Revised ep 4
"Are you sure I'm the right choice?"
"We'll figure that out. Now go read. You have a lot of work," the sage said, and suddenly, the lift appeared from nowhere.
When Raghav stepped inside, the sage added,
"Raghav, your parents might not be there to show you the path, but their words and love are always with you. Just remember, they always loved you… even if you hate them."
The lift doors closed.
---
Raghav's office
He sat with a fresh cup of coffee, flipping through the pages of the old book. He skipped over the parts he'd already read and focused on the unfamiliar newly opened ones.
The first page he landed on had an illustration of a cow, with many gods' names written across it in Hindi—easy for him to read.
Kamdhenu — he read the title aloud.
It describes the time of the samudra-manthan (ocean's cherning). Kamdhenu was one of the fourteen ratnas that emerged from the ocean. She is often associated with Brahmins—symbolizing their wealth. Cow's milk and its derivatives like ghee are vital in Vedic fire sacrifices, which Brahmin priests conduct.
Thus, Kamdhenu is sometimes also called Homadhenu—the cow from whom oblations are drawn. The text explained how she could even become a warrior, creating armies to protect her master and herself.
Kamdhenu and other cattle are considered enemies of Kali-purusha. All cows are said to house tetis-koti—thirty-three supreme gods—and her four legs, each represent as the four pillars of Dharma:
Tapasya (austerity)
Swachhata (cleanliness)
Daya (mercy)
Satya (truth)
These four pillars hold humanity back from falling into adharma and chaos. Losing even one attracts Kali-purusha or his children. A Maharakshak must always follow these four paths.
The book then spoke of four locations—each tied to one pillar—though no one knows their exact places. Their strength depends on people's faith and practice of Dharma and morality.
The Pillar of Tapasya is protected by the immortal sage Vyasa and his thousand disciples, performing a great yagya since Lord Krishna's death to delay the inevitable.
The Pillar of Swachhata is guarded by the vanaras—half-human, half-monkey beings—under Lord Hanuman himself.
The Pillar of Daya is protected by King Bali, one of the seven chiranjeevi, known for his mercy and forgiveness.
The Pillar of Satya, however, has weakened greatly since Satyug. Every lie humans tell makes it weaker. It is the only pillar not guarded by anyone, because in this world, everything has become a lie, and if not, it'll.
The book claimed that only a person who has never lied in their entire life, could touch or find it. Breaking the pillar requires just one lie from such a person—provided they lie without expecting anything in return. He must be pure enough.
---
"A person who never lied in his entire life?" Raghav smirked.
"Go find him, champ," he muttered, flipping to the next page.
But the text continued: even Kali himself had never lied in his life.
Raghav cursed under his breath.
"But he still can't break it, he is not pure enough." he reassured himself.
It added that Kali's children were searching for someone who fit that description.
"Should've tried Gandhi," Raghav chuckled to himself.
Apparently, they did try with a man named Gandhi.
"That didn't work, huh? Of course it wouldn't," Raghav said, and continued reading.
And outside his office, Daisy was carrying some files from one corner to another. At one of the many desks, two pairs of identical glasses were following her every move.
"Didn't the boss fire her, sis?" asked the twin on the left.
"He reappointed her. In the lift."
"In the lift?"
"Yes, Jiya. I heard she was sweating quite a bit and the boss was in a little hurry."
"Jay, do you think they did something?" Jiya asked, lowering her voice.
"Maybe, maybe not. He has a wild taste in women, but he never brought anything to the workplace though."
"Really? She's the third assistant of the boss and the longest-running one yet. We made a bet when she joined for how long she'd last in the office, and it looks like I'm winning."
"What! You made bets without me?" Jiya shot back.
"Hey Jay, what's her name again?"
"Daisy Fernandez."
"Fernandez… she's Christian?"
"Yes. She's a recommended hire. I heard from the editor—something about a friend's daughter or relative. Apparently, her parents are NRI, and her lineage is related to Britain."
"What, Britain? Wow. She doesn't look like someone from high class. She's so clumsy. I wonder how she manages to stick around this long. Are you sure she isn't sleeping with him?" Jay asked, peering over her glasses.
"No, sis. I'm sure," she replied, eyes glued to her computer.
"But are you sure?"
"Ask her yourself, sis. And focus on your page—it's been due since forever." He reached for a paper, and Jay looked at her with narrow eyes.
Inside the office, Raghav was far away from such gossip, his attention buried in a thick, yellowed book. The page he'd just turned detailed the strange offspring of Kali and his sister-turned-wife, Durukti (Calumny).
Kali's lineage read like a map of human misery: Bhayanak (Fear), Mrityu (Death), Naraka (Hell), Yatana (Torture)… and many others. Their forms were shapeless, genderless, choosing appearances as they pleased. They were not Asur, not demons, but sins given flesh.
Adharma (Vice) begot children with Himsá (Violence), spawning Anrita (Falsehood) and Nikriti (Immorality). Their unions birthed Bhaya (Fear), Naraka (Hell), Maya (Deceit), Vedaná (Grief), and more—each a walking calamity.
