Scion of Ikshvaku (23 page)

‘These “disgusting, decadent Devas” and their descendants have been in power for centuries,’ said Lakshman aggressively. ‘They have created magnificent cities and a sparkling civilisation, while you have been living in a run-down pathetic camp in the middle of nowhere. Maybe it is you people who need to change your theory
and
practice, whatever it may be!’

‘Lakshman…’ said Ram, raising a hand to silence him.

‘This is nonsense,
Dada
.’ Lakshman would not relent. ‘How delusional can these people be? Don’t they see reality?’

‘Their only reality is their law, Lakshman. Change is difficult for the people of the masculine way of life. They are only guided by their law and, if that is out of sync with the times, it is very difficult for them to accept and initiate change; instead, more often than not, they will cling more strongly to the certainties of their law. We don’t see the attitude of the feminine civilisations towards change as open-minded and liberal; instead, to us, it appears fickle, corrupt and debauched.’

‘
We? Us
?’ asked Lakshman, frowning at Ram identifying himself with the masculine way.

Tadaka and Subahu keenly watched the exchange between the brothers. Subahu raised his balled fist to his heart, in an ancient Asura salute.

Ram asked Lakshman. ‘Do you think what was done to Dhenuka was wrong?’

‘I think the way the Asuras randomly kill people who do not agree with their interpretation of the
Ekam
is even more wrong.’

‘On that I agree with you. The Asura actions were not just wrong, they were evil,’ said Ram. ‘But I was talking about Dhenuka. Do you think what was done to him was wrong?’

Lakshman refused to respond.

‘Answer me, my brother,’ said Ram. ‘Was it wrong?’

‘You know I will not oppose you,
Dada
…’

‘I’m not asking what you will do. What do you
think
, Lakshman?’

Lakshman remained silent. But his answer was obvious.

‘Who is Dhenuka?’ asked Subahu.

‘A hardened criminal, a blot on society whose soul will atone for his deed for at least a million births,’ said Ram. ‘But the law did not allow for his execution. Had Shukracharya’s law not permitted it, no matter how heinous the crime, should he have been executed?’

Subahu didn’t need a moment to think. ‘No.’

Ram smiled ever so slightly as he turned to Lakshman. ‘The law applies equally to all. No exceptions. And the law cannot be broken. Except when…’

Lakshman turned away from him. He remained convinced that in Dhenuka’s case, justice had been served.

Ram turned to address the small band of Asuras. ‘Try to understand what I am saying to you. You are law-abiding people; you follow the masculine way. But your laws are not working anymore. They haven’t been for centuries, because the world has changed. That is what karma is trying to teach you, again and again. If karma is giving you a negative signal repeatedly, then it is not testing you, it is trying to teach you. You need to tap into the disciple in you and find a new Shukracharya. You need a new masculine way. You need new laws.’

Tadaka spoke up. ‘Guru Shukracharya had said that he would reincarnate when the time was ripe, to lead us to a new way…’

There was a long silence in the assemblage.

Tadaka and Subahu suddenly stood up in unison. They brought their balled right fists to their heart, as they bowed low to Ram; the traditional full Asura salute. Their soldiers sprang to their feet and followed suit, as did the women, children and the old.

Ram felt as if a crushing weight was suddenly placed on his chest and the wind knocked out of him. Guru Vashishta’s words entered his mind of their own volition.
Your responsibility is great; your mission is all-important. Stay true to it. Stay humble, but not so humble that you don’t accept your responsibilities.

Lakshman glared at the Asuras, and then at Ram, scarcely believing what was going on.

‘What would you have us do, My Lord?’ asked Tadaka.

‘Most Asuras live with the Vayuputras today, far beyond the western borders of India, in a land called Pariha,’ said Ram. ‘I want you to seek refuge there, with the help of the Malayaputras.’

‘But why would the Malayaputras help us?’

‘I will request them.’

‘What will we do there?’

‘Honour the promise that your ancestors made to Lord Rudra. You will work with the Vayuputras to protect India.’

‘But protecting India today means protecting the Devas…’

‘Yes, it does.’

‘Why should we protect them? They are our enemies. They are…’

‘You will protect them because that is what Lord Rudra ordered you to do.’

Subahu held his mother’s hand to restrain her. ‘We will do as you order, My Lord.’

Uncertain, Tadaka yanked her wrist out of her son’s grip. ‘But this is our holy land. We want to live in India. We cannot be happy outside of its sacred embrace.’

