Chapter Nine: The Chakra Vyuh
At Patliputra,
Siamack had stormed out of the palace in great fury. Such was his state of mind at the present moment that he could do anything. He was presently standing in a dense overgrowth in the outskirts of Patliputra. He slashed his sword wildly into a nearby tree. He repeated this action a myriad times before the tree came crashing down.
He had not had a single moment of sound sleep after he had poked the knife into the beatifically smiling Acharya Chanaya's breast when roused into a mob-like frenzy by Rajmata Helena's accusations, brainwashing and indoctrination. His nights were full of nightmares while his days were full of apprehensions and fears that he would be caught any moment!
He still had not overgrown his conscience unlike his co-perpetrators who were hardened, hardcore criminals who were indifferent to everything, life and death, good and bad. All that mattered to them was wealth, power, clout, and supremacy. The word with which he had been egged on to do that dastardly deed was "Revenge!" Now even this word seemed as meaningless as any word in the human vocabulary. The people for whom he had sold his soul in the process of avenging, his Matha Noor and his mentor Rajkumar Justin, just did not deserve even a single bit of it.
The Rajmata always told him that his father, Bindusaar did not love him. But she was wrong. Only today after he had overheard his father, Rani Charumitra and the Lady Vaid had he realized the true extent of Bindusaar's love and concern for him. He was the child of the two people who had wronged him in a way no other could, and yet he found in him the strength and inner resources to tell that he, Siamack was, is, and will always remain his son.
On the other hand, the Rajmata's complete turnaround in supporting him now made sense. When she thought that he was a Khorasani, she hated him. She could as well have countenanced his death in the Lakshya Grih with a smiling face. But when she came to know that he also had Unani blood in him, she started supporting him. She often called Ashok a chameleon who changed colors according to the situation, while she was the biggest chameleon of all.
Siamack told himself, "Ashok I have hated you like I have hated nobody else on earth. Though I can never love in the unconditional way in which our friendship began, nor can you forgive me after coming to know about everything I did either knowingly or unknowingly, I will try my best to ensure that you become the next Chakravartin Samrat after Pithaji. I will stay with these people and help you secretly. I am not doing this out of my guilt complex. I am doing this because now I truly believe that you alone are eligible to succeed to the throne and carry on the legacy of the Mauryan Rule."
At Avanti in Ashok's War Camp,
A soldier in Ashok's Magadh Sena was addressing another middle-aged soldier, "Uncle, I have not seen you here before. Are you new?"
The other middle aged soldier replied, "Yes! You remember Pratap who is your same wing. I am his paternal uncle. I have been away from Patliputra for a long time. When I returned home, I found my bhabhi, Pratap's mother on her death bed. She was just holding on to her dear life because she wanted to see him one last time. I came here to give him this news and take him along with me. But you know how courageous and patriotic your friend Pratap is. He would not leave until I reassured him that I would take his place in the army and that I had fought many wars in my heydays."
The soldier said, "That's very nice of you, Uncle. Not everybody has the same kind of concern that you have both for the family and the country. The very fact that you have voluntarily enrolled yourself despite your growing years for active military service shows your indomitable spirit. You are really an inspiration for all of us who belong to the younger generation. Any help you want please feel free to come and ask me. You are Pratap's uncle. In that way, you are my uncle too. Just tell my name Dilip and you will automatically be respected by everyone in this regiment."
The middle-aged soldier's face beamed with pleasure as he said, "Oh! You're so popular then! Pratap surely has some good friends. Thank you, my boy! Of course! You are also like my nephew Pratap!"
The other soldier said, "We have been talking since a while and yet I have not asked you your name. Your name, Uncle?"
The middle-aged soldier after a moment's hesitation said, "Vidh...Vibhooshan! There is a slight problem. I am new here. Pratap was not able to take formal permission before he left from Sena Nayak Vishwajeet nor did he find time to introduce me and enroll me in his place. So will you kindly introduce me to him and explain the circumstances in which I had to take Pratap's place to him?"
