The war was going on its speed..at first Greek soldiers couldn't stand in front of the vast battalion of huge elephants so they retreated..but Greek horseriders were famous for their speed and their diplomatic strategy and who doesn't know that speed wins everywhere...so at last Alexandar won..though he was moved by the bravery of Hindu soldiers and accepted the truth that they never faced such a resistance in the whole journey of conquering the world that was made by the Indians..And he was so pleased by the kingly attitude and self-respect of king Puru that he freed him from imprisonment and gave back his kingdom by making him his representative.
While the war was going on then two men used to observe the war thoroughly each and every turns and movements of the soldiers of both side day by day from a highland..One of them was an aged brahmin dressed like acharya..and another one was a young man dressed like a warrior..of course both of them are formerly known by us..they are none other than our respected acharya Chanakya and his obedient student our beloved Chandragupta.
By watching own countryman's defeat on the hand of foreigners Chandragupta's young blood started to be heated..he was so excited that he was about to jump on the battlefield with the open sword on hand..but he couldn't be able as his acharya stopped him..possessing an inner sight acharya was able to realize the fact Greeks were unbeatable for their diplomatic strategy..his plan for observing the war was to make his student trained with those strategies..not to help the Pourabas in the war..because he can't lose CGM as this young warrior is chosen to fulfill a greater purpose ..a goal to make a united empire of Bharatvarsh..so he started to make him convinced
that why they should remain neutral.
CGM : hume mat rokiye acharya hum hindusthan ke mrittika pr yavan raja k vijaypataka urte hue nhi dekh sakte..hume Sikandar k virudh yudh karne k anumati dijiye..
C : shant Chandragupt..tum ek mahan uddyeshya ko pura karne k lakshya mein aye ho aise uttejit hona tumhe shobha nhi dete
CGM : kaise uttejit na ho acharya??hum ek khatriya yodha hai ..humare ankhon ke samne yavan sena hamare logo k khun k holi khel rahe hai aur hum chup rahe?? dhikkar hai hum pr...
C: niyati pr kisika bas nhi chalta ..aj yudh mein Sikandar k jeet nischit ho chuke hai..ab tumhare yogdan se kuch nhi badlega.
CGM : parantu acharya yudh ek khatriya ka dharm hai..har k darse hum apne dharm ko kaise bhul sakte hai...hamare khum mein yudh k unmadana nritya kr rahe hai hume jane ka aggya dijiye
C : bhawnao me behkr apne karm k marg se bhatakna dharm nhi adharm hote hai Chandragupt..hum jante hai tumhare shonit yudh k nam pr chanchal hue hai parantu ye mat bhulo k tumhare karm k paridhi is yudh se koi guna visal hai..tum jinhe apne desvasi bol rahe ho kya vo apne apko bharatvasi mante hai..janpad aur mahajanpat mein bate hue is visal des ko ek sutra mein bandh na hi videsi satru o k samna krne ka ekmatra upay hai ..aur isi laksya pura krne k liye tumhe jeevit rehna padega..josh mein apna hons gawana tumhare liye uchit nhi hai..apna talwar koshbandh karo
CGM : ap satya keh rahe hai acharya ..hume hamare atmabismaran k lie kshama kare..ab hamara yudhbhumi mein ane ka uddesya pura ho chuke hai..hum ab ye drisya aur nhi dekh sakte chaliye hum Taksashila laut chalte hai
The Sun set in the western sky with the fate of Puru..then gradually darkness of the evening started covering the sky of the bank of Jhilam...both of them started to climb down from that highland and then suddenly some Greek soldiers caught them...Chanakya tried to proof that they were not in the army..they didn't take part in the war but soldiers were not convinced..acharya asked them to check CGM's sword as there was not a single spot of blood which is the sign of not taking part in the war..then the soldiers discussed something among themselves and said that they are ready to let C go as he is aged and unarmed..but being dressed like a warrior and having the sword with him they won't leave CGM...they had to imprison him..they unarmed him and tried to tie his hands..CGM tried to resist..then C asked him not to do so..
C : Chandragupt vyarth pratirodh k kashish mein apne pran mat gawao..jao jake inke raja se vet karo..Sikandar samajhdar vyakti hai..tumhare baat sunke tumhe zaroor mukti denge...satark rehna parantu apne ap pr sanyam rakhna..bure wakt mein sanyam hi sahay hote hai
CGM : hum smaran rakhenge acharya..ap hamara chinta mat kijiye aur Takshila laut jaiye
acharya left..the Greeks tied CGM's hands and took him to Alexandar's camp.
