Ananthaswami

 

​

Mathura Old-market:

​

A young boy watches from the corner as the crowds vacate the market. He waits for the right time and approaches the Makhanlal Bhavan as Giridhar shuts down the shop for the day.

 

'Aiyya! Did you see my bag? I had dropped it here and ran away when those masked men attacked,' asks Yuyudhana

 

'Thambi! Where were you? The royal guards searched for a young boy who fought against those thieves. They also took your bag and asked you to report to the Gruharakshak office tomorrow,' a surprised Giridhar said as he collected his belongings after locking the store.

 

'Aiyya…'

 

'Stop! Call me Giridhar. I already have enough people calling me Aiyya in my store.' 

 

'Ok, Aiyya!'

 

'Haiyaa! You seem new here; where are you from? Do you want to stay at my place for tonight?'

 

'Giridhar, I'm Yuyudhana from the Vrishni settlement in Bajra. I came to Mathura for my research with Satrajit.'

 

'Yuyudha, you don't look like a researcher, especially with that bow. You were brave enough to counter those men.'

 

'My father was in the army at Bajra, and all the last seven males in my family are ex-servicemen. For this very same reason, my parents wanted me to move towards the sciences,' says a hopeful Yuyudhana as the duo walks towards Giridhar's house.

 

'Sometimes you cannot escape fate, brother. Look at me: I traveled the world to become something, but my skillset made me competent in cooking new delicacies. A profession the last seven males in my family have succeeded in. I quickly understood this and came back to expand my family's business. It would help if you thought about it too,' advised Giridhar.

 

'By the way, who were those men with turbans and holy ash smeared all over them? Are they shiv bhakts?' asked Yuyudhana, moving to more important matters.

 

'Ah! Yes! But the bad kind. They have been terrorizing the people of Mathura since Kamsa's death. People think it's revenge on the nephews for killing a great Shiv bhakt, but the people are happy after Kamsa's death.'

 

'Why so?'

 

'He wasn't a good ruler. Although he kept Mathura away from war, he was a cruel man who spent most of his time dueling elephants and tormenting the people of Mathura. He even imprisoned the beloved Ugrasena. I would say that sealed his fate.'

 

As the duo walked towards Giridhar's home, they came across a huge Gopuram—the tallest one in Mathura.

 

'Is that a ram temple?'

 

'Of course! It's the home of a set of Ramanandi Sadhus. They have started to grow in number in recent times. This temple is their headquarters.'

 

'Yuyudhana!!' 

 

Yuyudhana looked around, startled at who would be calling his name. He finally realized the voice was coming from the direction of the Gopuram. As the duo got closer to investigate, a man in orange robes appeared with a lamp. 

 

A slight tremor passed through Giridhar's spine as he saw the man lift the lamp towards his face, revealing his crooked tooth.

 

'Swami! When did you enter Mathura? It's so good to see you,' exclaimed a trusting Yuyudhana.

 

'My guru, Satyasariyar, has left for Ayodhya with instructions for me. I decided to stay at the Ramanandi Mutt rather than my friend's house for the night. Do you want to join me for dinner?' asked Anantha.

Yuyudhana thought for a second, looking at Giridhar.

 

'Giridhar, thanks for offering, but I'll visit you tomorrow. I don't want any trouble to befall you if the Gruharakshaks find me in your house. I'll stay at the Swami's for today,' said Yuyudhana.

 

'Alright. Your call, but you're always welcome at my place.' said Giridhar, still observing Ananthaswami with suspicion. 

 

Ananthaswami and Yuyudhana walk towards the Gopuram as Giridhar continues towards his home, wondering why the Swami looked familiar.

 

Ananthaswami had the other sadhus arrange a meal, and he sat next to Yuyudhana for dinner as they prayed before eating the first morsel.

​

'Swami! Did you know, there..' 

 

'Yuyudhana, why were the guards searching for you? As I entered the west gate, a guard enquired about a young muscular boy like you.'

 

'Swami, there was an attack today on the Syamantaka caravans by men with faces covered in turbans and holy ash all over their bodies.'

 

'Ah! Shiv Bhakts! Those people are up to no good.' 

​

'Are they the white ghosts you were referring to, Swami?'

