are simply not obedient enough to follow the masculine way for too long.’
‘So it seems today,’ said Vashishta. ‘But it wasn’t always so. There was a time when the masculine way of life characterised India.’
Bharat was silenced into contemplation.
But Ram was intrigued. ‘Guru ji , you said that the feminine way of life established by Emperor Bharat was unable to change even when it needed to, because it was a reaction to the ills that an earlier masculine culture had degenerated into. Possibly, to them, the earlier way of life was stamped as evil.’
‘You’re right, Sudas,’ said Vashishta, using Ram’s gurukul name.
‘Can you tell us about this earlier masculine way of life? What was this empire like?’ asked Ram. ‘Could we find answers in it, to our present-day ills?’
‘It was an empire that arose many millennia ago, and conquered practically all of India with stunning swiftness. It had a radically different way of life and, at its peak, it scaled the heights of greatness.’
‘Who were these people?’
‘Their foundations were laid right here, where we are. It was so long ago that most have forgotten the significance of this ashram .’
‘Here?’
‘Yes. It was here that the progenitors of that empire received their education from their great guru. He taught them the essentials of an enlightened masculine way of life. This was his ashram .’
‘Who was this great sage?’ asked Ram in awe.
Vashishta took a deep breath. He knew that the answer would evoke shock. The name of that ancient great rishi was feared today; so much so that it was not even uttered aloud, ever. Keeping his eyes fixed on Ram, he answered, ‘ Maharishi Shukracharya.’
Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan froze. Shukracharya was the guru of the Asuras, and the Asuras were demonic fanatics who had controlled almost the entire Indian landmass thousands of years ago. They were finally defeated by the Devas , respected today as Gods , in brutal battles fought over a protracted period of time. Although the Asura Empire was eventually destroyed, the wars took a heavy toll on India. Millions died, and rebuilding civilisation took a very long time. Indra, the leader of the Devas, ensured the expulsion of the Asuras from India. Shukracharya’s name was reduced to mud, his memory violated by righteous indignation and irrational fear.
The students were too stunned to react. Ram’s eyes, though, conveyed curiosity, unlike the others.
Vashishta stepped out late in the night, expecting a tumult among his students; the conversation about Guru Shukracharya had been meant to provoke. Lakshman and Shatrughan were sound asleep in their rooms, but Ram and Bharat were missing. Vashishta decided to walk around the premises in search of them, the moonlight providing adequate illumination. Hearing soft voices ahead, he soon came upon the silhouette of an animated Bharat in the company of a girl.
Bharat seemed to be pleading. ‘But why…’
‘I’m sorry, Bharat,’ the girl said calmly. ‘I will not break the laws of my people.’
‘But I love you, Radhika … I know you love me… Why should we care about what others think?’
Vashishta quickly turned around and began to walk in the other direction. It was inappropriate to intrude on a private and painful moment.
Where is Ram?
On a whim, he changed course once again and walked up the stone pathway that led to the small temples built into the central facade of the rock face. He entered the temple of Lord Indra, the king of the Devas; the one who defeated the Asuras. The symbolism of Indra’s temple being in the centre was powerful, for Indra had led the army that obliterated Shukracharya’s legacy.
Vashishta heard a soft sound from behind the massive idol, and instinctively moved towards it. The space at the back was large enough to comfortably accommodate four or five people. The shadows of Vashishta and the idol seemed to dance on the floor as flames leapt from a
‘So it seems today,’ said Vashishta. ‘But it wasn’t always so. There was a time when the masculine way of life characterised India.’
Bharat was silenced into contemplation.
But Ram was intrigued. ‘Guru ji , you said that the feminine way of life established by Emperor Bharat was unable to change even when it needed to, because it was a reaction to the ills that an earlier masculine culture had degenerated into. Possibly, to them, the earlier way of life was stamped as evil.’
‘You’re right, Sudas,’ said Vashishta, using Ram’s gurukul name.
‘Can you tell us about this earlier masculine way of life? What was this empire like?’ asked Ram. ‘Could we find answers in it, to our present-day ills?’
‘It was an empire that arose many millennia ago, and conquered practically all of India with stunning swiftness. It had a radically different way of life and, at its peak, it scaled the heights of greatness.’
‘Who were these people?’
‘Their foundations were laid right here, where we are. It was so long ago that most have forgotten the significance of this ashram .’
‘Here?’
‘Yes. It was here that the progenitors of that empire received their education from their great guru. He taught them the essentials of an enlightened masculine way of life. This was his ashram .’
‘Who was this great sage?’ asked Ram in awe.
Vashishta took a deep breath. He knew that the answer would evoke shock. The name of that ancient great rishi was feared today; so much so that it was not even uttered aloud, ever. Keeping his eyes fixed on Ram, he answered, ‘ Maharishi Shukracharya.’
Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan froze. Shukracharya was the guru of the Asuras, and the Asuras were demonic fanatics who had controlled almost the entire Indian landmass thousands of years ago. They were finally defeated by the Devas , respected today as Gods , in brutal battles fought over a protracted period of time. Although the Asura Empire was eventually destroyed, the wars took a heavy toll on India. Millions died, and rebuilding civilisation took a very long time. Indra, the leader of the Devas, ensured the expulsion of the Asuras from India. Shukracharya’s name was reduced to mud, his memory violated by righteous indignation and irrational fear.
The students were too stunned to react. Ram’s eyes, though, conveyed curiosity, unlike the others.
Vashishta stepped out late in the night, expecting a tumult among his students; the conversation about Guru Shukracharya had been meant to provoke. Lakshman and Shatrughan were sound asleep in their rooms, but Ram and Bharat were missing. Vashishta decided to walk around the premises in search of them, the moonlight providing adequate illumination. Hearing soft voices ahead, he soon came upon the silhouette of an animated Bharat in the company of a girl.
Bharat seemed to be pleading. ‘But why…’
‘I’m sorry, Bharat,’ the girl said calmly. ‘I will not break the laws of my people.’
‘But I love you, Radhika … I know you love me… Why should we care about what others think?’
Vashishta quickly turned around and began to walk in the other direction. It was inappropriate to intrude on a private and painful moment.
Where is Ram?
On a whim, he changed course once again and walked up the stone pathway that led to the small temples built into the central facade of the rock face. He entered the temple of Lord Indra, the king of the Devas; the one who defeated the Asuras. The symbolism of Indra’s temple being in the centre was powerful, for Indra had led the army that obliterated Shukracharya’s legacy.
Vashishta heard a soft sound from behind the massive idol, and instinctively moved towards it. The space at the back was large enough to comfortably accommodate four or five people. The shadows of Vashishta and the idol seemed to dance on the floor as flames leapt from a
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