Chanakya: (The Revolutionary, Philosopher & Diplomat)

By Raghuveer Sharan Mitra

People also know 'Chanakya' by the names of Kautilya and Vishnugupta. In the history of India, he established the Maurya dynasty with his intelligence and later became the teacher of Bindusara and Emperor Ashoka. His creation of economics and Chanakya policy are relevant even today.
Chanakya gave birth to an excellent intellectual tradition of keeping India's economic, political, educational and social system well planned. Suppressed the enemies with his diplomacy and made Sanskrit literature important with his talent. He made India proud by sacrifice and intelligence and gave prominence to lifelong character, self-respect and dedication. The biography of such a great man Chankaya is "FIRE AND WATER". This book is not just a biography but a living document which will help in knowing and understanding 'Chanakya' closely. He was intelligent, sharp minded, firm in his intentions, rich in talent, visionary and era-maker, his only aim of life was- 'BuddhiryasyaBalamTasya'.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9789359200453

Book preview

1

White hair, wide forehead, big eyes, waving from shoulder to chest and navel with the dignity of sacrificial fire and wearing two and a half yards of cloth on the body, he came to the Rajpath like a testimony of poverty and pride.

There seemed lines of worry on the forehead; there was speed of faith in the feet; there was logic in the thoughts and there was movement in the pupils. He was moving, but as if moving to a passionate tune, as if moving in a race against death, as sunlight breaking through the clouds moving for the aquatics.

In the water of the eyes and the burning of the heart, there is the dignity of the Indus and the velocity of cataclysm. When life rains like a cloud with atrocities, then there is a yearning for electricity in it. Burning with the colors of the royal palaces, the traveler crossed the Rajpath and came to that wide and beautiful road on which the palaces of the royal ministers were vying with the sky. On both sides of the road, there was an aura of chiselled greenery and flowers, fragrance emanating from which sometimes used to disturb the logic of the thoughts of the traveler.

Mixed with rose, marigold, champa and jasmine, these are the bejeweled jewels of the palace in which the treasury is overflowing. Man’s fate is imprisoned in these palaces built of marble, inlaid with pearls, shimmering with fringes of pearls, painted gold and veiled by the ranks of shining stars.

The path was shortening and the wanderer’s steps were increasing. While thinking, he entered the gate of a palace. The gatekeeper stopped the visitor and said- Shri Shri 108 proficient Mahamatya is busy with some special work. It is his order that no one should be allowed to come near him at this time.

The visitor politely looked at the gatekeeper and said- You seem to be the new gatekeeper. Tell Shri Shri 108 proficient Mahamatya that Chanak is standing at the gate. He wants to see you right now.

The gatekeeper shook his head and said- I am not allowed to take any message to him.

I have to meet him at this time, it is very important! I have come for his work only. Don’t be afraid, he won’t be angry with you. Go and tell him that Chanak has come.

When the gatekeeper saw that this fierce old man had become clingy like a ghost and would not go away without meeting Mahamatya, he went to the palace blowing his nose.

Mahamatya was walking on the roof of the palace. As soon as he saw the gatekeeper in the square, he said angrily- What is the matter, gatekeeper?

The gatekeeper bowed his head while greeting him and said- A strange old man is standing at the door. He is insisting to see you at this very moment. He has told his name as Chanak.

On hearing this, Mahamatya came down. He quickly ran towards the door. Looking at the visitor with reverence from a distance, he greeted and then respectfully led the guest to the palace.

Entering from room to room after crossing many labyrinth-like doors, Mahamatya brought the visitor to a secret sanctum. The decoration of this sanctum sanctorum was also unique. Blue roofs, blue walls and blue velvet rugs were spread on the posts. The blue glass doors, the blue light coming from the blue glass chimneys and the sparkle of sapphires studded at various places, even that secret womb was trembling. But it was bound in the iron walls in such a way that even a ray couldn’t come out.

Had there been a new person, he would have definitely mesmerised at the exceptional beauty of the sanctum sanctorum. Whose eyes are not dazzled by the beauty of palaces! This is the magic that blinds the eyes, that binds the feet without chains. But the desire for Chanak had died on the altar of sacrifice. Can a person who is used to feeding and playing in the lap of poverty ever get lost in the wonders of wealth?