 

'I don't know, child. These people, at least, attack the caravans and leave the civilians. There are others in Vrindavan and Gokul that kill people from what I have heard,' said Swami as we devoured the sumptuous dal.

 

'Swami! Can you drop me off at Satrajit's place tomorrow after I complete the formalities at the Gruharakshak office? I think they are mistaken that I'm one of the masked men. I simply tried to stop…'

 

'Wait! I had completely forgotten that I had an appointment with Satrajit after dinner. I have a few gifts for him. Last I checked, he's planning to leave for Ayodhya early tomorrow.'

 

'What! I was unaware of this, so will I have to wait until he returns for my initiation?' asks Yuyudhana rhetorically.

 

'Unfortunately, yes, or else there's a way but too risky…' said the sadhu.

 

'Tell me, Swami. I want to get started with work as early as possible.'

 

'I can take you there tonight, but it's risky since there's a curfew and guards are looking for you.'

 

'I'm fine with traveling tonight. Let's just tell guards that I'm your disciple.'

 

'Son! You're growing clever by the day. Ok! I'll take you there; religious people like me are excused during curfews. Let's go after dinner,' the sadhu concluded, happy that he could now focus on the food.

 

'Swami! One more thing: I saw Balarama today. I couldn't fully see his face but held his hand..'

 

'Don't speak of that man. He's the reason for all this. If only he controlled his younger brother, Mathura would have been in a better situation,' shouted the Swami as he washed his hands, realizing he would have to go without food for the night at this rate.

 

A puzzled Yuyudhana followed as they left for Satrajit's house. Yuyudhana dressed in orange robes as well. The duo stepped out of the Ramanandi mutt and walked towards the Yamuna.

 

Yuyudhana noticed Ananthaswami moving stealthily through the streets of Mathura. Even the moonlight did not cast a shadow of the Swami. Meanwhile, the Swami walked fast, keenly observing the houses on their way, and occasionally looked backward. The duo noticed a bullock cart coming their way as they approached a turn.

 

Yuyudhana tried to focus his eyes in the dark to see if it was the same bullock cart with the jingling bell. This one had two riders, one sleeping in the back with his legs resting over the edge.

​

'Swami! What are you doing at this hour? Don't you know there's a curfew in place after today's attack? Should we drop you somewhere?' asked the cart man as the cart approached.

 

'Aiyya! There's no need for that. I'm on my way to the Ram temple by the Yamuna ghat. My disciple and I will rest there tonight. What do men of religion have to fear for in this holy town of Mathura?'

 

'That's right, Swami. Men of religion don't need to fear anyone, but we civilians have to fear people men of religion.'

 

The other rider sleeping in the cart let out a loud cough and turned to the other side.

 

'Anyways, take care, Swami. Nobody is safe during these times of war,' said the cart man as they rode in the opposite direction.

 

'Everyone seems afraid of those men who attacked the caravan, Swami,' said Yuyudhana, blurting out the obvious.

 

'You were asking about Balarama, right? Didn't you recognize him?' Anantha asked with a firm face.

 

'What? Where?' Asked a startled Yuyudhana.

 

'Do you think cotton traders transport goods in the night? It's those two nephews of Kamsa that were in the cart. I knew it the minute I saw the cart-man,' said Anantha as he walked even faster.

 

'Those two are crafty cowherds, especially the younger one. The elder one is strong and can lead any army to victory. The younger one, the one with his foot, stretched over the edge. That one can win a war without an army,' said Anantha, almost letting out a hiss.

 

Yuyudhana looked back in the direction of the cart as the riders faded into the moonlight.

 

Yuyudhana and Ananthaswami walked through the rest of the journey, lost in thoughts as they reached Satrajit's place. It was a serene-looking piece of real estate on the banks of the Yamuna. The guards of the house instantly welcomed the duo as they recognized Ananthaswami. Satrajit himself was walking towards the duo to welcome them in.

 

'Swami! It's good that you came. I thought I would miss our appointment because of today's events,' said a warm Satrajit prostrating before Ananthaswami as Yuyudhana watched in awe.

 

'Aiyya! I made it in time and brought the gems from Matsya you were interested in.'