The army camp of Alexandar was temporarily situated on the bank of jhilam..as Greeks won the battle so an atmosphere of happiness had spread among the soldiers of camps...they are celebrating their win..the tent of
Alexandar is in the center of the camp..it was situated on a comparatively high land and its well decorated..after the victory he entered into his tent with pride and kingly attitude..slowly night came ..hundreds of torches of fire started to glow...from a far away place it seemed that countless no. of will-o-the-wisp are glowing and moving in the deodar forest on the bank of jhilam.
On the door of the tent of Alexandar the armed guards were standing...inside the tent the room is very wide and well decorated..weapons are spread here and there ..the room is very bright with the flames of a no. of lamps..a persian carpet is stretched on the floor of the room..king is sitting on the center of which surrounded by his friends and generals..after refreshing himself Alexandar was having dinner..his upper portion was bare.. two kafri servants were massaging his body with oil..in front of him grapes and other fruits and a huge lamb roast has been served on golden plates... Alexandar was eating that pieces by pieces and discussing about the ar and their wining strategy with friends..all of them are too happy..they are very excited too..
On that time Alexandar was around 30..he wasn't tall but had a muscular body like iron..his muscles were the proof of his bravery..in this young age h had conquered half of the world ..he knew there was no warrior like him..that's why his good-looking face had an expression of pride for that...
He finished his dinner...servants covered his body with a stole of fine silk..he ordered and servants cleaned the dishes and served wine on the glasses made by stones having fine crafts on them..Alexandar was addicted to wine.. this addiction caused his death in the age of only 34...but he didn't lose his sense easily. when his friends and general rolled down on floor then he used to sit straight and laughed at their
lack of drinking capacity.. he was proud of his own drinking capability.
He poured Irani wine into golden glass and was about to drink .suddenly a guard came and with honor told that a prisoner wants to meet him.. Alexandar was surprised..he was famous for his merciful behavior with his prisoners...about 9000 Hindu soldiers were caught in the war of hidaspis and all of them were well-treated by Greeks..that is why never ever any prisoners wanted to meet him..and too at night??..
Alex : what does the prisoner want??
Guard : my lord he only wants to meet you and saying he has important talks with you.. he has given dinner but he refused and saying that if he won't get permission to meet the king he won't touch a single drop of water...
Alexandar became curious and ordered to bring the prisoner..
Two soldiers entered with the tied hands prisoner who was none other than our beloved Chandragupta. The king observed him with a halk eye..he watched the prisoner is around 17-18 years old with a well built physic and his face was expressing intelligence..his eyes had an amazing spark and confidence ..no doubt the young prisoner was handsome and brave enough.. Alexandar understood the prisoner was not an ordinary one..sign of aristocracy was being expressed from his look...
On the other hand CGM was also observing him..and thinking is the greatest conqueror of world so young in age..and still there is no sign of any cruelty on his face..CGM felt he has started respecting Sikandar..
Both stared into each others eyes silently for a while..then Alexandar ordered to untie his hands...the guards fulfilled his order and left..
After the guards left CGM bowed Alexandar by bending his head and folding his hands..though Sikandar is a foreign invader who came to conquer his motherland but undoubtedly the greatest warrior of his time..his bravery deserves honor and moreover he is the emperor who would decide his fate..so showing such courtesy was compulsory for CGM both as a prisoner and a warrior..Alexandar gradually became familiar with Indian language of that region..and from acharya
CGM..also got some idea of the language of yavanas...so they didn't face much difficulties in conversation.
Alex : who are you?
CGM: (in a calm but firm voice) my name is Chandragupt my lord.
Alex : well where are you coming from?
CGM : I am homeless at present..but my homeland is Magadh
Alex: Magadh?..i heard its quiet in a distance from here...what are you doing here??
CGM : I was watching the war from a highland beside the battlefield..after ending of the war your soldiers arrested me.
Alexandar again observed CGM from head to foot with a sharp-eye...watched his dress of a warrior and his empty pocket of sword ...
Alex : oh really??you didn't take part in the war against us?
CGM : absolutely not
Alex : only watched the war??
CGM : yes my lord
Alex : and why were you watching the war??
CGM :(gazed into emperor's eye and said)... was observing your war strategy
Alex: (smiled slightly and said)..ohh is it??so what did you observe???
CGM : I observed that your skill for commanding the army is incomparable ..the Hindus are not inferior in physical strength and courage than the Greeks but it was only your art of warfare which assured your victory.
