The Rigveda Code

by Rashmi Chendvankar

  The royal family was enjoying a quiet and pleasant time at the Kaawar palace. But, for Rikshavi, it was difficult to stay indoors for a long time. She started pestering her mother to allow her to explore the surrounding areas. “Can I take a small tour to the banks of the lake on the other side Maa? I am really bored indoors!” she asked her mother.

  Finally, Samarjit was sent with Rikshavi, along with a few soldiers. Baijaamaa also accompanied her. The small convoy set out early in the morning. Rikshavi was riding a horse along with the soldiers, an art she had learnt from her mother. Baijaamaa followed in a bullock cart. It was a pleasant day. Rikshavi relished the sweet smell of the forest as they rode along. They had a small picnic lunch in between, and they continued moving after some rest. By the time they reached the other side of the lake, it was long past sunset. Arrangements were made for Rikshavi in the house of the village head.

  As the convoy proceeded towards the village head’s house, they passed a temple situated on the banks of the lake. The temple premises were illuminated with torches fitted in rectangular wooden blocks, just like the ones Rikshavi had seen at the Kaawar palace. Yet, Rikshavi could barely see more than the outer structure of the temple. She decided that she would visit the temple next morning.

  *****

  Early next morning at sunrise, Rikshavi set out towards the temple on her horse. She did not wake up Baijaamaa, who was still sleeping. Samarjit reluctantly accompanied her. As they neared the temple, Rikshavi could hear the temple bells. Torches fitted in the torch holders outside the temple were slowly fading away. Samarjit waited outside as Rikshavi entered the temple. The temple had a wide courtyard, which offered a beautiful view of the lake on one side, through a canopy of gently swaying trees. Early morning sunrays fell tenderly on the gentle waves of the lake, creating an illusion of shiny pearls. Ahead of the courtyard, was the main temple area, which housed the garbhagriha, the abode of the idol of the temple deity.

  As Rikshavi entered the main temple, the fragrance of incense sticks filled her nostrils. As she looked up in the garbhagriha, she saw a beautiful idol of a Goddess riding a ferocious tiger. The Goddess was clad in a bright red drape and had eight hands, each hand holding a weapon. She appeared to kill a demon lying at her feet, with a trident. The demon had a head of a man and a body of a buffalo. Rikshavi was mesmerized at the sight. “A Warrior Goddess!” she exclaimed to herself. As she gazed at the overwhelmingly beautiful idol, the temple priest approached her. “Who are you, my child?” he asked. He was surprised to have a visitor at this early hour in the morning. Rikshavi, startled, looked at the priest. She was reminded of Acharya Shashwat.

  The priest too had tied his hair in a bun at the top of his head and had a flowing beard. But his hair was not entirely white. He had the same serenity on his face. Rikshavi bowed to him with respect. “Greetings Sir” she said, “I am Rikshavi, the daughter of Queen Bhairavi and King Vrajesh”. The priest was impressed with her humility. “God bless you, Princess! What brings you here?” he asked. “My family is here in Kaawar for a vacation, at the palace on the other side of the lake. I wanted to see this temple, Sir…. Which Goddess is this? I have not seen such an idol earlier…” Rikshavi replied. “This is Mahadevi Durga”, the priest replied… “She is the Mahishasurmardini, the slayer of the buffalo – demon Mahishasur”. “You mean the Goddess fought with a demon and killed him?” asked Rikshavi, amazed. “Yes my child…” replied the priest, “She was born to kill Mahishasur!” “I would love to hear this story Sir!” said Rikshavi. “You can call me Acharya Birendra, young lady!” said the priest, as he started narrating the story of the Great Goddess Durga…

  “The Devi Mahatmya narrates the story of Goddess Durga. Mahishasur was an asura born through the union of an asura and a buffalo. He was hence able to change his form from human to buffalo and back, at his will. After a harsh penance, Mahishasur had obtained such powers from Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe, which made him invincible. Lord Brahma granted him a boon of not being defeated by any male or any God. Mahishasur misused his powers and terrorized the earth and the heaven. He defeated all the Gods and made them helpless. The Gods appealed to the trinity, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, to save them. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, along with all the other Gods, combined their divine powers to create a beautiful Warrior Goddess – Durga. She was armed with various lethal weapons and divine powers. Riding a lion, she attacked Mahishasur with her army. Mahishasur gave a fierce fight. They fought for nine days and nine nights. At last, she defeated and slayed him by piercing him with her trident.”

