Chapter Six

Tilottama and Bimala returned from Shaileshwar to the fort without mishap. Three or four days after their return, Birendrasingh was seated upon his cushioned divan in the hall of audience, when Abhiram Swami presented himself there. Birendrasingh rose and prostrated himself; Abhiram Swami took his seat upon the mat of sacred grass which Birendra offered him, and by his permission Birendra resumed his place. Abhiram Swami said, "Birendra! I have somewhat particular to speak with thee this day."

Birendrasingh said, "Be pleased to command me."

Abhiram Swami said, "At this hour a fierce contest between Mughal and Pathan is at hand."

Bir. Aye; it is likely that some grave event shall come to pass.

Ab. Likely — and what course of action hast thou resolved upon?

Birendrasingh answered with pride, "When the enemy presents himself, I shall drive him back by force of arms."

The Paramahansa replied with greater gentleness, "Birendra! That is an answer worthy of a warrior of thy quality; yet the matter is this — victory is not won by valour alone; it is won by conducting alliance and war according to prudent policy. Thou thyself art foremost among fighters; yet thy forces number scarce a thousand. What warrior can turn back a host a hundredfold greater with a thousand men? Both Mughal and Pathan are a hundredfold mightier than thee in the strength of their armies; without the aid of one side thou canst not escape the hand of the other. Be not wroth at these words; consider them with a calm mind. Furthermore, wherefore shouldst thou stand at enmity with both parties? An enemy is ill enough; is not one enemy better than two? Therefore it is my judgment that thou shouldst embrace a side."

Birendrasingh was silent for a long while, then said, "Which side dost thou counsel me to embrace?"

Abhiram Swami answered, "Where there is righteousness, there is victory — go to that side wherein is no unrighteousness. Rebellion against one's sovereign is a great sin; embrace the side of the King."

Birendra reflected for another moment and said, "Who is the King? Both Mughal and Pathan dispute the sovereignty."

Abhiram Swami answered, "He who receives the tribute — he is the King."

Bir. Akbar Shah?

Ab. Assuredly.

At these words, the expression on Birendrasingh's face grew dark; presently his eyes turned red. Abhiram Swami, observing his looks and manner, said, "Birendra! Restrain thy anger. I have said that thou shouldst submit to the Lord of Delhi; I have not said that thou shouldst do homage to Mansingh."

Birendrasingh stretched forth his right hand and showed it to the Paramahansa; pointing to the right hand with the fingers of the left, he said, "By the blessing of those holy feet, I shall bathe this hand in Mansingh's blood."

Abhiram Swami said, "Be still; blind not thyself with rage so as to ruin thine own cause. Thou shalt assuredly chastise Mansingh for the wrong he hath formerly done; but what profit is there in warring against Akbar Shah?"

Birendrasingh continued in anger, "If I take Akbar Shah's side, under which general must I fight? Which warrior must I go to aid? Whose authority must I obey? Mansingh's. Reverend Teacher! So long as this body endures, this deed Birendrasingh will not do."

Abhiram Swami fell silent, troubled in spirit. After a little he asked, "Then is it better in thy judgment to assist the Pathan?"

Birendra answered, "Is it better to make no distinction of sides at all?"

Ab. Aye, it is better to distinguish sides.

Bir. Then it is better for me to be the Pathan's ally.

Abhiram Swami heaved a long sigh and fell silent once more; tears gathered in his eyes. Seeing this, Birendrasingh was filled with the utmost astonishment and said, "Master! Forgive me; in ignorance what offence have I committed — tell me."

Abhiram Swami wiped his eyes with the border of his upper garment and said, "Hear me. These several days past I have been engaged in astrological calculation. Thou knowest that thy daughter is dearer to me than even thyself; naturally, therefore, I have made many calculations concerning her."

The face of Birendrasingh grew dry; he asked the Paramahansa with keen anxiety, "What didst thou find in the calculation?" The Paramahansa said, "I found that great calamity for Tilottama threatens from the Mughal commander." The face of Birendrasingh became dark as night. Abhiram Swami continued, "So long as the Mughals are adversaries, calamity for Tilottama at their hands is possible; if they be our allies, it is not possible — for this reason I was urging thee to take the Mughal side. It was not my wish to reveal this to thee and give thee pain of mind; human endeavour is vain; I fear that what is written upon the brow must come to pass — else wherefore art thou so fixed in thy resolve?"

Birendrasingh kept silence. Abhiram Swami said, "Birendra, at the gate stands a messenger from Katlu Khan; I saw him as I came to thee, and by my instruction the doorkeepers have not suffered him to come into thy presence until now. I have said all that I had to say; summon the messenger and give him a fitting reply." Birendrasingh raised his head with a sigh and said, "Reverend Teacher! So long as I had not set eyes upon Tilottama, I did not even remember that I had a daughter; now there is none left in all the world to me but Tilottama; I take thy command upon my head; from this day I resign all that is past; I shall attach myself to Mansingh — let the doorkeeper bring in the messenger."

At the command the doorkeeper brought in the messenger. The messenger delivered a letter from Katlu Khan. The substance of the letter was this: Birendrasingh was to send one thousand horse and five thousand gold coins to the Pathan camp; failing which, Katlu Khan would send twenty thousand troops to the fort of Mandarun.

Birendrasingh read the letter and said, "Messenger! Say to thy master — let him send the troops himself." The messenger bowed his head and departed.

Bimala, standing behind a curtain, had listened to every word of the whole proceeding from beginning to end.