Chanak, the body of renunciation and truth, sat on a chowki. Mahamatya also sat equal to him. As soon as he sat down, Chanak said- The Great Mahamatya will be wondering why Chanak is in the palace of Mahamatya Shaktar in this midnight of Diwali!

Mahamatya Shaktar replied in a serious but bright posture- I am familiar with dedicated Brahmin Chanak. He does not want anything for himself. Yes, he does worry about Mahamatya Shaktar.

Because Shaktar is worried about the nation, so I am worried about Shaktar. Due to the luxury and bigotry of Magadhadhipati Mahanand, the nation is trapped in terrible conspiracies. An explosion can happen at any moment. Chanak said in a worried voice.

Don’t worry Chanak! Shaktar’s eyes are not closed. No conspiracy is hidden from Shaktar’s eyes. He has eyes on every part of Magadha kingdom. Shaktar’s ears keep listening to Maharaj Nand’s every step. Shaktar recognizes every enemy and friend very well.

Chanak: If you recognize then why didn’t you come out of the wasp’s nest? Why haven’t you destroyed the enemies till now? There are snakes in the sleeve and you haven’t crushed them yet! Don’t you see, foreign invaders from all sides are waiting for the opportunity to acqire our country? The treasury is being used freely. The pretenders have surrounded Maharaj. Magadhadhipati is doing whatever he wants. The ministers are sitting with closed eyes. The prevailing surroundings have turned him a fool. In the palace, the sweet serpents dancers are dancing and spreading their hoods to takeover the kingdom. Astonishing, how Mahamatya is tolerating all this! Or might be the minister want to become king?

Shaktar: Don’t tarnish mine and your speech Chanak! Shaktar is not greedy.

Chanak: If you are not greedy for the kingdom, then by your laxity you will hand over your country to someone else and then slavery will pity your intelligence. That’s why, it’s high time you must use your intellect and save the country.

Shaktar: My intellect is not the prisoner of glittering wealth. But, yes, it is waiting for the right opportunity.

Chanak: Mahamatya, the opportunity is sliding! If Bharat’s Magadha state is suppressed by anyone, then foreigne invaders will surely dominate the entire nation.

Shaktar: But this will happen only after the death of Shaktar. As long as the visionary Amatyas like Rakshas and Katyayana are in the kingdom of Magadha, Magadha cannot be suppressed by anyone.

Chanak: I trust only Shaktar’s intelligence, Katyayana and Rakshas are still unable to extinguish the fire that has engulfed the kingdom.

Shaktar: O clever Brahmin, this is only an illusion! Their eyes have already opened before me.

Chanak: But they are sleeping with open eyes.

Shaktar: They are not sleeping; they are trying to convince Maharaj Nand.

Chanak: And here they have committed a heinous crime. Now Raja Nand will identify those who think against his will.

Shaktar: Is it a crime to be straightforward?

Chanak: Not only a crime, but also a failed attempt. This is like quenching thirst by licking the dew.

Shaktar: Then crookedness with the crooked.

Chanak: It should be done very secretly, except you no other person should know. Not even your very close ones.

Shaktar: Nothing goes out of this sanctum sanctorum of yoga.

Chanak: The kingdom of Magadha is not safe in the hands of Nanda. Aryavarta’s pride is hanging by a thread. Even smaller states are eyeing on Magadha.

Shaktar: As long as the power of the Maurya general and policy makers is safe, nothing can damage; the pride of Aryavarta cannot be affected. Why are you getting so scared!

Chanak: My fear is not baseless. I have faith in the arms of powerful Maurya, but are those hands not chained in the ugly golden chains of Maharaj Nand? As long as the kingdom of Magadha is in the hands of Nanda, the security of the nation will hang by a thread.

Shaktar: Then?

Chanak: Then what, Nand should be sent to Yamraj’s kingdom and no one should know that Nand has been killed.

Shaktar looked at Chanak astonishingly and then after giving a deep thought to Chanak’s statement said- Can there be such a way to kill snake without breaking stick?

Chanak: Yes, it is possible, but only when it should not reach anyone’s ears before implimenting the plan. The secret plan to kill Nand should not be leaked to any third person except me and you.

Shaktar: Then how should it be done?

Chanak: You somehow become Maharaj Nand’s most trusted confidant and then get Katyayan removed from the ministerial post, but in such a way that Nand should understand that Shaktar is his great well-wisher and Katyayan should understand that Mahamatya Shaktar has immense blessings on him. But be alert! First, Katyayan has to be removed from the post of minister and then appoing him a minister again. At the same time, lure the Mauryan general Suryagupt to your side by giving him the greed of the kingdom.

