*****
Prabhavsen strained his memory to recollect Acharya Dhaumya’s words…
“The object described in the verse will emerge when the Kshatriya code is broken!” he remembered…
“Has the Kshatriya code been broken?” Prabhavsen thought to himself… “Has any king tried to deprive another of his rightful kingdom?” Prabhavsen’s face changed colour as he realized that this had indeed happened. King Makardhwaj of Magadh had indeed attempted to annex Vrij by sending an assassin on King Vrajesh…. But it was unsuccessful… Was the Kshatriya code broken? Would the great weapon emerge now?
“Some objects cannot be acquired, O King! They emerge and give themselves to those who are their true claimants!” Acharya Dhaumya’s words resounded in Prabhavsen’s mind.
“May King Vrajesh understand the futility of his search….” he prayed.
*****
CHAPTER 11
THE CONSPIRACY OF KOSAL
“A messenger has arrived from Kosal, Your Highness! King Vrajesh is waiting for you…” a servant informed Queen Bhairavi. As Queen Bhairavi entered the meeting chamber, she noticed King Vrajesh waiting for her, with a message roll in his hand. Bhairavi found this quite odd. Her husband always waited for her before any message from Kosal was read… But it appeared that the Kosal messenger had already left…
“King Mahendra is ill, Bhairavi! He wants to meet you and Rikshavi… and also his future son-in-law Vikram…” Vrajesh informed her. “What about Amogh?” the Queen asked. “He has not been mentioned in the message....” the King curtly replied. “That is strange, Your Highness… Why has he not mentioned Amogh? Haven’t we informed Kosal about Prince Amogh?” Bhairavi asked with surprise. “We have informed them, Bhairavi… In fact, we have also sent an invitation for the wedding and coronation ceremony….” Vrajesh replied, “Amogh has not been mentioned for a reason Bhairavi… It is a practice that a prince who is about to be coronated, is not supposed to cross the borders of his kingdom… It is considered a bad omen… King Mahendra obviously knows about this practice… And he has sent his blessings for Prince Amogh through this message…” Vrajesh covered up with great difficulty.
“Oh… I did not know this..” said Bhairavi. “We will leave within the next two days, then… May God bless father with good health and a long life…” she murmured as she left the chambers.
Vrajesh handed over the message roll to Prabhavsen and left. Prabhavsen opened the roll and sighed as he went through its contents. King Mahendra had called upon King Vrajesh to visit him, along with Bhairavi, Rikshavi, Vikram and…. Amogh!
*****
“Sravasti is a beautiful city, Vikram…… Grandfather will be happy to see you...” Rikshavi spiritedly kept chatting with Vikram as they neared Sravasti. Bhairavi smilingly looked on. She knew that her daughter had fond memories of Sravasti, her grandfather, King Mahendra and Acharya Shashwat…. “I also hope to meet my friend Vrushasen. He is from Sravasti. He studied with me in Takshashila..” Vikram said. “Oh, was he also a philosophy student?” Rikshavi asked. “No, he studied medicine at Takshashila…” Vikram replied, “It is a very rigorous discipline… Vrushasen was indeed a bright student… He wanted to come back to Sravasti and intern with the royal doctors here.…”
Soon, the royal convoy of Vrij entered the city of Sravasti. Samarjit, who was as usual accompanying the convoy, went ahead and informed the guards at the city gates. This time, there was no grand welcome. This was expected, since King Mahendra was not keeping well. Indraneel, now the King of Sravasti, greeted them at the royal palace. “Where is Prince Amogh? I am so eager to meet him!” he said. Bhairavi was surprised. “He may not know that Amogh has not been invited…” she thought… “He will surely visit Sravasti after his coronation!” she told Indraneel. “Greetings, Princess Rikshavi!” Indraneel said as he looked at Rikshavi. “Oh! Is this our future son-in-law?” he asked, looking at Vikram. “Greetings, Your Highness!” Vikram greeted him. The royal convoy proceeded to the guest chambers in the palace.
