‘My Lord,’ explained Dilipa patiently, ‘in my benevolence, I had decreed that no Ayodhyan shall be roofless. Of course, this onerous task was assigned to the Royal Committee of Internal Affairs, which looks after both housing as well as the royal shipyard. The committee has been seriously debating the execution of this grand scheme over the last three years. Following our last conversation though, I thought it fit to direct the committee to focus on building ships. The resultant neglect of the free housing scheme angered the pavement-dwellers to the point of mass agitation. Public order being paramount, I redirected the committee to concentrate on the housing scheme. I am glad to say that the seventh version of the housing report, which judiciously takes into account the views of all the citizens, should be ready soon. Once accepted, obviously the committee can then give its undiluted attention to the matter of building ships.’
Bhrigu was staring wide-eyed at Dilipa, stunned.
‘So you see, My Lord,’ said Dilipa, ‘I know this is not looking good, but things will be set right very soon. In fact, I expect the committee to start debating the shipyard issue within the next seven days.’
Bhrigu spoke softly, but his rage was at boiling point, ‘Your Highness, the future of India is at stake and your committee is debating?!’
‘But My Lord, debates are important. They help incorporate all points of view. Or else we may make decisions that are not...’
‘In the name of Lord Ram, you are the king! Fate has placed you here so you can make decisions for your people!’
Dilipa fell silent.
Bhrigu maintained silence for a few seconds, trying to control his anger, then spoke in a low voice. ‘Your Highness, what you do within your own kingdom is your problem. But I want the refitting of these ships to begin today. Understand?’
‘Yes, Maharishiji.’
‘How soon can the ships be ready?’
‘In six months, if my people work every day.’
‘Make those imbeciles work day and night and have them ready in three. Am I clear?
‘Yes, My Lord.’
‘Also, please have your cartographers map the jungle route from Ayodhya to the upper Ganga.’
‘Umm, but why should...’
Bhrigu sighed in exasperation. ‘Your Highness, I expect Meluha to be the real battleground. Your Ayodhya is not likely to be at risk. These ships were needed to get your army to Meluha quickly, if necessary. Since they are not going to be ready now, we need an alternative plan if war is declared within the next few months. I would need your army to cut through the jungles in a north-westerly direction and reach the upper Ganga, close to Dharmakhet. Farther on, you can use the new road built by the Meluhans to reach Devagiri. Obviously, since you will be cutting through jungles, this route will be slow and could take many months, but it’s better than reinforcements not getting to Meluha at all. And to ensure that your army does not get lost in the jungles, it would be good to have clear maps. I’m sure your commanders would want to reach Meluha in time to help your allies.’
Dilipa nodded.
‘Also, I will be surprised if Ayodhya is attacked directly.’
‘Of course. Why should anyone attack Ayodhya directly?’ asked Dilipa. ‘We have not harmed anyone.’
In truth, Bhrigu was not sure that Ayodhya would not be attacked. But he did not care. His only concern was the Somras. Meluha had to be protected in order to protect the Somras. Had it been possible to convince Dilipa to order the Ayodhyan army to leave for Devagiri right away, Bhrigu would not have hesitated to do so.
‘I will order the cartographers to map the route through the jungles, My Lord,’ said Dilipa.
‘Thank you, Your Highness,’ smiled Bhrigu. ‘By the way, I notice that even your wrinkles are disappearing. Has the blood in your cough reduced?’
‘Disappeared, My Lord. Your medicines are miraculous.’
‘A medicine is only as good as the patient’s responsiveness. All the credit is due only to you, Your Highness.’
‘You are being too kind. What you have done to my body is magical. But My Lord, my knee continues to trouble me. It still hurts when I...’
‘We’ll take care of that as well. Don’t worry.’
‘Thank you.’
Bhrigu gestured behind him. ‘Also, I have brought the Meluhan brigadier Prasanjit here. He will train your army on modern warfare.’
‘Ummm, but...’
‘Please ensure that your soldiers listen to him, Your Highness.’
‘Yes, My Lord.’
