Chapter 5 - The Heart of a Ruler

Patliputra, Capital of Magadha

It was raining, again! PriamRaja grumbled as he sidestepped a pool of water before him.

Weak monsoon indeed! All these people of Magadha knew, was to crib!

The Purohita had advised him against making any adverse comments and alienating the people further, so PriamRaja controlled himself.

A smile lit up his face at the thought of the new Purohita, Atri. It was pure luck that Atri had fallen out of favor with the new king of Vatsa, Mahendra, and had taken shelter in his kingdom, Kalinga. At first PriamRaja thought it might be a trap, one couldn’t be too careful these days after all, but a background check had yielded some solid evidence.

Purohita Atri’s son, Chyavana, was an adept Politician. Atri had wanted him to take on the post of the Chief political advisor to King Mahendra. But Mahendra had chosen an old friend instead. Atri was a vocal man and things had gotten ugly. He left in a huff and moved out of Vatsa.

Vatsa’s loss had turned out to be Magadha’s gain. Not only did PriamRaja now have someone to give him accurate information about Vatsa, but he had also planted Chyavana as a spy in a remote village called Gangapur with the promise of a senior position at the Capital after the completion of the assignment.

PriamRaja’s hands began to shake. He looked at them in frustration. For years, the doctors had been asking him to control his aggression, but his temper and moods were beyond his control. The ambition for wealth, for power, was too strong. This coupled with great physical strength, combat skills and political cunning had driven him thus far. But now, at the age of 45, his body was failing him. The mind was still as sharp as before, and that made it worse. To have ambition, but not the physical ability to execute, was painful. He was frustrated.

The spiritually minded people accepted such events in life as a warning to slow down, to introspect, and redirect one’s life. But such philosophy didn’t help him, there was so much he wanted to achieve. Those timid souls couldn’t understand his drive ! , he thought.

He entered the meeting chamber. His son and Crown Prince, Vishvajit, was poring over the map of Magadha’s borders and Somadatta, his Chief of Defence, was by his side. He wanted Vatsa, and these were the people he would have to depend on for it.

‘Father, most of our borders with the Kingdom of Vatsa are along the Ganges River’ Vishvajit said as he saw the King walk up to them.

‘It raises the difficulty of attack. We need to find dry land for easier troop movement’ Somadatta added.

Vishvajit sensed his father’s reproach.

‘We are finding a way out. There will be a solution soon, we just told you since you were already here. ‘ Vishvajit said carefully.

‘Carry on then. Give me a plan in 2 days’

PriamRaja left the room. He needed to exert himself, that was the only way to calm his restlessness. A long walk and a visit to the Purohita should do the trick, he thought.

He walked at a brisk pace and turned his thoughts to his sons. Among his 2 sons, Vishvajit’s personality was closest to his, and yet, he lacked the drive and the aggression that PriamRaja possessed. PriamRaja wanted nothing less than to rule over the entire India. Vishvajit on the other hand, only sought to impress so that he may retain his position as Crown Prince. Such half-hearted effort was not enough for conquest, a conqueror needed to be hungry for victory and single-mindedly pursue it. His second son, Prajanya, was too timid and idealistic. A pacific person by nature, he was more interested in building a sound administration and ensuring a happy populace. On the face of it, the duo of Vishvajit and Prajanya looked like a good team - one expanding the kingdom and the other taking care of the administration. But Vishvajit lacked the drive and Prajanya’s ideas of good administration and a virtuous rule were expensive. The treasury coffers would be empty if that do-gooder had his way.

PriamRaja looked up. He had arrived at Atri’s quarters. These were the simplest accommodations in the Palace and not at all befitting a high-ranking official like the Purohita, but Atri had been insistent. Well, it was good that Atri wasn’t greedy , but it also made it difficult to manipulate him, PriamRaja thought. What he wanted from the Purohita was to train his sons so that they may have the same drive for conquest as himself. But Atri had a mind of his own and would be hard to persuade.

Atri was at his desk poring over the latest research. He had begun writing a book on Magadha. It served as a good cover for learning more about the Kingdom and its current administration, without arousing suspicion. King PriamRaja had given his wholehearted consent to the project when he learnt that the book would include his biography. After all, to have his name enshrined in history, that is every King’s dream.

‘King PriamRaja is here’ his personal attendant, Chandra, announced.

Atri rose to welcome the King.

PriamRaja looked at the spartan surroundings as he sat down. While they didn’t appeal to his current sensibilities, as a young soldier he too had delighted in his own ability to live with little. Alas, those times were long gone. His eyes fell on the sweets at the nearby table.

