The marital bliss had filled Ashoka with a strange new energy. Thus newly energized Ashoka reached the outskirts of Ujjaini accompanied by his bride Vidisha. They had to camp outside the city with their army.
They could not enter the town as it had fallen to the rebels. The rebel flags were flying high all over the town where the local royalty had established an independent rule. The writ of Magadha Empire no more ran there. The situation angered Ashoka.
He quickly transformed himself into the old warrior Ashoka who brooked no opposition and who believed in dealing with the enemy ruthlessly. Ashoka declared war on the rebel regime. He led his dare-devil army with old ferocity. His blood thirsty sword flashed like lightning seeking the necks of the enemies. Ashoka became a raging storm that swept away the rebel regime. The local royal conspirators were beheaded. Their rebel commander were dealt death for treason against the Magadha Empire. The enemy soldiers who surrendered were pardoned with dishonourable conditions. Those who failed to surrender were mercilessly hounded to death.
In quick time rebellion was crushed ruthlessly. The rebel flags were turn to shreds and Empire flags went up again. After clearing the city of the rebels Ashoka moved into the palace with his bride to celebrate the restoration of the rule of the Empire. Ashoka ordered a week long festivities in the town.
Vidisha was shocked at the transformation of her husband. She had married a shy prince who at their first meeting had stammered gawkily, a hopelessly love lost youngmam who had begged for her hand from her father. As a newly wed groom Ashoka had been a harmless lover who looked incapable of hurting a fly.
But Ujjaini brought out in him a completely new character of a ruthless prince who dealt death to others without batting an eyelid, whose sword created hundreds of fountains of blood, whose spear tore through scores of human bodies and his tongue ordered beheadings and executions!
Vidisha was brought up in Buddhist environment where peace, mercy, compassion and non-violence were the fundamental values of life and spirit. And she had ended up married to a person who was the embodiment of the most macabre violences. What a tragedy!
Vidisha’s heart wept. Her mind’s peace was torn to shreds. Those shreds were storming around her soul and conscience. She ran from chamber to chamber of the palaces to ease her restlessness but there was no relief anywhere. She ran out desperately into the palace garden where she collapsed down on the grassy patch.
Meanwhile, Ashoka was looking for her all over the palace. He wished to be with her all the time. The rebellion problem was forcing him off her. That was why Ashoka used extra-ruthless measures to deal with the problem as fast as he could to be by the side of his bride again. Now he had done that but the pride was no- where to be found. He was becoming edgy. After searching through the palace he looked in the garden. And there she was, crying near a bush. He thought ‘If someone has offended her I will sever his head.’
Ashoka rushed to her and asked, ‘‘What are you doing? Why do you cry? I have been looking for you all over. Don’t you know that we are to celebrate.’’
Vidisha looked up. Her eyes were red from crying. She asked, ‘‘Celebrate what?’’
‘‘Our victory! The rebellion is crushed.’’
‘‘O Warrior! Thousands of people died, got maimed, injured, women widowed and children orphaned. Does that call for celebration? It is the victory of graveyard,’’ Vidisha moaned.
‘‘I see,’’ Ashoka exclaimed and added sarcastically, ‘‘Now I know why you have been crying. You have the heart of the Buddhist that only begs for non-violence. But darling, I am a warrior prince. To defend my empire I have to use my sword.’’
‘‘I hate bloodshed.’’
‘‘My dearest, try to understand. An empire is a boat that floats on the blood.’’
‘‘The bloody boat!’’ Vidisha shook her head in disgust. She spoke in pained voice, ‘‘Lord Buddha too had an big spiritual empire. How much blood he shed to keep his boat afloat? His boat floated on the milk of human kindness and mercy. He preached against violence and hatred. He stood for love, peace…’’
Ashoka pleaded, ‘‘Darling, please let us not waste time in debate. We shall have lot of time for academic arguments. I will try to understand your feelings. I did all that to be able to be with you.’’
‘‘You shouldn’t have done it.’’
Ashoka became philosophic, ‘‘Dearest Vidisha! Don’t forget that we two also have our own shared empire of love where there is no place for violence, hatred or apathy. And it will remain so forever, I promise. For its sake please join me in my happiness.’’
He extended his hand to her. She could not refuse the call of her love because her lover boy had come back to her leaving behind the prince Ashoka. Vidisha let herself to be pulled up. They locked each other in a warm embrace and stood like that for some time. Then they walked into the palace hand in hand.
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