recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Explorer's Cave

The Explorer's Cave is a place in Flunkville west of Spawn.

The Explorer's Cave is located behind a door which has the same pattern as the Dart Dispenser embedded on the door. The Explorer's Cave is found on the far left side of the Desert. It is a small tunnel with Lava on the floor. There are pillars of stone and ladders where you can jump across to the other side. At the end, there is a Golden Chest and a QR Code split into 25 bits. On the walls, there are Dart Dispensers which can damage and kill you if you are not looking.

## Access

You need to wear the "Explorer Hat" hat to open the door. There is a green button next to the door, and if clicked when you are wearing the "Explorer Hat" hat, the door will open. If not, it doesn't open. The game hints how you need to wear the "Explorer Hat" hat to open the door by having a picture of the hat on a sign.

### QR Code

The QR code is a 25 by 25 code that when put together sends in Plaintext "Everything is a lie"
Rudy's Jewels

**Rudy's jewels** are a messenger bag full of precious and semi-precious stones used by Prince Rudy of Naga-Loka.

## Traditional uses of jewels in Naga-Loka

The *nagas* are ancient guardians of treasures, and craftsmen of treasures. They use colour to differentiate between jewels, and use each specific stone for a specific magical act. However, Rudy, a prince of Naga-Loka is colour-blind, therefore it is difficult for him to differentiate jewels on the basis of colour.

## How Rudy uses his jewels

Since he can't segregate stones on the basis of colour, Rudy listens to the "sounds" coming out of them, like music. He developed a new branch of magic, where he can disorient, or incapacitate an enemy, or calm a person down by amplifying the music coming out of the stones.

## *The Pandava Quintet*

### *Aru Shah and the Song of Death*

When Rudy's grandfather, Takshaka, was attacking Aru, Brynne, and Aiden after Mini was kidnapped, Rudy used his stones to drive his grandfather away.

### *Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes*

After Rudy was officially introduced, he used his jewels for a number of things, like distractions, or soothing music for the rest of the Potatoes in the elevator of Chandra.

### *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*

Rudy used his jewels in the Battle of Lanka, where he pushed back the Sleeper's army, and disorienting them.

## Abilities

* **Incapacitation:** Rudy can incapacitate an opponent
* **Disorientation:** He can disorient an opponent
* **Calming:** He can play soothing music to calm a person
* **Sonic blasts:** As shown in *Aru Shah and the City of Gold,* Rudy can use his stones to blast back an enemy.
WARNUNG!

## Inhalt

WARNUNG!!!

Fasst diesen Diamanten NICHT an! Ich war gerade dabei, ihn zu verzaubern, als ich ihn versehentlich fallen ließ und er hierher rollte. Wer weiß, was für eine schreckliche Kreatur aus den Tiefen des Reichs des Vergessens heraufbeschworen wird, wenn ihn jemand anfasst!

Ich habe Euch gewarnt! Euer Tod wird nicht auf meinem Gewissen lasten.

--Maniel
Bite of Adulthood

The **bite of adulthood** is a literal bite out of a book titled "Adulthood". It is one of the three keys to the Kingdom of Death.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Aru Shah and Mini Kapoor-Mercado-Lopez are sent on a quest, which includes travelling to the Kingdom of Death to find celestial weapons that they can use to battle the Sleeper. In order to reach the Kingdom of Death without dying, Aru and Mini must collect a sprig of youth, a bite of adulthood, and a sip of old age. TBA

## Appearance

The bite of adulthood comes from a book titled "Adulthood", and is obtained by quite literally biting said book. Once bitten, the chunk of bitten book turns into a silver coin. When Aru bites the book, she remarks that it did not taste as bad as she had expected.

## Abilities

### Access to the Kingdom of Death

When the bite of adulthood is combines with the two other objects, it allows the user to travel to the Kingdom of Death without dying.
Keertana

**Keertana** is the mother of Vikram, commonly known as Emperor Vikramaditya, who is one of the protagonists of A Crown of Wishes.

## History

Vikram was born to Keertana and an unknown man in a secluded part of Bharata’s neighbouring kingdom, Ujijain. Growing up, she often sang to Vikram with her alluring voice and cradled him in her lap, whenever he used to have nightmares, consoling him.

When Vikram was seven, he decided to play a prank on his mother. Keertana and Vikram were near a rockslide in the secluded area of Ujjain. He left one of his sandals near the rockslide and hid behind another rock in the area, with blue flowers in his hand. His plan was to jump out from behind the rock and surprise his mother with the blue flowers and make her laugh. But his plan went dreadfully wrong when Keertana slipped and fell down the rockslide, which ultimately led to her death. Vikram was severely shocked and saddened by this fact. For one whole day, he sat beside the dead body of his mother, trying to shake her awake, with the bunch of wilting blue flowers clutched in his hand. That was, until King Pururavas came alone.

## A Crown of Wishes

Keertana is mentioned by Vikram, in the entrance to the Tournament of Wishes. In order to enter, he had to trade a secret. The tongues, urged him to spill the incident that had happened years ago. A pang of guilt rushed through Vikram, as he thought of the memory of how he had killed his mother.