  Rikshavi looked at the idol with admiration, as she heard the story. Mahishasur, the buffalo demon, lay at the feet of the Goddess, with her trident pierced against his chest. “I never knew that a Goddess could fight demons!” said Rikshavi with astonishment, “But Goddess Durga was special. She was endowed with the powers of all the Gods!” Acharya Birendra smiled. “No my child” he said, “The Goddess is herself the primal energy that moves the entire universe. She is the Adishakti – the primal cosmic force responsible for the creation and motion of the universe. When Goddess Durga appeared before the Gods, she introduced herself to them as the Adishakti – the primal cosmic force, who had created the Gods themselves. She had appeared from their combined energies in the form of Durga, to save them. They did not create her. It was her divine plan that she had emerged!”

  Rikshavi was overwhelmed and mystified. She kept alternating her gaze between the idol of the Goddess and the priest. Acharya Birendra could sense Rikshavi’s bewilderment. He placed a hand on Rikshavi’s head. “Seek the blessings of the Goddess, my child. The Adishakti has placed her divine powers in each woman like you. She creates this world though each woman. May she give strength to you!” he said. Rikshavi remembered what her mother had told her - “God creates new life through women”. She bowed her head low in front of Goddess Durga with folded hands and left in amazement. As she passed the temple courtyard, she stopped and sat down by the courtyard wall, gazing at the lake.

  Inside the garbhagriha, Acharya Birendra fell on his knees. “She has finally come, Maa Durga… Destiny has brought her here. Bestow her with your strength to fulfill the Lord’s vision….” the priest mumbled with folded hands….

  “Your Highness, I think we should leave now!” Samarjit said, addressing the contemplating Princess sitting in the temple courtyard. Startled, Rikshavi got up and silently started walking towards her horse. The strong sunrays outside blinded her for a few moments. “I have been here for a long time!” she thought to herself.

  *****

  Rikshavi returned to the Kaawar palace after three days. “We will leave for Vaishali in two weeks, Rikshavi”, her mother told her. Rikshavi was now getting bored at Kaawar. She spent her days wandering in the forests around the lake, with an unenthusiastic Samarjit in toe. One day, while wandering in the forest, she heard laughter of children. As she walked towards that direction, she saw some little boys and girls playing around in the forests. They had small spear-like weapons and were apparently aiming them at trees to fall fruits. The little boys and girls were almost nude, with small cloths and leaves tied across their waists and torsos. “Hello there!” she called out to them. “Can I also taste your fruits?”

  The little children were startled and suddenly stopped their chatter. Rikshavi walked towards them. “Greetings!” she cheerfully said, “I am Rikshavi”. The children did not respond. They hesitantly looked at each other. “What’s the matter? Rikshavi asked. “You people from the village are bad. We don’t want to speak to you people” one of the boys told her. Rikshavi laughed. “I am not from the village. I am from Vaishali” she said. “Where is that?” one of the girls asked. “Ummm…. It takes around five days to reach there” said Rikshavi. “I guess we can talk to her. She is not from the village” another boy said. He came ahead and boldly stood in front of Rikshavi. He was barely half of Rikshavi’s height. “I am Begu. Will you play with us?” he asked. “Su
re” Rikshavi replied. She happily joined them in falling fruits and playing around. Samarjit was disgusted. “The Princess has no sense” he thought. “Let’s go and have our meals at my house Licchavi!” Begu invited her. Samarjit clearly did not like the idea, but Rikshavi did not pay heed.

  The group proceeded to a cluster of mud huts deep in the forest. The mud huts were surrounded by the same rectangular wooden torch holders which Rikshavi had earlier seen at many places in Kaawar. “These would help to ward off animals from the forest at night” thought Rikshavi. “Baba, look! I have got a new friend with me!” Begu called out to his father. A tall burly man came out. He too wore only a cloth and leaves across his waist and torso. As he saw Rikshavi and Samarjit with a few soldiers, he frowned. “Who are you people and what do you want?” he asked sharply.

