Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with Shivran86, the author of Kāma: Liberation.

To read some of Shivran86's stories, check out the links in the in-line comments here ➟➜

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I go by the name Maya/Māyā here on wattpad. I am a bengali girl born and brought up in India, currently pursuing honours in chemistry. I am a two-in-one combo of Darcy and Elizabeth, so see me as a queer lady. I am fascinated by the various mythologies from around the world. 

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

It is inclined towards being a 'go with the flow' writer. I do make a rough plan before writing the story– the beginning and the ending and the scenes of heightened importance. Rest I add on the go. I prefer this because whenever I have planned something thoroughly it has failed, well, most of the times. I love to get surprises from my own writing. I am an imaginative person who prefers to see the bigger picture first, so this spontaneous way of writing goes well with me. 

What are some things that influenced your story?

The deep notions of love. While going through the ancient history of India I was fascinated to see the advanced and liberal perspective they had towards love and physical intimacy, so much that Kāma, a form of desire, usually used in referring to physical intimacy, was given huge respect and regarded as a Human Goal. It didn't match well with the present society where physical intimacy is often quoted to lust or seen as something separate from God. So through this book I wanted to focus on the magical possibilities that can happen when you mix in love, God and intimacy. Well, where there is love there is magic! 

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

I shall choose to speak on Rājan Rudra from Kāma: Liberation. He is a little bit inspired from me. Like no, I am not as stupid and arrogant as him but many a times I do become as dark as him. I had been very much interested in Good verses Evil, and how these two forces might actually love each other; I had also been interested in characters who walk the path of redemption. This Rudra fits in with all, he has been created using these thoughts. He is not a classic bad boy, but more like an ancient type of it. He drinks, he has some bedroom issues, he is secretive and cursed, and can sabotage his reputation to save his loved ones. 

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

The mystery of the book! Like being the writer I know which key fits in which lock, but I wasn't sure of how much I should tell my readers. This book being a part of a huge series had to keep some clues hidden for the other books, yet I also had to decode many mysteries. Arranging this was tough. 

Another challenge I faced was with the fighting scenes. I am not really good in showing action packed scenes but reading such books on wattpad and doing some research on ancient Indian weaponry helped me ace the task. 

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

That love of any type, if it is truly about love, must be no sin. That if you yearn to meet your love, be it a mother, brother, friend or husband, you will one day. Sometimes you have to wait for many years and often lives, but for love it is all worth it! Love is Almighty themselves. 

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

Ah, I would try to merge with the society (after regaining my composure)because I don't want to end up being called a maniac. I do hope it's not the stone age though because I might be in a big trouble. I secretly do wish to end up in Egypt someday! And I hope I can speak their language XD

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

Magic! I want to learn magic and gain super strength, such that I can kill ten men with my bare hands. So you see I want to be a Superwoman. Rudrā can wield a gadā or mace very skillfully and I wish to do that. Apart from it there's another character named Āryamnā who is a master in using Tiger Claws. This weapon has made me go mad and I really wish I could learn to use this. 

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

I am willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships to save my love, much like Shiva and Sati. For love one can go to extremes often. It is better than having a life of everything but not love. Without love there is no magic in living. 

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

The Nāgas. They are half-serpent and half-human beings who live under the earth in a secret realm which is said to be the most luxurious and richer than any other realm. The Nāgas are very intuitive and are said to be the guardians of hidden knowledge and powerful objects of magic. They are symbols of union in love, charm and mystery, psychic abilities and patience. Their enigma has made me fall in love with them. 

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

The myth of Vāruna. I love it because it is a linkage between vedic and Iranian mythology. Let me tell it in short.

Vāruna, an Asura, was the King of all Asuras and Daevas long back. But after a certain period of time things happened for which I believe you cannot blame him completely, that he had to give up his position of being a King or Indra to Puramdara, a Daeva. After this incident rhe Asuras were called bad people and the Daevas good. Vāruna went under the oceans, to be with his beloved Vārunāni or Madirā, the Goddess of Intoxication and Immortality. 

Now in Iranian mythology we find Ahura Mazda (Ahura means Asura) who is the same as Vāruna. Quite interestingly in Iranian mythology the Daevas are called evil and Puramdara is like the eternal evil Angra Mainyu. The Ahuras or Asuras are the good beings with Ahura Mazda being their King. So probably Vāruna had got to Iran after losing his throne? Who knows! In both the mythologies his companion Mitra or Mithra accompanies him always. 

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Shivran86! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!