## Etymology

* The word, "Keertana" means, "a hymn", or "a song in praise of god".
Shadowfax

Shadowfax, as according to the Pandava Quintet, is Aiden Acharya's beloved camera. It is said to have been gifted to him by his father. As said by Aru, it is a dumpy looking yet serious camera.

## History

Shadowfax is a camera which was owned by Aiden's father Mr Acharya way back in 1998 when he had the dreams of becoming a photographer.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Shadowfax is seen hanging around Aiden's neck, when Aru bumps into him after their school.

### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

Aiden uses Shadowfax a lot during Aru Shah and the Song of Death. At then end of the book, he uses it to prove Takshaka's guilt.

### Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes & Aru Shah and the City of Gold

Aiden doesn't use Shadowfax extensively during these books, but it's mentioned quite a few times.

## Abilities

* **Emergency accessory transformation:** During battle, if needed, Aiden has to press a button on the camera, and it turns into a wristwatch to make fighting easier.
* **Night vision:** Shadowfax can take perfect pictures, even if the lighting is dim.
* **Bluetooth SLR:** A yaksha in the Night Bazaar converted it into a modern-ish camera, where he doesn't need to wait for the pictures to develop-he can just send them to his phone to see, and laptop for editing.
* **Fire battery:** This blessing from Agni, when Aiden and his friends satisfied his appetite, ensures that the battery doesn't run out.

## Known Users

* **Mr. Acharya** (formerly)
* **Aiden Acharya** (currently)

## Trivia

* Shadowfax was named after Gandalf's horse from *The Lord of the Rings.*
* Aru describes Shadowfax like it's a blankie for Aiden: it ensures that he doesn't panic and he's shown to be fiddling with it when he's nervous.
* Aiden cares a lot for his camera.
Dharma Raja

**Dharma Raja** is the God of Death and Justice in Hinduism. He is also the Lord of the South Direction. He is the father of Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava brother from the *Mahabharata,* and also the twin of Goddess Yamuna.

Though not physically present, he plays a minor role in Aru Shah and the End of Time, from The Pandava Quintet and also a minor role in A Crown of Wishes from The Star-Touched Queen Duology. He is also the soul father of Mini.

## History

Dharma Raja was born to Surya, the god of the sun, and Saranyu, the goddess of clouds and daughter of Vishvakarman. It is believed that he was the first person to die. He is also known as Yama or Yamaraja.

One day, a sage named Vājashravasa, offered his son, Nachiketa, to death. He waited three days for Dharma Raja to return, the god felt sorry that Nachiketa didn't have any food or water, guests were considered equal to gods and causing trouble to them is a great sin. So he agreed to give Nachiketa three boons of his choice, one for each day. Nachiketa first asked for peace for his father and himself, next he wished to learn the sacred fire sacrifice, and finally he wanted to learn of what comes after death. Dharma Raja was reluctant on that last offer, he said that it's a mystery to even gods. He offered many materiel gains but Nachiketa said they would only last until tomorrow. Dharma Raja was secretly pleased, so he taught him of Brahmin, the supreme spirit and vital force in the universe, and Nachiketa was freed from the cycle of births.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

A statue of Dharma Raja appeared before Aru Shah and Mini Kapoor during their Claiming ceremony. Aru wasn't so sure if she wanted him as her spiritual father, his son was Yudhistira the wise and just, it would way too much pressure. Dharma Raja actually turned out to be Mini's father, the statue's danda stick shattered the arrows heading towards her but she was very upset. As one studying to become a doctor, she was hoping her father would be one of the Ashvins, she didn't want to be the Daughter of Death, but Aru comforts her by saying she can *sense* death. Mini reveals that she got a compact mirror when she was claimed by Dharma Raja, Hanuman says that the god is enigmatic.

## The Star-Touched Queen Duology

### A Crown of Wishes

Dharma Raja's statue is shown at the entrance to one of the eight doors, at the Crossroads. He is depicted as the Guardian of the South Direction, with a noose in one hand and a staff in the other.

## Physical Appearance

A statue of Dharma Raja was as gray as ash, two sharp tusks curled from under his lip. In one hand, he held his danda stick, the rod used for punishing souls in the afterlife. In the other hand, he held the noose he used to rope the souls of the dead.

## Abilities

* **Necromancy**: As the God of Death, he has complete and divine authority and control over the deceased.

## Trivia

* Another name for Dharma Raja is Yama, which meant "twin"
* Dharma Raja can also be another name for Yudhishthira.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride

*The Last Tale of the Flower Bride* is Roshani Chokshi's adult debut which is a fairy tale-laden, gothic novel about a marriage that slowly unravels as a husband picks at the threads of a dangerous secret his wife is keeping. It is set for publishing in 2023 by Hodder and Stoughton.

## Synopsis

A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales—the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.

Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

But when Indigo learns that her estranged aunt is dying and the couple is forced to return to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom will soon find himself unable to resist. For within the crumbling manor’s extravagant rooms and musty halls, there lurks the shadow of another girl: Azure, Indigo’s dearest childhood friend who suddenly disappeared. As the house slowly reveals his wife’s secrets, the bridegroom will be forced to choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage . . . or their lives.

