Aru Shah and the Song of Death

by Roshani Chokshi

  Meenakshi (mee-NAHK-shee) Another name for the goddess Parvati, but it also means the one with fish-shaped eyes. I assume it must be a very attractive fish, because imagine if they were talking about one of those deep-sea anglers with the light attached to its forehead. Nope.

  Naan (NAHN) A leavened oven-baked flatbread. Sometimes people say naan bread, which is as redundant as saying “ATM machine.”

  Naga (nagas, pl.) (NAG-uh) A naga (male) or nagini (female) is one of a group of serpentine beings who are magical and, depending on the region in India, considered divine. Among the most famous nagas is Vasuki, one of the king serpents who was used as a rope when the gods and asuras churned the Ocean of Milk to get the elixir of life. Another is Uloopi, a nagini princess who fell in love with Arjuna, married him, and used a magical gem to save his life.

  Pachadi (puh-CHAH-dee) A traditional South Indian raita, or condiment, served as a side dish. Broadly translated, it refers to food that has been pounded.

  Pandava brothers (Arjuna, Yudhistira, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva) (PAN-dah-vah, ar-JOO-nah, yoo-diss-TEE-ruh, BEE-muh, nuh-KOO-luh, saw-hah-DAY-vuh) Demigod warrior princes, and the heroes of the epic Mahabharata poem. Arjuna, Yudhistira, and Bhima were born to Queen Kunti, the first wife of King Pandu. Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Queen Madri, the second wife of King Pandu.

  Parvati (par-VAH-tee) The Hindu goddess of fertility, love, and devotion, as well as divine strength and power. Known by many other names, she is the gentle and nurturing aspect of the Hindu goddess Shakti and one of the central deities of the goddess-oriented Shakta sect. Her consort is Shiva, the god of cosmic destruction.

  Pranama (PRAH-nuh-mah) A bow to touch the feet of a respected person, e.g., a teacher, grandparent, or other elder. It makes family reunions particularly treacherous, because your back ends up hurting from having to bend down so often.

  Rakshasa (RUCK-shaw-sah) A rakshasa (male) or rakshasi (female) is a mythological being, like a demigod. Sometimes good and sometimes bad, they are powerful sorcerers, and can change shape to take on any form.

  Rama (RAH-mah) The hero of the epic poem the Ramayana. He was the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu.

  Ramayana (RAH-mah-YAWN-uh) One of two great Sanskrit epic poems (the other being the Mahabharata), it describes how the god king Rama, aided by his brother and the monkey-faced demigod Hanuman, rescue his wife, Sita, from the ten-headed demon king, Ravana.

  Rambha (RAHM-bah) One of the most beautiful apsaras, often sent on assignment by Lord Indra to break the meditation of various sages and also test them against temptation. This is all well and good, except for that one time when Rambha (doing her job, mind you) disturbed a sage who then cursed her to become a rock for ten thousand years. TEN. THOUSAND. YEARS.

  Rati (RAH-tee) The Hindu goddess of love and carnal desire and other stuff that Aru is too young to know about, so move along.

  Ratri (RAH-tree) The goddess of the night. Her sister, Ushas, is the goddess of the dawn.

  Ravana (RAH-vah-nah) A character in the Hindu epic the Ramayana, where he is depicted as the ten-headed demon king who stole Rama’s wife, Sita. Ravana is described as having once been a follower of Shiva. He was also a great scholar, a capable ruler, a master of the veena (a musical instrument), and someone who wished to overpower the gods. He’s one of my favorite antagonists, to be honest, because it just goes to show that the line between heroism and villainy can be a bit murky.

  Rishi (REE-shee) A great sage, usually someone who has meditated intensely and attained supreme truth and knowledge.

  Salwar kameez (SAL-vahr kah-MEEZ) A traditional Indian outfit, basically translating to pants and shirt. (A little disappointing, I know.) A salwar kameez can be fancy or basic, depending on the occasion. In my childhood experience, the fancier the garment, the itchier it is to wear.

  Samosa (SAM-oh-sah) A fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils. It’s like a Hot Pocket, but 1000x better.

  Sanskrit (SAHN-skrit) An ancient language of India. Many Hindu scriptures and epic poems are written in Sanskrit.

