AJAYA I -- Roll of the Dice

by Unknown

  Finally, the old man Vasuki succeeded in thawing Ekalavya's frozen heart. His anger slowly gave way to curiosity and then pride. The Nishada decided to make the fateful journey to meet his illustrious father. On the day Hastinapura was celebrating Karna's marriage, Ekalavya started towards the Eastern kingdom of Magadha, where a King who did not care for social rules reigned and an Untouchable commanded her formidable army. Ekalavya was warming up to the idea of meeting his father. The young architect Mayasura asked if he could accompany Ekalavya on his journey. He wished to see the famed city of Pataliputra. But Ekalavya only said, "Some other time, Mayan." Ekalavya was unsure of how he would react on meeting his father in the flesh and did not want witnesses.

  As the horse carrying the dark form of the Nishada vanished into the horizon, the architect sighed in disappointment. He had only learnt architecture theory and had never even seen a major city, let alone designed or built one. As an Untouchable, he was not allowed to walk near any of the palaces or temples. He yearned to see great buildings, touch the stones and sculptures with his own hands, and walk through the paved streets. In his heart of hearts, he nurtured a secret ambition, which was far more than a mere wish. One beautiful thought robbed him of sleep; one dream recurred every night; and one prayer rose to his lips. It was beautiful because it was impossible. Mayasura, whose ancestors had designed the great temples of India thousands of years ago, now fell to his knees and folded his hands: "Oh Mahadeva, forgive my impudence in asking for something I do not deserve. Oh compassionate one, grant me this one boon. Let me build the most beautiful city in the world. Let my city live forever and... be the heart of my holy motherland."

  In answer, the skies erupted angrily in loud claps of thunder. A bolt of lightning struck a tree near the kneeling Mayasura and sent it up in flames. The young architect looked fearfully at the dark sky, where clouds jostled each other and clashed in flashes of lightning. It was as if the Gods in the high heavens were angered by the grandiose dreams of this puny little man. Mayasura ran towards his hut, his hands clutching the tiny Shiva linga he wore on a string round his neck, and closed the rickety door to shut out the fury of nature. It took a long time for the anger of the heavens to subside.

  *

  *

  *

  23 MARCH OF CIVILIZATION

  "WE HAVE NO CHOICE, VIDHURA. Make arrangements to hand over the governance of Khandiva to the Pandavas," Bhishma said to his Prime Minister.

  "Sir, the district is jungle for the most part. The river is unpredictable there and often floods the plains, even in summer. Moreover, reports indicate rebels under Takshaka are camped in the forest." Vidhura was uneasy about the Grand Regent's decision.

  "Do you have a better suggestion, Vidhura? Kunti has come back to the palace with her sons and daughter-in-law, now that it is known they did not perish in the fire at Varanavata. The caucus around her is busy spreading rumours that she is being discriminated against by the King. I dislike the cold war between Gandhari and Kunti. Moreover, if the reports about Takshaka being in Khandiva are true, I would like to see how the Pandavas handle him. We will not always be around to help them. Let us see how the new generation copes with these problems. They need experience in governance and it will be good for everyone if the Pandavas make their headquarters at Khandiva, and rule half the kingdom from there. I sounded Suyodhana on the idea and he does not perceive any problem. The boy has yet to come out of his depression over losing his girl to Arjuna, but I think he is mature enough not to mix personal issues with the public good."

  "I am not sure about Suyodhana's intentions. The house of lac in Varanavata..."

  Bhishma did not allow Vidhura to complete his sentence. "The less we talk about Varanavata the better. You personally investigated the matter and should know better. The only thing that points to a conspiracy is that the house was built with highly inflammable materials. Purochana, the person who built it, also perished in the unfortunate accident. Initially we thought the Pandavas had died in the fire, but your investigations revealed that the poor Nishada woman and her five innocent sons were the victims. Who is responsible for their murder? Suyodhana or the Pandavas? We thought of Purochana as a corrupt man, but when we visited his house after his demise, it did not look prosperous at all. His widow is living on the small pension I have sanctioned. Why did such a man give his life attempting to save an Untouchable? If there was a conspiracy to finish off Kunti and her sons, I am sure Suyodhana was not responsible for it. Have we forgotten the farce when Kunti accused the Crown Prince of murdering Bhima and we wasted Court time conducting a trial?"

