The death of Gandhar king proved a boon for Ambhi. Now he was free to implement his own agenda. He had never felt easy with old customs, traditions and outdated political thoughts. He was duly coronated and ascended to the throne.
He announced to save Gandhar from massacre and destruction by Greeks he had decided to become an ally of Emperor Alexander through a friendship treaty.
Chanakya was a renowned teacher at the Taxila University whose opinions were greatly valued. He was a political analyst as well. His father Chanak had been a political activist in Magadha and paid price by getting executed for working against the rulers. The political mindset Chanakya had inherited from his father.
The news of king Ambhi joining hands with alien invader Alexander worried Chanakya. He sat down to ponder over the negative aspects of Ambhi’s move and likely impact of it on the overall situation of the land.
Seeing Chanakya in grim thoughtful mood a student asked, “Sir, the pile of lines on your forehead tells us that something is greatly worrying you. Will you educate us on it?”
The teacher responded, “Indeed it is a matter of great concern for all thinking people. We may have to leave Taxila for some time.”
“Why sir?” one of the bright students of Chanakya asked. His name was Chandragupta.
“The reason is alien invader Alexander. He comes storming to trample upon our lands,” The teacher revealed distastefully.
“Respected sir, Alexander is the problem of the rulers of Gandhar and other kingdoms. You have taught us that academics need not meddle in state matters.”
“No son. The alien invasion is a different matter. We don’t bother about internal quarrels between the native kings. But Alexander has the power to gain victory over entire land of India.”
“What is wrong about it, sir? Alexander is a great Emperor, brave warrior, strategist, mighty ruler and a fine administrator. He may provide us a better organised empire.”
“It will be a disaster,” Chanakya shook his head.
“How?” several students asked in chorus.
“Alexander is an aggressor, an ambassador of an alien culture and civilisation. If he is able to win the kingdoms here it won’t only mean the change of the names of the kings as happens in case of battles between native kings where the common folk remain unaffected. The victory of Greeks will mean massacre, loot and plunder of the common folk. Alexander will eliminate the native dynasties to announce his victory. He will destroy our culture and civilisation to enforce his own culture, language and way of life on our people. Lost will be our heritage, identity and self respect.
Alexander is rumoured to be ready to cross Hindukush ranges. No kingdom of our land can stop the march of plundering and marauding Greek soldiers. Our rulers are weak and petty minded. They are no match for Alexander’s organised invading forces. Enemy can be checked only if rulers of our lands unite and join their forces. It is imperative need of the hour, my dear pupil.”
“Who can unite the selfish rulers?”
“Times and circumstances may force them to come together for a common good. They will see that not doing so will rob them all of their independence and kingdoms. Alexander will take them. The fear may put sense in our rulers. No one can tolerate the destruction of one’s culture, civilisation and way of life. The refugees who have come here say that ruthless soldiers of the Greek Emperor Alexander totally plunder and destroy villages, towns and the capital cities. Homes and food stocks are razed to make people homeless and starve. The same fate is going to befall of Pushkarawati, Taxila, Rajgriha and Sankel. No more will these beautiful cities exist once Greeks arrive. I can’t see it. Never, my dear boys. Something must be done.”
“What can you do, sir?”
“I will try to put together the fragmented power base of India. The native kings are needed to be made aware of the dangers of falling to the alien invader and getting culturally and spiritually destroyed besides losing individual independence.”
Chandragupta asked, “Sir, will it work? You will be dealing with morally and intellectually bankrupt rulers. The union will rob them of their small narrow-minded liberties and ego they are so fond of. Their minds have become so small that they won’t be able to see the collective damage or bigger threat of Alexander.”
“My dear pupil, you are right to some extent. The task is difficult. The rise of the union will demand sacrifice of their small ambitions and independence. It will be difficult to put sense in their narrow minds. Their selfishness may prove hurdle. But I feel that some of them will understand the dangers and then eventually the instinct of self preservation might prevail. I must do my duty without caring for the rewards, success or failure as holy Geeta has taught us. The task may be very difficult but not impossible.”
“Sir, we hear that king Ambhi of Gandhar is officially negotiating a friendship treaty with Alexander.”
“That is correct. Infact, that was what got me worrying. Now you know what made my decision to leave Taxila. I can’t stay in a land that would be holding reception for the alien invader Alexander I feel so strongly against. I have to live with my conscience.”
A concerned student asked, “Sir, then what happens to our education?”
“The students will continue to study as before. All other teachers will remain in their posts here teaching. I have my own reasons to leave. Those who have completed their courses may naturally go to their home states anyway. If my political analysis has convinced you of its correctness and your minds are willing such ones may become part of my campaign and help in spreading the awareness against alien subjugation. I address this to Chandragupta and Malav Prince Udayan who have completed education. The rest of you in mid courses may stay and concentrate on your respective studies.”
