‘How does it feel to be the most sought-after bride in Bharat today?’ Mandki asked jokingly, as she gave a final tug to Devki’s hair.
‘Feels like being a prized cow waiting for the right bull to come claim her,’ Devki said with a wry smile. Mandki looked at her with a worried expression. Devki had not been her usual cheerful self for the past few days, ever since the incident with that vile warrior, Somdatta.
Devki had just turned seventeen, an age which was considered almost old for young princesses, if they weren’t married by that time. It didn’t matter that Mandki was five years older to Devki and still unmarried. After all, she wasn’t a princess. It wasn’t that Mandki didn’t have her share of suitors. There had been several men who had tried to woo her and begged for her hand in marriage; but Mandki had been firm. She would not consider marriage till her best friend and mistress was married first. Devki had tried persuading her to tie the knot with one of the many handsome youth who had come to Mandki with earnest proposals, but this was the only thing that Mandki refused Devki, and the princess loved her even more because of it.
Ugrasena was always kind towards her and she received unrestrained love from her cousin Kansa. But, she didn’t get along too well with the other sons and daughters. Neither was she particularly close to Kansa’s two wives, Asti and Prapti, sisters of Jarasandha; the powerful King of Magadha. Lately, Ugrasena had started keeping unwell and she saw very little of him. Due to Ugrasena’s illness, Kansa had become more involved in leading conquests over surrounding kingdoms, which had not yet accepted Ugrasena’s dominion or who had moved their allegiance away from Madhuvan in the wake of the king’s illness. Consequently, Devki didn’t even get to see her favourite brother near as often as she would have liked.
Having Mandki with her made her feel she had a close companion. This was especially true in the past few days, considering the recent events. Somdatta’s challenge to Vasudev filled her with dread. She didn’t doubt Vasudev’s courage, but she knew he didn’t like to fight, unless there was no choice. Would he fight now? Would he fight for her hand? Would he win? Would he survive? She had scores of questions and no answer. And having so many unanswered questions bothered her.
‘Where are you lost?’ Mandki asked her. Devki shook her head in a futile attempt to dispel the disturbing thoughts. But Mandki knew what was bothering her friend.
‘Vasudev can take care of himself, Devki. He will teach this upstart Somdatta a lesson in manners. And then he will come and ask you for your hand,’ she said, holding Devki’s face in her palms.
Devki nodded, trying to share her friend’s optimism. ‘I hope so Mandki. I hope so.’ She hugged her friend and whispered, ‘I don’t want anything to happen to Vasudev.’ Mandki held her tightly like she used to when they were both children and her friend was afraid of the dark. Only, it wasn’t the dark Devki was afraid of this time. It was the fear of knowing that a ruthless Prince wanted to fight her beloved Vasudev, and the knowledge that if Vasudev lost, she would not only lose the one man she loved most in this world, but would have to marry his murderer, as the law of the time dictated.
Vasudev paced pacing across the room, his hands folded behind his back and his head tilted downwards, as he tried to go over the events of the past few days in his mind. Everything had been going fine until recently. His father, Surasena, the king of Bateshwar, had spoken to Ugrasena and asked for Devki’s hand in marriage for Vasudev. Ugrasena had whole-heartedly agreed. Surasena was his dearest friend and Vasudev and Devki had known each other for several years now, first as play mates during periodic visits of both families to each other’s palaces, and later as young lovers, adoring each other from afar. Kansa had been elated at the news. Vasudev was a close friend. His character was known to be untarnished and Kansa knew Devki would be happy with him. In fact, just a month ago, Ugrasena had planned to announce their marriage. And then everything started to go wrong.
King Vahlika, from the powerful kingdom of Bahlika had come to visit Ugrasena a few days back, and before he could announce that Devki’s marriage was being solemnized with Vasudev, Vahlika proposed his son, Somdatta’s name for Devki. Ugrasena had not expected this and he was caught off guard. He told Vahlika that it would not be possible for Devki to consider Somdatta’s proposal as she intended to marry Prince Vasudev.