Dilip: Of course! Anything for you uncle!
That night in Ashok's tent,
Acharya Radhagupt, Ashok, and all the Sena Nayaks were finalizing their plans before the ultimate assault the next morning. The offensive from the Ujjain border had already been launched by Sena Nayak Bhuvan. Now all the enemy attention would be diverted to that side. They would have a relatively unchallenged approach to the capital, Mahishmati. All the reinforcements from the nearby Janpads had also arrived secretly.
Radhagupt: First, our archers will try to disable any resistance from the fort walls or at least weaken it by raining continuous volleys of Agni astras' (Fire arrows). Then we will try to break down the walls of the fort or at least breach them using huge logs and war elephants. These war elephants will then be allowed to rampage and ravage the rebel forces and thus nullifying the threat of even the least possible resistance from them. Then Rajkumar Ashok and Sena Nayak Vishwajeet will lead the Cavalry charge in the Soochi Vyuha (Needle formation) followed by the armed chariots led by Sena Nayak Pradhmik and our infantry in the rear. Any questions?
Ashok: Acharya why are you so very apprehensive about all this. These are just a pack of disorganized rebels who are going to run off at the first approach of danger.
Vishwajeet: Acharya, I second Rajkumar Ashok's views! We all have fought a number of battles and this recapture is not goling to take more than a couple of hours.
Pradhmik: Vishwajeet, prudence with valour wins battles and not reckless courage. If Acharya Radhagupt is being extra cautious, it is not without reason.
Vishwajeet: I always knew you and what a patron of the rule book you are, Pradmik!
Radhagupt: If both of you will stop arguing, we can get on with the affairs we have at hand. The reason why I keep on reiterating plans and discussing all possible forms and commutations is because I won't be present in the actual battle field to guide any of you. You all will have to take the best decision possible under Rajkumar Ashok's leadership. For all his talent and potential, the Rajkumar is still young for leading these charges and pitched battles. So when the actual charge crystallizes I want him to be ready for any eventuality with a plan, a back up plan if the original plan fails, and a back up for the back up plan if the back up also misfires.
Vishwajeet: Acharya when veterans in warfare like me and Pradhmik are along with Rajkumar Ashok, there is nothing to worry.
At Vidharba, Rani Subrasi's Maternal Place,
Rani Dharma had comfortably settled down in Vidharba, Rani Subrasi's maternal place. Both the queens of Bindusaar were spending their days happily reading the Puranas, Ramayana and such mentally elevating texts which would be condusive to the growth of the forthcoming child, listening to soft and soothing music, enlightened discussions and sermons by Rishis and Mahants, and in stiching and knitting clothes for little baby who would soon enter into their little world.
Dharma was preparing to distribute food, clothes and financial help to the poor and the needy. Rani Subrasi who was watching her tire herself out with work remonstrated her saying, "Rani Dharma you ought to be taking rest now. If you really want something to be done, I will get it done on your behalf."
Dharma: No, I was just getting bored resting in my room the whole day.
Subrasi: The Vaid told us that there are just twenty five days left before your due date.
Dharma: I know that! And I am not doing anything very tiring. You fuss a lot over me!
Subrasi: And I have every right to when I see you not taking any care of yourself. In Maharaaj's absence, you are my responsibility.
Just then little Prince Drupad barged in and asked, "Matha Dharma, I love the laddoos you make. Will you please make them for me now?
Subrasi: No, Drupad! Can't you see your Matha Dharma is tired and has to rest? Go from here now!
Dharma made a secret signal to Drupad telling him to keep quiet. After Rani Subrasi left the room, Drupad entered again in a tip-toe. Rani Dharma who had been pretending to sleep also got up now. She placed some pillows beneath her quilt and both of them sleathily sneaked off to the kitchen to make ladoos.
Rani Dharma was folding the laddoos with her own hands and gave the first one to Drupad asking him, "How is it? Are all the proportions perfect?"
Drupad: Awesome!
