Bride of the City Volume 1, page 30
‘That is terrible, Kundani! Will you do nothing about it?’
‘I only said I could not have stopped the trade. Of course, we must save the princess. But will you have the courage?’
‘Will I?’ Somprabh said and looked into her eyes.
She waited for him to speak.
‘I am still weaker than I was. But be sure of this: if King Prasenjit is proud of his General Bandhul, I alone will smash that pride. I will avenge the defeat of Magadha.’
‘Will you be able to do this alone?’
‘Not alone. My sword and I will do this.’
‘It is well that you have so much faith in your sword. I cannot promise you help here.’
‘Why are you so callous about the princess? Why did you bring her here to put her in this miserable state?’
‘I saved her from a worse misfortune.’
‘Then save her one more time.’
‘I can. But not with your plan. With mine.’
Somprabh held back his natural response, keeping in mind all that they had been through together. ‘What is your plan?’ He asked.
‘I will tell you. First, tell me: do you have the courage?’
Somprabh’s temple throbbed. ‘Do you not see my sword?’ Two men turned to look at the two of them. Somprabh glared at them, and they moved on with haste.
‘The sword again! Brother, the sword is useless!’
‘What is useful?’
‘Skill.’
‘Do you mean your death kiss?’
‘No, no, Som. This is not the Asur’s den, this is Sravasti. I am sure I don’t need to tell you the executioner’s axe awaits us if we are exposed as Magadhans, for they will treat us as spies.’
‘Tell me about your plan.’
‘We are Magadhans – defeated Magadhans.’
‘I do not accept that.’
‘There is no point in denying it. But, once again, will you dare to do what I suggest?’
‘You test me! Say what you have in mind now. Tell me what to do.’
Kundani laughed. ‘That is the plan! I will tell you what to do.’
Som could not help laughing. ‘You may as well tell me now.’
Kundani looked around her. The paradox was that discussing a secret in that noisy meat market, now working at a feverish pitch, was safe. No one was paying attention to them, and none could have overheard them.
‘You and I will break into the harem.’
Somprabh crossed his arms and looked at her. ‘How?’
‘Dressed as women.’
‘What! How will we do that?’
‘Som, trust me. I shall manage the clothes and disguise. But that is where courage lies. Not charging ahead with your sword. Are you up to it?’
Somprabh looked at her earnest face and remembered all they had been through together. ‘For you, with you, I may as well do this.’ He broke into a broad grin.
It relieved Kundani to see the fire in him still intact, although the events of the dash from Champa had physically weakened him. She looked askance at him. ‘Hmm – for me? Or for the princess?’
‘Think what you like, dear Kundani’, Somprabh said.
‘Very well. Now come with me.’
‘Where do we go?’
‘To the chief minister.’
‘What, Arya Varshkar? Are you saying he is here?’
‘Yes. First, you must rest, eat and bathe. We shall wait for night to fall before going to him.’
‘Let us go.’
They walked out of the slave market, into a maze of crooked streets.
CHAPTER 65
Two Stalwarts
An old house stood outside the city. Its front yard had a colossal statue of a yaksha, a spirit. Most of the house was underground, and its entrance was through a cave. The statue was made of black stone, and it took on an eerie persona in the darkness. People from the city avoided this area. Sometimes, troubled visitors recited a prayer to the spirit, lit a lamp and stayed for some time in the cave. It was rumoured that the spirit’s anger could cause a man’s head to roll. At night-time, the residents of Sravasti made themselves scarce.
Kundani brought Somprabh to this house at night. She held Som’s hand tight and drew him into the pitch dark cave. Som followed her, groping with his right hand for any obstacles. After what felt an eternity, they saw light at the end of the tunnel. Feeble at first, like the glimmer of a firefly, its intensity increased with each step. As they drew near, Somprabh saw it came from a candle. A man sat erect below the large emitting the light. It was Arya Varshkar. He was the picture of concentration, writing in furious spurts and pausing to think between phrases. When they were within a few steps of him, he looked up, acknowledged their bows and motioned for them to sit. He finished writing, read the scroll through, and closed his eyes to think. Then he sealed the scroll with his clay seal and set aside his quill.
He looked at Somprabh with a stony face. ‘Somprabh, young man, the emperor lost the battle before we could be with him.’
