‘How do you know that?’
‘From Suni of the Brahma-temple, who is all-knowing.’
‘Does he know everything about me too, Sir?’
‘Certainly!’ Salya kept drawing him out and Simha decided to go to Suni the next day. Suni appeared to know everything about the guard, so much so that Simha yielded to utter wonder.
‘Sir, what will happen to me?’
Suni reflected for a long time whilst throwing incense into the flames. ‘Husband of Sari … Army chief of the lawful Maharajah … if you will be loyal to him …’
‘Who is the lawful Maharajah, Sir?’
‘That you know as well as I do. The Maharajah whom the Brahmins anoint!’
‘But I serve …’ He was interrupted. ‘You serve, whom the gods want you to serve.’
‘Yes, Sir. Army chief, you say, Sir?’
‘Yes, that is how I see it. Choose the correct side!’
Simha did not know what to do. At night time while he was on guard, Salya drew near again.
‘So, here it is safe, close to the guards, Simha. And what has Suni told you?’
‘I’ll have Sari and will be commander-in-chief. But I cannot believe it!’
‘Suni never foretold what did not happen. Remember, the gods are hard on those who oppose them. I will lie down now, do not disturb me anymore. One more thing, Simha: be silent, silent, silent! The gods severely punish those who utter even one word that does not please them.’
Simha’s friends, influenced by Salya, visited the soothsayer, one after the other. The treachery was spreading rapidly and silently everywhere. Outside the city, too, spread dissension against the new Maharajah. The Raja of Malani openly declared that he would obey Sumana. Soon, a thousand cavalrymen appeared before his fortress. When he wanted to surrender to save his life, the warriors jeered at him.
‘Conditions for Shiva?’ The fort was destroyed with all its inhabitants … thus desired the new Maharajah.
Vaishyas living along the Bhagavati were incited by some priests not to pay their harvest levies to the new Maharajah. In a short time, Sumana would be Maharajah so they would have to pay again! Sagka demanded as punishment a double payment of the dues and transported both priests to Pataliputra, where they were sentenced by Ashoka to labour in the mines. Sagka was to bring them there with a troop of horse soldiers. His route passed by the hermitage of Sayana, so Sayana advised him to take more soldiers along with him, since armed Ragis, a mountain tribe of the Himalayas, had often been seen at a short distance from the hermitage. Sagka quickly returned to the capital and informed Ashoka.
‘Take thrice as many soldiers and punish the Ragis severely. Leave the army camp at dark. I will take care of the ferry.’
Sagka found the bridge over the River Gandaki destroyed. After the bridge had been repaired, they pursued the Ragis.
The imprisoned Ragis were forced, through severe threats and torture, to tell Sagka of the occurrences. Then Sagka rushed towards the mountains, to the mines at the Gandaki. He found them destroyed. Not a living soul was left. He began his punitive expedition against the mountain tribe. Each Ragi he could get hold of, was led to the camp, questioned, tortured and killed. When, hours later, no more could be found, Sagka returned to Pataliputra.
Ashoka listened with amazement. ‘Who gave order to destroy the camp, Sagka?’
‘It is certain that Sunasepha was a party to it, O, Maharajah.’
‘So, again the Brahmin-court. Where are the prisoners and Shakuni?’
‘The Ragis say, towards Pataliputra.’
‘How I miss my friend Revata, Sagka.’
‘Maharajah Bindusara had very proficient spies, Sire. Girika was one of them. And Maskarin. Nata says that Girika has spied on you for years.’
‘Girika? I have never met him, Sagka! Send him to me. And Maskarin?’
‘Spied on Prince Sumana and later Sela.’
‘Let them come to me tonight.’
‘Girika … You know me.’
‘Yes, Sire.’
‘What do you know about me?’
‘Everything, Sire. From the moment Kullika became your Guru till the death of the holy Maharajah. I was your servant during all your lessons, followed you on all your walks, saw the thunderstorm at the Barren Mountain, the sacrificial offering of Jivaka, and the release of Sasarman. I was in Taxila, in Sayana’s hermitage, Sire, and saw how you killed three Brahmins. I was in Ujjain and came back together with you.’
‘So, you were my bad conscience, Girika.’
‘Your good conscience, Sire.’
‘And I never detected you! How was that possible, Girika?’
‘The craft of a good spy lies in not being discovered, Sire.’
‘And I did not understand how my father knew everything about me!’
‘Then my work would have been worthless, Sire.’
