Satyavati returned the smile and said, ‘Yes, my dear brother. Every child in Mahodayapur knows about your exploits and at least half of them want to follow your footsteps.’
He laughed and said, ‘I hope the interested half grows up fast as we have many new kingdoms to conquer! This, after all, is just the beginning.’
He looked directly at his sons and said, ‘There are many new frontiers to explore and my sights are not limited to the kingdoms of Nabhivarsh. My eyes are on the lands beyond the mighty Himalayas in the north and the island countries in the southern ocean. I want you all to practise your craft diligently and be good, obedient sons to your mothers. Will you do that for me?’
All of them nodded and, after hugging each one again, Vishwarath sent them off with his wives. He then turned to his nephew who had arrived and quietly stood in a corner, and asked him and his sister to accompany him for a walk.
As they took a leisurely stroll amid the potted ferns and dwarf trees that Satyavati liked to cultivate, he shared with both of them what was troubling his mind. ‘Sister, I have always looked upon you with great devotion since the time I was a young boy playing with Yama in our garden. I never knew the difference between you and our mother because you always treated me like your own son.’
Satyavati wanted to respond but instead of replying with words just nodded and let her brother do the talking. Vishwarath clearly had a lot on his mind after the recent encounter with the Brahmarishi and she wanted him to share the burden without any interruption.
He looked at Yamdagni and said, ‘All through my life, I have never ever encountered any obstacle as insurmountable as the situation I met with at Vasishth’s ashram. It’s not that our lives have been very smooth and you know that! Living away from our families in the lonely confines of the Himalayas, surviving on the food shared by the locals and berries and tubers collected from around was a far cry from the comforts of palace life.’
Yama nodded and Vishwarath continued, ‘Working on my body and mind day in and day out, fulfilling all directives given by our honourable guru and even marrying as per my father’s wishes, none of this has come very naturally to me.’
‘Yet, I never gave anyone a chance to complain. I married the princesses my father selected for the sake of our kingdom and am not ashamed to admit that I do not really love any of them. I never wanted children, yet I fulfilled all my obligations towards the kingdom by producing not one but three potential heirs.’
Satyavati came to a sudden halt on hearing this. She looked at her brother who was confessing all these things to anyone for the first time and understood how difficult it must be for him to do so.
She made him sit on a nearby bench and said, ‘No one’s life is a bed of roses, my brother. However, I had no idea that you felt this way about marriage and children!’
Vishwarath nodded and said, ‘Believe me, sister, till date, the only desire I have fulfilled of my own was to wage this war and winning it made me feel for the first time that I was fulfilling my destiny.’
He looked at his sister and nephew to see if they comprehended and both nodded in understanding.
‘I knew from my childhood that the throne was mine but I wanted to attain that which was out of my reach and the recent victory gave me the feeling of achievement I had been lacking till now. But the moment those Soldiers of Swarg appeared at that confounded ashram, I knew we were licked.’
His face twisted in a grimace and he said, ‘How can an average human soldier fight these bloody aliens who have more strength and better technology than us? More importantly, is it even fair for them to stop me from taking something that should rightfully belong to the king?’
Satyavati thought for the appropriate way to respond. Hesitantly she said, ‘Dear brother, let me be very frank with you as regards what happened in the hermitage. When you approached the divine cow with the intention of appropriating her, you were thinking only as a king. You are right in that everything in a kingdom belongs to the king nominally but Dharma does not give a king the power to take away a subject’s possessions just because he likes them more.’
Her brother started to say something but she stopped him. ‘I know your thoughts were not selfish but for the benefit of the kingdom. Still, a good king does not threaten his subjects to obtain something that he desires. Numerous kings have done that in the past for numerous women, a piece of land or something that they valued but they have all paid for it with more than their pride. You were lucky to have escaped unscathed due to the intervention of the Brahmarishi.’
Vishwarath’s face burnt with embarrassment at the painful memory. He shook his head to clear it of the images of his favourite soldiers being reduced to ash and shut his eyes tightly.