Vahlika nodded in understanding, but his son Somdatta who had accompanied him, was furious.
‘You insult us Ugrasena. What does Vasudev offer that I don’t? There is no warrior in all of Bharat Today, apart from Bheeshma or Jarasandha or your own son Kansa, who can claim to be my equal. And yet you stoop to give away Devki to that coward Vasudev; to a man who has never lifted a sword in the battlefield?’
‘Vasudev loves Devki, and she loves him too,’ Ugrasena countered. He was furious at Somdatta’s words but he didn’t want to get into a pointless argument. Somdatta was Bheeshma’s cousin. Bheeshma was the most powerful warrior in Bharat and Ugrasena didn’t want an unnecessary war.
‘Let Vasudev demonstrate his love for Devki then!’ roared Somdatta. ‘If he is a man, let him fight for Devki’s hand.’
Kansa had been sitting quietly thus far. At the latest insult to his friend Vasudev, he could control himself no longer. He got up and looked Somdatta in the eye. ‘Devki is not an object Somdatta, to be betrothed to anyone who wins her in a war. She will marry the person she desires to marry and no one else. And if you have any disagreement with that, I would be happy to settle that for you right now, or on the battleground.’ He towered above Somdatta, who was a massively built warrior and stood well over six feet in height. But he was no match for Kansa, who at about seven feet, was twice as wide as any other warrior of repute. However, Somdatta was afraid of no one, and he too got up and unsheathed his sword.
Ugrasena and Vahlika were horrified at the turn of events. Neither of them wanted war, and this was quickly turning into one. Vahlika took the initiative. ‘Prince Kansa, no one doubts your courage, and your love for Vasudev and your sister Devki. But let’s not get agitated. Let’s try and settle this without a fight.’
Vahlika’s words, said in a calm tone had a temporarily soothing effect on both Kansa and Somdatta. They sat down, with their hands still on their swords. Vahlika addressed his son, ‘Somdatta, Devki’s marriage has already been fixed with Vasudev. Can’t you forget this and bless the two of them?’
Somdatta looked scornfully at his father. ‘We came here with a marriage proposal. The announcement of Devki’s marriage to Vasudev wasn’t yet made public. How do I know that Ugrasena is not using this as an excuse to put us down and marry his daughter to that coward, Vasudev?’
Ugrasena’s mouth tightened in silent fury. He looked at Somdatta with fire in his eyes. ‘You doubt my words, prince?’ he said in a tone that left no doubt about how infuriated he was with Somdatta.
‘I don’t doubt your words, great king,’ Somdatta countered. ‘However, the fact that we came here with a marriage proposal is known to all our kinsmen. If we go back empty-handed, it will be an insult for us, and our people will not be able to live with it. There will be years of animosity, which will not be good for either of our kingdom. It is better to settle this once and for all. Let Vasudev meet me on the battlefield. And if he wins, my kinsmen and I will accept his right to marry Devki. There will be no further wars; no long-lasting ill-feeling between two kingdoms.’
Ugrasena took his time to think over this. Finally he said, ‘What if Vasudev refuses to fight? He doesn’t have to, you know. Devki will marry him anyway. And Madhuvan is well equipped to fight Bahlika, if we need to.’
Somdatta’s face lit up with an evil smile. ‘Then let it be known that Vasudev was a coward who did not have the courage to fight Somdatta for the woman he claims to love. Let it also be known that the mighty Kansa allowed his sister to marry such a coward. And yes, if Vasudev refuses to fight, there will be war, but not one war. There will be a series of wars till either Madhuvan or Bahlika is decimated com
pletely.’
Kansa interjected just as Ugrasena was about to say something. ‘Devki will not marry a coward, for Vasudev is not one. Vasudev will meet you on the battlefield and he shall defeat you. And then the world shall know that Devki marries a man worthy of her.’
