The Journey of a Chakravartin Samrat: (Ch 11: Pg 3 NEW) FF

I began this story with the title The Impregnable. I left it midway long back. Now I want to continue it. But due to some reason that topic got closed. So I cannot post anything further there. I have compiled whatever I wrote there for the benefit of new readers before continuing. There are many departures both from history and what has happened on the show. This is just my version of CAS. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One: The Aftermath

A terrible war had been fought and won, a war whose magnitude was unforeseen in the recent history. Would it be possible to pick up the broken pieces and move on as if nothing had really happened? Empress Asandhimitra had just arrived in the land of Kalinga. It was not as if she could not figure out the deep hatred in the eyes of the defeated. Behind the mask of fear they wore, raged a terrible flame of revenge enough to consume her and her whole race.

She came to seek answers to many questions that racked her mind and soul. She came to penetrate the impregnable fortress her childhood friend had built around himself. A world where he alone existed. He was her Samrat and the Samrat of the whole of Bharath. He was living a dream dreamt by his mentor for him; a dream that had cost him his everything: a mentor who was assassinated for trying to dream the best for his protegee, a father who died of slow poisoning and back-stabbing by his very own kith and kin, a mother who had renounced the world not ready to face any more of its ruthlessness, and a young and innocent teenager who was thrust into the harsh realities of the world and its power politics and lost his own soul in the process of retaliating against the injustice done to him.

She had waited all these years for him to change. This was the very last opportunity for her. If this could not change him, she could as well throw up her hands and accept defeat. But defeat was not something that came easily to her too. After all she too was once upon a time the Princess of Ujjain, Ahankara before she assumed the identity of Asandhimitra after her marriage to her childhood friend, Ashok.

They had been with each other through thick and thin. They had seen each other both in their best and at their worst. They knew each other so well that they did not need words to convey what they felt. They had been comrades and they had never judged each other's actions whatever the situation. What bound them with each other was not the notion of love but that of empathy.

Others like Devi came into their life. But even that did not change things. Each had their own space. It was as if they all were living in their own individual islands with no connect between each other. She sought an individual audience with the Samrat before the Court would be in session. How would she find words to describe all the things she wanted to say to him, and all the unasked questions in these long years of marriage she hardly knew.

Ashok: Samragni, your arrival was unannounced and pretty unexpected. Is anything the matter?

Asandhi: How are you Samrat? Are you fine?

Ashok: You ask the wrong question to an emperor who has just captured the last bit of territory that stood between him and the dream of Akhand Bharath dreamt for me by the greatest guru who ever walked on this earth, Acharya Chanakya. Acharya, you would have been proud to see me today, wouldn't you?

Asandhi: Are you so sure that Acharya would have felt the same after seeing everything that I saw today?

Ashok: Alas! Samragni you ask the wrong question to the wrong person. I can't give Acharya's answers for you. Much as I wish to change it, one has to accept the fact that a person cannot come back from the dead even though we have persistent and pertinent questions lined up for them

Asandhi: In that case, Samrat let me hear your answers then. I hardly ever hear you even though I strain myself to the utmost. Either you or I must be at fault for this impenetrability.

Ashok: I'm surprised! I felt that after all these years of marriage; we must have done every topic to death. Our collective dream, mine, yours, Acharya's is fulfilled. What more can I ask on earth?

Asandhi: Are we living a dream or a nightmare, Asho...I mean Samrat?

Ashok: (After a long silence) The conquest is over Samragni and I'm tired. If you will please excuse me, I would like to rest. We have the rest of our lives for all these discussions.

Asandhi: But Ash...I mean Samrat I know that the conquest is over, but does it make you happy or give you peace? If it does, then I'm happy for you! If it doesn't, then is it at all worth fulfilling this dream at such a huge cost. Is it right losing your humanity and soul over an ineffable ideal? Ponder over it in silence. I will trouble you no more. I will wait for you in the court Samrat!

The Court was in session. Asandhimitra was curious to know what impact her prior audience with the Samrat would have on his decisions in the Court today as she sat behind the screens watching avidly.

The minister read out the agenda, "Let Princess Karuwaki of Kaling be presented before the Samrat!"

The once proud and now broken Princess Karuwaki of Kaling, whose divine beauty was shining through despite all the problems surrounding her just like the moon enveloped by storm clouds, was ushered into the presence of the Chakravartin Samrat, and the present ruler of Kaling and Akhand Bharath. The minister continued reading from the orders drawn up after prior discussion with the Samrat on the fate of Kaling and the erstwhile royal family of whom Karuwaki was the only survivor, "Kaling will come from now on under Mauryan administration and will follow the laws of the Mauryan Government...Princess Karuwaki, in accordance with the tradition, will marry the victorious king, our Samrat, and smoothen the process of Kaling's accession into the Mauryan empire, and thus prevent any further bloodshed that may accrue in the process of acceptance of the new rule and ruler."

The minster stood back after reading, while Karuwaki who had not spoken a single word till now, said, "Is this marriage proposal an order for me or a request? If it is an order, I would like to tell that the Princess Karuwaki of Kaling does not take anyone's orders. If it happens to be a request in your opinion, I think that it is so terribly worded that it does not merit either my consideration or acceptance."

The Samrat spoke for the first time after the court was in session, "It's neither an order nor request. It's just a piece of information given to you. Your consideration and acceptance does not matter at all in the present scenario. You were the Princess, Karuwaki. You are not one now."

Karuwaki suddenly reeled and fell down unconscious under the sheer pressure of the situation. Her whole world had come crashing down. The royal physician who examined her pulse said, "The Princess is expecting!" A loud round of anxious whispers ran round the court after this revelation with several loud exclamations of horror, "Good gracious, the princess was unmarried...and a child...whose guilt is she harbouring in her womb..." and so on did the circles in the curious and outraged court.

The Samrat cooly said in a perfectly composed voice, "Karuwaki is carrying my guilt in her womb for the information of all those who are dying with curiosity. The Princess is not unmarried. She is my wife. We married each other secretly in a Gandharva Vivah. So I hope that explains everything. Prepare to celebrate the arrival of the Chakravartin Samrat's first heir." A stunned silence prevailed after this declaration as poignant and disturbing as the noise which preceded it.

Chapter 2 to 10: Page 1 and 2

Chapter 11: Page 3

Chapter Two: History is but Another Story

Asandhimitra was pacing up and down her room while the maids were tucking in the still unconscious Karuwaki who was being examined by the Royal Raj Vaid for any further maladies than a common fainting fit due to undue stress and emotional turmoil during the first trimester of pregnancy. After satisfying all his concerns, he looked up and said, "The Princess...I mean Queen Consort is alright. She will regain consciousness in some time. All she needs now is just rest, some good food, good sleep and a happy and cheerful frame of mind that will be conducive to the growth the future Mauryan heir."

Asandhimitra walked out of the room to pass on the same piece of information to the Samrat who was waiting outside the room.

Asandhi: She is fine. There is nothing more to worry.

Ashok nodded his head but not as though he seemed very convinced by it.

Ashok: You will take care of her, I expect!

Asandhi: Please, don't mention it. Anything that concerns you, concerns me also. But how come you never told me anything before?

Ashok: The time was not right then.

Asandhi: Where was the need for all that farce in the Court forcing Karuwaki to marry you if both of you were already married?

Ashok: Because it was mandatory!

Asandhi: But why was it is what I fail to understand?

Ashok: I truly admire your penchant for posing riddles just as much as you love my answering in riddles. We'll continue this charming game after I return from my inspection of the battle field.

After Ashok's departure, Asandhimitra stood looking out of the window while she spoke to herself, "Ashok, why do you never confide in me though I've supported you in everything till now, the ethical and unethical? I've never judged you till now because I knew that your final goal was right even though the path you chose to achieve it was questionable. But I don't feel the same anymore."

There went another opportunity of penetrating the impenetrable citadel Ashok had built around himself. She returned back to her room and found that Karuwaki was conscious by now. She could sense that she wanted to talk something in private. Asandhimitra clapped her hands and said aloud, "Ekant!"

Asandhi: You can talk now. There is nobody else in this room, Rani Karuwaki.

Karuwaki: You are like what my elder sister would have been if I had one. Can I depend on you?

Asandhi: (After a long pause) Yes! You can confide in me as you would to your elder sister if you feel like it.

Karuwaki: I don't know if I'm doing right trusting you after the deceit I received at the hands of the person who meant the most to me. But I have no option left now except to trust even at the expense of the treachery I might have to face from you. (She cleared her voice and hesitatingly said) I just want to go away from here.

Asandhi: (Greatly astounded) Both you and I know you ask for the impossible. You're the queen consort and the mother of the prospective heir.

Karuwaki: When I married Deva, that is Devanamapriya, I didn't know it was Ashok whom I was actually marrying. The Ashok whom I knew was the only and best friend whom I've ever remembered and cherished since my days in Taxila. And the Ashok whom I saw today is a stranger to me.

Asandhi: (Shocked) Do you mean to say that Ashok married you under a wrong and false identity?

Karuwaki: Yes!

Let's leave both the women with their own dilemmas to tackle in the solitude of their room and move our line of vision across the larger expanse of the battlefield where the Kaling war had been fought and won. The toll on both the sides was huge. The huge heap of carcasses would take days together to clean up. The numbers of those maimed and blighted for life was even more. Despite hundreds of medical practitioners tending day and night to the wounded, they had still nowhere broken into even the tip of the iceberg. Whole villages of civilian population who rose up in rebellion were instantly deported to distant corners of the Mauryan Empire.

A mother stood crying here, a newly-wed wife sat there in another corner breaking her red bangles and lamenting her lost womanhood, a little girl who was not even old enough to understand the harsh reality of death was making preparations for bidding farewell to the father on whose lap she had sat listening to stories and lullabies just a few days back; it was a heart-rending experience to see all this and still remain unmoved.

All of you must be curious to know what must be running through Ashok's mind witnessing all this. But before we can do that, here rises a woman picking the mud beneath her feet and begins throwing it at Ashok saying, "This is what you wanted, isn't it? Take it! Take all of it!" She is ruthlessly dragged away from there by the soldiers surrounding Ashok who stands there unmoved with an inscrutable expression on his face. It is neither one of anger at being insulted like this, nor one of exultation at being the victorious conqueror. It is one of pure exhaustion.

At this moment, Ashok was accosted by a monk in ochre robes.

Monk: How are you feeling?

Ashok: I don't know. I didn't know that this would be the end of what I began.

Monk: All things are meant to end like this. You were only the agent who fastened this process.

Ashok: I was just trying to fulfill my guru's dreams. Am I wrong in doing so?

Monk: No. But perhaps the way you chose to do it was wrong. Would this be the way you would like you, your guru, and your parents to be remembered by history? Wouldn't you like to hold your head and that of your ancestors high up in the annals of history?

Ashok: (Smiling sarcastically) What exactly is history but another story written by the victorious! It's good that I made it a habit of winning continuously. All this bloodshed and gore will be forgotten in a few days...months...or perhaps years. Then what remains in history is all about Ashoka the Great'. If I had lost to my half-brothers and my enemies at the time of my succession, all that remained in history would have been Sushim the Great, Siamuck the Grand, Helena the Compassionate, Charumitra the Loving, or Khalnatak the Wise.

Monk: Winning is a good thing. But all those victories that are won by power get lost somewhere in history. It's only those victories that are won by love that become the stuff of legends like Lord Ram's and Lord Buddha's.

Ashok: I can comment anything on Lord Buddha as I hardly know him but Lord Ram fought a war full of bloodshed. So do you mean to say he was wrong?

Monk: No. He was not wrong because he did not initiate it. He was only defending and retaliating. He knew where to put a full stop to everything once it was over. But yours is a different case. You began this cycle of destruction. Now only you have the power to put a full stop to it. It's not too late even now. History can still remember you as Ashoka the Great' not for the cycle of hatred and trail of destruction you spewed till now, but for the love and compassion that you have the potential and power to propagate at least in the future.

The sun was setting in the west! Was it the end of an era or the beginning of a new one?

