He took two quick steps and now was almost neck-deep in the water. The water had started to enter his nostrils now.
The palace doors were swung open as Chandragupta and his men stormed in. The guards resisted, but they were slayed.
Up on the first floor were Ambhi’s chambers. Chandragupta entered, his sword raised. Some of Ambhi’s wives ran out, screaming. He let them go.
The darkness was blinding. Someone attacked him, but he countered the blows and disarmed the attacker. He held the man by the throat.
“Where is Ambhi?” He thundered.
The man pointed, and Chandragupta let him fall to the floor. Two of his men came by his side, and they entered Ambhi’s bedroom together.
Chandragupta expected the Raja to attack them or plead for mercy, but there was no sound.
More of his men entered now, carrying torches. The room lit up. Now they could see.
Ambhi’s dead body hung from a rope tied to the ceiling. Chandragupta slashed the rope with his sword and the lifeless body fell down.
“The Raja is dead.” He said loudly.
“Long live the Raja.” All his men shouted around him.
I watched as Alexander disappeared completely in the water of the river, and then reappeared and walked back to the bank.
None of his men had moved to follow him. His dramatic antics had failed miserably.
Alexander was dripping wet as he walked back. I was sure that if watched closely, one would find tears in all that water.
Suddenly a man held my hand from behind. I turned.
“Arya!” The man said. “Word has just arrived for you. Taxila has fallen. Raja Ambhi is dead.”
I smiled. “Two down. Two to go!”
Asoka
Vidisha, 270 BC
When Vidishanagri appeared on the horizon, Asoka’s heart started beating fast. He was dying to see Devi now and meet with Pushyamitra again. He had forgiven the young captain for his virile remarks in their absence.
His men camped outside the city walls as he walked in.
“No weapons.” The sentries on the walls warned him. He looked at them confused.
“The guild has passed a law.” The sentry said. “No one but the guards can carry weapons inside the city.”
The Buddhists and their peaceful ways! Asoka cursed as he handed over his weapons.
The city was decorated for some kind of a festival. The town square was bathed in indigo and fabrics of that color hung everywhere. Women adorned their hair with the same color, and men roamed wearing dhotis lined with it.
“Isn’t it nice?” Kanaka said, appearing at his side.
“Indeed so,” Asoka said, “what you Buddhists lack in symbols, you make up with in colors.”
“We don’t believe in symbols, my friend,” Kanaka said, patting him on the shoulders, “Lord Buddha specifically told us to shun idol worship. Symbols are just like idols.”
“Lord Buddha also told you to shun violence,” Asoka said, “is that the origin of this new no weapon rule?”
“It serves that end only, my friend,” Kanaka said.
“I don’t see it.” Asoka said. “Look at us here, in the midst of this crowd, two noblemen wearing ornaments of considerable value. A petty thief sees us. Knows we are unarmed. Won’t hesitate to attack and cause some violence for the sake of the jewels. On the other hand, he sees two swords dangling by our sides, he wouldn’t dare. No violence.”
Kanaka laughed heartily. “I think you are feeling a little exposed here, friend.” He taunted.
“I haven’t been without my sword in the past few days,” Asoka agreed. “It’s true. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t worry, my friend.” Kanaka said. “We are preparing for the Buddha Jayanti celebrations tonight. Nobody will attack you on such a holy occasion.”
He led Asoka through the alleys towards the guild house. Everything was decorated, the guild house the most. Asoka wondered if he would see Devi there, adorned in some indigo colors, blue flowers in her hair. How beautiful would she look!
“A hearty congratulations for your success in Avanti by the way.” Kanaka said. “Old man Hardeo can’t call you enough names already.”
“I surprised him that night, following him like that,” Asoka said.
“What you did, was outsmart him,” Kanaka said. “Old men don’t like to get outsmarted by young men.”
“Yet I couldn’t have done it all without your help,” Asoka said. “The horse you arranged and the guards you bribed to let me out of the city were invaluable.”