*****
“It is so nice to see you all!” King Mahendra exclaimed in a weak, hoarse voice. Bhairavi and Rikshavi were shocked to see his condition. He was lying on his bed, looking weak and pale. He had lost a lot of weight. His heavy moustache looked awkward as it curled on his pale cheekbones. Bhairavi held his hand with tears in her eyes. Queen Chandrika, also a pale shadow of her earlier self, looked on sadly. “Oh come on! My brave daughter never cries like this!” King Mahendra said, as he patted Bhairavi’s hand. “And look who has come… A beautiful young princess… a would-be-bride…” he looked at Rikshavi and held out his hand to beckon her. Rikshavi broke into tears…. She was apprehensive about her grandfather’s affection, after the secret of Amogh was revealed. But she was still her grandfather’s princess…. “You will get well soon, Grandfather…” she said as she held his hand, “Then we all will have kheer!” King Mahendra weakly laughed. “Is this Amogh?” he asked, pointing at Vikram. “No, that is Vikram, father!” Bhairavi replied. “Oh, the fortunate young man!” King Mahendra exclaimed. “May God bless you, son!” he said, as Vikram bowed in respect. “But where is Prince Amogh?” King Mahendra asked again.
Bhairavi was puzzled. “Has he forgotten that Amogh is not supposed to come?” She thought. “A prince who is about to be coronated, is not supposed to cross the borders of the kingdom, father. It is considered a bad omen…” she replied. “Oh! I did not know that…” King Mahendra said, “It is sad that I cannot see him… Heaven knows whether I will recover from this illness and will be able to see him again…” “You will have to get well soon, Grandfather!” Rikshavi said, “You owe me an elephant ride!” King Mahendra smiled.
Bhairavi was puzzled. “Had King Vrajesh lied to her? Why did he do that?…. Her father was ill, but his mental faculties still appeared sharp. Had he really forgotten that he had not invited Amogh on purpose?” she wondered. She did not, however, discuss the matter. It was indeed inappropriate to discuss it at that moment. Rikshavi realized her mother’s bewilderment. She herself was surprised after she heard King Mahendra asking for Amogh. “I think you should all go and rest now… It must have been a long journey. You can visit him again later…” Queen Chandrika said. Everyone moved out of the chamber.
“What has exactly happened to him, Maa?” Bhairavi asked Queen Chandrika as they moved out. “He fell ill with fever. The royal doctors have been treating him, but the fever keeps returning….” “But what is the cause of the fever?” Bhairavi asked apprehensively. “Strangely, the doctors have not been able to detect the cause of the fever yet… He keeps getting weaker by the day…” Queen Chandrika replied, looking extremely worried. “I don’t know what to do!” she added. “Don’t worry Grandmother! Grandpa is a fighter. He will recover soon…” Rikshavi said. “I really hope so dear…. Now that he has seen all of you, he might start recovering…” Queen Chandrika said with a sigh….
*****
“It is so good to see you after a long time, Vikram!” Vrushasen said, as both the friends hugged each other. “How is Amogh?” he asked. “He is Prince Amogh, the Prince of Vrij…” Vikram said. “Yes, I have heard that…. Has he not come here?” Vrushasen asked. “No….. a prince who is going to be coronated, is not supposed to cross the borders of his kingdom…” Vikram replied. “Meet Rikshavi, the Princess of Vrij…!” Vikram introduced Rikshavi.. “And your would-be wife!” Vrushasen cheerily added. Vikram blushed. “Greetings Rikshavi!” Vrushasen said. “Greetings!” Rikshavi replied. “So how are you my friend? Are you working with the royal doctors of Sravasti?” Vikram asked. Vrushasen looked crestfallen. “I used to work with them, Vikram… But I have been recently suspended…” Vrushasen told him. Vikram was shocked. “What happened, my friend? Why did they take such an extreme step? After all, you were one of the brightest medicine students of Takshashila!” “My expertise lead to my suspension, my friend! Sometimes, your knowledge can be perceived as a threat…” Vrushasen remarked.
Vikram and Rikshavi looked puzzled. “What do you mean, Vrushasen?” Vikram asked. “Well…” said Vrushasen, “I was given the charge of the medical laboratory and storage…. One day, while supervising the medicine stores, I was shocked to see a rather large bottle of agnimadha. This powder was earlier used as a medicine for cough and cold. However, it has been banned by the medical fraternity a few years back…. All stocks of this powder were destroyed by doctors across Bharatkhanda… I pointed this out to the chief doctor. And within a few days, I was suspended under an allegation of carelessness in handling medicines, which was utterly false!”