Chapter Three : In the Inner Recesses of the Mind

Ashok sat down in front of the sumptuous royal dinner served for him by the maids under the observation of the ever scrutinizing eyes of his Empress Asandhimitra. He was deeply lost in thought and did not even notice that the serving had been completed. He was brought back to the present by the touch of her hand on his shoulder. It was oozing with care and concern for him. Today he was not in a position to shrug it off as he would usually have done in the past. He let it stay where it was savoring every bit of the beauty of this simple human emotion. After sitting like this for some more time, he rose up without telling a single word.

Asandhimitra was about to mildly rebuke him for not even taking a single bite out of the sumptuous repast whose preparation she had personally supervised, tasted and also tested because in the present troublesome times, there was no telling from which corner the enemy would attack. It would not take too much time or effort to practice a bit of caution for the next few more days or months. Then everything would be lost in the oblivion of time! But looking at his facial expression and gauging his frame of mind, she held herself back.

Ashok was standing outside Karuwaki's room watching her from afar. She was sleeping peacefully now and he did not want to disturb that by his presence. He could still make out the trail left by the dried up tears on her face even now. He had not observed Asandhimitra's arrival in his preoccupation.

Asandhi: Samrat, why don't you come in and meet her?

Ashok: No! I just came to ensure that everything was alright.

Asandhi: Do you love her a lot?

Ashok: Not exactly! She belongs to me now whether she is ready to accept it or not. Her present situation is very delicate. Much as I have the ability to be cold, clinical, ruthless and manipulative with the other people, she is not the person with whom I would like to be so if I can help it. Moreover, she has given me so much happiness by being the prospective mother of my first heir. There is not so much at the present moment for me to feel very happy about except being the most hated man for the majority of the people around me. So...

Asandhi: So...

Ashok: I must wish you good night, Samragni!

Asandhi: Good night, Samrat!

That midnight, in the shadows of the night outside the royal palace of Kaling;

Asandhi: I don't know if I'm doing the right thing or not. I just wish Ashok would forgive me for whatever I'm doing.

Karuwaki: Thank you for understanding my situation and helping me. I will always remember your help.

Asandhi: You must promise me that you will take good care of yourself...and this baby!

Karuwaki: (After a long pause) Yes! My issues and grievances are with Ashok...not this innocent baby. I will take good care of myself and the baby. You will not reveal where I am to Ashok?

Asandhi: No!

Karuwaki: Not at any cost?

Asandhi: (With vehemence) Not at any cost!

Karuwaki hugged her and said in between her tears, "You really do not know what this means to me. I would have gone mad or killed myself in frustration if I continued living in the same space with him any longer. I would have hated myself for loving and living with the person who had destroyed my entire family and my people. I would have broken down under the sheer weight of the guilt I was feeling for betraying my Kaling!"

Asandhi: I know that! That's why I'm helping you. God, please forgive me for breaking my Ashok's trust. I'm doing what I feel is the best for us all in the present scenario...Please send me regular updates about yourself and ...the baby...wherever you are.

Karuwaki: Good bye! I will always remember you for the angel that you have been to me.

Asandhi: Good bye. Go soon from here before anyone else comes.

Ashok's Flashback

Ashok began pondering over the past to his time at Taxila. Keechak was no more and the Yunani and Khorasani sena which had tried to breach the Hindukush frontier had been driven back and he had practically done this with no help from the Magadh Sena. The people of Taxila were literally going crazy over him.

Acharya Radhagupt was beaming in pride as they carried him all around Taxila in a Vijay Yatra on their own shoulders. He made a last minute entry in Taxila but had played a pivotal role in driving the final nail in Keechak's coffin. They had been unfortunate in losing Acharya Devrath in the final battle. This dampened their spirits to some extent.

But the younger ones in the group were too exhilarated by the spectacular victory they had won that they were unwilling to ponder on what all they had lost in their quest to celebrate what all they had won. Karuwaki was leading a big group of cheerleading children and ladies who were shouting themselves hoarse with cries of "Ashok ki Jai" and "Hamara Ashok Mahan".

Karuwaki and Maharaj Jagannath were soon leaving from Taxila for their homeland, Kaling. In this short span of time Ashok and Karuwaki had become good friends and comrades. They had fought Keechak together and succeeded in their respective goals. Now was the time to bid good bye.

Karuwaki: Good bye, Ashok. I'll miss you a lot.

Ashok: Me too. We fought together as friends and comrades in freeing Taxila and your father from Keechak's captivity and won it. Now we part because each of us has different priorities and responsibilities. But let's hope that we meet sometime in future.

Karuwaki: I'm sorry for Acharya Devrath's death. You must be feeling terrible to lose a mentor like him, isn't it?

Ashok: No! He died fighting for his motherland. It is something to be proud of. Not everyone would get an opportunity to die for their motherland. Even if I had a thousand lives, I could sacrifice it for the sake of my mother and motherland. And this is not the first time I'm losing a mentor. It has happened even earlier.

Karuwaki: You mean Acharya Chanakya, right?

Ashok: Yes! This was one death which has upturned my whole universe. The truth the outside world has been told is completely false. All the people who were responsible for it are still freely roaming around. If it had been either a normal death or a brave death like Acharya Devrath's for the sake of the motherland, I would have deeply mourned it but not felt as outraged and powerless as I feel now. A single day has not passed ever since where I have not condemned myself for not being able to bring the perpetrators of this horrendous crime before the altar of justice.

Karuwaki: Don't lose hope Ashok. All the criminals who evade justice think nobody can catch them. But someday or the other, they have to pay for their actions. I know that it will be difficult to fill the void left by two such mentors like Acharya Chanakya and Acharya Devrath. But I think Acharya Radhagupt will definitely help you in overcoming this to at least some extent.

Ashok: Yes! He was Acharya's best disciple and a better person to be appointed as the Mahamatya of Magadh than Khalnatak. But Acharya Chanakya did not put forth his name before Pithaji because he did not want to see his student geting that position by recommendation but out of his own hard work and merit.

Karuwaki: Going by it, I would assume that Acharya Chanakya did not recommend your name to Maharaj Bindusaar as his next successor because he wanted you to fight for it and secure it by your own effort and not have it served up to you on a platter.

Ashok: Yes! His dying words to me were that I become the Chakravartin Samrat. I just wish he had told something about the people responsible for his death as well at the time of dying.

Karuwaki: Yes! But the very fact that he did not seems to show his implicit confidence that you would find out the truth about his death and punish the guilty. Or does it mean that in the process of your becoming the Chakravartin Samrat you would be able to find out, expose and punish all those people who were responsible for his death? Only Magadh's enemies could have done such a horrendous deed as murdering Acharya Chanakya. By becoming the Chakravartin Samrat, they will become your enemies also.

Ashok: You might be right. I did not think along those lines. Anyways, it's almost time for your departure. Have a nice journey!

Karuwaki: From today onwards, it is not just your Acharya Chanakya alone who wanted you to become the Chakravartin Samrat of Bharath. I also wish the same because I know there is none so deserving as you for this great honor. I will pray to God that this wish of your great guru will become your destiny.

Flashback Ends

Ashok speaking to himself, "My age of innocence ended after that day. The Ashok whom you knew got lost in the recesses of time and power struggles, Karuwaki. Perhaps this child of ours will help me rediscover that Ashok and mend our broken relationship."

Just then Ashok's thoughts were interrupted by a soldier who seemed out of breath and very scared as though he had some very bad news to convey to him, "Samrat, Rani Karuwaki has been missing from the palace for the past several hours. We have sent search parties to find out where she is but none of them have returned with any positive news."

Ashok curtly dismissed the man before he angrily strode to Asandhimitra's chamber. Asandhimitra was trying to pretend as though she had been fast asleep while she was awake all this while and quivering within herself on what would be Ashok's reaction on finding that Karuwaki was missing.

Ashok: Why did you do this Mitra?

Asandhi: (As though she had not understood) What are you saying, Samrat?

Ashok: Don't try to bluff! Karuwaki is missing. She could not have escaped from here without internal help, and nobody else here in this palace except you have the guts to do and walk away with such a deed.

Asandhi: Since the cat is as well out of the bag, I will say that I did it because I felt that you have wronged her. Wife or no wife, you have no right to detain a woman anywhere against her will.

Ashok: Some kind of good sisterhood sentiment building up here. When Devi also comes, all three of you can sit together and fortify it against me.

Asandhi: What does that mean?

Ashok: It means that Karuwaki will have to come back wherever she is whether she wishes it or not. You will tell me all that you know about her.

Asandhi: (Resorting to a half-belligerent and half-pleading tone) I'm not going to do anything of that sort. Please leave her alone wherever she is!

Ashok: It's your call. But it will not change the fact that Karuwaki will come back to this palace of her own freewill within the next twenty four hours.

The tom-toms began sounding everywhere in Kaling the next morning, "The Samrat wishes to inform Rani Karuwaki that all the 10,000 Kaling prisoners of war who are in the Mauryan prisons will be executed tomorrow dawn if she fails to return to the palace! In the event of her unconditional return they will all be pardoned and set free!"

Chapter Four: Two Queens and One Emperor

Asandhimitra's Flashback

Asandhimitra stood musing in her room about the time when Ashok had offered to marry her. She had received the proposal to marry Rajkumar Sushim from Maharaj Bindusaar again, and a private veiled threat from Sushim to not ever think about refusing it if she wished the welfare of Ujjain and her younger brother. At this juncture, almost like a bolt from the blue, Ashok had suggested that she marry him instead.

Ashok: Tell Maharaj Bindusaar that you will be unable to marry Rajkumar Sushim because you're in love with me!

Asandhi: Indeed, why do you suppose I will do it?

Ashok: Because you're in love with me.

Asandhi: Who ever told you princesses marry for love? Duty and responsibility dictates whom they marry. The fact that I love you does not mean that I will marry you as well. Moreover I can as well see it in your eyes that you do not love me. I'm just a friend for whom you feel very concerned.

Ashok: For that matter Bhratha Sushim does not love you either. You are just a means of increasing his political power, a political pawn in his game of chess.

Asandhi: So what? If that will secure the future of Ujjain and my younger brother's, why not sacrifice my wishes for it?

Ashok: If at all security was all that you were looking for in this marriage with Bhratha Sushim, I could as well provide it for you after our marriage. If I did it for you unconditionally even before as a friend when Rajaji Raj and Rani Niharika were discovered as the traitors of Magadh, why wouldn't I do it for you after our marriage? Pithaji Maharaj would gladly agree to our marriage if you were to tell him that you love me.

Asandhi: You are really asking too much from me! Moreover you do not love me...

Ashok: Why did you fill your maang with the blood from my hands if you had no feelings for me?

Asandhi: I got carried away by my emotions then. But now I'm in my right senses. Why would I agree to become your political pawn in your struggle with Sushim? Fight him on your own. It's your battle. Why do you drag me in between?

Ashok: But you were willing to become Bhratha Sushim's pawn knowing fully well that he would treat you like the dirt beneath his feet after this marriage. If you have actually determined to become a political pawn, why not be mine instead of Sushim's? At least you would have my life-long friendship in return while I will have the support of the Ujjaini Sena?

Asandhi: Why do you need the Ujjaini Sena? You were able to single-handedly defeat Keechak in Taxila with no support from the Magadh Sena!

Ashok: There were many silly things I did during the Taxila Abhyan that I would never willingly repeat in future. You can't win wars always riding high on luck and public goodwill. I was forced to do so because of the dire situation that called for it. Manpower is very important in any struggle. Sushim is the next in the line of succession, so the help of the Magadh Sena can be automatically ruled out in the case of any conflict between both of us. Much as you and I would like to believe that I will be able to take on Sushim without any backing, it is practically impossible. I'm no one man army. I actually need an army. Why not the Ujjaini Sena as a starting point to rally round? If I were to marry you, I would automatically have the backing of the Ujjaini sena.

Asandhi: But love...?

Ashok: But you yourself said that princesses do not marry for love but as a duty and responsibility a short while ago. You ought to consider yourself lucky in that respect because here at least you have a chance to marry your love even though it might be one-sided. Though I might never be able to reciprocate your love for me, isn't your love alone sufficient for both of us?