Shaktar: But how can this be possible as long as Amatya Rakshas is the armor of Maharaj Nand! Maharaj has unwavering faith on Rakshas who always present in the protection of Maharaj. There is great power in the arms of that young man; Saraswati resides in his intellect and Maharaj Nand resides in his heart.

Chanak: Even the most stauch man has some indelible weaknesses. With those weaknesses you can frame the conspiracy. Make entry of such a beauty in the Maharaja’s palace that no one stands in front of her. The vibrations of that beauty should be as such that everyone feels to be in heaven after seeing her. Just this spark will be enough.

Shaktar: There is one most beautiful fairy, surely she is a unique beauty! True image of beauty! Your wish will come true Chanak! By one or the other trick, I will get Kumari Mura of the Nayan caste to enter the palace by tomorrow.

Chanak: So now allow me to leave, Mahamantri! Where is your daughter? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.

Shaktar: She must be writing poetry sitting in her room. Come on, let’s go there.

Saying this, Shaktar and Chanak following him came out of the sanctum sanctorum and entered the chambers of the palace. Entering the door of one of these rooms, Shaktar said- Suvasini! Look, Baba Chanak has come.

On seeing him Suvasini stood up with joy and said, Namaskar Baba! and then offered a seat to Mahatma Chanak to sit.

Chanak blessed Suvasini and said- What was you doing? I have heard you were writing a poem. Let me also listen, my daughter! What sort of poem have you written?

A ray of shame and joy flickered on Suvasini’s face. She hesitantly said in a child-friendly voice- Father keeps saying like this, Baba ji! How do I know about poetry?

Chanak: Is there be any such art which our clever daughter Suvasini cannot understand?

Suvasini looked at Baba and said emotionally- "With your blessings, I will surely become proficient in all the skills. But I am still very young. I want to play whole day and no one should stop me and ask me to study.

Shaktar: The younger you are, the more naughty you are. But now you are not too young! On Karthik Shukla Purnima you will be fourteen years old.

Suvasini: Look Baba! Father scolds me all the time and says, ‘Don’t play, do study!’ I have learnt history, poetry and philosophy by heart in this young age, but still my father calls me naughty.

Chanak: This is a father’s love, daughter! Tell me which games do you play?

Suvasini: Now I have stopped playing for many days. How can I play, you never send Kautilya here. When he used to come, we both enjoyed many games. Babaji! We also played drama and chess a lot. But I couldn’t win from Kautilya, not even a single game. He used to move chess pieces in such a way that I had to be defeated. And I don’t know why I used to be happier with Kautilya’s victory more than when I won the game of Chaupar while playing against him. Why don’t you send him heres?

Chanak: I never forbade him to come here. He is very devious. He used to say, ‘I’ll not go to Suvasini’s house, I had a fight with her.’

Suvasini: Will Kautilya not come? Did he get angry with me? I had playfully teased him with love. Really Baba! My intention was not to make a fun of Kautilya at all.

Chanak: He gets angry a lot, daughter! When he gets angry and has no control over anyone else, then he pulls out his big hair and dips his finger in blood and starts drawing pictures on the sand.

Suvasini: No, no, Baba Ji, Kautilya is more gentle and beautiful than he is harsh. Although he looks harsh and self-reliant to others, otherwise he is very soft by natue. He is the winter sun of beauty and brightness. Whether the flowers not feel ashamed in front of his form! Don’t the scriptures start considering themselves inferior to his qualities! Kautilya is a wonderful light of genius. Sometimes it seems that he is the same person who played in the streets of Gokul.

Chanak: Is my daughter reciting some poetry?

Suvasini: No, Babaji! I am praising the truth. Send him baba ji and tell him, ‘Suvasini is missing him a lot.’

Chanak: Very well, my dear daughter. I will send him and if he will resist, I will forcefully send him. Now let your old baba go.

Saying this, Chanak and Shaktar came out of the room. Suvasini bowed down with folded hands. While talking to Shaktar, Chanak came out of the palace and then looking at him he said- Now, I am leaving, friend! Kautilya worries me all the time. He gets angry a lot and full of self-esteem. He is so mischievous that he crushes a snake to death, ties a scorpion to a thread and roams around playing.

Shaktar: He is still a child; he will be responsible when he grows up.

