Know Your Mind to No Mind

Its been long since I shared my thoughts and I was running behind my weight loss currently. Whenever I get a new thought or a spark, I create a meme and share it across. But this time it was different. It was a new insight and little bit more to explain which I cannot do in a meme. Hence this post.

Our company’s website is almost ready and we have partnered with many ventures for new projects. Now we have a very senior person, very friendly whom you can go in for an advice over a quick chat. He is a consultant and always gives you the exact facts without sugar and spices. He is a sort of a mentor to me. I went in to meet him to discuss about this new venture and wanted to get his views on them. Rather, we talked more on Life and its insight. It was real awakening for me and I wanted to share this with all.

As a fiction writer, I always paint everything green and present. Because I don’t want to end up being in the memory of someone who made them feel sad. I really treasure and care for memories. Even in an interview when asked about what makes you write, I replied, the basic criteria to write is the craving to experience what you love. You write that and you feel that again and again. You make people experience what you feel right now. Everything is basically a recollection of your experiences that you want to experience again.

But Is it worthwhile? If I cling on to what made me happy in the past, will I be able to create or look for happiness today? Memories sets you back creating a cloud that stops you from thinking ahead.

Human being is made of X and Y Chromosomes. All the characteristics of mom (100%) and dad (another 100%) adds in and creates a tiny cell that would be (100% consolidation of the 200% received from mom and dad). So to think again, all the memories of parents, along with the mother’s ancestors and the father’s ancestors are consolidated and now a new life is born with almost all the characteristics.

Genetic memory itself is made in such a way that life is created similar to the one in the generations before. That is why perhaps the saying, History usually repeats itself , has come into picture. Why does history repeat itself? Because it does not know what else to do. When this situation comes , you do this. That’s how we are programmed. So if I come across a situation my great granny would have been in, I would be probably reacting like her in the same way.

Now then here comes a concept of ignorance. When you do what you are instructed to do by birth through genes, who are you and what is your significance here? It’s a big question. If I do everything my dad does and react the same way, then everyone would tell me I am the perfect daddy’s little girl. But what about my children? Is it not wrong for me to not act as the perfect mother one can rely on for all their issues?

Even if I am correct in all the ways, it was all given to me by my dad and not through my own findings about me. And my dad would have got it from his ancestors and they, from their forefathers and so on. The way to actually know what I am capable of is to lose all memories I have got inherent and think and analyze every situation I am in. Even though I may end up wrong, I learn and I make sure I don’t repeat it. Also when I log the mistake details to my children I should never end up giving the situation as a case study to them. If this is the case, do this. It will never work that way. Rather, explain what situation you were actually in, what made you take the decision, what was the outcome, what best solution you could have done, what worst solution you had avoided and so on.

When all these information are added, it will not reprogram your kids but will make them think about all these when they are in a situation. So they will start analyzing and come up with a solution better than yours too that suits their time and period better.

Other important concept here is to know about the Two important sides of Life. It is not Good and Bad as most of them perceives. It is Happiness and Remorse. When you do something you really like, you are happy and when you do something you detest, you are sad. That’s the major two emotional aspects that determine your mood for the day and ultimately your attitude towards life.

This happiness and remorse need not be searched anywhere. It lies within you. You need to explore yourself to find it. Take our body for an instance. When you are too hungry you feel weak and drained out of energy. Once you take a morsel of food and you start chewing on it and gulp it down you feel energy blooming. After a few mouthfuls, you are ok now.

This energy is created within you. The need to have food immediately is given as a signal to you by your brain. You oblige and take in food. The food here is just the tool to get energy. The actual creation of energy is within you. You are capable of everything. You can create anything provided you get to know what you need rather than how to react at this point of time.

This can be achieved by going to a state of ‘No Mind.’ Just sit calm for atleast 5 minutes a day without thinking about anything. You will slowly go into a trance and start thinking deep about everything. Slowly wipe down the memories of what you should do and what you should not do and try to do everything your way.

And once you know what your mind is capable of, you will get to know your likes and dislikes better. You may have liked your career so far because your family’s profession is this. Maybe now you will get to know what you actually prefer and start working towards it. When you really start doing what you love the most you will be happy and when you feel you are struck down with what you hate, you will be sad.

When you leave all the things that make you sad and do all happy happy things you will make others happy too. Make sure you add that happiness to other’s life too and life will really be Blissful.

Ultimately that is what life is all about. I like to end this with a recent quote that I loved very much. “You only die once. You live every day. Make sure its meaningful.”

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 12) St. Monica

St.Monica, also nicknamed Monica of Hippo was the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. She is the actual reason of the life and service of St. Augustine altogether. She was born in 331 AD in Tagaste.

When she was very young, she was married off to a Roman Pagan Patricius who had a wile temper. His mother too shared the same character and St.Monica had a terrible time throughout her family life. Other than his temper Patricius was fine as he did not stop St.Monica from following her Christian deeds and beliefs.

They had three children – Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua. As Patricius was not a Christian, St. Monica was not able to baptize her children and when Augustine grew ill, she pleaded with him to allow Baptism. Patricius finally gave in and Augustine was baptized. But when he was normal again, Patricius told her to stop his children from following Christian faith.

She prayed and prayed for her husband and mother in law to change and almost a year before his death, Patricius changed to Christianity. After his death, St.Monica baptized both her other children and brought the three in Christian faith but Augustine was different. He started being uncouth. St. Monica then sent him to carthage for schooling.

When he was getting educated, Augustine became a Manichaean, a new religion which saw a world of Light and darkness and when one died, they were removed from wordly matter and put into a world of light. When Monica came to know of this, she was devastated but continued to pray for her son. She went to Rome to catch up with him where she learnt he had left for Milan. She went there too and after 17 years of struggle and prayer she brought him back to Christianity. She was not able to make just one more Christian but a saint out of him.

St. Augustine writes about all of these in his book “Confessions”.She understood the rue meaning of offering and brought forth something so pure and simple and that would rightly be used and celebrated instead of just offering wine to the saints. After his reformation, Augustine was baptized in six months and the mother-son pair wished to travel to Africa to spread the word of God. But due to her health and age, she passed away on the way.

She was buried at Ostia. When the Pope ordered to bring her relics in 1430, there were many miracles mid way which led to her canonization. Since her patience and prayers brought her difficult household to sainthood, she is considered a patron of Abusive marriages and for wives.

Feast – August 27

Patron – Wives and Abusive victims

St. Monica’s Prayers

1)      Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine,

you perseveringly pursued your wayward son,

not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.

Intercede for all mothers in our day

so that they may learn to draw their children to God.

Teach them how to remain close to their children,

even the prodigal sons and daughters

who have sadly gone astray. Amen.

2)      Dear St. Monica,

we now ask you to pray with us

for all those sons and daughters

that have wandered away from God,

and to add your prayers to those of all mothers

who are worried over their children.

Pray also for us that,

following your example, we may,

in the company of our children,

one day enjoy the eternal vision of our Father in Heaven. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 11) St. Bernadette

St.Bernadette of Lourdes was born on 7^th January 1844 to a poor miller. She was the first among nine children. She was baptized on January 9^th at the local Parish church. When she was a toddler, she caught cholera and also suffered Asthma. She lived in a very poor health all her life.

She used to help a lot in the household by doing the chores. Once when she was 14, on February 11, 1858, Bernadette had gone to the woods to gather firewood with her younger sister Toinette. There she saw a very beautiful lady appearing to her above a rose bush in a cavern. According to Bernadette the woman wore blue and white and made the sign of the cross with her rosary made of Ivory and gold.

Bernadette immediately took her own rosary out and started to pray. When later asked to describe the lady she just said it was a small young lady. Three days later she returned back to the cavern with her other sister Marie where Bernadette knelt immediately again and said she could see her again.

On February 18, Bernadette received a vision to return to the cavern each night for a fortnight which she obliged. Her parents tried their best to stop her but couldn’t. On February 25, she had another vision. It told her to drink of the spring, to wash in it and eat the herb that grow there. She initially thought it must be an act of penance to drink from the muddy waters of the cavern but when she returned there she saw the waters have been cleaned.

On March 2^nd , she had a vision that asked her to build a chapel and to form a procession. She had her 16^th Vision on March 25 where she asked who the young lady was. The lady merely smiled. When Bernadette was persistent to know the answer she replied, “I am the immaculate conception.”

Not many believed that she had an encounter with the Holy Mother and she was put through various examinations and interrogations. Both the Government and the Parish tested her and finally realized she was telling the truth. The muddy water that she cleaned was so rich of minerals that it had the cure for 69 diseases. Bernadette believed it was her faith and prayer that cured people.

Bernadette now worked upon her vision that directed to build a chapel and built the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Now, it is one of the major Catholic Pilgrimage sites in the World. She was getting so much attention but she never liked all those. She was ever so humble. When asked how she was being so humble she replied, “Mother Mary used me as a broom to clean the dirt. Once cleaned, the broom should be at the back of the door.”

She joined a hospice run by the Sisters of Charity at Nevers and she learned to read and write. On July 29, 1866 she became a nun. Her health deterred day by day and she died of tuberculosis at the age of 35 on April 16, 1879. She was praying the Holy rosary when she dying. Her last words were, “Blessed Mary, Mother of God, pray for me. A poor sinner.”

