Meanwhile a lot had happend at Patliputra. It had a new ruler now.
Mahapadma had nine sons among whom Dhanaanda was the eldest. After the death of Mahapadma he descended on the throne. Acharya Shaktar was minister in Mahapadma day. He continued in the ministry of Dhanananda and later became Prime minister.
Many of the important persons of Magadha court did not like this combination. One of such persons was the younger brother of the king named Sumalyananda. Vakrasar was his guru. The guru’s son Raskshasa close friend of Sumalya. Vakrasar was known to an expert in political manipulation. His son was even more crafty. It is believed that many of the strategies put forward by Vakrasar were infact his son’s ideas.
The father and the son pair wanted Sumalya to inherit the throne. That would naturally make Vakrasr the chief minister. Rakshasa knew the weakness of Dhanananda was woman which they could exploit.
During spring celebration lecherons Dhanananda caught sight of a ravishing beauty. He began to drool for her. The girl was Subhashini planted there by cunning Rakshasa. Her duty was to entice the corrupt Dhanananda.
The king asked his crony to arrnage his meeting with that beauty. There was not problem. That was what Rakshas had anticipated.
The room where the king was to meet the girl was checked thorughly. Chief minister Shaktar had become very careful about it since the murder of Mahapadma. He knew the facts whereas officialy his death was announced as the result of the natural causes for the benefit of the subjects. Shaktar wanted no repetition of the same tragedy.
Subhashini was sent to the appointed room. She was hiding poisoned needles in her bun of hair. She drew them out and stabed the king with those needles. Dhanananda sereamed and fell down.
The scream brought the guards running in. They cut down the girl to pieces with their swords.
Dhanananda was dead already.
The conspiracy of Vakrasar and his son succeded. The father and the son executed. Clever Rakshasa had left no trace that could link Subhashini to them. She was chosen by him because she herself had a revenge to take on Dhanananda.
As expected, Sumalaya Nanda became the king of Magadha. Shaktar was put in prison for his failure to protect the king from the assassination.
Now as the Prime minister Vakrasar was ruling the empire overtly but covertly Rakshasa was the brain behind his father. He was not only a shover but very good administrative planner and strategist.
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