Flashback Ends

Asandhimitra's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Karuwaki. She had been expecting her the whole day. Both the women sat down in silent communion wiping each other's tears and offering solace.

At the Conference Hall

Ashok was in conference with his cabinet of ministers. He was instructing them on what had to be done further, "Kaling is now an integral part of our kingdom. So it is equally our duty and responsibility to help in its reconstruction and repair the damages caused by this devastating war. Summon more medical practitioners from all over the country to tend to the wounded irrespective of whether they belong to the Mauryan side or to the Kaling side. Give all the dead a decent final parting and oversee the cleaning up of Kaling. Diseases are prone to break out in such conditions. Take all the necessary precautions. No taxes will be collected from anybody in Kaling for two years to help the people in recouping from all their losses. Provide all the essential facilities to women and children. They have been the worst hit due to this war."

A messenger interrupted the proceeding saying, "Sorry to interrupt you, Samrat! Rani Karuwaki has returned."

Ashok gave a smug and wry smile to himself and dismissed the messenger giving him a golden chain from his neck. He nonchalantly continued speaking with his ministers as though nothing very important had happened. One of the ministers who could not withstand his curiosity said, "Samrat we announced that we would release all the Kaling prisoners of war on the return of Rani Karuwaki. Should we do it today itself or tomorrow?"

Ashok coolly said, "I remember promising to release the prisoners but I did not mention anywhere the exact time frame of their release. So that thing can wait. First things first!"

In Ashok's Royal Chamber

That same day in his chamber, his man Friday came up to him and said in an almost whispering tone, "Rani Karuwaki wishes to have an audience with you, Samrat!"

Ashok nodded his head in acquiescence. He was expecting this visit and he was well-prepared for it.

Karuwaki: Ashok, why are you doing this to me?

Ashok: It's Samrat! You address me from now on as Samrat. Since this is your first time, I will take it as your ignorance of the rules of etiquette we follow in Magadh.

Karuwaki: Alright, Samrat if you'll have it that way. You didn't answer my question?

Ashok: The answer lies in your question itself. I'm doing all this because you force me to, and leave me with no other milder option to treat you.

Karuwaki (She bit her lip in order to check her anger and fury that were mounting. Ashok had the gall to blame her when in reality she and her people were the victims and he was their oppressor): When are you going to release all the Kaling prisoners of war?

Ashok: Not so fast! I promised to release them but I didn't mention any time frame.

Karuwaki: Are you at least going to release them?

Ashok: I was initially contemplating on releasing them all in a couple of days before you pulled out that stunt of running away on me. Now I think it will be better to release them in small batches over the course of the next six to eight months so that Magadh rule over Kaling is firmly established in the meantime, and the rebels don't get a chance to regroup and stage a mutiny against me. If you can corrupt the thinking of my empress Asandhimitra, there is no telling what magic you'll be able to work on the Kaling rebels! What say?

Karuwaki(Sobbing inconsolably): You're beyond redemption, Ash...I mean Samrat.

Ashok (Thundered): You'd do well to examine what words you use, Rani Karuwaki!

Karuwaki: I trusted you beyond everyone. I put my entire life and heart at your disposal and you chose to trample it like this? I crossed all my bounds in my love for you. I secretly married you even though you were just a commoner then. Can't you even trust me in return?

Ashok (in a half-appeasing and wry tone): I do trust you, but with reservations, Rani Karuwaki.

Karuwaki: You were not like this at Taxila?

Ashok: Yay! I remember what an emotional fool I used to be at that time. I believed in stupid stuff that love can conquer everything. Goodness and perfection are the ultimate ends of this human life. Try to repay even those who hurt you with kindness. Blah! Blah! Blah!

Karuwaki: What's so wrong in being so? You actually won me over despite all my prejudices with your goodness at Taxila. Even I let you down initially by supporting Keechak in order to save my father. Though you were angry with me, you understood my situation and helped me out!

Ashok: That was because you did not repeat your mistake and were genuinely sorry for whatever you had done. But it rarely happens in real life. You can't keep on repaying a person with goodness and kindness for treachery after treachery. The only option you have in this situation is to punish them. I did the same ever since Taxila and I'm not sorry for anything I did nor do I owe explanations to anybody for whatever I did.

Karuwaki: I'd rather keep on repaying with kindness and goodness to a person who committed treachery after treachery with me rather than punish them. And I learnt this lesson from the Ashok who was my friend. Doing so, I'd die in peace with my head held up high rather than die with the regret that I could not be a nicer and a better human being in the life given to me by the Almighty. I'll begin that with you. I forgive you unconditionally for whatever you have done to me and my people. Please don't explain anything to anybody. I don't need them!

Ashok was left speechless after this verbal exchange. If she had hated him, he could have maintained the status quo. But her forgiveness literally flummoxed all his plans of dealing with her. Her mulishness in the power of good and kindness was similar to his mother's. All along it had been a game of winning and losing. He had learnt to do that to perfection. Acharya Chanakya's training had stood him in good stead there. But this was an entirely different scenario. You can deal with an opponent who wishes to defeat you but how do you deal with an opponent who willingly sacrifices her own victory to prevent your defeat?

Chapter Five: Glimpses from the Past

Let's delve into the timeless womb of the past to learn the reasons for Ashok's inexplicable transformation.

A Royal Encampment between Taxila and Patliputra

Ashok, Acharya Radhagupt and their small band of soldiers had set up camp for the night at a comparatively safe and secluded spot. After a secular dinner eaten in perfect equality around a big bonfire celebrating their victory where everyone shared food and experiences with each other, they dispersed to their respective tents for the night.

Ashok and his men had not slept peacefully for many nights. Ashok, after ensuring that everything was alright with his men and in the camp, retired to his own tent to make up for his sleep lag before their early departure the next day morning. But sleep continued to elude him despite the fact that there was nothing to fear now.

The bloodshed and cruelty that he had witnessed during the course of the Taxila Abhyan had left him in a very disturbed state of mind. Midway through his sleep he started punching some unknown enemy in the air with his fists while muttering incoherent cries which did not belong to any particular human language.

Acharya Radhagupt whose tent was the nearest to Ashok's was woken up by this commotion. He went to Ashok's tent to reassure himself that everything was alright. When he saw Ashok's eyebrows knotted in fury and his clenched fists in his disturbed state of sleep, he felt a slight pang in his heart for the small lad on whose shoulders such a big responsibility had come. He smoothed his hair slightly and gently patted him on his back.

Ashok's nightmare seemed to be over. He saw the peace return to the young lad's face. He was about to leave from there when Ashok tightly clutched his hand with an iron and vice-like grip. Acharya Radhagupt smiled to himself in a paternal manner and sat down beside Ashok. He did not try to remove his hand from Ashok's grip.

The hours slowly passed by as the student and mentor continued in this way. The rays of dawn were falling on Ashok's face. He twitched his eyes slightly and opened them to find Acharya Radhagupt's kind and benevolent face before his eyes. One look at the Acharya's face and his bloodshot eyes told Ashok that he must not have slept even a single minute the whole of the previous night. Ashok realized only then that he had tightly been holding Radhagupt's hand.

Ashok: Why didn't you wake me up Acharya?

Radhagupt: It's worth it if it helped you sleep properly. You were badly in need of some good sleep. (After the pause of a minute) I've some instructions to give to our men. I'll attend to that. We'll be starting in an hour. Get ready soon. We've already been away from Patliputra for longer than I would have preferred.

Ashok: Is there anything you fear, Acharya?

Radhagupt: Nothing specific, son! It's just a hunch. It could turn out to be baseless also for that matter.

Ashok: Acharya please be clear and honest. I'm old enough now to understand the ways of the world.

Radhagupt: All right! I'll speak in the form of a riddle. You'll get your answer when you complete it. When the Lion of the jungle is away, the wolves and foxes will ------.

Ashok: When the Lion of the jungle is away, the wolves and foxes will...have their way! Is that the correct answer, Acharya?

Radhagupt(He clicked his tongue in admiration): There's no denying the fact that you are an Ekaawadhani'! (A person who grasps and understands something at the first attempt itself). That's why Acharya Chanakya held a very special place for you in his heart.

Ashok: Acharya, your words are actually increasing my apprehensions now. I hope everything will be alright at Patliputra! Let's make haste. I want to be at home as soon as possible!

At Patliputra

Two hooded figures with lanterns in their hands kept darting here and there through the narrow and blind alleys of a poorer part of the Magadhan capital of Patliputra. They constantly kept looking back before they spoke to each other in whispers and gestures before they parted from each other and went their different ways.

After the elapse of one more hour, one of the figures appeared before a broken down hut. Sensing the arrival of someone, the figure quickly ducked into the shadows of the nearby bushes and at the same time maintaining a clearer view of things. The second figure removed his hood revealing the face of Rajkumar Sushim. The first figure whom we just saw got up from his hiding place and took out his hood also revealing Mahamatya Khalnatak.

Both of them proceeded in a studied and precautious manner into the hut before they locked themselves in. Rajmata Helena and Rani Charumitra already seemed to be waiting for them since a long time.

Charumitra: I never thought you people would be able to make it here without attracting any notice. We were almost about to leave.

Helena: Maine kaha tha na ke intezaar ke pal meethe hothe hain, Rani Charumitra. (I told you Rani Charumitra that the result of waiting patiently in always sweet)

Khalnatak: We suspected being followed by Maharaaj Bindusaar's spies and so had to take the long route to reach here. Ever since that attack on Rani Dharma planned by Rani Charumitra with the help of mercenaries, Maharaaj is not trusting anybody in the palace.

Sushim: Dharma! Dharma! Dharma! I'm fed up of hearing this name. We have been a bit late in taking steps against her, Rajmata. The result is for all of us to see. She seems to have given the hint to Pithaji that some or many insiders were involved in Acharya Chanakya's murder.

Helena: I agree with you, Sushim! We've underestimated Dharma. We thought we could just bamboozle her or frighten her away from finding the truth. But she seems to be made of sterner stuff than we actually credited her for.

Charumitra: Yes! And that Bhadrabhat also seems to have seconded her version.

Khalnatak: That attack on Dharma instead of solving our problems has confirmed Maharaaj's suspicions on us. He is just waiting to lay his hands on one small bit of proof before taking action on us. Rani Charumitra, I wish you had consulted either me or the Rajmata before planning that attack on Dharma.

Charumitra: It's easier to blame on hindsight. I did what I thought was the best at that moment.

Khalnatak: Ashok and Radhagupt are returning tomorrow morning from Taxila. I assure you that they will not leave any stone unturned in using this against us. If Maharaaj, Ashok and Radhagupt join hands, they will solve this mystery in no time.

Sushim: Khud ko bachane ke liye hame in donon ko Patliputra seh door rakhna padega. (We have to keep both of them away from Patliputra in order to save ourselves)

Charumitra: Par woh kaise? (But how?)

Sushim explains his plan to all of them.

The royal palace of Patliputra had always been enwrapped in mysteries and intrigues. The latest one was the attack on Rani Dharma. She was in a very critical state. The fact that she had been in the later months of pregnancy when this happened made matters even worse. Rajkumar Ashok had just returned along with Acharya Radhagupt after a successful foray in the Taxila Abhyan to receive this bad news at Patliputra.

Ashok: Yeh kaise huva Pithaji aapke rehthe huve bhi? (How did this happen despite your presence, Pithaji?)

Bindusaar: I'm sorry, Ashok that I failed in my duty of protecting your mother. But I just wish she had given me a hint earlier of the dangerous game she was playing in order to find out the real murderers of Acharya Chanakya and the drohis of Magadh. I would have kept her out of this and personally investigated this matter on my own.

Ashok: Meri ma aur matrubhoomi meri gurrooor hain. Aur jo koi bhi unhe skshathi pahunchane ki kosish karega main unhe choodunga nahin! (My mother and motherland are my pride. If anybody tries to harm them, I will not let them go.)

Bindusaar: Shanth, putra! Ashanth man seh sochoge toh tumhe koi samadhan nahin milega! Hamare guptachar apna kaam kar rahen hain! (Patience son! If you try to think with an impatient mind, you will not find any answers. Our spies are on their job!)