When she was exhumed thrice at various time intervals to support her canonization,  it was found that her body was not corrupted.

Feast – April 16

Patron of – Illness, Poverty, Lourdes

St. Bernadette Prayer

Prayer of Saint Bernadette

“Let the crucifix be not only in my eyes and on my breast, but in my heart.O Jesus! Release all my affections and draw them upwards. Let my crucified heart sink forever into Thine and bury itself in the mysterious wound made by the entry of the lance.”

Prayer to St. Bernadette

O Saint Bernadette, who, as a meek and pure child, did eighteen times at Lourdes contemplate the beauty of the Immaculate Mother of God and received her messages, and who afterwards wished to hide yourself from the world in the convent of Nevers, and to offer thyself there as a victim for the conversion of sinners, obtain for us the grace of purity, simplicity and mortification that we also may attain to the vision of God and of Mary in Heaven. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 10) St. Rose of Lima

St.Rose of Lima is the first person born in America to be canonized. She is known for her life of severe asceticism and also famed for her beauty.

She was born in Lima, the Viceroyalty of Peru to Gasper Flores and Maria de Oliva y Herrera on April 20,1586. She was named Isabel Flores de Oliva. She was so pretty and a great sight to behold from the time she was born. When she was so small, one of the servants in her household saw her face transform into a rose for a second. From that day, she was nicknamed Rose and the name stuck on.

She was an ardent devotee from the time when she was small and practiced several penances. When she was not allowed to do so much severe sacrifices, she did it in seclusion. She badly wanted to be a nun but was not allowed by her parents. She took the oath of celibacy and swore never to marry.

She was so beautiful that she attracted many suitors. To mar her appearance she would rub pepper on her face to blacken it and cut her hair very short. Her parents tried their best to convince her to come out of her vows to God but she wouldn’t budge. She used to fast daily and gave a permanent abstainment to meat. She loved gardening and grew many flower plants. She used to sell the flowers in the market and give it to the needy. She did fine needlework and she sold off those too to feed the poor.

Seeing her sincerity, her parents finally gave in to her vow of celibacy but did not want her to become a nun and go away from them. So she joined the Third Order of St.Dominic and continued to serve the Lord while staying with her parents. She prayed and prayed all times of the day and night and allowed herself to sleep for only two hours a day. She made a heavy crown of silver with thorns that is a replica to the Jesus’ crown of thorns and wore it all day. The crown got so much into her skull that it was with much difficulty it was taken out of her head.

After leading a severe life of austerity, she breathed her last at the age of 31 on August 25, 1617. When she died the entire city of Lima smelled like roses and some say roses fell from the sky at the time of her death. St.Rose’s skull was exhumed and reconstructed and adorned with a skull of roses and is kept at the Basilica at Lima.

Feast – August 23

Patron of – Latin America, Philippines, Gardeners, Sewing, embroiders.

St. Rose of Lima Prayers

Prayer to God through St.Rose

God our Father, for love of You,

St. Rose gave up everything

to devote herself to a life of penance.

By the help of her prayers may we imitate

her selfless way of life on earth and enjoy

the fullness of Your blessings in heaven.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Your Son, Who lives and reigns with

You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer to St.Rose

Admirable Saint Rose, you were truly a sweet flower blooming on a rugged soil; you were indeed a rose among thorns, bearing with meekness and patience the stings of envious tongues, and preserving perfect purity and modesty amid the alluring blandishments of a deceitful world. To the sufferings inflicted on you by others you added the voluntary tortures of fasting and watching, of the discipline, of the crown of thorns and of the hair shirt, to subdue the flesh and to make yourself like to your heavenly Spouse. By the merits which you have thus gained with your divine Bridegroom, obtain for me the grace to bear my afflictions with patience, to remain pure and modest, to be meek and humble, to be faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, and so to mortify my passions that I may be ever more pleasing and acceptable in the sight of my dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 9) St. Sebastin

St.Sebastin is one of the famous saints of the catholic church. He is believed to have lived in the third century. Not much is known to us about his parents and childhood but history pops about his youth. He may have come from southern France and he was educated in Milan. He joined the roman Army in 283 AD to secretly help out the Christians who were being persecuted by the romans in great numbers.

He was helping the Christians but gave an excellent service otherwise to the royals in protecting them that he was made a Praetorian Guard to protect Emperor Diocletian. During that time, twin brothers Marcus and Marcellian, were imprisoned not to offer sacrifices to the Roman God.

Their parents came and tried to persuade them to come out of Christian faith when st.Sebastin spoke to them and converted them to Christians. He was then exposed and the emperor was furious. He ordered St.Sebastin to be tied and used as a target practice for arrows. He was shot at various places and was left to die.

But he did not die and was saved by Irene, a catholic woman whose husband was also martyred. She nursed him back to health. Once recovered, st. Sebastin went back to the emperor to confront him. He was shocked but regained his senses and caught the saint once again. He was now clubbed to death and thrown in the gutter.

His body was recovered by Lucina, who gave him a befitting burial. His body, or parts of his body were then exhumed and taken as relics and kept at various parts of the World. A special silver case was made and his cranium alone was taken and kept in a German Monastry.

In the early days, St.Sebastin was considered a Patron of protection against plague. That was the deadliest disease back then. Since the Saint survived so many arrows eventually shot to kill him but survived , people belived he had the powers to endure all and come back alive. Once the concept of plague went underground, St.Sebastin is called out for all atheletes, soldiers and those who wish for a saintly death.

Feast – January 20

Patron of – Athletes, Soldiers

St.Sebastin’s Prayer

Dear Commander at the  Roman Emperor's court, 

you chose to be also a soldier  of Christ and dared to spread 

faith in the King's of King's, for which you were condemned to die. 

Your body, however proved athletically strong and the 

executing arrows extremely weak, so another means to 

kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord. 

May athletes be always as strong in 

their faith as you so clearly have been.

Amen.

St.Sebastin’s Guidance Prayer

O Lord, grant us the spirit of fortitude, so that guided by the example of the martyr St. Sebastian, we may learn to bear witness to the Christian Faith and patiently support the sufferings of life. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 8) St.Lucy

St.Lucy is one of the eight woman of which Blessed Virgin Mary is also a part who are all commemorated in the Canon of the Mass by name. She is believed to have born in 283 but much of her history is lost. It has come to us in the form of a legendary tale. St.Lucy is born to a rich parents and she had a pampered childhood. Her father died when she was 5 years old but her mother Eutychia made sure she left no stone unturned to bring her up well. She was also suffering from a bleeding disorder and feared much for st.Lucy’s future.

Even when she was young, she was so devoted to God and always thought of ways to convince her mom to give a large part of their wealth in charity. She made a vow of celibacy to God and no matter what she tried she could not convince her mom to leave her single and not get married. Eutychia even arranged for her wedding to a pagan.

St.Lucy prayed so hard at the tomb of Agatha for enlightment and to find a way to come out of this situation, that she received a vision of St.Agatha giving her an idea. She told Eutychia that her illness will be recovered when she donates a part of their wealth to the needy. Eutychia abided for St.Lucy’s sake. She recovered quickly. Her mother was so grateful to the Lord and so moved by St.Lucy’s faith, thet she too turned faithful to God and accepted St.Lucy’s request to remain celibate.

But the turned down bridegroom wanted to have his revenge for putting down his proposal. He went to the then Governor Paschasius and betrayed her. He even tried to pull her into a brothel to defile her. But no matter how many people tried to move her away, they could not even move her an inch.

They tried to burn her but the wood wouldn’t burn. Then they killed her with a sword in 304. 

When she was condemned to death by Paschasius , St. Lucy said that he would be punished by the Lord. The Governor on hearing this was enraged and ordered to pull her eyes out. In another version of the story, it is said that she herself pulled out her eyes as a suitor of her admired them so much and wanted to marry her for them.

But it so happened when they embalmed her body and prepared it for burial, the eyes were restored. That is the reason she was considered a patron of eyes and eye related illness.

Feast day – December 13

Patron of – Eyes, Blindness, Eye related illness

St. Lucy’s Prayer

Saint Lucy,

Whose beautiful name signifies LIGHT,

By the light of faith which God bestowed upon you

Increase and preserve His light in my soul,

So that I may avoid evil,

Be Zealous in the performance of good works,

And abhor nothing so much as the blindness

And the darkness of evil and sin.

Obtain for me, by your intercession with God

Perfect vision for my bodily eyes

And the grace to use them for God’s greater Honor and glory

And the salvation of the souls.

St.Lucy, virgin and Martyr,

Hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.

Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 7) St.Teresa of Avila

St.Teresa was an influential Spanish Saint who brought about the reformation of the Carmelite order.

She was born in Avila on 28^th March, 1515. Her mother and father were devout catholics and they wanted her to follow their lead. Her father was so strict that even the slightest mistake would mean a sin to him. Her mother though was different. She was religious too but she gave way to fun and frolic without compromising her faith. So St.Teresa always looked on to her and she was happy with her life.

