If a thousand suns were to rise
And stand in the noon sky, blazing,
Such brilliance would be like the fierce
Brilliance of that mighty Self. 
—Bhagavad Gita

Hariaksa began their first class by scrutinizing a rectangular clay tablet marked with the Melukhhan seal. He surveyed the girls seated on kusha mats in a semicircle before him, his wise eyes alighting benevolently on each of them in turn. “Our records show that your ages range from nine to thirteen,” he said, his chubby face unusually solemn. “You shall train here for seven years before moving on to Melukhha to serve as tantrikas.” He struck a brass gong three times. “Be alert!” he growled dramatically, startling them into nervous laughter. “The...

Please subscribe to keep reading.