Ashok: Main shanth nahin baith saktha aapki tarah, Pithaji! ( I cannot sit patiently like you, Pithaji)

Bindusaar: Ashok...Listen to me...Don't do anything which will spoil our plans and help the drohis of Magadh to escape...Ashok...

The court was in session. The Emperor was lost in deep thought though he mechanically tried to follow whatever was happening in the court. He had observed something new in the Ashok who came back from Taxila. There was a new glint in his eyes. An Ashok who could scarcely be contained; an Ashok who could raze down everything in his rage, an Ashok who could be ruthless; or perhaps he was reading too much into his son's behavior.

Ashok was just back after a very taxing and difficult Abhyan. Moreover, Ashok had grown up in leaps and bounds in the recent past. He was learning to think beyond his years. He had lost his innocence and belief in human goodness in this process. Whether it was good or bad only time could tell!

Bindusaar after seeing Ashok's reaction began thinking if it would be advisable to involve Ashok in investigating Acharya Chanakya's murder. The suspects in this case were Ashok's own people. Bindusaar could not predict how Ashok would react to this situation. Wouldn't it be better if he just sent Ashok away from here on some important work?

He could carry out the investigations on his own in a better fashion keeping his son out of all this. His son didn't need to see anymore ugliness, greed and power hunger than he had already seen at this small age. If his own were involved in this as Dharma had said, it would become too much for Ashok to digest.

Just then a messenger from Avanti interrupted the proceedings, "Maharaj, Avanti mein kuch vidrohiyon ne akraman karke vahan ke prathpal ko marliya hai. Vahan ki sthithi bahuth gambir hai!" (Maharaj, some rebels have attacked Avanti and killed our Pranthpal. The situation there is very tense!)

Maharaaj Bindusaar, with anger rising up his throat at this, said, "Rajkumar Ashok will leave immediately for Avanti along with two elite regiments of the Magadh Sena to curb this situation. Acharya Radhagupt will also accompany Rajkumar Ashok in this Abhyan and guide him with his able advice."

Rajkumar Ashok though under the obligation to follow the Emperor's orders, seemed noticeably upset with his decision. Later on that day, in Ashok's chamber,

Ashok: Pithaji, why did you do this to me? Ma is so ill and you're sending me away from you again?

Bindusaar: I had no option son. I decided like an Emperor would and not as a father or husband. I had to send my best man for it. I do not trust Rajkumar Sushim to control the explosive situation (There are other reasons why I'm not trusting him or sending him for this. But you need not know!) while I think that Siamak and Dhrupad are too young for handling a mission like this. Ideally, Akramak, if he had been alive, would have been my first choice for this mission. But since that is not to be, you're my next choice. And I'm not sending you alone either. I'm sending Acharya Radhagupt along with you. I trust in his wisdom and ability to guide you to take the right decisions at the right time just like Acharya Chanakya did for me.

Ashok: Whatever you tell, you will never be able to convince me, Pithaji? I just came back from Taxila and you're sending me away again. And Maa...Her state is so delicate now...She is surrounded on all sides by enemies...

Bindusaar: I'm here to protect your mother.

Ashok: You were here even the last time when that attack on Maa happened right in front of your nose. So on what basis should I trust you?

Ashok left from there in anger and frustration while Maharaaj Bindusaar spoke to himself, "Tum abhi nahin samjhoge putra. Rajneeti ithni aasaan nahin hai jithni dikhthi hai. Kosish karna aur us kosish mein safal hona do alag alag batein hain. Maine bhi kosish ki thi par asafal raha. Ummeed kartha hoon ki jab tumhe mauka milega tum meri galatiyan nahin doharaoge. Jo singhasan par baiththa hai usse hasthe hasthe Haalahal ke Vish peena padega Bhagwan Shiv ki Tarah. Umeed kartha hoon ki tum meri majboori kisi na kisi din samjoge."(You'll not understand me in your present state of mind. Politics is not as easy as it looks. Trying your best and succeeding in your attempts are two different things. I also tried my best but was unsuccessful. I hope that when you get your chance, you will not repeat my mistakes. The person who sits on the throne has to willingly drink the Haalahal Vish just like Lord Shiv. I hope you will understand my compulsions some day or the other.)

Chapter Six: Great Expectations

Maharaaj Bindusaar was observing his son's detached manner as he continued making preparations for leaving for Avanti. The initial plans had been drawn up and discussed. He would soon be parting from Ashok for a long time. He felt a lump in his throat and his eyes unconsciously welled up with tears which he stepped aside to brush off from his cheeks without attracting anybody's notice. Suddenly, he remembered something. He rushed to his room and returned with a small bejeweled box. He drew Ashok near him and said, "Son, this box is very dear to my heart. It contains the armor and shield your Pitamah, Chandragupta Maurya gave me when I was about to leave for my first individual battle. I'm giving it to you now because you've come of age. I may not be around you, son, but my ashirwad and my armor and shield will always be there with you. Try to uphold the prestige of the Mauryans and your great guru Chanakya in the way you conduct yourself and deal with any situation, be it victory or defeat, life or death! Your mother would have done you vijay tilak with her own hands if she was better, but now you will have to make do with mine."

Bindusaar took the Puja thal from the hands of the Panditji and applied the vijay tilak on Ashok's forehead while Rani Subrasi, Rajkumar Drupad, Rajkumari Ahankara (Asandhimitra's maiden name before her marriage to Ashok) and Acharya Radhagupt looked on. The rest of his family was very conspicuous by their absence. Bindusaar's blood boiled in his veins when he thought about the rest of his family and his retinue. He thought to himself, "No doubt, they'd all be smirking at some corner of this palace celebrating their success. Celebrate while you all have the chance because all your days are numbered after this. One bit of proof, and then I'll show all of you what it is to mess with Bindusaar and his loved ones."

Rani Subrasi said, "Ashok, do not worry about Rani Dharma. I'll personally take care of her. Keep your mind only on your task ahead. Vijaji Bhava, Putra!"

Ashok blankly nodded his head while Rajkumar Drupad hugged him tightly telling, "Bhratha, take me also along with you."

Ashok gently freed himself from his little brother's grip and said, "I would have taken you mere bhai but what about the people here? Who will take care of them in my absence?"

Drupad, fighting back his tears, "Alright! I'll stay back if you so wish. But Bhratha, promise me that you'll come back soon. Nothing here is as it used to be! I feel so alone here without you!"

Ahankara was holding something in her hand looking here and there as though she wanted to give something to Ashok but was hesitating to do so fearing that her action would be misconstrued. Noticing this Ashok unlocked her hand to find a red sacred thread in her hand. She haltingly explained, "When I heard that you were about to leave, I got a special puja and havan performed in your name to ensure your success in this mission. The Panditji asked me to give this sacred thread to you. It will protect you in all situations. Avanti holds a very special place in my heart. It happens to be my birthplace and my maternal uncle used to be the Prathpal of Avanti before he was cruelly murdered. (Ahankara broke down crying at this point before resuming again)Please avenge his death for my sake! He was a very brave, self-righteous, honest and efficient man for whom his duty and responsibility towards the people came first. Even when my father, Rajaji Raj, and my mother Rani Niharika turned traitors to Magadh in their greed for power, Avanti did not follow their footsteps. He always remained loyal to Magadh. He did not deserve to die cruelly the way he did."

Ashok mutinously looked at Bindusaar and asked, "Can I just see Maa from afar before I go? I know she is unconscious and the doctors are treating her...but..."

Bindusaar: Have it your own way son! I'm no tyrant to prevent son and mother from meeting each other. Just take care not to wake her up or disturb her because she's still under treatment and medication.

Ashok gruffly left from there. He stood staring at his mother outside her room as though to take in and absorb everything about her within his psyche. Ashok exclaimed, "Kash Maa main aaj bhi aapka Vanraaj hota aur Magadh ka Yuvraaj nahin ! Mera har rasta aur lakshya aap seh hi thi. Par aaj mera kartavya mujhe ek dusra rasta jis par aap nahin ho woh chunne ko kehraha hai." (How I wish I was your Vanraaj even today and not the Yuvraaj of Magadh! You were the end of all my paths and goals. But today my duty tells me to choose a path where you are not present.)

In Rajkumar Sushim's chamber,

Rajkumar Sushim was on a high caused by alcohol. He was celebrating the success of his scheme in keeping Ashok and Radhagupt out of Patliputra. He kept hurling abuses at Ashok and Rani Dharma in his inebriated state out of which he was rudely roused by his mother, Rani Charumitra who threw a jug of water at his face. He stood unsteadily facing his mother who was staring at him with a stony glare in her face along with her sidekick, Acharya Khalnatak who was trying to look on as sympathetically as he could at him and the sorry state of his room. Sushim flushed in anger and said, "What the... Can't I even celebrate my success in peace or should you poke your nose even into that?"

Charumitra greatly flustered and disappointed, "How many times do I pine my hopes on you and how many times will you let me down? Sushim...aur kithni baar samjhavun ki deewaron ke bhi kan hote hain?" (How many times should I tell you that even walls have ears?)

Sushim: Toh? Mai kisse dartha hoon kya? Agar main Avanti main vidroh karvasakta hoon toh main yahan bhi kuch bhi karvasakta hoon! (So? Am I scared of anybody? If I can stage a rebellion in Avanti, I can do the same or more here also!)

Acharya Khalnatak intervened, "Rajkumar shanth! Accha hoga agar hum yeh sab yahan bath na karen toh! Main samaj sakta hoon aapki manah stithi par yeh use prakat karne ki uchit samay ya sthan nahin hai! Athi kissi bhi cheez ka...athma vishwas ka bhi insaan ko leh doobtha hai!" (Rajkumar please be patient! It will be better if we don't discuss all this here. I can understand your state of mind but this is not the right time or place to express it. Excess of anything... even of self-confidence becomes the reason for the downfall of a person!)

Sushim: Agya deh... Agar aap donon ke gyan batna hogaya hai toh! (Please excuse me...if both of you are done with your advice!)

Both Rani Charumitra and Mahamatya Khalnatak stared on in disbelief at the apology of a Rajkumar who staggered out of the room. Rani Charumitra recollected herself and ran after him yelling, "Sushim...Rajkumar Sushim...Listen to me!"

Khalnatak who was left all alone in the room pondered, "Kya main sahi hoon Rajkumar Sushim ko apna samardhan dekar? Ek insaan joh apni aap ko nahin samaal saktha, ek insaan joh apni Acharya ka anadhar kartha ho, aisa insaan kaise mere sapnon ko jithayega?" (Am I doing the right thing by giving my support to Rajkumar Sushim? A person who cannot get a hold of himself, a person who disrespects his mentor, will such a person fulfill my dreams?)

In Maharaaj Bindusaar's chamber,

Maharaj Bindusaar had been urgently summoned by the Raj Vaid who informed him that he wanted to tell him something of utmost importance to him.

Bindusaar: Kahiye! Yahan aur koi nahin hai! (Tell me! There's nobody else here!)

Raj Vaid: Maharaaj, I suspect that the medicines I've been giving to Rani Dharma have been tampered with.

Bindusaar: What?

Raj Vaid: Yes, Maharaaj! I found it accidentally when I came for my regular visit and found the leftover lep near her bed. There was a slight change in color from the lep I had actually prepared for her. So I examined and tested it. A particular ingredient is being mixed in the medicines and lep that I have prescribed.

Bindusaar: Is it dangerous? I hope Rani Dharma is alright.

Raj Vaid: Yes, Maharaaj. Since I detected it in the very beginning, it's alright. I've given her the anti-dote. It is actually harmless in ordinary times but when mixed in the food or medicines of a pregnant lady, it causes severe internal bleeding over a period of time, eventually leading to her death and that of her child.

Bindusaar: This is really serious! I hope you have not mentioned about it to anyone.

Raj Vaid: No, Maharaaj! That's why I asked an urgent personal audience with you. It points to the work of an insider.

Bindusaar: From now on, no medicine or lep will be administered by anybody else except you. You will maintain a careful watch over the activities of everybody...by everybody... I mean everybody... not even my own people.

Raj Vaid: Your wish will be done, Maharaaj!