  "Very well Sir, I will make the arrangements. Another important issue is that Krishna has taken Bhima and Arjuna to Magadha. I do not know why." Vidhura felt awkward about raising the matter with the Grand Regent, given his opinion on the Varanavata case.

  "I know," Bhishma responded. "I do not know what Krishna is up to this time. Last time he took Arjuna with him, we know what happened with Subhadra. I do not know what his agenda is. Bhima has sired a boy with an Asura tribal woman, hasn't he?"

  "Yes, her name is Hidumbi. Bhima killed her brother in a drunken brawl. Since Draupadi was with Yudhishtra for a year at the time, Kunti allowed Bhima to marry her. They have a son called Khatotkacha," Vidhura said flatly.

  "Sometimes I am embarrassed by the doings of Kunti and her sons. I do not know which book they refer to on morals and dharma. Let us hope Bhima and Arjuna's visit to Magadha with Krishna, is for some good reason. Convey the decision about Khandiva to the King, and request his official sanction. Let us hope everything turns out well," Bhishma said with a weary sigh. He was getting tired of running the country. The idea of leaving everything behind and going to live in the Himalayas, in search of peace and God, was most appealing.

  Vidhura bowed and left to speak with King Dhritarashtra about the arrangements.

  ***

  "Khandiva! Who wants that hell? Mother, we have been duped again." Nakula was furious when he read the order from the King.

  "It is all swamp and jungle and infested with wild beasts and guerrillas," cried his twin Sahadeva, in annoyance.

  "Do not get agitated. Let us wait until Krishna returns from Magadha. He will know what to do." Yudhishtra returned to his meditation.

  So the three brothers, an indifferent wife, and an anxious mother, awaited Arjuna and Bhima's return from their mission. They had an empire to build.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima had reached Magadha. They arrived at the city gates and requested permission to see King Jarasandha. They did not have to wait for long. Krishna was surprised at the warm hospitality extended to them by the King of Magadha, who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He arranged a dinner in honour of Krishna, in the courtyard of the gigantic Shiva temple. Krishna looked around. He needed a provocation for his plan to work. Arjuna was engrossed in polite conversation with Jarasandha. Krishna's eyes stopped at General Hiranyadhanus, sitting beside Bhima, quietly eating. Nowhere in India, other than in Jarasandha's Magadha, would an Untouchable have sat with the King and eaten as an equal. Unmindful of the illustrious General beside him, Bhima was gobbling the food as if he had not eaten for days. It took Krishna some time to catch his eye. He gestured to him to topple over the tumbler of water, placed as per custom to the left of his plantain leaf, onto the leaf of the General. Bhima did not understand this strange request, but he was never troubled by reasons and doubt. What Krishna asked, he always obeyed without hesitation. He toppled the glass of water as if by accident, and the water flowed onto the General's leaf. Reacting quickly, the General tried to push the water away and a few droplets fell on Bhima.

  "Hey, this is a slight!" Krishna cried jumping up. Everyone looked up from their plates in surprise.

  Bhima picked up his cue. "How dare you to throw dirty water onto a Kshatriya, you Untouchable?" Bhima slammed his fist on the table with great force.

  No one dared talk to the General that way and Jarasand
ha stood up angrily. "Prince Bhima, please apologize to General Hiranyadhanus immediately. There are limits to even my hospitality. You cannot come to my palace and insult my friend and Commander-in-Chief, and hope to get away with it."

  "Your Highness, it is nothing," Hiranyadhanus said to the enraged King, with quiet dignity. Turning to Bhima, he said, "Sir, it was my fault! Please accept my apologies."

  "You have insulted a Kshatriya and will know the wrath of a warrior. I challenge you to a duel." Bhima stamped the ground in a great show of anger.