Combining the lush, haunting atmosphere of *Mexican Gothic* with the dreamy enchantment of *The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue*, *The Last Tale of the Flower Bride* is a spellbinding and darkly romantic page-turner about love and lies, secrets and betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Surya

Surya, riding the Sun Chariot

Surya (also known as Aditya) is the Hindu god of the Sun. He is considered the creator of the universe and the source of all life. He is the supreme soul who brings light and warmth to the world.

## History

### In the Ramayana

The Raghuvanshi clan, in the Ramayana, is descended from Surya, the sun god.

### In the Mahabharata

In the Mahabharata, Karna is the son of Surya and unmarried princess Kunti. The epic describes Kunti's trauma as an unmarried mother, then abandonment of Karna, followed by her lifelong grief. Baby Karna is found and adopted by a charioteer but he grows up to become a great warrior and one of the central characters in the great battle of Kurukshetra where he fights his half brothers.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Although not mentioned by name, Aru Shah remembered that Karna was the son of Surya before the claiming ceremony.

### Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

Surya was seen in a vision with Chandra when the two were line to drink the amrita after the Ocean of Milk was churned. Rahuketu slipped in between the two devas.
Antima Astra

## Example

The **antima astra**, or the **astra**, is an extremely powerful missile capable of destroying celestial weapons. In *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*, the Pandavas, Aiden Acharya, and Kara attempt to earn the astra from Kubera, by competing in his three trials.

## History

Long ago, the astra was part of the Brahmastra, a highly destructive weapon. After the last war, the Brahmastra was destroyed, but a tiny sliver survived - this piece became the antima astra. Despite being tiny, the astra was still very powerful, with the ability to destroy godly weapons.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the City of Gold

The Sleeper and his army begin to march on Lanka to take the antima astra from Kubera. Kara, who knows the Sleeper well, tells the Pandavas and Aiden that the Sleeper is going after Kubera to retrieve a specific weapon, but does not tell them that what he wants is the astra. The Pandavas and Aiden bring Kara along with them on their journey to Lanka to earn Kubera's Nairrata Army and get the astra before the Sleeper does. When the group arrives at Kubera's palace, Kara tells the Pandavas what the astra is and what it is capable of doing. The Pandavas and Aiden meet with Kubera, who tells them that he will grant the Pandavas control of his army and the astra if they successfully complete his three trials. The Pandavas and Aiden finish Kubera's trials, and after a battle with the Sleeper's army, Kubera gives the Pandavas the astra. Aru Shah, Brynne Rao, and Mini Kapoor-Mercado-Lopez agree to take turns wearing the necklace. On the day of Aru's fifteenth birthday, the Sleeper crashes Aru's birthday party, and tries to convice Aru to join his cause. A fight breaks out, and Kara manages to take the astra from Aru. Kara then uses the astra to destroy Vajra, Gogo, and Dee Dee.

## Appearance

The antima astra looks like a small piece of gold on a thin gold chain.

## Abilities

### Destroy Godly Weapons

When used, the astra has the ability to destroy celestial weapons; however, it does not destroy the weapon of the person using the astra. The power summoned to destroy celestial weapons also causes destruction around the person using it.
Maruts

Maruts are minor storm deities often described as violent and aggressive and carrying lots of weapons. Legend says the Maruts once rode through the sky, splitting open clouds so that rain could fall on the earth.

## History

According to the Rig Veda the Maruts wore golden helmets and breastplates, and used their axes to split the clouds so that rain could fall. They were capable of shaking mountains and destroying forests.

Though they were the offsprings of Rudra, they were adopted by Indra, who was entitled as Marutvant, meaning "accompanied by Maruts".

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

The Maruts are in charge of the storm police department of Amaravati, city of gods.

After arriving at the Maruts Office, the Pandavas and Aiden panic, having heard awful stories about the storm deities. After the Maruts arrive, they inform the Pandavas that the arrival of the crisis manager will be delayed by a few minutes due to circumstances.

Meanwhile, Number One, asked the group for the Daughter of Indra. When Aru squeak-replied "Me!", he asked if he could fight on her side on the war. After realising that the Maruts were up to no harm, the Pandavas, Boo and Aiden opened up to them, exchanging information on different topics. Once Opal, the crisis manager of Court of the Sky arrived, the Maruts took leave and left.

## Appearance

The Maruts were described a stream of hulking warriors wearing gold-plated armor and pointed helmets. Their daggers were sparking with electricity. On each of their golden breastplates, there was a number from one to forty-nine, possibly indicating their ranks.

## Personality

While the storm deities were known to resorting to violence and aggressive behaviour, they are more "excited" for a war.

## Etymology

* The word "Marut" is derived from the Hindi word of the same name meaning "wind deities".
Grapes

The Grapes in an item found in Flunkville.

