Island

With Vijaya driving, Will, Dr. Robert, and Murugan reach the temple. As they disembark from the vehicle, Dr. Robert shows Will the youngsters that have been climbing to the top of the mountain. Dr. Robert mentions that this is part of a coming-of-age ritual which includes a ceremony and taking mushrooms. Will asks Dr. Robert if the threat of an accident, which claimed the life of his grandson, Dugald, is not reason enough to question the necessity of this ritual. Dr. Robert feels that confronting danger is necessary for fully developing. The ceremony begins as an older priest intones in Sanskrit. Dr. Robert and Vijaya sermonize to the young people assembled in the temple. Dr. Robert leads a meditation. He asks the young people to see the Shiva and Goddess statue’s symbolism and to interpret the Shiva-Nataraja statue. Dr. Robert speaks of the interconnectedness of life and death. As the ceremony concludes, the young people are given mushrooms, otherwise known as the Moksha medicine. All throughout, Murugan is derisive, making mocking facial expressions or grunts of contempt. As the chapter concludes, a man enters the temple with an urgent message from the Rani, signaling that the party of four must return to town.