Alexandar burst into laughter...no doubt he was pleased by hearing those praise full words for him...his assumption was right..the young boy is intelligent enough...
Alex : hmm so your name is Sandras (Chandra)??..well take your sit
CGM
sat on an end of the carpet...with keeping the backbone straight which was an expression of royal attitude too.
Alexandar was being more curious to him..
Alex : from your appearance its clear that you are a kshatriya..but you don't take part in war..but you have ample knowledge on war..what does all these mean??
CGM : my lord please listen to my words...i am from the earlier royal dynasty of Magadh...years back darkness of misfortune came to cover Magadh's fate with a barber named Nanda who killed the kshatriya king and his sons and became the king..presently his son Dhanananda is ruling Magadh with his tyranny...he doesn't want to keep a single kshatriya alive...so i fled to Takshasila with my teacher acharya Chanakya..though he is a brahmin but he has immense knowledge in politics and war policy...he asked me to observe the war strategy of the emperor Sikandar..if you want to learn the war tactics..so i came to the battlefield
Alex : ok i understood you want to win your homeland by learning war-policy??..then state how much did you learn from today's battle??
CGM : ( again stared with excited eyes). emperor today i learn that there are no fixed rules and regulations for war...to take decision by understanding the situation is the only tactics of war. Puru was great warrior but he was following the rules and regulations of war step by step ..so he defeated..
Alex : (the excitement of CGM made him excited too)..you got the right point..war is not same as playing chase its the game of life and death..there are no price for rules..rules are only needed to win the war not to fight the battle...my principle is to kill my enemies anyhow..
CGM : yes emperor today i earned that knowledge...in India there is no idea like that..here war-policy is greater than war..Indians don't think that the destiny of a kingdom its happiness and sorrow depends on the result of the war...and related to the success or failure of it..today i gained that knowledge from you with the power of which i will get win over Magadh..today you freed me from blind notion...
Alex : (smiled..which made his face nicer)..good good.but there is a problem...
CGM : problem??about what??
Alex : I also want to conquer Magadh..
CGM's bright face got darkened ..
Alexandar's words put Chandragupta into tension. He didn't think about this possibility.
CGM : will emperor continue to proceed the expedition towards Magadh??..but i heard something else about your plan..
Alex : what did you hear??
CGM : in Taksashila i heard rumors that Greek soldiers wants to return back to their homeland...they don't want to go forward further towards east..
for a while Alexandar silently gazed towards Chandra. this young warrior's intelligence is really impressive...
Alex : hmm i noticed that you have gathered enough news about my plans...and your guess is not wrong..its true my soldiers became tired by fighting wars one after another...and may be i have to return from the bank of hidaspis at present..as no battle can be fought with such strength less army...but i will come back again..Hindustan mesmerized me with all its beauty, wealth, bravery and knowledge...to conquer her has become my dream ..and i will come to fulfill my dream
Chandra lost into deep thought for some moments...and then his firm confident voice came from the deepest of his heart
CGM : emperor if you come back then you would get to see me again..
Alex : where??
CGM : on the bank of Jhilum
Alexandar could understand the meaning of CGM's words and laughed amusingly...
Alex : well then i will take the practical test of your strategy ..specially what you have learn from me..
now Chandra gave a sweet and innocent smile which made his face more loveable to look at.
throughout the conversation Alexandar was holding the golden glass of wine without drinking it...now he offered the drink to Chandragupta..
Alex : though you are my prisoner but you are a prince..you must be greeted properly..so take it...
CGM : my apologies to you my lord..i can't accept this..because i don't drink..
Alexandar was astonished by hearing this...CGM's words seems new to him...
Alex : what are saying?? royal blood is flowing through your vein and you don't drink??how can it be possible??
CGM : no emperor...my childhood spent in a state of poverty...when my father died in a battle against Dhananand i was in mother's womb then my mother Mura fled to a forest named Pippaliban with her brother..there were lots of peacocks among whom i was born and brought up...that's why my name is Chandragupta Maurya ..i used to graze cattle with other cowboys of Pippaliban..one day my life got a new turn when i met my acharya Chanakya...i don't know what he noticed in me...but he bought me from those cowherds by paying prices with his hard-earned money and released me from the life of a cow boy..thus a new journey of mine began...from then i am a servant of my teacher...so i never get a chance to get a habit of drinking wine...
Alexandar was listening to each and every word of Chandragupta with great attention and seriousness on his face...then finished the wine himself and heaved a sigh...