## Info

The Grapes is a bundle of grapes sold by the Cashier in the Convenience Store for 2 Coins. Unilke its counterpart Wild Grapes, the grapes are green. If the player left clicks, the player will start eating it. It has no effect. Mr. Mayor is the only NPC who asks for the Grapes. Once buying the Grapes, the player can give them the Grapes in exchange for 75 Coins. (73 or less since it took 2 Coins to buy the Grapes)
Malini

**Malini** is Aiden Acharya's mother. She renounced her immortality for a mortal man, whom she ultimately divorced, and she was once an elite *aspara* in the Otherworld. Despite her infrequent appearances in *The Pandava Quintet*, she plays an important role in her son, Aiden's character development.

## History

Malini, one of Urvashi's *aspara* sisters, was a very well-known person in the Otherworld. She fell in love with a mortal man, for whom she later traded her immortality. She chose a life of microbiology until eventually giving birth to Aiden.  She and her husband, afterwards, had a lot of arguments and finally divorced.

## *The Pandava Quintet*

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Mrs. Acharya was talking with Aru's mother, Krithika, on the sidewalk while she glanced out her window.

### *Aru Shah and the Song of Death*

Aru sees Malini in Aiden's nightmare at the Grove of Ratri, where she is weeping and wondering if her husband would have stayed with her if Aiden never had born. Later, when Aiden wonders what Malini gained out of her broken relationship with his dad, Aru comforts him.

Aiden receives a love arrow from Kamadeva at the end of the book, which he intends to use on Malini in order to reunite her with Mr. Acharya. Instead, Aiden uses it on his mother to help her fall in love with herself, and Aru realizes that all he wants is for Malini to be happy.

## Appearance

Malini is described as being very beautiful, being a former aspara. In the Aru Shah and the Song of Death, however, Aru sees that Malini appears to have caved in, which is most likely due to the fact that she was going through a divorce at the time.

## Abilities and Tools

**Smolder Power**: All apsaras, as Aiden Acharya puts it, have a kind of hypnotic power that makes them impossible to look away from and make people follow them. Since Aiden, being Malini's son, has a strong and powerful smolder power which he inherited from her, it can only be rightly and correctly assumed that Malini, being an elite apsara, has that smolder power as well, only to a far greater and more powerful extent.

## Relationships

### Family

* Aiden Acharya
* Urvashi

Malini loves Aiden Acharya and is protective. She looks after him and smiles at him even when he's not looking at her. Aiden sometimes worries that he is a constant reminder of Malini's failed romance, but soon comes to realize that she thinks he is worth her losing her immortality.

Urvashi is Malini's sister. Malini used to live in the Otherworld with her. Even after Malini lost her immortality, Urvashi keeps in contact with her and checks in on her occasionally, showing that she cares deeply for Malini despite her becoming a human.
### Love Interest

* Mr. Acharya

Malini met Mr. Acharya when she was still an aspara. In order to be with him, she gave up her immortality. They had Aiden, but were constantly fighting with each other and eventually divorce.

## Etymology

* Malini, in sanskrit, translates to "garlanded".
Wish

**Wish** is a minor character in *Aru Shah and the End of Time*.

## History

Wish is a manifestation of wish, more specifically, unspent wishes. Wish is said to be made of unspent wishes and eyelashes. Sometimes, when people find a tiny lash on their cheek, they hold it tight, make a wish, and then blow it away. And those unspoken yearnings of the heart always find their way to Wish; making its hand soft while its pouring a soul into a new form.

## The Pandava Quintet

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Wish is first introduced in the book when Aru Shah and Mini Kapoor find themselves in the *Reincarnation Manufacturing Services*, which is the next stop after the Chamber of Pools in the Kingdom of Death. Wish is shown to be calmly surprised at the fact that rogue souls like Aru and Mini have managed to sneak into the *Reincarnation Manufacturing Services.* After exchanging a few more words, during which Wish explains the process of life and death, when asked if they can leave that place, Time asks for something for Time and Wish. Mini tells them of the good deeds she has done but neither of them buy it. Aru then shares the good karma she got from Chitrigupta with Wish and Time, who then let them go.

## Personality

Unlike Time, Wish is shown to be a calm, steady, and to a certain extent, intelligent soul.

## Appearance

Wish is a dragon made out of eyelashes. It looks brindled like Ek and Do, the dogs that stood watch outside of the Kingdom of Death. Its eyes are a warm shade of gold and slitted at the pupil like a cat's.
Kamala

**Kamala** is a flesh-eating demon horse who haunts the cremation grounds. She is a secondary character in *The Star-Touched Queen* and plays a minor role in *A Crown of Wishes* and *Star-Touched Stories*.

## History

Not much is known or revealed about Kamala's past in the books. It is presumed that she doesn't remember them.

## The Star-Touched Queen Duology

### *The Star-Touched Queen*

Kamala is introduced in the second part of the book—*The Forgotten Queen*. She agrees to help Maya in search for the Dharma Raja in exchange for a soul to inhabit.

In order to reach the Otherworld, Airavata tells Maya that she has to get rid of the ghosts of her past, which leads the pair to Bharata, where they help Maya's half-sister, Gauri.

### *A Crown of Wishes*

Kamala makes a brief appearance near the end of the book when she ecscorts Gauri to the Queen of Naraka.

## Etymology

* Kamala, in Sanskrit, translates to "lotus".
Brahmasura

Brahmasura (also spelled Bhasmasura) was a strong and powerful asura who had the power to turn anyone into ashes by touching their head.