Taking a deep breath he countered, ‘I know I overstepped my boundaries when I treated the divine cow like an animal. But I do not regret for a single moment the steps I took after that. What gives the Devas a right over all such divine creatures? What use do they put them to after all? This Indra has in his possession a wish-fulfilling tree, a wish-fulfilling cow and a flying six-tusked elephant and all of them were obtained by his predecessor’s efforts! Has he ever used any of them for the benefit of mankind?’
The blood in his veins was again boiling. ‘Devas claim to be the protectors of lower beings, yet they do nothing to help us unless we bow down in supplication to them. Why should we consider them superior to us; they are vain, miserly and show nepotism. All the qualities they claim to disdain in humans are in fact more pronounced in them!’
Satyavati did not like the way this conversation was going and immediately hushed her brother. ‘Stop, Vishwa! Do not let your anger get the better of you!’
Vishwarath stopped but kept glaring balefully in the distance. After some time he said, ‘I shall stop for the sake of your reverence for them but I have decided to prove that a human can equal these Devas in all respects. I have decided to make my sons the king designates for the three conquered kingdoms while you, my sister, shall become the queen regent of Mahodayapur.’
Satyavati looked at him in disbelief but he seemed more determined than she had ever seen him before. Yamdagni asked a pertinent question, ‘How will you prove your worth to them? Go and fight Shakra himself?’
‘No,’ Vishwarath replied. ‘I will not fight anyone again till I have obtained the mastery of divine weapons such as the ones used by Indra’s soldiers and for that I have decided to conduct a Vishwa-jeet Yagnya.’
He took his sister’s hands in his and said, ‘You wait and watch, dear sister. I shall find a way to bring these gods to their knees and accept our equality. Future generations will remember your brother as the man who challenged the gods.’
Satyavati had a deep sense of foreboding but nodded in acquiescence. At least her brother would desist from any more military campaigns for the time being and the kingdom could return to normalcy.
She and Yama still had time to change his mind and it was not necessary that Vishwarath would be able to achieve what he desired. After all, who knew how this proposed yagnya would eventually turn out!
Adhyaye 19
The entire city of Kanyakubja came together to organize the grand yagnya that their king had planned.
Older citizens remembered the time when Kushanabh had performed the notoriously difficult Putra-kaam-eshti sacrifice to obtain Kadhi. Now, Kadhi’s own son was attempting something even bigger, a yagnya not to obtain an heir but to gain victory over the world.
He had explained in the open-for-all meeting that he desired to obtain Divya Astras, divine weapons of mass destruction to safeguard the kingdom, and convinced everyone that it was a good idea. The younger lot, who had never seen anything remotely magical in their lives, were excited and volunteered in large numbers to help with the arrangements.
Sages and magi were invited from all over the kingdom as well as the newly annexed territories to be a part of this grand ceremony. It fuelled the positive sentiment in Mahodayapur, and also serv
ed to remind the conquered kingdoms that their new ruler was getting stronger and thoughts of a rebellion should not cross their mind.
A huge area was cleared right outside the royal gardens and a massive marquee set up for the ceremony. Sitting arrangements were made for the one hundred and one sages who would be chanting mantras day and night into the central vedi. Acharya Dhanu was made the grand sire of the ceremony and Yamdagni was appointed the chief priest.
Huge stores of sacrificial offerings, camphor, fresh fruit, beetle nut, saffron, kumkum, turmeric powder, sandalwood paste, marigold flowers, mango leaves, coconut fruit, plantain shoots, ghee, milk and Ganga jal had been arranged to ensure there would be no interruptions due to short supply of any of these frequently used products.
Guards were posted outside the arena to ensure no unauthorized person got in to disrupt the ceremony though every citizen of Mahodayapur was allowed a free tour to see the yagnya with his own eyes. Vishwarath had also been observing a fast from the very first day of the ritual to ensure purity of his thoughts and actions.
