To see the map in detail and colour, log on to www.sakshamvgarg.com

The hut grew silent and people turned towards the man who had entered, carrying a musical instrument. He sat right beside the sleeping boy, tuned his veena, cleared his throat, and swept into the Song of the Valley. Everyone knew better than to sing along—at least not before the last Adwaita of the valley.

‘Tucked within brambles that may,

Shielding boughs and keeping at bay;

Every dashak centres a blue rose,

Scent of which dale invariably knows;

Watered, it riots by the nights,

Sheeny, eliciting awe from sights;

But in the valley fortified by the one that slithers,

For the sake of home, that flower must wither.’

The Souls

Aman

Idhika

Fayza

Prithvi

Ujal

Aarti

Payal

Dhara

Jagrav

Savitri

Yuvan

Prologue

More than anything, what you hold is a map—a guide that will allow you to find the mythical valley of Vanyasa. But know that this book will only help you as far as Nandana, the tree that keeps the valley a secret. Once you get there, you’re on your own.

You may have heard of Vanyasa, or you may be wondering what it is. If you have ever chanced upon some mention of it, you probably think it is fictional. But I assure you that Vanyasa exists. In fact, even today, there are many who spend years—sometimes entire lives—meditating, hoping to be led to this valley that exists only for the enlightened.

Vanyasa is known in different cultures by a multitude of names: Gyanganj, Shambhala, Swakipur, even Shangri-la. Nestled within the hidden folds of the Himalayas—on the roof of the world—the valley is completely inaccessible. However, every ten years, for its own survival, Vanyasa opens its doors to let in ten new Souls from the plains of the Indian subcontinent. They must take to the valley, its ancient ways, its sacred lessons, and know that they have no more than one year to prepare for the Mahayatra, the ultimate journey. They must survive the Mahayatra in order to join the ranks of the immortals that live in the valley.

Aman is one such Soul. Although his life is one in which few choices happen to be his own, he goes on to determine the fate of a nation. This is his story.

PART I

1

Aman

‘How about you,’ the teacher asked, ‘you in the back?’

The boy to whom these words were sternly directed did not react. Seated in the last row, he continued to look in his textbook, rhythmically shaking his leg and tugging at a red thread around his wrist.

The teacher cocked her head in a dramatic gesture. ‘Excuse me? I’m talking to you!’

‘Ma’am, he can’t hear you,’ a girl said, trying not to laugh. The entire class sniggered and began muttering under their breaths. The commotion finally stirred Aman, who looked around, not realizing he was the target.

The substitute teacher quickly checked the register to figure out the boy’s name and asked again, louder this time, ‘Aman Chandra?! Can you hear me? Did you get a chance to read the first three chapters as Kulkarni Sir had instructed?’