‘You will return eventually. But you cannot come back as Asuras. That way of life is over. You will return in a new form. This is my promise to you.’

FlyLeaf.ORG

Chapter 18
FlyLeaf.ORG

Lakshman had expected anger from the volatile Vishwamitra, instead he looked intrigued; even impressed. Lakshman did not know what to make of it.

The maharishi sat in
padmaasan
on the platform built around a banyan tree. His feet were placed on opposite thighs, facing upwards; the knotted tuft of hair at the back of his shaven head fluttered in the strong breeze. His white
angvastram
had been placed on the side.

‘Sit,’ commanded Vishwamitra. ‘This will probably take some time.’

Ram, Lakshman and Arishtanemi took their seats around him. Vishwamitra observed the Asuras standing quietly in the distance. They had not been tied up; Ram had insisted on that, to the consternation of the camp denizens. But it appeared that shackling them was not required, after all. They stood in a disciplined line, not moving from their positions. Arishtanemi had nevertheless kept thirty guards stationed around them, just in case.

Vishwamitra addressed Ram. ‘You have surprised me, prince of Ayodhya. Why did you disobey my direct order to kill all the Asuras? And what did you tell them to bring about this dramatic transformation? Is there some secret mantra that can suddenly civilise the uncivilised?’

‘I know even you don’t believe what you have just said, Guru
ji
,’ said Ram in a calm voice. ‘You don’t really think the Asuras are uncivilised; you cannot, for I have seen you worship Lord Rudra, and I know that the Asuras have joined the Vayuputras, the tribe that he left behind. The Vayuputras are your
partners in deed
, your
karmasaathis
. So, my suspicion is that you were trying to provoke me with what you just said. I find myself wondering, why?’

Vishwamitra’s eyes widened fractionally as they focused on Ram, to the exclusion of all others. But he did not give him an answer. ‘Do you really think these imbeciles are worth the effort of rescuing?’

‘But that question is immaterial, Guru
ji
. The question really is: why should they be wiped out? What law have they broken?’

‘They attacked my camp repeatedly.’

‘But they didn’t kill anyone. All they did the last time was burn a small portion of the hedge fencing. And they broke some of your mining equipment. Do these crimes deserve the death sentence under the laws of any
Smriti
? No. The laws of Ayodhya, which I always obey, clearly state that if the weak have not broken any law, then it is the duty of the strong to protect them.’

‘But my orders were explicit.’

‘Forgive me for being explicit too, Guru
ji
, but if you genuinely intended to kill these Asuras, then Arishtanemi
ji
would have easily done it for you. Your warriors are trained professionals. These Asuras are amateurs. I believe you brought us here because you knew that they would listen to the princes of Ayodhya, and no one else. You wanted to find a practical, non-confrontational solution to the problem they posed. Not only have I followed the law, but I’ve also delivered on what you truly wanted. What I fail to understand is why you did not want to reveal your true intentions to me.’

Vishwamitra wore an expression that was rare for this great Brahmin: one of bemused respect. He also felt outfoxed. He smiled. ‘Do you always question your guru like this?’

Ram remained silent. The unspoken answer was obvious. Vashishta, not Vishwamitra, was his guru. Ram was merely following the orders of his father in according Vishwamitra that stature.

‘You are right,’ Vishwamitra continued, ignoring the subtle slight. ‘The Asuras are not bad people; they just have an understanding of
dharma
that is not valid for today’s world. Sometimes, the followers are good but the leaders let them down. Sending them to Pariha is a good idea. They will find some purpose. We’ll arrange for their departure.’

‘Thank you, Guru
ji
,’ said Ram.

‘As for your original question, I’m not going to give you an answer right now. Maybe later.’

Within two weeks, a small group of Malayaputras had been readied, along with the Asuras, to undertake the journey to the hidden city of the Vayuputras, beyond the western borders of India. The Asuras had recovered completely from their injuries.

Vishwamitra stood at the gate of the Malayaputra camp, giving last-minute instructions to his men. Arishtanemi, Ram and Lakshman stood beside him. As the Malayaputra group walked away to mount their horses, Tadaka and Subahu approached Vishwamitra.

‘Thank you for this,’ said Tadaka, bowing her head low and folding her hands together into a namaste.

As Vishwamitra broke into a smile at the surprising display of manners from the Asura woman, Tadaka turned to Ram, her eyes seeking approval. Ram smiled his gentle appreciation.

