The First Aryan

by Paramu Kurumathur

  Kaśyapa thought that it was important to learn about hallucinogenic and poisonous herbs that the murderer was so expertly administering. So, the next day, Agastya and he decided to visit the city’s most well-known herbalist and medicine seller. The herbalist was quite willing to explain things to them. ‘Our physicians have many herbs and other medicines that can clean wounds and heal them. We have plant and bark extracts, especially that of the willow tree, which can dull pain and reduce inflammation if ingested. We have herbs that can reduce fever, those that can calm a person down and those that aid digestion, induce an abortion and many others.’

  ‘Are you the only herb and medicine seller in the city?’

  ‘For all practical purposes, yes. I am the only person who sells medicines that people need. There are a couple of other herbalists—one specializes in medicines for oxen, horses, dogs and other animals, and another who specializes in poisons, which is used for pest control and killing weeds and vermin.’

  Agastya asked, ‘You mentioned herbs that can induce abortion. How often do you sell them? Who are your buyers?’

  ‘Not very often. This is mainly bought by the mothers of young girls from upper-class families. You know children these days. Some girls go astray and get pregnant before marriage, and you can guess how extreme their fathers’ reaction can be to their transgressions. These herbs are very potent. The mothers are able to arrange for quick and secret abortions for their daughters without risking a bad name and the wrath of the girls’ fathers.’

  ‘Have you sold any recently to somebody unusual?’

  ‘Strange that you should ask. We did sell a few of these dried herbs in the last couple of weeks. I was away from the shop most of the time these last two weeks, and my assistant tells me that the people who bought these were men. All upper-class people, except one servant. Of course, abortions are also opted for by people who have a lot of children and cannot raise any more, or even by unfaithful married women. In these cases, the medicine is normally bought by the men. These could be such cases, for all I know. But I sure do wonder what Veśa could have needed these for. The sly man!’

  Kaśyapa was worried now. In addition to finding the killer, he also had the implied responsibility of protecting those at risk. The person who slipped the herb into the princess’s milk could try it again. In the king’s palace, all food given to the royals is first tasted by tasters who can tell if there has been any contamination. But, still, you could never be too careful.

  Agastya asked, ‘What about hallucinogens?’

  ‘Most of them are medicines taken in small quantities. Many of these hallucinogens are given to people in pain, either to help them sleep or to dull the pain. Many people from the priestly class use some of these herbs for their studies, and for casting spells and the like.’

  ‘I see.’ The boys exchanged a meaningful look.

  Kaśyapa probed further, ‘Would you have some sort of an account of who bought some of these hallucinogens or sedatives in the last few months?’

  ‘No. So many people buy these herbs . . . these and other medicines are quite commonly purchased. It is impossible to remember who bought what and when. They are often bought by servants too. Gambling dens also buy them in bulk for their patrons.’

  ‘Do you remember selling these drugs to anyone around the time the king went to the northern city?’

  ‘Well, Dīrghaśravas’s servants bought some. I understand that they bought it to carry to the gambling den in the northern city. I know why you are asking me these questions. We have heard that you are trying to investigate the murders that seem to be coinciding with the rebellion.’

  Kaśyapa was shocked! So, it was common knowledge now. They needed to be really careful. The herbalist said, ‘It is not just hallucinogens you need to be worried about. There are herbs like belladonna that are widely used as a medicine and as a cosmetic. Belladonna is very toxic, but it is used as an anaesthetic. It can also trigger hallucinations in small doses and kill in larger doses; it dilates the pupils. You should factor this into your observations.’

  This was important information. All the physicians had told them that Kutsa’s eyes had looked strange when he was found dead. Kaśyapa asked, ‘Do you sell this?’

  ‘No, I don’t. But the herbalist who sells poisons does.’

  Kaśyapa and Agastya thanked him and went to meet the herbalist who sold poisons.

  This herbalist, however, was not as friendly. Working with poisons all the time had possibly embittered him! He seemed to know who Kaśyapa was and refused to talk initially. Then Kaśyapa mentioned how Sudās had put him on the mission to gather information and that he would be forced to tell on him if he didn’t loosen his tongue a bit. Kaśyapa knew that he would only answer questions and not volunteer information.

