The Oath of The Vayuputras (23 page)
‘I KNOW WHAT I’D ASKED YOU TO DO! JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION WITH A SIMPLE YES OR NO!’
‘I’m sorry, Your Highness. No, the ships are nowhere near completion.’
‘By when will the job be done?’
‘If we stop doing everything else then I guess we should be ready in another six to nine months.’
Dilipa seemed to breathe easier. ‘That’s not so bad. Nothing’s going to happen in the next nine months.’
‘Yes, Your Highness.’
Emperor Dilipa was with Maharishi Bhrigu at the Ayodhya shipyard. The Meluhan brigadier, Prasanjit, stood at a distance.
Declining the hospitality which awaited him on landing, Bhrigu had headed directly for the shipyard. A flustered Dilipa had perforce followed him, courtiers and all. He gestured for Siamantak and all his courtiers to maintain a distance. He knew that Bhrigu was angry and expected an earful.
‘Your Highness,’ said Bhrigu slowly, keeping his temper on a tight leash, ‘you had promised me that your ships would be ready.’
‘I know, My Lord,’ said Dilipa softly. ‘But honestly, a few months’ delay is not going to hurt us. It has been many months since our attack on Panchavati. There has been absolutely no news of the Neelkanth. I’m sure we have succeeded. We don’t really need to be nervous. I honestly think that the likelihood of a war is substantially reduced.’
Bhrigu turned to Dilipa. ‘Your Highness, may I request that you leave the thinking to me?’
Dilipa immediately fell silent.
‘Was it not your suggestion to commandeer your trade ships and refit them for war?’
‘Yes it was, My Lord,’ said Dilipa.
‘I had suggested that we are not likely to fight naval battles on the Ganga. I had told you that we will only need transport ships, for which your trade ships were good enough.’
‘Yes, you had, My Lord.’
‘Yet you had insisted that in the likelihood of there being river battles, it would be a good idea to have battleships.’
‘Yes, My Lord.’
‘And I agreed on one condition alone – that the battleships would be ready in six months. Correct?’
‘Yes, My Lord.’
‘It has been seven months now. You have stripped down the trade ships but have still not refitted them. So now, seven months later, not only do we not have any battleships, but we also don’t have any trade-transport ships.’
‘I know it looks very bad, My Lord,’ said Dilipa, wiping his brow with his fingers. ‘But the pavement-dwellers here had gone on a hunger strike.’
A confused Bhrigu raised his hands in exasperation. ‘What does that have to do with the ships?’
‘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, Maharishi
ji
.’
‘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.’
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 – everybody being treated in accordance with the law with no special provisions for any particular people.