This morning, he had woken up with a premonition. Somehow he knew that this forty-fifth day would bring culmination to this massive exercise he had undertaken.
He took a cleansing bath, said his prayers and moved to the sacrificial arena excitedly. The rishis responsible for the morning offerings had already taken their place, relieving the ones performing salutations through the night.
He took his usual place and was pleased to see it was the turn of his favourite wife to sit beside him. All Vedic sacrifices for householders required the presence of the man and the woman of the house for fulfilment and Vishwarath’s three wives had been alternating every day.
As the first praher of the day passed, there seemed a change in the character of the flames leaping from the altar. The usual yellow-orange flames were turning blue while the temperature inside the marquee was dropping perceptibly. It seemed the yagnya fire was drawing in energy from its surroundings!
Outside, a hush seemed to have fallen on the city and the sun was obscured by dark clouds. The royal garden behind the yagnya precinct that used to be full of chirping birds now seemed to be bereft of any life.
Vishwarath and others present at the altar knew this was a build-up to something stupendous and felt goosebumps rise on their skin. As Yamdagni poured the last oblation for the praher into the holy fire, it seemed to leap out of the altar and jump towards the sky!
The queen gasped and Vishwarath took her hand in his to calm her while his eyes stayed fixed at the leaping flame. Within moments the flame had transformed into a column of pure energy rising from the altar all the way to the high ceiling and beyond. Onlookers outside could see the beam extend right up to the heavens and waited with bated breath for what was to follow.
The energy column seemed to buzz with a blue glow and the air around it felt charged with electricity. As the flame grew stronger and stronger, the entire precinct was enveloped in darkness till the only thing that was visible was the glowing embers in the yagnya vedi and the white flame shooting out of it.
A deep rumble began from the column of fire and suddenly a shape, like that of a giant creature made of fire, emerged inside it. Outside, there was a crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning illuminated the interior of the marquee for a brief moment. Every face was frozen in an expression of awe and the king sat completely alert, waiting for the newly formed shape to command him as to the next course of action.
‘Vishwarath,’ the fire said, ‘the gods are pleased with your offerings and have sent me, Agni, to fulfil your desires.’
Vishwarath looked at Yamdagni for directions and, when his brother nodded, he rose gingerly and bowed with folded hands to the talking column of fire.
The voice boomed again, ‘Rise, O son of Manu, and open your arms to receive the gifts of the gods.’
The king did not trust his voice and so did not even attempt to speak. Quietly, he extended his arms as directed and waited for the fire god to bless him with his desired weapons.
Within moments, a long spear appeared in the hands of Agni that seemed to be made of quartz and reflected the light shed by the column. It floated through the air and came to rest in the open palms of the waiting king.
‘You have desired for the weapons of the gods and, in their generosity, they have shared them with you as a blessing. Receive first this Vayu Astra that can blow tornadoes of such intensity that they will destroy within seconds what your enemies have built in decades.’
Vishwarath clasped his fingers around the spear, surprised that it did not singe his hands even though it looked as hot as molten lava. But before he could take a good look at it, the spear disappeared and he glanced at his empty hands in alarm.
Agni reassured him and said, ‘Do not worry, divine missiles stay with their master in an astral form and can become visible whenever you have need of them. Now stretch your hands and accept this Aishika missile that can melt entire kingdoms into glass.’
Another gleaming weapon, shaped like a thick cylinder with a conical end, passed from Agni’s hands to Vishwarath’s palms.
‘Behold, O king, I now provide you with the Varun Astra that can drown your enemy in torrential rains and the Marut Astra that can turn lush green forests into desert within seconds.
‘I also give you the Kalchakra, the weapon of Yamraj that can stop time itself. While your enemies are frozen in that moment you shall be able to move around at will and destroy each of them one by one.’
A spherical weapon and two crescent-shaped arrows presented themselves; Vishwarath accepted them gratefully while the assembled gathering watched in awe.