Chanak: I am thinking of sending him to Takshashila for his studies next year. It is possible that he may quit fussing there and start studying.

Shaktar: You should do this. Get Kautilya admitted to Takshashila University and do this auspicious work in the New Year. Till then he is studying in the local Gurukul.

Chanak: Kautilya is crooked, but he reads big books in a very easy manner.

Shaktar: Why not, after all he is the son of Acharya Chanak. Like father like son.

One’s qualities are meaningful only when they are useful for the country. May God make my aspirations a reality when he grows up! Saying this, Chanak started to leave and then lovingly put his hand around Shaktar’s neck and then walked away, saying, Kill the snake without breaking stick.

Shaktar came back to the palace and started thinking about this. While thinking, he lay down on a big bed. Suvasini was humming something in the same room as she lay on a resting place. Shaktar said softly but with worried tone- Suvasini! I am thinking of something, you stop humming.

Suvasini became completely silent, but after a few moments she said- What are you thinking, father! You go on thinking all the time. Overthinking will again give you a headache. Stop thinking and sleep.

I will sleep, you sleep now daughter! Don’t worry about me. Amatya’s brain is in deep thought about the problems of the state. But why should you bother about all this! You are still a baby. Political problems makes one stay away from sleep and hunger. And at any moment the sword of politics hanging on a raw thread may fall on anybody’s neck.

But as long as you are worried, how can I sleep, father! Come, let me press your head, you will fall asleep. Saying this, Suvasini got up and started massaging her father’s head. Shaktar blessed Suvasini and started thinking- ‘Life and the world are very wonderful, Suvasini! Don’t know in which bond of threads a man dances. A king today may be a pauper tomorrow. The one who has all the happiness today, may have all the sorrows tomorrow, so it should never be forgotten that the existence of palaces and soil is one. One day the soil rises proudly on the crest of the fort and the other day it tramples under the feet. Palaces that rises high up to the sky sometimes get covered with dust or even get collapsed."

Why did you start reading this philosophy at this time, father! What are you fantasizing about? A politician should not speak the language of sannyasins, Suvasini said solemnly.

Nothing, daughter! I just started thinking like this. Well, I’m sleeping now. You too go and sleep! Yes, you have to get up at five in the morning, because I will send you to Bela’s house; not in any vehicle, but on foot. I want to meet Bela and her daughter Mura in the morning itself. But let no one know that Mahamatya Shaktar has spoken something like this to Bela and Mura on this date.

It’s a simple matter. I’ll bring them with me on our morning walk. Saying this, Suvasini fell asleep on the bed. Within a short time she started snoring. But there was still no sleep in Shaktar’s eyes. He was thinking of future questions. He was entangled in the fabric of politics.

"The land of Magadha has become hollow. Maharaj Nand is lascivious. There are upheavals rising out of the differences from various religions. Even the smaller kingdoms are eying on the kingdom of Magadha and coming towards Magadha like slowly moving clouds. But Shaktar’s eyes are not oblivious to these invaders. Shaktar is alert. He has seen not only one generation of the Nanda kingdom but many generations. This time this seed has to be destroyed completely.

Entangled in this confusion, Mahamatya Shaktar fell asleep a bit but he immediately got up alert and started listening to the signal sound. Recognizing the sign language, Mahamatya said through a hearing-bell, Who? Bodyguard Avant! What you said, tomorrow morning I have to assume the post of Mahabaladhikrit and crush the forces of Rajputana moving towards Magadha.

Yes, Maharaj and Amatya Rakshas have just consulted in the secret ministry and have decided this.

Were anyone else there at the time?

No, Maharaj had ordered me to stay in the other cabin, but somehow I overheard things through the doors.

So, is Maharaj increasingly trusting Amatya Rakshas these days?

I understand that Maharaj has no faith in anyone except Rakshas. Very soon the day will come when you will be dethroned and Rakshas will replace you as Mahamatya. Not only this, there is a possibility that Rakshas has more inauspicious plan for you.

Well, be alert, Maharaj should not feel in anyway that the bodyguard Avant is Shaktar’s spy.

Trust me, Mahamatya! Avant can sacrifice even his life for you if needed.

I have true faith on you and yes, if there is anything secret happens, be quick in reaching me immediately! You have to take the responsibility of crushing this vicious cycle of Rakshas.

