WARLOCK'S INTERNS

Chapter 22: Slithering Snakes

They had been walking since long, Bakula thought to himself. He still could not understand the reason for Atma’s restlessness; this could just be a waste journey.

“Baku, look there!” Suddenly Atma pointed his hands towards an old well further ahead of their way. Bakula at once could not take that in. It was really a gruesome sight. Never in their life had they witnessed anything like this.  

“My God! Snakes, so many of them, they are crawling out through the well.” Bakula exclaimed in horror. They both had seen numerous snakes before. But not so many at a time! There were heaps and heaps of them, all slowly crawling their way out of the old well. There were all types of snakes, big one, small one, green one, yellow one, and black one and with different patterns of scaling.

“What shall we do now? We don’t have time to run back and inform father.” Bakula could not understand what to do at once.

“I now know what made us come here. Listen Baku, we need to act fast, else whole Swarnapuri will be filled with this snakes in no time.” Atma uttered with utter scare.

Both began to think fast, they knew that if they did not do anything, surely these snakes would crawl to Swarnapuri which was very near to the forest and they even could not image the terror it could cause. There were at least many hundred of them, and worst many still crawling slowly.

“What shall we do? Any thought? Baku?” Atma urged his brother to think fast, he always believed in his brothers instincts, and it had proved worth full at time and again.

“I know a Mantra which can hold them still for some time, while I try that you run and bring Mahapitha, he would know what to do.” Bakula spoke in a hurried tone. That was the only thing seemed reasonable to him at the moment. He was not too sure whether his holy Mantra would work or not, nonetheless he wanted to try it out. He remembered this sacred mantra taught by this father. His father had told him how to stun the snakes for some moments by chanting the special Mantras. This Mantra was supposed to call the Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, who was also the deadliest enemy of snakes.

“Good, hold them still, I shall be back soon with Mahapitha.” Atma began to run as fast as he could. Slowly Bakula sat back on the ground and closed his eyes with utter concentration and began to chant the scared mantra.

“Tat purushaya vid mahe Suvarna pakshakya De mahe Tano Garuda Prachodeya Ah tho.”

 ** PS: This is an ancient sacred Mantra of Hindus which calls and activates the eagle to present itself and help humans.  

**

“You did extremely well to hold them my boy, now, no need to worry; I have sealed the path forever.” Mahapitha patted Bakula on his shoulders and smiled at him affectionately.

“Are you sure Mahapitha? What if the Mountain Witches tries to break your spell?” Atma looked at the heaps and heaps of dead snakes.

“They cannot, for my spell is greater than theirs.” Now Mahapitha answered Atma, closing his eyes again. He knew it was the work of Witches of the Mountain at once and he had cast a strong spell which they could not counter.  

Earlier, Atma was lucky to find the old Warlock at his hut. Then, both had run as hard as they could and reached the forest well. Here, Bakula had done well to stun them until that time; the heaps of snakes had just stood at his spell of his mantra without moving as tons of big eagles kept on circling above their head in the air.

Mahapitha had then used his wonderful spell to kill them all in an instant. He had closed his eyes and has uttered strange words which Atma and Bakula could not understand, but that worked splendidly. As soon as he uttered that strange spell all the snakes hissed ferociously and in the next instant they were all lying dead.

The old Warlock had then woven the circle of thin thread all around the well and continued to chant his spells. He wanted to seal the path forever so that no more snakes can enter to this world from their Underworld. 

“You killed all those snakes in an instant; you are really a great Warlock.” Bakula said looking at all the dead snakes, he began to feel very proud of the old man, without him, the whole Swarnapuri would have been in chaos by now.

“Shall we inform this to King, Mahapitha?” Atma wanted the King to be aware of all the threats.

“No need of that, for he has a big woe. Let’s keep this our secret.” On the other hand Mahapitha did not want that. He knew the King was already deeply worried about his daughter’s life; he just did not want him to burden anymore.

“What about father?” Bakula countered, he knew his father would punish them if he found out the truth.

“That might affect your freedom, so let this be our own secret.” Mahapitha smiled at both mischievously. He was always a man of few words, but indeed remarkable words.

**

Hakim Ajmal Sahib walked towards the Swarnapuri Kingdom, he had sent his nephews ahead. He did not want to be seen with them. Secretly he had collected the small pouch of his herbs and started off.

Life had not been easy for him in Sampada as well; nonetheless his friendship with Sampada Kingdom has forced him to stay in Sampada. In his heart he knew well that he supported a traitor. But very few people knew his real intentions. He was slowly changing the mind of his King for an everlasting friendship with Swarnapuri. But that was a very hard deed, for his King was really stubborn as a mule. Probably it would take a long time for him to succeed.

Hakim Ajmal sahib was surprised to see a tall white man approaching him on the way opposite. Soon, he recognized him, the old Man, famously known as Warlock of the West, Hakim smiled to him thinking that the title perfectly suited the old Man.

“With due respect I bow to you, the great Warlock.” Hakim Ajmal Sahib bowed to the old Warlock as he approached.

“I knew our roads would cross soon, oh! Great Hakim Sahib.” Mahapitha smiled at him warmly too.

“So did I.” Ajmal sahib smiled. They were not strangers; they had met many times whenever the time or occasion permitted. Both had immense respect for each other.

“Swarnapuri needs you now. I am glad you answered the call.” Mahapitha touched his shoulders and looked deep into his eyes.

“There seems to be great danger ahead; I see many dead snakes.” Hakim Ajmal Sahib looked very worried after sighting so many dead snaked near the well.

“I have just attended them. No need to worry about that.” Mahapitha smiled at him mischievously without giving further information, he knew Hakim would understand the need for secrecy.

“Does that mean?” Ajmal Sahib stopped at once; he did not wish to take the name.

“It means Lord Phaninath can’t enter this world.” Mahapitha answered significantly.

“I am so relived; there is no snake which I can’t charm, save Lord Phaninath himself.” Hakim Ajmal sahib looked happy.

**

Vaachaspati chanted mantras with his heart and did all the rituals needed in and around the Palace. He was specially asked by the King to do ‘ASTHA DIGBANDHANA’ (**Securing all the eight directions from any harm) all around the Palace so as to protect the Palace from the dark souls. 

Finally Vaachaspati dropped handful of Sand and Salt at the Palace main gate and walked towards the watching King.

“Your Palace is now protected from eight sides; I have done ‘ASTHA DIGBHANDANA.’ The Mountains Witches cannot enter your Palace now, Oh King.” Vaachaspati bowed in respect.

“I should have used your service earlier.” The King was still deeply worried. He blamed himself for everything.

“No one can go against the fate, Oh King! With his blessing of God, the Princess will be cured soon.” Vaachaspati tried to assure the King gently.

****