Free Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi Page B

It now lies submerged. It was ruled by the Yadav dynasty, the descendants of Yadu.’
    ‘Carry on.’
    ‘Sea levels rose dramatically at the end of the Ice Age. The Sangamtamil and Dwarka civilisations were destroyed, their heartland now lying under the sea. The survivors, led by Lord Manu, the father of our nation, escaped up north and began life once again. They called themselves the people of vidya , knowledge ; the Vedic people. We are their proud descendants.’
    ‘Very good, Nalatardak,’ said Vashishta. ‘Just one more point. The Ice Age came to an abrupt end in the time-scale that Mother Earth operates in. But in human terms, it wasn’t abrupt at all. We had decades, even centuries, of warning. And yet, we did nothing.’
    The children listened with rapt attention.
    ‘Why did the Sangamtamil and Dwarka, clearly very advanced civilisations, not take timely corrective actions? Evidence suggests that they were aware of the impending calamity. Mother Earth had given them enough warning signs. They were intelligent enough to either possess or invent the technology required to save themselves. And yet, they did nothing. Only a few survived, under the able leadership of Lord Manu. Why?’
    ‘They were lazy,’ said Lakshman, as usual jumping to conclusions.
    Vashishta sighed. ‘Paurav, if only you’d think before answering.’
    A chagrined Lakshman fell silent.
    ‘You have the ability to think, Paurav,’ said Vashishta, ‘but you’re always in a hurry. Remember, it’s more important to be right than to be first.’
    ‘Yes, Guru ji ,’ said Lakshman, his eyes downcast. But he raised his hand again. ‘Were the people debauched and careless?’
    ‘Now you’re guessing, Paurav. Don’t try to pry open the door with your fingernails. Use the key.’
    Lakshman seemed nonplussed.
    ‘Do not rush to the “right answer”,’ clarified Vashishta. ‘The key, always, is to ask the “right question”.’
    ‘Guru ji ,’ said Ram. ‘May I ask a question?’
    ‘Of course, Sudas,’ said Vashishta.
    ‘You said earlier that they had decades, even centuries of warning. I assume their scientists had decoded these warnings?’
    ‘Yes, they had.’
    ‘And had they communicated these warnings to everyone, including the royalty?’
    ‘Yes, they had.’
    ‘Was Lord Manu the Pandyan king or a prince, at the time? I have heard conflicting accounts.’
    Vashishta smiled approvingly. ‘Lord Manu was one of the younger princes.’
    ‘And yet, it was he and not the king who saved his people.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘If anyone other than the king was required to lead the people to safety, then the answer is obvious. The king wasn’t doing his job. Bad leadership, then, was responsible for the downfall of Sangamtamil and Dwarka.’
    ‘Do you think a bad king is also a bad man?’ asked Vashishta.
    ‘No,’ said Bharat. ‘Even honourable men sometimes prove to be terrible leaders. Conversely, men of questionable character can occasionally be exactly what a nation requires.’
    ‘Absolutely! A king need be judged solely on the basis of what he achieves for his people. His personal life is of no consequence. His public life, though, has one singular purpose: to provide for his people and improve their lives.’
    ‘True,’ said Bharat.
    Vashishta took a deep breath. The time was ripe. ‘So, does that make Raavan a good king for his people?’
    There was stunned silence.
    Ram wouldn’t answer. He hated Raavan viscerally. Not only had the Lankan devastated Ayodhya, he had also ruined Ram’s future. His birth was permanently associated with the ‘taint’ of Raavan’s victory. No matter what he did, Ram would always remain inauspicious for his father and the people of Ayodhya.
    Bharat finally spoke. ‘We may not want to admit it, but Raavan is a good king, loved by his people. He is an able administrator who has brought prosperity through maritime trade, and he even runs the seaports under his control efficiently. It is