The new book picks up the story from where the previous one left off, with Shiva turning into an aghori (a nomad) and grieving for his beloved Sati. A goddess is then reincarnated as Parvati, with the book focusing on the love story of Shiva and Parvati.

While the debate over whether Shiva actually existed is an endless and inconclusive one, Arora believes he did. “I believe that there is truth to the story, that it happened in the pre-Harappan times, and it’s not merely mythology.”

He also says that archaeologists and historians have been consulted to come up with the content for the book.

Launched on September 8 in Bangalore, the book is now available at all leading bookstores.