‘Stretch your strong arms and obtain the missiles Kapalam and Kankalam that can lay waste to any population of the super human variety including Yakshas, Asurs, Uragas, Nagas and Garuds. Also receive the Mohana that stupefies; Prasvapana, which induces sleep; and Vilapana, which induces heart-wrenching regret in your enemies.’
Vishwarath felt hot tears stinging his eyes as he accepted the weapons one by one; finally, he felt he would be able to teach that proud Brahmarishi and the aliens a lesson.
‘Hold in your hands this Paishach Astra that can suck the blood out of your enemy and the Tamasa that creates darkness even in a blazing noon-sky. Receive from me the Shishir Astra of the moon god that freezes your enemy and Tejprabha, the weapon of Surya that can melt any being into its constituent atoms.’
More missiles and launchers were presented along with divine armour like the one worn by the SOS and a chariot that could run indefinitely without horses. Vishwarath knew he could realize the dream of becoming the universal monarch with these but his goal was to defeat Vasishth and Indra’s army.
Finally, Agni brought out the last weapon. ‘And now, receive the most dreaded weapon that can, in an instant, cause mushroom-shaped clouds in the air, floods in the oceans and craters in the land, killing everything within yojans of its application site. It can wipe out your enemy cities and poison the land for years so that nothing grows there ever. It can change the very building blocks of life and cause grievous changes in plants, animals and humans alike. This greatly feared weapon, the Brahmashir, is now yours to command.’
Vishwarath could not believe his ears!
He had hoped for the Brahm Astra but the Brahmashir was not a bad substitute either. It was the second most powerful weapon in the universe and could destroy any obstacle that he could ever possibly face.
As the last weapon touched his hands the towering pillar of fire spoke for the last time. ‘Remember, O son of Manu, you may use these Divya Astras on a deserving enemy that has the power to fight back or in retaliation to an attack on your kingdom. But if you deign to use these on innocent civilians they shall rebound and destroy your own self. With power comes responsibility and do not ever forget that.’
Vishwarath bowed to the divine command.
In a flash, the energy column disappeared and light returned to the assembled gathering.
Adhyaye 20
Vishwarath was back in the pine woods and this time he had come alone.
He did not need an army today as he had the power of the Divya Astras and he did not worry about them rebounding on him since Vasishth was not an ordinary mortal and possessed immense mystical powers of his own.
He rushed towards Vasishth’s ashram, galloping on his unicorn, wearing the sleek black armour Indra’s own soldiers had worn, confident in his victory. As he approached the area he started shooting fire-tipped arrows at the huts and saw them catch fire. A cry went up from the ashram and he could see the acolytes running out of their classrooms in excitement and fear. Some were bleeding while others had been hurt by fire and he smiled inwardly, remembering the way his own soldiers were killed that day.
Vasishth and Arundhati rushed out of their hut to see what the pandemonium was and understood that the king had come to exact revenge. The Brahmarishi immediately ordered that the entire ashram be vacated and asked Shaktri to take care of his mother and Nandini while he himself grabbed a horse and rode ahead to meet the king.
Vishwarath saw the huge figure of the hermit rushing towards him but kept launching arrows at the huts in the distance. This was his revenge on this infernal ashram and its denizens.
And it had just begun.
As he came face-to-face with the patriarch he challenged him to save his disciples.
Aloud he said, ‘O Brahmarishi, you humiliated the king of your own land and destroyed the very soldiers who protect you from other hostile nations. Today, I shall destroy those whom you protect and take away the one object you are most proud of. Call your divine soldiers and let them face me today for I have come ready with weapons that can destroy those invading aliens in seconds.’
Vasishth saw the SOS armour and divined the events that had given Vishwarath the confidence to challenge him in his own territory.
He did not raise his voice though, and replied calmly, ‘It wasn’t the ashram residents that destroyed your army so why do you take revenge on these helpless Brahmins? Nandini is our pride and this time I represent her defence all by myself.’
Vishwamitra Page 9