Alex : your life is full of diversity..through such strange situation and difficulties a genuine person can be made...may be you would make the work possible...what i couldn't..
CGM : (was surprised) : what are you talking about emperor??does there anything exist on this earth which is impossible to the world-conqueror emperor Sikandar??
Alexandar smiled again...but this time it was a melancholic smile ...
Alex : i am not god Sandras..every human being has their weakness..i got win over half of the world...but couldn't win myself...this wine...yes addiction towards the wine defeated me...i couldn't get rid of my own weakness...
Alexandar poured wine into the glass again and finished it off...both became speechless...emperor lost into his thoughts..Chandra first time felt this world-conqueror warrior is so alone, helpless and nonplussed in front of his own weakness...as if he is another Sikandar.in his heart a feeling of sympathy grown for him...the silence of the tent made the atmosphere suffocating...at last CGM broke the silence..
CGM : (was about to stand up)...so now give me permission to leave my lord..i have to go..
Alexandar regained his consciousness ...he stared towards the face of Chandra as if had never seen him before..then suddenly burst into laughter...for a while a feeling of self-reproach occupied his mind which went away...
Alex : you will leave??..how can you leave??you are a prisoner..
CGM : but my lord
Alex : I know what will you say...you didn't fight but still i have authority to arrest you and i did it...and this is my last decision that i won't let you go...
If there would have a thunderstorm in the tent Chandra won't be in such a stage of shock..
Alexandar's decision made Chandragupta speechless for some moments...he never expected emperor's mood can change in such a way..
CGM : but why my lord??why are you denying to release me??
Alex : i am not liable to give answer to anybody for any of my deeds..and don't forget you are my prisoner..so you don't have any right for questioning me..
CGM : yes i know that...but i told you everything about my life and my goal..so i couldn't understand the cause of such a decision
Alex : you are talking about causes??can you show me a cause that why should i release you??
CGM : because there is no profit in confining me...you won't get any benefit from me...on the other hand a prisoner needs food, clothes and other things to survive..so this kinds expenditures on a prisoner like me who is of no use for emperor would cause only loss to you...so why would an intelligent man like emperor Sikandar want to bear such a loss?? Alexandar burst into laughter again...Chandra's words were undoubtedly amusing enough to him...the boy is still very innocent...
Alex : i liked your logic Sandras...but yet its not convincing enough..how would bearing a single prisoner's expenditure cause harm to the master of half of the world?..when the prisoner even has no addiction of wine??...
CGM : ( in a disappointed voice) ...but emperor still there is no benefit in imprisoning me...
Alexandar stepped towards Chandra..and placed his hand on Chandra's shoulder..he showed this kind of gesture only to his intimate friends...
Alex : i thought experience of life has made you matured enough but i am watching you are still very childish young man...you want to know what's my profit??..then listen...like your acharya i also have noticed the immense possibilities lying in you...to fulfill my mission of conquering the world i always need young,energetic,intelligent adviser and warriors..so how can i leave you??just think Sandras if you join me then we both can dominate all over the world...do you want me to let go such a opportunity from my hand??...no i can't...and you also know that there is no other way left in front of you without accepting my proposal...using all of your intelligence you can't run away from my army...so accept the truth that i am your master now...
Chandra bent his head...emperor noticed the sweet and innocent face of him has been covered with the darkness of disappointment...but nothing is on Alexandar's hand too...though he also doesn't want to leave Chandra...but it was not the only cause...releasing a prisoner without any convincing reason can give wrong message about emperor's image to his generals..and can indulge the other prisoner's hope too...suddenly a mischievous idea came in emperor's mind...such idea's of making fun often caused troubles to his friends and even to emperor himself too...
Alex : listen Sandras i won't leave you without cause..but i can release you in one condition...
a ray of hope became visible on Chandra's face...
CGM : what condition emperor??
Alex : you have to get victory over my weakness...
CGM : i couldn't get you my lord...
Alex :(smiled)...you have to drink wine...you have to drink that much glasses of wine that i will drink...if you would lose your sense and sleep down on floor before me..then you will never get salvation...but if you can walk steadily out of my tent after my fall...then you will be free..none will check you...
the sky seemed broke down on Chandra's head...
Alexandar's condition took awaythe land under Chandragupta's feet..for sometimes he couldn't understand that if emperor was serious or was making fun of him...
CGM : but how can it be possible my lord??i have never ever drunk a single drop of wine...
Alex : that i don't know...i gave you a way to get salvation..either accept my condition or be ready to join me...if you can win this bet you are free..if you can't then i will take you with me from hindusthan to parasya...then from iran to Egypt...from alexandriya to masidonya...are you agree??