The two ships carrying Parvateshwar and his team had just docked at the river port of Vaishali, the immediate neighbour of Branga. Shiva had asked Parvateshwar to speak to the King of Vaishali, Maatali, and get his support for the Neelkanth. However, keeping in mind his decision to oppose the Mahadev and protect Meluha, Parvateshwar was of the opinion that it would be unethical of him to approach the king. Therefore, he had requested Anandmayi to carry out the mission.
Bhagirath, Anandmayi and Ayurvati were standing aft while they waited for the gangplank to be lowered on to the Vaishali port. Parvateshwar, having opted to stay back, had decided to practise his sword skills with Uttanka on the lead ship. The waiting party gazed at the exquisite Vishnu temple dedicated to Lord Matsya, built very close to the river harbour. They bowed low towards the first Lord Vishnu.
‘You will have to excuse me,’ said Bhagirath, turning towards Anandmayi.
‘Are you planning on leaving for Ayodhya right away?’ asked Anandmayi.
‘Yes. Why delay it? I intend to take the second ship and sail up the Sarayu to Ayodhya. The Vaishali King’s allegiance is a given. He is blindly loyal to the Neelkanth. Your meeting him is a mere formality. I may as well concentrate on the other task that the Lord Neelkanth has given me.’
‘All right,’ said Anandmayi.
‘Go with Lord Ram’s blessings, Bhagirath,’ said Ayurvati.
‘You too,’ said Bhagirath.
While the lead ships of Shiva’s convoy berthed at the main Assi Ghat of Kashi, the others docked at the Brahma Ghat nearby. Along with a large retinue, King Athithigva waited in attendance for the ceremonial reception. On cue, drummers beat a steady rhythm and conches blared as Shiva stepped onto the gangplank. Ceremonial aartis and a cheering populace added to the festive air. Their living god had returned.
King Athithigva bowed low and touched Shiva’s feet as soon as he stepped onto the Assi Ghat.
‘Ayushman bhav, Your Highness,’ said Shiva, blessing King Athithigva with a long life.
Athithigva smiled, his hands folded in a respectful Namaste. ‘A long life is not of much use if we are not graced with your presence here in Kashi, My Lord.’
Shiva, always uncomfortable with such deference, quickly changed the subject. ‘How have things been, Your Highness?’
‘Very well. Trade has been good. But rumours have been going around that the Neelkanth is to make a big announcement soon. Is that so, My Lord?’
‘Let us wait till we get to your palace, Your Highness.’
‘Of course,’ said Athithigva. ‘I should also tell you that I have received word through a fast sailboat that Queen Kali is on her way to Kashi. She is just a few days’ journey behind you. She should be here soon.’
With raised eyebrows, Shiva instinctively looked upriver from where Kali’s ship would inevitably sail. ‘Well, it will be good to have her here as well. We have a lot to plan for.’
Chapter 13
Escape of the Gunas
A delighted Shiva embraced Veerbhadra as Sati hugged Krittika. The duo had just entered Shiva’s private chamber in the Kashi palace.
Veerbhadra and Krittika had had an uneventful journey through Meluha. Their reception at the village where the Gunas had been housed had taken them by surprise. There were no soldiers, no alarm, nothing out of the ordinary. Clearly, the Gunas were not being targeted as leverage against the Neelkanth. The system-driven Meluhans had achieved what their system had conceived – everybod
y being treated in accordance with the law with no special provisions for any particular people.
‘Didn’t you face any trouble?’ asked Shiva.
‘None,’ said Veerbhadra. ‘The tribe lived just like everyone else, in comfortable egalitarianism. We quickly bundled them into a caravan and quietly escaped. We arrived in Kashi a few months later.’
‘That means they’re not aware as yet of my escape at the Godavari,’ said Shiva. ‘Or else they would have arrested the Gunas.’
‘That is the logical conclusion.’
‘But it also means that if any Meluhan happens to check the Guna village and finds them missing, they will assume that I’m alive and am planning a confrontation.’
‘That is also a logical conclusion. But there’s nothing we can do about that, can we?’
‘No, there isn’t,’ agreed Shiva.
‘Didi!’ smiled Kali as she embraced her sister.
‘How are you doing, Kali?’ asked Sati.
‘I’m tired. My ship had to race down the Chambal and Ganga to catch up with you!’
‘Nice to meet you after so many months, Kali,’ said Shiva.