Somprabh choked as he said, ‘I realised that, Arya.’
‘Now, Acharya Vadrayan Vyas has sent me a message. The emperor has reached Rajgrih. I need to get back too as soon as possible. Rajgrih is under attack from Pradyot and Avantivarman. I think I know how to deal with those two. But I have a mission to complete here. What time is it?’
‘One watch is over, Sir’, Somprabh said.
‘Then, Som, keep this letter. Guard it well. I know you will, but I mention the need to do so for a reason. Give it to General Udayi. He is trying his best to reassemble the scattered Magadhan main army. We have a target that he must achieve. It is simple: get the army together, wait for the right occasion and destroy this Rajsuya Yagya that King Prasenjit is conducting.’
Somprabh digested this. ‘Arya, do you have any orders about King Prasenjit himself?’
‘No specific orders. Do the right thing, at the right time. He is our enemy.’
‘Prince Vidudhab?’
‘Protect his life. You know why.’
‘As you order, Arya!’ Somprabh felt a new vigour coursing through his veins.
‘Daughter Kundani, you must insert yourself into the harem. And keep in mind, Bandhul Malla is our primary target.’
‘As you order, Arya!’ Kundani said.
‘And one more thing. This is important: Uppali, the potter, is our friend. Keep that in mind. You will find him useful when the time comes.’
‘That is all. Bless you both!’
Kundani and Somprabh bowed devoutly and stepped away. The chief minister of Magadha did not rest for long before picking up another scroll and picking up the quill to write again. His concentration on the task did not prevent him from hearing hesitant footsteps coming his way. He threw aside the quill, picked up his sword and stood up in fluid movements.
‘Who is there?’ A soft voice asked.
‘If it is Yogandharayan who asks, the humble Varshkar welcomes him.’
Soon, Yogandharayan stepped into view. ‘May you be well, friend, may you be well!’ He said.
They embraced with the fervour of two old friends meeting after a long time.
‘Be well, my friend’, Yogandharayan said, his voice deep with emotion.
‘And you, my friend, and you’, Arya Varshkar said. He had cast aside his impersonal, stern shell and his fondness showed in his eyes.
They sat down, looking at each other. It was not often that the two great masterminds of the world were in the same room.
Yogandharayan spoke first. He said, ‘I am responsible for the defeat of Magadha, my friend!’
‘Do I not know that, friend? But I do not blame you.’
‘I am happy about that. King Prasenjit had mounted the campaign with a single goal: Kalingasena.’
‘I only wonder why Lady Kalingasena set aside King Udayan’s love to accept the advances of the old man.’
‘I am afraid it was my doing, friend.’
‘I see. Does she know about King Prasenjit’s age and condition?’
‘Why not?’
‘Then, why?’
‘I came in the way.’
‘Why so?’
‘For Kaushambhi’s sake.’
‘Has the wise Yogandharayan perhaps underestimated the value of Gandhar’s friendship? It could have extended King Udayan’s reach to the northern Kurus.’
‘That is so, that is so. Since King Udayan played a positive role in the Dev-Asur wars, King Indra of the Devs has been a close friend of King Udayan.’
‘That is well. But – I am still not clear – what came in the way of the love between King Udayan and Princess Kalingasena?’
‘I could not allow the king of Avanti to be offended. As you know, after his daughter was abducted, it was an uphill task to please him. And his continued pleasure is essential to my kingdom, Kaushambhi’s well-being. We could not afford a marriage between King Udayan and Kalingasena.’
Arya Varshkar absorbed this and nodded. ‘That is what I surmised. May I ask why the chief minister of Kaushambhi, the great Yogandharayan, does not set much stock by the friendship of Emperor Bimbisar?’ He smiled to show he was not making any threat.
‘Why would I not?’ Yogandharayan smiled back. ‘The chief minister of Magadha knows well that in an earlier era, I went so far as to declare Vasavadatta dead to ease King Prasenjit’s marriage to Princess Padmavati of Magadha. That proves the importance I have assigned to relations between Kaushambhi and Magadha. And in my humble opinion, perhaps the dependence in these troubled times is mutual. Perhaps the two – Magadha and Kaushambhi – need each other more than they did in the past.’
