‘Your friend would be very welcome here as well, if you cared to receive him here.’
Devi was once again touched by the Wild Prince. This, she acknowledged in shame. Not one of the accusations of the young Brahmin had turned out to be true. Now, she wanted to let the Prince feel that she had been unfair towards him.
‘We had thought, O, Prince, to escort you to Sanchi,’ Devi added, taking part in the conversation a little shyly, which made her even more attractive. ‘Sanchi is a holy place, which no visitor to Vidisha should fail to see. The road is very beautiful in the season of Sharad.’
Ashoka looked at her with his keen, searching gaze. It seemed as if he wanted to know if she was merely being polite or expressing her own wishes. In either case, she whetted his love for mockery.
‘The beautiful Devi thinks the road to Sanchi is more pleasant than the road from Rupnath to Vidisha, I understand.’ The colour of her cheeks turned a deep flush of red. She thought his subtle mockery was fair and well-earned.
‘The Prince, whom we thought we were to meet there, was a different one from the Raja we wish to take to Sanchi, Lord,’ she said softly.
Such a completely honest acknowledgement from the lovely girl had to make a deep impression on the Prince, who himself was averse to every form of pretence or lie. He had Jala called immediately.
‘Jala, you will be leaving today for Ujjain. Take a group of five fast horsemen and at the same time a bullock-cart with two of the best slaves. They will take everything with them for the welcome and care of Kullika. I want to visit Sanchi and will come as soon as possible.’
Devi stood up once again, bowed to the Prince and said softly: ‘I thank you for forgiving my earlier feelings, my Raja.’
‘Perhaps, you do not agree wholeheartedly with the judgement of the Brahmin priest – student Shakuni?’
Devi looked at him, startled: Did he read her thoughts? Each word from the Prince opened up a new, strong emotion. What did he know about Shakuni at the court of Vidisha? And how? Had the caravan leaders of Taxila not told Father that Prince Ashoka was an embodiment of Shiva? Those clear eyes which pierced her soul and seemed to read all her thoughts! Honest, self-confident and strong-willed eyes! What kind of will-power? She did not understand how she could have been misled by the words of a lying priest.
Subhadra wanted to show Ashoka his stables of elephants and horses. Devi was given leave to join them. She loved animals and kept a close eye on the treatment of the animals by the stable boys. Ashoka was impressed by the cleanliness that was apparent everywhere in the buildings.
‘My only child is greatly interested in the stables and their inmates,’ declared Subhadra.
‘They are thriving by it!’ testified Ashoka.
The elephants seemed very receptive to Devi’s words and her touch. One of the animals was kept apart. Ashoka went up to him, but Devi grabbed him by his arm.
‘Sala is a dangerous animal! Do not get too close, O, Raja. Father wanted to have him put to death, but he is being kept here in a separate corner at my request. He is a beautiful animal, quick of gait and rides easily. But he had struck dead one of the stable boys with his trunk …’
‘Then, he treated him badly!’
‘I do not know, but I mistrust him. He seems possessed by the soul of a vengeful Brahmin or a thoughtless tiger.’
Ashoka had already picked up a piece of sugar and now walked calmly towards the animal and offered it. Sala spied him with his small eyes, took the sugar carefully out of Ashoka’s hand with his trunk, and bringing it up to his huge mouth, ate it up, sticking his trunk out for more. He got another piece. Then, the Prince stroked him softly on the trunk and whispered some kind words. Friendship appeared to have been forged at once, to Devi’s great surprise.
‘Now I would also like to see your animals, if it pleases you, O, Raja,’ she called out, delighted.
Ashoka took them to the camp and Devi was moved. The elephants trumpeted, while a few walked up to him, seeming extremely sensitive to his caresses; they turned their wise heads towards him. A whistle and five elephants came to him. Carefully and gently, they placed themselves in front of him, shaking their heads and waving their trunks.
‘Why do those animals love you so much?’ asked Devi, not feigning surprise.
‘Because I love them as much. Animals are more trustworthy than people. They do not pretend and they are loyal friends as long as their trust is not betrayed. Look at Jampa over there who is spying on us so jealously. He never comes till I call him. He is nervous, stubborn and proud, but of a sweet nature, who never does anyone harm.’ To the animal he then called: ‘Jampa, come!’
