The Aryavarta Chronicles Kurukshetra: Book 3

by Krishna Udayasankar

  ‘Understandable. They do have fair cause to hold a grudge against the Kurus.’

  ‘That, and then some. Imagine, we’ve let Hidimbya and his mother wallow in their solitude and anger, depriving them of the rights that we as Arya claim to uphold. How useful for us that Rikshasas are not Arya, and so Hidimbya is not of noble blood. To tell you the truth, the Rikshasas’ land was held by my ancestors as being of more use than the people who lived on it.’

  ‘And now that they are more useful than their land, we come to barter with them,’ Uttara finished, bitterness straining her voice.

  Abhimanyu shook his head. ‘What’s worse is that we expect their allegiance despite all that we have done, because Divine Order decrees it thus. Now do you see, Uttara? Now do you see the question I grapple with day and night? How does one change what one is already a part of? I have heard stories of how Uncle Govinda and Uncle Balabadra united the various feudal lords among the Yadus to build a land where the people were supreme. Dwaraka. But did that happen because Govinda was crown prince of Surasena, the nation of the Yadus? If a mere gwala had tried to challenge the centuries-old practice of succession and create a Janapada – a nation run by its people – would that have worked?’

  ‘It works in Matsya. Our Chief is elected by the people, and my title of princess is just a term of respect. It also works here, for the Rikshasas. Both nations choose their leaders.’

  ‘And both nations have suffered for their so-called heresy; their defiance of the Divine Order. I don’t understand,’ Abhimanyu shook his head in resignation. ‘Even the Yavanas have found merit in the idea that the people must be their own sovereign, but we, those of the land where the notion was born, continue to cling to our old ways of hierarchy and fealty. What monster am I heir to, Uttara? If we win this war, then what?’

  Uttara considered him with genuine interest. ‘Is this purely guilt, Abhimanyu, or…?’

  ‘Guilt is of no use. I want answers. And I ask you in all sincerity to help me understand. You are right, Matsya is not a kingdom, though you may well be called a princess. Can Aryavarta too aspire to such change? Will we ever be an empire, where the people are their own sovereign?’

  ‘Maybe it is not only for Syoddhan’s benefit that Govinda calls for a muster. There are others who must see, who must understand. They must see the power, the presence of the people of Aryavarta – the commoners, as they are called by those who rule them so that they can be conveniently ignored. The muster is not meant to put Dharma back in power by a show of might, but to change the meaning of power itself.’

  ‘So… If Syoddhan submits…’

  ‘It vitiates the wager of the Empire. But what is more important is the reason why the wager is vitiated, for it questions the fundamental premise of a system of feudal subservience. Where we go from there remains to be seen.’

  ‘Where we go from there is clear, Uttara,’ Abhimanyu declared, a newfound resolution in his eyes. ‘I promised Ghatothkach… that is…Chief Hidimbya, that no matter what we call our leaders – emperors, chiefs, kings – they will be chosen by the people. That promise I will keep, with my life or my death. Besides,’ he added, allowing himself a smile, ‘just imagine looking down from the turrets of Indr-prastha at thousands and thousands of Rikshasas and Nagas, not to mention Kashi’s foresters and farmers, Yadu gwalas and Kalinga’s fishermen, if Uncle Shikandin can work his charm. Oh, and forgive me, your fellow Matsyans too! It will be an army mightier than any we have ever seen. Neither Uncle Syoddhan nor Uncle Dharma can defy that.’

  Abhimanyu’s eyes gleamed as he gazed into the distance, as though he were soaring over mighty mountains and vast seas. He said, ‘A new age dawns, Uttara. The Wheel of Time has turned. Not too long from now – hopefully in our lifetime – Aryavarta will be a janapada, a realm ruled by its people, the largest such in the world!’ He slowly drew back to reality and turned to his wife. ‘I wish I could say that would be my gift to you, Uttara. But this gift is not mine to give. It has always belonged to the people. In fact, I will need your help to understand, to see how this must be done. Will you help me?’

  In response, Uttara held out her hand. ‘It is a long journey back home, Prince Abhimanyu. Which is just as well, for we have much to talk about.’

  It took the stunned Abhimanyu a few moments to respond, but when he did it was with a dazzling smile. He took her hand and let her pull him to his feet. Together, they set out homeward.