## History

To please Shiva, Brahmasura performed tough austerities for many years. Shiva was pleased with them and told him to ask for a boon. Brahmasura asked for the power to turn into ashes anyone whose head he touches, Although hesitating, Shiva granted him his boon.

Brahmasura began misusing his powers for terrorizing people. Vishnu saw that people were in trouble, so he came to their rescue. He took the form of the beautiful enchantress, Mohini. When Brahmasura saw her he became enamored and wanted to marry her. Mohini said she would only marry him if he danced the same way that she did. As she danced away she then put her hand on her own head. Brahmasura was copying her dance steps and without thinking, he put his own right hand on his own head. Naturally, he had burned into a pile of ashes.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

At the Beauty Salon, Brahmasura has been reincarnated as a female and identifies as Madame Bee Asura. Since some time, she has been trapping women in portraits to steal their beauty to maintain her illusion. She welcomes Aru and Mini as a head stylist, and the former is entranced by her and asks to cut her hair. Mini realizes that Madame Bee is lying. Using Dharma Raja’s mirror, they see through the enchantments and realize that the Madame is actually an Asura who is trapping them and has the first key on her head as a decoration without realizing its value. She reappears and tries to catch them, but Aru and Mini dodge out of the way. Mini turns the compact to the Asura, terrifying her with her own appearance.

Aru uses the compact and finds handprints of ash, concluding that Bee Asura is Brahmasura reincarnated. Brahmasura reveals her original appearance, while Aru convinces her that they have stolen the first key using an illusion. When Brahmasura sees through the plan, they switch on a blow dryer and make her hair flow around wildly. Mini thwacks her in the head and the asura touches her head and turns into ash.

## Appearance

Under illusion, Brahmasura looked like a woman that was beautiful in a way that a bolt of lightning shattering the sky was beautiful. She was slim and tall, with shiny black hair that was piled in soft curls on the top of her head. She wore red lipstick and had sharp teeth, her skin was a dusty shade of amber.

But in Dharma Raja’s mirror, Brahmasura's hair was coils of fire. Her teeth were really tusks curled up and out from thin black lips, her skin was pale and sickly white. In her hair, she wore a twig with tiny blue blossoms, the sprig of youth, but she didn't know it was that.
Varuni

**Varuni**, also known as Jaldevi, is the four-armed goddess of wine and transcendent wisdom. She is the consort of Varuna. She makes an appearance and is a secondary character in Aru Shah and the Song of Death. Even though, she, as a character, isn't crucial to the plot, the prophecy which she gives to Aru is one of the leading factors in the whole plotline of the book

## History

### Churning of the Ocean

Varuni was one of the goddesses who emerged from the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. Later, she was married to Varuna, the god of waters.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

On reaching Lord Varuna's Palace, Varuni materialized in the middle of the entrance startling Aru. Two of her arms were crossed. Her third hand held a blue lotus flower. In her fourth hand, she gently swirled a glass of red wine. She told Aru that mortals were not allowed there. On seeing Vajra, she asked Aru to follow her into the palace. She 'introduced' her to Varuna. She changed her drink multiple times while she was talking to Aru. When she looked again at Aru, her eyes were glowing. She pronounced a prophecy. When Aru requested them to show her the passage to the Naga treasury, they told her to fill the belly of Varuna's pet guardian first. Afterwards, on returning to the palace after filling the creature's belly, Varuni reminded her of the prophecy.

## Appearance

At first, Varuni's skin appeared garnet color, but a closer looks reveals it golden and sparkling like champagne. Her black hair swept the floor and looked like the ocean at night, miniature glittering fish dart through her dark ringlets every now and then. Varuni has four arms.

## Etymology

Varuni is know to be the female form of the word 'Varuna'. It means, 'to surround'.

Jaldevi is derived from two words, 'Jal', meaning 'water', and 'Devi', meaning 'goddess', therefore translating to 'water goddess'.
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality

***Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality*** is the last and final installment in *The Pandava Quintet* by Roshani Chokshi. The book was released on April 5th, 2022.

## Development

According to Roshani Chokshi, *The Pandava Quintet* was expanded from a quartet into a quintet because there was another arc she needed to explore.

The title of this book was first unofficially announced on Goodreads.

* However, the actual, official title of this book was revealed at the end of *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*, after the glossary.

In a podcast interview by Half Blood Report, Roshani revealed that Aiden's family on the celestial side will be explored a bit more.

In another interview in a Zoom webinar, Roshani mentioned that the events of the book would have something to do with nightmare horses.

The cover and the overview of the book was revealed on June 8th, 2021, via ReadRiordan, along with the cover of *Aru Shah and the End of Time Graphic Nove*l.

On March 17th, 2022, ReadRiordan released a sneak peak of the book, featuring the first two chapters. The first chapter is said to be in Kara's point of view.

, A sneak peak was released on the official website of ReadRiordan, featuring the first two chapters of the book. The first chapter is in Kara's point of view.