  Hiranyadhanus hesitated, surprised by the Pandava's words.

  "No Bhima, leave it. It seems the General is not willing to accept your challenge. He is but a prop in the King's Court and holds his office because Jarasandha has made an undeserving man his Commander-in-Chief," Krishna said, the smile never leaving his lips.

  The General had no choice. The eyes of his subordinate officers and soldiers were upon him. If he backed away from Bhima's challenge, he would lose their respect. He had lived honourably all his life, served his master and country well, and wished to die with his head held high. Though he knew he was no match for the young Pandava, thirty years younger than him, he accepted the challenge and walked away to wash his hands. He bowed before the small niche holding a Shiva linga. Touching his forehead and chest in surrender to the will of God, he said his final prayers calmly. Lord Shiva had been kind to him. He had reached a position which no low caste could dream of. His only regret was that he would not see his son, Ekalavya. "Lord, take care of my son," he prayed before straightening up and walking towards Jarasandha.

  The General looked at the man who had stood staunchly beside him, braving orthodoxy and entrusting the army to him. Jarasandha hugged the General, whispering into his ear, "We have been trapped Hiranya. None of them will leave Magadha alive. If anything happens to you, I will kill them with my bare hands."

  The General nodded and said, "Farewell Your Highness. My heart remains at your feet forever."

  When the duel started, Bhima thought he would finish off the older man in minutes. However, the Pandava soon realized the veteran General was no walkover. With grit and determination, he fought Bhima, matching the sheer size of his opponent with his experience and skill. Two hours later, the duel was still on, going nowhere. The General had Bhima flat on the ground twice, but respecting the code of warriors; he patiently waited for him to get up on both occasions. But age had its disadvantages and as time progressed, the General began showing signs of fatigue. Bhima, sensing his opponent was tiring, got his chance when the General slipped and fell. Bhima had been taught no code of honour was applicable when doing one's karma, so he pounced on the fallen man, pinning him to the ground. In one swift movement, he broke the neck of the first Nishada General of India.

  Seeing his dear friend die, Jarasandha lost his cool and jumped into the fray, roaring with rage and indignation. Krishna smiled at the reaction of the Magadha King. It was precisely what he had expected. He always advised anyone willing to listen, that attachment was the root of all misery and unhappiness. Equanimity is the virtue leading to moksha. But the foolish monarch had lost his composure on seeing his friend die. Jarasandha was thus an ignorant man, lost in the world of illusion. Attached to his dead friend, he did not have the wisdom to know that the soul did not perish and death was but an illusion. He did not know that his friend had merely changed garb and his soul had gone in search of another body to inhabit. Bhima had not killed the General's soul, so the General had not died at Bhima's hands. All this was but maya.

  Bhima looked at the body of his seventy-year-old opponent and laughed aloud. He kicked the corpse to one side and rushed to grab Jarasandha in his huge arms. The King deftly moved aside and caught Bhima's neck in the crook of his left arm. With his powerful right hand, he began beating the life out of the lout. Bhima struggled in vain, looking pleadingly at his saviour. He received a message from Krishna's eyes and delivered a punch to Jarasandha's groin, which freed him from the death grip. The King doubled over in pain and anger, and spat at his opponent. Not even common soldiers hit below the belt in battle. But Bhima, unquestioning as always, was simply following the instructions of his Lord. He rushed towards his opponent and shoved him to the ground. He tried jumping onto Jarasandha's chest as he had done with the General, but the elderly King still had a few tricks and rolled away at the last moment. Bhima fell flat. Jarasandha was atop him in a flash. He tried wringing Bhima's neck, but the Pandava managed to wriggle away. Jarasandha knew his time was running out. In a prolonged duel, he was sure he would meet the same fate as his friend.