Saying this, Mahamatya Shaktar took a long breath of worry, immersed in thought and got up from the bed. ‘Rakshas! You want to destroy Mahamatya Shaktar, but this dream of yours will never be fulfilled. What an irony! How ungrateful can lust for a kingdom make a man?’ While thinking, Shaktar called his daughter Suvasini. Suvasini suddenly woke up from sleep and said surprisingly- What happened, father?

Shaktar started saying interruptedly- I’m not feeling well, daughter! Just inform everyone that Mahamatya Shaktar is very serious and survival chances are very least. Immediately called up the Rajvaidya and spread this news everywhere just now through servants that Shaktar is very ill and he can’t survive. From Maharaj Nand to everyone in the capital, should know that Shaktar is on his deathbed. Don’t know why my mind is panicking! I am feeling like I won’t survive.

Hearing this, Suvasini screamed, ‘Mother, sister, brother, servants, everyone should come and see what has happened to father!"

Then Suvasini started crying and running hither thither. In the meantime, the room of Mahamatya Shaktar was filled with his family members and royal servants.

Who can understand the magical web of breaths! No one wants to let anyone live. Only one can live who has power, who sings songs of victory in the array of mysteries. Don’t cheat anyone, but don’t be cheated by anyone either.

2

How beautiful and dangerous is the night. Lamps burn, moths come and burn, and thirst plays. The darkness illuminates the lamp and the lamp illuminates darkness, but this is also a wonderful secret that each is complementary and destroyer to the other as well. Satisfaction is the hostess of dissatisfaction. Winds blow, lamps twinkle, and stars wake up. Don’t know how many secrets of silence are revealed and how many are hidden. Noone can measure the depth of dark night.

Within moments, the beautiful night seemed as worrysome and dullness and compassion overpowered it, due to the illness of Mahamatya Shaktar. The silence of the directions started turning into vocal snow. Mourning waves captured the streets and lanes. Everyone got worried after hearing about the illness of Mahamatya Shaktar.

The great Shaktayana’s condition has suddenly become alarming. His pupils dilating, his heart rate slowing down, he is hushing- ‘Maharaja, Suvasini, Vaijayanti and Rakshas, Rakshas!’

It would be four o’clock in the morning when Madhavi woke up Maharaj Nand, who was sleeping in thirst and contentment, and said- For a long time, the signals of important information are coming. Get up and check what is the matter.

After putting his arms on Madhavi’s breast, the uncontented Maharaj got up with a grimace and reached the door of the bedroom. The bodyguard Avant was standing at the door. He greeted Maharaj Nand anxiously and said, It has just been reported that Mahamatya Shaktar is on deathbed. In a shortwhile, Rajvaidya is reaching at his residence for treatment.

Rubbing his eyes, Maharaj said- So, what was the need to wake us up at this time for this! It was enough to convey this message to Amatya Rakshas.

If permitted, shall I convey the message of Mahamatya Shaktar’s sudden illness to Amatya Rakshas? Bodyguard Avant said with folded hands.

Yes, we will go to see Mahamatya Shaktar in the morning. Saying this, Nand came back and lay down on the bed which was under the spell of rose-like fragrance arising out of titillating presence of Madhavi who was shining like lightning. Maharaj’s eyes kept on imagining Mahamatya’s disease for a few moments and then he lost in Madhavi’s spell.

On the other side, when the bodyguard Avant asking a Rajsevak to convey the message of Mahamatya’s illness to Amatya Rakshas, just then he saw that Amatya Rakshas’ carriage stopped at the gate of the Raj Bhavan and Amatya got down from it and proceeded fastly towards the king’s bedroom. On seeing him, even the walls were stunned like military discipline. After giving the state greeting, every sentinel stood upright. The bodyguard Avant bowed his head with respect and then kept looking down at the Amatya Rakshas.

After looking into everything with sharp eyes, Rakshas came near Maharaj Nand’s bedroom. As soon as he came, he said in strong words- What happened, Avant! Is the king still sleeping?

Yes, your honour! He is very tired. I am not supposed to allow anyone to visit him and wake him up.

And you probably haven’t even woken him up yet! Rakshas said looking at the bodyguard Avant with sharp eyes.

Nothing like this, your honour! Just now when I got the information about the illness of Mahamatya Shaktar, I immediately woke up Maharaj to give that information. But he was very furious when he woke up. He said- ‘Inform Amatya Rakshas about Mahamatya’s disease, now don’t wake me up again.’