Just then they heard somebody speak from behind, "Nobody asked me to join in?"
They hastily turned back and found Rani Subrasi standing at the doorstep. Dharma gave her a laddoo with her own hands while Subrasi and Drupad fed Dharma. All three of them went on laughing and chatting happily far from the plots and intrigues of Patliputra. Life was actually so simple and beautiful if only people could control their greed and avariciousness.
The next morning in Avanti in Ashok's War Camp,
Radhagupt: Get all the war elephants prepared for the day!
An elephant Mahoot: I don't know how to tell you the bad news, Acharya! All our war elephants have been stricken by a strange epidemic and are not in a fit condition for the charge.
Radhagupt: What? What a bunch of losers have we brought to war! I will have the hands of you and your helpers cut off if you don't find a solution to this fast enough.
Ashok: Is anything the matter, Acharya?
Radhagupt: All our war elephants are out of action because of some unknown epidemic. Somehow I am getting negative vibes about this charge even before we start.
Ashok: Acharya it is a setback but not such a big one that we should either postpone or completely change our original plans. Our spies have also reported that there is not much movement or protection at this side of the fort.
Just then Devi came up to Acharya Radhagupt and Rajkumar Ashok and asked, "Rajkumar Ashok, I and two hundered soldiers of Avanti would like to join you when you leave for the charge. I know that we are very few in number, but all of us know the terrain and internal defenses of Mahishmati very well. It could definitely be useful at some point of time in the recapture of Mahishmati. Avanti is our motherland. So we all want to be involved in freeing it.
Ashok: On the contrary, I think all of you have fought enough and well already in defending fort till we came. Now all of you can rest and watch while I and my men take charge of the situation.
Radhagupt: Ashok, one does not refuse the help of one's allies when they are offering help on their own. What Devi says makes sense. Knowledge of the terrain is of paramount importance while fighting battles. Even a small help is help. Ultimately in a war, it is not the numbers which matter but the redoubtable spirit with which we fight.
Ashok: Alright, your men could join us. But I think it will be better if you remain behind. It will become a liability for us if we always have to keep watching for you and protecting you on the battlefield.
Devi: Forgive me Acharya for my words! But I think Rajkumar Ashok has really double standards regarding men and women. When I volunteered to fight, I did it with the full knowledge that I could also lose my life. Does Rajkumar Ashok run around protecting his soldiers? No! I too don't need such chivalry. I have been brought up since my childhood by my father and guru Parashuramji to fight like any other soldier, Sena Nayak or Rajkumar. In the event of my becoming a liability as Rajkumar Ashok feels I would become, I will take my life with my own hands. I will fight my own battles and protect myself on my own till the end.
Radhagupt: Don't take Rajkumar Ashok's words to heart. He is just a bit protective at heart when it comes to women and children. If he remembers his own mother, Rani Dharma, I don't think he would ever have mentioned such words. She is one of the most remarkable ladies I have met in my own life and a woman of substance. I think and hope that he does not underestimate the abilities and potential of women. You can join Ashok along with whatever men you have.
Ashok just pushed a fist full of sand as he walked off from there. This girl was truly becoming an enigma to him. He was just being chivalrous in refusing her help. Couldn't she just see that? All girls loved being given importance or protected. They did not cut up rough when you told them that they needed to be saved.
He was reminded of his friend and comrade in Taxila, Karuwaki, the Rajkumari of Kalinga. There were many times when she fell into danger and many times when he had saved her. Ahankara, the Rajkumari of Ujjain and present Queen of Ujjain was also very fragile and delicate for all her initial sauciness and pride. How she held on to his angavastra during all the countless times she had been the victim and he had been her savior!
Both these girls had always inflated his ego as a protector of womenkind. It felt nice to be looked up to like that. This Devi was so proud and reluctant to take any help or be the victim despite the fact that she was an even bigger victim than either Ahankara or Karuwaki. He always respected women and did his best in providing them protection.
