The night before the war, Hanuman showed himself to me. I thought he had left us after defeating Rahu.

"My lord, why are you not leaving?" I asked.

"O Fated one, I come to give you my strength," he spoke. "In the battlefield, none shall see me, but I will be with you. You must wield this power and make the most of it. May the gods protect you."

Then he came and placed his hand on my head. I looked into his eyes. They were large and brown, gleaming with compassion as they rested on my face. A moment later, his form dissolved into shimmering light and disappeared.

The...