Bindusaar: If anybody asks for updates about Rani Dharma's health, don't give them the correct status. Create and maintain their illusion by saying that she is not responding properly to any of your treatments. This will not alert the people who have done this dastardly deed and we will get the chance to catch them off their guard. I will increase the security and spy cordon around Rani Dharma. Any small bit of information or suspicion, you will share only with me. Got it!

In a tent between Patliputra and Avanti,

Acharya Radhagupt, the Sena Nayaks of the two Elite regiments, Vishwajeet and Pradhmik, and Ashok were discussing their strategy to tackle the situation in Avanti. Ashok's mind seemed to be elsewhere. He was just nodding to whatever they were saying without contributing anything. Radhagupt observed this but did not make any remark. He kept on listening to everything Vishwajeet and Pradhmik had to say. Ashok had not even observed that his Sena Nayaks had left. He suddenly let out a sharp yowl of pain. The pain in his hand was literally unbearable. He felt as though something would snap in his brain. When he looked up, he saw Acharya Radhagupt do something with his finger tips near a nerve point and his pain subsided as suddenly as it had come. He spoke, "Are you in your senses now, young man?"

Ashok in complete disbelief, "Was it you who did it, Acharya?"

Radhagupt agreed, "Yes! You seemed to be in your own world. Learn to prioritize things, Ashok. Your first duty here is towards your mission and not towards anything in Patliputra. The people there are well-equipped and know how to deal with it. If you're going to participate in this mission with such a half-mind, we are surely going to lose the war and also our lives, taking down the Sena who have come so far trusting your inspirational guidance and leadership. And what about the people of Avanti for whom you happen to be the only hope? Stop having your emotions all over the place. Neither does a mentor need a student like you, nor does the Sena need such lack-luster leadership, nor do the people of Avanti need such an unwilling savior like you! Here I quit!"

With that Acharya Radhagupt walked away in anger and frustration at the apparent lack of focus and concentration by his student who was doing nothing to justify Acharya Chankya's hope and trust in his abilities and who had his emotions all over the place. Ashok was terribly ashamed of himself! He hung his head down at having disappointed his mentor by his behavior. Only then did the import of Radhagupt's last words "Here I quit" sink in his mind.

Was Acharya really serious? He looked up and saw that true to his words, Acharya Radhagupt had left. He dashed outside and began searching for him frantically. But he was nowhere to be found. Ashok quickly barked his orders to his soldiers to search and find Acharya Radhagupt. Ashok kept on saying to himself, "Acharya, don't desert me! Just give me one chance to redeem myself. I'll try to become the student you'll be proud of. I will not let my personal life interfere with my duties and responsibilities."

In the chamber of Mahamatya Khalnatak,

Khalnatak, the Prime Minister of Magadh, was burning a few more copies of the Artha Shastra and venting his frustration at the dead mentor of all the Mauryans, Acharya Chanakya in one of his megalomaniacal fits:

"There goes one more copy of your obsolete knowledge. I will erase all traces of your memory. I alone will remain in history as the greatest teacher and mentor of the biggest and strongest empire that ever existed. My books alone will be read in future. I will be held up in reverence as a great thinker and philosopher by posterity.

Chanakya...Acharya Chanakya...where are you today? Nowhere! And I Mahamatya Khalnatak, am the most important person in the whole of Magadh. Nobody here can exist without me now. I'm indispensable here. But you are not! Everyone has leant to live without you. Everyone!"

The manuscripts had burned down leaving behind ashes. Khalnatak quenched even the remaining sparks emanating from them by pouring water on it as he kept on laughing in maniacal fury.

Suddenly the lights in his room when off and he shouted to his personal attendant to light them again. As the darkness of his room was shattered by the arrival of new light, Khalnatak rubbed his eyes in an admixture of astonishment and terror at the vision of the spectre that stood before him.

Khalnatak: Acharya Chanakya, aap yahan? (Acharya Chanakya, you here?)

Chanakya: Haan! (Yes!)

Khalnatak (Shaking his head vigorously): Maine aap ko marliya hai. Aap yahan nahin ho sakthe. Yeh mera bhram hai! (I've killed you. You cannot be here. This is my illusion!)

Chanakya: Maine aapse aise moorkhtha ki aapeksha nahin ki thi, Mahamatya. Aapne yeh kaise soch liya ki ek insaan ko marne seh uski soch ya uski gyan ko marsakthe ho? (I didn't expect such foolishness from you, Mahamatya. How did you think that by killing a person you could kill their thought process or knowledge?)

Khalnatak: Ardhath? (Will you please clarify?)

Chanakya: Main vistaar seh samjhavunga. Agar main yeh diya hoon, toh maine apne jeevan kal main apni gyan ki roshni seh aise hazaroon diye jalaye. Aapne mera jeewan ke diye ko bhujadiya, par un hazaron diyon ka kya? Woh har ek diya, aur hazar diyon ko prajwalith karneki skhamtha rakhtha hain. Aisa mere gyan ki chakra aur vichar dhara chaltha hi rahega. Aap mera anth karne seh, yah kuch hazar kithabon ko mitane seh usse khandith nahin kar sakthe. (I'll explain in detail. If I am this lamp, then in my lifetime I lit a thousand such lamps with the light of my knowledge. You extinguished the light of my life, but what about the light shining from those thousand lamps? Each one of those lamps has the potential to light a thousand more lamps. The cycle of my knowledge and my thought stream will keep on continuing like that. You cannot stop that from happening even though you can put an end to my life or burn a few thousand books.)

One of the lamps got extinguished but the remaining lamps in the room continued shinning brilliantly. Mahamatya Khalnatak rushed to the curtains and caught hold of Acharya Chanakya's throat and said with impotent rage, "I'll kill you!...You're doomed..."

At this Khalnatak's ears caught the familiar sounds of his personal attendant gasping for breath. The man blurted out, "Main Ram Sevak...Acharya Chanakya nahin..." (I'm Ram Sevak...Not Acharya Chanakya). Khalnatak pushed the man out of his room in desperation before he slumped down. He hit himself hard. He seemed to be losing his grip over himself these days. What went into him that he imagined Ram Sevak to be the great maestro, Acharya Chanakya?

Dawn on the banks of a sacred river between Magadh and Avanti,

Ashok sat down completely defeated. He had not lived up to the expectation of his parents, his mentors, his soldiers, and his people. If Acharya Radhagupt had contemplated quitting, it was due to his lack of focus and prioritization. Watching the sun rise in the horizon, he prayed, "Hey Surya Dev please make me meet Acharya Radhagupt again. I owe my sincere apologies to him. If I get just another chance..."

Ashok's thoughts were interrupted by the vision of Acharya Radhagupt offering his oblations to the Sun. He quickly jumped into the river and began swimming towards him calling, "Acharya...Acharya...please listen to me...forgive me...just give me another chance"

Radhagupt continued with his Surya Namaskar nonchalantly without paying any attention to Ashok or his words. When he was done with it, he said, "I hope now you realize how it feels when another person ignores you when you are trying to tell them something important?"

Ashok: Yes, Acharya, I've learnt my lesson. But where did you go leaving me like that all of a sudden?

Radhagupt (Greatly surprised): Did I go anywhere? I didn't know!

Ashok: But you told me that you were leaving?

Radhagupt: Did you or your soldiers look for me in the most obvious place I would be in...my tent?

Ashok (Spellbound): Don't tell me Acharya that you were in your tent and let all of us go on a wild-goose chase the whole of last night?

Radhagupt: I was just waiting to see if any of you would use our brains practically and logically. But that was not to be! There's still a lot you have to learn Ashok.

Ashok: I know that Acharya. That's why I stand before you.

Radhagupt: And don't expect me to be lenient in my mentorship like Acharya Chanakya was with you. He looked at many of your escapades and foolish bravura in a grandfatherly manner because you happened to belong to the third generation of the Mauryans under his mentorship. You were his prodigy, and blue-eyed wonder boy. I don't deny that you are not any of these. But I believe that even a diamond when it is unpolished is as good as stone.

Ashok: I will not expect any lenience from you, Acharya.

Radhagupt: I will mentor you not as Acharya Chanakya mentored you but with the strictness and discipline with which Acharya mentored me and his other students. My level of expectation from you will be pretty high. Will you live up to it?

Ashok: Yes, Acharya; I will try my best.

Radhagupt: I really don't care even if you complain to Maharaaj Bindusaar after this mission about my strictness. My primary duty is towards Magadh, and not in flattering you by giving you false ideas about yourself or safe-guarding those illusions. Ashok you are not just any boy. You are the Rajkumar. You have no option but to succeed. If you fail, you take along with you the hopes and aspirations of thousands or lakhs of people. All these people don't deserve to lose just because of trusting you.

Ashok: I realize my responsibility, Acharya. (After a small pause, Ashok asked with a small twinkle in his eyes) Acharya what was that you did with your fingers on my hand yesterday evening?

Radhagupt: A simple technique by which you target the nerve centers of your opponent's body and either immobilize or kill him.

Ashok: It's not as simple as you say. Can you teach me how to use it someday?

Radhagupt (Smiling at the curiosity and interest levels of his student): I'll teach you when we get time. Now it's time for some discussion of strategy and military tactics. I sent a reconnaissance party to Avanti to get us the latest information before we plan our attack. They must have returned by now. Let's see what they have for us.

Ashok, Acharya Radhagupt and the Senanayaks were awaiting the reconnaissance party before making their next move. Only one lone soldier belonging to the reconnaissance party managed to reach them. He was also very badly wounded and was holding on to his life just to be able to pass on the information to Ashok and his Sena. Gasping for breath he said,

"Seventy five percent of Avanti, including the capital, Mahismati, has come under the control of the rebels. It seems to be a very well-planned and well-executed attack. The Pranthpal, Pushyagupta is no more and many of his ministers and his Sena Nayaks are either dead or under the imprisonment of the rebels. The entire army of Avanti had been destroyed. The enemy army entered through a secret passage into the palace of Avanti and infiltrated into the ranks of the soldiers of Avanti before launching a surprise, full-scale attack. Simultaneously other parts of the kingdom were also attacked. Except the southernmost part of Avanti comprising sixteen villages which are located at a higher altitude than the rest of Avanti, all the other parts are under enemy control. Only the Rajmarg overlooking these villages and leading directly to Mahismati has not fallen into enemy hands. The people of these villages; soldiers, young men, women, elders, children, everyone is fighting tooth and nail and holding back and repulsing one wave of enemy attack after the other. But they will not be able to hold up for a long time. If this remaining bastion falls, our entry into Avanti will literally become impossible."

At the southernmost part of Avanti,

A young bride in red clothes, hands full of broken bangles, jewels that were carelessly dangling about her body here and there, and whose hands were red not due to the mehendi on her hands but the blood of the enemies, moved like a veritable vision of the black goddess Kali as she took down one enemy after the other with her sword or with anything that came into her hands. She continued shouting words of encouragement to her fellow members, "We've to kill these bas***ds at all costs. The mode or method of fighting does not matter. Kill them! Push them back!"

One of the soldiers of Avanti who was fighting alongside said, "Devi Di, hum jyadha der tak tik nahin payenge. Hum aapki pithaji, Amatya Vishnu Vardhan aur aapke honewale pathi, Sena Nayak Vijay ko vaise bhi kho chuke hain. Hame yahan seh hatna hoga. Main aur kuch sainik aapko koi surakshit sthan Avanti ke bahar pahunchadenge" (Devi Di, we cannot hold back for a long time. We have already lost your father and your future husband Sena Nayak Vijay. We have to leave from here. I and some soldiers here will take you to some safe spot outside Avanti.)

Pushing back another of the enemy soldiers in a huge and massive heave, Devi spoke, "Yeh tootne ki ya bhagne ki vakt nahin hai. Yeh ladne ki vakt hai! Agar hum yahan seh chalegaye toh in log apna atma vishwas aur manobal khodenge. Magadh seh madath aane tak hame yahan tikna padega. Ujjain hamara bahuth nikat hai. Toh Ujjain seh madath ki kya umeeden hain? (This is not the time to break down under stress or flee from here. It is the time to fight. If I leave from here, these people's self-confidence and morale will come down. Till help arrives from Magadh we have to hold fort here. Ujjain is the nearest kingdom to us. So what are the possibilities of help from Ujjain?)