  16

  ‘ARE YOU ASLEEP?’

  The words contained a familiarity that required neither respect nor restraint as a prelude, a familiarity that was shared with few and admitted to fewer still. After all, Sadev and his twin brother Nakul knew that it would never do to remind the world, their half-brothers included, of the simple fact of their birth: While Dharma, Bhim and Partha were of Pritha’s womb, he and Nakul were the sons of another mother: Madri.

  Yet, after Madri’s death, it was Pritha who had raised them, Pritha who had insisted that they always think of themselves not as five, but as one. Dharma, too, had treated them no different than he did Bhim and Partha, nor had Nakul and Sadev considered themselves so. That day, though, for the first time in all these years, the brothers had genuinely felt that they were the first, not the last; that they were princes in their own right, and not just because they were Dharma Yudhisthir’s brothers. It was this, Sadev knew, that kept Nakul from sleeping.

  ‘I’m awake,’ he answered, waiting for his twin to speak his mind. But Nakul merely sighed, and turned to lie on his back and stare at the ceiling. Sadev knew better than to insist. For lack of anything better to do, he too turned onto his back and began to study the decorative patterns on the ceiling, noting how they tended to show mountains and trees, quite different from the intricate patterns typical to Central Aryavarta. He had not been to Madra, his mother’s kingdom, since childhood, and knew little of its similarities and differences with Kuru. Even during the Imperial campaign that Govinda had conducted in Dharma’s name, it had been Nakul who had covered the western frontier, while he, Sadev, had travelled to Dakshinavarta. Now, as he thought about it, much was different, yet something remained the same. And that something was crucial to the future of Aryavarta.

  ‘I can’t sleep,’ Nakul declared.

  Sadev greeted the statement with a smile in the darkness, knowing well that his brother meant to talk. He decided to expedite the process, and turned on to his side to face his twin. ‘What’s bothering you?’

  ‘Everything! I can’t believe Uncle Shalya said he needed to think over our request for an alliance! I mean, what is there to think about? We are his nephews, we are as good as sons to him. How can he not help us?’

  ‘Why should he, Nakul? What have we done with the trust and faith he reposed in us, but gamble it away?’

  ‘That’s…’

  ‘Beside the point? It is the very point, Nakul. It is why Syoddhan is ready to risk war against us. It is why Govinda is prepared to go to war for us. And it is also why the nations are allying either with us or with Syoddhan, including Madra.’

  ‘Yes, yes…I know the rhetoric. I am only amazed that anyone takes it seriously. When we built the empire, when we put together our Imperial campaign, love and blood ties got us to the negotiating chamber – but they weren’t enough to garner pledges of allegiance. Each nation had its own gains and costs to consider. We promised them the power of trade, the security of a united realm, and a future filled with prosperity. What can we promise anyone now? Frankly, Syoddhan’s rule has done the same or more than what Dharma’s rule did for trade and commerce, and certainly not less. Why then should they put all that progress at risk and go to war? And assuming they agree to declare support as a measure of might or to test the waters, then why would it be for us? Beyond the armies of Matsya and a handful of Yadus, do you really think anyone will side with us?’

  Sadev did not reply.

  Nakul continued, ‘And just supposing someone thought to ally with us, how long do y
ou think it would last? Until they hear of what Syoddhan’s might is?

  ‘When we left Upaplavya, at best we had an akshauhini division and a half. The total might of Matsya combined with every straggling bit of strength that Yuyudhana, Govinda and Pradymna could draw from the Yadus on account of personal relationships. Let us make the most favourable of assumptions – that both Uncle Shalya and Dhrupad of Panchala side with us. At best, that brings our numbers to three akshauhini. Syoddhan, on the other hand, already has twice that number! The Kuru forces themselves number two akshauhini, if we take into account those at Indr-prastha and Hastina. Asvattama’s men are one akshauhini, but I hear they are a cutthroat lot, whom he trains himself. Vasusena has his men, nearly a full division, too, if all his vassal lords come through. Jayadrath brings another division, and his natural ally, the King of Qamboja, brings one more. Of course, the Qamboja army is filled with mercenaries and for all we know Jayadrath may decide to hire more Yavanas and Danavas. Susarman of Trigarta is Matsya’s enemy and, so, Syoddhan’s friend. He has a little less than an akshauhini, if Virat’s spies are right. That brings us to seven, seven and a half already, does it not? Who have I left out? Oh yes, Gandhara. But their men aren’t all that many, not when we are talking seven akshauhini. After all, what is a division here or there,’ he added, sarcastic, and concluded, ‘So even if we count the rest of Aryavarta’s nations as being undecided, tell me, to whose side would you want to give your support?’