Jampa came up calmly, stood right next to Ashoka and placed his trunk under Ashoka’s arm.
‘Greet Princess Devi, Jampa.’ Jampa knelt down.
‘Alright now! Go away, children!’ Horses and elephants obediently went back to their places.
‘Do you never punish them?’ asked Devi.
‘You do not punish your friends, do you? Needless harshness to animals is the worst way and its effects last a short time only. It may have its results now but it means nothing tomorrow on the contrary!’
‘And if the friend is vicious, unruly and incorrigible?’
‘Then, I free him of such a difficult life. Let him try to gather more good karma in another incarnation.’
‘Do you have the right to take a life that Brihaspati has given?’
‘That is for me to judge, to whom Brihaspati gave power and manas.’
‘But if you use this power wrongfully, my Raja?’
‘That, Shiva will determine when my good and evil is weighed. I act as my conscience tells me to.’
Devi looked at him with radiant eyes.
‘If you love animals so much, you will be a good judge.’
‘No, I am a bad judge, because I disregard the laws.’
‘Why, O, Raja?’
‘They are not made for people but for varnas.’
Devi thought. Should she ask him … How he, the ‘wild’ Prince, would …
‘Sire, yesterday father had a stable boy, one whom I liked for his willingness and diligence. He was taken prisoner because he had said to others that he would create an accident for the new Viceroy. Would you judge him?’
‘Have the prisoner brought. We shall judge him according to human laws.’
A little later, a visibly upset man was brought in, pale and trembling. His hands were chained to his right leg. He kneeled before the Viceroy and bowed his head to the ground.
‘You wanted to place a piece of iron under my horse’s blanket, Salya. My horse would then rear in pain and throw me, thereby causing an accident! Why?’
All looked at Ashoka, alarmed. How did he know these things!
‘Sire, I listened to a Brahmin from Pataliputra telling my mistress many terrible things about you. He caught me, grabbed me by the neck and took me along. He wanted to know what I had overheard. He threatened to unmask me before Lord Subhadra, if I did not place a piece of iron under your horse’s rug. I had just heard what a bad man you were, O, Raja. And what is more, I had to swear that later I would not tell anyone who was responsible. And especially not the one who gave the orders, or else I would be born as a lowly worm, after first enduring hellish pain, because he was a Brahmin-priest, Sire. But that very night, a Vaishya merchant from the capital sought shelter in the stables. He knew about you and said you were the most noble of all persons in Pataliputra. You had saved a Vaishya’s life by killing an execution elephant with a single ray from your eye, and that you were responsible for many miracles. Then, I no longer wanted to commit the crime. But I did not dare to break my oath to the Brahmin. That is why, yesterday, I said to one of the stable boys that I wanted an accident to happen to the Viceroy. I knew that my liege would take me prisoner, and then I would no longer be able to carry out the evil plan. That is what happened, Lord …’
‘Well, my beautiful Devi, this man has perhaps threate
ned the life of the Viceroy. He deserves to die. He is, after all, a Shudra. If he were a Vaishya, he would be fined heavily. The one who is really guilty, the Brahmin Shakuni, will not be punished at all.’ To the man, the Wild Prince said: ‘Salya, I free you now; here, I cut your bindings with my sword. And I ask your Lord, and the beautiful Devi, if you could be taken into my service. Then, you will be my stable boy, if you wish, and if your mistress is willing to lose such a good man.’
23
THE SHATTERED SERAI
arly the next morning, the servants and the animals stood ready, awaiting their travelling companions.
Ashoka had dressed himself carefully in a glistening white dress. His turban, of a rich fabric, was wound tightly around his black hair. Devi wore a very simple garment of snow-white material, covered by a veil of muslin. A female slave who rode alongside, placed a beautiful cashmere shawl over her bare shoulders, covering her breast, and, because of the cold morning mist, she then draped her with a precious Persian cloak. She was helped onto Sala’s back. Ashoka rode Jampa. The others followed on horseback.
