Veerbhadra however, was sarcastically nodding, his eyes mirthful. He didn’t much care for tuneful singing. ‘Shiva, you’re taking it too seriously! It’s the thought that counts. So long as I sing it with my heart, I don’t think anybody should object even if I murder the song!’

Parshuram waved his hand at Veerbhadra before turning to Shiva. ‘My Lord, why don’t you sing and show us how it’s done?’

As everyone pinned their eyes upon him, Shiva looked up at the sky, rubbed his cold neck and cleared his throat.

‘Enough of the theatrics,’ said Veerbhadra. ‘Start singing now.’

Shiva slapped Veerbhadra playfully on his arm.

‘All right now,’ said Shiva with a genial grin. ‘Silence!’

Veerbhadra light-heartedly put his finger on his lips as Brahaspati glared at him. Veerbhadra reached out, took the chillum from Parshuram, and inhaled deeply.

Shiva closed his eyes and went within himself. A sonorous hum emerged from within his very being, as he hit the perfect note right away. A lilting melody of words followed and the enraptured audience understood their significance. It was the prayer of a warrior to agni or fire, imploring it for a blessing. The warrior would repay this honour by feeding his enemies in combat to the hungry flames of a cremation pyre. The listeners intrinsically understood that Shiva’s prakriti was closest to fire rather than the other four elements, each of which had Guna war songs dedicated to them.

It was a short song but the audience was spellbound. Shiva ended his performance to a robust round of applause.

‘You still have it in you,’ smiled Veerbhadra. ‘That cold throat hasn’t thrown your voice off.’

Shiva smiled and took the chillum from Veerbhadra. He was about to take a drag when he heard someone cough softly near the entrance of the terrace. All the friends turned to find Sati standing there.

Shiva put the chillum down as he smiled. ‘Did we wake you?’

Sati laughed as she walked up to Shiva. ‘You were loud enough to awaken the entire city! But the song was so beautiful that I didn’t mind being woken up.’

Sati took a seat next to Shiva as everyone laughed.

Shiva smiled. ‘It’s a song from back home. It steels a warrior’s heart for battle.’

‘I think the singing was more beautiful than the song,’ said Sati.

‘Yeah, right!’ said Shiva.

‘Why don’t you try to sing it, My Lady?’ asked Nandi.

‘No, no,’ said Sati. ‘Of course not.’

‘Why not?’ asked Veerbhadra.

‘I would love to hear you sing, my child,’ said Brahaspati.

‘Come on,’ pleaded Shiva.

‘All right,’ said a smiling Sati. ‘I’ll try.’

Shiva picked up the chillum and offered it to Sati. She shook her head.