The Flashing Sword: FF
(This is a socio-historic fantasy with some ideas drawn from Shivaji's history and popular folklore. I don't claim historical accuracy in this FF. If any of the characters or situations bears a resemblance to anybody or any actual event, it is purely coincidental.)
Buried in the sands of time are many mysteries witnessed only by the smiling moon and nightly grandeur strewn with starry skies. Here in the midst of the tall and kingly Sahyadris lay one such mystery awaiting the sandstorm which would blow away those sands to unravel the treasure locked in its heart, from mortal eyes for more than three centuries. Will it see the daylight or is it doomed to stay where it is?
Professor Markandeya Sahay was in the middle of an enthusiastic lecture about a golden chapter in Maratha and Indian history----Chatrapathi Shivaji, a redoubtable warrior, hero, and king who had rewritten the rules of kingship with his valor. He was talking to his students about the popular folklore associated with Shivaji, "Shivaji always carried with him a sword known as the Bhavani Talwar which was gifted to him by the Goddess Tulja Bhavani who is considered as the tutelary deity of his family. Folklore and popular belief has it that this sword was actually 'Chandrahaas', Lord Shiva's sword. That's why Shivaji had never known defeat in a face-to-face combat."
One of Professor Sahay's most brilliant students, Kaavya had a doubt, "Sir, if it's such an important historical artifact, where is this sword?" Dr. Sahay answered, "There are a number of theories about where this sword is. Some say that it is in a British Museum, while the others say that his descendents have it. All that we can surely say as historians is that the actual trail of the Bhavani Talwar ends with Shivaji. What happened to it after his death is still a mystery."
Kaavya's curiosity had been roused about this sword which had played an important role in rewriting history. All the romances she had read like King Arthur's Excalibur came to her mind. Divine or not, if this sword could be traced, it would be an important breakthrough. Professor Sahay had asked all the students to meet him in his room individually to decide what project each of them would be doing during the Dusshera vacations before concluding his lecture for that day.
Kaavya deep in her own thoughts, knocked Dr Sahay's room when he said, "Come in. What are you planning to do for your project? Have you thought up something?" Kaavya hesitantly replied, "I want to find the lost trail of Shivaji's Bhavani Talwar for my project." Professor Sahay was taken aback by the choice his favorite student had made.
Dr Sahay tried to dissuade her, "It's a very difficult choice. We have practically very little information on the sword. If you succeed, it will be a breakthrough; if you don't your project will remain incomplete. I wouldn't do it if I were you!" Kaavya pleaded, "All the same, I would like to do it. Please allow me to work on this topic. Sahay had to acquiesce before her obstinacy. He thought to himself that he had perhaps underestimated his student's capability. What if she actually could?------------
Viswajeet Mann, a ruthless politician and cold-blooded businessman who would go to any lengths for his own benefit, was instructing his assistant, "Have all the preparations been done?" The assistant replied, "Yes, Sir. But why are we spending so much time and effort over a mere sword?" He was curious to know why his master was interested in this crazy scheme.
Viswajeet smiled ominously before saying, "That's why I'm Viswajeet Mann and you're my assistant. It's not a mere sword. It's like dynamite. The one who possesses it will become so powerful that nobody in this whole world can defeat him." The assistant, getting some clarity on their quest, said, "Got it, Sir! With it we can destroy anyone who dares to oppose us!"
Viswajeet continued, "It is said that Shivaji's guru, Samarth Guru Ramdas, realizing its potential for misuse, had this sword hidden away somewhere in the Sahyadris. He recorded the details of its location in a map which was torn into five pieces. Four pieces of this map were entrusted to the care of four faithful followers of Shivaji with the instruction that they would pass it on to their future generations, but would never try to contact each other. Thus the four of them went in four different directions and never saw each other's face again. The fifth piece is with His Highness, Prince Aryan, a direct descendent of Shivaji. All these days, Aryan was in US. Just now I've received information that he's back in his palace. And you know what we're going to do. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