‘Likewise,’ said Kali. ‘How was Ujjain?’
‘A city that is worthy of Lord Ram,’ said Shiva.
‘Is it true that some of the Vasudevs have accompanied you here?’
‘Yes, including the chief Vasudev himself, Lord Gopal.’
Kali whistled softly. ‘I was not even aware of the chief Vasudev’s name till just the other day and now it looks like I will be meeting him soon. The scenario must be really grim for him to emerge from his seclusion like this.’
‘Change doesn’t happen easily,’ said Shiva. ‘I don’t expect the supporters of the Somras to fade into the sunset. The Vasudevs in fact believe the war has already begun, regardless of whether it has been declared or not. That it’s just a matter of time before actual hostilities break out. I agree.’
‘Is that why my ship was dragged into the Assi River?’ asked Kali. ‘I was worried that it might not make it into the harbour. This river is so small that it should actually be called a culvert!’
‘That is for the ship’s protection, Kali,’ said Shiva. ‘It was Lord Athithigva’s idea. The Kashi harbour, just like the city, is not protected by any walls. Our enemies may hesitate to attack the city itself due to their faith in Lord Rudra’s protective spirit over Kashi. But any ships anchored on the Ganga would be fair game.’
‘Hence the decision to move the ships into the Assi, which as you know, flows into the Ganga,’ said Sati. ‘The channel at the mouth of the river is narrow, thus not more than one enemy ship can come through at a time. Our ships therefore can be easily defended. Also, the Assi flows through the city of Kashi. Most Chandravanshis would not want to venture within, believing that the spirit of Lord Rudra would curse them for harming Kashi, even by mistake.’
Kali raised her eyebrows. ‘Using an enemy’s own superstition against him? I like it!’
‘Sometimes good tactics can work better than a sword edge,’ said Shiva, grinning.
‘Aah,’ said Kali, smiling. ‘You’re only saying that because you haven’t encountered my sword!’
Shiva and Sati laughed convivially.
Shiva and his core group were in the main hall of the grand Kashi Vishwanath temple. Athithigva had stepped into the inner sanctum, along with the main pandit of the temple, to offer prasad to the idols of Lord Rudra and Lady Mohini. He returned thereafter with the ritual offerings made to the gods.
‘May Lord Rudra and Lady Mohini bless our enterprise,’ said Athithigva, offering the prasad to Shiva.
Shiva took the prasad with both hands, swallowed it whole and ran his right hand over his head, thus offering his thanks to the Lord and Lady for their blessings. Meanwhile, the temple pandit distributed the prasad to everybody else. The ceremonies over, Athithigva sat down with the group to discuss the strategy for the war ahead. The pandit was led out of the temple by Kashi policemen and the entrance sealed. No one was to be allowed into the premises for the duration of the meeting.
‘My Lord, my people are forbidden any acts of violence except if it is in self-defence,’ said Athithigva. ‘So we cannot join the campaign actively with you. But all the resources of my kingdom are at your command.’
Shiva smiled. The peace-loving Kashi people would, in any case, not really make good soldiers. He had no intention of leading them into battles. ‘I know, King Athithigva. I would not ask anything of your people that they would be honour-bound to refuse. But you must be able to defend Kashi if attacked, for we intend to house many of our war resources here.’
‘We will defend it to our last breath, My Lord,’ said Athithigva.
Shiva nodded. He did not really expect the Chandravanshis to attack Kashi. He turned towards Gopal. ‘Panditji, there are many things that we need to discuss. To begin with, how do we keep the Chandravanshis out of the war theatre in Meluha? Secondly, what strategy should we adopt with Meluha?’
‘I think what Lord Ganesh and Kartik suggested is an excellent idea,’ said Gopal. ‘Let us hope we can rope in Magadh to our side.’
‘Easier said than done,’ said Kali. ‘Surapadman would be compelled by his father to seek vengeance for his stupid brother Ugrasen. And I don’t propose handing over Ganesh for what was, in fact, a just execution.’
‘So what are you suggesting, Kali?’ asked Sati.
‘Well, I’m suggesting that we either fight Magadh right away or we tell them that we will investigate and hand over the Naga culprit as soon as we lay our hands on him.’
Sati instinctively held Ganesh’s hand protectively.