The soldier replied while fighting in between, "Ujjain seh madath milne ki sambhavanayen bahuth kam hain. Pura Avanti vidrohiyon ke hathon mai aachuka hai sivai in solah gaon ke. Aur Ujjain jane ki sare raste bandh kardiye gaye. Toh humari pehli aur akri umeed Magadh ki Sena par tikka hai." (The possibilities of help from Ujjain are very negligible. The whole of Avanti except these sixteen villages has come under the rebels. All the roads and passages leading to Ujjain have been blocked. So our first and last hope lies with the Magadh Sena.)

Devi, in spite of everything that was going against them, spoke inspirationally, "Koi bath nahin. Hum ab bhi saath milkar is sthithi ko bhi samaal sakthe hain Magadh ki Sena ki aane tak. Hum unchayi par hain isiliye hame in logon seh ladne mein asani hogi aur hame uska upyog karna padega. Agar hum Avanti ko bachana chahthe hain toh hame apne aap ko, aur is Pradesh, aur Rajmarg ko har hal mein bachana padega. Main, Devi, Amatya Vishnu Vardhan ki putri aur Sena Nayak Vijay ki bachpan ki dost aur honewali pathni ladebina apni hathiyar nahin thyag sakthi! Janani Janma Bhumischa Swargadhapi Gariyasi! Kya aap log bhi is me mere saath hain?" (No problem. Together, we can all manage even this situation till the Magadh Sena comes. We are at a higher altitude than our enemies, so we will find it easier to fight these people, and we have to make use of it at all costs. If we wish to save Avanti, we have to save ourselves, this area, and the Rajmarg at all costs. I, Devi, the daughter Amatya Vishnu Vardhan and the childhood friend and would be wife of Sena Nayak Vijay will not lay down my weapons without putting up a fight! My mother and motherland are dearer to me than Heaven itself! Are all of you also with me in this?)

Devi's Flashback

Disjointed images ran through Devi's mind in the midst of the fight. A father-daughter duo were sparring in an open arena, "Aur jor seh... dyan lagakar...aise...aise...aise ghumakar...log kya kahenge? Amatya Vishnu Vardhan ki beti ko talwar chalana ya athma rakshan karna bhi nahin aatha?" (With more power...concentrate...like this...like this...turn like this...what will people say? Amatya Vishnu Vardhan's daughter does not know even sword fighting or self-defense?)

The little girl dropped down highly exhausted, "Aur nahin, Pithaji. Mujhe nahin seekhna talvar chalana! Main Maa ki tarah Ayurved main nipuntha hasil karungi." (Not any more, Pithaji. I don't want to learn sword fighting. I will gain expertise in Ayurved like Maa.)

The voice of Vijay broke out in peals of laughter. He was the son of her father's closest friend, Parashuram who was a Sena Nayak of Avanti. He jokingly said, "Toh kya Amatya ki beti Raj Vaid banegi?" (So will the daughter of the Amatya become a Raj Vaid?)

The little girl mutinously defended herself, "Haan, Raaj Vaid banna buri bath hai kya?" (Yes, is becoming the Raj Vaid a bad thing?)

"Nahin vaisi bath nahin hai! Main sirf sochne ki kosish kar raha tha ki tum Raj Vaid ki kapdon mein kaisi dikhthi hogi" (Not like that! I was just trying to imagine how you would look in the clothes of the Raj Vaid), said Vijay laughing in starts and bursts.

The little girl ran after the boy holding the sword in her hand while the elders continued laughing looking at this childish fight, "Main auron ke liye Vaid banungi par tumhare liye toh main Yodha hi banungi. Tabhi toh main tumhe achchi sabak sikha sakthi hoon!" (I'll become a Vaid for the others but not for you. I'll become a warrior for your sake. Only then I can teach you a good lesson.)

Chapter Seven: The Mystery Deepens

In Avanti,

The people of the sixteen villages and a few hundred soldiers belonging to the regiment of Sena Nayak Vijay had been battling bravely for the past two days in holding up the enemy though they were heavily outnumbered. They had lost their Amatya Vishnu Vardan and beloved Sena Nayak Vijay but continued under the inspirational leadership of the Amatya's daughter, Devi who took over the reins of the situation after her father's and Vijay's death.

They had just now succeeded in pushing back the enemy for the time being. Now they were at the fag-end of their stamina levels. The enemy was also very clever and not launching a full-scale attack. They were playing the waiting game and counting upon tiring the villagers and few leftover soldiers whose morale was as such very low. If there was one more wave of enemy attack, they would surely succumb. A loud cry ran through the ranks of defenders, "The reinforcements from Magadh are at last here! Now we're saved!"

Devi had been relentlessly carrying on for the past two days. She had seen her father and her childhood friend fall before her own eyes. But she kept on going. Her rage and fury at her loss and the people who were responsible for it was such that she could raze and burn down anything that came in her path. She never knew that she had it in her to go on such a wild and bloody rampage cutting down whoever came in her path.

Being the daughter of an Amatya, she had been trained in statecraft, politics, and fighting skills. But she had always been this soft and sweet girl who always believed in peace, healing and nurturing everything around her. She loved being called the Annapoorna' who would feed everyone with food to her heart's content. That she had it in her to be like the dark goddess Kali' capable of inflicting such destruction was a surprise even to her.

Now she could go back to being what she originally was..No, it was not possible! How could she ever go back to her pristine past after witnessing such cruelty and bloodshed ...and personally falling into such depths of darkness? Her vision started blurring and she was about to fall when she was caught by a strong pair of arms. All she saw before losing consciousness was a pair of kind and sympathetic eyes which seemed to read the pain in her eyes as though they were his own.

Sena Nayak Pradhmik asked Rajkumar Ashok, "What should we do now?"

Ashok replied, "Please see to it that this young lady is treated well. She seems to be suffering from a lot of blood loss and mental trauma. Let's set up camp here! All the people and soldiers here need some recuperation. Tell our messenger to take the circuitous route to Ujjain and ask Sena Nayak Bhuvan who is stationed near the frontier to launch a counter attack from that side to divert enemy attention from here. It must seem as though the major attack is going to happen from that side.

When the enemy attention is away from here and the time is opportune, we will march from here to the Mahishmati, the capital of Avanti and take it under our control. Seek for more reinforcements from our nearby Janpads to join us here but this should be done with utmost confidentiality and should not reach Magadh. Send only as much information as necessary to Patliputra and withhold the rest of the information until we bring the whole of Avanti under our control. We have more enemies than friends there! So seeking reinforcements from Magadh might go against us and inform the rebels about our actual war strategy."

Ashok then began questioning the one of the captains who had been fighting alongside Devi about how it all happened. The captain Vajrabahu said, "I belong to the regiment headed by Sena Nayak Vijay. We were all invited for this wedding of our Sena Nayak and Devi, the daughter of Amatya Vishnu Vardan. The initial ceremonies were underfoot when Amatyaji who was awaiting the arrival of his friend and the Maha Sena Nayak of Avanti, Parashuram received this message from him." (The captain handed over the message from the Maha Sena Nayak of Avanti to Amatya Vishnu Vardan to Ashok.The message ran like this.)

'Avanti has been attacked. The motive for this conquest runs much deeper than simple territorial expansion. I have sought help from Magadh. But it may take some time in coming. My first priority should have been to protect Avanti and its people but certain newer revelations which will have an impact on the whole of Bharat have come to light. So now my first and foremost duty lies elsewhere.

The wisdom of the ancients tells that To save a family, sacrifice a person; to save a village, sacrifice a family; to save a region, sacrifice a village; to save a state, sacrifice a region; and to save a nation, sacrifice a state!' I'm doing the same! I and my men are going underground as we have just discovered something very important which cannot fall into enemy hands.

As a friend and fellow patriot, I want you and Vijay to protect the sixteen villages and the Raj Marg overlooking them from falling into enemy hands till the arrival of reinforcements from Magadh! Looking at the modus operandi, the enemy will try to take the whole of Avanti under control and seal off all the approach routes. So it will be difficult for the reinforcements to reach us if we fail to protect these villages and Raj Marg!

God happens to be on our side, that's why a sizeable chunk of our army and all the people of the surrounding villages have gathered in your ancestral village to attend the wedding of Vijay and Devi. Similarly, since we were preparing for a large scale and grand wedding, we do have food resources to last us for a fortnight in the case of a siege. Being at an altitude, we will have a definite advantage in defending ourselves.

If the worst comes to the worst, and you fail in defending this region, retreat into the caves of the Vindhyachal where we can easily beat outsiders in a game of hide-and seek! Let's hope that even this storm passes, and we meet each other again very soon!'

The captain continued, "Soon enough we were attacked by a large enemy force. But since we got the information earlier itself, we were prepared for them. Our Amatya and Sena Nayak Vijay fell down fighting bravely. We were all terribly demoralized after this and would have given up if Devi Di did not step in and lift up our sagging spirits and morale by showing that if a girl who had lost her father and her prospective husband at the altar of marriage could fight like this, why couldn't we who were soldiers? The villagers who considered her as their own daughter also joined us and we were somehow able to defend until your arrival."

Ashok dismissed the captain and began thinking very deeply. Now the riddle was getting even more intricate. If territorial conquest was not the motive, then what was it?

In Patliputra, Maharaaj Bindusaar was in conference with a lady.

Bindusaar: I've heard a lot about your skills in disguise and subterfuge from Acharya Chanakya. Can you do whatever I've asked you?

The Lady: It's my pleasure Maharaaj to be of service to you and Rani Dharma!

Bindusaar: You might even lose your life doing what you doing now!

The Lady: I would not have chosen this vocation if I was afraid for my life. My life belongs to the Matrubhumi.

In Rani Dharma's chamber.

Rajmata Helena and Rani Charumitra are sitting before an unconscious Rani Dharma.

Charumitra rises to do something when Rajmata Helena holds her hand and pulls her out of the room.

In Rajmata Helena's chamber.

Charu: Why did you stop me, Rajmata? We would have got rid of her once for all!

Helena: We would have got caught once for all!

Charu: What? How did you know it was a trap set for us?

Helena: The lady whom you saw is not Rani Dharma at all. The disguise was very good and even I was fooled for an instant. But the lady in that room does not have an important birthmark that Rani Dharma has on her hand. That's how I found out that it was a trap set for us.

Charu: Then, Rajmata, where is the original Rani Dharma?

Helena: Bindusaar must have hidden her somewhere to safe guard her.

Charu: Then what do we do now?

Helena: Wait and watch for the right time!

In another room, Amatya Khalnatak and Rajkumar Sushim were closeted together.

Khalnatak: Rajkumar, I think we went too far in attacking a part of our own kingdom with our private army just to keep Ashok and Radhagupt away from Patliputra. If we are caught, we will be condemned as traitors of Magadh!

Sushim: Acharya, how did you assume that I did this to keep that Tuchprani and his advisor out of Patliputra? My agenda runs even deeper!

Khalnatak: Ardhath?

Sushim: Mahamatya, there is a secret cellar from the room that used to be Acharya Chanakya's quarters. Do you know that?

Khalnatak: This is news to me!

Sushim: There are several secret and confidential documents in this chamber. The others are not of much use to us. But there was one half-burnt scroll which is of great use to us.

Khalnatak: Now that's interesting! What does it say?

Sushim: You would know very well that Acharya Chanakya employed a lot of khoot-nithi to get Pitamah Chandra Gupt Maurya the throne of Magadh. One among them was inside infiltration and mismanagement of arms and weaponry possessed by the Nandas.

Khalnatak: We all know that. But what does it have to do with Avanti?

Sushim: Everything in the world! The original weapons and arms of the Nandas were rifled out and used by Pitamah and his followers. After Dhananand was overthrown, and normalcy returned, this huge cache of weapons became redundant for the time being. This cache comprised the finest weapons in existence acquired by both the sides, the Nandas and Mauryans. The person who acquires this cache will have a huge advantage in all sorts of vyuh rachna'; forming phalanxes; and even constructing an indomitable nar durg' (a fortress built using soldiers) which according to Acharya Chanakya is the most powerful kind of fortification and defense system any army can possess. It was hidden away under the instructions of Acharya Chanakya at a very secret location. Any person who gets hold of it can overthrow a very huge empire like Magadh also when the need arises, and bring the whole of Bharath under control.

