Free Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi

because this incident has made you fear lying?’
    Ram remained silent, almost thoughtful.
    ‘Now, I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with Chief Varun.’
    ‘Yes, Guru ji .’
    ‘Do you remember our visit to the chief’s village?’
    ‘Of course, I do.’
    The boys had once accompanied their guru to Varun’s village. With a population of fifty thousand, it was practically a small town. The princes were enchanted by what they saw. Streets were laid out in a semi-urban, well-organised living area in the form of a square grid. The houses were made of bamboo, but were strong and sturdy; they were exactly the same, from the chief’s to the ordinary villager’s. Houses were without doors, each with an open entrance, simply because there was no crime. The children were raised communally by the elders, not just by their own parents.
    During their visit, the princes had had a most interesting conversation with an assistant to the chief. They had wanted to know who the houses belonged to: the individual living in that unit, or to the chief, or to the community as a whole. The assistant had answered with the most quizzical response: ‘How can the land belong to any of us? We belong to the land!’
    ‘What did you think about the village?’ asked Vashishta, bringing Ram back to the present.
    ‘What a wonderful way to live. They lead a more civilised life than we city-dwellers do. We could learn so much from them.’
    ‘Hmm, and what do you think is the foundation of their way of life? Why is Chief Varun’s village so idyllic? Why have they not changed for centuries?’
    ‘They live selflessly for each other, Guru ji . They don’t have a grain of selfishness in them.’
    Vashishta shook his head. ‘No, Sudas, it is because at the heart of their society are simple laws. These laws can never be broken, and must be followed, come what may.’
    Ram’s eyes opened wide, like he had discovered the secret to life. ‘Laws…’
    ‘Yes, Ram. Laws! Laws are the foundation on which a fulfilling life is built for a community. Laws are the answer.’
    ‘Laws…’
    ‘One might believe that there’s no harm in occasionally breaking a minor law, right? Especially if it’s for the Greater Good? Truth be told, I too have occasionally broken some rules for a laudable purpose. But Chief Varun thinks differently. Their commitment to the law is not based on traditions alone. Or the conviction that it is the right thing to do. It’s based on one of the most powerful impressions in a human being: the childhood memory of guilt. The first time a child breaks a law in their society, however minor and inconsequential it may be, he’s made to suffer; every child. Any recurrent breach of the law results in further shaming. Just like you find it difficult to lie even when it benefits someone because of what your mother suffered, Varun finds it impossible to do the same.’
    ‘So, not revealing our identity is in some way linked to their laws? Will knowing who we are mean that they’re breaking their laws?’
    ‘Yes!’
    ‘What law?’
    ‘Their law prevents them from coming to the aid of the Ayodhya royalty. I don’t know why. I’m not sure if even they know why. But this law has held for centuries. It serves no purpose now but they follow it strictly. They don’t know where I’m from; I sometimes think they do not want to know. All they know is that my name is Vashishta.’
    Ram seemed troubled. ‘Are we safe here?’
    ‘They are duty-bound to protect those who are accepted into this gurukul . That is also their law. Now that they’ve accepted us, they cannot harm us. However, they might expel us if they discover who the four of you are. We’re safe here, though, from other more powerful enemies who are a threat to our cause.’
    Ram fell into deep contemplation.
    ‘So, I haven’t lied, Sudas. I’ve just not revealed the truth. There’s a difference.’

    FlyLeaf.ORG

Chapter 6
FlyLeaf.ORG
    Dawn broke over the