  “Greetings Sir!” said Rikshavi, “I am Rikshavi, the daughter of Queen Bhairavi and King Vrajesh. We are in Kaawar for a vacation”. “Princess of Vrij!” the man exclaimed with wide eyes. “I am Daara, the head of this tribe. What brings you here Princess?” he inquired. “Nothing in particular, Sir. I became friends with Begu while wandering in the forest and he invited me for a meal!” Rikshavi said and smiled at Begu. Begu beamed at her. “Yes Baba. Licchavi is my friend” he proudly announced. Daara laughed. “Well then! Welcome Princess Rikshavi!” he said.

  The group shared their meals. “Begu told me that village people are bad. I wonder why he made such a comment!” Rikshavi remarked as she took leave of Daara. Daara sighed. “The village people believe that forest tribes like us are uncivilized barbarians. If they could, they would have destroyed us by now. But we are resilient fighters and the forest protects us. So as of now, we are in a peaceful co-existence. We don’t venture out in their place and they do not venture in the forest. We hence purposely teach our children that village people are bad and they should not interact with them. It maintains our peaceful co-existence!” he said. Rikshavi nodded understandingly. By now, she was old enough to understand that the world that she lived in was divided by unseen rigid lines, which discriminated against human beings on various parameters like birth, status and gender. Some people were more privileged and respected than others. This was just another example of this discrimination.

  “Never mind Sir, the ways of the world are ridiculous!” Rikshavi said, “But not all civilized people are bad! “You can simply call me Daara, Princess!” Daara said. “Fine, Daara. You too can simply call me Rikshavi!” Rikshavi replied. Both of them laughed warmly….

  Rikshavi regularly started visiting her tribal friends. Her days were spent playing around with Begu and his friends and talking to Daara about the way of life of the tribals. She was amazed at their knowledge about the forest and its vegetation. They knew about various plants and herbs which had medicinal properties. Though primitive, they had developed weapons and warfare techniques which were good enough to keep the ‘civilized people’ at bay. The forest was their greatest benefactor and protector. They could camouflage themselves and defend any attack from civilians who could not maneuver in the forests easily. Interestingly, the tribal people did not discriminate against women like the civilized people. They had equal rights in all respects. The tribal people also had more colourful celebrations and were generally free-spirited. Rikshavi was thoroughly enjoying their company in Kaawar…..

  *****

  It was the seventh prahara. The moon was not visible in the sky. It was a little cloudy. Rikshavi uneasily twisted and turned in her bed. “What was that man up to?” she thought to herself. That evening, she had seen a man staring at the window of the room, where her parents were staying. She had sent a soldier to make an inquiry. “He is the gardener’s son” the soldier had told her, “the gardener is unwell and will not be able to work for a few days. His son would be working instead of him” There was something about that man that made Rikshavi uncomfortable. She peeped out of her window. Soldiers were guarding the gates of the palace.

  Rikshavi could not sleep. She got up and knocked on her parents’ room. “What’s the matter Rikshavi?” Queen Bhairavi asked as she held a lamp. “I am hearing strange noises in my room, Maa. I am frightened. Can I sleep in your room tonight please?” Rikshavi asked. Queen Bhairavi was hesitant. She looked back at King Vrajesh, who had also woken up. “Maa, I will sleep on that couch there” Rikshavi pointed out. Before Bhairavi could say anything, Rikshavi went and curled up on the couch. Bhairavi and Vrajesh went back to sleep. Rikshavi lay awake, flipping her eyelids to adjust to the scarce light in the room and to get better visibility.

  *****

  “TAAAAT!” King Vrajesh was awakened by the loud voice of Rikshavi, only to see a dagger flying across his bed and piercing the right shoulder of a young man standing beside him. Rikshavi never missed her target. She had thoughtfully targeted the man’s right shoulder in order to disable his attacking hand, without killing him. The young man fell to the ground with a dagger in his right hand. Rikshavi menacingly pinned him down. “The Gardener’s son!” she exclaimed, as she recognized the man. Vrajesh was shocked at the incident. Clearly, the young man had entered the room in the dark to assassinate him, using the window of the palace. Rikshavi had saved his life!