“We are all brothers of the southern wars, Asoka,” Kanaka said. “There are no thank yous and told yous between us.”
They were just about to enter the guild doors when the door opened with a loud crack and Pushyamitra walked out. He almost collided with them.
“Well, well, look at you,” Asoka exclaimed, “all fit and walking already.”
“Indeed, My Lord,” Pushyamitra said, “I am ready to serve you once again.”
“It looks like your doctor took good care of you,” Asoka said.
Pushyamitra’s face became all angry. “It was all that evil witch’s conspiracy.” He complained. “She told me my doctor was a Hindu. And after I was fully treated, she revealed he was a Buddhist.”
“Didn’t cause you any trouble though, did it?” Asoka laughed.
“I will have to put money in a Shuddhikaran ceremony once I’m home,” Pushyamitra complained.
“Or you could become a Buddhist,” Kanaka joked. “Today is the perfect day. Be rid of all ceremonies forever.”
Pushyamitra looked sarcastically at Kanaka. Kanaka laughed and shrugged. “No wonder Asoka left you here.” He said.
Asoka patted Kanaka on the back. “I’ll see you in the evening, friend.” He said.
“As soon as the sun sets,” Kanaka laughed, “the town square. Festivities, the likes of which you haven’t ever seen. And then we will beat a iron drum so loud that its beats will be heard all the way upto Taxila!”
Asoka entered the guild hall, followed by Pushyamitra.
“I am very glad to have you back by my side,” Asoka said, “I don’t need my sword now.”
“And I am glad to be back by your side too,” Pushyamitra said.
Asoka sat down in the drinking hall at the side of the innkeeper. He tossed a coin to him, and the man poured wine into his mug.
“I have a feeling of uneasiness,” Asoka said to Pushyamitra.
“What is it about, My Lord?” Pushyamitra asked.
“The second assassin,” Asoka said, “he’s still alive, isn’t he?”
Pushyamitra kept looking, but didn’t say anything.
“It is only natural that he will strike again,” Asoka said, “a sense of finality.”
“Indeed,” Pushyamitra said, drinking from his mug.
“We will have to be on our guard,” Asoka said, cautiously.
“It would be better if we stay outside the walls with the men,” Pushyamitra said. “We’ll also have our weapons there.”
“Yes, it would be safe,” Asoka said, “but I have to attend tonight’s festivities.”
“Is the witch dancing tonight?” Pushyamitra said angrily.
“Yes,” Asoka said, “and you should stop calling her witch now, she saved your life too.”
Pushyamitra nodded.
“Let’s go,” Asoka said, and they walked out.
Asoka entered the palace and respectfully bowed before old Raja Utamacharya.
“Who is it?” Utamacharya said, “I can’t see with my old eyes.”
“It’s Prince Asoka,” Hardeo said. He was sitting by his side.
“Oh.” Utamacharya said. Asoka ignored the Raja and turned to Hardeo.
“I congratulate you for ending the rebellion in Avanti,” Hardeo said. “Though I wasn’t sure it still needed to be ended after our last meeting.”
“And I wish you a pleasant Buddha Jayanti too,” Asoka said.
“So
why are you passing through my city again?” Hardeo asked, then laughed slyly. “Don’t tell me you are here to see my daughter. She dances in tonight’s festivities. Her last dance failed to captivate you, Prince. Maybe tonight’s will.”
“I am passing through here again because I am on my way to Patliputra,” Asoka said. “Also, I came to show you this.” He handed over a letter to Hardeo who leaned forward and took it. “I received this letter on my way here from Avanti.”
Hardeo read it intently, then laughed.
“Somebody is playing games with you, Prince.” He said.
“What do you mean?” Asoka asked, folding his hands.
“I am talking about your brother.”
“Which one?” Asoka asked.
“Does it really matter?” Hardeo mocked. “One of the non-important ones.”
“Where did he meet you?” Asoka asked.
“He passed through the city last week.” Hardeo said. “He was going to Patliputra, just like you. Also, he was carrying a letter, just like you.”