‘And would you like to work now for me, Girika?’
‘Gladly, O, Maharajah.’
‘And you, Maskarin … You too were a spy for my father.’
‘Yes, Sire.’
‘Did you ever spy on me?’
‘I am sorry not to have, O, Maharajah. That was Girika’s duty. It is more enviable to follow the one whom the great Maharajah favoured as successor than the one whom he had to exclude from a fundamental right.’
‘After all, your investigations served the same purpose.’
‘But it is more uplifting to walk the impelling plains of the Ganga than trudge the desert under Surya’s scorching rays.’
‘Prince Sumana yearns for the greatness of the Maharajah.’
‘The Vaishya who uses his hallowed ground merely to augment his own wealth or enjoyment, is not worthy of his land; the Brahmin who uses his superior mind merely to obtain higher fees for his sacrifices, not of his varna; the Raja who cares for his own enjoyment, his whims and greatness as his sole endeavour, not of his kingdom, Sire … I have followed Sumana many years … and have sensed with growing fear how the disastrous grey bank of clouds clustered itself ominously over Aryavarta … Now the storm has passed over and the heavenly nectar drenches the fields, O, Maharajah.’
‘You flatter me, Maskarin.’
‘No, Sire, for me it was the demolition of a dreaming Emperor’s palace … for Girika it was the erection of a temple for a victorious deity …’
‘Shakuni and Sunasepha, who were exiled for life from Pataliputra and Magadha by my father, thought times turbulent enough to burrow themselves again in the capital. I have to know where! They teach treachery to my troops. You have to find out where and how. Report tomorrow at the mahamatrya of information, the department of the secret service.
‘Sire, we wish to serve you with the same faithfulness with which we served your holy Father.’
The Emperor summoned Satyavat.
‘Have the first three bed-chambers made ready, my Satyavat. Sometimes in the middle of the night I have this premonition of danger … then I should be able to move quickly to another sleeping place.’
‘As you wish, O, Maharajah. Your rooms are guarded by heavily armed and completely trustworthy female guards, Sire.’
‘Jocarno succeeded in entering the palace in the middle of the night.’
‘I have examined the guards who take care of your security very carefully, Sire, threatened them with the most horrible torture for the rest of their lives, which they will not escape even if Prince Sumana were to become the Emperor. They are all trustworthy friends of Rohini, Sire. And she checks with female wiles, day after day, their dedication to you. You really need not change your sleeping chamber for the night. Rohini has more fear of Sumana than of all the demons and Mara together. She and I, we thank our good fortune to you alone, Sire.’
‘But the ladies’ quarters, Satyavat … the half-brothers and sisters who expect more from the squandering Sumana than from me?’
‘Nobody enters or leaves the quarters without me knowing it, Sire. I permit not the slightest chance of danger from that side.’<
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‘Think, too, of the Brahmin-court.’
‘Sire, no priest can take a step in the park without being watched. Nata has arranged some of the best spies for me.’
‘Realise, Sayavat, that Sumana’s only hope lies in my death.’
After Satyavat left the room he first checked the bed-chambers of his Lord: each corner, each curtain, each piece of cloth could hide death within, even the secret door to the escape exit. Then he checked all the posts of the guards who were standing invisible in galleries, niches and behind bushes. They all whispered softly their ‘Shiva’ to him. Satyavat stood still: something was moving close to the path that led to the blue lotus pond near the priests’ quarters. On the signal of a kokila’s call, some four guards joined him soundlessly. One of them whispered in his ear:
‘A spy of the Maharajah says that a suspected penitent is inside the park.’
Satyavat himself followed the stranger who disappeared into the Brahmin-court. A shrill peacock call screeched through the air, the warning sign for the spies inside that court. He waited calmly. Girika suddenly appeared from the park and told him that Salya had entered.
‘Let him go wherever he wants to.’
‘After a fairly long time they saw the penitent leaving the court and disappearing in the direction of the gate. Satyavat grabbed hold of him.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘Sleeping.’
‘Whom did you visit in the Brahmin-court?’
‘I did not visit the court.’
‘How did you enter the park?’
‘On … my … legs.’
‘So, there is someone who let you in. You know, Salya, you deserve the penalty of death.’
‘Kill me if I deserve it,’ mocked Salya. ‘I was looking for a quiet place only for my tired limbs.’
‘Who allowed you to enter?’
‘The gatekeeper gave me permission to sleep inside the gate. There it is safe. A penitent one does not refuse.’