  ‘What kind of herbs do you sell?’

  ‘Those that have poisons that can be extracted and mixed with food for killing vermin, those that can be mixed with water and sprinkled on plants for pest control and those that can be put on the roots of weeds for destroying them.’

  Agastya asked, ‘People buy these only for these three purposes?’

  He hesitated a little. ‘Some of these herbs, though poisonous if taken in large quantities, have a hallucinating and soporific effect when taken in small quantities. You have to be an expert to ensure that you do not overdose.’

  ‘Do people buy your herbs for this use often?’

  ‘Yes, more often than you would expect. In fact, I make a lot of money by selling herbs for this purpose rather than as a poison.’

  ‘Do you have regular customers?’

  ‘Yes. Servants from most households buy the poisons for killing rats and other vermin. Some of the gardeners buy them for pest control and for killing weeds. Also, our army’s supplies department buys herbs from me in bulk for making poison to dip arrows and spears in.’

  ‘What about regular customers for the other—hallucinogenic—use?’

  ‘There are many such customers. Some are just youngsters trying out the herbs for a thrill. Many warrior-class men are addicts, as are some of the traders. There are also some of the priestly class who come here. I do not want to compromise on their reputation by telling you their names.’

  ‘Do you remember selling poison to any of the people who went to the northern city with Sudās, the old king and others?’

  ‘It is difficult to remember.’ He asked his assistant whether he remembered anything. The assistant replied that the servants of Dīrghaśravas and Veśa had bought a variety of poisonous herbs in bulk.’

  The herbalist continued, ‘Some army officers and soldiers also buy some of these herbs. It helps them remain calm during battle.’

  ‘Did anybody buy any recently?’

  ‘People buy these regularly. So, I don’t keep track.’

  One thing was clear now: Veśa and Dīrghaśravas had certainly carried drugs with them. These could also have been used by the killer to poison the poor old man, not to forget the attempt to abort Sudās’s baby. As Kaśyapa and Agastya were coming back from the market, Bhārgava buttonholed them. ‘Well, well. We have not talked for some time.’

  Kaśyapa said, ‘That’s true. I have been very busy and it looks like so have you.’

  ‘What have you got so far?’

  ‘Well, I have talked to some of the people who were in the castle that night. But I have not been able to come to any conclusions.’

  ‘Who are the suspects?’

  ‘Everyone who was in the castle that night is a suspect.’

  ‘Did you follow my suggestion? I have done some thinking of my own and arrived at some conclusions. One thing you have to keep in mind is that sometimes the most obvious solution could just as well be the actual one. When there is a vast amount of conflicting information, it is easy to get confused and miss the obvious.’

  Agastya asked, ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Oh, think about it. It can only be Sudās or his henchmen. He must be tr
ying to consolidate his position.’

  ‘I thought that last time you were hinting at Veśa?’

  ‘Well, Veśa is but a henchman of Sudās’s. Sometimes the obvious can be true, can’t it? Anyway, let me know how you progress. I can be a good person to bounce your ideas off. Together, we can catch the killer. After all, our guru did ask me to help you.’ He smiled at them.

  ‘Yes. We can do that.’

  Kaśyapa thought it best to seize the opportunity and ask him a few questions. ‘Bhārgava, do you remember the old man in the northern castle? The caretaker’s father?’

  Bhārgava seemed to hesitate. ‘No, I don’t.’

  ‘Well, he was found dead, rather poisoned, on the day we left the castle.’

  ‘Oh, poor fellow! But you don’t think that his death is connected to the other deaths?’

  ‘Yes, certainly with that of Vāyata. He kept babbling about how he knew who the murderer was.’

  ‘Well, did he tell you who it was?’

  ‘No. But I am worried he may have told it to someone who then did not want him to repeat this to anyone and so had him poisoned.’

  ‘Well, I don’t remember talking to the man. But it was so many days ago that I can’t tell for sure. If I can’t remember it, how would anybody else? It sounds like a dead end to me.’