“Surely it couldn’t have been just like mine.”
“Now that I look at it closely, no it wasn’t,” Hardeo said, placing his fingers on the snake seal.
“His letter didn’t contain this seal.”
“But the rest was the same?”
“Yes it was,” Hardeo said. “The same text, the same post. Governor of Avanti.”
“Two persons can’t be governors of one place, can they? “Asoka said
“Oh sure they can!” Hardeo said, looking at Raja Utamacharya.
Asoka laughed. “Isn’t this intriguing?” He said.
“Very,” Hardeo said, placing his chin on his joined hands. “You have started to interest me quite a lot, Prince.”
“Who do you think carries the true letter?” Asoka asked.
“It does not matter at all who carries the true letter.” Hardeo said. “What matters is who is carrying Avanti. And the answer is you.”
“I am!” Asoka said. “And I am also carrying this.” He raised his hand and showed the ring to Hardeo.
“I am a merchant,” Hardeo said. “I see thousands of rings every day.”
“This was Chandragupta’s ring,” Asoka said. “He wore it when he became Samrat.”
“And you are wearing it before you have become one,” Hardeo said.
“It is true I won’t be governor of Avanti after all,” Asoka said, folding back his hands, “I plan to be something far greater. Also, I have fallen in love with your daughter and wish to marry her. I wish your support in return.”
“The horse has already passed through here, Asoka,” Hardeo said, “I am obligated to obey Sushem.”
“You are under no such obligation if the horse does not return,” Asoka said.
“So now, I truly see why you are here in Vidisha again,” Hardeo muttered.
“So will you let me marry your daughter?” Asoka asked.
“It’s going to be very difficult, son,” Hardeo said. “Women, like power are too hard to tame.”
Chanakya
Northwest, 50 years earlier
The night was dark and full of terrors. I saw the two men standing by the big banyan tree and approached them from behind. The gasped with fear as they looked at me. I realized that I must have been looking quite frightful in my black cloak.
“This is a work for the Ancient Brahminical Order.” I told them.
“For the Order!” The two riders swore.
I smiled. These were the men that Avarak had sent me from Patliputra for what I was about to do. My demand to him had been most sinister. I want two men trained in the art of assassination, I had told him. Avarak had delivered. I watched the two young men look at me obediently for instructions.
“Then listen,” I whispered to them, “you will have to brutally kill your target.” Then I laughed to play my part well as a frightful man in a black cloak. “And your target is Chandragupta, the Raja of Taxila!”
The two men nodded intently.
“Well, that is how it must look like.” I continued. “In reality, Chandragupta must not be hurt.”
The men nodded again, listening intently.
“Instead,” I said, “you have to kill the man called Dileepa.”
The men fell to their knees in front of me.
“We’ll kill him, Master, for the Order!” They said.
I smiled. “For the Order!”
Radhagupta
Patliputra, 271 BC
Radhagupta walked into Kautilya’s brothel and found the old man sitting by a fire.
“The Samrat is unconscious.” He said. “He does not open his eyes, nor speaks.”
“And Maurya princes arrive in the city,” Chanakya said, “almost one prince each day.”
“At this rate, they’ll require more than three months,” Radhagupta said.
“Upon their arrival, the princes seek an audience with the Samrat,” Chanakya said, “Almost all of them carry letters which bear his seal.”
“And are they allowed to meet their father?” Radhagupta asked.
“No,” Chanakya said. “They can see him unconscious though. Naturally, they are frustrated.”
“And in their frustration,” Radhagupta said, “they turn to their only hobby.”
Chanakya laughed. “Women!” He said. “They can uplift a man or completely destroy him.”
“And their thirst for women brings them to the largest and grandest whorehouse in the city,” Radhagupta said.
Chanakya smiled. “My brothel.” He said. “Almost all of them come to spend the night here. The first night. The night of their arrival.”
“What happens next?” Radhagupta asked.