Kali laughed softly. ‘Didi, all I’m suggesting is that we make Surapadman think that we are going to hand him over. That way, we can buy some time and attack Ayodhya.’
‘Are you saying that we lie to the Magadhans, Your Highness?’ asked Gopal.
Kali frowned at Gopal. ‘All I’m saying is we be economical with the truth, great Vasudev. The future of India is at stake. There are many who are counting on us. If we have to taint our souls with a sin for the sake of greater good, then so be it.’
‘I will not lie,’ said Shiva. ‘This is a war against Evil. We are on the side of Good. Our fight must reflect that.’
‘Baba,’ said Ganesh. ‘You know I would agree with you under normal circumstances. But do you think the other side has maintained the standards you are espousing? Wasn’t the attack on us at Panchavati an act of pure deception and subterfuge?’
‘I don’t believe it is wrong to attack an unprepared enemy. Yes, their using daivi astras can be considered questionable. Even so, two wrongs don’t make a right. I will not lie to win this war. We will win it the right way.’
Kartik remained silent. Whereas he agreed with the pragmatism of Ganesh’s words, he was inspired by the moral clarity in Shiva’s.
Gopal smiled at Shiva. ‘Satyam vada. Asatyam mavada.’
‘What?’ asked Shiva.
Kali spoke up. ‘It’s old Sanskrit. “Speak the truth, never speak the untruth”.’
Sati smiled. ‘I agree.’
‘Well, I know some old Sanskrit too,’ said Kali. ‘Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat, na bruyat satyam apriyam.’
Shiva raised his hands in dismay, ‘Can we cut out the old Sanskrit one-upmanship? I don’t follow what you people are saying.’
Gopal translated for Shiva. ‘What Queen Kali said means “Speak the truth in a pleasing manner, but never speak that truth which is unpleasant to others”.’
‘It’s not my line,’ said Kali, turning to Shiva. ‘It can be attributed to a sage of yore, I’m sure. But I think it makes sense. We don’t have to reveal to Surapadman that we know who his brother’s killer is. All we need to motivate him to do, is to wait till after we have attacked Ayodhya before choosing his friends and his enemies. His ambition will guide him in the direction that we desire.’
‘The walls of Ayodhya are impregnable,’ warned
Gopal, drawing attention to another factor. ‘We might be able to bog them down, but we won’t be able to destroy the city.’
‘I know,’ said Ganesh. ‘But our aim is not to destroy Ayodhya. It is to ensure that their navy is unable to sail their forces over to Meluha. Our main battle will be in Meluha.’
‘But what if Surapadman attacks from the rear after we have laid siege on Ayodhya?’ asked Gopal. ‘Caught between Ayodhya in front of us and Surapadman behind us, we could get destroyed.’
‘Actually, no,’ said Ganesh. ‘Surapadman attacking us from behind would make things easier for us. It’s when he moves out of Magadh that we’ll make our move.’
Shiva, Kartik and Sati smiled; they understood the plan.
‘Brilliant,’ exclaimed Parshuram.
The rest turned to Parshuram for a whispered explanation on the side.
‘You don’t have to lie,’ continued Kali to Shiva. ‘Refrain from telling Surapadman the entire truth, except for those portions which will make him pause. Let his ambition play out the rest. We require him to allow our ships to pass through the confluence of the Sarayu and Ganga, towards Ayodhya. Once that is done we will achieve our objective one way or the other; either by holding Ayodhya back or by destroying the Magadhan army.’
Shiva’s brief nod acknowledged his assent. ‘But what about Meluha? Should we launch a frontal attack with all our might? Or, should we adopt diversionary tactics to distract their armies while a small group searches for the secret Somras facility and destroys it?’
‘Our Branga and Vaishali forces will battle in Magadh and Ayodhya, leaving the Vasudevs and the Naga armies for the Meluhan campaign,’ said Sati. ‘So we will have much smaller forces in Meluha. Of course, they will be exceptionally well-trained and will have superb technological skills, like the fire-spewing elephant corps that the Vasudevs have developed recently. But we have to respect the Meluhan forces; they’re equally well-trained and technologically adept.’
‘So are you suggesting that we avoid a direct attack?’ asked Shiva.