‘Your fellow Asuras live in the west,’ said Vishwamitra. ‘They will keep you safe. Follow the setting sun and it will guide you home.’

Tadaka stiffened. ‘Pariha is not our home. This is our home, right here, in India. We have lived here for as long as the Devas have. We’ve lived here from the very beginning.’

Ram cut in. ‘And you will return when the time is right. For now, follow the path of the sun.’

Vishwamitra looked at Ram with surprise, but remained silent.

‘It didn’t work out the way we had planned, Guru
ji
,’ said Arishtanemi.

Vishwamitra was sitting by a lake, not far from the Malayaputra camp. Arishtanemi, as was his practice whenever he was alone with his master, had kept his sword close at hand, unsheathed and ready. He would need to move fast if anyone dared attack Vishwamitra.

‘You don’t seem particularly unhappy,’ said Vishwamitra.

Arishtanemi looked into the distance, avoiding eye contact with his leader. He was hesitant. ‘Honestly, Guru
ji
… I like the boy… I think he has…’

Vishwamitra narrowed his eyes and glared at Arishtanemi. ‘Don’t forget the one we have committed ourselves to.’

Arishtanemi bowed his head. ‘Of course, Guru
ji
. Can I ever go against your wishes?’

There was an uncomfortable silence. Vishwamitra took a deep breath and looked across the vast expanse of water. ‘Had the Asuras been killed in their camp by him, it would have proved … useful.’

Arishtanemi, wisely, did not contradict him.

Vishwamitra laughed ruefully, shaking his head. ‘Outwitted by a boy who wasn’t even trying to outwit me. He was just following his “rules”.’

‘What do we do?’

‘We follow plan B,’ said Vishwamitra. ‘Obvious, isn’t it?’

‘I have never been too sure about the other plan, Guru
ji
. It’s not like we have complete control over matters of—’

Vishwamitra did not allow him to complete his statement. ‘You are wrong.’

Arishtanemi remained silent.

‘That traitor Vashishta is Ram’s guru. I can never trust Ram as long as he continues to trust Vashishta.’

Arishtanemi had his misgivings, but kept quiet. He knew any discussion on the subject of Vashishta was one that was fraught with danger.

‘We will go ahead with the other plan,’ said Vishwamitra, with finality.

‘But will he do what we expect him to?’

‘We will have to use his beloved “rules” on him. Once it is done, I will have complete control over what will follow. The Vayuputras are wrong. I will show them that I am right.’

Two days after the Asuras left for Pariha, Ram and Lakshman woke up to feverish activity in the camp. Keeping to themselves, they stepped out of their hut and set out for the lake to offer early morning prayers to the Sun God and
Lord Rudra.

Arishtanemi fell into step alongside them. ‘We’ll be leaving soon.’

‘Thank you for letting us know, Arishtanemi
ji,
’ said Ram.

Ram noticed an unusually large trunk being carried out with great care. It evidently contained something heavy, for it was placed on a metallic palanquin which was being carried on the shoulders of twelve men.

‘What is that?’ asked Lakshman, frowning and instantly suspicious.

‘Something that is both Good and Evil,’ said Arishtanemi mysteriously, as he placed his hand on Ram’s shoulder. ‘Where are you going?’

‘For our morning prayers.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

Arishtanemi normally prayed to Lord Parshu Ram every morning. In the company of Ram and Lakshman, he also decided to pray to the great Mahadev, Lord Rudra. All Gods trace their divinity to the same source, after all.

They sat together on a large boulder on the banks of the lake, once the prayers were done.

‘I wonder whether Tadaka and her tribe will be able to cope with Pariha,’ said Arishtanemi.

‘I’m sure they will,’ said Ram. ‘They are easy to manage if they see you as one of their own.’

‘That appears to be the only way to handle them: keep them among their own. They find it impossible to get along with outsiders.’

‘I have been giving their ideas a lot of thought. The problem lies in the way they look upon the
Ekam
.’

‘The One God…?’

‘Yes,’ Ram said. ‘We’ve been told repeatedly that the
Ekam
lives beyond our world of illusion. He is beyond
gunas
, the
characteristics
of created things. For isn’t it
gunas
that create this world of illusion, of temporary existence, illusive because no moment in time lasts? Isn’t that why he is not only called
niraakaar
,
formless
; but also
nirguna
,
beyond characteristics
?’