When she was seven years old, she asked her elder brother to accompany her to go off to the monastery , serve God and beg there for food and spend the rest of their lives there. They had almost gone there when one of their uncles saw them and brought them back. Things were going on fine till her mother expired. She was not able to cope up with a very strict father and she eventually gave in to temptation. She started spending time with friends and all that a teenage fantasize and stopped praying. At the age of 16, her father sent her off to a convent to become a nun so that she would reform her ways.

The convent was way too lenient on her than her father and she started to actually enjoy her stay. They did not have stringent rules to follow and the prayer too was not satisfying to her. So she started practicing mental prayer and she was complete in harmony with the Lord. The people who saw her changes grew surprised and asked her to teach the mental prayer to them. She started to teach them to concentrate and spend time alone with God, the one you know who always loves you.

But things took a bad turn when she was asked to teach the prayer to the only people who can afford to give complements to the convent. She gave up teaching and spent time in solitude prayer. She was inflicted with malaria and she was almost knocked out for 4 days and people thought she actually died. When she woke up, she felt better and she claimed she saw visions and and spiritual experiences that made her feel better. But no one believed her and convinced her that these were delusions of the demon.

She refused to believe it but accepted for the sake of others. She convinced herself that she was too big a sinner now to ask for favours from God. This went on and she thought of praying and asking for something from God would be improper. When she was 41, she was convinced again by a monk to pray and she started praying with much vigor. She wanted to form her own order and to reform the convent. She met with so many dejections and humility all along the way till she formed her own order.

When she used to practice mental prayer she would sometimes levitate. Far from being happy, she used to feel embarrassed and plead god not to give on a show in front of others. Once she formed her order, she effectively led the way and went on being the light for so many people. She went about the whole of Spain setting up her order and spreading the word of God and finally breathed her last on October 4 at the age of 67.

Feast – October 15

Patron of – Body illness especially headache.

Prayer to St.Teresa

This is a simple poem written by St.Teresa herself and used as a prayer.

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things

Whoever had God lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 6) St.Cecilia

St. Cecilia is one of the famous martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church but there are not much of historical evidence about her life. She is believed to have born in the 2^nd century into a wealthy family. She was very beautiful but always wore sack clothes to avoid attention. She always fasted and prayed to the saints and angels to protect her virginity.

She was a virgin and a great devotee of the Lord and she was given in marriage to a young man named Valerian. As the ceremony was going on, she sang a song in her heart to the Lord. After she was wedded, she told her husband that she has taken a vow of celibacy and an angel was near her to protect her. He asked to see the angel himself to believe. She told him that he will able to see the angel only when he gets baptized.

He loved her so much that he developed faith for her sake and got baptized. Once he came back, he saw the angel near her and he got even more faith. Valerian’s brother saw these and he too wanted to serve the Lord and he got baptized. Both the brothers wanted to serve the Lord in their won way. They decided to give a decent and fitting burial to all the Priests and patrons preaching Christianity  who were killed by the then ruler, Turcius Almachius.

He came to know about this and called the brothers to his court. Once they refused to serve him, he beheaded them. After this, Cecilia grew even more close to God out of fear and remorse and was able to convert about four hundred people to the Lord. Cecilia was later arrested and was condemned to be suffocated. But after a day of suffocation too , St.Cecilia did not even sweat and was praying.

She was then ordered to be beheaded. The executioners did their job but she did not die immediately. Till 3 days she preached and prayed as she bled slowly to death. People came and collected her blood and preserved it. She is believed to have died in the 3^rd century. When she was exhumed in the year 1599, she was found in a silk satin cloth not decayed and a mysterious sweet odour was filled in her coffin box.

Feast Day – November 22

Patron of Music. As she was singing to the Lord when she was married and many of her prayers are in the form of song lyrics, the Parish have considered her to be the patron of music and musicians.

St.Cecilia’s Prayer

O glorious St. Cecilia, virgin and 
martyr, you won the martyr's crown
without renouncing your love for
Jesus, the delight of your soul. We 
ask that you help us to be faithful in
our love for Jesus, that, in the
communion of the saints, we may 
praise Him twice in our song of
rejoicing for the Blood that He shed
which gave us the grace to accomplish
His will on earth.
Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 5) St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in the year 1195. When he was born he was christened Fernando Martins. He was born into a healthy family. He was sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz to learn Theology. Thus started his ordination as a priest. There he learnt Latin too. At the abbey he was fully responsible for the hospitality.

When he saw the Franciscan priests settle a hermit for St.Anthony of Egypt, he felt tempted to join them. He asked permission and left the abbey. It was by then he converted his name to Anthony. He then started travelling to spread the word of God. Once when he was travelling to Morocco he fell ill and he was supposed to return to Portugal to recover.

But the party with him went off course and landed at sicily and reached the hermitage of San Paolo to care for his health. It was there once the Dominican priests came to visit. There was a small confusion on who should preach between the Dominican priests and the Franciscan priests and St.Anthony was asked to give the shermon at the end.

Though he initially hesitated he gave a inspiring speech and everyone was both awe struck and pleased.  And he grew close to St.Francis of Assisi through his work. The latter then made St.Anthony responsible for the pursuit of studies of the priests. St.Anthony started proving his worth as a great teacher. He had a book of Psalms in which he writes notes , comments and everything for teaching. Once a student stole the book and ran away from the order.

St.Anthony got sad but did not lose hope. He started praying and behold, the student returned the book back and also came back to the order with a renewed hope and faith. It was because of this incident, St.Anthony was termed the Patron for lost things. His teachings were very simple that even the illiterate could easily apprehend and came close to God.

Once St. Anthony was to teach to a set of non believers and they left the hall before he could even start the sermon. He then went to the pond nearby and started preaching. He was so gentle in his words and so easy to understand that even the fishes started to listen and they began to gather in numbers. The people were astonished to see this and they were ashamed to have treated him that way.

His constant travel and odd teaching hours without food and rest led to his death at the age of 36 in 1231. When he was exhumed after 336 years of his death, it was found that all organs were decayed but his tongue remained the same. The tongue was so powerful in helping people find their way to the Lord that maybe the tongue remained untouched. People were so overwhelmed and celebrated the miracle.

Feast Day – June 13

Patron – Lost things.

St. Anthony of Padua – Prayer

Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me [request]. The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 4) St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena is considered the Doctor of the Parish. She was born in Siena, Italy on March 25, 1347. When she was born there was a major outbreak of plague. She was born as the 25^th child of her mother when she was 40 years old. Most of her siblings perished in the plague. St. Catherine was herself a twin but her twin did not survive too.

When St. Catherine was 16 years old, her elder sister expired leaving her husband a widower. Her parents intended to marry her off to him but she was aghast. She began to fast and devoted her time to prayer to relieve from the family ties. She even chopped her hair to mar her appearance. She never disobeyed her parents or siblings but this one thing she was strongly against.

When her mother once inquired how she was able to follow this discipline of obedience, she replied that she considered her father as Jesus, her mother as Mary and her siblings as Apostles of Christ and this made her serve them in humility.

Though religious, she did not want to leave her parents. So she did not join a convent. She rather joined the Third Order of St.Dominic, which allowed her to serve the Lord staying with the family. She learnt to read and write there. She was continuously working when something came up at the age of 21.

She claimed to have a vision of Christ in a mystical marriage to her with a ring made of Jesus’ skin. Later she claimed the ring to be invisible. After that she was more into serving the sick and the poor outside the church too and mostly involved in leading the people to Christ.

She started travelling far to spread the word of God. She involved in the state politics too and made sure the states stay loyal to the Papacy. She was also the pioneer to start a crusade to the Holy Land.  She once visited a political prisoner as a last wish and she preached him and saved his soul. She then saw his soul being taken by the angels to heaven.

She then involved in restoring the Papacy rule at Rome and played a major role in making peace between the war making Italian states. She wrote many letters and petitioned for peace throughout. The works were so influential and actually worked in bringing back the Pope in Avignon back to Rome. That was the reason she was considered the Doctor of the Church. She also established  a monastery for Woman in 1377.

She fasted and traveled a lot due to which her health grew worse and she breathed her last on April 29 at the age of 33. The people of Siena wanted to take her body to Siena which the Pope refused grant. They tried to smuggle her body out but couldn’t. Finally they made a plan and cut the head alone and took it in a bag. When the soldiers checked it, it was full of rose petals. Once back in Siena, when they opened the bag it was her head again. That is the reason she is always portrayed holding a bouquet of flowers.

Feast Day – April 29

Patron – Against Fire, miscarriages, sexual temptation, Italy.

St. Catherine of Siena Prayers

1)      Eternal God, eternal Trinity, You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for You. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When You fill my soul I have an ever-greater hunger, and I grow more famished for Your light. I desire above all to see You, the true light, as you really are.

2)      In your nature, eternal Godhead, I shall come to know my nature. And what is my nature, boundless love? It is fire, because you are nothing but a fire of love. And you have given humankind a share in this nature, for by the fire of love you created us. And so with all other people and every created thing; you made them out of love. O ungrateful people! What nature has your God given you? His very own nature! Are you not ashamed to cut yourself off from such a noble thing through the guilt of deadly sin? O eternal Trinity, my sweet love! You, light, give us light. You, wisdom, give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen us. Today, eternal God, let our cloud be dissipated so that we may perfectly know and follow your Truth in truth, with a free and simple heart. God, come to our assistance! Lord, make haste to help us!

