The Aryavarta Chronicles Kaurava: Book 2 by Krishna Udayasankar Read Free Book Online

line of inheritance to the Kuru kingdom. Dharma had thanked the gods and of course their preceptor and guide, Dwaipayana Vyasa. Never had he expected that the events that followed would lead him to the throne and, ultimately, to rule over an empire. The irony of it all surpassed by far the glory it brought, a glory that he lived with and ruled over, here at Indr-prastha, the capital of Aryavarta. He found no joy in the breath-taking visions of art and nature that greeted him at every step as he walked back to his personal quarters. His thoughts were far too despondent for that.
    As a youth, Dharma had been only too aware of the politics that surrounded him. His father, Pandu, was the younger of King Vichitravirya’s two sons and had come to power only because the elder, Dhritarasthra, was blind. When Pandu had died, Dhritarastra had taken the throne and the question of succession had surfaced again – leading to inevitable tension between Dharma and Dhritarastra’s eldest son, Syoddhan.
    Many a time, Dharma had thought, no, he had longed to set aside his claim to the Kuru throne. But he had never dared mention the notion aloud. His brothers and his mother would have been heartbroken and for their sakes Dharma had continued in the role that was expected of him, right to this day. Just as he had longed for a life of celibacy and frugality but had been thrown into matrimony for the sake of his brothers.
    As Emperor, he had no interest in the affairs of government, in the endless disputes over water and land, or old, ridiculous feuds of honour between tiny fiefdoms that he had never heard of. The many nations were constantly scheming to edge up just another notch in Aryavarta’s complex hierarchy. Much to his disgust, their kings commonly bartered loyalties, and formed and broke alliances at will. Dharma genuinely believed that his duty was to uphold the supremacy of divine law, the sacred precepts laid down in the scriptures. But the political was now imperative and the spiritual merely optional.
    His brothers could not understand his agony, leave alone share his burdens. The four of them had been brought up to believe that Dharma would guide them, and were incapable of even temporarily adopting the role of a leader. They were exceptional, no doubt, in their own ways, but none of them had the acumen for government. Nakul was charming, but lacked humility. Sadev was both humble and as wise, some said, as Vidur – Dhritarastra’s renowned royal counsellor and half-brother, and thus also their uncle. That may have proved to be his folly, for Sadev tended to avoid conflict at all costs. And Partha, of course, was dashing, brave and god-like. When it came to matters not connected with romance he was, however, notoriously indecisive. There was little argument against Bhim. He was brave, well-spoken and, above all, reliable. But Dharma had always thought of him as the strong, simple one among them, their protector and shield, never their leader.
    The Emperor gnashed his teeth unwittingly as he confronted the thought that had irked him every moment in these past months. He, Dharma, was no better than his brothers. They were, at least, as strong as they were flawed. Each of them had their claim to distinction. But not he. The so-called flawlessness, the devotion to virtue that he was known for, meant nothing. And that meant he was nothing. For, all that he had he owed to the efforts of another. Govinda Shauri, Commander of the armies of Dwaraka.
    Dharma tried hard to ignore the questions that sprang to his mind and the memories that surfaced in answer. Govinda’s actions at the Kandava forest, Govinda during the imperial campaign, Govinda in Vidharbha, Govinda at the Coronation… With great effort, he drew his mind back from the inevitable question: Why? What was in it for Govinda?
    For the longest time Dharma had believed that it was he who had convinced Govinda to take their side, tempting him with the thought of his bloodline