  Again, Sadev did not reply.

  Nakul waited, his eyes fixed on his twin. At length, he asked, ‘Do you trust Govinda Shauri?’

  This time Sadev responded. ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘Answer me, Sadev! Speak plainly. Stop being circumspect for a moment.’

  ‘I…’ Sadev hesitated. Breathing in deep, he summoned the memory of what he had seen in Govinda’s eyes years ago in the forests of Kamyaka. ‘I do,’ he declared. ‘I trust him.’

  ‘Enough to believe that he will not lead us to war?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why?’

  The question was a simple one, but Sadev knew the answer was not. ‘Have you been treated this way before, Nakul – as a person, and not as an appendage? My answer is yes…and no. Yes, because that is how Govinda has always made me feel; as though I’m different, I’m Sadev. But no, because he has never made me feel special, like I am a prince, but rather that I need be nothing but myself to be worthy of respect. Don’t tell me you’ve not felt that way too around him?’

  ‘I have,’ Nakul agreed. ‘Which is why I am here…because he told me to come here. I just wish I understood better what he wanted of us all.’

  Sadev chose his words with care. ‘In every story, there are heroes. But it is not always the heroes who move the tale forward or do what needs be done. There are others, and their story is hardly told. We are such men, Nakul. We are not heroes, we are those who stand by them, in their shadows. The world will speak of Dharma Yudhisthir, of Bhim Vikrodara and Partha Savyasachin and…and their brothers. It is how things are. But that does not mean that we cannot, do not, turn the tide.’

  Nakul sat up with a jerk. ‘And you are happy with this? You are content with being but a number, a part of a whole that does nothing for us?’

  ‘Why not?’ Sadev countered. ‘It’s still a better part than what Panchali got. After all, the whole, as you call it, did not even stand up for her. Who tells her story? No, don’t answer that; don’t state the obvious. Just remember that we are here to do what we can, what we must. That is all that matters.’

  Nakul remained motionless for a long time, considering his brother’s words. Then he lay back down. ‘And what is it that we must do now?’

  ‘Come morning, we confront Uncle Shalya. We ask him to declare his allegiance – for or against us.’

  ‘And if he goes against us, if he sides with Syoddhan?’

  ‘Then, brother,’ Sadev said, ‘we have far bigger things to worry about than our place in history.’

  17

  DAWN BROUGHT WITH IT A CLOUDLESS, BRIGHT SKY AND, OVER the morning meal, Shalya asked his nephews how they planned to enjoy the day.

  ‘We were hoping to speak with you, Uncle,’ Sadev replied.

  Shalya considered the two men and then raised his hand to signal to the attendants serving the meal. Immediately, the room emptied of all attendants, at which the few courtiers too left, though in a less hurried manner. Finally, the King of Madra and his nephews were alone in the large dining hall.

  Shalya looked at his nephews. ‘I too was hoping to talk to you.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Tell me, Sadev, Nakul… Have you two considered the fact that Madra is twice the size of Kuru as it once was? Which makes it many times the size of Western Kuru, as that strip of a nation is now called.’

  Nakul said, ‘I don’t see the relevance, Uncle.’

  ‘Then you don’t see reality. Did you ever wonder why a nation twice the size of Kuru allowed its dearest and only princess to be married – that, too, as a secondary wife to the second prince of the kingdom? I refer here to your mother, of course.’

  ‘You tell us why.’