  Krishna watched the contest with interest. True to his philosophy, he did not have any attachment towards Bhima or any of the Pandavas, all of whom were willing to live and die for him. He was too wise for that. If a Bhima or Arjuna died, there were hundreds to take their place. Yet, Jarasandha's victory would go against everything he believed and lived for. Bhima was more useful than even Arjuna, who had the habit of asking uncomfortable questions. The giant Bhima just obeyed. He had larger plans and uses for Bhima, whereas Jarasandha was just a pawn on his chessboard. He could not afford to risk his rook for a pawn. Krishna brought out a betel leaf and waited for Bhima to look at him. When Bhima caught his eye, he tore the leaf into two, throwing the halves to either side of him. Bhima nodded his understanding.

  When Jarasandha fell again, he expected Bhima to rush for his neck and was ready. Surprising him, the Pandava caught his right leg and pinned Jarasandha to the ground by placing his huge feet on the fallen King's left leg. Then, using his massive strength, he started tearing Jarasandha in two, from the groin. Jarasandha screamed in agony as inch by inch, Bhima tore him apart. The great Jarasandha, the man who had attacked Mathura seventeen times and caused Krishna and Balarama to flee to Dwaraka, the man who had dared challenge orthodoxy and the holy smritis by building and running a kingdom based on merit and not caste, died slowly and painfully for all his sins.

  Bhima celebrated his victory by beating his fists on his broad chest. Krishna knew better. He had seen the unrest in the soldiers' ranks at the death of their General and then their King. The last thing he wanted was a riot. He ran to where he knew the city prison was located. Sensing danger, Bhima followed him. Krishna asked Arjuna to keep the agitated soldiers at bay somehow, and ran on. His spies in Jarasandha's palace joined him as per plan. His aim was to free the ninety-five vassal Kings imprisoned by Jarasandha for disobeying him years ago. Most of them had rebelled against his liberal policies at one time or another. Among them was Sudeva, Jarasandha's son, who had attempted a coup when his father had made an Untouchable the Commander-in-Chief.

  Krishna opened the doors and freed the prisoners quickly. They ran to where Arjuna and a few of his newfound supporters were trying to pacify the agitated soldiers. The sight of the Crown Prince of Magadha calmed the situation a little. Krishna addressed the soldiers saying the General and King had both fought and died as Kshatriyas. It was the dharma of a Kshatriya to fight and they had achieved moksha by doing their karma. With silver-tongued oratory, Krishna pacified the soldiers. Sudeva, the darling of the conservatives, became the new King of Magadha before the embers of his father and the General's funeral pyres had cooled.

  When Krishna and his friends finally left Magadha, a small section of the Magadha army, who were loyal to the dead King and Commander, broke away and fled towards the vassal kingdom of Chedi, to seek asylum. The ruler of Chedi was Shishupala, an old friend of Jarasandha. On the way, the soldiers met the son of the slain General Hiranyadhanus. Ekalavya was devastated when he heard the news of his father's death. He had longed to meet him.

  On their way back to Hastinapura, Krishna heard about the rebels. It was a minor problem and he would deal with it when the time came. It proved to be a costly mistake for the master strategist.

  ***

  "Think of it not as a problem but an opportunity," Krishna told Yudhishtra, smiling.

  "But Khandiva is an i
mpenetrable forest and is said to be infested with all sorts of beasts and fierce tribes. How am I to build a city there? My uncle Dhritarashtra has done this to spite us." Yudhishtra was trying to keep calm, but the more he thought about the injustice of it, the angrier he became.

  "Why are you worried when I am here, my friend? I think Arjuna and I will take one more journey, this time to Khandiva." Krishna smiled at Arjuna and the great warrior smiled back uncertainly.

  Within a week, Krishna and Arjuna, moved towards Khandiva forest with their army. On the way, Krishna told Arjuna the pathetic story of the last Indra, to whom the forest actually belonged. When they neared the low hills of Khandiva, Krishna said something that almost made the Pandava fall from his saddle.

  "What do you mean? You are confirming my worst suspicions. You mean my cousin Suyodhana was always right in calling us bastards? I thought the story of us being the sons of Gods was just propaganda. Now you are saying my father lives and is a Prince of the fallen Deva dynasty?" a shocked Arjuna asked Krishna, trembling with anger.