The sun's rays hovered over the Moksha mountain ranges, brightening the ice cover of the immense rocks. There stood the Throno of Lions, wrought of pure gold and encrusted with diamonds. In it sat the young king Kalakandi Shalai, who felt unable to solve the various problems that were accumulating in the kingdom. Every day, a storm of tribulations emerged forming a glacier that seemed to have no end. His subjects were unhappy, the crops did not prosper, the people suffered from hunger, thirst and cold. No one was able to provide a solution that would end the king's torment. In addition, Kalakandi was not only incapable, but incapacitated by a curse he had received from a powerful wise sorcerer, who condemned him to be immobilized for having sat on a throne that did not rightfully belong to him. The aloof prince firmly believed that the throne belonged to him because he thought he was the eldest eldest, having been born the day before his brother. He wanted to keep the deception, he fervently believed it. But the wise sorcerer had a clear vision of the truth, which the young usurper wanted to hide. His strong influence of false truth had been instilled by his mother, Queen Kaleesha Shalai, who took advantage of the death of the late king, Gajendra, to whom she was married into the position of second wife, to enthron her son as heir to the throne. A messenger introduced himself, bowing to the king. Kalakandi was already so used to bad news that he didn't even pay attention to the man, asking him to tell him what was bad this time. The king caressed his pet cat, a lynx that had been on the throne with him since he was a baby. Then the man said "Prince Narandi has ascended into nirvana", the king asked the man to repeat the news three times. The king took a breath, smiled and said "finally good news" asked the messenger to approach, gave him a bracelet as a gift for the good news. Then he withdrew. "You shouldn't spend your gold on low people. Guys like that might be putting together every piece to one day destroy you," said Kaleesha, her mother, as she appeared without warning. She lived as her son's shadow, haunting him like an evil spirit and whispering words in his ear.
"Mama, you always enter unannounced," Kalakandi said. "I don't need to, I'm the most powerful woman in this kingdom for being your mother." "Powerful?" "You?" he laughed. "Because of you, I became this king, incapable, fruitless, infertile, without strength, without ability to leave the limits of this kingdom, not even this palace to conquer glory, fame and kingdoms". "The king is bored, I understand, his glory is about to arrive, think about it, the solution you need will soon be in front of you" she said, and left. A few minutes later, the hall doors opened. The king raised his head, saw the light enter and someone was in it. But as he approached the manifesto revealed itself in appearance, dirty and unkempt. Kalakandi can barely recognize him. He took a few steps from the throne to get a better view. He couldn't see the solution to his problems there, in that person with disheveled hair. However, from his dust-covered body the highest scent was exhaled, pure sandalwood. The king recognized him as he surrounded him. "Narandi, my brother," he said. "I welcome you!" - I am happy with your return, impressed that you have achieved such great merit. To which god my second brother, ascended into nirvana. I'm curious, really curious. What god gave you such a blessing? Please tell me? Then the king went to the throne and was petting his lynx.
"Shiva, Mahadeva" he replied. Kalakandi felt his chest tremble, his eyes widened, Narandi's voice vibrated throughout the grand hall. She penetrated the king's heart. He swallowed hard. Compose yourself on the throne. The fear came with a light breeze. The king reflected and said: Fantastic! We must pay all honors to you, my big brother. Then he ordered the servants to attend to his brother and the Brahmanas to perform the bathing rite. Everything came out as ordered. The servants gave a basic bath with water and scent. The brahmins chanted purification mantras, while cutting their bad matted hair. Then they bathed him with milk, fruit water, honey, yogurt, passing saffron paste and then cleaning him completely with holy water from the sources of the Himalayas. They dried his body with cloths. They combed their hair with coconut oil. They dressed him in silk clothes and simple accessories. Among the jewelry, Narandi saw a gold ring with an emerald that belonged to his mother Nakeera. The stone has diffused into the color of her eyes, which are also the same shade. He placed it on his right index finger. The news of the prince's return to the palace spread among all servants, subjects, ministers, priests. the people rejoiced at the good news. All had a common feeling for the prince and cultivated a new hope that everything in the kingdom would finally be resolved. Clarinets sounded to the heavens along with the conchs, flower petals were spouted in Narandi as he entered the great hall, clean and fragrant, he was received by an assembly of ministers, counselors and Brahmanas, these being Brahmanas, priests, monks, wise sorcerers or just respected sages. In addition to members of the nobility, ladies, gentlemen and close servants who served the residents of the royal high court. The prince was revered by everyone present and by the king. Queen Kaleesha had been lurking watching the reception, oozing her hatred through her eyes at the prince. The brahmins and sages congratulated him on being so young and having the blessing of attaining nirvana. Kalakandi's envy melted in the perspiration of his skin. Narandi presented serenity, beautiful appearance, strong musculature, his tall stature conveyed imperativeness like that of a lion. His white face was haughty and his smile was complacent. He reciprocated with reverence and respect to all. Kalakandi asked the brahmins what name the brother should deserve for his ancestry. One of the Brahmanas said: Narashiva. Everyone cheered with exultation and agreed that this name was ideal. Kalakandi clapped: Perfect! He gave a sly smile and continued. - Well, I also want to give you a title, besides that of prince by birth, of course. The high-ranking position that I am going to present you as a token of our happiness in having you again with us is, General Minister of the Arts of War and Strategy. The sound of approving voices echoed through the hall. Narashiva nodded in agreement. _ Are there any requests that our General Minister would like to express?
_ yea. He responded.
_ Which would be? - wait, I must guess- predisposed the king. _ women, drinks, good meal...
_ yes, there is a woman. The only one I will allow to approach me and serve me personally.
No one could imagine who she would be. The king disdained. Kaleesha in the shadows of the column next to the throne narrowed her venomous gaze, trying to guess who such a woman would be.
_ Shiami-she said. _ is the woman who brought me to the world and breastfed me-she explained.
_ My honored brother - said the king. _ I think that all these years of meditation must have affected you. This woman you refer to, we don't even know if she is still alive, even if she had it, it would be inappropriate for a young prince like yourself of renown to be served by an old woman, it would not be well regarded by others, nor for her reputation. Besides, such a nurse wouldn't even have milk anymore - he laughed sinfully. Narashiva didn't like the brother-king's sinister tone, he remained calm. You can hear the grumbles from the audience.
_ I want her. Bring her to me," he said in a demanding tone. Fixing eyes on the king. Kalakandi held back his snoring laughter. _ Of course, if that's what you ask? But there is one condition.
_ Say oh king-said Narashiva, more sinister internally as he could expose externally.
Kalakandi looked around the hall and said: _ as general and minister I assign you to all missions in the kingdom. You will do it in my name. It will trade grain and other foodstuffs with kingdoms outside of the Moksha mountain range. He had arranged for qualified men to accompany him. They will obey you as if they were obeying me. All the fights, battles you fight will be for me, for the people of Moksha. Everything you conquer, win and even bet on will be mine. Are we in agreement?
Narashiva nodded. He suggested that a scribe record the agreement on a sheet of papyrus. He repeated every word his brother-king spoke. He spoke aloud so that the others could hear. Then he asked the king to sign. So the two sealed the deal.
The king asked everyone to go to the other hall for the feast.