(Upon hearing about the defeat of Maharaja Khemray, young Toshaliputra came to meet and console the king. He brought a map to explain many things to the king. He also brought along a boy named Kamru, whose parents had achieved martyrdom in the war.)
"When I reached the king, the entire council was filled with deep sadness, despair, and despondency. I approached the king. In one hand, I held the boy Kamru, and in the other, a map of Kalinga."
"My attire was distinct and peculiar, typical of the tribal forest regions. In one hand, I carried a large rolled-up map, and with the other, I held Kamru's finger. The Maharaja observed my approach with sharp, penetrating eyes."
"At that moment, the chief of state spies - head of intelligence, whispered something in the king's ear, and Maharaja Khemray's eyes lit up with intensity. Maharaja Kumar! Your grandfather's persona was truly extraordinary. His piercing eyes, long, flowing moustache, and the sandalwood mark adorning the center of his forehead—these three features alone would instill fear in anyone who faced him. But today, that same King Khemray appeared despondent and defeated. Such helplessness had never before been seen on his face. At that moment, I was reminded of Kamru's parents. Losing freedom is akin to losing one's very life. A self-respecting person would prefer death over enslavement, for subjugation is something they would never tolerate."
“Seeing me approach and recognizing who I was, Khemray rose from his throne. “Welcome to the court of Kalinga, commander of the Atavika army,” he said. He opened his arms to greet me. But as I drew near, I fell at his feet instead. Taking the dust of his feet on my head, I said, “The progeny of your subjects bow before the Emperor of Kalinga. Our place has always been at your feet, and it should remain so, Your Majesty!”
“Hearing my words, a wave of compassion swept across Maharaja Khemray’s eyes. He said, “Blessed are you, my tribal subjects! The pure and ancient identity of Kalinga remains alive in your community even today. Your readiness to defend the pride and honour of Kalinga still resonates in the hearts and minds of every Kalingan. Even today, the daughters of Kalinga take blessings from your tribe, and the young men salute the Atavika warriors.”
“Yet, despite such bravery, skill in warfare, brilliance, and excellence, this entire populace—the free and fearless people of Kalinga—are willing to accept me, a defeated king, a subjugated ruler, as their leader. This is something I find hard to comprehend.” Saying this, the king gestured for me to take a seat, and I complied.
He then asked, “Tell me, how can I, a subjugated king, honour a society of freedom-loving people?”
“No ruler of a freedom-loving society can ever truly be subjugated,” I said to Maharaja Khemray, my very first words to him. Hearing this, once again, a wave of compassion spread across the king’s face.
Khemray said, “Prince! It seems you have come to provoke me. But let me make it clear—I do not want freedom at the cost of my people’s blood. Enough is enough. The opposing side will not relent, and I can no longer bear to see my beloved subjects, my children, being slaughtered before my eyes. Even if it brings disgrace upon me, I have decided to accept subjugation. Nothing can change my decision now.”
“But, Your Majesty! Before making any decision on behalf of your people, should you not know their will? What do your people desire—freedom or mere survival?” With these words, I brought Kamru forward and said, “Son, tell the Maharaja what you just told me.”
“And then, Prince, Kamru, in his faltering and childlike speech, spoke words that moved the entire royal assembly to tears. The Maharaja lifted the boy into his arms and, with a voice filled with emotion, said, “I do not want to see the future generations of Kalinga grow up alone and merely live to face death. They must have greater goals that give them a reason to live and ignite within them a fierce enthusiasm for life. Why must everyone perish?
Brother! It is foolish to rush headlong into death. Live. Enjoy life. Understand its purpose. This human body is not meant to be trapped in such futile struggles. Toshali Putra, true freedom is of the soul, and it must be preserved at all costs. All other freedoms are, in a way, mere mental constructs.I do not dishonour those who have embraced heroic death. I am proud of their sacrifice. But everything has its limits.”
Toshali Putra! Between the two choices of freedom and sacrifice, we have made countless sacrifices for freedom over the past four years. But now, that limit has been crossed. I no longer wish for death and sacrifice—I wish for life. If we must give up freedom for life, so be it. Freedom is great, but it is not greater than life. I can no longer bear the destruction of my people. Now, all I want is life—life, and nothing else.
“Your Majesty! For the forest dwellers, life and freedom are not two separate things; they are one and the same. If our ruler surrenders freedom, then every Atavika will come before you, plunge a dagger into their own chest, and sacrifice their life. Either let us die on the battlefield for freedom, or watch us embrace death before you—but only before you accept subjugation. Tomorrow, when the sun rises and you prepare to bow to Ashoka’s subjugation, countless Atavika men, women, and children will line both sides of your path, daggers in hand. With every step you take, they will sacrifice themselves. They will embrace death as free people, but they will never accept a life of enslavement.”
“My words left the entire royal court in stunned silence. Everyone was spellbound, staring at me. It seemed as if no one was fully conscious.”
“To deliver the final blow, I unfurled the map. This very map that you see before you now, Prince—this is the map.”
I explained to the king that the Atavika community had made a collective decision and hoped the Maharaja would honour it. According to the map, there is a dense forest in the northwest direction, vast enough to hide five to seven lakh people. Our strategy is this: as you continue fighting, lure Ashoka’s Magadha army into this forest. Every inch of this land is well-known to the Atavika forest dwellers. Once the enemy enters, the Atavika warriors will take over from there. Not a single Magadha soldier will leave the forest alive, and this small, free Atavika army of Kalinga will lead the entire nation to victory.
