Chankya's Chant (44 page)

‘Seleucus is stationed far away, darling. It’s hardly likely that he would know about the wanton life of his precious daughter who decided to stay back in Bharat,’ offered Chandragupta comfortingly.

‘I wish to marry you, Chandragupta. There’s no man I’ve loved more. Why must we go through this unbearable secrecy each time to be with one another?’

‘Your father will have no option but to offer your hand in marriage to me—I shall make sure of that. But for that to happen, I must be king of Magadha. You shall be part of a political treaty—the prize that I long for, my sweet Cornelia.’

‘And how will that happen? Besides installing your classmate Sinharan on the throne of a modest kingdom, what else have you and the acharya actually achieved? It may take ages for you to become emperor and by that time you may not even be able to perform!’ she teased.

‘Sweetheart. Let’s get married right here, right now!’ said Chandragupta suddenly serious, taking her completely by surprise.

‘How? No fire? No priest? No guests?’ asked an intrigued Cornelia.

‘In our ancient Hindu scriptures there are eight types of marriage. One of them—legally recognised by the scribes—is known as a
Gandharva Vivah
. It’s a simple secret ceremony between man and woman with no third party present. We simply garland each other, exchange vows, kiss, and there you have it. It’s done!’

‘But I can’t come and live with you, Chandragupta. My father will slay us both. He’ll get very angry if I’m seen to be going against his wishes,’ argued Cornelia.

‘I agree. Our marriage should remain secret. You should continue to live your life independently until we get married officially. At least we’ll live in the comfort of knowing that we’re betrothed,’ said Chandragupta with a twinkle in his eyes. He quickly took off his silken shoulder wrap and efficiently tore from it two thin strips. He began picking up the flowers that lay strewn on the grass and tying them, using small knots to the silk. Cornelia started on the second garland. Within a few minutes they were both holding crude but love-inspired garlands, eagerly waiting to put them around each other’s necks.

Both stood up and faced one another. Chandragupta tenderly placed his garland around Cornelia’s neck and, holding her face, said, ‘My dearest, sweetest love. I promise to worship you for the rest of my life. I shall protect you with my life and shall always honour and cherish you. From this day onwards you’re my wife, before the eyes of God.’ With tears in her eyes at the intensity of the moment, Cornelia placed her garland around Chandragupta and whispered, ‘My husband, my life, my love. Nothing has ever given me more joy than to wed you. I promise to be ever faithful to you and to always respect and obey you. You are, and always shall be, my one and only true love.’

Chandragupta pulled her towards him, took her in his arms and kissed her with ardent passion. He hadn’t comprehended that obeying his acharya’s wishes would be so much fun. He wondered at what point the acharya’s instructions had ended and his love for Cornelia had begun.

As husband and wife embraced under the simsapa tree, Cornelia asked, ‘Now that we’re married secretly, what needs to be done to make it official?’

‘A political treaty between Chandragupta and Seleucus,’ replied her husband.

‘Why would my father sign such an alliance with you?’

‘If he saw himself losing his grip on his provinces in Bharat. Better to be friend than foe to the king who’s gaining control.’

‘And why would my father lose control over his Bharat dominions?’

‘Because of Ambhi’s fear, Paurus’s greed and Sasigupta’s anger.’

‘Ambhi’s fear?’

‘Ambhi lies sandwiched between Sasigupta and Paurus. He will be fearful of another battle.’

‘And Paurus’s greed?’

‘His insatiable pride that needs to be fed. His lust for the throne of Magadha shall be his downfall.’

‘And Sasigupta’s anger?’

‘Over his betrayal.’

‘Betrayal by who?’

‘Phillipos, the Macedonian governor appointed by your father.’

‘But Phillipos has not betrayed him.’

‘He will though.’

‘Why?’

‘If Phillipos were to fall in love with Kalapini, the Ashvakan queen, the Ashvakans headed by Sasigupta would revolt. They would see it as the ultimate betrayal.’

‘But my darling Chandragupta, how can one make people fall in love? Love simply happens. It can’t be forced!’

‘But one can make a start by getting two people to meet each other. I’m told that Phillipos has a roving eye. Get them to meet and let destiny take over!’

‘You want me to get involved in this roguish scheme?’

‘Hah! You’re right. I’m using you. But I do need you to help them meet, Cornelia. You know everyone in society. Visit Phillipos and take Kalapini along as a friend. She’s supposed to be gorgeous,’ said Chandragupta.

‘I thought that we just took vows that we would be faithful to one another,’ she joked, mildly annoyed to hear another woman being described as beautiful by her own husband.

‘That’s why it’s better that you organise her engagement so that she becomes unavailable to me,’ quipped Chandragupta.

‘Get out at once! I should never have spent my life trying to tutor you—you’re an ungrateful wretch!’ shouted Chanakya, smiling broadly at Chandragupta.