‘Ahh, would his highness like to taste these laddus? These are a speciality of our Kashi. My cook is an expert. ’ Atri said enthusiastically.

PriamRaja raised an eyebrow as he took one. So Atri still had a soft spot for his native city, Kashi, in Vatsa.

‘Well, Food knows no borders’ Atri said sheepishly, responding to PriamRaja’s surprised look.

Atri had refused all expensive gifts thus far. At Least now, PriamRaja knew what he could tempt Atri with.

‘I need your help , to train my sons’ he began.

‘Sons?’ Atri asked in surprise.

‘Ahh.. yes. I guess you haven’t met my younger son, Prajanya. He is studying at the university of Nalanda.’ PriamRaja said with a twinkle in his eye.

Atri was stunned.

‘Nalanda.’ He repeated in confusion.

PriamRaja chuckled. He was delighted to elicit this response from the usually imperturbable Atri.

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Nalanda was the famed university of Magadha. Prajanya had been studying at Nalanda under the assumed name of Sanjaya. All his councillors felt that his identity was better concealed by avoiding having any visible bodyguards or expansive lifestyle. PriamRaja had considered asking Prajanya to return to Kalinga before he attacked Magadha. But he knew the spies of King Ashwapati had been everywhere and it was more likely to attract their attention.

‘Yes, he was here during the attack.’, PriamRaja confessed.

Atri digested the news.

A bold move’, he complimented.

‘Training, what kind of training can I offer them ? Prince Vishvajit is already discharging his duties as Crown Prince and has handled several .. ‘ Atri continued.

‘No, No.. ‘ PriamRaja interjected.

‘I need you to mould them, to be more like me.’

Atri was silent. This was the toughest part of working for someone whom you didn’t respect, he realized. Atri was an aggressive man himself, but the difference between PriamRaja and him was that he had learnt to control his aggression and channel it for the greater good.

Being a spy didn’t mean he had the luxury of slackening or being insincere. Flattery also wouldn’t cut it because when you act against your true nature, the possibility of slipping up was higher. So how should he remain true to his nature and tell PriamRaja that there was nothing worth emulating, Atri mused.

‘When may I have the honour of meeting Prince Prajanya’, he finally ventured.

‘I can invite him whenever you like. All I want is for them to have the same drive..’ PriamRaja said enthusiastically.

‘You do realize.. ‘ Atri interrupted.

‘that each individual must make their own journey to achieve his or her highest potential. Imposed ambitions result in not only discontent but ,usually, mediocrity as well.’, he added.

PriamRaja looked away in exasperation. He didn’t need a spiritual sermon, what he needed was a fix to his problem. He cut short his visit and left with greater agitation than when he entered.

2 days later

Prince Prajanya alighted from his carriage. As he looked around him, the familiar heaviness engulfed him. It was always the same when he entered the corridors of power. The Royal Palace of Patliputra was no less imposing than that of Kalinga. He wondered why his father, King PriamRaja, had summoned him. Prajanya had watched his brother, Crown Prince, Vishvajit, reel under his father’s expectations. Being a spare Prince, Prajanya had been spared much of this misery. He hoped this was not about to change.

Looking up, he saw a man approach him.

‘Welcome, Your Highness.

King PriamRaja would like you to join him at the Public Hall. He is holding his first public meeting.’

‘This way please’

Prajanya followed the man to the Public Hall. It was packed to capacity. Either the people have high hopes or great grievances, he mused. Refusing a seat among the high ranking officials, Prajana went to the back of the Hall and stood in a corner.

‘Why isn’t he interested in our problems? Why conquer Magadha then?’, A man in the crowd whispered to his neighbor.

‘Probably to have another feather in his cap’, his neighbor muttered back.

Prajanya colored. He knew of his father’s disinterest in public welfare and had no doubt that the comments were just.

‘Bharadwaj from Dihipur’, the Court Officer announced.

A man made his way to the front of the Hall and stood before King PriamRaja.

‘Your Highness, my shop was destroyed during the war. I have nothing left. I have a family to feed … ‘, Bharadwaj began and went on to share the particulars of his losses.

Prajanya saw his father’s impatient face and felt a wave of sympathy for the destitute man.

‘A war is a war, what do you expect..’, His father began , but stopped.

A man was whispering something to his father. Prajanya had never seen him before, but guessing by his appearance and dress, he must be the Purohita , Prajanya thought.

