Govinda (The Aryavarta Chronicles)

by Krishna Udayasankar

  Panchali smiled softly to herself at that, but made no comment. She had seen far too many politically motivated marriages to feel anger, or even surprise, anymore. Dharma left soon after to speak with Partha and Bhim. Govinda and Panchali sat together well into the night without exchanging a single word.

  The next morning, bathed and looking more like his old self, Govinda entered Dharma’s study to find all five brothers assembled there.

  Dharma stood up to embrace him. ‘Brothers,’ he announced, ‘our wisest counsel and dearest friend. He shall lead us to great glory!’

  Govinda accepted the compliment with a polite bow. ‘As always, you give me far too much credit.’

  ‘Then, perhaps, you’d consider earning some of it,’ Panchali snidely remarked as she walked into the room. Dharma looked happy to see her, but she did not seem to notice him as she calmly took a seat. ‘So …’ she continued, her voice soft but commanding, ‘Jarasandha is no more …’

  ‘Ah!’ Dharma exclaimed. ‘And now, there are many contenders for the imperial throne. But few have what it takes to rule an empire and fewer still count among those whom the kings of Aryavarta might willingly accept as their sovereign.’

  A strained hesitation filled the room. Panchali tried hard to keep her breathing neutral and her face expressionless as she waited for Govinda to guide them to the inevitable conclusion. Soon, she supposed, Dharma and his brothers would present the idea for the first time, as though it had never been contemplated in the first place – Govinda Shauri, Emperor of Aryavarta. Slowly, they would convince him to accept the role he had always wanted, and when he had grudgingly acquiesced, the five brothers would become his most loyal ambassadors and allies, paving the way for his accession as Emperor. The immaculate planning sickened her as much as it impressed her. Her lips fixed in what she hoped was a neutral smile, she looked up.

  To her surprise, Govinda was beaming mysteriously at all of them. Slowly, deliberately, he declared, ‘Then it’s time that the esteemed kings of Aryavarta considered the best man for the role – Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir.’

  Govinda paused, his eyes holding a muted fire as he studied each of them, patiently waiting for their reactions

  Dharma remained still, trying hard not to show his enthusiasm and his utter lack of surprise at the suggestion. The others, however, were clearly grappling with various degrees of confusion and even shock. One by one they all met Govinda’s gaze, Sadev and Bhim in silence, Partha with an admission of awe, and Nakul with an exclamation of disbelief. Panchali too was on the verge of saying something, but then appeared to decide against it. She turned away and gazed intently at some indistinct spot on the floor.

  When Dharma eventually spoke, his voice was slightly hoarse. ‘How?’

  Govinda continued, as though he were stating the obvious, ‘We need to put the idea of Dharma as Emperor irrefutably into everyone’s minds before the issue of dominion begins to swing one way or another. But for that we must get their attention first. We have to do something impressive, some that few have ever managed. The mistake most emperors make is to suppose that the key to the empire lies in controlling the western frontier. Even Jarasandha had his heart set on that. But that’s not the answer. Your goal should be to take the north and north-eastern frontiers, the mountain kingdoms. You can then have complete control over all the land routes into Aryavarta.’

  Nakul gasped audibly, while Bhim and Partha exchanged meaningful glances. Sadev mumbled something under his breath. Panchali apparently heard what he said, for she nodded tersely.

  Dharma was pleased at their consternation. It made him think that perhaps what Govinda suggested was impossible after all. The thought brought with it the soothing satisfaction that perhaps he would be forced to remain free of ambition and pride after all. In an indulgent but sceptical voice he said, ‘Govinda, no emperor has truly conquered the north, and for good reason. By the time the Great White Mountains are crossed the centre is often lost. Perhaps it is an impossible dream.’

  ‘Perhaps not. None of the emperors had brothers such as you do. Northern campaigns have always come at the cost of losing some other part of the empire because the emperors themselves have marched out to conquer. In your case …’

  ‘I’m not convinced. Assume the north can be taken and held, thanks to my brave brothers, but if we throw all our strength there how can we cover the rest of Aryavarta? And even then I don’t see how the basic problem is solved. There is no pass through the mountains that can admit an entire army, and by the time soldiers carve a way through they will be in no position to do battle! And how does one build a pass through hostile lands without fighting to keep it open? It’s a circular problem, one that has perplexed Aryavarta’s kings for years!’

