Aritra Das

Children Stories Classics

3  

Aritra Das

Children Stories Classics

Legend of Ram - Rise of a Species

Legend of Ram - Rise of a Species

16 mins
12.4K


Introduction


According to ancient Indian mythology, the World has witnessed four ages since the beginning of intelligent life forms on Earth. Serially they are – The ‘Satya’, the ‘Treta’, the ‘Dwapar’ and the ‘Kalki’. All these four ages are different from each other with clearly remarkable, distinct features of their own, having no similarities with each other. The point to note here is that all those ages were narrated down letting the humans as their dwellers. We, the ‘Homo-sapiens’ are the sons and the daughters of the age of ‘Kalki’; but there had been the residents of all the precursor ages prior to ours in some different timeline. One may ask oneself, what does that imply? Seriously, what is the answer to this riddle?


Is it literally impossible that three distinct civilizations dwelled the Earth prior to us, the humans? We are the inmates of the fourth civilization and some non-human entity who looked or resembled like the humans ruled the Earth all three times prior to us? Those, who came before us, and when their time is up, they had to be exterminated, replaced by the next species in the series? Or, is it the human history as suggested by the Archaeologists, which is entirely a ‘humanly metamorphosis’, without any precursor race ‘Endgame’ theory?


The ‘Saurian’, i.e., the Dinosaurs were extinct some sixty-five million years ago (roughly, didn’t check the specs) while the first recorded modern human on Earth is found two hundred thousand years ago. The gap in between is huge; and unspecified without any proper evidence or definite conclusions to its whereabouts. There could have been numerous civilizations rise and fall in between, who knows? This is a field of extensive research works, and the storyline that I have built is pure fictitious work. Definitely, this isn’t any ‘postulate’, nor it is even closer to any ‘Hypothesis’. Let’s get back to the mythology again. The residents of ‘Satya’ age were huge in stature; ranging around twenty-five to thirty feet high! The residents of ‘Treta’ were a little shorter – something around twenty-one feet; the residents of ‘Dwapar’ had a height ranging between eleven feet to fifteen feet. These are approximated values as the metrics used in the Indian concept is a little bit different, so the actual amount may vary. Now, what about the humans, the residents of ‘Kalki’ age? Let’s see what was told – “Due to their own sin, humans are nothing but a dwarf species”. So, we couldn’t exceed seven feet maximum; although we have the tallest man recorded nearly nine feet! What we would exactly look like besides a dweller from ‘Satya’ age? I don’t want to imagine!!


In the first part of the series of ‘The Legend of Ram’, I indicated some of these possibilities; the entire storyline in the first part was based upon these passive hints which are purely imaginative, fictitious in nature, though the fiction was based upon some real, hard facts. Well, in the second part of the series, we moved a step forward; we looked inside the lives of the ‘third species’ at the dawn of a well-constructed civilization – the ‘Gandharvas’, who will battle for existence with its precursor races; the ‘Rakhshasas’ and the ‘Giants’ (The ‘Danavas’). We will see this new species through the eyes of two brothers, two Royal blood, their conflicts with the surroundings, their interpretation of the life; and witnessing the advent of a newer species – the humans. This is the timeline from some unknown time phase when every species had a mutual co-existence – Giants-Rakhshasas Gandharvas-humans – guided by the all-in-all Supreme, the Gods. The world was truly their playground. Through the eyes of these two brothers, we will be acquainted with the contemporary Politics, Diplomacy, the rage and the World-wide war where everybody got involved. ‘Rise of a Species’ is the second part of the series that gives rise to one common question, how a legend is born? Or, should we mention two? I put it forward into your capable hands.


[The Legend of Ram – Rise of a Species is the second part of the series of ‘The Legend of Ram’. Don’t forget to mention your precious opinions.]


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-“O’ mighty King Mahasen of the ‘Ikshvaku’ Dynasty, are you aware of the responsibilities bestowed upon you?”


-“Yes, Sire!”


-“This gift from Gods – Are you and your wives ready to accept the gift unquestionably?”


-“Both me and my wives – we all are aware of the truth and eager to volunteer.”


-“Which two of your wives among the three are going to volunteer to accept the gift?”


-“My Empress Padmini and youngest of the queens Sumitra will carry out the job bestowed upon us.”