  ‘What did you do that night, the night Vāyata was killed? Did you hear or see anything significant?’

  ‘I went to sleep, as did you. And everyone else.’

  Agastya prompted him, ‘You went to Vāyata’s room that night, didn’t you? Why did you go there?’

  ‘Who told you I went to Vāyata’s room?’

  ‘I saw you. I saw you coming back from his room,’ Kaśyapa said, wondering why he was lying.

  ‘Oh, that? Jaraduṣṭra had called me to his room. He wanted to talk to me about Varuṇa worship.’

  ‘How long were you there?’

  ‘Only for a short while. I told them that I did not want to discuss the matter then.’

  ‘Why was Vāyata shouting at you? He was saying that he would not perform esoteric practices?’

  ‘How do you know that’s what he said? I had just asked him if he still performed esoteric practices. He got offended. He was just reacting with absurd allegations.’

  ‘Did you go back after that? Somebody said that they saw you in the quadrangle during the fourth part of the night?’

  ‘Well, I may have gone out to relieve myself.’

  ‘Did you see anybody when you went out?’

  ‘Yes, I saw Veśa coming in. You know, I think there is something really odd about Veśa.’ Even Kaśyapa thought so, but he chose to keep quiet.

  Bhārgava asked him, ‘So, how do you feel now that the guru has initiated you into the esoteric sciences?’

  ‘Thrilled.’

  Agastya squirmed.

  ‘I’m glad you think so. But be careful. Once you start applying it, people will come to you with various requests. It is, sometimes, difficult to say no. The reward is too good sometimes.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘For example . . . Don’t tell anyone that I told you, but I overheard a conversation once. I think it was Yadu who wanted Atharvan to exercise some spell on Sudās to get him to marry his daughter.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘Yes. Atharvan turned down his request. It seems that Yadu had gone to Vāyata first for this and he was livid with him—he really told Yadu off.’

  ‘This is important information. Thank you. Someone told me that you or Atharvan had cast some spell for Dīrghaśravas, to blight his rival.’

  He was quick to reply, ‘Yes, Atharvan did it.’

  Too pat, thought Kaśyapa.

  That was all they could get out of him, though he continued to lecture them. ‘I suggest that you don’t spend too much time with Ghoṣā. People tend to talk and you may earn a bad name. If you have been discussing your great findings with the courtesan, you must remember that she may blabber about this to her clients. Be careful.’

  He walked away, and soon enough, Kaśyapa and Agastya were on their way too.

  *

  After these discussions, Kaśyapa thought it was imperative that they talk to Veśa and Dīrghaśravas. The merchant’s house was in the northern corner of the town, by the road that went east towards the docks. He seemed willing to talk.

  Kaśyapa asked, ‘Sir, I hope you are doing well. I was wondering, has the looming invasion affected your business in some way?’

  ‘No, not really. I think people are confident about Sudās repelling any invasion and that we will be safe.’

  ‘Sir, I want to talk to you regarding Vāyata’s murder in the castle of the northern city.’

  ‘Yes, what a tragedy!’

  ‘What were you doing on the night of the murder?’

  ‘After I came back from the gambling den with the prince and the commander, I directly went to bed.’

  ‘You were in the same room as Yadu, the commander?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you come out at night for anything?’

  ‘Yes, I had drunk a little bit that night, so I needed to go to relieve myself. Otherwise, I slept deeply through the night.’

  Agastya asked, ‘Did you hear or see anything or anyone?’

  ‘It must have been the fourth part of the night, or late into the third part. When I was going out of the palace, I saw Veśa enter the quadrangle. I assumed that the prince had called him for something. He seemed to be in a hurry. I did not see or hear anything else.’

  ‘Did Yadu go out at all that night?’

  ‘Yes. He went out one or two times. I do not know exactly when it was.’

  Kaśyapa asked, ‘I wonder if you bought any provisions . . . say, some hallucinogenic herbs, before we went to the northern city?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘But one of the herbalists told me that you did.’