  ‘Except,’ Govinda declared, ‘you don’t have to build a pass, do you? Well, not all of it! You have a passage waiting for you: the Nagas’ trading route at Bhogavati heads north through the mountains before it turns towards the north-west. I see no reason why we can’t widen that road and follow it part of the way.’

  This time the response was a unanimous silence.

  Govinda chuckled at their reaction. ‘You see,’ he continued, ‘imperial domination is difficult not just because the campaign is difficult, but because the slightest failure is nothing short of complete failure. You can conquer nine-tenths of Aryavarta and even beyond, but one successful challenger, one vassal undefeated, is enough to undo all that has been achieved.’

  Dharma shook his head. ‘I don’t understand. You sound like you are for this, but then you point out why it’s already doomed to fail …’

  ‘I point out what makes it difficult so that we can consider how to succeed. The factors that make a bid for imperial dominion so hard are also what make it possible if handled right. This isn’t just war, it’s also politics. One challenger can bring you down, yes, but no one wants to be the sole, defiant enemy to an emperor whom everyone else is pleased to accept. So every kingdom will look to every other kingdom before it responds, Dharma. What we need to do is time things perfectly. Extend the imperial domain simultaneously in all directions.’

  ‘But how?’

  ‘Remember, Magadha is already yours. All we have to do is bring the northern armies down through the pass at Deva-prastha, further east of Magadha, and you can rest and refit the troops there. This way you won’t lose men to the terrain or to the weather. Creating a garrison at Magadha also gives it status as a diplomatic base. Use that to negotiate a strong alliance with the king of Kalinga, Srutayus.’

  ‘Why Kalinga?’

  ‘The Kalinga kingdom controls all sea routes on the eastern coast, just as Dwaraka does on the west. Most of the coastal kingdoms of Dakshinavarta have to pay some consideration to either or both in return for protection against pirates as well as for the use of their ports, trade routes, even sea vessels. If you can get the protectors to acknowledge your suzerainty, the protectorates naturally come along.’

  Partha, Bhim and the twins looked admiringly at Govinda. Dharma alone was frowning.

  Govinda continued, unaffected. ‘Your progress in the northern regions puts you in a better position to negotiate strong treaties with the south. They know well that if you hold the north, you can do much for overland trade. You’d have the power to enhance their prosperities by getting the Kyrgs and Cinnas, for example, to use their ports to send goods out across the ocean. At the same time you reduce the dependence of the central lands on the coastal kingdoms, thereby giving you a strong base.’ He flashed a mischievous glance at Panchali as he added, ‘It’s time Aryavarta looked to the seas …’

  Pausing, Govinda looked around at the five brothers, and waited till each one of them met his eyes and nodded their assent. ‘With all this taking place,’ he continued, ‘central Aryavarta will fall into place of its own accord, as will the west. There are many kings who are either allied to Kuru or Magadha. If you can establish yourself over the periphery, these kings will accept you as their overlord.
Consider the Sindhu–Sauvira region: the saamantas there, including the Trigarta kings, owe their allegiance to Jayadrath, Syoddhan’s brother-in-law. In the east you have Vasusena of Anga, who is, again, Syoddhan’s friend. I believe that the Vyasa will prevail on your cousin and your uncle to support you, but irrespective of that all the kings of Greater Aryavarta, in their own interest, will be happy to support an emperor who can control the periphery of the empire. You may still have to fight; a non-violent conquest is near impossible. And, don’t forget, this isn’t something that’ll happen in a day. We’re talking of a campaign that may take five or six years, maybe even longer. But at the end of those years you’ll be in a position to maintain a military base on the other side of the White Mountains as well as a garrison at Magadha, and that will suffice. Once the Empire is formed, it serves everyone’s interests to stay united. What brute strength can’t achieve, we can do using the power of trade.’

