In the Shadow of Crows Read Online Free PDF

is your Vedanta , used to justify unkindness, dishonourable thoughts and acts towards others. And this because you judge them to have ‘sinned’ in a previous life, according to your own, man-made laws!”
    â€œ Aap apne aap ko kya sumujhtey ho ?” the Brahmin had hissed, suddenly reverting to his native Hindi. “Who do you think you are? Preaching to me your jungli superstitions!”
    He had reluctantly returned to Nepali and continued with tight teeth.
    â€œI am a Brahmana ! Whilst what are you? A woman! A mere phase of illusion! Don’t you know that your sex is the root of all worldly attachments?” He had barely been able to catch his furious breath to repeat, “I am a Brahmana ! Keeper of the Vedas and the Manusmriti ! I am the mahanta , the owner of this temple! And what are you? Nothing but an illiterate, black-faced female, whom God has seen fit to suffer the foulest of His curses! For your audacity to one of His chosen, twice-born sons, divine justice will return you to your next miserable life as a mange-ridden pye-bitch!”
    Bindra had listened with astonishment.
    â€œ Dajoo , elder brother, your attachment to the divisions of caste is not ours,” she had asserted. “All such hierarchies only undermine the many to afford an imagined superiority to the few. They are a falsehood, leading humankind ever deeper into the delusion of division and separation, and yet further from the underlying truth.”
    Her voice had stayed steady.
    â€œAnd how can you claim ownership of something that cannot belong to anyone?” she had challenged. “This cave temple has been here, open to all, without restriction, since the beginning of time!”
    His face had flushed florid.
    â€œBut you and I have no argument,” she had softened, with a conciliatory smile. “Our ways may be different, yet still you and I are one! All life is Mahadeva! All life is Kali Ma! You are Shiva! I am Shiva!”
    The sadhu had looked on, motionless and silent.
    â€œAnd brother,” Bindra had continued, roused with new courage by the naming of the Dark Goddess, “do not be deceived that that janai sacred thread across your shoulder makes you any more pure, any more worthy of respect than the penniless crone who span it. It is only a length of greasy old twine!” she had chuckled, playfully. “No more or less holy than the soil at our feet or the hair on my jungli, uneducated, ‘black’ head . . .”
    It was then that the Brahmin had spat at her.
    ***
    Grandmother was delighted.
    â€œShe’s perfect! You’re both perfect!” she exclaimed at the news. “And both your names mean ‘Beloved’! All I could have ever hoped for you, my darling boy!” she burst, with enough excitement for the both of us. When I revealed that the gold jewellery had already been entrusted to the post by Priya’s family in Gujarat, she visibly trembled with tingles.
    â€œDo let me buy the silk for the bridesmaids’ saris!” Grandmother insisted. “Just imagine, the ultimate Anglo-Indian wedding! Let’s have kedgeree with your favourite eggs ‘rumbletumble’ at the breakfast! Bel puri and cucumber soup, gajar halwa and warm plum cake with cardamom custard at the lunch!”
    I threw my arms around her. “Thank-you-so-much-Grand-ma,” I tapped out on her soft cheek in Morse Code kisses.
    â€œYou-are-wel-come-John-ny-Spar-row,” she pecked in reply.
    ***
    Bindra broke into a lumbering trot, despite the bruising of her ribs, until she reached Lapu basti , the village of Lapu. She made her way directly to the narrow path that would lead her to the jhankri .
    At the sight of the smiling man, sitting on the steps of his simple wooden temple, Bindra burst out with an explosive sob.
    â€œCome, bahini ,” Kushal Magar beckoned. “Sit with me. Drink hot masala chiya .”
    She eased herself down beside him and