QUOTE : Shiva’s eyes cleared up a bit. His burden didn’t feel any lighter, but he felt strong enough to carry it. He had to keep walking to the very end. Shiva looked up at the Pandit and smiled weakly. ‘Who are you?’ The Pandit smiled. ‘I know the answer had been promised to you. And a promise made by any of us is binding on all of us. I will not break it.’ Shiva gazed at the Pandit, waiting for the answer. ‘We are the Vasudevs.’ ‘The Vasudevs?’ ‘Yes. Each Vishnu leaves behind a tribe which is entrusted with two missions.’ Shiva continued to watch the Pandit intently. ‘The first mission is to help the next Mahadev, if and when he appears.’ ‘And the second?’ ‘The second is that one of us will become the next Vishnu, whenever we are required to do so. The seventh Vishnu, Lord Ram, entrusted this task to his trusted lieutenant, Lord Vasudev. We are his followers. We are the tribe of Vasudev.