The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi Read Free Book Online Page A

Priya.
    ‘The word “Bhoja” literally means “bountiful”. The name of this clan appears as the descendants of Mahabhoja,’ answered Saini. ‘The Bhojas went on to construct the Bhojeshvara Temple at Bhojpur—not far from Bhopal. They eventually assumed various family names, depending on the regions in which they settled—including Bhoj, Bhojwani, and Bhojaraj. A dialect of northern India—now famous for a ratherrisqué variety of Indian cinema—is ,’ replied Sir Khana,b scripturesknown as Bhojpuri. It is from the Bhoja clan name that Dr Nikhil Bhojaraj derived his surname.’
    ‘And my surname?’ asked Professor Rajaram Kurkude curiously. ‘In what way am I connected with Krishna’s Yadava lineage?’
    ‘Kautilya’s Arthashastra describes the Kukuras as a Yadava clan. The Bhagavata Purana says that the Kukuras occupied the territory around Dwarka and that Kansa’s father—Ugrasena—belonged to this group. Many surnames—including yourh as Kukura, Kurkude, and Kurkure are derived from the clan’s original name,’ replied Saini.
    ‘Does Devendra Chhedi fall into the Yadava lineage too?’ asked Priya.
    ‘Absolutely,’ said Saini. ‘The Chedis were definitely a Yadava clan. They were descendants of Chidi, the grandson of Vidarbha—a descendant of Yadu. They eventually carved out their kingdom in the region that is represented by modern-day Chhattisgarh and their descendants continue to be known by the same name—Chhedi. Can you blame me for finding this eerie?’
    ‘What do you think is the reason that you five people were chosen?’ asked Priya.
    ‘Obviously, Varshney knew something that I don’t,’ said Saini. ‘He specifically chose four other people who, like him, were Yadava descendants. Varshney was never one to do anything without a very specific reason.’
    ‘Why don’t you discuss it with Chhedi? He may have an alternative view. Geneticists also tend tobe equally enthusiastic about issues of genealogy,’ said Kurkude.
    ‘You’re absolutely right, Professor. This is a perfect issue for Chhedi to sink his teeth into,’ said Saini as he thought about that fateful day when he had been visiting Kalibangan and Varshney had told him:
    ‘You are not just my best friend Ravi, you are almost my brother. One day, you will realise that this statement was not made in a burst of sudden emotion but was based on logic. I know your genetic makeup, my friend!’

    Draupadi said to me that it was the gatekeeper who informed her that her presence was being demanded by the Kauravas who had won her in a game of dice. ‘Go and ask my husband whether he lost his own freedom first, or mine? If he had wagered himself first, he had no remaining rights over me, in which case he did not possess the authority to wager me!’ said Draupadi. The open question in court was technically correct but it irritated Duryodhana who dispatched his brother Dusshasana to grab Draupadi by her hair and strip her naked in court. Draupadi had been sitting in a private room as she was menstruating. Barely covered, she prayed to me for protection. I ensured that the length of cloth covering her remainedunending. As a result, Draupadi could not be disrobed. Draupadi took a vow that she would leave her hair untied until the day that she could wash it in Dusshasana’s blood. Bhima took two terrible oaths. He vowed that he would drink Dusshasana’s blood. He also vowed he would break Duryodhana’s thigh on which he had lecherously invited Draupadi to sit!
    ‘It’s better that we split ourselves into two teams,’ said Saini as they reached the parking area of the commercial building in which Immuno’s laboratories and offices at St Stephen’s College in New Delhi. li between i were located. ‘If all of us walk in to Chhedi’s office together and are greeted by a welcome committee of the cops, it will mean that there will be no one outside the police dragnet.’
    ‘Good thought,’ said Priya. ‘I’m pretty certain