Vikram and Rikshavi were astonished…. “So there are vested interests in preserving this powder, though it has been banned!” Vikram exclaimed. “Of course, my friend!” Vrushasen replied with a sigh…
“Why was this powder banned, Vrushasen?” Rikshavi asked. “Agnimadha is a powder which generates heat in the human body….” replied Vrushasen, “It was earlier used to treat certain types of cold and cough. However, it was later discovered that staggered doses of agnimadha given over a certain period of time could prove fatal, especially to persons with lower immunity like children and old people. Hence it was banned by the medical fraternity…”
“This is like slow poison!” Vikram exclaimed. “What are the symptoms of consuming this powder, Vrushasen?” Rikshavi asked with apparent apprehension. “A person falls ill with fever after a few continuous doses. He continues to remain ill as his organs are slowly consumed by staggered doses of agnimadha. The reason for the fever goes undetected. If such a person is given a treatment which is given for other types of fevers, he does not respond to such treatment and finally succumbs…” Vrushasen said.
Rikshavi shivered at the thought. “Is there any antidote for agnimadha, Vrushasen? she asked. “Yes! My teacher at Takshashila had successfully prepared an antidote for this powder. I have learnt to prepare it from him…” Vrushasen said. “Fine… You have some critical tasks now, Vrushasen. We have very less time at hand…” Rikshavi authoritatively said, as she resolutely clenched her right fist….
*****
Is the antidote ready, Vrushasen? Rikshavi inquired as she entered Vrushasen’s house next day. “Are you sure about what you are going to do Rikshavi?” Vikram apprehensively asked. “I think we should not jump to conclusions like this…” he added.
“I know what I am doing, Vikram. My conscience tells me that I am doing the right thing. This is the question of someone’s life!” Rikshavi replied. Vrushasen silently handed over a bottle of some powder. “This is the antidote, Princess! I have tried my best to give it a colour which is similar to the agnimadha, without changing its properties…” he said. “I did not want to involve you in this, Vrushasen. But I have no choice!” Rikshavi said. “If this is going to save the life of King Mahendra, it is my duty to help you, Princess!” Vrushasen smugly replied…
*****
As night fell, a crescent of the moon scarcely lit the dark sky. Three shadows stealthily moved towards the laboratory and storage room in Sravasti. “Thank God I retained a spare key!” one of them whispered. He was Vrushasen. Rikshavi and Vikram quietly followed him. They entered the storage room and stopped at one of the shelves. “This bottle of agnimadha is enough to kill at least fifty people!” Vrushasen whispered. Within moments, Rikshavi removed the bottle of agnimadha. It was replaced by a bottle of the antidote. The three of them quietly exited the storage room. It was locked again….
*****
“The agnimadha has been destroyed, Rikshavi!” Vrushasen informed, as Rikshavi and Vikram entered his house the next morning. “Though it is good that the powder has been destroyed, I still can’t believe that King Indraneel is trying to kill his father with agnimadha!” Vikram exclaimed. “Not only that, Vikram, many years ago, he has also killed Prince Pranav with the same powder…” Rikshavi angrily retorted.
“Lord have mercy! You are making serious allegations, Rikshavi…” Vikram said. “I am not so thoughtless that I will make baseless allegations, Vikram….” Rikshavi said, “Baijaamaa once told me how Pranav died. He showed the same symptoms as Grandfather… And only a trusted insider would have an opportunity to administer that powder to Pranav…. And I am sure that Taat also suspected Indraneel… Taat might have secretly sent Amogh to Takshashila, because he believed that an insider was involved in killing Prince Pranav, and that insider was someone from Kosal.... probably some trusted servant of Indraneel… only the royal families and their servants had access to Prince Pranav’s chambers… That is why Taat did not reveal Amogh’s secret even to Maa. No woman would ever suspect her own brother for the death of her son… Also, Taat did not have any evidence to prove his suspicions… He simply might have got some leads….”
Vikram and Vrushasen were dumbstruck after hearing Rikshavi. “This time also, Taat has lied to Maa, in order to protect Amogh. Do you remember, Vikram? Grandfather inquired about Amogh as soon as we visited him… It was very evident that Amogh was invited to Sravasti…. But Taat did not send him under a false pretext. This means that Taat suspects King Indraneel… This powder would definitely have been a threat to Amogh’s life, Vikram…..” Rikshavi explained her suspicions.
“But why did King Indraneel kill Prince Pranav? And now, why is he trying to kill King Mahendra?” Vrushasen asked with astonishment… “So that he can capture the kingdom of Vrij!” replied Rikshavi, “Vrij is a prosperous kingdom, Vrushasen….. Every neighbouring kingdom aspires to conquer and establish suzerainty over Vrij. Kosal is a neighbouring kingdom of Vrij. But many years ago, the kingdoms of Kosal and Vrij became allies after the marriage of Queen Bhairavi and King Vrajesh. Indraneel however, still had ambitions for Vrij. But Vrij is impregnable due to its military strength and expertise. No kingdom can dare to attack Vrij. Indraneel hence tried to eliminate the heir of Vrij, so that he could annex it in future, probably by killing King Vrajesh… He now wants to eliminate King Mahendra first, as he will never allow the annexure of Vrij in future. Prince Amogh and King Vrajesh might be his next targets.….”