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 3) St. Patrick

St.Patrick is one of the Most Popular Saints in Christianity and he is the reason for the reach of Christianity in Ireland. He was born in the year 387 in Great Britain. When he was around 14, he was kidnapped by Irish Pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland to tend the sheep. He used to roam around the forests and mountains and mind the herd. It was by then out of fear and longing for hope , he turned to Christianity himself.

He used to pray for day and night together at all seasons too. He never gave up and he used to say, the weather don’t frighten me when I pray as the Lord is with me. It was by then he got a vision of the Lord asking him to step out of Ireland by the coast and he obliged. He was rescued by a group of merchants and he was safely brought home.

He then grew even more righteous. He saw a vision of a man coming straight to him with many letters and when he came near, he handed one to him. It said, “The Voice of the Irish” and he swore he could hear voices shouting at him in Irish language, “We appeal to you , holy servant boy, to come and Walk among us.”

He realized that God had chosen him to take the Gospel to Ireland which was a pagan nation. He then turned his studies to Priesthood and was ordained by St.Germanus and then later ordained as a Bishop and was sent to Ireland. Initially he faced many issues and he was almost killed by the tribal people there. He prayed and prayed and brought about the conversion of a chief of a tribe in Ireland. There started his mission. He walked Ireland and spread the word of God as far as he could and brought about reformation in the minds of thousands of people. Word of God reached many hopeless individuals and brought about a faithful flock.

He never got any money for himself and lived in dire poverty. Though illness fawned on him he never gave up and kept on travelling till Ireland was filled with the word of God. He later retired to Saul where he built his first church at Ireland. He breathed his last there in 461.

He often used a three leaf plant Shamrock to explain people about trinity and he used to have the leaves always at hand. The Shamrock is now used as a central symbol for Patrick’s Day.

Feast Day – March 17

Patron of Ireland.

St.Patrick’s Prayer

This was written by St.Patrick himself in 433 for getting hope and strength when he was preaching the Irish king Leoghaire and his subjects to convert to Christianity from paganism.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

Sharing the Blessing Of Lent - 2) St. Christopher

St. Christopher is one of the heroes of Christian Faith. He is listed as a martyr. Not much of his life is known to us except the stories that are carried on from one generation to another. St. Christopher is believed to be named as Reprobus and later came to known as Christopher. He was a cannanite and was exceptionally tall and strong. He was termed as the giant in some references.

He wanted to serve the biggest master and went on to serve the king and he was astonished to find the King fear for the devil. So he thought the devil is the biggest and went in search of him. As he was still wandering in his search, he saw a bunch of thieves whose leader called himself the devil. So he went and served him for a while. This ‘devil’ actually feared for a Christian monk and this surprised St. Christopher. So he left the gang and joined the Christian faith.

He learnt all the teachings of Christ and wanted to serve him. The monk used to observe fasts and rituals and serve the Lord which St. Christopher found very difficult to follow. So the monk had another idea. They had a forest which had a very big river flowing through. It was difficult for the elderly and the weak to cross without help. The monk advised the saint to help people in distress to help cross.

He obliged and was doing the work faithfully for quite some time when one day a child asked his help to cross the river. He accepted and carried the child on his shoulder. As they were half way, the child grew more and more heavy and the saint couldn’t easily cross the river. With much difficulty, finally they crossed the river. On enquiry about this strange predicament, the child replied that he was the Lord Jesus and the heaviness was due to the fact the entire world’s weight which rested on him. The child then vanished.

It was after this incident, that St. Christopher’s world completely changed. He grew even more faithful and he wanted to travel places to spread the word of God. Travel was by foot those days and the meek and weak couldn’t achieve it. So the Word of God couldn’t reach many people. So he took this responsibility and since he was strong and heavy, he travelled easily against all the odds and ends.

These travel brought him to Roman Emperor Decius, in 251 AD where he was compelled to offer sacrifice to the king. The Saint refused and then he was tempted with food and woman. He didn’t budge and finally he was beheaded.

Feast Day is on July 25.

He is Patron of bachelors, transportation, traveling, and storms.

St. Christopher’s Prayer

Dear Saint Christopher,
protect me today
in all my travels
along the road’s way.
Give your warning sign
if danger is near
so that I may stop
while the path is clear.
Be at my window
and direct me through
when the vision blurs
From out of the blue.
Carry me safely
to my destined place,
like you carried Christ
in your close embrace.

Amen.

Sharing the Blessing of Lent - 1) St.Francis of Assisi

Hi Friends,

Happy to Greet you to another year of lent. This year lets share the blessing of the Lord by sharing info about various Saints.

St.Francis of Assisi

Born to a Wealthy merchant and a devoted mother, St.Francis was born in Late 1881 or Early 1882. He was christened Giovanni, but his father did not like him to be called after a saint and he called him Francesco. He had a very lavish and spoilt childhood. He had everything he wanted and did whatever he wished. Everybody abided by his thoughts. He too had an upper hand in the business like his dad and finally grew ultra rich. But he wanted to be a knight.

So when he was called for war, he went and gave his best. He was so happy about it but at the end he was imprisoned and left the prison after one year for a huge ransom. But he refused to change ways after that too. He was always whiling away the time when suddenly he had the call.

He was called away for the second time to war and he was so happy to go and made a golden armour to protect himself but God had other plans. He told Francis not to go. Francis obeyed to everyone’s astonishment. From that day he used to spend time alone and pray and wept for his sins. One day he came face to face with a leper and he choose to kiss the leper’s hand without disgust. After going a distance, he found the leper vanish in a trance. It was by then he realized it was not just a leper but the maker.

He started to pray even more. Once when he was praying God advised him to renovate the church. He thought the church he was praying needs to be repaired and he started collecting goods from his father and sold them to give to the church. This infuriated his father and he denounced his son. He became even free now and started praying more. Now he started to preach too.

His preach was so good that once a hundred birds stood still till he finished. And he spoke so softly that a wolf which once killed many for its food was made a pet to an entire village and it was provided for its living. Everything was going on well till he realized many people were seeking his guidance. He collectd them and formed a brotherhood, the Franciscan Order.

He went to Pope Innocent and asked his permission to preach which was denied immediately. Then God appeared in the dream of the Pope to grant him the rights to preach and then he started preaching. He was so soft to the nature too that once when he was to be treated by fire, he spoke to it for a long time and when the treatment was over, he swore the fire did no harm.

He was a patron of animals, ecology and merchants. At the end of his days he decided to share the passion of Christ, the pain of crucifixion through prayers and he shared the pain delightfully. Finally he breathed his last in 1226.

He was conferred Saint in the year 1228.

Feast Day is on 4 October.

The Peace Prayer of Francis of Assisi :

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith ;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Episode 14

“Queen Meenakshi’s last desire??? “ Kanda asked Raj as he sat down. He looked very tired but there was a bit of color in the face that had gone pale in the last few hours. Raj looked at Kanda with a dreamy gaze and repeated again.

“Queen Meenakshi’s last desire. It is the only way to make Vinoth come to us. Selvan was so much devoted to his mom and I am sure Vinoth carries the same affection so far.

Queen Meenakshi was pregnant when the King went missing and no one knew that except my ancestor Rajarajan. He examined her when she had called him of to treat her acute Morning Sickness. When the King went missing , she searched for some time, then handled the reigns to Marthandan , First cousin of King Ravi Varma and she retired to the hills to lead an ascetic life. No one bothered about her after that.”

“Only one bothered about her” Suddenly Rajarajan shouted from his cot. He got up with a sudden surge of energy and almost ran to Raj and chuckled. Raj looked at him with utmost irritation.

Rajarajan continued, “ I was so much concerned about her. I had my men follow her and befriend her and go wherever she goes. I had a hunch that the King will definitely come and meet her and I can catch the King. But no one came. “

“She had so many issues during pregnancy and I was there treating her all the while without actually seeing her. Finally she delivered a healthy baby girl. After the delivery she was fine as a fiddle. She had many miscarriages before that. So it was a surprise that the baby was too healthy. “

“Maybe she was really not healthy and the excitement of seeing the baby made her feel good. She died a couple of days later. When I went to the tribals who looked after her and revealed my identity, they were relieved to see someone from her kingdom. They gave a parchment that contained the Queen’s last wish.”

“Since the tribals couldn’t read, they gave it to me so thankfully and the moment I read it, I knew I could use it to bring the King out from hiding. But he had gone too far to try that.”

Rajarajan looked at both of them as if expecting them to ask for explanation. Kanda looked interested but Raj was just looking desperate. He had just lost his father. The already known story didn’t interest him.

“What was written on that? “ Kanda asked hurriedly.

“She had written her love for the king and finally she has said no one but the King should perform her last rites. “

“I don’t understand” Kanda protested.

“She is still waiting as a mummy for the king to return to perform the last rites.” Rajarajan shouted as if in a mock.

A sudden chill passed over Kanda. He could not imagine so much love for a person the Queen had, to wait even after death. He looked at Rajarajan. He too felt so much irritated by the Person’s presence now.