They were immortal, for they lived within every human heart. Only a person completely free of their influence could kill them, and even then, only Bhaya had ever fallen to a Maharakshak. The rest fled, hid, and resurrected endlessly, feeding on mankind's weakness.
Raghav stared at the faded illustrations of these beings, unsure whether to call them creatures, spirits, or something worse. The book simply called them Kaal—the bringers of eras and death.
" Can't even kill them."
He folded a few pages, but found he couldn't open any further. Frowning, he set the book aside and glanced out the window at the night sky.
"What are you thinking?" came a sudden voice from bis head.
Raghav almost jumped from his chair and squeaked.
"Did I scare you?" the sage asked.
"No! I was… And why did you just say something in my head, it's frustrating," Raghav said, straightening in his chair hiding his true thoughts.
"Still doubting yourself? If you are, you're far from balance."
"Okay, fine—what is this 'balance' of yours? You're gonna tell me today, aren't you?"
The sage sighed like a man who'd been asked the same thing for centuries. "Flip a page from that book."
"It's locked," Raghav said.
"Try anyway."
He did—and to his surprise, the page turned. The paper revealed a diagram of a person in a meditative pose.
"This is the chakra system," the sage explained. "We all have it. When you meditate, your mind filters your body, and those filters are the chakras. Each improves a different sense or focus. Master one, and you gain resistance or ability against certain elements and the children of Kali-Purusha. Master all seven… and you'll be as powerful as a god, if not more."
"Really? Who's pulled that off?"
"Maharishi Vyasa."
"How fast can I learn them?"
"For a sage, mastering the first two or three years. And for all seven? Two or three centuries minimum."
Raghav slumped. "Great. My social calendar is ruined. Fine—book me a ticket to Tibet." Raghav said sarcastically.
"You really want to go there?"
"What's the other option?"Raghav cut the topic, it's a waste of time anyways.
"How do you know there is another option?"
"There always is," Raghav said matter-of-factly.
"Ask your familiars. But first, we need to find them."
"That sounds good. Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
The sage didn't answer.
"Hello? Old man? Sage guy? Guruji? Dumbledore?"
"I'm not a wizard," the sage nearly shouted, and Raghav felt a headache. "And yes, I heard you. I was thinking."
"About what?"
Silence.
"I'm not asking again—"
"I sense a presence," the sage cut in.
"What presence?"
"Kaal. One is entering your building."
"Kaal? Or that Chaya-Ratri thing?"
"No, definitely a Kaal. A strong one. Maya. Hide your book—she's here in human form, coming your way. Act normal. She's manipulative. Be aware."
Right on cue, his secretary knocked.
"Sir, someone's here to see you."
The sage's voice in his mind: Let her in.
A moment later, an exotic woman in a revealing dress glided in.
"Hello, my name is Maya. I heard you need assistance," she said with a smile so sweet it could rot teeth.
Raghav froze.
Say 'Ram Ram' and greet her with Namaste, the sage whispered.
Instead, Raghav just gestured to a chair. "Sit."
She sat, adjusting her dress with a slow lean forward.
"She's here to seduce. Don't touch her, don't sleep with her—she's above your level. You'll get addicted," the sage warned.
Raghav called out, "Dizzy!" and his assistant entered.
"What do you offer?" he asked Maya, abruptly switching to business mode.
"Depends what you want," she said smoothly. "A car? My friend can get one. Clothes? My brother's a tailor. I can cook, I make great coffee… or… something more."
The smell of her perfume wrapped around him like silk.
"Keep your feelings in your pants," the sage hissed. "That smell? In your head."
Dizzy arrived. "You called, sir?"
"Yeah. Dizzy, meet Maya. Maya, I'm sorry, but I don't need you right now."
"No worry," Maya said, standing.
"Why are you standing? Sit. I might have other jobs—you're talented."
"Oh," she said, smiling as she sat again.
"Dizzy will help find a spot for you. Writing? Anchoring? My bet's on anchoring—you'd be fabulous."
"In which one would I meet you most?"
"Give her a long timeline," the sage advised.
"Well, I like news channels, but first, two or three months on the magazine team. I'll host a show soon—you can co-host. New face, public will love you."
"So… job fixed?"
"Fixed. Dizzy will send your bio Sunday morning. Join tomorrow."
She offered a handshake.
"I have a rule: never shake hands with future employees. Meet me a week later—then we'll see about handshakes."
She left, but paused at the door. "We didn't talk salary."
"Sunday morning will handle it. Contract by your consent."
"Can I talk to her?" She nodded at Dizzy.
"Not now—something I need to discuss first."
She understood and left.
"Destroy that chair," the sage ordered. "She left a part of herself there. And maybe… don't hire her."
Raghav shouted, "Don't sit there!" startling Dizzy.
"What happened, boss?" she stammered.
He composed himself. "Sorry."
Outside, Maya strolled toward the lift, spotting Jiya watching the office. She got a little interested. She leaned in, whispered something in her ear.
"Is that true?" Jiya's voice trembled.
"Why would I lie? You're my friend, right?" Maya's smile was too sweet to trust.
Jiya glared at the office door.