Chadragupta spoke, “Sir, Prince Udayan can go back to his kingdom but presently I have nowhere to go.” Chanakya nodded his head. “I can understand your problem, Chandra. My suggestion for you is to stay back at Taxila, try to find a place in the local army unit, learn soldierly crafts, secretly keep an eye on the activities of king Ambhi without engaging in any rebellious act and if possible just try to build up anti-Alexander feelings amongst the people you associate with. But take no risks or betray your true intentions.”
“I will try my best, sir,” Chandragupta assured.
“How will you proceed from here, sir?” Udayan asked.
Chanakya revealed, “I have made arrangements with merchant Kuber whose trading caravan would be leaving Taxila soon to move fast via Kaikya, Katha, Shudraka, Malav etc for reaching Magadha which happens to be my planned destination. Udayan, if you prefer you may accompany me as I will be passing through your home state Malav if you don’t have any alternate arrangement made. Have you?”
“No sir. Your departure plan came suddenly. I wanted to stay here a week or more to learn about horses, horsemanship and related equipment from an expert of Gandhar army I happen to know. But now I will come with you. I can introduce my mate Chandragupta to that army man who might prove very useful to him.”
Chanakya said, “First go and talk to merchant Kuber to inform him about extra passenger in you.”
Udayan nodded his head. Chandragupta was very thoughtfully scratching his head.
He coughed to draw attention of Chanakya and said, “Sir, you say your final destination is Magadha. As you know I also come from Magadha. But what kind of assistance can you hope from the worthless ruler like Nanda of Patliputra? He is a coward, drunkard, womaniser and arrogant.”
“Son, the real power of a state lies in its resources and potential and not in its ruler. The rulers come and go but the state remains. If the people of a state are intelligent and intellectually rich that is the real power. The ruler does not matter. A bad ruler works up his own downfall. Nanda would go sooner than later. His vices will destroy him. Remember, that in entire India Magadha is the only powerful empire that has resources to challenge Alexander. All the small kingdoms can be aligned around Magadha to create a real great empire using it as the nucleus. No other kingdom has that potential. Magadha can defend our culture and civilisation. It will protect our honour and self respect.”
Udayan too posed a question, “Sir, if your dream empire consisting of all present lands as its part comes true what will be the position of my home state Malav? Will it lose its identity and indepedent existence?”
“No prince. All the states will exist as before. There will be internal autonomy and indepedence for all its regions, states, unions and kingdoms. The empirical union will only be meant to deal with the external invasions or interventions.”
Chandragupta restlessly said, “Sir, forgive me but I will never forgive that debauched Nanda of Magadha. Revenge I must take. He usurped my home state Pippalivana, put my father Suryagupta in the blind dungeon and forced my queen mother to work as maid in his palace. The humiliation is too great to take. How can we put up with such evil characters?”
“Son, politics is a strange game, an ugly one. For the common good we must make sacrifices, compromises and adjustments. The honour of the motherland is the overriding factor. Don’t forget the evil father of the present evil Nanda got my father executed. But I am thinking rising above my own personal emotions. I can understand your feelings, Chandra. As you mature up you will learn to make adjustments emotionally.” Chanakya patted the back of his favourite student.
Chanakya continued his reasoning after a pause, “Look Chandra, you must rise above your emotions. Every old man and woman is your parent, every young person around you is your sibling and every one is your own family member. Their joy or sorrow is your joy or sorrow. When you begin to feel so you will know your educated mind has conquered the emotions of heart. Instead of thinking about dishonour of your Pippalivana think of the impending humiliation of our entire land, Bharata. Don’t cry only for your parents, let your heard bleed for every one of this land. If that happens I will know my educating you has gained me my rewards.”
“Sir, I promise that I won’t disappoint you,” the youngman spoke sincerely realising his mistake. He was behaving like Ambhi in a direct way by allowing revengeful mindset to overtake him.
At that note the meeting of the teacher and his pupil ended.
Prince Udayan went to meet merchant Kuber to arrange for his travel alongwith his caravan and Chanakya. With him two other students also went for company. Udayan had made up his mind that he would fully apply himself to the task of spreading awareness against the invasion of Emperor Alexander. Other students also departed on their own errands.
Chanakya spoke to Chandragupta in confidence, “Son, we are going through a perilous period. You come from the eastern part now a region of the Magadha empire. So I do. Our mission and the place of endeavour may coincide. Your origin is royal and I see a great promise in you for the future. Don’t destroy that promise for a foolish act or revenge. It is a testing hour for us. You must emerge out of this test a successful man free of petty mindedness. You must act carefully. Don’t waste yourself in an act of haste.”
The next day Chanakya left Taxila.
