Brahaspati had just walked into Shiva’s private chamber in the Mrittikavati official guesthouse, accompanied by a Brahmin. Sati, Gopal and Kali were with the Neelkanth.

‘Do you remember Panini?’ asked Brahaspati. ‘He was my assistant at Mount Mandar.’

‘Of course I do,’ said Shiva, before turning to Panini. ‘How are you, Panini?’

‘I am well, great Neelkanth.’

‘Shiva,’ said Brahaspati, ‘I found Panini in Mrittikavati, leading a scientific project being conducted at the Saraswati delta. He has asked me if he can join us in our battle against the Somras.’

Shiva frowned, wondering why Brahaspati was disturbing him with such an inconsequential request at this time. ‘Brahaspati, he was your assistant. I completely trust your judgement. You don’t have to check with me about...’

‘He has some news that may be useful,’ interrupted Brahaspati.

‘What is it, Panini?’ asked Shiva politely.

‘My Lord,’ said Panini. ‘I was recruited by Maharishi Bhrigu for some secret work at Mount Mandar.’

Shiva’s interest was immediately piqued. ‘I thought the Somras factory at Mount Mandar has not been rebuilt as yet.’

‘My mission had nothing to do with the Somras, My Lord. I was asked to lead a small team of Meluhan scientists personally chosen by the Maharishi to make daivi astras from materials that he had provided.’

‘What? Was it you who made the daivi astras?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did the Vayuputras come and help you?’

‘We were trained by Maharishi Bhrigu himself on how to make them from the core material that he provided us. I do know a bit about the technology of daivi astras, but not enough to make any usable weapons. Perhaps I was selected because even my little knowledge is more than most.’

‘But weren’t any Vayuputras present, in order to assist you?’ asked Shiva once again. ‘Did you see them with Maharishi Bhrigu perhaps?’

‘I don’t think the core material that the Maharishi gave us was from the Vayuputras.’

A surprised Shiva looked at Gopal, before turning back to Panini. ‘What makes you say that?’

‘The little that I know of the daivi astra technology is based on Vayuputra knowledge. Maharishi Bhrigu’s processes and the materials were completely different.’

‘Did he have his own core material to make the daivi astras?’

‘It appeared so.’

Shiva turned towards Gopal once again; the implications were obvious and portentous. To begin with, the Vayuputras were not on Bhrigu’s side after all. But more importantly, Bhrigu was an even more formidable opponent if he could make the core material for the daivi astras all by himself.

‘And I also think,’ said Panini, ‘that Maharishi Bhrigu may have used the last of the daivi astra core material that he had when he asked me to prepare the weapons.’

‘Why do you think so?’