King Vahlika, who had been quiet all along, now spoke. ‘I expected nothing less from you Kansa. But we need to be sure that you and your brother-in-law, Jarasandha, will not support Vasudev in this fight. For if you do, we will have no recourse but to call for my nephew Bheeshma’s help. And if Bheeshma, Jarasandha and you participate in the battle, there will be a war among all the nations of Bharat. All of Bharat will be destroyed.’
Kansa nodded at Vahlika. ‘Neither Jarasandha nor I will fight alongside Vasudev in this battle.’ Then he glared at Somdatta. ‘But know this Somdatta—if by any chance you do defeat Vasudev, I will personally fight you and grind your face in the mud before I allow Devki to be married to a man like you.’
Vasudev paused in his pacing. The battle with Somdatta was scheduled one week from now. Somdatta was a mighty warrior who had won several battles against innumerable kings and princes. Some people had lately begun comparing his abilities to that of Bheeshma, the warrior who had once defeated the great Parshurama himself. His prowess was likened to Jarasandha, the undefeated King of Magadha and brother-in-law of Kansa, and his valour on the battlefield was comparable to the mighty Kansa.
But none of this scared Vasudev. Vasudev himself had been trained by the best gurus and he had full faith in his abilities. He could handle a sword as well as Kansa and he could ride a horse more swiftly and deftly than anyone else in Bateshwar. It was not the thought of being fatally wounded or losing the battle that bothered Vasudev. He was more worried about the soldiers on both sides, dying to satisfy the ego of one man, Somdatta. He had pondered over this matter for the last few days, ever since Kansa had apprised him of what had transpired in the discussion with Somdatta and King Vahlika.
Vasudev had also sought his father’s views on it. Surasena’s judgement had been clear. ‘Fight Somdatta, defeat the upstart and bring Devki home,’ Vasudev turned around as he heard the light tap on his door. Sini Yadav, his closest friend and confidante entered the war room and stepped around the huge table where Vasudev was standing. ‘My prince!’ Sini Yadav bowed slightly as a mark of reverance towards his future king and then smiled and embraced his dearest friend. Vasudev grinned back at him. He was glad he had called Sini. Merely having him around lifted Vasudev’s spirits. Sini was not only his closest friend; he was also the most accomplished warrior in Bateshwar and the youngest senapati (commander-in-chief) of their army. He was about five years older than Vasudev and had been trained by the same guru in the art of warfare. But where Vasudev showed more interest in the philosophy of war, Sini was a natural warrior. He could kill without compunction as long as he knew he was fighting for the right side. Yet Sini would be the first person to concede that if and when Vasudev decided to enter the battlefield, the young prince of Bateshwar would prove to be a formidable warrior; because there is no one more fearsome than one who fights only when he has to fight, and then too only for the right cause. Such a man never breaks down in battle, and knows no fear once the decision to fight has been made in his mind. Sini Yadav knew Vasudev was one such man.
‘Thanks for coming at once, Sini,’ Vasudev said in his characteristic gentle voice. He knew Sini had been busy taking the entire army of Bateshwar through daily maneuvers, getting them prepared for the upcoming battle with Somdatta and the army of Bahlika. Even though Vasudev had not yet confirmed to Somdatta that he had agreed to the battle, Sini wasn’t one to take any chances. Like the thorough senapati that he was, he had begun preparing the army as if the battle was already on.
‘You called for me prince,’ Sini said quietly. ‘That was enough for me to come right away. Have you decided what you want to do?’
‘I am still not sure,’ Vasudev said softly. I love Devki as no man would love a woman but I don’t want our marriage to be based on the slaughtering of thousands of soldiers from two different nations.’
Sini waited patiently. He knew Vasudev was talking more to himself, than to him; trying to come to a decision that he could live with, after everything was said and done.
‘I wish there was some way of handling this without staking the lives of so many innocent people,’ Vasudev sighed in frustration.
‘What do you have in mind, Vasudev?’
‘I want you to go to Bahlika and convince Somdatta to fight me in single combat, instead of engaging the two armies. That way no innocent lives need to be sacrificed.’