“We will use this to make Vinoth come from his hiding. Now that the King is no more, Vinoth should make her soul rest in peace now. “Raj concluded.

There was utter silence in the room now.

“Where is she?” Everyone turned to look at the voice.

A tear strained red eyed Vinoth was standing there with knees almost failing to hold him any further. He dropped on the floor. Raj rushed to him. Vinoth immediately got up. He clutched Raj’s shirt and shook him wildly.

“Come on tell me. Where is my mom? “He demanded.

Raj looked tensed. “I will take you there now. Also Ravi Varma and Thondaiman’s mortal remains too. They have been found by the archeologist now.”

Vinoth appeared aghast.

“See now you can make your entire family rest in peace. Who will get such a blessing? “ shouted Rajarajan in glee.

Vinoth turned to him as if a hungry lion is ready to pounce on its prey. “I am just dying to make you mortal so that I can kill you as I had desired for years now.” He thundered.

“If you kill me, who will tell you what happened to the baby Meenakshi delivered.” He laughed back.

“Your baby sister and her generations” He continued.

Vinoth looked at Raj. “Surely you know what happened to the baby right?”

Raj looked guilty. “He never told us what happened except the location of her mummy. The tribals have mummified her and she is safe. But that’s the only thing I know. “

Vinoth was dumbstruck. The mocking face of Rajarajan was too much to bear.

“Your ring will be the price of this valuable information. “ Rajarajan smiled.

“It has the properties to reverse the potion of immortality.”

Vinoth threw the ring at Rajarajan with all his might and shouted, “I want the Info now”.

“She has gone long back and her generations are carrying forward now. Her current generation is staying in this house right now. “

Vinoth and Raj suddenly looked at Kanda.

“Ha ha ha. A poor choice. Her last successor was Sakuntala and she was married to a prominent Doctor Srinivasan. “

Raj slowly turned and looked at the enlarged photo of his mother Sakuntala adorned with a bright sandal garland. She seemed to smile at him now.

It took a moment to digest the fact now. “So I am now the living descendant of Raja Ravi Varma, I suppose.”

Revenge - Recap and Episode 13

The Revenge

Episode 1

King Keshav could not believe his eyes.  He closed his eyes and spent a moment pondering whether he was really awake and opened it to read the message brought by the messenger for the second time.  It was from the commander in chief Thondaiman of his neighboring rival Kingdom .

The message was short and simple - Release our king or prepare for war. He wondered if his army has captured the King on their own and was bursting to tell him.  His army replied the negative.  He was well aware that a war would be inevitable if the king was not returned back to them.  He decided to  reply in the most polite way he knew - 'Though I love to meet you at war I don't know where your king is '.

Thondaiman was training his cavalry when the messenger gave him the reply. He was pretty sure that King Keshav has kidnapped his beloved King , Ravi Varma the Third when he went out hunting.  He was preparing for a war to avenge him.  But the message turned things around.

He ran the stairs to break this news to the minister Vadivelan who was staring at the window aimlessly.  'The King is not even kidnapped then. I fear he is lost. We must get our search parties to start searching again'.

Vadivelan did not reply.  He simply continued staring. Thondaiman came near and shook him only to find him dead. Thondaiman shouted at the guard nearby to find the physician.  The guard ran about and brought the royal Physician Rajarajan along. He examined Vadivelan and declared him dead of a sudden heart attack.

Thondaiman's grief knew no bounds.  The king missing and the minister dead he did not know what to do next.  If not for his grief he would have noted the grudge  smile in Rajarajan's face when he excused himself.

He turned around and was about to excuse Rajarajan out of the room when he noticed the latter pull out a dagger. He shouted 'My will is done. This is the first blood shed' and laughed hysterically before passing the dagger across his chest. 

Episode 2

Vinoth woke up with a start.  Though he had this same dream again and again he could not put his mind to rest.  The man laughing hysterically before taking his own life is not an usual sight to behold.  But he knew he could never forget that.

He looked at the clock.  It showed 5.37. He knew the alarm would wake him up by 6. Not able to decide whether to get up or lie again he tossed around. Then remembering to send some mails before the start of usual work at office he decided to get up. 

He grabbed his laptop and started to draft a couple of mails.  After double checking he sent the mails.  He got up and left his Cosy bed and hit the couch in the living room. He switched on the TV and started surfing the channels.  News channels were flashing news about some hurricane at Indonesia which claimed many lives.  There were disturbing scenes of many people crying and kids corpses everywhere. He couldn't take it at all. 

He got up in a trance and decided to leave for office to improve his mood. He got ready and drove to office. Vinoth was received by Kandasami, the office attendant.  Kandasami was just opening the main door of his floor when Vinoth entered.  He was surprised to see Vinoth that early.  

'Good morning sir. What is the matter? Why are you so early to office ? 'he enquired.  'Nothing special Kanda. Just woke up early.  Thought to complete work fast and leave a bit early today. That's all.  Do you always come at this time to office' . 

'Yes sir.  I always come and keep things ready for you people to start working. Now tell me sir. You wouldn't have had your breakfast . Do you want me to get anything for you'. 

Vinoth just realized how hungry he felt.  He asked him to get a loaf of bread and a small jar of jam. When Kandasami came back he offered to make his sandwich to which Vinoth obliged. 

He was talking and moving his hand frantically with the knife in hand when Vinoth  reached to take a piece of bread. Swish went the knife and slashed Vinoth in the palm.  He shrieked in pain.  Kandasami dropped everything and took Vinoth's hand and pressed it hard to check bleeding.  

Vinoth was protesting against his help.  'Leave it Kanda. I heal fast. It's nothing. '

' Please bear for a minute sir.  I will get the first aid kit'.  Kandasami left for a couple of minutes and came back with a roll of cotton and a bandage.  

'I am telling you.  There is no need for all this.  I heal fast.  The bleeding has stopped' Vinoth protested. 'I will check for myself sir.  Please show me your hand' Kandasami persisted.  He grabbed Vinoth's hand.  

He gasped.  There was absolutely nothing in his hand. A drop of blood or even a scar.  It seemed like the hand had grown new flesh after the wound.  It was as clean as a whistle.  He looked perplexed.  Vinoth looked blank.  He simply said 'I told you. I heal fast.  Don't worry' 

Kandasami was not satisfied.  He looked as if he had been slapped in the face.  He was very much confused.  He had seen the wound just 5 minutes back and now there was nothing. He started to clean the desk.  When he cleared the knife from the table he could see blood on it.  He looked terrified.  He turned to see Vinoth who still looked blank.  

Not knowing what to do he left the room.  'There is no choice left for me now. I don't think I can hold on my secret any longer. I have to fake my death here and leave to some place to start life afresh.' He thought sadly and typed 'Symptoms in sudden heart failure victims'  in Google. 

Episode 3

Thondaiman was completely out of his wits now. He could not keep in pace with the way things were swirling around. Things that happened a couple of months back slowly reeled in his mind.  King Ravi Varma who loved hunting was in one of his trips when he accidentally shot an arrow at Pughazhendi,  son of the chief physician Rajarajan to death. Rajarajan was summoned to the palace.

On seeing Rajarajan,  Ravi Varma ran up to him, grabbed his hands and said 'Please cut off these hands of mine. I have made a terrible mistake. I have ruined your life'. The King could not meet his eyes.  He hung his head in shame and looked upset.

As Rajarajan looked confused, the King continued ' I accidentally shot your son lurking in the bushes thinking him to be a deer.  I am the one who killed your son. Please forgive me'.
It was more than Rajarajan could bear.  He could see things clearly now. His son, his only son could have stayed alive had the King been alert in the trip. He would not have got orphaned had the King been more careful and vigilant.  He burst out in agony.
His lips trembled and limbs shivered. He thundered, 'You do not know the pangs of pain a death could cause. I will make you realize it.  I will make you see the death of each and every one you shall ever love in this world to make you feel the pain I suffered today. '

Present day

After an unexpected encounter with Kandasamy, Vinoth planned to leave the city and go north to start things afresh.  He decided to write his journal first.  It has been his habit to record things in his daily routine in his journal.  Once done he decided to plan things ahead.  Relocating to a new place of the country with a new identity will be an herculean task.  But he was left with no choice.

He could not let his secret out. Not that he minded anymore, he feared his pain may grow exponentially if he is to repeat all he has gone through.  He decided not to linger on his pain further and made his way to the basement.  He always saved his money in a chest.  He knows he cannot invest in anything or in a bank fearing identity issues. Loose cash was always his thing and had helped him so far.

He took out his duffle from the attic and started packing his personals. His ring got caught in the frayed threads of the bag.  He removed it from his finger and slowly removed the threads from the much decorated signet ring of King Ravi Varma the third.  

Episode 4

Doctor Srinivasan looked at the clock with a sigh. It showed 9.30 PM. It's been 4 hours and  30 minutes since he was sitting in the same position. Earlier it didn't seem to matter but with age ticking 65 it started causing severe backache. He turned to his attender and asked how many patients were left . He replied 'Two more sir' . Srinivasan looked relieved. He asked him to show in one first.

He had come in for a hand sprain his wife explained. He gestured the patient to sit in the adjacent chair and gently helped him rest his hand on the armrest and started examining it. He asked ' what's your name sir? ' He replied ' I am Ravi doctor' .