Khalnatak: I now get you point. But what was the need to attack the whole of Avanti for that. We could just have raided the spot in which the cache was hidden.

Sushim: That's where luck didn't favor us. The exact location was in the other half of the scroll which got burnt down. It is somewhere in Avanti but where exactly is still a mystery. Pushyagupta the Prathpaal is very loyal to Pithaji and he would not have sided with us. So the only option I had was to bring the whole of Avanti under the control of my secret private army and begin a massive search operation of all possible locations.

Khalnatak: Rajkumar you are learning the art of khoot-nithi very well despite not being Acharya Chanakya's student. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Sushim: You know what; Acharya Chanakya wanted to handover this entire cache in the hands of Ashok once he had finished his training in order to strengthen his candidature for the throne of Magadh or help him in overthrowing me by force on my succession to the throne after Pithaji's death . Now it is going to come into our hands and Ashok is still nowhere in the race for the throne! Ha! Ha! Ha!

In Ashok's tent

Ashok was in deep thought when he was interrupted by the arrival of Acharya Radhagupt who began, "I hope you too are thinking on the same lines that I was thinking on!"

Ashok said, "Acharya, I don't know if you were thinking the same or not. But it really intrigues me why a courageous and brave Maha Sena Nayak like Parashuram went underground. Avanti was attacked and his son, Vijay and dearest friend, Amatya Vishnu Vardan were also in danger. Why did he leave all of them to fend for themselves without coming to their help? If I was in the same position, I would have run to their help and for my people immediately. His message sounded almost as though he was sacrificing everything that was his own for the sake of some higher good. But what was that higher good' for which so much had to be sacrificed?"

Radhagupt quipped, "Thank goodness you were not in Parashuramji's shoes. A warrior and patriot like Parashuram does not desert his Pranthpal and his region like that! If he did, then it must be for something even bigger. I remember Acharya Chanakya recounting about his valor and fighting skills many a time. Incidentally, Parashuram also fought alongside your Pithamah Chandra Gupt Maurya in overthrowing Dhananand. I think we cannot come to any conclusion until we find Parashuram. We have to send a search party to find where he is. It's a good thing he is not dead or under enemy imprisonment."

Ashok replied, "As you wish, Acharya!"

A soldier stepped into the tent to inform Ashok that Amathya Vishnu Vardhan's daughter Devi had recovered from her fainting fit. Acharya Radhagupt said, "Ashok, I think you should speak to her. She might know where Parashuramji can be found."

In a room in Amatya Vishnu Vardhan's palatial ancestral house

Ashok: I hope you are fine now! I'm sorry for whatever happened to your father and your would-be husband. We came as fast as we could from Magadh. But it was already too late.

Devi: Thank you for your concern! And I'm happy that you came as fast as you could, Rajkumar Ashok. Who can overrule destiny?

Ashok: I will try my best to free Avanti from the rebels and establish peace here.

Devi: Ironical isn't it that to establish peace we need to wage a war?

Ashok: My guru Acharya Chanakya used to say the same thing. In order to establish peace and dharma, at times war becomes inevitable.

Devi: I realized it the hard way after my experiences over the past two days. I was like a ship without anchor cut off all my bearings. Impotent rage, an inexorable quest for revenge, and the thirst to draw enemy blood was all that remained in my thoughts. I don't know if you have ever felt the way I have felt. Now that I have the time to introspect, I realize to what depths I have fallen to. But at that time, I seemed as though I was possessed of a frantic energy which seemed to tell me that this was the right way to do things.

Ashok: Yes, once in my life, I also went berserk like that when my Acharya Chanakya was murdered. But I must really commend you for fighting and defending the way you did. I'm told that you were the inspiring force for the defenders after your father and Vijay fell. This region would also have gone into enemy hands just like the rest of Avanti if you had not lead by example. I would not have disturbed you after everything you've been through if it was not very urgent. Can you please help us in finding the whereabouts of the Maha Sena Nayak Parashuram who went underground along with his men?

Devi: Yes! I will help you and your men to the best of my knowledge and abilities. I too want to find out what happened to Parashuramji who was my guru and like a second father to me after my own father.

Chapter Eight: The Revelation and Internal Dissensions

In Rani Charumitra's chamber,

Rani Charumitra was fuming in her room at her failure in eliminating Rani Dharma who was becoming like a thorn pricking her innermost self. How many times had she tried and how many times she had ended up biting the dust! She was the Queen Consort and the first wife of Emperor Bindusaar. But where did she stand in his life now over that commoner Dharma? Nowhere!

For all she cared she could even be punished as a traitor of Magadh if she got caught. She could not come so far just to lose. She had to put up being one among the many wives of the emperor. But she would not compromise on not being the Rajmata of the future Emperor and indirectly pulling the strings of an empire like the Magadhan Empire. She had to eliminate each and every obstacle in Sushim's path for that.

Dharma and Ashok as such were very strong obstacles in her path. Earlier she could just twist the mighty Emperor round her little figure with her emotional blackmail. But now it was becoming very difficult. Bindusaar was becoming assertive and also wary of her. What more he no more took her into his confidence in any of the major decisions he took. He consulted Rani Dharma or Rani Subrasi. Since Rani Dharma was very ill, Subrasi was becoming everything to him. She hated seeing the smirk and condescending glance she saw in Subrasi's eyes every time they met. They seemed to tell her, "Your golden days are over! Now it's my turn to bask in the glory of the Emperor's attention!"

Now, she was not too sure if Rajmata Helena, her close aide and associate was on her side or not. It was not the first time she was feeling that the Rajmata had a different agenda of her own and was playing a double game with her and Sushim. She had assumed till now that the Rajmata was on her side as far as the matter of Bindusaar's future successor was concerned. Now she was no longer sure. Would the Rajmata favor Sushim or Siamack when the time for succession came?

It would be better to keep a tab on the activities of all her opponents. Why opponents? Even her own son and Amatya Khalnatak seemed to have something important which they did not divulge to her. Not that she yet suspected them of any treachery to her, but it really pained her that she was nowhere even in the life of her own son, and that Amatya Khalnatak knew more about Sushim's plans than herself.

Just then, she remembered something about Noor that did not seem right. If her hunch was correct, she had her hands on something very important. It was worth investigating. Now she would know the reason for the Rajmata's sudden volte face regarding Siamack. If she succeeded in proving what was just a small suspicion in her mind, she could get Siamack and Rajmata Helena out of the race for the throne, leaving out just Dharma and Ashok. Dharma's prospective son and Subrasi's son Drupad were too young to be contenders in the race for the throne.

She summoned her maid and whispered something in her ear. While the maid had left to carry out her instructions, she started pacing up and down the room. She just could not control her excitement.

Maharaaj Bindusaar was talking with Rani Subrasi in her chamber,

Bindusaar: Apka bahut aabhar ki aapne meri madath ki is yojna main!

Subrasi: Yeh meri dharm thi, Maharaaj!

Bindusaar: You personally took care of Rani Dharma. If I had gone to the secret location it would have roused everyone's suspicions. But you coordinated everything in an excellent manner with the Raj Vaid. I am happy to hear that Rani Dharma is doing fine. Has the Vaid suggested the possible date of delivery?

Subrasi: It is a month from now. Maharaaj, I think that it would be better if we somehow manage to shift Rani Dharma to my maternal place. She and forthcoming child will have better medical attention and security there. Patliputra is no longer safe for her in her present delicate state.

Bindusaar: But if neither you nor me are with her, our enemies will have a very good opportunity of hurting her if they get the slightest wind of this news.

Subrasi: Maharaaj, I was coming to that! I will tell everyone that I have been missing my maternal home very much and am planning to pay a long visit to my parents along with Drupad. Nobody here would have any issues with my going away. As a matter of fact, they will be very happy!

Bindusaar: Thank you Rani Subrasi for being so thoughtful! I know that I need not worry about Dharma if you are there with her!

Subrasi: Maharaaj, my worries are all about you. If I too leave, there will be no one here to take care of you. Everyone here is after power and the throne.

Bindusaar: I'll take care of myself. I know these people and their tricks and how to outwit them in their own game. Please take care...of Dharma...the prospective heir...Drupad...and...

Subrasi: And...

Bindusaar: And...YOURSELF! ...I CARE FOR ALL OF YOU!

The next day in Maharaaj Bindusaar's room,

Bindusaar: Rani Charumitra, is there any special reason for seeking this private audience with me

Charumitra: Maharaaj, I've just now come to know about something very shocking!

Bindusaar: Yes, Maharani! Continue! I'm listening!

Charumitra: Siamack is not your son!

Bindusaar: What nonsense are you speaking!

Charumitra: SIAMACK IS NOT YOUR SON! With your permission, I would like to produce someone before you Maharaaj.

Charumitra clapped her hands to summon the Lady Vaid who had looked after late Rani Noor during her pregnancy and also delivered Rajkumar Siamack.

Charumitra: Don't be afraid! Just tell Maharaaj the truth!

Lady Vaid: Maharaaj I told you that Rani Noor was expecting and in her first month of pregnancy when her pregnancy was already into the second month.

Maharaaj: Do not hesitate! I have a right to know what the truth is!

Lady Vaid (continued hesitatingly): I was bribed and also threatened not to reveal the truth. So I kept quiet at that time. Later on, I told that Rani Noor prematurely gave birth to Rajkumar Siamack a month before the actual due date when actually she had given birth to Rajkumar Siamack after the completion of the full nine months.

Saying this she fell at the feet of Maharaaj Bindusaar saying, "Maharaaj, please forgive me. I did this out of fear for my life and that of my family, and not for the sake of the bribe."

Bindusaar (seething with rage): What else do you know about this?

Lady Vaid: Though I cannot be so sure about it nor can I verify it now, but based on my observation, I think that Rajkumar Justin must have been the father of Rani Noor's child!

Bindusaar's Flashback

Now it all came back to him. He had just returned from the war front defeating his enemies and annexing three major Janpads in the Magadhan Empire. It must have been a month or so after his return when one day Rani Noor called him to meet her urgently in the room in which all his swords were kept. When he entered, he found Noor examining his swords. She took one in her hand and started cutting and thrusting through the air. She did not seem satisfied with the sword and took another in her hand and continued doing the same. This sword also did not seem to please her and she took up a third. He looked on with amusement at her. What he liked the most in her was her warrior-like qualities.

Bindusaar: Rani Noor you don't seem pleased with any of my swords. Would you like to have a sword specially crafted for you? Wish and it will be done!

Noor: All your swords are too big and heavy. I don't find any that are small, compact, weightless and handy.

Bindusaar: But you always preferred swords that were large and heavier.

Noor: My preference of swords is still the same but I think our present collection of swords are hardly suitable for small children.

Bindusaar: Yes, I know that! But why do we need a children's...You don't mean to say I'm going to become a father?

Noor: Yes, Maharaaj! I'm expecting. The Vaid confirmed it just a short while ago. I'm in my first month of pregnancy.

Bindusaar lifted her up in his arms and began swirling Noor round and round until she began shouting, "Maharaaj, please...please...stop...I'm feeling dizzy! Compose yourself. At this rate, what will happen to you at the time of our son's birth?"

Bindusaar: Sorry, Rani Noor! I just could not control my excitement. After my son's birth, you'll not be able to catch me on earth. I'll be floating in the seventh heaven. I'm so so happy! You've given me the best gift of my life. I could give even my life in return for it!

Flashback ends

Bindusaar collapsed speechless in the royal ottoman in his chamber at this revelation of the treachery committed by his dead Bhratha, Justin and his wife, Noor. It literally made him feel soiled to think about how all this must have been going behind his back and how oblivious he had been to everything. This breach of faith made him lose his trust in himself and humanity. He was not old fashioned or orthodox for that matter.

If Noor had come to him and told him that she was not happy with him and wanted to lead a happy married life with someone else, he was not the person who would have stood in her path. He would have released her from this unwanted marriage and got her married to the person whom she loved. It would have caused a scandal. But he would have braved even that.