Chandra realized he has no other way to get freedom...either he had to drink wine or he would become a prisoner of Sikandar for the rest of his life...he knew in spite of all his bravery & intelligence.he won't be able to get rid off emperor's army...gandhara has bowed in front of Sikandar..so taksashila won't give him shelter against..even it they can harm to acharya too...no Chandra can't let it happen..there is no way left in front of him but accepting Sikandar's challenge...so at last he took decision he would drink wine...but determined himself that he never would lose his sense...he won't be intoxicated by wine..never...his inner voice echoed acharya's words...' apne ap pr sanyam rakhna...bure wakt mein sanyam hi sahai hote hai '...he remembered once acharya told him ... ' shareer atma k das hote hai atma shareer ka nahin...kabhi apne atma ko shareer k vash hone mat dena...agr apne ap pr viswas ho..yodi apna man mein bal ho..atma mein ho shakti...to shareer pr chahe jitna bhi chot lage...koi yatna mehsus nahi hote '...he bowed once to acharya in his mind...and then gazed towards the emperor with sharp-eye...and then his firm voice came again with full of confidence from direct the core of his heart...
CGM : i agree to your condition emperor...
Alexandar stared into Chandra's eyes and saw an amazing spark there full of self-confidence...a mischievous smile flashed for once in emperor's deep blue eyes...except both of them...a famous general and intimate friend of Alexandar was present there named Nearks...he was listening all the conversation silently...now emperor turned towards him
Alex : Nearks you are the judge of this bet..if this young man wins let him go...now...serve the wine to both of us in same quantity...
Nearks
nodded his head and poured the drinks into to glasses by measuring in same quantity and serve the glasses.to both of emperor and prisoner...
..and then the unique bet began Alexandar and Chandragupta sipped their glasses by gazing into each others eyes
...time passed silently as the breeze blows...and midnight came..and strengthened with mental strength Chandragupta stood on his feet leaving the carpet...and looked at Nearks
CGM : may i leave now??
...Nearks looked at Alexandar and saw emperor overwhelmed in deep sleep lying down on the carpet...the empty glasses of wine are also rolling on floor...Nearks looked at Chandra
and nodded his head in consent...
...with own will power Chandra stepped out from the tent steadily by getting victory on his benumbed body...then he looked back towards the tent..
CGM : hey digvijayee samrat Sikandar main acharya Chanakya shishya Chandragupta Maurya apne kaymanvakya se apka avar manta hun...acharya kehte the k prakrit manusya vo hote hai jo jeevan ke har ek abhiggyata se aur har ek vyakti se shiksha prapt karke age badhta hai...aj yavan samrat se hum jeevan ke ek param shiksha prapt hue...manusya ke sabse bare shatru vo khud hote hai..jo vyakti apne aap pr vijay pa le...viswa k koi bhi shakti use nhi rok sakte...hum apko jeevan bhar smaran rakhenge Sikandar
...the silver moonlight of full moon sky is playing hide and seek with the transparant water of jhilum...the river is looking like a curved sword..Chandra alone is walking through the bank of jhilum...in the moon light the shadow of his tall figure seems to be more taller...the cold breeze from jhilum kissing his forehead...as the prize of his win...one who has the will-force..poison becomes divested to him...
Taksashila Gurukul
In the morning Chanakya was busy in writing a new chapter of his Arthasastra..Chandragupta touched his feet...as acharya was sure abt his come back he didn't become surprised..he touched his head to give blessings...
CGM : acharya hume ashirvad de...humne yavan samrat ko atmajay k yudh mein parast kia hai..
Chanakya : vistar se bolo Chandragupt
Chandra described his experience of meeting with emperor Sikandar last night vividly...acharya understood his student is now able to face the tests of life..
Chanakya : sadhu Chandragupt sadhu...ab tum jeevan ke har pareeksha dene k yoggata prapt kr chuke ho..ab tumhara shiksha samapt hote hai...to kaho vavishya ke liye kya yojna hai tumhare man mein??
CGM : acharya ab samay aya hai k hum pataliputra ke liye yudhabhijan aramv kare...humne yavan samrat se kaha ke yodi vo laut aye to jhilum k teer mein firse hamare mulakat honge..isse pehle k vo laut aye hum pure bharatvarsh pr vijay prapt krna chahte hai...akhand barat k samrat banne k sapna sakar karne k liye ap hamare sahay ho acharya
Chanakya : tathastu...
THE END
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