‘Strength and beauty,’ whispered Subhadra to his minister, Sunanda.
‘The fierceness of Shiva and the nobility of Sita, so they say.’
‘The first is slander by that silly young Brahmin.’
‘The second was falsely reflected in his lustful eyes. Where was that vile guest going to, my Subhadra?’
‘He was going to Ujjain, but he did not say for what reason. If it had been a pilgrimage, he would have visited the holy site of Sanchi. I fear he is no friend of the Viceroy’s …’
‘Of Prince Sumana, then …’
‘Yes. Caravan leaders of Pataliputra have little good to say about Prince Sumana: a priest’s crony, a woman’s fool, a gambler, all understatements about him.’
‘And Prince Ashoka?’
‘A warrior. They say he drew and shot the Gandiwa, which was given to Arjuna by Varuna and he, who is capable of that, will one day become the ruler of India. The army looks at him as an incarnation of Shiva, the Righteous, who kills with a single ray from his eye.’
‘Such a peaceful land, Princess Devi. Ripening fields and forests, as beautiful as the Land of the Five-Rivers of the Rig Veda. Cows, sheep, and deer over there. Do you understand, Princess Devi, how a priest can ever take the life of these animals?’
‘But, O, Raja, you killed Madri of Mathura, because she did not want you!’ tried Devi, her voice quivering.
‘May Shiva’s lightning bolt strike me down, before I ever commit such a vile deed!’
‘You said, did you not, that she had to die because she did not want you!’
‘Yes. Shakuni’s guru, the priest Devaka, wanted her to become my wife, and forced Madri’s father into accepting his idea. In this way Devaka could have kept an eye on what I was doing. But she loved my best friend, Kala, the Prince of Mayula, and so refused. The following night Devaka killed her as punishment because she did not give in to the sacrificial priest.’
‘And you, my Raja …’ Devi could barely speak because of her overpowering emotions.
‘I! I had let her … free …’ For a long time they rode silently. ‘Did you not want her as your wife?’ Devi asked after she had recovered from her emotions.
‘On the contrary, I let her free because Kala had more right to her: the right of reciprocal love.’ Again, they both remained silent for a while.
‘The flowers of Malwa bloom more beautifully today than other days, Sire, because the good and virtuous gaze of their new king floats over the fields and forests.’
‘I suspect that they open their buds and spread their colourful blossoms in tender loveliness, because the most beautiful Princess of all, Aryavarta, is on her way to the holy Sanchi.’
‘One of us is entangled by maya, O, Raja!’ A golden laugh trilled through the jungle, like the strings of the veena. Ashoka looked at her. His eyes glowed in delight. The mist had been swallowed up by the rays of the sun and the beautiful King’s daughter threw her warm cloak aside. Her smiling eyes were radiant, their brilliance enhancing her dark glowing beauty.
‘Malwa’s lovely nature gives you joy, Princess Devi.’
‘Yes, joy, my king! When my soul is happy, it welcomes all that is beautiful.’
‘Why is it happy?’
‘Do you know the feeling when everything in the world appears clouded by a shadow, when the glow is gone and beauty has lost its luster … the feeling that evil triumphs over good because of injustice and deceit? When life reveals itself in sickness, ageing and death, in man, the evil, in animals, the suffering? And then the liberating word, my King. Maya!’
‘No, beautiful Princess, when evil triumphs I have the irresistible urge to strike it down. If good is oppressed because of injustice and deceit, I have the strong will to pursue and wrest justice, to drive out evil by attacking it, to alleviate suffering by destroying the cause. I shall use all the means, maybe, even strive for the unattainable. This is what my guru Kullika taught me. I understand your feelings and I could even have them myself if I would yield to sloth in my father’s gardens, float on lotus ponds with the slender beauties of the land in a boat with soft cushions, in lecherous, empty pleasures. Perhaps, even pity the harsh world around Pataliputra for its miserable fate. Before I met you in Vidisha, I thought I felt suffocated by the emptiness of royal pride, my Devi. Ujjain seemed like a musty temple, unreal, full of priestly intrigue and vapours from the blood of the animals whose lives have been snuffed out. Your father and his ministers taught me differently. I now feel happy again, straining for action and organisation. My blood flows in my veins once again and urges me happily back to work, towards what I deem necessary. When Kullika is in Ujjain, things will be right again. Maya is so important because maya rewards its creators! Every stroke of work tears one strand from maya’s strangling veil.’