‘You are playing with the life of the gatekeeper. What did you do in the Brahmin-court?’
‘I asked for shelter. They refused because I was not allowed inside the palisades of the park.’
‘In the city there is plenty of room for you as for any stranger who asks for it, Salya … Go.’
Satyavat saw how the penitent had been led outside the park furtively by the gatekeeper. A moment later, Girika followed. Salya was the object of special attention. The penitent felt himself safe. But Satyavat led the negligent gatekeeper to the Maharajah.
‘Why did you let the penitent enter?’
‘He is a holy man, O, Maharajah, and asked for a place to lie down.’
‘Did you ask for permission from the chieftain of the sentries?’
After a pause, the gatekeeper replied: ‘No, O, Maharajah.’
‘Then you have violated your most important order! Why?’ The guard kept silent, confused.
‘You know Salya?’
‘Yes, O, Maharajah.’
‘Why did you take the responsibility of allowing him to enter? You keep silent! Do you want me to take you to the torture chambers?’
‘No, O, Maharajah. Salya told me it was a sacred duty to perform what he had ordered. I need not do anything but open the gate for him if he so wanted, O, Maharajah, and the gods would reward me. And the lawful Maharajah would reward me with a high post in the army.’
‘Who is the lawful Maharajah?’
‘He who will be anointed by the priests, Mighty Maharajah.’
‘Who?’ Again, the soldier kept silent, cowed down, but on Ashoka’s repeated question: ‘Who?’ he acknowledged: ‘The Crown Prince … when he returns,’
‘Have him carried off and executed tomorrow in front of the entire troop. Bring Anu here, Satyavat. What do you think of it, Sagka? Let the people know there will be no mercy for any traitor.’
‘There are already five people imprisoned who were all influenced by that wretched penitent, O, Maharajah. I would have taken him in long ago were it not for Girika, who told me to wait for your orders.’
‘Do you know the penitent, Sagka?’
‘No, Sire.’
‘If you were to imprison him now, my informants would miss their most important contact.’
‘What news do you bring, honourable Anu?’
‘Sire, Salya informed Ashavita that the Ganga gate was safe and that now the next thing was to bribe Satyavat. Included in the price was a government post in Bosambali.’
‘Keep a sharp eye on the North gate at the Ganga, but let the watch be as it is. Inform Maskarin about what has happened here but let Salya go on his way. There is more advantage to be gained through him. You, Satyavat, may soon hear more from Ashavita. There comes some light.’
The following morning, Ashoka went for the first time to the army camp. When he approached, the big gong which was sounded for the Maharajah, made itself heard in the various departments of the camp. The elephant ambled between the widely spaced rows of warriors who came to pay their respects to the new Maharajah. Ashoka raised his right hand in greeting and looked somewhat restlessly at the warriors. The success of his taking over of power would depend on them. Sela knew what went on in the mind of his Liege. When they reached the square with its Shiva temple and Ashoka, on his royal elephant, was in front of the building, Sela jumped from his horse, climbed the stage next to the temple from which the priest used to speak to the warriors, and raised his hand.
‘Warriors of India!’ Silence fell on the densely packed crowd; the monsoon drove Sela’s deep voice to every corner of the temple grounds. ‘Warriors of India. Some years ago, the army camp of our beloved Maharajah Bindusara lost a friend who was dear to us all. He himself asked his soldiers, his comrades, whether you would receive him as a friend or a stranger, if he were to come back one day. Whereupon the surroundings resounded with your thundering call: ‘As a friend!’ Now he stands again before you. Say now if you thank Shiva for his return.’
Like a screaming cyclone in Aashad2, followed by thunder, the name raced over the camps: ‘Shiva!’ and all bowed.
‘Now, say if you rejoice in the new Maharajah!’
Even more fiercely than before, welling up straight from the hearts of the thousands of moved soldiers, unstoppable, their shouts echoed: ‘Hail Ashoka!’ At last Sela raised his hand.
‘Now, say that you are his warriors, until death!’
A wild excitement took hold of everyone.
‘Until death!’ the cries of jubilation flowed through the rows.
Ashoka was deeply moved. He climbed out of the howdah and with a single leap from the elephant, he stood beside Sela. There seemed to be no end to the cheering. Sela walked down the steps and sent up the bearer of the imperial parasol, while four chamaras waved a cool breeze over the young Maharajah. Ashoka raised his hand and again all sounds ceased immediately. His voice resounded, steady and resonant, over their heads:
‘My friends! You for me. I for all of India! One in labour, one in justice, one in truth! For the happiness of the whole empire!’