  Govinda fell silent, allowing the five brothers to consider and understand the implications of what he had just told them. At length, as the prospect of adventure and victory gradually sank in, they began to grin. All but Dharma, who continued to glower, apparently at the unviability of it all. Slowly, he realized the others awaited his reaction, his four brothers with undisguised excitement, Panchali in silence, and Govinda with what Dharma considered an indulgent smile.

  His voice slightly strained for his reluctance, Dharma began to speak, issuing the orders he knew were ostensibly his to give. ‘Bhim can go eastwards to his in-laws’ house, such as it is now. Partha can take the northern campaign. He is, without doubt, the best among us, and if anyone has a chance to win the north, it’ll be him.’

  Bhim slapped Partha on the back, and made a jovial comment about him acquiring more in-laws, especially among the mountain people, at which Govinda laughed

  Dharma waited for the three to settle down, which they did with the guilty charm of truant children, and continued, ‘We will also need to be ready for some heavy diplomacy and negotiation with Kalinga and the southern and south-eastern kingdoms. I’d be grateful if you took that up, Govinda. After that Sadev can lead a diplomatic mission into central Dakshinavarta, where we should be able to present ourselves as Kalinga’s allies.’

  Sadev could not help but smile. ‘Central Dakshinavarta? You mean the monkey-kings of Kishkinda?’

  ‘Indeed,’ Govinda said, chuckling softly. ‘Though I think they would prefer to be known more kindly – and accurately, mind you – as the kings of the monkey-banner.’

  Dharma ignored the banter yet again and turned to Nakul. ‘Nakul, the west is yours,’ he said.

  Govinda added, ‘Yes, Nakul. Fortunately for us, the king of Madra is your maternal uncle. With his help you can reclaim the northern frontier lands from foreign kings, especially the Hunas and the Pahlavas. It might also be possible to speak with the Danavas, negotiate something … At least make sure the trading routes are uncontested. We have already discussed Sindhu–Sauvira. That leaves …’

  ‘Matsya?’ Partha suggested.

  ‘Ah, Matsya,’ Dharma began. ‘I’m not sure I want anything to do with that forsaken desert. Besides, its people are nothing but uncouth tribals, uncivilized nomads. I doubt they’d even understand much of our kind of politics. They basically survive by hiring out their armies as mercenaries to foreign kings.’

  Govinda raised an eyebrow and his voice held just a tinge of amusement. ‘They understand battle very well and their coffers run deep but, yes, Matsya is happy to leave the rest of Aryavarta alone if we afford them the same courtesy. They don’t care who rules Aryavarta, or why, given their more pressing issues, like survival. In any case, we can’t take armies through the desert so we won’t need to deal with them.’

  ‘Salwa needs dealing with, though. And that too carefully,’ Panchali gently ventured, looking down at her hands as they lay on her lap. It was the first time she had spoken since Govinda had begun describing his plans. ‘They’re too busy these days competing with Dwaraka over sea trade to want to battle with us, but they can’t be happy about Kandava … Ever since the Nagas moved to Bhogavati and began plying their masonry and metalcraft there, they have had no cause to make or deal in illegal weapons – which means Salwa can no longer trade in confiscated weapons, as they claimed they were. As for the other nations of the west …’ she trailed off.

  The brothers regarded each other uncertainly and then glanced at Panchali. She stared into the distance, apparently oblivious to the tension amidst them. Govinda smiled. He knew what it was they were all waiting for. ‘The Yadus are a free people, my friends,’ he said, with pride. ‘They are their own sovereign and they rule themselves. But I, Govinda Shauri of the Vrishnis, shall pledge allegiance to Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir.’

  The words roused Panchali out of her stupor and her eyes flashed for an instant. Then she said in a whisper, ‘Unfortunately, Govinda of the Vrishnis, melodrama won’t hide the truth. This business will be bloody, like it or not. Many will die, and their curses shall lie heavy on all our heads.’

  Her words hung in the air as she rose and left the room.

  Panchali made hurriedly for the privacy of her rooms, worried that she would blurt out the long-suppressed, decidedly dangerous thoughts that flitted through her mind.

