Charge!' shouted Subahu.

Satyam Ekam!' cried the Asuras as they took off.

Ram raised a balled fist and shouted aloud, Ayodhyatah Vijetaarah!'

It was the war cry of the Ayodhyans. The conquerors from the unconquerable city!

Lakshman held the standard high and roared. Ayodhyatah Vijetaarah!'

The Asuras stopped in their tracks as they gaped at the two princes and the Ayodhya flag. They had come to a halt a mere fifty feet from where Ram's horse stood still.

Subahu edged forward slowly, holding his sword low, non-threateningly.

Are you from Ayodhya?' asked Subahu, as he reached close enough to be heard.

I am the crown prince of Ayodhya,' said Ram. Surrender and I swear by the honour of Ayodhya, you will not be harmed.'

Subahu's sword fell from his suddenly limp hand as he went down on his knees. As did the other Asuras. Some of them were whispering to each other. But it was loud enough to reach Ram's ears.

Shukracharya...'

Ayodhya...'

The voice of Ekam...'

Ram, Lakshman and the Malayaputras were ceremoniously led into the Asura camp. The fourteen Asura soldiers were received by Tadaka; the women quickly got down to tending to the injuries of their men, who had been disarmed by the Malayaputras.

The hosts and the guests eventually settled down in the central square. After a quick round of meagre refreshments, Ram addressed the Malayaputra military chief. Arishtanemiji, please leave me alone with the Asuras.'

Why?' asked Arishtanemi.

I would like to speak with them alone.'

Lakshman objected vehemently. Dada, when I said that we shouldn't attack these people, I didn't mean that they are good and we should talk to them. I just meant that it is beneath us to attack these morons. Now that they have surrendered, we're done with them. Let's leave them to the Malayaputras and return to Ayodhya.'

Lakshman,' said Ram. I said I would like to speak with them.'

What will you talk about, Dada?' persisted Lakshman, beyond caring that he was within earshot of the Asuras. These people are savages. They are animals. They are the remnants of those who survived the wrath of Lord Rudra. Don't waste your time on them.'

Ram's breathing slowed down as his body stiffened imperceptibly. His face acquired an expression of forbidding calm. Lakshman immediately recognised it for what it was: a sign of deep anger welling up beneath the still waters of his brother's essentially cool personality. He also knew that this anger was coupled with unrelenting stubbornness. He threw up his hands in a gesture of frustrated surrender.

Arishtanemi shrugged. All right, you can talk to them. But it is not advisable that you do it in our absence.'

I have taken note of your advice. Thank you! But I trust them,' said Ram.

Tadaka and Subahu heard Ram's words. It took them by surprise because they had been considered the enemy for so long.

Arishtanemi gave in. However, he also made sure the Asuras heard him loud and clear. Fine, we'll move away. But we will be battle-ready, mounted on horseback. At the slightest sign of trouble, we'll ride in and kill them all.'

As Arishtanemi turned to leave, Ram repeated his directive, this time to his protective brother. I would like to speak to them alone, Lakshman.'

I'm not leaving you alone with them, Dada.'

Lakshman...'

I am not leaving you alone, Dada!'

Listen, brother, I need...'

Lakshman raised his voice. I am not leaving you alone, Dada!'

All right,' said Ram, giving in.

Arishtanemi and the Malayaputra warriors lined up at the border of the camp with the stream behind them, mounted on horses, ready to ride to Ram and Lakshman's rescue at the first hint of trouble. The brothers were seated on a raised platform in the central square, with the Asuras gathered around them. Subahu wore an arm sling; he sat in front, beside his mother, Tadaka.

You are committing slow suicide,' said Ram.

We are only following our law,' said Tadaka.

Ram frowned. What do you intend to achieve by continually attacking the Malayaputras?'

We hope to save them. If they come to our side, reject their false beliefs and listen to the call of the Ekam, they will save their own souls.'

So, you think you are saving them by persistently hara.s.sing them, interfering in their rituals, and even trying to kill them.'