Srinivasan let out a little gasp and slipped the patient's hand. He shrieked in pain. Quickly gathering himself, he mumbled an apology blaming his sweaty hands and gently took his hand again.  He should control himself whenever he hears the name Ravi.  Ravi may not be Ravi anymore and also ironically Ravi won't need a doctor anytime. He smiled sadly.

After examining the patient Ravi's hand, he tied it with a crepe bandage, wrote a couple of medicines , gave instructions to his wife and asked the attender to show the last patient in. 'Finally I can go home in half an hour. Then for a nice hot bath, crispy puri and karma, warm glass of milk, classical songs and a nice sleep. He was dreaming blissfully when Kandasamy walked in with his brother.

Srinivasan gestured them to sit with the usual niceties and asked them his complaint. Kandasamy's brother Munisamy started explaining, 'He claims to have seen something unexplainable at office today doctor. Since coming back home, he looked stunned and confused and was thinking a lot. He got all feverish and complained of a blinding headache. Please give him a good sleeping pill so that he will sleep and let us also sleep doctor. '

Srinivasan laughed and asked Kanda about his pain and started examining him. He wrote some tablets and asked him to take for a couple of days. He then enquired casually ' why don't you share with me the reason for your headache? 'Kanda hesitated a little . Then said sadly ' you will also laugh at me doctor. ' Srinivasan replied ' Try me.  Maybe I can give a satisfactory explanation and you can put your mind to rest. ' Kanda's face showed a little hope and started explaining the thing he witnessed about Vinoth fully.

Srinivasan was all ears. He could hardly believe at last his quest was coming to an end. He could not contain his emotion. He remembered his father's words. 'For generations we have preserved this a secret and have carried on the search with utmost secrecy and dedication.  Handle this with caution. '

As Srinivasan was lost in thoughts, Kanda was convinced the doctor has believed his story.  He looked at him eagerly for a plausible explanation. Srinivasan stared at him for a minute.  Then spoke, ' Kanda what you have witnessed today is a truly paranormal event. I would like to meet this person myself and get things clarified'.
Kandasamy was skeptic. He was sure Vinoth will never accept the truth nor will forgive him for telling on him to this doctor. He voiced his thoughts to Srinivasan.  The doctor thought for a while and said 'You give me this person's phone number and address. I will arrange to meet him accidentally and move on. '  This seemed a good deal to Kanda. He obliged. He browsed his phone and shared Vinoth's number.  He promised to go to the office now and get his address from the records. The doctor asked him to hurry.

As soon as Kanda left to do his bidding , the doctor took his mobile and dialed a number. 'Son, we may have reached an end to our search. I am waiting for the address. Once I get it we will get there immediately. Get ready and make necessary arrangements.' Dr. Raj Srinivasan, who was on the other side of the phone acknowledged his dad and got ready.

He got out of the house and proceeded to lock it.  Remembering something he stepped inside the house and walked to the room filled with ancient medical transcripts and grand pictures and paintings of his ancestors , Rajarajan being first in the line. He smiled at him and said, 'I think your revenge has come only this far then. Nothing good or bad lasts forever.
Goodbye. ' 

Episode 5

The clock chimed 11.30 in the nearby tower where Dr. Srinivasan and Dr. Raj Srinivasan lay waiting.  Kandasamy had promised to get them Vinoth's address immediately.  In no mood to wait at the clinic, Srinivasan called his son and started off in their car. They went for an aimless drive in the direction of Vinoth's office and just halted near a clock tower.

Dr. Srinivasan's mind went years back when he had just completed his MBBS.  His father Dr. Purushothaman called him to his clinic.  When he went, he observed that his dad looked grave.

'Sit down Srini. I have something to tell you very important.  It is a messed up family secret. I also need to hand down a very important responsibility to you which I hope atleast will be done in your time.  Our family has been working on this for generations altogether'.

Srinivasan was shocked. All he expected was a bit of career advice.  He listened intently.  'We need to find a person.  A very important person lost in history.  He is not lost but was made to run by our ancestor.  He meant it to be a revenge.  But his successors decided to put it to an end.  We have been searching for this person since then. '

' Our ancestor Rajarajan was a great physician. He was able to cure any ailment during his time.  He was always researching on herbs and plants to find their medicinal value. One such time he was able to get a very rare herb that will cure the skin of any damage and prevents aging.  In short if the herb is made into a proper concoction, the person won't die and also age. He will remain the same for ever.  '

Srinivasan was speechless.  He took a minute to digest the news he heard just now.  'Did he give it to anyone dad? ' he asked.  ' Yes not just to anyone.  To King Ravi Varma the third.,the king whom he was serving as a revenge for him to see death of all his loved ones for the death of his eldest son. We need to find him and use all our resources to make him mortal once again. We have several portraits of the king as our only clue to find him. '

' Dad, your mobile is ringing' . Srinivasan was rudely awakened by Raj from reliving his memories.  He answered the call.  It was Kandasamy.  He had called to convey that he couldn't get Vinoth's address as the details logbook was with the security manager and he couldn't be reached at the moment.

'Let's get back home Raj.  We have waited for a long time.  A single night won't make a difference.  Ravi Varma will be mortal soon'.  Srinivasan told his son and they went back home.

500 kms away in a tiny village with lots of ruins,  Prof. Shanmugam  and his assistant Babu are analyzing their latest find in the ruins - a skeleton and lots of artifacts.  Shanmugam's face was glowing.  His old eyes twinkled. He hugged Babu and exclaimed 'This is a great day for us.  We have just now found the body of King Ravi Varma the third. The lost king in history. ' 

Episode 6

Prof Shanmugam was jumping in joy.  The 65 year archeologist felt complete now.  For almost a decade he was in search of King Ravi Varma who had gone missing in history. Somehow he got smitten by the king and has spent all these years searching for him.

He started to recall  his journey. His expedition was going on well for a couple of years when his sponsor decided to pull the plug. Owing lack of funds he decided to quit when he was approached by Dr. Srinivasan. He was so eager to listen to facts about the king and promised to sponsor them till they find the King. He was true to his words so far.

The Doctor will be proud to hear this,  He thought. He couldn't wait till morning.  He decided to call and break the good news. 'Your mobile is ringing'. This was the second time Raj reminded his father Srinivasan from his dreams.

He hardly answered and said Hello when Shanmugam shouted at the other end. 'we have done it.  King Ravi Varma' s skeletal remains are found now.  Once you come and witness it personally we can disclose it to the world that we have finally found the lost King. '

Srinivasan wondered if he was still dreaming. He signaled Raj to stop the vehicle.' Shanmugam what's happening there? 'His words were almost like a whisper. As Shanmugam explained the excavation proceedings Srinivasan could take it no longer.' Are you sure that's our King? How can you be so certain? '
' Doctor, we have got  all missing artifacts here and  the skeleton dates to exactly the time frame of King Ravi Varma.  Also it carried the staff and sword of the King as described in history. Am pretty sure that's our man.  If you want,  we can perform further tests on him to prove.'

Srini's head was rolling now. He could not understand the turn of events.  If Ravi Varma was there then who is this person who matches his uniqueness.  He told everything to his son. He was equally confused.

'Let's plan now.  You meet the person here tomorrow.  I will go to the excavation site and see whats happening there.  I will try to confirm whose skeleton lays there.' He suggested.

They drove in silence. When they reached their house, their watchman Ramu opened the door and said ' Sir these two came just now. It seems he is in a lot of pain.  Will you be able to treat them now or should I show them out.?
Though tired,  Srinivasan did not want a person to suffer.  He asked them to come in. He showed them to a small consulting room adjacent to the living room of their posh bungalow and switched on the lights.

He turned to face them .  He felt he has seen one of them before very often but could not recollect. He was constantly staring at him that he didn't listen to any of their words.  'Shall I attend them while you go and rest' Raj's  words brought him to senses.

He accepted the offer as he was tired but did not leave the room.  He proceeded to sit in a chair but continued thinking about the person.  It seemed the other guy had been in an accident nearby and this person who was on his way to the bus station saw him and offered to help.

'The wound looks so bad. We may have to stitch you up. 'Raj said after examination. He asked the person to help while he attempted to stitch the patients hand. While doing so,  his ring came in the way and troubled him.  He removed it and placed it on the table.

The patient unable to bear the pain swayed his leg so hard that shook the table. The ring fell on to Srinivasan's leg with a soft thud. He bent down to pick it up.  It seemed very precious with a little engraving. He has seen this somewhere too. He felt something unexplainable. Raj needed a medicine now that was in his room. Srinivasan offered to bring it.

As he proceeded to his room,  he absentmindedly went to the gallery room and saw the potrait of King Ravi Varma that was displayed in a decent resolution. His eyes fell on the hands in the portrait. It was displaying with pride the same ring that was now in the hands of Dr. Srinivasan.

His heart raced. He got an intuition.  He rushed to his room and threw open the cupboard containing the artifacts and portraits related to the search of the King. He clutched whatever portrait he could grasp and threw it in the nearby table and started searching something.