-“Excellent! O’King! Now listen to me carefully. After a stretchy hard work and prolonged, indefinite and ample time spent at labs, finally, Gods were able to create this white magic potion which is infused with the wisdom of Lord Brahmma, the God of knowledge. His and only his wisdom led us to success and his marks are so prominent, distinct that the Gods named the potion as ‘Tears of Brahmma’; they found it suitable to name after him. Consuming this will assure any woman to conceive son or sons of Gods; the possibility to give birth to a daughter is intentionally nullified with utmost care. Any ‘Gandharba’ who will be born of this potion will be clearly far wise and mightier than the others. You have to ensure that the potion is embarked into the wombs of the selected mothers to its full extent; Remember that growth and development of the embryo are ensured at the mother’s womb only. The result will be dis-satisfactory if it is carried out in a test tube in a lab instead. Mix this white potion with sweetmeats or any sweet dishes and feed them to your selected wives only. Another thing my King! You will be accountable for the security of the offspring. Under any circumstances, should they not be dead before they marry and reproduce. You have to take responsibility to ensure their future and security. Am I clear? ”


-“I give my words, sire!”


-“Today we seeded to a possibility to prevent the ‘Rakshasas’ (The Monsters) in the future, and the future will only testify whether we are successful or not. O’ King! Your co-operation and assistance to this effort shall never be forgotten by the Gods! My job is done here. I presume it is time to bid a farewell now. May I have your permission to leave?”


-“Wishing you a happy and safe journey Lord Agni! Allow me to convey my regards to the Gods, especially a very warm and cardiac one to Lord Brahmma for his active assistance in inseminating two of my wives; filling up my home with children while there was none.”


Lord Agni nodded to accept his proposal. Then he pressed something convex in shape near his waist. This action turns on a mild blue light there. Soon after this, an intensified beam of rays came down upon him from heaven; such vivid and magnificent that it appears to everybody as a pathway formed of rays of light. Inside this ‘path’, the mortal body of Lord Agni started turning into fine granular dust and after quite a while, the body disappeared in front of many eyes! After a few moments, shortly after his disappearance, the light beam was disappeared too! The room falls back to its normalcy again as it was before this entire incidence occurred.


-“Bring on a bowl filled with sweet dishes to me. I will add this white potion to it and I’m going to distribute them to my queens in my own hands. Do it, now!!”


King Mahasen cried out to his servant. He seems to have not wasted any time anymore.


No one, not a single one in the city of ‘Ikshvaku’ ever noticed that a triangular-shaped object that was hovering over the palace all the time the conversation was taking place, suddenly hurled up and disappeared among the stars of the night sky over ‘Ikshvaku’.


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Among a few, handful and scattered kingdoms of Gandharbas under the reign of the Rakshasas, the Kingdom of ‘Ikshvaku’ was the largest and probably the densest in its population. The region where the sky-kissing ‘Himalaya’ mountain range, at last, lost its mammoth vastness, has witnessed the start of another great natural object, the largest forest of ‘Mahavan’. Meaning of ‘Mahavan’ word is ‘the greatest forest’, which literally it is. This far-stretching, the widespread forest has covered a lot area; from the ‘Vaitarani’ river to the West to the ‘Bhagirath’ river across the East. Now, as the wise men say that End is just an illusion – after reaching to the East this great forest suddenly goes another way around and finally its tail kisses ‘Vrindya’ mountain range to the south! So, the key point is, the great forest of ‘Mahavan’ is surrounded by four important landmarks in its course of advancement; ‘Vaitarani’ river to its extreme west, ‘Bhagirath’ river to its extreme east, indefatigable guard ‘Himalaya’ to its north and high-flying ‘Vrindya’ mountain range at its south. Such a huge area to be covered up by a forest!


This final segment of the land of all the landmasses around the world has some wonders those keep living-beings feel amazed since the beginning of time. This is a large land overall, having ‘Himalayas’ at the top and oceans surrounding all the three sides. The northern part of this vast land just beneath the ‘Himalayas’ is full of rivers, tributaries, and distributaries. Pleasant weather and climate, presence of rivers and ample sunlight are solely responsible for the ‘outrage’ of forests in this part of the land. Kingdom of ‘Ikshvaku’ was situated here by the bank of river ‘Ujani’, in the central core area of this soil residing outside the reign of ‘Mahavan’. The city itself is large, huge in the area holding the maximum number of population into it. ‘Ikshvaku’ city was the capital to this kingdom holding many wonders within its walls. High rising palaces, baffling mansions, paved footpaths, roads, gardens, museums, and monuments – countless architectural wonders those allure the visitors from other places. Shortly after the end of city walls, the villages started to show off with their beauty. A total of two hundred villages are surrounding the capital, these villages play an important role in the economy of ‘Ikshvaku’ as they are well developed in agricultural and irrigation aspect. Overall, the terms like ‘well-developed’ and ‘Civilised’ suit to ‘Ikshvaku’ kingdom in every angle.