He even established the Lion pillar of Sahansheelatha at Taxila to commemorate the spirit of the people of Taxila and Karuwaki in not giving up even when faced with the utmost cruelty and brutality. Why did Devi have to think that he was discriminating between men and women? What would she gain by puncturing his ego? Alright, he wouldn't bother about her anymore. She could die for all he cared in the battle. He would not come running to save her.
During the recapture of Mahismati,
Ashok and his Sena were making rapid progress towards the capital of Avanti, Mahismati. Devi was saying, "We are now nearing the internal defences of Mahismati. The River Vetravati flows round three sides of this fortress which guards the capital city and there is just a narrow stone henge across it. On the fourth side, we have a sheer and steep rock face which is literally impenetrable. This stone henge has to be crossed carefully taking care not to overload the henge which automatically collapses if we try crossing it swiftly or in more numbers. Since we don't have war elephants with us, we need not bother about how to transport them across. Usually several men cross before and then let down a sturdier and bigger drawbridge for the elephants. We can do that even now also if the drawbridge has not been destroyed by the enemies to slow down our progress. Swimming is not really an option because these waters are crocodile infested. They make short work if at all they smell human skin. Not more than three chariots, or six horsed cavalry men or twelve infantry soldiers can cross it at a time."
Ashok sounded a bit bored and irritated when he said, "Why are you telling all this to me? As if I and the commanders leading this charge don't know all this. It looks like you don't trust any of us. Can you stop being the Sarvagyani' and Antaryami' and keep your thoughts to yourself! You and your men can cross before if you are so worried that we will collapse this bridge with out carelessness!"
Devi and the two hundred soldiers of Avanti had crossed the bridge in a slow, systematic and trained march chanting cries of "Har Har Mahadev!" in a definite rhythm and synchroinising their footsteps in accordance. The bigger drawbridge had been destroyed. So the only option left was to cross on the stone henge. Now Ashok's army was crossing. But it was taking a lot of time. Only one fourth of the horse cavalry, the armed chariots and the infantry had made it to this side.
Sena Nayak Pradhmik was on the other side of the henge while Sena Nayak Vishwajeet and Ashok were on this side overseeing the dispatch of the troops. Ashok was now getting highly impatient. He kept on saying, "Faster, faster, faster!" when to his dismay he found the henge collapsing like a pack of cards and all the men and horses on it fall into the river where they were dragged away and killed by the crocodiles before his own eyes.
Devi gave Ashok an angry glare and a "I told you so" look. Ashok looked the other way as though ashamed of his own haste and overconfidence which had cost them a lot. His most efficient Sena Nayak Pradhmik, the reinforcements from the nearby Janpads, and nearly 3/4th of his army was on the other side. Comparatively chastened and regretting his ealier behavior, Ashok ordered his men on the other side to carefully find some other way across before he ordered the remaining chunk of the army that had crossed to carefully proceed forward.
After this, Ashok and his Sena were nearing the marshy and swampy land surrounding the fort. Devi said, "I remember Pithaji and Pasrashuramji telling me that there are passages which are not visible to the eyes in this tract of land. And one has to keep throwing stones. The places where they do not sink fully and remain half afloat are safe for crossing. But as we near the Fort walls, we have to be very careful of the archers who will have a perfect angle for their shots. The rebel army entered through a secret underground passage way. That's why they were able to take everyone by surprise and conquer Mahismati. Otherwise, it is a very well-guarded and difficult city to take."
Ashok ordered his men to cross accordingly and the ordered the archers to fire"Agni Astras" in the event of any resistance. Surprisingly, they met with no resistance from the archers on the fort wall. Presumably, they were all engaged on the Ujjain frontier fighting back the offensive launched by Sena Nayak Bhuvan.
Ashok ordered the fort walls to be battered down by logs. The doors gave way very easily in an unexpected manner. Everything was going on too easily and too smoothly for belief. He was beginning to have the hunch that everything was not right. They were meeting with too little or no resistance which was completely unexpected. Ashok's entire army was within the fort wall. He ordered them to march warily and cautiously forward. He did not want a repeat of the stone henge incident to happen.
