This is a special update as today is Anushka Shetty's birthday. Enjoy!

***

Durga sat in the office of Dr. Raghavendra. He was one of India's renowned hypnotist. Rudra had applied for appointment to know more about third eye concept mentioned. in Puranas. He was in Mysuru for a month conducting a campaign on mental awareness with an international hospital. Though she badly wanted to discuss about her dreams, she was warned by Rudra not to talk about it until he comes back to Mysuru.

Notification sound pinged which made her jump on her seat. Looking sheepishly at the other patients she read the message.

ASI has found a painting of a woman. She is believed to be either a member of royal family or the queen. The picture attached is of that woman.

Kanyaka? She was a Rajadasi, isn't it? Then is she a queen?

"Mrs. Durga Rao Shetty, Doctor is ready to check you. He is busy with some call. You can please sit in his cabin," instructed the receptionist. She thanked her and went into his cabin. She sat there considering whether to ask about their strange dreams despite his strict warning. Rudra can be irritating especially when she would read his diary. She heard the doctor speaking in hoarse whisper.

". . . how's that even possible? I had given him three doses and her two doses of Lunesta. . . what do you mean by she didn't take the second dose? How can you be so careless?. . . that fellow had a dream too? What was it?. . . a mosquito? If you don't get proper information, I will make sure you will be fired."

She sighed. Agreed he has some important work but why does it have to be talking on phone when patient is waiting? No ethics!

He was talking in the room adjacent to his cabin. When he entered, he was astonished to see Durga waiting for him. She looked at him with thoughtful eyes. But to cover her questioning look, she gave a small smile. He smiled back and sat on his chair.

He asked, "May I know your name?"

"Mrs. Durga Rao Shetty. You can call me Durga."

"Okay so Durga, if I am not wrong, can you tell me what brings you here?"

"My husband must have told you that I need to understand a few concepts about third eye."

"Your husband?"

He knows who my husband is. She gritted her teeth. "Mr. Rudra Shetty."

"Ah yes! But I forgot what he was telling."

What even! Durga calm down. He is just trying to test your knowledge. She took a deep breath. "I hope that you must be knowing that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva represents creation, reality and destruction. You cannot have renewal, you cannot have continued growth without destruction.

However, the three prongs of trident represents will, action and knowledge. Third eye is depicted with vertical third eye which radiates a lot of energy. In yoga, this is the center of spiritual power which is thought to have supernatural powers. So what is this third eye actually?"

"Third eye actually refers to pineal gland which is a light sensitive organ; part of endocrine system, is an asymmetric structure no larger than a grain of rice and is shaped like a pinecone. Located deep in the centre of brain between two hemispheres, it shares some characteristics with human eye. Pineal gland releases a hormone called melatonin which controls sleep wake cycles.

Enlightenment is a mystical experience. It is believed that third eye allows us to see things beyond what a person can normally see."

She was about to switch off the recording button when he asked her, "Durga, do you know anything about Daivi Astras?"

She swiftly tapped on the screen, creating an impression that she had switched off the recording. Why are everybody so hell bent to know about them? She smiled. "I don't remember much."

He stared at her. "Maybe a bit?"

"Ah yes! The fact that they are divine weapons, I don't remember much."

She got up and left his cabin. A young man approached her with a tray having two cups of strong coffee. She picked one of them and drank it. Unknown to her, the man discarded the other cup into the waste bin.

***

Durga was fast asleep by half past eight. She was a early riser but not this early sleeper. Rudra who came past midnight, was surprised to see her murmuring.

"My dear people of Sahasyabhumi, I decided to make announcement of fair election system. Each village will have its own administration. You will be responsible for welfare of your village. A huge mud pot would be placed at an important location of the town or village, which will serve as the ballot box.

The voters have to write the name of their desired candidate on the palm leaf  and drop it in the pot. End of which, the leaves would be taken out from the pot and counted candidate wise. Whoever gets the highest number of votes would be selected as the member of village assembly.

This system will be known as Kunda Aku system of elections. These were held fair and free with strict terms conditions.

The contender should own at least kaal gajam. He should live on his own land. He should be over 35 years of age and below 70. He should have mastered in Vedas and basic studies. He  shouldn't have possessed the same position in the past 3 years.

He will be disqualified if he hasn't shown his income to Government during his tenure. If one has been proved corrupt during his tenure, he, his family members and even his blood relatives cannot contest elections for next 7 generations.

He, who hasn't paid taxes or has extra marital affairs with married women or are murderers, liars and drunkards or have swindled other's money in the past shall be disqualified. If anyone has any problem, you will be beheaded."

The people gasped. How can be their queen so cruel? How can she decide a system without asking their opinion? But they didn't know that the hands of her queen were tied. She wanted representatives to plan their defence attack as the Portuguese were going to attack them.

Rudra shook her violently breaking her dream.

***

Glossary:

Lunesta: a sedative-hypnotic used to treat for sleep problems. These pills cause relaxation which helps stay asleep and fall asleep.

Telegu Translations:

Kaal: Quarter

Gajam: Land

Kunda:  Pot

Aku : Leaf

Thank you for reading.