Yes,' said Tadaka, making it obvious that her strange logic was irrefutable to her. And, really, it is not we who are trying to save the Malayaputras. It is, in fact, the True One, the Ekam himself! We are mere instruments.'

But if the Ekam is on your side, how come the Malayaputras have been thriving for centuries? How do you explain that the people of the Sapt Sindhu, almost all of whom reject your interpretation of the Ekam, have been dominant for so long? Why haven't you Asuras conquered India once again? Why isn't the Ekam helping you?'

The Lord is testing us. We haven't been sufficiently true to his path.'

Testing you?' asked Ram. Is the Ekam making the Asuras lose every single major battle they have fought for centuries, for millennia actually, just so he can test you?'

Tadaka did not respond.

Have you considered that he may not be testing you at all?' asked Ram. Maybe he is trying to teach you something? Maybe he is trying to tell you that you have to change with the times? Didn't Shukracharya himself say that if a tactic has led to failure, then persisting with it unquestioningly, in the wild hope of a different outcome, is nothing short of insanity?'

But how can we live by the rules of these disgusting, decadent Devas who worship everything in theory but nothing in practice?' asked Tadaka.

These "disgusting, decadent Devas" and their descendants have been in power for centuries,' said Lakshman aggressively. They have created magnificent cities and a sparkling civilisation, while you have been living in a run-down pathetic camp in the middle of nowhere. Maybe it is you people who need to change your theory and practice, whatever it may be!'

Lakshman...' said Ram, raising a hand to silence him.

This is nonsense, Dada.' Lakshman would not relent. How delusional can these people be? Don't they see reality?'

Their only reality is their law, Lakshman. Change is difficult for the people of the masculine way of life. They are only guided by their law and, if that is out of sync with the times, it is very difficult for them to accept and initiate change; instead, more often than not, they will cling more strongly to the certainties of their law. We don't see the att.i.tude of the feminine civilisations towards change as open-minded and liberal; instead, to us, it appears fickle, corrupt and debauched.'

We? Us?' asked Lakshman, frowning at Ram identifying himself with the masculine way.

Tadaka and Subahu keenly watched the exchange between the brothers. Subahu raised his balled fist to his heart, in an ancient Asura salute.

Ram asked Lakshman. Do you think what was done to Dhenuka was wrong?'

I think the way the Asuras randomly kill people who do not agree with their interpretation of the Ekam is even more wrong.'

On that I agree with you. The Asura actions were not just wrong, they were evil,' said Ram. But I was talking about Dhenuka. Do you think what was done to him was wrong?'

Lakshman refused to respond.

Answer me, my brother,' said Ram. Was it wrong?'

You know I will not oppose you, Dada...'

I'm not asking what you will do. What do you think, Lakshman?'

Lakshman remained silent. But his answer was obvious.

Who is Dhenuka?' asked Subahu.

A hardened criminal, a blot on society whose soul will atone for his deed for at least a million births,' said Ram. But the law did not allow for his execution. Had Shukracharya's law not permitted it, no matter how heinous the crime, should he have been executed?'

Subahu didn't need a moment to think. No.'

Ram smiled ever so slightly as he turned to Lakshman. The law applies equally to all. No exceptions. And the law cannot be broken. Except when...'

Lakshman turned away from him. He remained convinced that in Dhenuka's case, justice had been served.

Ram turned to address the small band of Asuras. Try to understand what I am saying to you. You are law-abiding people; you follow the masculine way. But your laws are not working anymore. They haven't been for centuries, because the world has changed. That is what karma is trying to teach you, again and again. If karma is giving you a negative signal repeatedly, then it is not testing you, it is trying to teach you. You need to tap into the disciple in you and find a new Shukracharya. You need a new masculine way. You need new laws.'

Tadaka spoke up. Guru Shukracharya had said that he would reincarnate when the time was ripe, to lead us to a new way...'

There was a long silence in the a.s.semblage.