There are some more kingdoms placed surrounding ‘Ikshvaku’. To the East, there is ‘Atabik’ Kingdom. Some more kingdoms like ‘Vringya’, ‘Mudgal’, ‘Varanabat’, ‘Suchi’ and more – they are also settled nearby. Now, one may become inquisitive, why so many kingdoms are residing so close circling a central area? One may assume that the presence of too many kingdoms around this part may cause eternal conflicts and tensions between the nations, may rage war between the Kings and their kingdoms. Then why stay close? The answer to this riddle is just one – Presence of ‘Mahavan’ at the rear! This great forest has surrounded all of these kingdoms forming a semi-circle, thus protecting them from the rear end, securing their presence against external enemies. Still, there are some kingdoms that reside back outside the security zone of ‘Mahavan’. The Panchals are a typical example of this exception.


‘External Enemies’? Gandharbas was never considered as a violent species till the dawn of their civilization; no mass genocide had ever been recorded to their history. Peace and Prosperity are the only things those came forward while describing them. This doesn’t mean that they had no ‘skirmish’ before; but, the fight was actually restricted to blows, rather than ‘Death Blows’, unless it is required in some rare cases. There was an invisible mutual agreement on which the entire ‘Gandharba’ race agreed upon; it was an effort to eradicate any possible threat to one’s own existence. If this is the scenario, then what are these ‘External Enemies’ are we talking about?


‘Danavas’ (Giants) and the ‘Nagas’ (Reptiles), the two most aggressive species created by the Gods ever! Gandharbas always had to keep an eye for them due to their treacherous activity. Often they are seemed to have invaded the nearby Gandharba locality in search of food, grains, crops and…. They had a downsizing count to their species and they were concerned about this fact. This forced them to kidnap Gandharbis (female Gandharbas ) often in a vain and disappointing effort to compensate for their losses, at the end which was embedded with a painful, tragic loss. This is the part Gandharbas were afraid of. They had to stay vigilant to avoid such tragic incidence. In some later period, Nagas left the Earth's surface and remained Underworld forever. Still, the Giants were a threat to them at large.


However, the ‘Panchals’ had a congenital enmity with the ‘Ikshvakus’. Both these kingdoms often had some fights on the battlefields. Ages before, both the families ‘Panchals’ and ‘Ikshvaku’ were happened to be under the same family tree. Due to some long-forgotten controversies and contradictions led them to be separated from each other. The ‘Panchals’ left their ancestral identity off and set in for a new course of life. They formed a new kingdom to the West bank of ‘Vaitarani’ and soon after they managed to secure their identity, they turned on their faces against ‘Ikshvaku’. But, however congenital and ancient the conflict was, still, it never turned out to be an outrage, an end game for both the dynasties. The tension between two big kingdoms was never supposed to occupy lands and souls; it was just meant to be ‘congenital’ and just it is whatever it means and nothing else!


There was another Gandharba kingdom which was situated near the ‘Vindya’ mountain, between the Woods, the famous (or infamous!) kingdom of ‘Kuntal’. Rest of the Gandharvas, their kingdoms, their kings- all used to keep away off this land. All of them had a strong hunch that old King Jashakarma of ‘Kuntal’ happens to be ‘The ear of the Rakshasas’. Anything that happens within kingdoms immediately grabs the attention of this king and it is carried forward to the Rakshasas; definitely in an extended manner! This unnecessary eavesdropping and convey to the superior authority made the rest of the kings annoyed with ‘Kuntal’ and that is why it was forsaken by the others.


In reality, this notion is just a partial truth! Gandharbas with their limited intelligence level could never grasp the truth entirely. The Rakshasas never were dependent on a single person in order to get their ears on information concerning external affairs. They always had the technology instead to do this dirty job for them. With the aid of the legendary surveillance system they developed, they could track any person, any incidence or any event within their reign, within a relatively shorter span. Another thing which must be mentioned: no Gandharba Kingdom under Rakhshas reign was independent in its true sense; they were domicile state, kind of Union territory ruled by an All in all ruler at the center; Gandharba kings need to pay taxes to this ruler in order to rule their own lands.