 

'Thank you! I'm grateful for you keeping my requests in mind. This old man does not travel as frequently as he liked to, so I rely on my friends like you to get me these stones to study,' said Satrajit as he looked eagerly at the stones Ananthaswami had brought.

 

'Aiyya! You say you're an old man, but aren't you traveling to Ayodhya tomorrow?'

 

'No, Swami! I just got a letter from the royal court. They have barred me from traveling as they view me as a security risk at this point. Given today's attack, I doubt I can travel tomorrow.'

 

'Oh, I almost forgot the most precious stone of them all. This is Yuyudhana, the student you had accepted. He was supposed to arrive early but lost his way in today's attack on the caravans,' said Anantha, pointing towards the young boy.

 

'Oh! Yuyudhana, good to finally see you in person. Yours was one of the best applications I have reviewed. I planned to take you to Ayodhya to study the Anjaneya caves.'

 

'Sure, Aiyya! It'll be my honor,' said Yuyudhana as he prostrated at the feet of his future guru, or so he thought would be his future guru.

 

'Appane! I'm sorry, but we will have to go some other day to study the gems in the Anjaneya caves. Ananthaswami here tells me the gems there were as bright as the Syamantaka, and I wanted to explore the conductive properties of those gems. But alas, for the political situation of our janpad, I will have to postpone our research.' exclaimed a dejected Satrajit.

 

'Aiyya! If you both need to study those caves that badly, I have an idea, but never mind. It's too risky…'

 

'Go ahead, Swami,' Satrajit and Yuyudhana said in unison.

 

'Aiyya! Why don't we send Yuyudhana alone to the caves? He can study the artifacts and bring his findings back. It's a straightforward route, and I can get a letter from my Guru Satyasariyar that would grant him access to the caves in Ayodhya.'

 

'That's a great idea, Swami. It can be a good internship opportunity for you, Yuyudha,' said an excited Satrajit.

 

'Swami! But I don't have my immigration papers with me. The Gruharakshak guards have confiscated them after today's antics. I can leave tomorrow after getting them, though.'

 

'Oh! Were you the boy who fought the masked men bravely? Everyone was praising you; why did the Gruharakshaks confiscate your belongings?' asked Satrajit.

 

'Aiyya, let me tell you. Anyone involved in an attack is scrutinized until it can be proven that they are not guilty. It will take at least a fortnight for the Gruharakshak office to release his documents. Maybe, why don't you get him a diplomatic pass to get through immigration at Ayodhya?'

 

'Ah! Yes, I can ask Balarama and Krishna. They will grant me if I explain the situation.'

 

'Aiyya! Please don't do that; they would further complicate it by interrogating Yuyudhana. You must have realized our Yuyudhana, though strong, is meek when it comes to immigration checks. He will not pass, and this will further delay your research.

 

The trio sat down as they contemplated an alternative.

 

'Why don't you simply ask for a pass for your student without mentioning Yuyudhana? Just say he will arrive later, and you want the pass in advance,' suggests Ananthaswami.

 

'Yes, that could work. I'll send the request immediately to Balarama. We should have the pass…'

​

A guard steps in as there are sounds of the royal trumpet. 'Aiyya! Adisesh has come to visit you,' says the guard, bowing down to Satrajit.

 

Satrajit, Yuyudhana are shocked. Ananthaswami instinctively crouches.

 

'Let Yuyudhana and I hide behind the Ikshvaku statue in your courtyard. You ask Balarama about the diplomatic pass. Keep in mind the research insights we would be gaining from this white lie, Satrajit,' Anantha says, recollecting his composure.

 

Satrajit nods as he strolls away to receive Balarama while Yuyudhana and Anantha walk towards the statue of lord Ram.

​

Yuyudhana is conflicted about Anantha's manipulation of Satrajit. Meanwhile, the Swami pulls the string of the statue's bow and opens a pathway behind the giant statue. The duo crouch behind each other as Anantha pulls the statue back to its original position.

​

Yuyudhana listens in angst as Satrajit brings Balarama into the living room. He holds onto Swami's shoulder as the floor in the tunnel is slippery. As he gains composure, he notices a fresh scar on Anantha's bare back.
 

 

​