  ‘Oh, yes. I had forgotten. Of course, I did buy some for the gambling den manager. You know how dens are supposed to provide their customers with some of these herbs, in case they ask for them.’

  Of course, once you have drugged the gamblers, you can easily make them part with their money, Kaśyapa thought. Aloud, he asked, ‘What did you do with them?’

  ‘I took the herbs to the den and gave it to the den manager.’

  ‘You know, an old man, the castle keeper’s father, died of poisoning the day we left for the capital.’

  Dīrghaśravas seemed worried, ‘The den manager normally keeps his herbs very safe. Nobody would have been able to access them.’

  ‘Did you talk to the old man before we left?’

  ‘Well, not really talked. He came and told me some disconnected things. I just ignored him. I saw that he was talking to the others, including you.’

  *

  The two young investigators went to the king’s palace, where Sudās now lived, and met Veśa. He was busy making some arrangements for a reception the prince was throwing for some of the warriors. He was not surprised to see them.

  ‘Hmm . . . I was wondering when you would come to see me.’

  ‘Then you know why we are here. What do you know about the murder of Vāyata?’

  ‘It was very brutal. That killer must really have wanted him dead, bludgeoning him that way while he was meditating.’

  ‘Dīrghaśravas saw you entering the quadrangle around the fourth part of the night. That, coincidentally, was also when the killing happened.’

  ‘He clearly had been drinking. I went into the quadrangle towards the end of the third part—I know because I looked at the stars as I entered.’

  ‘Why did you go in?’

  ‘I thought I heard the prince call for me. He has the habit of shouting to get me to come to him.’

  ‘Why did he call you?’

  ‘Actually, he hadn’t called me. I just thought that he did.’

  ‘What would he normally call you for?’

  ‘If he wanted so
mething like milk or if he wanted to use the toilet, you know.’

  ‘Did you see Dīrghaśravas?’

  ‘Yes, he was going out when I was coming in.’

  ‘Did you see anybody else?’

  ‘No, not then.’

  ‘What do you mean “then”?’

  ‘I came out again during the fourth part of the night to make sure that the prince didn’t need anything.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Then I saw Bhārgava creeping around the quadrangle. He stopped for a second to look at me. He must have gone out to the toilets.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And I saw you. You were going out of the quadrangle.’

  ‘Yes, I went out for a walk.’

  Agastya asked, ‘Did you buy some herbs before leaving to the northern city?’

  ‘Who told you this?’

  ‘I got to know . . .’

  ‘Okay, please don’t tell anyone. When we travel anywhere, I normally buy some herbs in bulk so that I can sell it there. You can make a tidy profit.’

  ‘Are you a servant or a merchant?’

  ‘Ha ha, you got me there!’

  Kaśyapa asked him, ‘Did you talk to the old man in the castle? The caretaker’s father?’

  ‘Oh yes! That senile man! He was blabbering about how he knew who killed Vāyata. I told him to keep his mouth shut or he would die too.’

  ‘Well . . . you were right. He did die.’

  ‘Really! I didn’t know . . . how?’

  ‘Well, maybe your prediction came true.’

  27

  Kaśyapa Talks to Sudās

  It was early in the morning on the first day of the month of Saha. Sudās was going hunting. It was one of the few pleasurable activities that a king was able to indulge in the little time that he got to relax when not looking after state matters. He worked for about seven parts of a day and slept for only three.

  Their guru felt that if Kaśyapa and Agastya went with the hunting party they would be able to talk to Sudās about the murders. It would also give the boys an opportunity to watch the warrior class engage in one of their favourite sports. Vasiṣṭha had already sought permission from Sudās. When he met them, dawn was just breaking. It was indeed one of the most beautiful sights to behold. The ancient Aryan bards wrote many a hymn about the beauty of the dawn that waves its banner across the span of the sky. Kaśyapa and his fellow students had always been very intrigued about the ancient sages’ description of the dawn. They had once asked their guru, ‘Sir, our ancient sages seemed to have sung of not one dawn but many dawns; dawns past and some yet to come.’