“So, what do you suggest Commander, should we just sit with our sullen faces and allow them to continue guerrilla warfare. This will cost us thousands of lives. We will have to prepare a better strategy and send a bigger army this time to attack them,” said the king.
“I beg your pardon your Highness, maybe I didn't make myself clear. All I wanted to say that we need to understand their geographical terrain very precisely. We must know where their military camps are, what the best possible ways to get there are and which the best possible route to reach their capital is. If we prepare our strategy based on all this information, we will be better prepared,” said the commander.
“Hmmm...yes you are right. Chalk out a perfect strategy to attack all their important positions simultaneously without giving them a breather,” said the king.
“I agree with you, your Highness. We must deploy our spies all over Mekal to gather all this information as soon as we can,” said the chief minister.
“I agree with your plan. I think we should make prince Udayan in-charge of this invasion so that he can get experience of such strategic planning,” said the king.
“As you command your Highness.”
“Call him here; we'll discuss it with him right now.”
“Sure, your Highness,” bowed the chief minister and went out to order a sentry to fetch the prince.
Udayan got a bit worried by a call from his father. He had been anticipating a discussion about launching an attack on Mekal. He wasn't sure how to express his views on this.
He bowed to his father, commander of armies, and the chief minister as he reached the royal court.
“You're welcome to the court, prince. We have been discussing some strategic planning. His Highness wants you to lead and execute the plan,” said the chief minister.
“If his Highness wants me, I will readily oblige, but what are we discussing about?” asked the prince.
“We are going to gather all information about Mekal to prepare a strategic map for attacking them soon. We need all information on their military strength, their positions, and shortest safer routes to get there,” said the chief minister.
“But why attack Mekal in the first place. It's a small hilly state, what will we get out?”
“This is important for our ambition for expansion of our empire. If Mekal is under us it opens the path to get to other Vindhya states,” said the commander.
“It's not simply about the expansion of our empire. Do you not remember how they attacked us during the festivities? Do you not want to teach them an apt lesson?” said the king.
“What I am concerned about your Highness is the fate of the people we capture as part of our expansionary strategy. All the Mekal people we imprisoned after capturing their villages have been living a life worse than animals. What do you expect from their countrymen to do in retaliation?” asked the prince.
“This is not the time to discuss on our long-term vision and state policies dear prince. Presently, we called you to help us with the plan to spread our spy network in Mekal to collect essential information,” said the king.
Udayan kept quiet. He felt this was indeed not the time or the place to get into an argument with his father. He could talk about this later. For now, he would discuss the strategy to deploy the spies. There was still time before they would plan an attack.
The king was a bit worried to hear his son's remark on his policies. He felt an urgent need to discuss what his heir thought about them.
“Your Highness, you called for me.” Udayan bowed to his father, entering his chamber.
“Yes, Prince Udayan. I am a bit concerned that you are not in agreement with our policies of state expansion.” said the king.
“Your Highness, every state aspires to expand its boundaries. But this should be done within humane ways. Inhuman and oppressive ways of expansionist ambitions eventually result in self-destruction over time.”
“Wars must be fought to expand a state. Yes, people do die in wars. What's new in that?”
“War is not always the first resort. We have had ancient tradition of Rajsuya Yagya. There have been other instances of symbolic power struggles.”
“Rajsuya Yagya can't ensure there will be no war. Those who will not accept our sovereignty will wage wars against us.”
“I beg your pardon your Highness, but I can't somehow agree to kill thousands of people just for the sake of expanding our boundaries.”
“You are talking like a weakling, prince. This is the nature's law. Weak must give way to the strong.”
“But real strength comes from unity and cooperation. We will lose our strength if we fight against each other.”
“You are talking philosophy not the ground realities of life. One must learn to rely upon his arms and strength to fight his way through life. Truth is that power is essentially needed to live a successful life. Mightier you are better for the entire kingdom.”
“But where is the genuine spark of life in this? Spending days in duels and nights in warfare planning, you will have to keep fighting all the life to maintain your identity. In that case when do you have time to enjoy the life?”
“Is there any purposeful life beyond this?”
“May be you don't understand the realities of life at all your Highness. Life isn't simply breathing one breath after another. Life smiles when there is music in every breath. It's not simply the wayward movement of your limbs. Life must find a tune of its own, a rhythm in its steps to echo with this music, a dream to pull the world in this dance, to sway in a lyrical swirl of oneness.”
“These lofty spiritual and sensitive talks do not suit you. A Kshatriya's music is in his horse's hoof and in his bow's twang. His shield and sword are his toys. It's a Kshatriya's duty to fight to finish the enemy. Your talks do not sound like a brave warrior's ardour but that of a defeated soldier's wretchedness. What are you afraid of?”
“I beg your pardon, your Highness. A Kshatriya's duty is not only to fight but to protect his subject. If it requires a war to protect the people, then it's fine. Life grows in peace and tranquillity and not in crackling of swords and shields. I am scared that life might get lost in the rumblings of battlegrounds. I am scared that motherhood might be stifled, and childhood loses its innocence. I am scared that the fabric of our society which is made of love and trust might get tattered resulting in disintegration of the society.”