‘I am relieved to hear these views, friend’, Arya Varshkar said. ‘You know the king of Avanti has become openly hostile to us. Emperor Bimbisar also opposed King Udayan’s marriage to Princess Kalingasena.’
Yogandharayan laughed. ‘I understand that. The emperor knows that a union between Kaushambhi and Gandhar only means he must spend much nervous energy worrying about the threat from his north-west. In fact, Magadha taking on and demolishing Kosala serves Kaushambhi’s interests. May I also state that King Udayan expected Magadha to be able to deal a body blow to Kosala on its own?’
‘Friend Yogandharayan, Magadha’s campaign against Kosala is not finished. I, Varshkar, am still alive.’
‘The wise old Varshkar’s name carries weight for a reason.’ Yogandharayan bowed slightly. ‘I am pleased the king of Kaushambhi, and I have the friendship of Emperor Bimbisar and you.’
‘The emperor has always seen a friend in the king of Kaushambhi.’
‘And the king will be pleased to learn this confirmed today.’
‘Be well, friend’, Arya Varshkar said.
After Yogandharayan had left, Varshkar ordered the items around him neatly and dressed for a journey. Then he strode out into the darkness. At the entrance, he clapped his hands in a pattern. A man appeared in an instant. Varshkar made a gesture with his eyes.
The man bowed. ‘I am ready, Arya!’
‘Very well. Is my horse ready?’
‘Yes, Arya.’
Varshkar pulled his robe tighter around him and walked to the horse.
CHAPTER 66
Vidudhab’s Diplomacy
King Prasenjit and Bandhul Malla were engaged in a hushed conversation. Prasenjit’s lips pursed when he was not talking, his forehead creased, and his eyebrows knit together. He gesticulated with his closed fist to reinforce his points.
A shadow fell over them. Prince Vidudhab had entered the hall.
The king said, ‘Come, Prince, sit down. You left suddenly for Sravasti, without a word to me.’
‘I had to leave, Your Majesty.’
‘Why?’
‘An important message.’
‘I see. What was it?’
‘May I speak freely?’
‘Yes, Prince.’
‘I received news.’
‘Yes, what news?’
‘Unwelcome news.’
‘From where?’
‘The border.’
‘Speak now. What was the news?’
‘The king of Kaushambhi will attack us at the peak of the Rajsuya Yagya.’
‘Is that so? General Karayan knows nothing of any such plans, and he has been at the border for weeks. I hold his letter in my hand.’
‘I too have a letter, Your Majesty.’
‘Whose letter is it?’
‘General Karayan’s.’
‘And to whom is it addressed?’
‘To a friend of his.’ Vidudhab handed over a scroll to the king who gave it to Bandhul Malla and ordered him to read it.
Bandhul Malla’s eyes traced the letter’s contents before reading it aloud. He gulped, shook his head in disbelief, and turned it over to the blank side, flipping it a few times.
‘What is the matter, Bandhul? Read the letter!’
Bandhul sighed and read the words out halting as if struggling to make sense of them. ‘Right on … the day the army of Kaushambhi will attack Sravasti. I shall pretend to oppose the attack, but please understand that on the ground, I am aligned to support it. Keep a force of city guards ready. What you want to achieve many elude you if you do not.’
King Prasenjit stood up. ‘Does it have Karayan’s signature?’
‘Yes, Your Majesty!’ Bandhul Malla was fuming now.
‘To whom was the letter written?’ King Prasenjit asked.
‘To the Mayor.’
Prasenjit turned to Vidudhab. ‘How did you come to know if this?’ He was shouting now.
‘A spy told me. I cannot disclose the source to anyone.’
‘And why did you go to Sravasti?’
‘To check the city’s defences and speak face-to-face with my spy, whom I summoned back to the city.’
The three of them were silent for a few moments. Prasenjit asked Vidudhab, ‘What do you recommend now, young man?’
‘I would leave it to General Bandhul Malla. He has our trust, and we know he is steadfast.’
‘Yes, but I would like to hear your advice.’
‘But Your Majesty, you know that you and I do not see things in the same way.’
‘But, son, the matter is Kosala’s honour!’
‘And that led me to Sravasti. I seek to protect the honour of Kosala.’