Wake up the Maharaj at once! The Rakshas said while tapping his forehead with his finger.

"O.K. your honour.’ Saying this, the bodyguard started thumping at the door of the king’s bedroom.

Mahanand woke up annoyingly and came to the door. Seeing Rakshas in front of him, all his annoyance disappeared and then looking at Rakshas with affection, he said- I am astonished to see you here at this time! There must be something important or serious matter.

Yes, have you heard that Mahamatya Shatkar has suddenly become serious. Though he was fine till evening. Rakshas said after thinking a while.

Maharaj: Yes, it is definitely a matter of worry.

Rakshas: It is not a matter of worry, it seems to be a matter of consipiracy, Maharaj! Let’s go to see Mahamatya.

Let us go! Saying this Maharaj Amatya along with Rakshas left to meet Mahamatya Shaktar. In a hurry, Maharaj did not go in the royal carriage and went in the carriage of Rakshas. When Maharaj left with Rakshas just then Shaktar was informed by Avant that Maharaj was coming to his place.

Maharaj and Rakshas started talking slowly while walking in the carriage. Rakshas took a deep breath and said- Maharaj, whether you believe it or not, but there is someone in the palace who keeps informing Mahamatya about everything. He may be your bodyguard Avant. I doubt that Shaktar got afflicted with such a terrible disease suddenly. Surely, he got the information that in the morning he had to leave for the victory of Rajputana.

Can’t believe it, Rakshas! Avant is our most well-wisher and trustworthy in the palace.

Maharaj, you will believe it when the result will come out! Rakshas said in a strange posture.

Maharaj: Did you get angry, Rakshas?

Rakshas: I never get angry with my adorable ruler and can’t even imagine to harm him. At the same time, I also believe that as long as my intellect is with me and there is strength in my arms, no one can harm our Maharaj.

Maharaj: I am a leader owing to your strength, friend! The state, which gets an advisor like you, can never be in crisis.

Even as they are engaged in talking, Mahamatya Shakar’s residence came. Maharaj and Rakshas quickly entered the Mahamatya’s residence. In no time, both of them reached the place where Mahamatya Shaktar was lying in a subconscious state. Vaijayanti, sitting near his head, was placing a cloth soaked in rose water on her husband’s forehead. Suvasini was seated at his feet side. Mura was sitting next to her extracting orange juice.

As Rakshas reached there, he deeply looked at Mahamatya Shaktar’s face and then sat down on the fenojjwal foam bed. Maharaj had already sat on a bejeweled seat. He just looked at Shaktar casually and then kept looking at Suvasini and Mura.

Rakshas looked at Suvasini and stucked to Suvasini’s face for a few moments. Then dictracting himself, Rakshas started thinking, ‘How innovative is her face!’ And then became alert and asked- How did Mahamatya condition become so serious? Though he was fine till the evening!

While thinking deeply, suddenly he fell down after getting dizzy. Since then he has been silent and has not utter a single word, replied Suvasini while looking down.

Rakshas: Has the royal doctor arrived?

Suvasini: Not yet, but he must be coming soon. I have given him Amritras just a while back, since then his eyelids are slightly open.

Rakshas: So, gradually Mahamatya is getting better, isn’t he?

This irritated Suvasini a bit. Feeling too bad, she said, Can such a terrible disease be cured so early?

Rakshas was horrified by the answer and staggered a bit and said, But I am saying this with good intentions.

Suvasini: Then how did you think that I am thinking so maliciously?

Maharaj Nand smiled a little at this conversation and then praised Suvasini and said- You seem to be very clever.

Suvasini: By your blessings, I speak a lot.

And who is this? Maharaj asked, pointing towards Mura.

Suvasini: She is my friend.

Maharaj: Seems innocent.

Suvasini: At first sight everything seems good, but she is very crooked, Maharaj! She is not a toy that children play with.

Maharaj: Everyone plays with toys, but playing with snakes is a bit tricky.

Suvasini: If the snake charmer is original then no matter how poisonous snake is, he can play with it.

Rakshas: Politics is the biggest game for the king. Maharaj plays with the poisonous snakes of politics every day.

Suvasini: But the one with whom he plays gets bitten by its ome day.

Rakshas: You are too smart to answer any question, Suvasini! But this is not the time for debate. Just check and tell how’s Mahamatya Shaktar now?