“You are getting emotional for no reason. Have we not guarded our faith and ethos? Have we not worked hard to embellish our society and culture? Don't we perform Yagnas, cultural festivals, musical events, mantra recitals and the teachings of Vedas?”
“Yes, you are right we have all of those things but that is only half of the story. Truth is that the jingling of coins in our gambling houses makes more sound than the recital of mantras in our temples. Our pubs pour more wine to our youth than the wisdom poured to them by our education centres. Yoga and spirituality are witnessed in Shamshans rather than in the valleys of Satpura. Your Highness, you have no idea in which direction your kingdom is drifting. You are so much obsessed with waging wars against neighbouring states that you fail to listen to the groans and cries of your hungry and diseased subject. Dalits are organising themselves for a revolt against our insensitive and ruthless administration. I fear some sort of revolution is simmering all around. Our youth are lost in wine and consumption. Our employees are corrupt and non-efficient. Our servants hate us more than our enemies. Raghuvanshis have planted more spies within our state than you can imagine. They very well know all our weaknesses. They might hit at our roots. I am not sure what makes you think that our culture is progressing in the right direction.
I beg your Highness to open your eyes and face the bitter truth. We are on our way to a destruction. Please come out of your illusions to see that we cannot save our identity simply on the strength of armed power. We must use our conscience rather than our military might. We must create such circumstances where everybody can live in peace respe
ctfully. That is our responsibility as rulers and Kshatriya. We belong to an Aryan culture that propagated 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam' which means the entire world is a family. It's a shame for us to have slaves and untouchables within our society. This is the degradation of our religion and culture. I beg you to peep inward and look at our internal issues rather than focussing on blind ambition to conquer external states.”
Udayan's words stirred Rudrasen's heart. Was the prince right in mentioning that the state was going through degradation and a steep downfall? That was a huge matter of concern, especially if the king knew nothing about it.
“Give me some time to ponder over the issues you have touched upon,” said the king.
“As you wish, your Highness,” said Udayan and bowed to his father before walking out of the royal chamber.
Chapter 30
Ranveer's face lit up as he welcomed Neel and Dhananjay, “Rajan, you are here! We got the information that you were captured by the Yaduvanshis,” exclaimed Ranveer.
“Yes, Ranveer. They did capture us, but we managed to escape. But how did you find out?” asked Neel.
“Spies of North Kosala's Raghuvanshis are spread all over Sripur. They gave this information to us. They even helped us to rescue you, but the plan could not work out as expected,” said Ranveer.
“What are you talking about? Raghuvanshi spies in Sripur? Rescue plan?” asked Neel.
“Rajan, Raghuvanshis planned to attack the festival venue and kidnap the princess Pallavi. We planned to use her as a ransom to rescue you and our other people. But before we could do that somebody else kidnapped her. We still attacked the venue and killed several hundred Yaduvanshis. I am sure, your Highness, would be proud of us.”
“Ranveer…what have you done you ignorant fool? What made you attack and kill innocent people?”
“They had captured you your Highness. We had to do something to rescue you,” replied Ranveer.
“Ranveer, we had already escaped when we had participated in the festival. Wait; let me think on all this.”
Neel pondered over the whole matter to reach some concrete conclusion.
Ranveer was looking at his young king's face trying to figure out what had happened.
“Ranveer, we have been used by your Raghuvanshi friends. They leaked information to Yaduvanshis there and got us captured. Then they used you to attack Sripur during the festival. Thank God you didn't manage to kidnap the princess.” said Neel and commanded, “let me talk to Dhananjay for a moment.”
Ranveer bowed out of the tent.
“Dhananjay, we have done a grave sin by attacking and killing innocent Yaduvanshis for a wrong reason. No surprise that they are preparing to wage a war against us,” said Neel.
“Yes, your Highness. But what can be done now?” asked Dhananjay.
“Apology. We have made a mistake that took many innocent lives. We must convey our apologies.”
“Apologies to an enemy state? What are you saying your Highness? I see your point, but they won't see it like this. They will certainly think that we are scared and begging to be spared.”
“I know you are right, but the only right way forward is to express an apology. Otherwise it'll simply make matters worse. Both states will engage in a war planned by a third enemy. I am not afraid of fighting our enemies but only for a right cause. We will send a letter of apology, but we will also ensure to make them feel we are not weak. We will ask them to return our captured villages. Otherwise we will fight to get them.”
“As you deem right, your Highness.”
“Okay, then send an official message to the king of Kosala that we realize our mistake that resulted in the killings of many Kosala soldiers. We would like to apologize for that. Also, we would like to extend our hand for friendship between the two states but not at the expense of our sovereignty and self-respect. We would like to propose that Kosala should return our captured territory and release all our people and we will reciprocate by releasing Kosala's prisoners.”
Rudrasen was engrossed in his thoughts when he suddenly realised that Princess Pallavi also had a difficult time recently. How a stranger insulted her in front of the whole gathering. And her kidnapping! She was going through a tough time. He realized he needed to talk to her and console her.