Just then they saw something in the empty field ahead of them which took their breath away. The spinning death wheel formation of Chakra Vyuh which looks like a blooming lotus from one side swam before their eyes. None of them in the Magadhan Sena, even an experienced Sena Nayak like Vishwajeet, had never seen it with his own eyes being implemented in an actual battle.
It was one of those formation which when properly led could wipe out the enemy without any traces. Many just thought it as another exciting mythological story until the present moment when it loomed before them presting a veritable spectacle of death. There were very few in Bharath who knew to implement this Vyuha, and even fewer who could crack it open. It was simply spell-bounding and psychologically undermining to even watch its complex internal motions and movements,and see it fast approaching towards their army.
Ashok was quickly examining what possible options they had with Sena Nayak Vishwajeet.
Ashok: Vishwajeetji, what do you suggest?
Vishwajeet: I think it is better for us to retreat the way we came because I have heard about this Vyuh but never seen it with my own eyes before. None of us have the knowledge or expertise of breaking through this formation.
Ashok: Alright, let's order our Sena to retreat!
Vishwajeet: Rajkumar that option has been taking away from us! The fort walls have been closed behind us. We are in a deadlock. We have to fight and break this formation whether we like it or not
Devi who was listening to this conversation intervened, "Pithaji and Parashuramji often used to tell that this Vyuh is the most appropriate according to the terrain of Avanti. There were times when I, Vijay and our group would engage in drills under Parashuramji cracking this Vyuh. It falls apart if we break the centre.
Ashok: Then it's done! Devi and her men will go ahead while the rest of our army will follow behind.
Vishwajeet: It's not as easy as it seems, Rajkumar. To reach the centre, one has to proceed across seven levels of rotating and interleaving rings of increasing difficulty. We could be cut off or stopped at any of these interleaving positions from Devi and her men which leaves them defenceless and without any support from our side. Young lady, in the eventuality of your being singled out; can you and your men break free from this Vyuh?
Devi: Actually I have never made it to the centre on my own. It was always Vijay leading the charge. Whenever I have tried on my own with my group, I have been able to reach till the fifth or sixth level only. Moreover, I have not yet learnt how to break free from the Chakra Vyuh. But I think if all of you are following me, the formation will break on its own.
Ashok: Vishwajeetji, we don't have too many options. The Vyuh is fast approaching us. We have to take some decision or all of us will be wiped out.
Devi: Rajkumar Ashok, I know that! That's why I suggested this option. We will anyhow lose our lives even if we remian here in indecision. It is better to die fighting and trying something than die doing nothing. Even if we have a small chance of surviving by trying, it is worth trying.
Vishwajeet: Then we will go by what this young lady suggests. I am not too sure it will work but there is no harm trying when we apparently have no other options.
Devi: The general rule when breaching a Chakra Vyuh is to wait for the right moment when there is a slight pause in the intricate motion of the death wheel formation. And when attacking, the genral rule is to eliminate the men to your right and left and not the one in front as the wheel rotates contantly in its axis. If we attack the person in front, even if we kill him, the person to his side moves in front covering the gap and maintaining the shape of the formation. At times, it becomes mind boggling because we hardly know whom we are fighting and the men in front of us keep quickly changing places. It exhausts the person who is fighting. So the key rule is to attack the soldiers to the left and right and create a small and temporary gap in the formation and barge in.
Vishwajeet: All this sounds good on paper, but in the actual battle it is very difficult to do it without practice and continuous drilling which our Sena lacks.
Devi: Sena Nayakji, I realize that. But I would like to die trying than die by giving up fight! Please give me your blessings to proceed!
Vishwajeet: My blessings are with you. But I am a bit apprehensive.
Devi and her men with the cry of "Har Har Mahadev!" proceeded to breach the formation. Ashok was able to reach till the third level where he was held back while Vishjwajeet and his men made it till the fifth level where they were cut off from Devi and her men who proceeded to the sixth level where they were stopped.