Suvasini: I think you can tell better than me.

Rakshas: Rajvaidya didn’t come?

Suvasini: He is now one hundred and ten years old and then the frequent call has made him even weaker. He will be coming.

Rakshas: It seems that you are more worried about the health of Rajvaidya than Mahamatya.

Suvasini: You are confused, I am concerned about the health of every useful life.

Rajvaidya is coming, informed a servant.

As soon as the Rajvaidya arrived, there was silence. Seemed as Dhanwantri, he first looked at Mahamatya from top to toe seriously and then checking every essential part with his fingers said- There is nothing to worry about. There does not seem to be any specific disorder in any part of the body. It seems that this has happened suddenly due to some mental impact. He should take complete rest. I give medicines, but he should not take any exertion.

The royalvaidya left after giving medicine. Amatya Rakshas looked at Maharaj very seriously and said- The same thing sometimes appears in different forms.

Even before Maharaj could say anything, Suvasini immediately said- The vision gets confused due to emotion and illusion.

Rakshas: I was telling to Maharaj.

Suvasini: I am not matured enough now so impatient.

Maharaj Nand said with a slight smile- The sun is about to rise, Amatya! Arrangements have to be made for the departure of the army towards Rajputana.

As if Rakshas did not want Maharaj to say this here, so he did not give importance to the matter and said- Don’t know how many arrangements Maharaj has to manage, ok, let’s go!

Maharaj stood up and ready to move at the behest of Rakshas, but his heart was not permitting him. Mura’s ethereal beauty had put chains on his feet. Rakshas knew this very well that beauty always attracts and binds.

Maharaj and Amatya came out of Shaktar’s residence and reached to the main gate. Rakshas was examining every particle and every moment with his sharp eyes. His every step used to rise like weighing the earth. He looked at every person as if he would capture his entire inner picture in his eyes. At the gate, he stopped and looked at the gatekeeper with sharps eyes. Seeing his eyes like embers, the gatekeeper remained standing like a living dead. Before he could even take a breath, Rakshas asked sternly- Do you know the house of the one who had come to meet Mahamatya?

The gatekeeper said in a trembling voice- No one came in front of me, Maharaj! I have been on guard for two hours now, before me Devi Dutt was on duty.

Rakshas: Where is Devidutt?

Gatekeeper: He lives in the fourth house of the servant quarters built in the south.

Without wasting any time, Rakshas went to the gatekeeper’s house with Maharaj. On meeting him, Rakshas asked- Hey gatekeeper! Do you know the house of that fellow who came to meet Mahamatya? He is needed at this time. Mahamatya is unconscious due to illness, he cannot speak.

The frightened gatekeeper Devidutt said- I do not know his house, but he had gone towards the south.

Rakshas: How did he look like?

Gatekeeper: He was tall, very old, dry skin, was wearing very little clothes, hardly a small piece of cloth was wrapped around his waist.

Rakshas: All his hair were white, wasn’t it?

Gatekeeper: Yes, Maharaj!

Without saying anything else, Rakshas quickly boarded the carriage with Maharaj. Vehicle started moving. On the way, Rakshas said- Maharaj! That old Brahmin Chanak should be caught and put behind the bars immediately. He is only the seed of poison. Surely Chanak must be doing a deep conspiracy by meeting with Shaktar. Before there is a fierce explosion, it is only in our interest to crush these snakes. If their teeth are not broken before the poison spreads, then no treatment will work after the poison spreads.

Maharaj: But why are you so worried about that simple Brahmin Chanak? What can that old Brahmin do to us!

Rakshas: He appears simple but he is crooked. That chaff can burn as soon as it catches fire, that’s why it is very dangerous. He should be killed as soon as possible.

Maharaj: Should Brahman be killed?

Rakshas: If that Brahmin is not killed, he will kill us. This is not a sin, it is a virtue. In politics, the wall of religion is the wall of death.

Maharaj: But how can this be?

Rakshas: Maharaj Mahapadmanand’s welfare cannot be done without doing this.

Maharaj: By doing this, the people will revolt.

Rakshas: Weakness scares man all the time. Maharaj has forgotten his power in the slavery of his aspirations.

Maharaj: Is Amatya Rakshas getting angry with me?

Rakshas: This is not the voice of displeasure; it is the voice of devotion, Mahabali!

Maharaj: Then do as you wish!

Rakshas: I do nothing for my own