Tadaka and Subahu suddenly stood up in unison. They brought their balled right fists to their heart, as they bowed low to Ram; the traditional full Asura salute. Their soldiers sprang to their feet and followed suit, as did the women, children and the old.

Ram felt as if a crushing weight was suddenly placed on his chest and the wind knocked out of him. Guru Vashishta's words entered his mind of their own volition. Your responsibility is great; your mission is all-important. Stay true to it. Stay humble, but not so humble that you don't accept your responsibilities.

Lakshman glared at the Asuras, and then at Ram, scarcely believing what was going on.

What would you have us do, My Lord?' asked Tadaka.

Most Asuras live with the Vayuputras today, far beyond the western borders of India, in a land called Pariha,' said Ram. I want you to seek refuge there, with the help of the Malayaputras.'

But why would the Malayaputras help us?'

I will request them.'

What will we do there?'

Honour the promise that your ancestors made to Lord Rudra. You will work with the Vayuputras to protect India.'

But protecting India today means protecting the Devas...'

Yes, it does.'

Why should we protect them? They are our enemies. They are...'

You will protect them because that is what Lord Rudra ordered you to do.'

Subahu held his mother's hand to restrain her. We will do as you order, My Lord.'

Uncertain, Tadaka yanked her wrist out of her son's grip. But this is our holy land. We want to live in India. We cannot be happy outside of its sacred embrace.'

You will return eventually. But you cannot come back as Asuras. That way of life is over. You will return in a new form. This is my promise to you.'

Chapter 18.

Lakshman had expected anger from the volatile Vishwamitra, instead he looked intrigued; even impressed. Lakshman did not know what to make of it.

The maharishi sat in padmaasan on the platform built around a banyan tree. His feet were placed on opposite thighs, facing upwards; the knotted tuft of hair at the back of his shaven head fluttered in the strong breeze. His white angvastram had been placed on the side.

Sit,' commanded Vishwamitra. This will probably take some time.'

Ram, Lakshman and Arishtanemi took their seats around him. Vishwamitra observed the Asuras standing quietly in the distance. They had not been tied up; Ram had insisted on that, to the consternation of the camp denizens. But it appeared that shackling them was not required, after all. They stood in a disciplined line, not moving from their positions. Arishtanemi had nevertheless kept thirty guards stationed around them, just in case.

Vishwamitra addressed Ram. You have surprised me, prince of Ayodhya. Why did you disobey my direct order to kill all the Asuras? And what did you tell them to bring about this dramatic transformation? Is there some secret mantra that can suddenly civilise the uncivilised?'

I know even you don't believe what you have just said, Guruji,' said Ram in a calm voice. You don't really think the Asuras are uncivilised; you cannot, for I have seen you worship Lord Rudra, and I know that the Asuras have joined the Vayuputras, the tribe that he left behind. The Vayuputras are your partners in deed, your karmasaathis. So, my suspicion is that you were trying to provoke me with what you just said. I find myself wondering, why?'

Vishwamitra's eyes widened fractionally as they focused on Ram, to the exclusion of all others. But he did not give him an answer. Do you really think these imbeciles are worth the effort of rescuing?'

But that question is immaterial, Guruji. The question really is: why should they be wiped out? What law have they broken?'

They attacked my camp repeatedly.'

But they didn't kill anyone. All they did the last time was burn a small portion of the hedge fencing. And they broke some of your mining equipment. Do these crimes deserve the death sentence under the laws of any Smriti? No. The laws of Ayodhya, which I always obey, clearly state that if the weak have not broken any law, then it is the duty of the strong to protect them.'

But my orders were explicit.'

Forgive me for being explicit too, Guruji, but if you genuinely intended to kill these Asuras, then Arishtanemiji would have easily done it for you. Your warriors are trained professionals. These Asuras are amateurs. I believe you brought us here because you knew that they would listen to the princes of Ayodhya, and no one else. You wanted to find a practical, non-confrontational solution to the problem they posed. Not only have I followed the law, but I've also delivered on what you truly wanted. What I fail to understand is why you did not want to reveal your true intentions to me.'