  Shakhuni (SHAW-koo-nee) One of the antagonists of the Mahabharata. Shakhuni was the king of Subala, and the brother of the blind queen Gandhari. He is best known for orchestrating the infamous game of dice between the Pandavas and the Kauravas that led to the Pandavas’ twelve-year exile and, ultimately, the epic war.

  Shakuntula (shah-KOON-tuh-luh) A famously beautiful woman and one of the many victims of Sage Durvasa’s infamous curses. Once, Shakuntula fell in love with, and secretly married, a neighboring king. He went back home to tell his parents the good news, and promised to come back for her. Shakuntula, pining and lovesick, spent a lot of that time sighing and listening to Ed Sheeran, etc., etc., which means that she was too distracted to notice Sage Durvasa when he visited the ashram where she lived. Angry about going unnoticed, Sage Durvasa placed her under a curse that the person she was thinking of would immediately forget her. Yikes. Shakuntula was heartbroken, but Sage Durvasa softened the curse a bit, saying that if she showed her king the ring he’d given her, he would remember her. So Shakuntula set out to do that, but as she crossed a river, her ring fell in the water and was swallowed by a fish. Lo and behold, the king was all “new number who dis” when Shakuntula showed up…. It could’ve been downright tragic, but then a fisherman caught the fish, sliced it open, found the ring, and showed it to the king. Maybe the fisherman guy was expecting a great reward, but the king just jumped up and yelled, “OH CRAP! I TOTALLY FORGOT I HAD A WIFE!” and ran off to go apologize to Shakuntula and ride off into the sunset with her, etc., etc. I wonder if the fisherman ever got a thank-you gift. I doubt it.

  Sherwani (share-VAH-nee) A knee-length coat worn by men in South Asia.

  Shiva (SHEE-vuh) One of the three main gods in the Hindu pantheon, often associated with destruction. He is also known as the Lord of Cosmic Dance. His consort is Parvati.

  Sita (SEE-tuh) The consort of the god Rama, and a reincarnation of the goddess of wealth and fortune, Lakshmi. Her abduction by the demon king Ravana and subsequent rescue are the central incidents in the Ramayana.

  Surpanakha (SOOR-pah-nah-kuh) The sister of Ravana, the demon king in the Ramayana. Surpanakha was once taken with the beauty of the god king Rama and and his younger brother, Laxmana. Rama explained that he had a wife already and wasn’t interested in another, so Surpanakha asked Laxmana, who also rejected her, but not nearly as kindly. Things went downhill from there, with Surpanakha not only getting humiliated, but also getting her nose cut off after trying to attack Sita, the god king’s wife. Not a great day, all in all. After that happened, she ran to her brother and sought vengeance, but once Ravana heard how beautiful Sita was, he had other plans.

  Takshaka (TAHK-shah-kah) A naga king and former friend of Indra who once lived in the Khandava Forest before Arjuna helped burn it down, killing most of Takshaka’s family. He has sworn vengeance on all the Pandavas ever since. Wonder why…

  Uloopi (OOH-loo-pee) A nagini princess who was the second of Arjuna’s four wives. A practitioner of magic, Uloopi was responsible for saving Arjuna’s life on the battlefield after he was killed by his own son (though he didn’t know it at the time).

  Urvashi (OOR-vah-shee) A famous apsara, considered the most beautiful of all the apsaras. Her name literally means she who can control the hearts of others. Girl also had a temper. In the Mahabharata, when Arjuna was chilling in heaven with his dad, Indra, Urvashi made it known that she thought the Pandava was pretty cute. But Arjuna wasn’t having it. Instead, he respectfully called her Mother, because Urvashi had once been the wife of King Pururavas, an ancestor of the Pandavas. Scorned, Urvashi cursed him to lose his manhood for a year. (Rude!) In that year, Arjuna posed as a eunuch, took the name Brihannala, and taught song and dance to the princess of the kingdom of Virata.

  Ushas (OOH-shahs) A Vedic (ancient Hindu) goddess of the dawn, who pulled the sun into the sky with the help of her
bright red cows. They must have been very strong cows. Her sister is Ratri, goddess of the night.

  Varuna (VAH-roo-nuh) The god of the ocean and seas.

  Varuni (VAH-roo-nee) The goddess of transcendent wisdom and wine. She is the consort of Lord Varuna.