‘You’ve trained me well, O guru. In fact, my training shall now be used for one purpose alone—to bring about your downfall!’ shouted back Chandragupta, trying his best not to laugh.

‘How dare you speak to me like that? I’m your teacher. I have every right to be angry. Sinharan has been like your brother and you have the temerity to question his right over the throne of Mallayrajya?’ shot back Chanakya, gesturing to Chandragupta that he should stick to the prepared script in front of him.

‘You promised me that I would be king. Instead you’re busy striking up an alliance between Paurus and Sinharan. Shame on you, acharya! I hadn’t realised that you would stoop so low. Is there no limit to the depths you can sink to? You would swindle your own disciple and offer the throne to the haughty Paurus? Damn you, my lord. Curses be upon you!’ roared Chandragupta as he tried to keep pace with the dialogue prepared by his guru.

‘I want you to leave immediately. You have no place here. Forget your dreams about becoming emperor of Magadha. You’re unfit, unwise, uncouth and ungrateful. Get out!’ shrieked Chanakya, as he signalled for Chandragupta to leave the room.

Chandragupta stormed out of his teacher’s room as the men looked on. The end of a promising partnership, they thought to themselves, as they saw their military leader stomping off and their strategic leader sulking in a corner.

Within minutes, a young man scurried out of Chanakya’s camp to meet Abhaya, the intelligence chief of Paurus. This was startling news. He would be paid very well for information of such magnitude. What he couldn’t understand was why the acharya had allowed Chandragupta to take with him his entire garrison of soldiers of fortune.

‘O glorious King, Chanakya comes before you to seek your help,’ said the hideous Brahmin, as he sat down on the seat offered by the majestic and suave Paurus opposite him. Indradutt sat next to Chanakya.

‘Acharya, I’ve heard wonderful stories about your razor-sharp intelligence, your expansive knowledge, your uncanny ability to predict outcomes as well as your unbounded determination. But aren’t you here because you’ve simply fallen out with Chandragupta?’ asked Paurus, feeling rather grand for being aware of such vital information.

Chanakya put on his best forlorn look and said, ‘There can be no secrets from you, O mighty Paurus. You have eyes and ears everywhere. Yes, indeed I’ve had a difference of opinion with Chandragupta. But I am not here because I fell out with Chandragupta; rather, I fell out with him because I planned to meet you.’

Paurus nodded sagely. He was sure Chanakya was telling him the truth. Abhaya had revealed that the cause of the dispute between the acharya and his star pupil was the fact that Chanakya wanted to offer the throne of Magadha to him—the illustrious Paurus—and not to Chandragupta.

‘Why should I trust you, acharya? Your machinations resulted in my ally, the king of Mallayrajya, being overthrown by his nephew Sinharan,’ goaded Paurus, hoping to elicit an outburst.

‘Yes, indomitable king. I took back for Sinharan what was rightfully his. In my place, you would have done exactly the same. However, to answer your question— why should you trust me—please call for the visitor who waits outside,’ said Chanakya.

Indradutt asked the orderly to bring inside the acharya’s guest. Within a few moments, the orderly ushered in a young man, attired in silken robes, precious gems and all the usual trappings of royalty. It was the newly crowned king of Mallayrajya—Sinharan. He walked up to Paurus, knelt before him, and said ‘O magnificent Emperor, I have no quarrel with you. Mallayrajya was, and shall continue to remain, your unflinching ally. My conflict was with my uncle who had usurped the throne in a treacherous manner. That matter has since been resolved. Please let me have your blessings, O heroic King.’

Paurus was trying his best to maintain his indifferent and impartial manner, but Chanakya knew that he had succeeded in pandering to the king’s vanity. If Paurus had been a peacock, his feathers would have puffed out entirely! It was so much easier to handle conceited and arrogant monarchs than the ones who had no pretensions of greatness. ‘Rise, Sinharan. Come and sit next to me,’ said Paurus, completely swayed by events.

‘What is it that you have in mind, acharya?’ asked Paurus, once Sinharan was seated.

‘With over two hundred thousand infantry, eighty thousand cavalry, eight thousand chariots and six thousand war elephants, Magadha remains the most powerful military might in the world. Even the combined strength of the great Paurus and his allies—including Sinharan—will be inadequate to force Magadha into a state of submission. If the magnificent Parvateshwar is to occupy the throne of Magadha, we shall need your might and my cunning,’ began Chanakya.

‘I have no use for cunning,’ interrupted the haughty Paurus.

‘Of what use was your might before Alexander?’ reminded Chanakya gently. ‘Take my advice, magnificent conqueror of the mountains, and you shall certainly be emperor of Magadha.’

‘And Chandragupta?’

‘I’ve no use for disciples who do not respect their teachers. I’ve taught him everything that he knows and this is the thanks I get? Let him rot in hell!’

‘All right, acharya, I commit myself to your goals. We shall either take Magadha or attain heaven while attempting to do so!’ announced Paurus grandly.

‘Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die,’ said Chanakya simply.