“Hearing my words, the king fell silent. For a few moments, he gazed at me with piercing eyes. Then he cast a sweeping glance across the entire assembly. I observed that, despite my extensive speech, it had little impact on the court. Everyone appeared exhausted, yearning for an end to the conflict.”
“Kalinga is already subjugated, Arya Toshali Putra,” the king said. “In this assembly, only one matter remains—peace. The Magadha army numbers in the hundreds of thousands. The brutal battle between the Atavika warriors and the Magadha forces, the carnage and destruction, is something Khemray can no longer endure. On the other hand, forcing freedom-loving Atavika citizens into subjugation is equally unbearable for me. How can one take the life force from someone? To enslave people for whom freedom is life itself is, in a way, tantamount to taking their lives. Is that not also a form of violence?”
“That is why, after deep contemplation, I have found a middle path. A path that will preserve the lives of Kalinga’s people while ensuring the freedom of the Atavika tribe remains intact.”
“From this day forward, I declare the Atavika region independent. Ashoka has conquered Kalinga with his cruelty, but the Atavika kingdom has not bowed. When I meet Ashoka, I will make this point explicitly clear, and such a treaty will be written.”
“The Atavika people have been loyal to Kalinga since time immemorial, and Kalinga has always trusted them. But, Maharaja Khemray, love and loyalty cannot be imposed. If the other party no longer wishes it, what can be done?”
Saying this, I began to roll up the map and added, “But, Your Majesty! Before rendering us without a protector, you should have consulted us at least once. We are lovers of freedom, not of recklessness.” My voice broke with emotion as I spoke these words.
"Your Majesty! We will accept your decision as the command of our sovereign. But deep in their hearts, the entire Atavika people will mourn today," I said, rising to my feet. Holding Kamru’s hand, I began to leave, but I paused. The palace, the king, the people of Kalinga—all of it suddenly felt distant, as though it no longer belonged to me. I was a youth, Prince, with dreams, aspirations, and emotions in my heart. Tears filled my eyes, and I struggled to keep them from falling. With great effort, I took a deep breath, steeled my heart, and said, "Your Majesty, for us, it is a privilege to be loyal to Kalinga. But for us, being enslaved to Magadha is akin to death.
On behalf of the entire Atavika community, I say this: Even if the Maharaja has separated us from Kalinga, we will always remain devoted and humble servants of Kalinga. This is our identity, and no one can take it from us. We will forever be slaves to Kalinga. Whenever Kalinga needs freedom or protection, even if a small child of Kalinga,will call, we will come running to their aid. The entire Atavika army will gladly sacrifice itself as the first offering in the cause of freedom.
The forest dwellers will never bow their heads or join hands before anyone other than Kalinga. However, since Kalinga has severed us, from this day forward, the Atavika people will not approach Kalinga of their own accord. Instead, we will wait for the day when any king or royal descendant of Kalinga invites the Atavika army to fight for its freedom. Since the Maharaja has sent us away, we shall maintain our dignity as proud servants and wait for the call."
"Parting with the great Atavika army and its people feels as though a part of my body is being torn away, Arya Toshali Putra. Such pain overwhelms me," said King Khemray. "The foundation of great empires is built upon the dedication of great servants. The Atavika people are the cornerstone of Kalinga’s empire. Upon the land of their devotion, all of Kalinga—king and subjects alike—stand firmly.
"But, brother Toshali Putra! Time is not on my side. Right now, I have no choice but to lose everything. Time is poised to take away everything from me, and I must honour it. But, brother Toshali Putra, take the blessings of King Khemray. Tell the entire Atavika people that their freedom-loving ruler, King Khemray, is no longer worthy of being their leader. Yet, in the future, there will surely come a descendant who will possess the greatness to rule over such a great people. When that time comes, you are welcome to return, and you must show your loyalty and devotion to that great king."
As he said this, even in his old age, tears welled up in Acharya Toshali Putra’s eyes. He could not speak further. Hastily, he rolled up the map and tied it. Then he stood up, folded his hands, bowed his head, and stood before Prince Kharavela.
Kharavela was astonished. He stepped back two paces and cried out, “Revered one! You are so senior. Please do not bow to me. Please do not embarrass me.”
“Prince Kharavela!” Acharya Toshali Putra said, his voice filled with a unique vigour, resonant like the twang of a bowstring. “You must recognize your true self. It is the right of Acharya Toshali Putra to bow his head before you, and it is your duty to accept his homage. As the guide of the entire Atavika people, Acharya Toshali Putra offers countless salutations to the future Emperor of Kalinga, Prince Kharavela.”
Saying this, Acharya knelt on the uneven, soft ground of the cave, joined his hands, and bowed his head with closed eyes. A divine smile graced his face, and he seemed filled with profound joy and contentment. After so many years, his desire to bow before the king of Kalinga was finally fulfilled. It brought him immense happiness and satisfaction.He was regaining the right to bow to a fragment of Kalinga.
Meanwhile, Prince Kharavela stood there, confused and uncertain, trying to make sense of what was happening. His expression seemed to ask, “What should I do?” Seeking guidance, he glanced at Bappadeva. But what was this? Bappadeva, too, was bowing before him, eyes closed, hands folded, head lowered. Kharavela’s confusion deepened further…
(To be Continued...)
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