The fat guy scowled, ‘If you are living in the grace, why is your skinny ass occupying a berth? You should be flying a jet plane! Like she does. Why is your Shani making you work like a dog and travel in crowded compartments?’

The crowd chuckled once more, waiting for the puny guy to take his shot.

‘She has a Facebook app, live darshan – she has more than ten million followers. Right now as we talk some twenty people have joined her grace.’ The puny fellow commented haughtily.

The fat guy rubbed his cheek lazily, ‘Right now as we speak some twenty people have also farted on this train.’

A hoot of laughter ran through the train carriage. Kesar was growing tense. The more he heard, the more his letter weighed on him. ‘Doubtful money sources, nexus with politicians, all kinds of scandals, rackets; you name it, your Godwoman is involved! Live darshan on Facebook, my foot!’

‘Have you watched television lately? The fourth eye of Maa Durga will be watching you from every channel!’ A lady spoke up. She was clearly not amused and also a devotee. The puny guy was vindicated. There was a look exchanged, a complete understanding between them.

‘Because of her fourth eye in forty channels – her turnover is in crores! And the money is going from your pockets! I can see that big hole in your head from where the money is coming out!’ The fat guy pushed his point home. There was a guffaw. The woman continued her rant.

‘She is watching you, you know. She knows. And she will punish you.’ Saying that, the woman pressed a button on her phone and one could hear the Godwoman’s voice spill through the carriage.

Kesar did not want to believe this, but the amused laughter actually trickled away in the train compartment. Even the fat guy seemed to tone down a bit.

The puny guy also decided to play his live darshan on the phone. Strangely, no one objected. Kesar could hear the chants of ‘Jai Jai Durge’ in the bogey. Clearly the Godwoman had won. Was it faith or fear? Kesar was almost in two minds to jump off the train, but the train moved on, the wheels turned endlessly and Kesar knew he was not going to get off the train till he reached his destination.

The main office was in a crowded building. A huge potrait of Maa Durga hung over the teeming office. As Kesar crossed a large hall to walk towards the ticket window, he saw hundreds of mattresses and quilts stacked in the huge hall, perhaps used for lodging by her followers.