“I do grant them the pleasure they seek,” Chanakya said, “I am fairly generous. It is the last time they’ll feel anything like that after all.”
“And then?”
“And as they sleep, my guards slowly creep over them. Most of them are so drunk, my guards can’t even wake them up. They have to practically carry them like a log to the dungeons in the basement.”
“So what’s our count, Arya?” Radhagupta asked.
“Seventy six, my boy,” Chanakya said, “not counting the one that you have brought to the city today.”
“Vittasoka is just a child,” Radhagupta said. “We shall not imprison him. I shall keep him with me.”
“Agreed,” Chanakya said.
“My mission to Taxila has been successful.” Radhagupta smiled.
“So is it done?” Chanakya asked.
“The Maharani wanted the Yadnya to be stopped as soon as she heard what it was about,” Radhagupta said. “I told her I could show her a way to do so.”
“And what did you tell her?”
“I told her that Prince Asoka, her brother-in-law, could stop it and save her.”
“And why would he?”
“That’s what she asked me,” Radhagupta said. “And I told her that we would have to convince him to turn against his brother, to turn against Maharaja Sushem.”
“And what good reason would cause him to turn against his own brother?” Chanakya smiled.
“I made her write a letter,” Radhagupta said, “in which she told him that it was Sushem who wanted to kill him. It was Sushem who had sent the attackers after him. Sushem wanted to destroy the thorn in his way to become Samrat. After that, she asked him to stop the Ashwamedha stallion as revenge.”
“Good.” Chanakya laughed. “And what do you think our Asoka will do on receipt of this letter?”
“He will want to confirm it,” Radhagupta said. “But being the young warrior that he is, once it is confirmed, his blood will boil for revenge.”
“”Then it is time we send one more letter, to my dear old friend, Maharaja Avarak,” Chanakya said.
“I have already sent it.” Radhagupta smiled.
“Excellent.” Chanakya said. “Now we must ready the other men too.”
Radhagupta smiled. “It’s working.�
� He said. “But soon, we shall require even more. Soon we shall require all the power you command. We will need the guards in your pay, your security.”
“All those things are already ours.” Chanakya said. “Think of the things that are not.
“If you are thinking of a fallacy,” Radhagupta said, “there is none.”
“Still there is doubt in your voice.” Chanakya pointed out.
“I know how to put Asoka on the throne.” Radhagupta said. “What next?”
Chanakya smiled. His toothless mouth showed. “Don’t you worry about the next part.” He said. “I have put men on thrones before. And held them there.”
Chanakya
Taxila, 50 years earlier
The priests chanted mantras as the crown was placed on Chandragupta’s head. The whole court was standing, and clapped as Chandragupta stood up.
“All hail the Raja of Taxila.” Everyone said. Then Chandragupta did something no one had ever seen any Raja doing. He bowed down to them. Everyone kept looking, speechless.
“I am thankful to you for the faith you have shown in me.” He said, once he had stood up. “And I promise you that I will not fail it, and govern by the values of compassion, progress and efficiency.”
I was standing in a corner, looking at my pupil and smiling. Chandragupta sat back down upon the throne. It was no longer Ambhi’s throne. It was Chandragupta’s throne now. Men came one by one to pay their respects.
I kept looking at one bearded man who was standing alone in a corner with two servants carrying a big chest. The symbol on the chest, I knew. I had just seen it some days ago. It was the sign of the Nandas.
The bearded man waited for his turn in the line and when it came, he walked ahead and the two servants carried the chest and placed it at the feet of the throne. The bearded man bent on one knee before Chandragupta.
“I hail the new Raja of Taxila.” He said.
Chandragupta sat up a little straighter. I had earlier briefed him on who this man was.
“I come on behalf of the Ambassador of the great Nanda Maharaja.” The bearded man said. “He sends his regards, and as a token of his appreciation, he sends you a trunk full of gifts.”
The two servants opened the trunk to reveal various kinds of jewels and statues.
The Prince of Patliputra Page 27