Pallavi was sitting in her chamber going over all that happened. She wondered how her life changed in a day. Firstly, a stranger embarrassed her then the same person put his life on stake to save her. Why did he enter the contest in the first place if he didn't want to marry her? Was he too arrogant or was he trying to break her pride and ego? Why wouldn't she be a proud princess, when the whole of Aryavart wanted to get her? Didn't they bet their lives for her that day? One prince almost paid the price. Neel, on the other hand, put his life in grave danger twice because of her but still let her go. And that cruel Kapalika with that woman, who were they? Who was Rishi Vasudev they wanted to know about? What was the Yantra they planned the whole thing for?
While she was busy pondering over the thoughts again and again, she heard a knock and saw her father walking into her chamber. She quickly got hold of her and sat normally.
“How are you my dear child?” asked the king.
“I am fine, your Highness.”
“I am very hurt by all that happened with you that day. That Kamboj citizen Shreedutt insulted you publicly. Were it not for our ideals of respecting our guests, I would have had him fed to the dogs.”
“Your Highness, neither was he from Kamboj nor is his name Shreedutt.”
“What...! Who was he then?”
“King of Mekal—Neel.”
“Really! King of Mekal! So, they have crossed all the boundaries. Still, the prince is reluctant to attack them. I am not sure why.”
“Father, he saved my life by rescuing me from the Kapalika.”
“What are you saying? I was in the impression that Prince Udayan rescued you?”
“No, that is not the fact. Maybe he hid the truth to not escalate your worries. Even the prince was captured by them. So much that they wanted to sacrifice the prince for a human sacrificial ritual.”
“Human sacrifice in our state! That's atrocious. I will destroy them.”
“Father, they are powerful people with mystical powers. Ghouls, ghosts, evil spirits—they can unleash such things at will. You must not infuriate them.”
“What are you saying? You want me to forgive Neel and forgive that Kapalika. Are you not feeling the embarrassment?”
“Surely, I felt gravely insulted that day. But when I think of the fact that Neel saved our lives from a certain death, I feel we owe him, we must try and pay back the debt.”
“If you think this way then fine. We will find a way to pay the debt. We just need to find out if it's not a political game he is playing.”
“Game…?”
“Yes, my dear, these are political things you won't understand.”
Rudrasen got up and started to walk out of the chamber. “Father…”
“Yes dear…”
“Father, who is Rishi Vasudev?”
The name of Rishi Vasudev coming from the princess' mouth surprised Rudrasen.
“Who told you about Rishi Vasudev?”
“Firstly, you tell me if you know him.”
“Yes. But he is no more. But why are you asking, tell me?”
“He created a Yantra?”
“I don't know what you are talking about. Who told you about all this?”
“Well...father...if you don't know anything about this then leave it, why bother.”
Rudrasen scanned her face and gradually moved out of the room. His forehead was grave with deep furrows of worry.
Pallavi fell back to her train of thoughts. She wanted to find out who Rishi Vasudev was. She was by now certain that her father was hiding some great truth. She felt that she had a connection with Rishi Vasudev and the Yantra. But how will she find that out? Who can tell her about that? Not that woman, as she was so full of hatred tow
ards her. Maybe that young man who killed Prahlaad to save the prince's life. She decided to find him.
Chapter 31
King Rudrasen was pacing about in his royal chamber. Events of last few days perturbed him. He was a bit surprised to hear from Udayan about the state of affairs in his kingdom. He never realized that his policies of expansion had affected his people in such a way. There was a widespread feeling of chaos and instability. Bureaucrats were corrupt and disloyal. They could sell royal secrets for a handful of coins. Slaves and Dalits were preparing to revolt. Princess Pallavi found out about Maharishi Vasudev. Who could tell her that secret? Could they be Raghuvanshis? Udayan believed that the spies of Raghuvanshis knew more about South Kosala than their own ministers. As they couldn't face the South Kosala army front on, they had been up to these sneaky ways. Udayan was right in suggesting that the policy of expansion was not in the interest of the state. It was time to focus upon inclusive development of people. That was the only way to strengthen the state and present a strong front to enemies.
As the king pondered upon these thoughts, one guard knocked on the door to ask for permission to enter. It was a messenger. Rudrasen waved his hand to allow the messenger in.
A twenty-five-year-old man walked in with a small white cloth wrapped around a wooden stick. He bowed to the king and handed over the message. Rudrasen unwrapped the cloth and started to read it.
“Respected king of South Kosala, the attack on the festival venue during the South Kosala's annual fest was carried out in our absence without our inherent permission. It's true that some Mekal soldiers were unwittingly part of that unfortunate incident. We send our apologies and feel ashamed of such an incident. However, it must be reminded that South Kosala has captured several Mekal villages and enslaved our people. This has infuriated the people of our state. There is a situation of revolt. We would like to have friendly relations with South Kosala, but it cannot happen at the cost of giving away the freedom of our people. The decision is in your hands. If you are willing to free our people and withdraw from our territory captured by your army, we will gladly free your soldiers. We would like to request you to give a serious thought to this agreement for peace to prevail in the region. - Neel”
Revenge of the Chandalas Page 20