Prasenjit nodded. He turned to Bandhul Malla. ‘Bandhul, go to the border yourself. Take charge there, imprison Karayan and send him here.’
‘I object, Your Majesty!’ Vidudhab said before Bandhul Malla could respond.
‘Why is that, Son?’ Prasenjit frowned.
‘We need the general here.’
‘True enough, but we need him even more at the border.’
‘I propose to station the general’s twelve men there. The seriousness of the situation demands that all of them control it. They have experience and our trust.’
‘All of them stationed at the border? Each of them has official duties here’, Prasenjit said.
‘I know. But we had a working administration before them, even if it was not as good as it now is. I shall take on their responsibilities, and take help from my aides’, Vidudhab said.
The three men pondered for a while in silence. Bandhul Malla did not speak.
King Prasenjit said, ‘Bandhul, I made up my mind. Your men will go to the border with a force of twenty thousand soldiers.’
Vidudhab interjected. ‘Your Majesty, I have a better plan. We cannot organise such mobilisation in secret. General Bandhul’s twelve men should travel as special ambassadors to Kaushambhi. They should invite King Udayan to the Rajsuya Yagya and watch his reactions. Depending on his response, they should start arranging an official welcome for him as a State’s guest at the border. That will give them a ceremonial reason to be on the ground. Another person should then organise the army movement in small groups. It should seem to be part of the general mobilisation and should not set off any warnings from Kaushambhi’s spies.’
King Prasenjit and Bandhul nodded their assent. King Prasenjit asked, ‘Who will organise the additional force? It is no small task.’
‘That is a task for General Bandhul’, Vidudhab said.
Bandhul spoke for the first time. ‘That shall be done. The prince has thought this through well. But what of Karayan?’
Vidudhab said, ‘we should summon him to the capital right away. Once he is here, the king can decide the course of action.’
Prasenjit trembled with excitement. He said, ‘General Bandhul, issue the orders today. Right away! Prince, go to Sravasti and be ready to assume your new duties as soon as the general has issued the orders.’
When Vidudhab left for Sravasti, his friend Kaumarbhritya travelled with him.
CHAPTER 67
The Beginning of the Rajsuya Yagya
Spring was in full bloom. The fragrance of the breeze, the colours of flowers and the lush greenery of the surrounding forests seemed to welcome the great King Prasenjit’s Rajsuya Yagya. All of Sravasti was being decorated and renovated, with men working round the clock for this once-in-a-lifetime ceremony. Buntings, flags and swastikas adorned every street. Water had been sprinkled on the roads for days to make them less dusty. Massive-scale incense burning made the city smell of sandalwood. These preparations had induced citizens and visitors to spend more time outdoors, and the town had a festive mood.
King Prasenjit had left Saket for Sravasti and entered the city at the head of a triumphant procession. Dressed in all his finery, he sat on the royal elephant, with the twelve Mallas – as Bandhul’s men were known – guarding him on horseback. The procession that wound its way to the palace included ambassadors, nobles, village chiefs, Brahmans, monks, merchants and forest-dwelling sages with matted hair.
In the palace, the king entered first to greet his wives. Chief Queen Mallika led a ceremony in which he was worshipped and welcomed back. Then he returned to the general assembly and formally received the invited dignitaries. He took care to also acknowledge each of the notables of Sravasti. A large, open area had been designated for the gifts presented by the guests. The Head of the Republican Council of Kamboj had sent unique objects from the northern path. These included clothing from Nandinagar made from the fur of sheep, cats and mice, and inlaid with gold work. Some dignitaries gifted horses, mules and camels of exceptional quality. From Kuru and Panchala came horses that could gallop like the wind and from Assak, Kalinga, Kampila, Videha and Kashi, valuable carriages, furniture, dresses, ivory armour pieces, decorative arms and ceremonial chariots complete with trained horses to draw them. The king of Sakal sent gifts of gold coins and hundreds of slave women. Madra gifted his kingdom’s special sandalwood in golden pitchers, and fine cloth made of golden thread. The gifts’ inventory ran into many scrolls and was still being compiled. The largest single present was from Emperor Bimbisar – he sent a hundred elephants caparisoned in gold, and a hundred of the best horses in the land.