  ‘Tyranny. The fear of tyranny. My father, your grandfather, saw what Bhisma Devavrata did to Gandhara, how he turned it to fire and ruin with his wrath, and took Gandhari as a bride for Dhristashtra. Oh, don’t look so surprised. It is not as well known as what Bhisma did when he subjugated Kashi and brought those princesses – Ambika and Ambalika – to Hastina, but it is equally a fact that he razed Gandhara to the ground. We did not wish for Madra to share the same fate as Gandhara. Those weren’t marriages or alliances, my sons. Pritha, Madri, Gandhari…each one of Hastina’s brides was the sign of a conquest, an annexation…or worse…’

  Shalya trailed off into what were obviously dark thoughts. Nakul was about to speak but Sadev stopped him with a meaningful glance. The twins had heard rumours that there had been a third princess of Kashi involved in that tale, one whom their uncle had been in love with. Still, it did not seem an appropriate occasion to offer consolation, especially when such words could be easily mistaken for an act of manipulation. It was, the brothers realized as one, best to be direct.

  ‘Then why do you hesitate, Uncle?’ Nakul said. ‘It is against that very tyranny that we ask you to side with us.’

  ‘Yes,’ Shalya sighed, ‘side with you, but not for you. Rather, for another tyrant, a man who doesn’t deserve to rule. You may think of Dharma Yudhisthir as your brother, but I…’

  Sadev said, ‘You must understand Dharma’s probity, Uncle. He meant no wrong. He did as he did because he thought he was justified. He and I have spoken about this often during our exile. There is no doubt that law and scripture both permitted him to act as he did.’

  Shalya’s jaw briefly tightened. Then he said, ‘Yes, Sadev. Law and scripture may well be on his side. But if law and scripture were all that mattered, then a piece of parchment may well be king and a stone edict, emperor. One who seeks to lead must be capable of independent thought, of reason and restraint, both. Dharma… Never mind. There is no point dwelling on the past. It’s the future we must think about. I have a proposal.’

  Sadev and Nakul sat forward, eager.

  Shalya continued, ‘Madra has more for two than Kuru will ever have for five. I propose we declare ourselves neutral, on the condition that you two are crowned kings of Madra, no matter who prevails. I have thought about this. As it stands, both Dharma and Syoddhan would agree, simply because my neutrality may possibly deprive the other side of a full akshauhini of forces. Stay here with me, my sons. It is time we turned our attention to our people and our land. Let these bloody-thirsty Kurus settle their squabbles on their own. For too long has the rest of Aryavarta paid the price for their ambition and sense of superiority. It is time to show them that we cannot be treated with such impunity!’

  Silence, and then as one, the twins stood up from the table. ‘You’re right, Uncle,’ Nakul said, speaking for the b
oth of them. ‘We cannot be treated with such impunity. For better or worse, we are Kaurava – men of Kuru – Sadev and I. No matter the mistakes our forebears may have made, whether you call it tyranny or ambition, it is our duty to set right those wrongs. And that won’t be achieved by adding disloyalty and selfishness to the list of Kuru’s faults. We will not abandon our brother, Dharma Yudhisthir, nor will we forsake Pritha, the mother who has raised us. As for what you wish to do, Uncle, that is up to you.’

  Shalya exhaled loudly and placed both his palms on the wooden table in a gesture of resolution. ‘You put me in a difficult position, my sons. I do not have the heart to leave you to take your chances with those Kurus, and yet…’ He paused, letting his thoughts set themselves in place and then said, ‘All right, then. I will come to Matsya with my armies. I will come to fight for you. Though, I shall confess, it galls me to do so. I am, my dear boys, a man who believes in Divine Will. Perhaps this moment was brought to me so that I may understand Bhisma Devavrata and the Kurus better, for I finally know what it feels like to break a principle in the cause of its own defence. Rudra save me. Rudra save us all.’

  18

  THE SECRET KEEPER OF THE FIREWRIGHTS WAS A CONSIDERABLY well-informed man. By his own admission, more often than not this served to make him unhappier than most. He already knew, to the last detail, the incidents that had transpired recently at Hastina. Most of them had gone as planned, justifying the years of sacrifice and obscurity that he had endured. Even when the Empire changed hands, when Dharma was forced into exile, when Govinda was a broken man, the great chain of events the Firewrights had set into motion continued, inexorable. The Secret Keeper had ensured it be so.

  When Govinda had finally emerged from his well of despair, the Secret Keeper had rejoiced at the return of one of the finest minds Aryavarta had seen through the ages. But the Govinda he met then was a different man – different and dangerous. Govinda retained his acumen, no doubt, but no longer had either the Firewrights’ dispassion to use it objectively or any concern for the less efficient but nevertheless useful notions of duty and destiny that the Firstborn held dear.