Book Excerpt — Ajita: A Novel By K. Sridhar

It is the fifth century. Ajita, a curious young boy, is endlessly fascinated by ants. How do they know where to seek food? How do they move in such orderly fashion? Do they communicate? These questions ignite his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. In the course of Ajita’s evolution into a philosopher of the Cārvāka school, his life crosses paths with many interesting characters: from Emperor Ajatashatru to Makkhali Goshala, Mahavira and the Buddha.

A vast span of time away, Moksh Malhar, a contemporary academic, is battling the shadows of his past. To cope, he seeks solace in books, ideas and philosophy, where he finds himself drawn to Cārvāka philosophy and the life of its foremost thinker, Ajita. As the immersion deepens further and further still, Moksh finds the boundaries of space and time beginning to blur.

Two stories, which loop into each other like a Möbius strip, are set out in twenty-six chapters, with each chapter omitting one letter of the alphabet. This is a finely crafted book that will draw you into a mesmerising vortex of form, philosophy, ideas and language.

Here's an excerpt from K. Sridhar's Ajita: A Novel

Another year went by and soon it was Ajita’s last month in the Gurukula. He was now standing in Gurudeva’s personal quarters, where he had been summoned.

‘You should not leave in Shravan. That is not the month to leave the Gurukula. I will consult the almanac and select a date in early Bhadrapada when you can leave. We will organise a yagna to mark the occasion. I have sent a message to Govinda to come here by then so that he can be present during the yajna. We are also planning a grand meal at the time and you will have to assist in prepring some special dishes.’

‘Yes, Gurudeva,’ said Ajita.

‘I wanted to bring up something with you. I have noticed that in the last year you have not been very interested in your studies or in anything that is happening in the Gurukula. Your eyes, which used to be radiant with enthusiasm earlier, seem to have lost their lustre in the last year. Your manner with me has also been distant. What is bothering you? I want to know now, because I am going to be very busy during this month and may not have time to discuss this with you later. The last year notwithstanding, I still think you are my best student, my best shishya. I wanted to recommend you to the great acharyas  in Vaishali. An apprenticeship with these men will give you a good career ahead which will ensure your prosperity as well as your spiritual growth. These are the two wheels on which our existence’s cart progresses and it is essential that you handle both these aspects well.’

‘I appreciate your goodwill but I will go back home and give this some thought. I do not want to start with anyone right away.’

‘Nobody will wait, Ajita, till you have made up your mind. I am happy to recommend your name to these acharyas now but in a year’s time even I may not be so enthusiastic. You cannot miss out on such golden opportunities.’

‘I am not sure they appear so golden to me.’ 

‘You know, Ajita, I give up. Once you leave this place you are on your own. I am not going to try to help you when you are clear that you neither need the help nor do you respect the sentiment with which it is being given.’

Saying this, Gurudeva got up abruptly and stormed out. 

Guruma had heard the exchange between her husband and Ajita. Later that morning, Ajita had to help in the kitchen. Guruma was already present in the kitchen when he went. When the girl who was working with her there went to the garden to get vegetables, she got Ajita to sit by her and talked to him.

‘What is the matter, son? I am worried that you are looking so uninterested. Have all these years in the Gurukula not amounted to anything? Do you think all this time has been wasted?’

‘It is not that,’ said Ajita.

‘Then what is it? You have learnt a lot here and learnt well. It is not just about doing yajnas; it is about knowledge and, more importantly, it is about thinking. You have learnt how to think and analyse and this is not something everyone picks up. When you disagree with your Gurudeva, don’t let it just be an emotional response to him. Ask questions. Tell him why you are disagreeing. Ask what is your alternative. That is what will take you ahead.’

‘Guruma, I have been thinking hard over the last one year. I am very muddled but, in all that, one thing is clear. That I want to be a thinker and not accept anything as given, just because someone says so or that it is attributed to some great Veda. I want to debate, discuss and argue. That is what I want to do most.’

‘Then do it. Don’t worry about making people unhappy with your arguments. But, at the same time, be honest. When someone’s argument betters yours, accept it. That is a sure way to go ahead.’ ‘Thanks. I will remember this always.

The month went by quickly and the ceremonies that were planned to mark Ajita’s departure were much more subdued than they normally would have been. Gurudeva was making it very clear that he had lost all interest in Ajita and went through the rituals in an uninterested manner. Govinda, who had arrived in time to witness the yajna, noticed this; he was perturbed. When he sought out his old classmate to talk about it, the man was abrupt. 

‘There is not much that can be done. I don’t know what has got into your son. He does not seem to be interested in taking my advice. I am happy to leave it there.’

‘He is but a young boy. He does not completely understand all this. It is your guidance that will help him. Please don’t be angry with him.’

‘Govinda, I have tried talking to him not only because he is my student but also because I have known you this long. But he is not willing to listen. I think he does not respect me or what he has learnt in my Gurukula. So let’s not discuss this anymore.’

A perplexed Govinda tried talking to his son on their long journey back home, but Ajita was silent all the time.

Excerpted with permission from Ajita: A Novel, K. Sridhar, Westland.