Chanakya's Chant by Ashwin Sanghi

Author:Ashwin Sanghi
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: westland ltd
Published: 2010-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

‘Chanakya, my friend, how wonderful to see you again,’ lied Rakshas, as he embraced his nemesis.

‘Rakshas, your mere presence gives me confidence and happiness,’ the Brahmin fabricated in his turn.

‘Dhanananda has crossed all limits of decency,’ complained Rakshas.

And you're such a decent human being, it goes against your moral conscience, thought Chanakya caustically to himself. ‘Dhanananda's court is no place for honourable people like you—those who wish to lead an honourable but pleasurable life,’ Chanakya said aloud, silkily.

‘The problem is that most things in life that are pleasurable are usually illegal, immoral or fattening,’ joked Rakshas as he sat down on the mattress profferred to him.

‘The lesson for today, dear Rakshas, is that between two evils you should always pick the one that you haven't yet tried. I happen to be that particular evil,’ suggested a smiling Chanakya. ‘Now, let's examine, what it is that I can do for you, and then we can calculate what it is that you can do for me.’

‘Always the teacher!’ laughed Rakshas.

‘And always right,’ interjected Chanakya seriously. ‘Dhanananda covets the love of your life,’ he began.

‘Yours too, as I understand it,’ commented Rakshas warily.

‘I'm not your competition, Rakshas. Look at me. Can I, a dark, ill-featured, pockmarked, crooked-toothed, uncouth Brahmin compete with you—the immaculate, suave, and cultured prime minister? You have my promise that I do not fancy Suvasini. She's yours, provided that Dhanananda's out of the way.’

‘But how will that happen? He's firmly entrenched on the throne. He has Bharat's largest armed force at his command—a force so terrifying that even Alexander is being forced to turn back.’

‘Battles needn't be fought on battlefields, my friend. I've always believed that wars are better fought without soldiers and unnecessary bloodshed,’ said Chanakya softly.

‘Do you have a plan to end all wars, acharya?’ asked Rakshas.

‘O Rakshas, everything is always all right in the end. If it isn't all right, then it isn't the end,’ said Chanakya simply as he looked into his new ally's eyes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.