The Purohita came forward.

‘What our King means is that what happens during war is quite unpredictable. How much ever we would like to keep everyone’s well-being in mind, things do go out of control at times. The King feels your pain.

Why don’t you speak to our brother Officer there and tell him about the skills you possess. We would be happy to tell you about the opportunities that we can offer.’

Bharadwaj looked mollified and nodded.

That was smooth, Prajanya thought. It certainly was a welcome departure from how things were handled earlier at Kalinga. He hoped they were not empty words though.

‘Today’s public meeting ends here.

His gracious majesty would like to assure you of his concern for the well-being of all the citizens of Magadha. All those who have grievances may feel free to approach him during the next public meeting’ The Court Officer concluded.

All the citizens began to file out and Prajanya slowly made his way to the front.

‘Father.’, he said, as he bowed to King PriamRaja.

‘Bless you. Bless you.’ PriamRaja said, vacillating between pleasure at seeing his son and frustration. For a moment he had wrestled with the wild idea of offering to make Prajanya Crown Prince if he conquered Vatsa, but one look at his face and PriamRaja was reminded of his meek personality. He would be wasting his breath, PriamRaja realized.

‘Have you met our new Purohita?’,PriamRaja enquired of his son.

‘Atriji was once Purohita at Vatsa and now, he comes to us.’,he added, with a flourish.

Ahh.. an acquisition from the neighborhood. No wonder his mannerisms are different from the other officials, Prajanya thought.

‘Greetings Purohitji.’, Prajanya said with folded hands.

‘Greetings, your highness.’, Atri replied, returning the gesture.

‘I understand you study at Nalanda University. I too was a student there, long back of course.’,Atri said.

‘Ohh… What a coincidence!’, Prajanya said with delight.

‘Some of my former classmates are now teaching at the University.

If his highness has time, perhaps we can chat, and I may inquire about my friends and former teachers?’, Atri asked with a smile.

‘Of Course Purohitji. It will be my pleasure.’, Prajanya replied.

‘Well, I will leave you both to get acquainted.’,King PriamRaja said.

‘Prajanya, Atriji is writing a book on Magadha. Please help him in any way you can.’, he added and left them.

‘I have chosen to live within the Palace, my quarters are close by. Perhaps your highness could join me’, Atri suggested.

They walked back to his accommodations in companionable silence.

‘A book on Magadha. How wonderful.’, Prajanya said, as he took a seat.

‘I hope you will not restrict yourself to the Capital though. I have travelled and seen a fair bit of Magadha. I do believe the beauty of its countryside, the self-governing system of the Panchayat and the rich village life deserve to be recorded for posterity’, Prajanya added.

Atri looked at Prajanya’s earnest face.

‘I did plan to travel and explore beyond the Capital. Perhaps, his highness could be my guide?, he asked.

‘It will be my pleasure.’, Prajanya replied and they shared a smile, a smile of having found a kindred soul.

Prajanya then went on to share his experiences and they discussed for long on what would be worth capturing from an administrative and historical perspective.

It was an invigorating discussion and Prajanya enjoyed himself. But it was now time for some serious talk.

‘I suppose Vatsa is father’s next target… and that is why you are here’, he said.

‘I believe so.’, Atri replied.

Prajanya sighed. Would there ever be a time for a peaceful reign?, he wondered.

‘Does being a pacifist, mean being a coward?’, he asked with some hesitation.

Atri looked at Prajanya’s conflicted face. It was the conflict between being filial and following his conscience and peaceful nature.

‘A saint said -

The essence of all knowledge consists in not committing violence. The doctrine of non-violence is nothing but the observance of equality, the realisation that just as I do not like misery, others also do not like it’, Atri offered in understanding.

Prajanya thanked Atriji for the insight, it was a balm to his inner conflict.

‘I should leave now. It is time I paid my respects to brother Vishvajit’, he said.

Atri sat down and reflected on his visitor, who had just left. Prajanya was like a ray of sunshine in this dark and often cruel environment. In fact, Prajanya reminded him of his own son, Chyavana. Atri’s thoughts shifted to his son’s situation. He wondered if Chyavana had found out more about the mysterious group called Gyanadoot. Vatsa’s spy network had informed them about this group and Sumedh had suggested that it would be good if we could join hands with them. The only information that the spies had gathered thus far was that the group’s operations were mostly focussed on the western border of Magadha. It was for this reason that Chyavana had taken up employment in that region.

It was time to get in touch with his son, Atri decided.