  Vasuki (VAH-soo-key) A naga king who played a major role in the churning of the Ocean of Milk when the gods and asuras needed help. He basically got wrapped around a mountain and was used as a churning rope. It’s a good thing he wasn’t ticklish. After the Ocean was churned, Lord Shiva blessed him and he is often depicted coiled around the god’s neck.

  Vayu (VAH-yoo) The god of the wind and the father of Bhima, the second-oldest Pandava brother. Vayu is also the father of Hanuman, the monkey-faced demigod. His mount is a gazelle.

  Vishnu (VISH-noo) The second god in the Hindu triumvirate (also known as the Trimurti). These three gods are responsible for the creation, upkeep, and destruction of the world. The other two gods are Brahma and Shiva. Brahma is the creator of the universe and Shiva is the destroyer. Vishnu is worshipped as the preserver. He has taken many forms on earth in various avatars, most notably as Krishna, Mohini, and Rama.

  Yaksha (YAK-sha) A yaksha (male) or yakshini (female) is a supernatural being from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. Yakshas are attendees of Kubera, the Hindu god of wealth, who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka.

  If you made it to the end of this glossary, you deserve a wish from a wish-granting tree! Or at least a big ole glass of mango lassi. Yum.

  Coming in Spring 2020

  ARU SHAH AND THE TREE OF WISHES

  A Pandava Novel

  Book Three

  Praise for Aru Shah and the End of Time

  An instant New York Times best seller

  A Kirkus Reviews’ Best Book of 2018

  A School Library Journal Best Book of 2018

  “This series kickoff, which is also the first book from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, expertly channels the humor and action that have made Riordan’s own work so successful.”

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  “In her middle grade debut, Chokshi spins a fantastical narrative that seamlessly intertwines Hindu mythology and folklore, feminism, and witty dialogue for an uproarious novel for young readers.”

  —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  “An enthralling start to a series that Riordan fans and anyone in the mood for a high-octane adventure will love.”

  —School Library Journal (starred review)

  “This roller coaster through Hindu culture never feels forced or pedantic, but instead like a new kind of myth—where a hero takes a hammer to the world to shine a light through its cracks.”

  —The New York Times

  “Chokshi is a talented writer who breathes fresh air into her mythological world.”

  —Booklist

  “[An] engrossing adventure tale.”

  —Teen Vogue

  “An imaginative novel that puts girl power and diverse protagonists front and center.”

  —Entertainment Weekly

  “A new star is born. Aru Shah and the End of Time is mind-bending and brilliant. Original and spellbinding, the story sparkles with wit and magic. Fantasy has never been so fun.”

  —Eoin Colfer, New York Times best-selling author of the blockbuster Artemis Fowl series

  About the Author

  Roshani Chokshi is the author of the instant New York Times best seller Aru Shah and the End of Time, the first book in a series for middle grade readers about the adventures of five Pandava sisters. Her acclaimed novels for young adults include The Star-Touched Queen and its companion, A Crown of Wishes, and The Gilded Wolves. The Pandava series was inspired by the stories her grandmother told her, as well as Roshani’s all-consuming love for Sailor Moon. Rosh lives in Georgia and says “y’all,” but she doesn’t really have a Southern accent, alas. For more information, visit her website, www.RoshaniChokshi.com, or follow her on Twitter @Roshani_Chokshi and Instagram @roshanichokshi.

  RICK RIORDAN, dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five New York Times #1 best-selling series, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which brings Greek mythology to life for contemporary readers. Millions of fans across the globe have enjoyed his fast-paced and funny quest adventures. The goal of Rick Riordan Presents is to publish highly entertaining books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds, to allow them to tell their own stories inspired by the mythology, folklore, and culture of their heritage. Rick’s Twitter handle is @camphalfblood.

  OTHER RICK RIORDAN PRESENTS TITLES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

  The Storm Runner

  by J.C. Cervantes

  Dragon Pearl

  by Yoon Ha Lee

  Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

  by Carlos Hernandez

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez!

  THERE’S ALL SORTS of bad advice out there about how to deal with bullies. Ignore them. Stand up to them. Tell a teacher, tell a parent, tell your dentist while he’s jamming your teeth back into your face.

  The real way to deal with a bully is to stick a raw chicken in their locker.