Sini sighed. He had expected Vasudev to come up with something like this. Surasena had also anticipated this and had discussed it with Sini. The senapati knew what he had to do and say. His voice was firm now as he spoke to Vasudev. It was no longer the friend and confidante speaking. It was the voice of the commander-in-chief of the army of Bateshwar; the second most powerful man in the kingdom after the king.
‘Prince, I cannot allow you to fight Somdatta in single combat.’ He lifted his hand to stop Vasudev from interrupting and continued. ‘Your intentions are noble and I respect you for this, but this will set the wrong precedent for the future. What happens if tomorrow a powerful king covets the wife of another king? Will he not invite the weaker king in single combat? And once he defeats him, what happens to the hapless wife? Or for that matter, if a king envies the prosperity of another and invites him to single combat and wins over his kingdom? Are we to let one man decide the fate of an entire kingdom, Vasudev? This is not possible. Nations have armies so that they can protect the sanctity and sovereignty of the people from lustful kings and invaders. Today, even if a king is mightier than another, he thinks twice before he attacks a nation, because he knows his people will have to face an entire army. Even if they win the war, there will be massive casualties. And this prevents wicked rulers from waging unnecessary wars. If you agree to fight Somdatta in single combat today, you may defeat him, but what if other kings or princes elsewhere don’t have your valour or your prowess? Can we afford to set up a precedent that will become a curse for other kings and their nations?’
Sini paused to catch his breath. Vasudev looked closely at his friend. He realized why his father had appointed Sini as the senapati of Bateshwar over so many other older veterans of war. Sini had exceptional insight and sensitivity that was rare not just in Bateshwar, but perhaps in all of Bharat. He smiled and for the first time in several days, it reached his eyes. His voice was firm as he spoke to his friend and senapati of Bateshwar. ‘Prepare for battle Sini. Let Somdatta know we shall meet him at the crack of dawn seven days from now.’
Sini Yadav bowed to his friend and left the room. Vasudev sat down to study the battle formations Sini had suggested earlier. He knew what they had to do. They would win, and there would be minimum bloodshed.
The battlefield looked like an ocean with waves of blue colliding against a mighty brown mountain. Somdatta and his Bahlika army were dressed in their conventional blue war dress. Sini was at the head of the Bateshwar army, all attired in their traditional brown. Somdatta had brought along a large force of ten thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry, eight hundred war elephants and fifteen hundred archers. Sini Yadav’s army was miniscule in comparison and consisted of six thousand infantry, one thousand cavalry, and a little less than five hundred archers. His army had no war elephants.
The sun had barely crept up the horizon and the darkness of the night was just beginning to give way to a new day. Yet the heat was already suffocating. Rivulets of perspiration flowed down the faces of man and beast, alike. Flies had begun to settle on the stock-still bodies of the horses and elephants, and it wouldn’t be long before they decided to bother the soldiers too. The battle had not started yet but the vultures had started hovering overhead, in sweet anticipation of the death that would surely follow. The armies waited for the sun to complete its journey to the tip o
f the horizon, so that the battle could be declared open. Slowly but surely, the ball of fire crept up, and then all at once the sun was over the horizon. Both sides simultaneously blew their shanks (Conches) and the two armies prepared for battle.
Somdatta was flanked on his right side by his trusted aide, Damodara. The two had fought alongside in more than thirty-two battles earlier and he had saved his prince’s life on three occasions already. He was a giant of a man, almost as tall and heavily built as Kansa. Having Damodara next to him, made Somdatta feel better. Today, however, all the preparation they had put into this battle seemed wasted.
‘Their force is less than half of ours, sire. They don’t even have a single war elephant. What kind of a strategist is their senapati?’ mumbled Damodara in his deep, halting voice. He didn’t receive an answer, and looked at Somdatta, who seemed to be looking intently at the opposing army.
‘What’s the matter, sire?’
‘I can’t see Vasudev,’ growled Somdatta. Damodara peered closely in the same direction.
THE CURSE OF BRAHMA Page 2