Govinda (The Aryavarta Chronicles) by Krishna Udayasankar Read Free Book Online

trusted Yuyudhana implicitly and was glad of his company.
    ‘Those two,’ Yuyudhana continued, with a nod towards the squabbling youth, ‘came along at the last moment. Impetuous brats!’
    ‘Hot-headed, impetuous … I’d love to call them a few other things, too,’ Govinda noted. ‘Pradymna’s nearly twenty-one, but
     by Rudra, can he act like a child! And Samva …’ he let the phrase hang as his face broke into a wide grin.
    ‘Oi! We’re right here, you know. We can hear you,’ Pradymna protested.
    ‘Indeed, your presence might be more notable and respected if you could at least stay astride your horse!’ Govinda retorted.
    ‘Or follow the instructions of your elders,’ Yuyudhana wistfully added. ‘In any case …,’ he turned to address Govinda, ‘shall
     we?’
    ‘Of course.’ Govinda set off along the path at a slow amble, Yuyudhana riding alongside.
    ‘Wait! What about us?’ Samva cried, leaving Pradymna behind to run after the two departing men.
    ‘Next time!’
    ‘If you learn to ride, by then,’ Yuyudhana quipped.
    ‘And you’re any smarter,’ Govinda added.
    ‘Which alas is …’
    ‘Impossible?’
    Laughing, the two riders tugged at the reins, urging their horses into a gallop. With a great deal of shouting and cursing,
     the two youths followed.
    The four horsemen made good time during the day, and it was a little past sunset when Govinda veered away into a small forest
     abutting the riverbank. He proposed to set up camp there for the night. In the morning, Pradymna and Samva could head back
     to Dwaraka, while he and Yuyudhana forded the river, crossing over into the region commonly known as central Aryavarta. Govinda
     knew his sons would not be happy with his suggestion that they return, but they would not disobey his command.
    Ignoring the matter for the moment, he and Yuyudhana hunted some jungle fowl and cooked it, while Pradymna and Samva let all
     four horses drink from the river, then removed their saddles and rubbed them down before setting them free to graze. The men
     then washed up and threw themselves down on the ground, by the fire. Soon the fowl was done and eagerly consumed. Their upper
     robes serving as cushions, they stretched out on the soft grass in a well-nourished stupor. For the time being there was no
     need to keep watch or guard. In these territories, their instincts would suffice. As the dying fire crackled a soft lullaby,
     Govinda’s eyes closed inan invitation to sleep. He was vaguely aware that Yuyudhana was speaking, addressing the two youngsters.
    ‘… Aryavarta wasn’t always as we know it, nor were its people. Some talk of simple hunter-tribes who lived in peace and had
     a great spiritual connection with their natural surroundings. Others still believe that it was full of ruthless fiends who
     practised human sacrifice and cannibalism. You see, what we today call the beginning of civilization is really only the beginning
     of recorded history. The further back we go in time, the less we are certain about. Different people then begin to interpret
     and understand things differently. Some of these stories become indestructible myths and even acquire a supernatural tinge,
     because we start taking literally what might have been merely symbolic.’
    ‘You mean things like Bramha the Creator giving life to the first of beings, his sons?’ Pradymna intervened.
    ‘Yes and no. I don’t question that Bramha did give life to us all, including the very first of us. But we know nothing about
     who or what existed before the five brothers our scriptures name as Bramha’s sons. The eldest of these, Vasishta, was the
     ancestor of the Firstborn. Marichi’s children live on today as the Solar Kings, and Atri’s son Soma founded the Lunar Dynasty.
     Pulastya’s descendants chose Dakshinavarta as their home. Angiras, the youngest, was the progenitor of the Firewrights.’
    With an expression of great humility, Samva said, ‘Uncle, just because