  The guards came rushing to the room after hearing the din. The assassin was arrested. Samarjit checked the assassin for any other weapons. He found a few coins tied in the kayabandh around his waist. “Magadhan coins!” Samarjit exclaimed, “So you are from Magadh!” “No, I am from Vrij!” the man indignantly answered. “Aren’t you ashamed to take money from the enemy to assassin your own king?” Samarjit asked. “Isn’t the King ashamed to take away lands from his own subjects?” the young assassin replied. “What are you saying, you rascal?” Samarjit asked as he slapped the man. King Vrajesh stopped Samarjit. “Please take him away for now Samarjit. We will decide about him in the morning.” The man was chained and taken away by the soldiers. King Vrajesh turned to Rikshavi. “I am grateful to you for saving my life today, young lady!” he said.

  Rikshavi eyes brimmed with tears, but she could not reply. There was a lump in her throat. “I am very impressed at the precision with which you threw the dagger, Princess! Who taught you this?” Vrajesh asked. Rikshavi, still unable to speak, pointed out at her mother. “No doubt that you have such a precise aim!” Vrajesh exclaimed. Bhairavi too had tears in her eyes. She was proud of her daughter. “You suspected this man, right? That’s why you barged in our room!” she said to Rikshavi. Bhairavi looked contently at Baijaamaa, who had just entered the room. Baijaamaa smiled back at her.

  Suddenly, the royal family heard a din at the palace gates. The guards had arrested a tribal man. “It’s some tribal man called Daara” a soldier informed Vrajesh. Rikshavi was startled. She rushed towards the gates. “What are you doing at this time in the palace Daara?” asked Rikshavi, “There was an assassination attempt on the King just sometime back!” “It’s going to be followed by an attack by the Magadhans Rikshavi! My men have seen some suspicious activity on the other bank of the lake. They have brought news that three thousand Magadhan soldiers have in filtered Vrij from the banks of the Ganga. They have now reached the opposite bank of the Vihanga Taal. They have also got around five hundred horses” Daara shouted as he struggled in the grip of the palace guards. Rikshavi was shocked. “Leave him!” she shouted at the guards. She took Daara to King Vrajesh and Samarjit to narrate the news.

  “Three Thousand soldiers!” Samarjit exclaimed, “We barely have a thousand soldiers with us now…. If the Magadhans are on the opposite bank of the lake, they will reach here before noon…. And even if I send a messenger now, we cannot get reinforcements for another three days! God have mercy! I and my brave soldiers will fight till our last breath to protect our King!”

  Bhairavi almost fainted in Baijaamaa’s arms. King Vrajesh anxiously looked at Samarjit. He knew that the sacrifice of his thousand soldiers would still not be enough to protect him. Should he fight back or simply flee the place? The enemy c
ould still chase them and catch up…. they had horses… The King was perplexed…..

  *****

  Amidst the din, Rikshavi was in a state of panic. Vrij was militarily impregnable. Magadh had sent an assassin on the King and had cunningly attacked the royal family when they were away from their army. They could easily hold the royal family at ransom to bargain with the Vrijian commander Vajrasen, who was in charge of Vaishali at that time. This was against Kshatriya war ethics, but at the moment, it was necessary to think out a plan to move the King and Queen to safety.

  Rikshavi remembered Acharya Shashwat. She closed her eyes. She saw the overpowering idol of Goddess Durga. Her entire time spent in Kaawar flashed in her mind. Kaawar was full of new experiences, with a beautiful lake at its centre…. “The lake…, Rikshavi thought, “It has a distinct curved shape….” Rikshavi opened her eyes. She went to one of the windows of the room. The banks of the lake were visible in the light of the torches which were fitted into the rectangular wooden torch holders. Rikshavi stretched her eyebrows to look farther. It was pitch dark. She could see tiny lights dotting the opposite side of the bank. She could make out that the enemy was camping at the opposite bank of the lake. They were likely to set out soon. She turned back with resolve.