Roshani, on her Instagram story, shared a picture of all the chapters included in *Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality*, on March 20th, 2022

Following the same, Roshani—via her Instagram—teased a new character art featured in the upcoming book; Tumburu. She also added, "There is more to come but that's all for now"

In a recent interview with ReadRiordan, she shared that the Potatoes would have a supernatural X factor contest, a spa visit, meet a bear king and Rudy is going to have a band.

On a recent Instagram story, the name of the chapters (featured below) were revealed.

## Overview

*The Pandavas only have until the next full moon to stop the Sleeper from gaining access to the nectar of immortality, which will grant him infinite power. But how can Aru, Mini, and Brynne hope to defeat him without their celestial weapons? The Sleeper and his army are already plundering the labyrinth, and the sisters can’t even enter. Their quest to get in will have them calling on old friends, meeting new allies, and facing fearsome trials, like . . . performing in a rock concert? When the moment of confrontation finally arrives, it’s up to Aru to decide who deserves immortality, the devas or the asuras. The most unexpected answer will come from a most unexpected place. More surprises and delights, gods and demons, and laughs and tears await in this immensely satisfying conclusion to the wild ride that began with the lighting of a lamp.*

## References

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/Fz3Gg-vBwbg
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/3j8QAr6XhpE
3. ↑ https://www.readriordan.com/2021/06/08/cover-reveals-the-latest-from-the-pandava-series/
4. ↑ https://www.readriordan.com/2022/03/17/aru-shah-and-the-nectar-of-immortality-sneak-peek/
Amar

* With Maya
* Alt

Amar, commonly known as Dharma Raja, is the ruler of Akaran (Naraka), and the husband to Maya. He is a prominent character in The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi.

## History

### Curse of the Shadow Wife

Unable to bear Surya's intense heat, Saranyu, the Dharma Raja's mother, after giving birth to three children, retires to the forest to practice harsh austerities in form of a mare, leaving her shadow-image Chaya, her handmaid to take her place and tend for her husband and progeny.

Surya mistakes Chaya for Saranyu and fathers three children on her. Chaya gives birth to Shani, Savarni Manu and Tapti. However, Chaya became partial to her own children and ignores those of Saranyu.

Dharma Raja, suspected the behavior of who he thought was his mother and offended her. Chaya cast a curse on Dharma Raja that his loved one shall abandon him, to leave him with terrible heartache, which revealed to Dharma Raja and Surya that Chaya was not the true Saranyu. After the extracting the truth from Chaya, Surya finds Saranyu and brings her back.

## The Star-Touched Queen

At her wedding when left alone to decide which man to choose as her husband, Maya is supposed to kill herself. She, however, is saved by Amar. Soldiers have snuck into the city, and fighting begins. She chooses him as her husband, and they leave together without anyone knowing. Amar takes her to the Night Bazaar, which he claims, is on the way to Akaran, his kingdom.

Amar is Raja of a realm between hers, the human world, and the Otherworld called Naraka. He wants a strong partner by his side though he won’t reveal his identity or tell her anything until the new moon, a month anyway. His realm is weak now. He always wears a hood low over his eyes to hide from her.

He shows her a tapestry that represents people and says it is how they keep the border between the human world and the otherworld safe. Amar’s advisor is a nervous man named Gupta. Their world is void and empty and lacks court etiquette.

Amar tells her the tale of a man who has two threads on the magical tapestry of time. It is Mayavati’s job to decide which thread to pull and decide his fate. Both were bloody. She did not want the job but finally made a decision. She was unable to actually pull it because of doubt.

She finds that she had great power that is slowly unlocking. She and Amar practice together.

When Nritti convinces her to steal away his noose which is in the form of a leather bracelet, Maya does so, and she gives it to Nritti. The memories from the memory tree begin a to break away into nothing. Amar comes in shocked and Nritti gives Mayavati a knife, and she then plunges it into the tree-destroying the memories. Amar says he had put many of his own memories into the tree. As they are burning Mayavati sees that Nritti was only telling partial truths.
Burton Prater

Burton Prater is the classmate of Aru Shah who first made his appearance in Aru Shah and the End of Time.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Burton Prater is cheated by Aru Shah, who trades a "vintage" penny with him for two bucks and a Twizzlers bar. So he, along with Poppy Lopez and Arielle Reddy arrive at the museum to meet Aru. He suspects her lying when she says her mother is in France. When he poked at the trident of a statue of Lord Shiva, Aru told him there are cameras and her mother will tell the government of India and will come after him, he believes that. He thought the name "Kurukshetra" was weird, and scoffed at the claim that Shiva will causing the end of time with a dance. Burton records Aru on camera, which compels her to show him the cursed diya - the existence of which she had been truthful about. He said he'd won't post the video if she told the truth and gave each of them $10.

But Aru lights the diya, and Burton Prater is frozen in time while Aru and her spiritual sister, Mini attempt to defeat the Sleeper. When he was no longer frozen in time, Poppy, Burton, and Arielle prepare to show his video to the whole school. But while he was taping, Aru said things they had lied about into the camera that she learned about from a pen given by Chitragupta. It reveals that on October 2nd, a Tuesday, Burton ate his boogers, then handed Arielle a chocolate chip cookie that he had dropped on the ground without washing it or his hands, this made Arielle look like she was going to vomit. Burton decides to delete the video, and Aru gives him the paper containing their secrets. He and the other two leave, Burton wishes Aru a nice weekend, Poppy smacked him a called him a suck-up for that.