Or else, he would just have sent both Justin and Noor quietly to Yunan where they could lead a happy life. It would not have made the slightest difference to anyone here in Bharath. Everything would have been forgotten in due course of time. But no! They both chose to engage in this elaborate facade with everyone! If he was feeling like this, how would Siamack react if he found out that his very existence was a big joke, and the two people whom he idolized so much, his mother Noor, and his mentor Rajkumar Justin snatched his everything from him, even his truthful identity?

Bindusaar recollected himself and said, "Whatever truth you have revealed here must not go beyond these four walls. Especially it must never reach the ears of Rajkumar Siamack. He is young and at an impressionable age. This truth will literally break him. You will receive as much wealth as you want. Leave the frontiers of Magadh today itself and start leading a new life elsewhere."

He dismissed the Lady Vaid and turned to speak with Rani Charumitra. What neither Bindusaar nor the Lady Vaid had observed was the fact that Siamack had overheard the entire conversation that happened there from the beginning to the end. Charumitra smiled to herself. She had planned and timed this whole revelation in such a manner that Rajkumar Siamack should overhear the whole thing. Early on in the day, she had encouraged Siamack to build a model of a strong and unassailable fortress so as to get into the good books of Bindusaar. When the lad had completed it, and was coming to show it to Bindusaar, she had brought about this exposure of his mother's and mentor's treachery before his eyes.

Bindusaar: Rani Charumitra, I think I need not repeat what I told the Lady Vaid. I don't want this truth to go outside this room. Especially, Siamack should never know about this.

Charumitra: You may rest assured from my side, Maharaaj! I will never tell the truth to anyone with my own voice! (Chuckling in an aside to herself) Where is the need to tell when all the people whom I wanted to tell the truth already know it! (Speaking aloud) Maharaaj, does this mean that Siamack loses the chance to succeed to the throne after you? ( Trying very hard to control her happiness) I would actually feel very sad if Siamack does not get a chance to prove himself for somebody else's mistake!

Bindusaar: All my sons, Sushim, Ashok, Siamack, Drupad, and my prospective heir whom Rani Dharma is going to give birth to, will have an equal chance to prove themselves. When the right time comes, I will choose the right successor to the throne of Magadh.

Charumitra: But Maharaaj, Siamack is not your son at all. How can he succeed you?

Bindusaar: Maharani, I repeat I don't want to hear from you the words that Siamack is not my son again. Siamack is as much my son as Sushim, Ashok, Drupad or the forthcoming child. SOME TIES ARE DEEPER AND STRONGER THAN TIES OF BLOOD. As you rightly pointed out, why should Siamack be punished or deprived of anything for no fault of his? He will continue being my son as he has always been. This truth will change nothing between us. Is that clear?

Charumitra: (Trying hard to suppress her anger and desperation) Yes, Maharaj! (In an aside to herself) It's a good thing I made Siamack overhear the whole thing. I knew that you would say something like this even after knowing the truth. (Speaking aloud) I am glad Maharaj that you have forgiven Noor and Justin even after knowing everything they did.

Bindusaar: What would I gain by harboring hatred for people who are no more in this world and despising them for the past? And Maharani, don't worry about the issue of my future successor so soon. I am still hale and healthy enough to outlive you by ten more years.

Rajmata Helena was searching for something all over the palace when she bumped into Amatya Khalnatak

Khalnatak: Rajmata is anything the matter? Can I be of any help to you?

Rajmata: No! I will manage on my own. By the way where are you headed to?

Khalnatak: To Rajkumar Sushim's chamber. I've some important things to discuss with him.

Rajmata: Of course! I know that all of your and Rajkumar Sushim's important things begin and end with that Tuchprani' Ashok.

Khalnatak: You're always right, Rajmata. So if you will please excuse me, I will attend to the matters I have at hand.

Rajmata: Of course! Continue!

In another chamber in Patliputra, Mahamatya Khalnatak and Rajkumar Sushim were discussing about the situation in Avanti.

Sushim: Mahamatya, what is the news from Avanti?

Khalnatak: Almost next to nothing. Except for the fact that the Magadhan Sena led by Ashok has entered Avanti, we have no news about what is happening there.

Sushim: No news means bad news for us, Amatya! It means that both Ashok and Radhagupt are planning something deadly. You know how important it is for us to retain Avanti under our control. I thought you would have easily infiltrated a few of our soldiers in Ashok's Sena.

Khalnatak: No, Rajkumar. Maharaaj Bindusaar did not give me even the slightest opportunity to tamper with the Sena we are sending to Avanti. He personally handpicked the Sena Nayaks and the regiments that were to accompany Ashok. They are the best in the business. To make matters worse, Maharaaj has sent Acharya Radhagupt also along with Ashok. He will always have an ace up his sleeve.

Sushim clapped his hands and said, "Summon Vidur wherever he is!"

After sometime, the wily Vidur was led before Rajkumar Sushim's presence by his men. He was above his fifties but as agile as any youngster and even more deadly than any of them in the power of his intellect. It was his intellect which had brought him so far in the business of spying. He made a deep bow to Rajkumar Sushim and Amatya Khalnatak before he asked, "What's my next mission?"

Sushim: Vidur, it's a real pleasure meeting you again! Your first goal will be to go to Avanti and infiltrate somehow into Ashok's Sena and send me regular updates about Ashok's plans. Secondly, you will try to sabotage all his plans without getting caught. Thirdly, and most importantly, you will assassinate Ashok when you get the right opportunity. But it should seem like an accident to the rest of the world. If you succeed in doing this, I will appoint you as the head of my spy network when I succeed to the throne of Maharaaj Bindusaar after his death. In the eventuality of your getting caught, you will show this patrika' and royal mudra' and say that you were acting according to these orders.

After Vidur left, Amatya Khalnatak who was curious about the royal mudra' and patrika' asked, "Rajkumar you should not have given your royal mudra and pramaan patra. Though I fully believe in Vidur's abilities, we should not underestimate our enemies as well. Won't we get caught if Vidur fails?

Sushim: Amatya...Amatya...you too? I know that my mother, Rani Charumitra Devi underestimates me and my abilities. But you too?

Khalnatak: Then were they not orders signed by you and your royal mudrika?

Sushim: No, Amatya. The pramaan patra' is in Rajmata Helena's elegant handwriting while the royal mudrika' is the one for which the Rajmata had been searching all over the palace when you bumped into her this morning.

Khalnatak: Brilliant! I don't know how you must have managed this but even if our man gets caught, the whole blame for this entire thing will fall on the Rajmata.

Sushim: I pocketed the praman patra' from one of her spies when he was about to get caught. As for the mudrika', the Rajmata was careless enough to leave it lying around in her room when I paid her a formal visit. I just pocketed it when she was not observing.

Khalnatak: I still don't understand why you are intent on implicating the Rajmata in this! She is on our side, isn't she?

Sushim: No, Amatya! I just discovered recently that she is playing a double game with us. She wants Siamack to succeed to the throne after Pithaji's death. I expressly heard her mention so in one of her conversations with that Siamack. She told him that she was going to get both me and Ashok into a fratricidal war and get both of us killed, and then reinstate him on the throne with the help of the Yunani and Khorasani Sena.

Khalnatak: I never thought that the Rajmata would turn out to be such a huge traitor!

Sushim: Nothing is beyond this old lady! But she played these games with the wrong person. I am not Pithaji or Ashok. I will get her caught in her own tricks.

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 3/4^th 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!

Chapter Ten: A Friend and A Foe

Ashok was curious to know more about this mysterious foe from Parashuram when the latter cautioned him telling that they were still in the midst of a battle field and could still be attacked from any direction. True to his apprehensions, a poisonous dart speeded in Ashok's direction from afar. Devi in trying to push Ashok out of the way was struck by the dart.

Ashok stood rooted to the spot unsure of what was happening or how to react. He remonstrated Devi who was on the verge of collapsing saying, "Why can't you stay out of harm's way? Is it necessary to butt into everything like a heroine? This was meant for me why did you have to..."Ashok almost choked up unable to complete the rest of his sentence. What did he feel for this girl that brought the tears into his eyes when he saw her almost helpless like this in his arms?

Was it rivalry that she was quick and agile enough to intercept something that he should have been careful about in a field of battle? Was it anger that she was hit by a dart meant to kill him? Frustration that he had failed yet again in being the ideal leader, and that yet again someone beside him had to pay for his carelessness and indecisiveness in the battlefield? Friendship for a girl whom he still did not even know properly but for which she thought fit to forfeit her own life in order to save his? Or love...

Devi with her breath coming in stops and gasps before she fell unconscious, "Cut that crap will you? You are our leader and I am a soldier in your army. I did my duty just now and you do yours which is saving me with medical aid if you can. You can save up your guilt trip and rumination regarding my death after it really happens. I'm still alive now and there is every possibility of my survival. Rajkumar Ashok I hope now you will agree with me that girls don't need saving on the battlefield always. Sometimes Princes also do!"

Ashok shook his head at this girl. She was intent on driving home her point that girls were strong even at a juncture like this and proving a simple passing remark of his to Acharya Radhagupt about girls being a nuisance and needing saving and protection in times of distress.

Acharya Radhagupt ordered the soldiers to take Devi to a safe spot and get her treated by the physicians available in the Magadhan camp. It was sunset and still Devi was showing no signs of recovery. Ashok, Acharya Radhagupt and Acharya Parashuram were discussing the options they could try to save her.

Radhagupt: She is sinking. Our physicians are trying their best but the poison was very dangerous and fatal. I fear...

Ashok: Please don't complete what you have begun. I have already lost too many of my friends and near ones. If there is a poison, then there must be its antidote too. We must find that fast enough.

Parashuram: I understand your feelings and concern for Devi, Rajkumar Ashok. But in all this we must not forget that this attack was meant for you, and if it happened once, it could happen again. We cannot be sure that the foe may miss this time also.

Ashok: Acharya you're right. But this time my first priority would be saving Devi rather than investigating this matter. My life as such is not in danger but Devi's is. So...Moreover I know that she is like a daughter to you...

Parashuram: Alright, have it your own way. I know a very good and expert physician. But he is an expert in treating people afflicted by poisons and snake venoms. I am going to bring him here. After that I will investigate this entire incident using my own sources because I feel that all these happenings are interconnected. Now please give me leave. If for any reason you might have to contact me, this is where and how you will find me.

Parashuram leaves from the camp when the soldier Dilip in Ashok's army seeks his audience. He introduces the elderly soldier, Vibhooshan(Vidur), the uncle of his loyal soldier, Pratap to Ashok.

Vidur: Sire, I am well-versed in medicine and treating poisons. I would like to examine the brave young lady who saved your life and see if I am able to save her with my expertise with your permission.

Radhagupt: If you are so good at medicine why didn't you offer your services earlier?

Vidur: I was a bit hesitant. (I could not come earlier because Parashuram would be sure to spot me and the entire story would be in his hands) But I have realized my mistake.

Ashok: Better late than never! (To his soldiers) Escort him to Devi's tent.

After examining Devi, Vidur said, "Rajkumar Ashok, the young lady is very serious but she can be saved. I have given a few medicines which will prolong her in the present state without further deterioration to the physicians tending her. But in order to cure her, we need a few herbs which are available in the valley after crossing the two hills there."

Radhagupt: Alright I will send the soldiers with the appropriate instructions to bring whatever herbs you require.

Vidur: As you wish, Acharya. But spotting these particular herbs is very important. Even if one of them goes wrong, the young lady could lose her life. I would have personally gone to get them, but my advanced years prevent me from this. Even if I go, I may never arrive in time. And I think nothing is too much for the lady who saved our Prince Ashok.

Ashok (hurriedly jumping into the fray): Yes, I will personally go with my trusted soldiers to get the herbs you require. I have some knowledge of medicines myself. So I will bring the right herbs you want.

Radhagupt: Rajkumar I think you are being too hasty and taking an unwanted risk. Going at this time of the night...

Ashok: I understand your apprehensions but I will never forgive myself if Devi dies for my sake. Too many have sacrificed too much for my sake already. Not one more...