  I had my showdown with Yasmany Robles just three days after I had started my new life at Culeco Academy of the Arts, a magnet school in the middle of Miami. To get in, you had to have good grades, pass an interview, and either submit a portfolio (for painting or writing) or audition (for theater or music). You’d think all the effort someone has to go through to get into Culeco would’ve kept out bullies, but I guess not.

  I guess there are just too many of them in the world. If your school only allowed in kids who’d never pick on anyone, you’d have an empty school.

  Whatever. It’s not like I hadn’t learned how to handle bullies back in Connecticut.

  On Wednesday, between fourth and fifth periods, I went to the lockers, along with half a million other kids. I stowed my history book and grabbed math so I could do my homework during lunch, then opened my bag of magic tricks and put on my GOTCHA! stamp ring. We would be doing introductions in my eighth-period theater class, and I thought I could use it to demonstrate some sleight of hand. Magic is kind of my thing.

  I had a minute before I needed to go, so I took out my diabetes bag and fished out my glucose meter. I thought I’d be all right until lunch, but I’d started to feel spacey and dreamy at the end of my last class. Blood sugar levels might be falling. Best to check now.

  As I rummaged, I noticed the tall kid next to me struggling to get his locker open. He was as Cuban as they come: brown, built like a track-and-field champ, with a haircut so short you could see the bumpy skin of his scalp beneath what was left of his tiny curls. He’d wrestled with his combination lock yesterday, too, and never figured it out, so he’d had to carry a full backpack of books to his next class. I’d had trouble with my lock on the first day, until I’d figured out you have to squeeze it as you turn the dial.

  And I’m a nice guy. So I said to him, “Hey, man. My lock sucks, too. The trick is to squeeze the top while—”

  That’s all I got out before he punched his locker. The whole hallway grew a little quieter.

  Yasmany—I learned his name later, but why keep you in suspense?—slowly turned to look at me. He scanned me up and down, doing some tough-guy calculations to figure out if he could take me.

  Apparently he thought he could, because he stepped up to me fast, ferocious, chest out, arms wide. He’d been in a lot of fights, judging from his flat-as-a-shamrock nose.

  “Just come back from safari, white boy?” he asked. “I mean, if you even are a boy.”

  Let’s take a second to break down this insult.

  The “safari” crack was because I had on canvas cargo pants and a cargo vest, each with four pockets brimming with gadgets and tricks of the trade. Pretty much all the clothes I own have tons of pockets. I’m ready to perform at any
time. You never know when the world is going to need a little magic.

  The “white boy” crack was because—I guess?—to him I looked white. Back when I lived in Connecticut, kids were telling me to “go back to brown town” all the time. But I was in Miami now: new place, new rules about skin color.

  And the “if you are a boy”? I kept my hair pretty long. It gave me a place to hide stuff in the middle of a trick. And to this caveman’s mind, calling someone a girl was an insult.

  Whatever. I tried the My Little Pony approach to handling bullies. “Sorry. Just trying to help.” And I started to walk away.

  He body-blocked me. “You? Wanted to help me? Why would a sandwich like you think I’d need your help?”

  Now I looked him in the eye. “Your locker’s still locked, isn’t it?”

  I probably shouldn’t have said anything. But he called me a sandwich. Some insults you can’t let slide.

  In response, he did what bullies do. He slapped my diabetes bag out of my hands.

  It hit the ground with a glassy crunch. My stomach crunched right along with it.

  That pack contained my insulin, my syringes, my blood-glucose meter, my sharps disposal container (for used needles), my Band-Aids, and a fun-size bag of Skittles. If he broke something important in that pack, I could be in real trouble.

  I knelt down to pick it up, my hands shaking as they reached for the bag. I tried to relax. I closed my eyes, breathed slowly, and remembered what Papi had said to me after Mami died: Fear is your body trying to tell your brain what to do. But the brain is the king of the body. It calls the shots.

  I opened my eyes slowly, the way the good guys in movies do when they’ve just figured out how to beat the villain. I noticed that the bright young scholars of Culeco Academy of the Arts had formed a ring around Yasmany and me. This crowd didn’t seem as bloodthirsty as the ones in my last school had been. In Connecticut, kids hooted like in Planet of the Apes whenever a fight was about to start, jumping up and down and beating on each other in anticipation of someone getting wedgied back to the Stone Age. But these kids looked kind of grim and quiet, like this was some boring school assembly they had to attend.