## Appearance

Burton Prater is short and pale, and wears a striped black-and-yellow shirt that makes him look like an "unfortunate bumblebee".

## Etymology

* The word "Burton", is of English origins and it translates to "Town Of The Fortress".
* The name Prater derives from one of two Latin words: "pratum", meaning meadow and "Praetor", meaning magistrate or lawyer.
Yamuna

Warning! This page contains spoilers for *Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes*. Enter at your own risk.

## Biological Information

### Parents

Surya (father)Saranyu (mother)
Chaya (step-mother)

### Siblings

Dharma Raja (twin-brother)Shani (step-brother)

## Appearance

### Appears in

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

Yamuna is the goddess of the river of the same name. She is also known as Kalindi, as Lord Krishna's wife. She is considered the daughter of Surya, the sun god, and the twin sister of Dharma Raja.

## History

Yamuna was the daughter of Surya, the god of the sun, and Saranyu, the goddess of clouds and dusk. Her siblings includes Dharma Raja, Shani and the Ashvins, but Surya considered Yamuna his favorite. According to one tale, Saranyu was unable to bear Surya's heat, so she closed her eyes. But Surya felt insulted and decided to name their son, and Yamuna's twin, Yama (another name for Dharma Raja), meaning "restraint". Saranyu tried her best to keep her eyes open ever since, but once she flickered resulting in Surya giving Yamuna her name.

Yamuna was highly worshiped and was also the name of one of the largest tributary rivers in India. It used to be the home of Kaliya, a poisonous naga. When the goddess, Radha, stopped by she saw the serpent and warned Vrindavan of him. Krishna wanted to punish Kaliya for this so he went to the river only to have Kaliya strangle him. Krishna left under his foster mother's order but not before telling Kaliya to stop causing trouble. Yet, Kaliya pulled him into the Yamuna river the next day when he was trying to get a ball. Krishna made himself bigger then jumped on his head to release to poison so the snake would be unable to pollute the river. Before Krishna attempted to kill him, Kaliya's wives came and prayed for mercy. It was there that Kaliya promised to never harass anybody again, Krishna told him to go to Ramaṇaka island, home of Garuda who would not bother him. Everybody around the Yamuna river were then surprised to find Krishna rising out of the river and dancing Kaliya's head.

## Appearance

Yamuna had long black hair that was pinned back with fish teeth and dotted with pearls. She embellished her neck and wrists with writhing snakes brighter than any jewel. Her skin was dark as the night and gleaming. Aru describes the river goddess as a vast thundering waterfall you didn't want to get too close too.

## Trivia

* Her vahana (divine vehicle) is a tortoise.
* Some versions say that her parents were Brahma and Sanjna.
Ushas

Ushas is the goddess of dawn. She is consistently identified with dawn, revealing herself with the daily coming of light to the world, driving away oppressive darkness, chasing away evil demons, rousing all life, setting all things in motion, sending everyone off to do their duties.

## History

### In the Vedas

Everyday, Ushas comes in the same form to destroy darkness enveloping the world, so she is eternal. She is one of the wives of Surya, the god of the sun. She drives a chariot of pure gold pulled by giant red cows. She wakes up all beings and has them work, until she arrives fires don't burn and sacrifices wouldn't be undertaken. Many sages often pray to Ushas to get wealth and long life.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

The goddess Ushas lived in the Palace of Day over the bridge near Ratri's Grove.

When Aru, Brynne and Aiden made their way to the Bridge of Dawn and Dusk, they saw the red cows of Ushas. From a distance, it had looked like a thin silver band because of how the light hit it. But now that they were close, they saw that the bridge was made of enchanted sky marble: clouds reinforced with thunderstorms. They found Mini and were rejoicing when sharp light poured onto the bridge. Soon enough Aru saw dozens of red mounds as big as houses, with wicked sharp horns of molten gold, start to lumber in their direction.

As they were trying to wake up Mini, they heard a high-pitched giggle which belonged to Ushas. Ushas snapped her fingers and two attendants rolled out a chariot of pure gold. They began to harness the cows, adjusting each strap and checking each hoof. Loud music started blasting from somewhere in the clouds—a remix of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” Ushas started singing along. When Aiden fell on the cows from Vajra, he was saved by goddess Ushas because she was a fan of his mother.

## Appearance

Ushas wore a golden robe and fuzzy golden slippers. Bright orange flames danced through her black hair, creating dramatic highlights. To Aru Shah, the red-skinned goddess looked like a rich teenage girl with an epic sunburn.

## Etymology

The word "Ushas" is derived from the word *uṣá* which means "dawn".
Chaya

Chaya is the goddess and personification of shadow. She is the second wife of Surya, born from the shadows of Saranyu, when she temporarily left him.

## History

### In the Puranas

Unable to bear Surya's intense heat, Saranyu, after giving birth to three children, retires to the forest to practice harsh austerities in form of a mare, leaving her shadow-image Chaya, her handmaid to take her place and tend for her husband and progeny.