'Aaah' he exclaimed seeing a portrait. 'May I have my ring back? It is not for someone with filthy hands like yours. '  He turned at the voice of the visitor. Srinivasan could not find his voice. He mumbled 'I never thought it was you who suffered. I will do whatever it takes to lessen your pain.'

'I have learnt to live with the pain. This is something to lessen the pain of the earth to carry traitors like you.' He drew the surgical knife he has brought with him straight into Srinivasan's chest.

Episode 7

A loud ambulance siren brought Vinoth back to his senses.  The events that occurred in the day had been very much unexpected and tiring. As he sat in the park bench,  his hand still clutched the surgical knife that slit Dr. Srinivasan. He had thought he got better of his temper but now he realized the fact.  His temper was very much the same.

Some time earlier, Raj rushed Vinoth to get the medicine when his dad Srinivasan did not turn up for a long time. When he tried to locate the doctor in the big house,  he found a door open and peeped in. When he found the picture of Rajarajan there he could not  control his anger. He realized he was standing in the house  of his descendents.

He wanted revenge. He saw that the doctor was in a hurry. He followed him and found that the doctor found his identity. He could take it no more. In a rage he killed the doctor. And ran towards the exit as far as he could and found this off beaten Park to sit and decide what to do next.

When he closed his eyes series of events crossed his mind in a flash. He could see Rajarajan laughing hysterically, King Ravi Varma's elegant pose, and the tears in the monarch's eyes when they met last.

No matter how hard he tried he could never forget any of them. He saw his hand. It was still holding the bloody knife but the fingers missed the kings signet ring. ' I cannot let them have that ring. I will get it back no matter how hard it is'

Dr. Srinivasan's residence.

His father's loud screams brought Raj running. He was completely dumbstruck.  Though he was a doctor and handled patients in pool of blood before this was different. He could almost feel the pain his father had. He did not know what to do.

He rushed to treat his dad.  He carried him with all his strength downstairs to the consultation room where he kept all his medicines. His father was waving at him and wanted to tell something. He could hardly apprehend what he was telling.  As he lay his father on the examination table he clutched Raj's hand tightly and beckoned him to listen.

Raj knelt down to match his father's lips on his ears as Srinivasan whispered ' It is not Ravi Varma.  It is Thondaiman'.  And breathed his last.

Episode 8

King Ravi Varma was visibly upset. He could relate the pain Rajarajan felt on losing his son as he himself has lost all his 3 sons on birth.  The crown prince Selvan is the biological son of Thondaiman and he had adopted him.  Though he loved him dearly he could not help but long for a baby he fathered. The royal astrologer had precldicted a son for him so was waiting anxiously.

He started spending much of his time in the royal temple where he felt peaceful. Thondaiman came to visit him. He was so loyal to the king that he cannot see  him sad for a long time.

He arranged for a pilgrimage which he guessed would lift the kings mood.  He offered to accompany the king. Off went the king with the Queen Meenakshi, Commander in chief Thondaiman and his adopted son Selvan.

On the way they decided to camp for the night.  All arrangements were made and they were discussing about the deity they were going to worship when a soldier announced the coming of Rajarajan to their camp.

King Ravi Varma got perplexed. He did not know how to react.  He asked the soldier to let him in. The teary faced physician entered the tent and he did not have any pleasantries to begin. He came to the point.

'I am sorry by the way I shouted at you.  I wish to get back to my duties.  May I? '

The king was relieved beyond words.  Not only the physician had forgiven him but also wished to continue in his service. This was complete forgiveness.  He was happy.  He said he was more than happy to see him back at the palace.

Rajarajan excused himself and went to the place where the food was being cooked for the royalties.  He went inside and saw a big jar of tomato soup made specially for the king. He knew the king would drink it before every meal. He mixed a powder in it which he hid in a punch in his cummerbund.

He started imagining the consequences and felt insanely happy. He was so mad that he failed to listen the words uttered by King Ravi Varma in a bit loud voice than usual,  'Serve my favorite soup to all of us.  We will start celebrating my peace with my favorite food', to which everyone obliged.

PRESENT DAY
Raj tried all known ways to bring his dad back but failed. He finally gave in.  Tears poured uncontrolled. He could not believe his father is no more.  The servant had called the police.  They arrived and started asking questions.  He could not answer anything properly in grief.

The police decided to leave him alone for now. They waited for the forensic people to arrive. As they sat waiting,  they received a call in the landline. It was Prof . shanmugam.  He was crestfallen on hearing Srinivasan's death.

He left the receiver on the hook and looked at his assistant Babu and said,  'our patron was murdered a while ago. Now how are we supposed to work further without funds'. He looked sadly at the roll of parchments he held which read 'Map to Thondaiman' s grave which holds all my treasure ' in ancient Tamil.  

Episode 9

Vinoth was sitting on a bench panting. He badly wanted to retrieve his treasured ring but he did not know how. He did not have the strength to plan also. He touched his pockets to check if he has any money.

His wallet contained some. He decided to eat first and then work on a plan. He spotted a small restaurant nearby and went there. Little did he knew that Kandhasamy was sitting at an adjacent table in the same restaurant.

Kandhasamy had his own share of thoughts. He got confused on seeing Vinoth's unique healing nature and was wondering on it when the doctor offered to give a plausible explanation. But he couldn't get the doctor to meet Vinoth which left him with a blinding headache.

He decided to eat out and spend some time in the open air. He was about to get up from his table to leave when he saw Vinoth. His face lit up. He wondered what to do next.
He decided to call Dr.Srinivasan.

" The number you are trying to reach is currently not reachable." The same message greeted him on all his trials. He did not know what to do next. He was watching Vinoth helplessly.

Vinoth had eaten enough to retrieve his energy and got up. He reached the counter to pay.
"Sorry sir. We do not accept this 500 rs note anymore. Please give a different note sir."
Vinoth looked as if he was slapped in the face.

He was not prepared for this. He did not know what to do. He did not want the police's attention on this. Kandhasamy saw this at a distance. He thought of helping him.

He went to him. Vinoth's face went even more pale. He paid the bill and both left together in silence. " I wanted to  ask you something. " Kandhasamy started.

"Kandha some things are best if left alone.please don't ask me more. I am forever indebted to you for this meal you got me today. Its good bye for ever now. "  Vinoth spoke in a hurry and ran from the restaurant.

Before Kandhasamy could react, Vinoth fled the scene. Kandhasamy could feel his head ready to burst. He wanted to do something about it. He thought of going to the doctors house and talk to him about it.

He beheld a sight he never expected. Police were swarming the place.  He went to one of them and asked what happened. He came to know of Srinivasan's death. He felt great remorse.

He thought it best to leave the place now and come back after a few days to talk to Srinivasan's son about all this. He just turned to the next lane when he heard voices. He wanted to confirm the route to the main road. He thought of approaching the people when he heard this clear.

" Dr. Srinivasan's murder was ineveitable. He deserved it. Now it seems Kandhasamy may trouble Vinoth. He is interested in exploring things. If it exceeds beyond our control, we may have to kill him too. "

Episode 10

King Ravi Varma and Thondaiman was about to eat when they were interrupted by a soldier announcing the arrival of Kabilan,  the chief of the spy force.  They immediately left the food and went out of have a private chat.

"You know something.  I feel so tired nowadays and not able to concentrate on anything solid. " Meenakshi was telling her 27 year  old adopted Selvan. Though very few years elder to him,  he considered her mother from the bottom of his heart.

" Don't worry about it mother.  Now that Rajarajan has returned to the palace we will ask him to have a look at you.  You will be better in a jiffy. " He replied.

" To tell you the truth I feel pregnant again.  I only hope I don't lose this baby too on birth. "

Selvan went speechless with joy. " Mother if this is true,  I would do anything to keep the baby safe.  Don't worry.  Everything will be alright.  You have your food now.  They may not return soon as Kabilan will have lots to share usually. "

She insisted on him to eat with her and they started with the tomato soup.  When it was poured,  Selvan drank it in a gulp as he felt too hungry and he reached out to pour more in his goblet.

Meenakshi who got up to help him to pour suddenly fainted toppling the table and emptying all the contents on it. Selva dropped his goblet and rushed to help her.

"Selva give me the cycle now.  It's my turn now. "

Vinoth who was lurking in the bushes to avoid Kandasamy heard the voices of two kids in the street playing and turned back suddenly.  How long it may get he can never forget that he was christened Selvan at birth. 

Episode 11

Thondaiman's shrieks and commands were clearly heard by him. He was shouting aloud and asking soldiers to bring a cot to carry him outside. He was giving orders to find what he made him to reach the ultimate decision -  suicide.

He smiled to himself. "Let Thondaiman try his best.He will never live to find out a solution." The pain he experienced while passing the dagger across his chest suddenly started reducing. "Maybe death is too close" He thought.

As he looked down,  he saw the wound in the chest completely healed.  He felt like never before. He felt stronger. He was utterly confused.  He did not stir. He was deep in thoughts. Suddenly it hit him hard.

"But how?" He thought.  "I never drank it. "

This memory felt fresh. After he finished mixing the potion in the Kings soup,  he was about to leave the galley when he felt a fit of cough.  Hearing this the bodyguards of the king and the crown Prince came running and offered him a drink.

Little did he know then that it was the same fateful soup he mixed the potion with.