‘Tax-pay’- this is the word that seemed to have caused trouble nowadays to King Mahasen of the kingdom ‘Ikshvaku’. Recently, there is a change in the throne in the Rakhshas dynasty due to the unexpected demise of their old king; a new King has tussled up to take the place. The name of this king is ‘Ravan’. Rumour is the new king has made some alterations to the existing tax-system that ended up with a sharp and steep rise in overall due taxation of the domicile states. In short, a heavy tax and levy to every citizen to every kingdom, this will surely override their average income miles ahead! No regulation notice regarding this new taxation system has arrived at anybody so far, but everybody saying it is imminent! Maybe today maybe tomorrow, but eventually the new tax will hit everybody. Rumors are on fire now!


A couple of days ago, Ambassadors of King Ravan visited the court. On this occasion, King Mahasen stated the problem to them verbally. He stated his incapability to comply with this new taxation system and suggested that it should have been fixed keeping up with the annual income and expenditure of the kingdom. It would have maintained the balance and result in healthy taxation with a proper course. The Ambassadors listened to the King patiently with all the details delivered to them; at last, they assured to pay significant attention and concern to this matter. The pray will be heeded and dealt with properly. Then, they returned to their home back. However, Mahasen doesn’t seem to be convinced as he came to know eventually that Ravan is a strict and rigid personality in a matter to the taxation system and unlikely his ancestors, he has no sympathy for the Gandharvas. There are lots of rumours hitting the streets; but which one is true? No one has any categorical answer to this question.


-“None of the Princes are present in their rooms, my King!” – The servant shows up in gratitude.

-“Ok! You may go now.” Says the King.


The white potion embraced with Lord Brahmma’s ‘touch’ was distributed among all the three queens. Yes, all three! It should have been distributed among the duos, but in the last moment, Subhadra’s non-compliance and defiance forced Mahasen to break his own oath. Probably, somebody might have clotted Subhadra’s mind to stay narrow and mean, she cursed at the poor king and lamented, “Others will reproduce God-like siblings, and I will give birth to an average one? Others will be delivering babies with higher intelligence and divine beauty; I will suffer from something ugly, dwarf, creepy? Potion or Poison- the choice rests in your hand, my King!” – She just blew up every reason to get a sip of that great white potion. She seemed to have appeared such jealous and envied, anger such clotted her mind that she even pointed at the King’s impotency. The exhausted King finally allowed her to have a sip of the white potion.

At last, the magic potion works! All the queens were artificially inseminated and finally, they gave birth to the offspring in a definite time span. Empress Padmini gave birth to ‘Veerbhadra’, the eldest progeny to the dynasty. Queen Subhadra gave birth to two children- ‘Vikrambahu’ and ‘Akhand Pratap’. Youngest queen Sumitra was bearing the final progeny, the youngest one in the lineage- ‘Sumitrasen’. All of them were boy child as foretold by Agnidev months before.


Now, their security is a top concern in the ‘to-do’ list. This was the second half of the oath taken. The first one was an accident but the second one must not be broken at any cost. If this is a truth that King Mahasen and his subjects cannot pay such a huge load of taxes onto them, this is also another bitter truth that Ravan won’t let it go unnoticed. He doesn’t seem to be such generous to waive off the taxable amount without collecting it and that leads to only one possible solution – War! And Mahasen knows this very well that he is not even closer to win this war in any possible way. This is an unmatched game and there’s no wildest hope to win the game. Ravan was a winner even against the Titans! He used to be a Prince back then; now he is a King. What result should someone expect out of this uneven, unilateral battle?


-“Maharshi Vishwamitra is here to meet you, my King!” The servant entered the room and conveyed the news to the King.


The good King kept staring at the servant for a while. It seemed that he was thinking something deep though his eyes were on the servant all the time along. Mahasen was practically thinking of a remedy to the current problem, and something must have crossed his mind because suddenly he seemed to appear excited and jovial! What is it?


-“Should I ask Maharshi to wait for you in the conference room my King?” After a while’s silence, the servant asked the King again.


-“No! Escort him straight to me here and make sure nobody enters into the room while we are talking!”


The King shouted these words to his servant and left his couch in a hurry, and then started to close the windows. He seemed too desperate to avail of the situation bestowed on him. It seems to be like a divine opportunity that he is too keen to lose, but what exactly is it?




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