Surya mistakes Chaya for Saranyu and fathers three children on her. Chaya gives birth to Shani, Savarni Manu and Tapti. However, Chaya became partial to her own children and ignores those of Saranyu.

Dharma Raja, suspected the behavior of who he thought was his mother and offended her. Chaya cast a curse on Dharma Raja that his loved one shall abandon him, to leave him with terrible heartache, which revealed to Dharma Raja and Surya that Chaya was not the true Saranyu. After the extracting the truth from Chaya, Surya finds Saranyu and brings her back.

## The Star-Touched Queen Duology

### Star-Touched Stories

#### Death and Night

Dharma Raja is reminded of Chaya constantly, when he has thought about love, fearing that his loved one would abandon him, leaving him helpless.

Upon consulting, Uloopi reveals the details of the curse to Night, as she questions her about the Dharma Raja's absense.

### The Star-Touched Queen

The curse comes true, when Maya leaves Dharma Raja, due to a misunderstanding. She, later returns as the events of the book take place.

## Etymology

The word "Chaya" is derived from the sanskrit word *Chāyā*, which literally translates to "shadow".
Chitrigupta

Chitrigupta

Chitrigupta is a the hindu god assigned with the task of keeping complete records of actions of human beings on the earth and punish or reward them according to their Karmas.

## History

Dharma Raja was given the Kingdom of Death by Lord Brahma, the god of Creation. However, Dharma Raja kept getting overwhelmed with the number of people in his kingdom. Sometimes he’d get so confused, he’d send a good guy to hell and a bad dude to heaven. Brahma got mad told him to keep better track, but Dharma Raja said that there was no way he could so that for the many people born of the eighty-four hundred thousand different life forms on Earth. So Brahma sat in meditation for many thousands of years, when he opened his eyes he saw man with a pen and paper stood before him. He named him Chitrigupta and since she was born of Brahma's body, the lord of Creation decided that his children would be known as Kayasthas.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Aru Shah and Mini met Chitrigupta in the Kingdom of Death after entering a location with a sign that said, KARMA & SINS. Miniature versions of himself were helping him write stuff down. He says Yudhistira, Mini's reincarnation, has never been a female before, but he and not even Dharma Raja could help them on their quest to stop the Sleeper. Instead, he gives them good karma (two tokens with mirrors) to get past the Halls of Death, a cookie that smell like books, soma so they won't get thirsty from the dead and a slim ballpoint pen.

Mini eats the cookie of wisdom to solve the riddle of the three arrow signs that say TO DARE, TO DISTURB, and TO DEIGN, and get to the Palace of Illusions. The good karma was given to Past Time and Wish so they would let the girls go. Aru used the pen to find out about the secrets of Arielle Reddy, Poppy Lopez, and Burton Prater to blackmail them so they would leave her alone. Chitrigupta said that was last time he helped her and that the palace says hello.

## Personality

Chitrigupta ’s known for being very meticulous and is often credited with being the first person to start using letters.

## Abilities

* **Soul Reading**: As he is responsible for recording everything that a soul ever does, he likely has some ability to record these things.

## Trivia

* He is closely tied to the principle of karma - as in "what goes around comes around."
Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices

Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices is an anthology of inclusive retellings fron the vast lore surrounding King Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table.

The collection is a work-in-progress and is set to release on July 13, 2021 from Vintage, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

## Overview

***Featuring stories by a bestselling, cross-genre assortment of the most exciting writers working today, an anthology of gender-bent, race-bent, LGBTQIA+, and inclusive retellings from the vast lore surrounding King Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table.***

*Here you'll find the Lady of the Lake reimagined as an albino Ugandan sorceress and the Lady of Shalott as a wealthy, isolated woman in futuristic Mexico City; you'll see Excalibur rediscovered as a baseball bat that grants a washed-up minor leaguer a fresh shot at glory and as a lost ceremonial drum that returns to a young First Nations boy the power and the dignity of his people. There are stories set in Gilded Age Chicago, '80s New York, twenty-first century Singapore, and space; there are lesbian lady knights, Arthur and Merlin reborn in the modern era for a second chance at saving the world and falling in love--even a coffee shop AU.*

*Brave, bold, and groundbreaking, the stories in Sword Stone Table will bring fresh life to beloved myths and give long-time fans a chance to finally see themselves in their favorite legends.*

## Anthologies

* **Passing Fair and Young by Roshani Chokshi**
* **The Bladesmith Queen by Sarah MacLean**
* **Do, By All Due Means by Sive Doyle**
* **Mayday by Maria Dahvana Headley**
* **A Shadow in Amber by Silvia Moreno-Garcia**
* **The Once and Future Qadi by Ausma Zehanat Khan**
* **How, After Long Fighting, Galehaut Was Overcome by Lancelot Yet Was Not Slain and Made Great Seep to Yield to Friendship; Or, Galehaut, the Knight of the Forfeit by Daniel M. Lavery**
* **I Being Young and Foolish by Nisi Shawl**
* **Heartbeat by Waubgeshig Rice**