"I have to do something.  I cannot live like this. "His eyes could not control the tears. It was rolling everywhere from his eyes to his long beard.

" The King. He is the only solution. I have to find him now. "

He blinked back his tears. He saw that there was no one except a couple of soldiers at the entrance of the room. Seizing the opportunity he fled from the palace without alerting a soul.

PRESENT DAY

Kandasamy ran back to Raj's house to tell him what he heard just now.  Maybe the police can get a clue about Srinivasan's murder. Also he felt his life was in danger.  He wanted to get the culprit punished soon.

On reaching,  he was disappointed to see not much of policemen.  Only a couple of them were left behind and they did not seem much important to him. He decided to go to Raj and tell him to contact the chief officers to take immediate action.

There was Noone in the ground floor. He was calling Raj and made his way up the stairs by himself when he heard a big sobbing noise. He peeped in the room from where it was heard.

An old man was sitting on the corner of the bed and was crying his heart out. Kandasamy felt pity. He went to him and touched his shoulder. Suddenly the old man gripped his neck with an extraordinary force and began to choke him.

"who are you.? What are you trying to do here? " The old man began to shout.

" Stop. He is the one who can identify Vinoth. We need him. Don't do anything stupid. "As Raj came in and stopped him,  the old man controlled his fury and sank back on the bed.

Kandasamy lay frozen.  He wanted to run from this place as soon as he can.

" I don't know how many more death should I see.? " The old man was blabbering as he cried.

" It was your fault from the beginning. Now you have taken my father's breath away too.  Be happy with the reward revenge has given you" Raj shouted back and threw a vase at the old man.

He had a deep cut and blood started to ooze. Kandasamy felt bad and rushed to the old man. As he turned to the nearest table for a piece of cotton to wipe the wound and returned back, the wound was nowhere to be seen. It had healed back.

Kandasamy shrieked and fell back while Rajarajan continued to sob.

Episode 12

Kandasamy fainted on seeing the old man's wound heal. It was too much for him to bear. It was the second immortal he had witnessed in a day. He could not get a plausible explanation for any of that. When he regained his senses he found he was lying in a bed.

The old man was seated on a chair and watched him intently. Kandasamy raised slowly from the bed. The old man immediately jumped and rushed to him. He was clutching a portrait tightly in his hand. He was shoving it under Kandasamy's eyes and shouted, "Tell me how he looks like now. How has he disguised him after these years."

Kandasamy wanted to badly run from the place.  There was something so haunting about that old man and he feared about him. He could not make any sense on his blabber. He knew he had no choice but to see the portrait and answer the old man.

He took the portrait in his hand. It was a very old one and the person on that looked like a King. He had never seen that person before. He conveyed it to the old man. The old man looked shocked. He called out Raj.  He asked him to show the various images of the King he had photoshopped in his laptop.

He opened an album and asked Kandasamy to identify Vinoth in any of that. Kandasamy's head started to roll.  He has not seen any of that person in the album. He denied seeing any of them. Finally almost dragging,  Rajarajan took Kandasamy to the portrait room.

He took him to the shelves of the portraits and started showing all the portraits to him. He could not bear any of that.  He was getting utterly confused.  He could not see Vinoth or even his resemblance in any of them.

He was planning to somehow get out of Rajarajan's hold and out of the house.  He was planning when he suddenly saw a portrait that resembled Vinoth. He reached for it and took it in his hand. It was the spitting image of Vinoth. He shouted, "This is him."

Rajarajan grabbed the portrait and his eyes sent wide. It was never the king then.  It is Thondaiman. "Raj,"  He shouted "We need to find the Kings grave then".  Raj went mad. He shouted back, "Now that we know it's not the king why on earth do we need to find him now."

"Call Professor Shanmugam immediately and ask him about his progress. I will explain things in a while. " He Ordered Raj and went back to his thoughts. Raj,  though red with fury obliged to end it all.

He went to the other room to talk. Rajarajan was sitting in the rocking chair and rolled to and fro for what it seemed ages when Raj came back." It seems we have come to an end then.  The kings grave, skeletal remains and last possessions are found by Shanmugam. We will start immediately. "

Rajarajan could not believe his ears. When Srinivasan gave the suggestion of funding an archeologist to find the king he was skeptical bit now it had turned out fruitful. As he turned to leave,  he heard Raj say," They found everything except the Signet ring it seems. "

" What? " He screamed. A loud thud distracted them. As they rushed to the window all they could see was a bright silhouette image and street light brightly illuminated his ring in the left hand.

" who is that? "Raj shouted. The person turned back to reveal a panting tired Vinoth." Selvan stop. Our cure lies in your ring. " Rajarajan shouted and fell on the ground.

Episode 13

‘The Ring. The Ring. The Ring.’ Rajarajan was blabbering all the while Raj tried to put a shot on him to revive. Raj was so irritated and frustrated that he really wanted to hit the old man badly but remained calm. He was too angry to mourn for his father too. Kanda looked perplexed. He did not know what to do. He simply helped Raj as he asked him to pass on things from the nearby table.

Once everything was done, Raj called his servant and asked for a cup of coffee and seeing Kanda nearby he ordered one more too. When it was served, he politely served it to Kanda and spoke softly, ‘I know how you feel. Please relax. I will tell you what’s happening here. Maybe that will lift a burden from my heart. ‘

Kanda felt relieved. At last he was going to get answers. Maybe that will ease his pain too. All these events are not usual and things were going worse as per his understanding. Even his life is at stake here. ‘Maybe I die or I don’t die. I just want to know why I am being killed.’ He thought.

After finishing his cup of coffee Raj sat on the couch and started gravely,

‘It all happened several generations ago. King Ravi Varma, the third was a great ruler admired and loved by all. His commander in chief was Thondaiman and a very close friend of him. His Minister was Kabilan. His royal Physician was Rajarajan. Ravi Varma had a Queen named Meenakshi. They both tried to have children but couldn’t. Either the Queen had a miscarriage or the child was stillborn. They adopted Selvan, the son of Thondaiman to be the Crown Prince and things were going on fine. One day the King who loved hunting went on his usual hunting trips. He saw something move in the bushes and shot an arrow thinking it to be a deer. But it turned to be Rajarajan’s son. The King had accidentally killed the Physician’s son.

Rajarajan swore to take revenge on the king and he gave something to the King that made him immortal. He cannot die or age. He will remain as such. But it so happened Rajarajan drank some of it accidentally that he also became immortal. The King came to know of it and he went out of his country not informing anyone, unable to face anyone. The King had a signet ring made out of a very rare metal named Rhenum which when melted and made as a potion can change their immortality. So we are searching for the King for a very long time to make both of them mortals again.

Since the King is lost from History too, many Historians are eager to research on him. So we funded an archeologist to get to know the King. This was one of our measure to find him. He called us today to tell that they have found the King. So the King is not immortal then. Maybe someone else drank it. My father thought it was Thondaiman , his close friend who drank the potion by mistake. But it seems that it is not him too. Because the King’s grave contained a map to Thondaiman’s grave. The archeologist went to that grave too. He found many valuable things and manuscripts in the grave along with detailed descriptions of events on what happened.

The King and his adopted son Selvan was on a casual riding trip when they found Selvan could not be injured at all. Not able to know why they went hiding and went to various places to discover what had happened to him. When Thondaiman started searching for them, he found that Rajarajan had done something to make the King immortal. Thondaiman too joined the King and Selvan and fled to various parts to find the cure.

When they couldn’t they framed a plan to Selvan to live certain period at every part of the world to escape questions of immortality and aging. Selvan obliged and went to live as ordered. They both tried to find the cure for it but unfortunately ended up without it. Selvan did not know the Physician too has the same plight and when he saw the Physician’s descendant he grew so angry and killed my father. ‘

‘But He did not kill your father’ Kanda suddenly said remembering. ‘When I was searching for Vinoth, I heard two voices discuss that your father troubled Vinoth and they had to finish him up. They swore to kill me too if I troubled him. ‘

‘What???? ‘Said Raj shocked. ‘Now who are these people? ‘

Rajarajan suddenly woke and sat up with a start. ‘We need to immediately find the ring. Please make me mortal. The solution is very near but I am not able to get it. Please help me.’ He started to sob hysterically. Kanda looked at him with a fit of anger now. His idea of revenge backfired and now he too had spent generations looking at the death of all his loved ones. The thought made him shudder. Revenge is not sweet always.

Raj looked expressionless. He has seen Rajarajan break like this for so many times. He waited for his wail to finish. He stared at Rajarajan and asked, ‘Do you know who is defending Vinoth? There seems to be someone who is working with him now. Do you have any idea? Because if we try to find Vinoth, those people may harm us back.’

‘I don’t care how many people defend him. He has the ring and I want it. Please find him.’ He continued to blabber. Raj gave in. It’s no use talking to Rajarajan. He looked at Kanda and said, ‘We need to find Vinoth quick. He needs to be given the cure he was waiting for generations.’

‘But how??’ Kanda looked confused.

‘We had thought of using this as a ruse to find the King. We will use it on Vinoth too. ‘ Raj replied

‘What is that?’ Kanda demanded urgently.

‘Queen Meenakshi’s last desire. ‘