‘Glorious, my King, when so much strength rests in one’s soul! I truly cheer when maya wanes, then it feels like liberation, and I grieve when her veil weighs heavy and wraps itself around life, like the dark green shroud around the pure white truth of the lotus. Well, then, my Prince … Shakuni told me much about Pataliputra.’
‘I know; I also know what he said.’
‘You do?’
‘Certainly! How evil I was, and ugly and wild, and how good and handsome and calm my brother Sumana, and I, a danger to the Maharajah.’
‘My Raja, how do you know all this?’
Ashoka made a movement with his hand, declining to answer.
‘If I had not known, I would have been better off remaining in Pataliputra. Know that Sumana has tried to kill me twice, and Devaka thrice, all through others of course. Shakuni has now also made a half-hearted attempt. If I did not know such things beforehand! Understand, my beautiful Devi, that if they get in my way, I will destroy them.’
‘Lord, he travels ahead of you to Ujjain. Now I understand why! I wanted to warn you about his false testimonies and lies.’
‘Not necessary. I even know where he is now. He, who lies, deceives himself, not me.’
‘But how may one know that he is lying? I, too, believed him!’
‘Not any more?’ asked Ashoka, and in his eyes there shone a smile.
‘No!’ cried Devi, her whole being radiant.
‘Why not?’
‘Because I learned to know you, my Raja.’
‘And if I were deceitful?’
‘No, Lord, your eyes! They give me joy because of their truthfulness. The eyes of Shakuni brought me grief, because they lied.’
Ashoka did not turn his gaze away from her. The love which flowered in his being did not, however, lessen his suspicion. Was she genuine? Aradi had also suddenly been nice when he became army commander.
‘Shakuni strives for Sumana. That is his right,’ he retorted.
‘With false weapons!’
‘Otherwise, he will lose the battle.’
‘Even worse. What is it that makes you fight for
the dangerous ivory throne of Pataliputra?’
‘The cries of the people and the Maurya! Sumana, following in the footsteps of Chandragupta and Bindusara, is like a jackal trailing the lions.’
Devi looked at him with admiration. Was that the true reason?
‘I now dare to tell you, my Raja: Shakuni called you ‘drunk with power’.’
‘Alright for me!’
‘But this will be a battle of life and death within your own house. Why don’t you turn your thoughts away from such a dangerous goal? Devote yourself to Malwa. That is a happy land. Ujjain means peace, while Pataliputra means strife, unrest, and murder. It is the cave of the tiger. I would not want to live there! I could not live there!’
‘And I would rather die and descend into the netherworld of Yama, the world of the Nagas, than to look on powerless, while the empire of my forefathers, their life’s work, dissolves, only because the trifling, lusty, gambling Sumana is the eldest son. For years I have thought and spoken about this with Father, with the wise Brahmin Sayana, with my guru Kullika. Nothing can change my decision anymore. Shiva wants it, Princess Devi!’
A silent Devi rode beside him. How could she have believed Shakuni for one moment! His admiration? Her vanity? Was it on this flawless, young king that the future well-being of Aryavarta rests? Would he be able to break the power of the mighty priesthood and thereby save the people that groan under their hand? How foolish of her to think she could keep him from doing what he saw as Shiva’s will! Who could call Ashoka ugly? The beautiful eyes that dominated his being, glittered like the most beautiful stars in the Indian night: the glow of the eternal Atman, life of the all-encompassing life, will of the All-will. ‘Drunk with power’! What a lie! It was the power of the sacred Power. Was he Shiva? And even as she had dared to offend him with her haughtiness, he did not hate her, nor destroy her!
The troops approached a clearing in the jungle. All of them dismounted. Servants cleared the ground and spread out blankets, put up tents to combat the sun’s glow, prepared meals and drinks, set out the fruits.
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