*****
“Our Commander, Samarjit, is not well… He is having a bad stomach ache… Can we get some medicine for him?” Rikshavi asked the royal doctor, as they stood in the storage room. “Why did you come here, Your Highness!” the doctor said, “You could have summoned me instead. He called out his assistant to give some medicine. “It is also the time to give medicine to His Highness, King Mahendra…” the assistant reminded. Rikshavi quietly gestured to Vikram. They watched with bated breath…. Sure enough, a measured dose of powder was removed from ‘that’ bottle, and taken to King Mahendra…. Vikram was stunned… “Do these doctors know what they are giving their old King? Or are they knowingly involved?, he pondered.
*****
“You have brought back sunshine!” King Mahendra exclaimed to Rikshavi. He was sitting up on his bed and was looking much better. He had fuller cheeks, and had gained some weight. “Maa has fed you well! And kheer is the best medicine!” Rikshavi smilingly replied. King Mahendra laughed warmly as Queen Chandrika, Bhairavi and Vikram looked on…. “The antidote has worked!” thought Rikshavi. She looked at Vikram. He could read her thoughts. He smilingly nodded in affirmation. “You have to get even better Grandfather… Our elephant ride is pending!” Rikshavi said. “Oh yes! Even I want to experience an elephant ride…” Vikram added….
*****
“I have no words to express my gratitude to you, Vrushasen! Grandfather has recovered and is much better now…” Rikshavi said. “It was my duty, Princess!” Vrushasen replied, “I am happy that I could save the life of King Mahendra…” “Please come with us to Vaishali, Vrushasen…” Rikshavi requested… “Why should I leave my land, Princess? I will find some other work here…” Vrushasen replied.
“Your life is at risk, my friend! Soon, Indraneel will discover that the agnimadha has been replaced… You could be one of the prime suspects…” Vikram pointed out. Vrushasen hesitated
. “Don’t think too much, Vrushasen. Just come along with us. After all, we require a good teacher in medicine for the proposed University in Vrij!” Rikshavi said with a smile. Vrushasen smiled back…. “I’ll come with you to Vaishali then!” he exclaimed…
*****
“Your would-be wife is one of the finest archers of Bharatkhanda!” Acharya Shashwat said to Vikram…. The couple had visited him to seek his blessings. Vikram smiled. He had not heard this praise for the first time. “Vikram too has received education at Takshashila, Acharya… King Vrajesh is now going to establish a University in Vrij where I and Vikram will teach!” Rikshavi informed Acharya Shashwat.
“That is wonderful, Rikshavi! Takshashila is far away. If a University is established in the neighbouring kingdom of Vrij, even students from Kosal shall be benefitted” the Acharya said. “We would be grateful if we could have you as one of the teachers, Acharya!” Vikram requested. Acharya Shashwat smiled. “I would not be able to leave this place, son! But a few of my students can join your University for teaching purposes!” he said. “Thank you, Acharya…” Vikram said. He went around the ashram and met a few of Acharya’s students, while Rikshavi chatted with Acharya Shashwat.
“We will seek your help when required, Acharya!” Rikshavi said as she got up to leave with Vikram, “I do not trust anybody else!” “I will be always there for you, Rikshavi! God bless you!” Acharya Shashwat smilingly replied.
“What help were you talking about?” Vikram asked as they walked back to the royal palace. “I will tell you when the right time comes!” Rikshavi replied with a grave face. “You behave mysteriously sometimes, Rikshavi! You will not be allowed to keep secrets like this after we are married!” Vikram said as he nudged her playfully…..
*****
“Hope to see you for Rikshavi’s wedding and Amogh’s coronation…” Bhairavi said, as she met King Mahendra before leaving Sravasti. “Oh yes dear! I eagerly want to see Amogh. And I surely want to see my Princess as a bride!” King Mahendra said and looked at Rikshavi and Vikram. Rikshavi blushed…. “Take care of yourself, Grandfather… You are valuable for us!” she said. “I will remember what you have said, Rikshavi! I will take care of myself…” King Mahendra said and winked….
The Rigveda Code Page 11