  This, she realized, had been Govinda’s plan all along. He had known there was a way to the north. He had made sure of it. He had moved the Nagas to their new city knowing that they would inevitably trade with other kingdoms, that they would use their skills to build a pass through the mountains. He had burned Kandava to make them leave. To achieve that he had brought Dharma back to Hastina, married to the Princess of Panchala. He had planned everything in meticulous detail. And now he would lead the Kuru princes on an imperial campaign, a campaign that was doomed even before it began. Panchali’s head reeled as she came to see how long it must have taken for Govinda to move things into place. Then, in a singular moment, her confusion distilled into a sparkling gem of clarity and she understood – no, accepted – what it was that he wanted.

  An empire. Strong but weak, his own yet another’s. The Firewright had been right; he had warned her that this was what Govinda was after, all along, and had begged her to somehow stop him. But she had failed. Time and again, she had failed. She had tried to appeal to Govinda’s compassion; to his ego; and, finally, to his intellect, but her efforts had gone in vain. Govinda felt nothing; cared for nothing.

  Panchali slumped on the floor on her knees, uncaring that it was hard and cold, screaming silently in the recesses of her mind. Damn you, Govinda Shauri! Damn you! She beat her fists on the floor, desperately needing her violent anger to stop her from crying. Finally, tired and defeated, she stretched out on the cold marble, trying to control the sobs that shook her from the inside. She had no idea how long she had been lying there, but stirred as she heard footsteps and hurriedly composed herself as Dharma burst into the room.

  ‘Did you know of this?’ he harshly demanded. Gripping her hard by the wrist, he yanked her up from the floor. She winced in pain but he did not let go.

  ‘Did you plan this with him? Is this why you agreed to marry me, even though Partha won you? Did he tell you to? Is that why you’ve spurred me on at each step, pretending to be interested in my glory? By Rudra, how the two of you must have laughed behind my back at the stupid, helpless puppet I’ve been!’

  ‘Dharma, please!’ Panchali burst out. ‘I had no idea! I assumed he …’ she stopped short, keenly aware of how her own words had just condemned her.

  ‘Oh Varuna! You thought …’ Dharma’s face contorted as his shock turned into rage, the emotion genuine this once. ‘All along you’ve been spurring him on. You thought he’d be Emperor, didn’t you? You conniving bitch, you …’

  Panchali drew herself as tall as she could, channelling every bit of her anger against Govinda into pride. ‘Dharma, I swear by my honour, I didn’t know.’

  Dharma glared at her, his breath coming deep
and fast. Her fiery appearance eventually convinced him that she was indeed telling the truth. With a sigh, he relented, and pulled her into his arms. A bewildered Panchali resisted for a moment, and then, slowly, let her head rest against his chest, bound to him, this once, in her confusion and despair. For what it was worth, his pain was no less than hers.

  ‘Be calm,’ he said gently, trying to soothe her, though they both knew he meant to console only himself. ‘With Varuna’s blessings this will go peacefully. There’s nothing to worry about or fear …’

  ‘What can you do, Dharma?’ she snapped at him. ‘And what do you need to fear? Govinda will see you Emperor of Aryavarta!’

  Dharma shuddered as the words tore through the comforting illusions he had clung to for so long now. He felt wasted and weak, as if he were nothing, a trivial piece of existence so servile that he did not count at all. Everything he had in his life was actually a scrap thrown to him by Govinda Shauri.

  Why? Why must it be this way, his mind screamed.

  The answer rang out louder than his question. He gave a slow shake of his head, the gesture his private act of acceptance that shook the pieces into their destined places. His voice was unusually cold as he pointed out, ‘No, Panchali. Govinda will see you on the throne. He will see you Empress of Aryavarta. It’s the only thing that makes sense.’

  With that, he pushed her aside, and stalked out.

  It took a while for Panchali to understand what Dharma had meant. It took her longer still to accept the irony of the situation. Dharma thought Govinda was doing this because he cared for her, even desired her. And why not? Partha had obviously wanted her, and though no one spoke of it, for years now, Bhim had looked at her with a pained adoration that he’d never dared express. But Govinda … Hah! All this while she had felt betrayed, she thought Govinda had given her up for an empire, she had felt enraged at that vile barter. Now she knew there had been no question of choosing an empire over her. There was nothing to give up. She meant nothing to him.