. Brahaspati explains that he was researching the impact of
manufacturing the somras and if there were side effects from taking it. He had
come to the conclusion that it was a dangerous medicine and being unable to
convince King Daksh or the ministers he chose to sabotage the factory and
disappear.
Shiva wants more proof of this than just the word of his friend
and wants to see himself the evidence that exists. It appears we have come a
full circle in the search for the enemy. For now it appears that the Mehluans
are the common enemy of the Chandravanshis and the Nagas. The side effect of
the somras has given rise to the Naga clan as they are the offspring of people
who have been taking the somras. The waste from the manufacturing of the somras
is found to be polluting the waters that flow into the land of the Brangas. The
Chandravanshis were not all party to partaking the somras. The Maharishi
Bhrigu, one of the most powerful sages, is convinced that somras is good and informs
Daksh that there is a second secret factory that will keep the somras flowing.
In trying to stop Shiva and his allies from turning on the
Melhuans he organises the attack we read about, in the last book. What comes
across clearly is that humans fear what they do not know and so view the
unknown as the enemy. Shiva goes to Kashi to meet the Vasudevs and find out
what is the truth about the somras and all the information he has. There is
also finds out about the clan of Vayuputras who have sworn to bring forth
Neelkanth when times need him, just as Vasudevs are bound to support the
Neelkanth in his fight against evil. For this Shiva has to undertake the long
journey to the land of Vayuputras and find out the truth about himself and
about the somras. He needs the weapons that will allow him the lever to stop the
production of somras and save the people from all-out war.
The story does give some wonderful descriptions and
explanations of the strategies and counter strategies of the different factions
and alliances. The imagination has been let loose when it comes to the
achievements of each clan. The small battles are fought while setting up to win
the final war. These are bloody and shows lose on all sides. It is a story that
follows my own thinking (for I can always see the other person’s point of view)
in that it forces you to see both sides of the coin. It forces you to face both
sides of the issue of somras and the positions taken by people. What is to be
held in esteem by people, their country, the truth or their God? Therefore, you
are forced to acknowledge that nothing is purely good or purely evil. Also that
nothing can always be only good or only evil. Both evil and good are necessary
to have a balance in nature.
The ending was unexpected but seemed to come too quickly.
However, it was a good point to end as it leaves you in a thoughtful mood and anything
further would just belabour the point.
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