All of them seemed doomed. The centre was yet strong and unbreached. All of them were cut off from each other fighting their individual battles. Devi and her men were rapidly decreasing in their numbers while the enemy seemed to be gaining the upperhand. Now she was completely surrounded. She was badly wounded and could die any minute.
Ashok was highly ashamed of himself. Only now did he realize how little he knew about systematic warfare and military tactics. His fourteen years away from Patliputra were heavily affecting his leadership. If life gave him another chance, he had to learn and make up for that. He ought to have known better than let a young girl go into a formation like this on her own even when she was telling that she had never gone beyond the fifth or sixth level in ordinary drills and did not know the art of breaking free from the formation.
Just then, a heavy trail of dust rose up in the air as an army regiment was fast approaching the formation from the other side. They broke all the six levels one by one and even the seventh ring. Finally the centre was breached making the entire formation fall apart and making quick work of the enemy army.
The leader who was in his middle ages then walked up to the badly wounded Devi and asked, "How are you Putri? Haven't I told you even befre this that you should not go into the Chakra Vyuh when you don't know how to breach the centre or break free from it! Young blood and audacity at its best I see!"
Devi hung down her head in shame and said, "It was my mistake! But at that time we had no option. It's good that you came, Acharya! I lost everything that was my own, including your son and my father! I had no one to lead me by the hand and tell me what is right and what is wrong! Why did you desert us when we all needed you so badly? Why didn't you come then?"
Ashok and Vishwajeet who had made it there by this time asked, "Do you know this person whom you are talking to?"
Devi: Yes! He is Acharya Parashuram the Maha Sena Nayak of the Avanti Sena.
Ashok: I don't know how to express my happiness and gratitude at meeting you. This entire chunk of our army and all of us would have died if you had not made a timely entry.
Parashuram: I had to come knowing as I did how important it was to help you in retaking command over Mahismati and the rest of Avanti.
Ashok: I never expected this kind of planned resistance this side after all the attempts we took in misleading the rebels that the offensive would be launched from the Ujjain side of the border.
Parashuram: I don't have any doubts why they were not misled into thinking from which side the attack was going to come from. Your army has been infiltrated from within.
Ashok and Vishwajeet: Impossible! All these men have been personally handpicked!
Parashuram: I am not casting any doubts on your men or your abilities. However, it is important in warfare to never underestimate your enemy and to know the real strength and potential of the enemy you are up against.
Ashok: Ardhath?
Parashuram: You remember that all your war elephants were put out of action due to an epidemic. Do you think it is a mere coincidence that this happens just before your charge or if it is a planned sabotage?
Vishwajeet: Now I understand why Acharya Radhagupt was so apprehensive!
Parashuram: And this Chakra Vyuh which was implemented here... As far as I know, only three generals in Bharath are, or were capable of implementing it to such perfection. The first is the late Acharya Akramak, the second is myself, and the third is ...Vidur. All three of us learnt this secret art from Acharya Chankya who did not teach it even to his personal favorite, the late Mauryan Emperor Chandra Gupt Maurya, or his son and present Mauryan Emperor Bindusaar.
Ashok: Now you really amaze me Achaya! So does this mean Vidur must be leading this rebel army.
Parashuram: Yes! He is a very dangerous foe to deal with. Both of us have fought alongside your late Pitamah in overthrowing Dhananand. He was very young at that time just like me. Very talented and exceptional! He was a master of disguises and espionage. But as time passed, he went over to the darker side. His ambitions were assuming monstrous proportions. Finally a day came when Acharya Chanakya and your Pithamah had to ask him to go away. I lost track of what happened to him after Maharaj Bindusaar ascended on the throne. And now, he resurfaces again. What his true intentions are, nobody knows!
PS: A big sorry and thank you to all my loyal vocal readers and silent readers. I will not be completing this story due to personal reasons. This is my last update.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
