Chapter 1396: Chapter 86: What Kind of Indian Power Fantasy Is This? (Part 2)
——What kind of Indian feel-good novel is this?
Luo En looked at the humble Poros before him, feeling quite amazed by the wonders of history.
He shook his head slightly and asked:
“By the way, since your identity as an Indian is genuine, why don’t you tell me about the situation of various human kingdoms during the Indian Divine Era?”
“Sixteen powerful kingdoms stand alongside each other, fighting every day, it’s very chaotic…”
Poros smiled bitterly as he slowly recounted the information he knew.
Due to the continuous oppression of the caste system, the greedy exploitation by Aryan Brahmins, and the mutual strife among various Hindu Sects, opinions and interests are highly disunified across India, leading to fierce physical exchanges between countries.
After a long and brutal elimination, there are now about sixteen countries that have become the victors, controlling the vast majority of India’s rich lands.
They are: Magadha Kingdom, Bajha Kingdom, Kashi Kingdom, Kuru Kingdom… and so on.
In addition, there are some small countries distributed sparsely.
In short, chaos cannot be simply described by the word “disorder.”
It is so fragmented that it’s even more lively than China’s era of the Five Hu and Sixteen Kingdoms, no wonder India is considered a geographical concept rather than a national concept.
Luo En shook his head and casually asked:
“Have you heard of Kapilavastu?”
Poros pondered for a long time before slapping his forehead and said:
“Are you talking about the territory of the Shakya Clan?”
To be honest, for the Indian Divine Era, this country had very low presence.
On one hand, Kapilavastu is located almost beyond the jurisdiction of the Indian Divine Era, belonging to barren lands outside civilization.
On the other hand, Kapilavastu’s national power is very weak, with the main Shakya Clan residing in ten towns such as Kapilavastu, Tidevadha, Chetu, She Mi, Kumata, Shizhu, Mili, Sanqie La, covering a territory of about two thousand six hundred sixty-six square kilometers, approximately equivalent to the area of the Greater Taipei Area in Taiwan Province.
More unfortunately, there are many strong countries around Kapilavastu, leading this small place to strive to remain inconspicuous every day, living in constant fear.
Luo En nodded and said, “It should be there. I want to go there for a walk, help me lead the way.”
“As you command, Sir.” Poros solemnly replied.
Immediately, he turned his horse, leading the way silently in front.
Although he didn’t know why this gentleman was interested in such a remote small country from the Indian Divine Era, as a competent subordinate, it is important to manage one’s curiosity well.
Don’t ask questions about things that shouldn’t be asked.
Two months later, Kapilavastu, Royal City.
At noon, the sweltering heat of Kapilavastu City made one feel parched even after drinking several ladles of well water, as if the insides of the body were being slowly cooked by the scorching Sun.
In the distance, under the Bodhi Tree, a young man was enjoying the shade there.
He stood tall like a sal tree, with skin smooth and bright as early snow. He wore a loose, fine linen white robe, a gold thread belt with blue gemstones around his waist, his clothes fluttering like clouds as he moved, with black curly hair tied with a garland. A spot of vermillion on his forehead accented his long golden earrings, his whole being radiated a gentle and compassionate aura, much like a restrained gemstone.
However, at this moment, the youth’s face showed a hint of worry, as if in a bad mood.
His last name was Siddhartha, the crown prince of this country under King Suddhodana, belonging to the Kshatriya caste. His mother, Lady Maya, was the daughter of the King of Heaven Arm from the neighboring Koli Clan. Due to difficult labor, Lady Maya died seven days after giving birth to him on the way back to her homeland in Lumbini, and he was raised by his aunt, having a childhood that wasn’t happy.
More unfortunately, Kapilavastu, the country he belonged to, was a small nation with weak power, surrounded by formidable enemies.
Almost since his memory, the wars around Kapilavastu have never stopped.
Killing and being killed, conquering and being conquered almost became the norm.
All, just to prove their faith to the gods, and to gain more fame and fortune.
The demigods who transcended mortal bounds might manage, but ordinary mortals suffered greatly.
Regardless of being male or female, beautiful or ugly, high or low status, strong or weak power, ultimately all became mere dust.
With this understanding, Siddhartha increasingly felt life was tough, everyone drowning in a sea of suffering and desires, unable to achieve liberation.
Thus, seeking spiritual safety, he once left the Royal City, apprenticed himself to two Ascetics, Arolo Jialan and Uddaka Rama, hoping to eliminate external distractions through meditation to achieve inner peace.
However, no matter how he meditated, the cries, the shouts of battle, the wails constantly flooded his mind, making him recall his suffering kin upon closing his eyes, preventing true peace.
So, in this world ruled by the gods, where is the path of redemption for humans? How should one tread it?
The more Siddhartha thought, the more confused he became, looking at the numb and hollow faces of the city’s people, he sighed heavily.
“The elephant is alarmed! The elephant is alarmed!”
At this moment, cries came from the sand near the elephant stable.
Seemingly due to the extreme heat, a mad elephant named “Snow Mountain” burst its fiery eyes, broke its chain, shattered the wooden fence with its thick tusks, and charged towards a young flower-seller girl on the street holding a flower basket.
In her flower-filled pot, there seemed to be a shimmering water light.