Muradevi lived in the palace of Mahapadmananda and brought up her son in the traditions and values of old Pippalivana. In inner sanctum the children of the maids could not get proper education as there were no such facilities for them. The school was exclusive reserve of the royals. But Chandra had a different destiny. The fate was creating opportunities for him. The queen who patronised Chandra had allowed him to get the primary education in school for the royals that functioned in the palace. Because of the queen Chandra was getting treated with respect in the sanctum. Muradevi too had become respectable person due to them.
One day Chandra eagerly wanted to confide something to his mother, “Maa, do you know what guru Bhrigurayan was saying to me?”
“What was he saying, my son?” Muradevi was really serious about it.
“He said I had completed my education in his school here,” Chandra revealed. “He suggested me to go Taxila for further education. There is a famous teacher called Chanakya who could guide me to success and the best possible future.’’
“But…” said Muradevi scratching her head, “How is it possible, my son?”
“Somehow or the other. After all I received primary education here in the palace which had looked impossible.”
Muradevi nodded her head hopefully. “May be, you are right my child. I will pray for someting to happen. Let us see how far our luck goes!”
She indeed appeared to be praying to God. She suddenly looked sad and sighed. “But…my son…”
“Yes Maa, what makes you sad?”
“My Chandra, you are my only treasure in this world. You are my life. How shall I survive when you go away so far for many years, only God knows? The life will be unbearable for me.”
“Maa, you must not be sad. I must go for our future. I can’t let you die scrubbing palace floors,’’ Chandra consoled and asked, “Tell me, what do you do when you remember my father who is not with you?”
“Oh my child! I remember things he used to say, his commands, advices and promises I made to him. That consoles me and gives me courage. You are his part and in his image I look at you and find solace. That is why I often keep looking at your face longingly.”
Chandra nodded his head in understanding.
He spoke, “So maa, you must use some more patience and forbearance. To get back the old golden past you have to make a little more sacrifice. If you want to see me make something of my life you must send me away to some able teacher to make me capable of realising your dreams. Going away from you is as painful for me too as a part of flesh getting torn away from the body. The situation demands sacrifice from both of us.”
“I know my son, I know,” Muradevi rubbed her hands.
“It is the weakness of a mother, child.”
“Conquer that weakness, Maa. Or you will spend your entire remaining life scrubbing floors here.”
“I know son. I would be an unworthy mother if I spoiled your future for my selfish motive. Of course, you must go and you shall go. I will make every sacrifice asked of me for your future. It is important for all of us. Forget about the silly words of a mother. To Taxila you will go in whatever way possible. If Chanakya is so worthy a guru he will find equally worthy pupil in you. He will accept you, I have no doubt.”
“O Maa! Getting accepted by Chanakya is not the problem we face. The first problem is how can I get out of this prison called inner sanctum of the palace. Inmates are not allowed to leave palace. There are guards, sentries and security cover of soldiers. It looks impossible to me.”
“It may become possible son. I think the fate is already working in our favour and creating chances. That is why the merchant, Laxmipati is coming to the palace to show some jewellery to the queens.”
“Who is this Laxmipati merchant?”
“Son, he is a rich merchant of our Pippalivana. He is very rich and wealthy. His business is spread all over the lands far and wide. He was a good friend of your father. During my queen days I too was his good client. I hope he still carries good memories about us and sympathy too.”
“How does that help us?”
“It can in some way. He is coming to the inner sanctum willed by God to help you out, my son.”
“Who gave you the news?”
“The chief of the guards was informing the queens. He will be coming at the command of the emperor.”
“Maa! Don’t call that thief an emperor at least in my presence. Look, what his misdeeds have done to us? My father is rotting in a blind dungeon.”
“Son, we have to make some compromises. Some harsh realities have to be accepted to carry on the game of life. Unbending attitude can make things worse. I have been a queen and I must not give up courtesies.”
“Alright, Maa. Tell me when is the merchant coming?”
“Tomorrow. First he will visit the court to make obeisance to the emperor and offer presents. Then he will come to the palace sanctum to show his precious goods to the queens. He may do some selling. I hope I will get a chance to talk with him.”
“Aha! Then it is a good news indeed. We must make good use of the opportunity. I agree with you that destiny seems to be helping us in mysterious ways.”
The merchant came to the inner sanctum next day. He displayed his jewellery to the queens who all had come to a big chamber. The queens selected some gold and silver items and lots of diamonds, sapphires, pearls and topaz. Some jewellery items he presented as gifts to all the queens. It was clear that he had made a very good profitable sale. The gifts the queens adored. Even royals betrayed the basic greedy nature for free items like common folk.
The clever merchant had already found out who was the Queen-bee amongst those queens. He treated her very respectfully and gave the best item as free gift. When the other queens left with their goods, the merchant found an opportunity to talk to Queen-bee in privacy.
“Queen Supreme,” the merchant spoke in extra pleading voice, “I have a request to make if you permit.”
“Tell me what it is, merchant. Don’t hesitate. Feel at home,” the queen said encouragingly. She was looking at the merchant with great interest.
“Thank you, queen,” the merchant said with a twinkle in his eyes.” I may summon courage to speak out if you grant me your forgiveness in advance if my request is out of line or improper in any way.”