A wild cheer followed: ‘Hail Ashoka!’
The Maharajah now came down the steps, climbed the elephant again and rode around the field, holding aloft his chakra. He knew that the bond between him and the army had been renewed and was as profound as before.
The activities of the Maharajah increased. Only a few Rajas and rajukas of the many tributary provinces came to the capital to pledge their fealty, however strange they found it that it did not happen at the consecration ceremony. The foreigners department of the City council had no problem in providing them with lodgings, since most of the governors thought it more prudent not to be in haste. What if later on Sumana became the Maharajah! Ashoka continued imperturbably with his activities, led the Council of Ministers, kept the work at the departments going, received informants from within and outside the City, and discussed the interests of the great empire. He did not neglect the imperial family and in important a
ffairs he performed the administration of justice himself. When night fell, the spies came to report at his working quarters and informed him about all that was taking place in every part of his empire. One night Girika appeared; he had difficulty walking.
‘Sire, I come from the other side of the Ganga, where the henchmen of Salya had dragged me along. It is the perilous part of a spy’s work.’
‘Tell me your experiences, Girika. Do you know more about Salya?’
‘After his visit to the park, I did not let him go anywhere without being followed but the shrewd penitent must have realised that I was shadowing him and thus hindering him in his activities. Yesterday, at night, he lured me to a place on the Ganga, where some of his henchmen suddenly waylaid me and after a fierce struggle, tied me up. A young spy, who usually stays close to me, straightaway gathered some men, but Salya’s friends brought me swiftly to the other side of the Ganga. When the others arrived Salya’s men left me and fled. Because I had been wounded, my friend brought me to the hermitage of the holy Sayana. There I was taken care of and had long talks about my work with the holy Sayana. We grew more and more convinced that there must be a close connection between Salya, the Brahmin-court, at least with Ashavita, and with the traitors in the army, particularly with the departments which are in the capital. And now Maskarin and I think we can throw light on the matter. A dozen spies have been investigating the comings and goings of the penitent.’
‘Let us hear, Girika.’
After Girika had revealed his plans to the Maharajah, it was decided that he, Girika, would be taken on as soon as possible as one of Sagka’s guards at the Ganga gate.
11
THE DECISION OF THE GODS
umana’s army proceeded but, being poorly commanded, rather clumsily and with frequent halts. The continuous sacrificial oblations, the care of their divine highnesses, the king and his queen, took much of their time and labour because, after the gods, all attention was centred on the Maharajah-to-be. He did not take part in the discussions; for the sake of prudence he was kept out of decision-making. Everyone had faith that assistance would come from the gods, in which way they would help only a few knew for to hope to achieve victory through vanquishing the army of Ashoka was foolishness; that the priests knew as well as the army commanders. Their faith was based on a secret which gave them far more assurance than the most powerful army. Thus was the decision of the priests, thus the decision of the gods. Aradi controlled her weak-willed king; she also knew the decision of the gods and was so convinced that Sumana would soon become the Maharajah, that in spite of her pregnancy she did not wish to stay behind in Taxila to await the end of the battle. Dressed in a beautiful gown of Kashi muslin with a peacock-blue cloak, embroidered with gold thread, she rode on the luxuriantly decorated howdah on the imperial elephant. Everyone knew: the gods, unseen, were accompanying the army and enjoying the offerings under the sway of the priests. A sudden attack by the Bhils on the army’s equipage brought about great confusion to the ponderous march of the army. When at last Sumana’s cavalry was ready for the counter-attack the desert riders disappeared on their swift Baramer1 horses into the jungle. It took a few days before everything could be reorganised and all sections of the army could continue on their orderly march. But at a distance of a day’s travel from Vrindavana, a body of trained Rajputans with loud battle-cries attacked the foot soldiers of Sumana, splitting them up and scattering them to different sides. Only when the war-chariots, the cavalry and the high howdahs of the elephants came into sight did the Rajputans retreat, as orderly and controlled as their irrepressible attack. They had rushed away along the jungle roads and Sumana was convinced that they feared a confrontation. It was in this way that the sedate march of the army was continuously disrupted and all were happy to reach the Yamuna at last. Whatever could be got hold of—ships, rafts, boats—were taken to the ferry at Atavi to transport the army to the other side of the river. Then the desert tribes would not be able to attack them anymore.
Ashoka the Great Page 49