“Don’t worry, merchant. Just say it. Yo are already forgiven for any omission or commission or disregard committed unwittingly,” the queen assured him.
The merchant bowed his head gratefully. “Thank you again queen generous. I wish to meet the maid Muradevi who was once a queen.”
“Muradevi!? Who is she amongst the maids?”
“O Queen, the royal lady of Pippalivana state who is now a maid here. I want to talk to her in private.”
“Talk her in private!? Merchant, don’t tell me it is some kind of conspiracy against the empire. In that case I won’t help you, Tell me truly your purpose.”
“Queen, I can’t even imagine of becoming part of a conspiracy against the empire. I am a loyal citizen. The conspiracies for power are for power hungry. We are merchants. We are only hungry for good bargains. May I tell you that I was once a citizen of Pippalivana before becoming one of the empire.”
“I see. So?” the queen softened up and was curious now.
“Naturally I had dealings with royals of Pippalivana,” the merchant revealed and added, “Just before the empire took over Pippalivana I had been to the palace and sold a big lot of jewellery and precious stones to the Queen Muradevi on credit. I want to know what becomes of that huge amount she owes me? I am a trader and I am not concerned about the tides of the history, I want my money.” That got the queen thinking and she allowed the merchant to meet Muradevi. She sent the merchant to the room of Muradevi with a maid showing him the way.
At the door of the room the merchant Laxmipati thanked the maid and got rid of her. Then, he gently knocked at the door. Moments later, the door was opened by Chandra. He looked at the visitor and spoke, “Sir, are you sure that you have not knocked at this door mistakenly?”
“I think this is the room of Queen Muradevi of Pippalivana and I can guess you are Prince Chandragupta. Am I right?”
“Sir, are you the merchant Laxmipati of Pippalivana, the friend of my father King Suryagupta?” The prince asked.
“You are absolutely right”, the merchant respectfully bowed his head saying, “My salutations to Prince Chandragupta Maurya of Pippalivana.”
“My greetings to the respected friend of my father.” Chandra greeted the visitor with folded hands. “Please walk into the room.”
“Thanks, prince,” Laxmipati said with urgency”, I don’t have much time. I wish to meet Queen Muradevi to pay my respects for old time’s sake.”
“Come in, Come in merchant Laxmipati,” Muradevi called out from the room, “You are welcome.”
Inside, Laxmipati was anguished to see the former queen of dignity, grace and splendour in the humble dress of a palace maid. Tears welled up in his eyes. He was a proud native of Pippalivana. He bent down to touch the feet of Muradevi with reverence and spoke, “I managed to get permission to meet you on a ruse. But still I suspect that several eyes are spying my activities.”
“It won’t surprise me if they are. You shouldn’t have taken the risk, my old friend.”
“Queen, I value our old relationship more than my life. My family had been obliged to Mauryas in several ways. The debt of those old golden days is worth any risk. I wish to be helpful to you and the prince in any possible way.”
The eyes of Chandra sparkled hopefully. Muradevi without speaking a word gestured Laxmipati to take a seat. In a platter she presented to the guest whatever eatable was there in the room with a glass of water.
The merchant revealed, “Queen! In fact I had little interest in coming to the Magadha court and the palace here to sell jewellery. All this exercise was to get a chance to see you for the sake of good old days. I wish to be helpful to you in whatever possible way as you have fallen on bad days. I owe you so much for your kindness. You can confide in me. I won’t betray you. Give me a chance to pay off some of the old debts.”
“Merchant, I do need a help but it is risky.”
“Don’t worry about the risk, queen. I will trade even my life to be of some use to you.”
“Alright,” said Muradevi. “I will reveal my mind but you have the full right to refuse. I won’t mind. My Chandra has completed his primary education at the palace school by the grace of a kind queen. He wants to go to Taxila for further education from Guru Chanakya. Can you devise some way to get my son to Taxila in a safe way?”
“Sure, my queen,” the trader whispered. “Here amongst the local guards there are many who are obliged to me. They have been getting people inside the inner sanctum and out of it for monetary benefits. They know how to do it. No problem.”
“Good. It must be done very carefully. My good wishes are with you, old faithful.”
“Queen, days after spring festival my caravan will leave for Taxila on a trading mission. Keep Prince Chandra readied for the travel. We will get him out of here safely. You need not worry.”
“He will be ready for the travel. Thanks for the trouble my old friend. I will ever be grateful to you,” Muradevi said honestly.
Laxmipati bade good bye to the queen and the prince and strode out to make necessary arrangements.
On the appointed day Chandragupta was smuggled out of the palace without any problem. The merchant had bribed most of the guards and the sentries who really mattered. Chandragupta rode alongside the merchant in his personal chariot and the caravan set out in the direction of Taxila.
Then, Chandra was about 12 years of age. He had learnt the use of various types of weapons like bow arrow, sword, mace, dagger, spear etc. He had already become an expert in various battle crafts. He did not look like a kid but a robust young man. His hunger for learning was unsatiable. That hunger was driving him towards Guru Chanakya.
The very thought of meeting Guru Chanakya gave him goose pimples. So excited was he. As the caravan rolled on nearer and nearer to Taxila the excitement of Chandra increased to a feverish pitch.
