The Travel Across Yugas

Chapter 14

Weapons are like money; no one knows the meaning of enough

                   - Martin Amis

"The Supreme Court of India has finally given its verdict on the Ayodhya title dispute case. No riots have broken out, as some have anticipated. The roads have been deserted in many cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and security is upped in the areas likely of riots. The usually bustling markets wore a deserted look on Saturday with fewer people on road. The local police have -"

Switching off the television, Hridansh turns to the occupants of the room saying, "I must say, I have anticipated riots as well. It is good though, to see the city so calm. I hope it is not the calm before the storm."

Nodding in agreement, Aranya adds shrugging, "The police are doing a good job with the precautions. This might be another factor for the calm."

Silent till then, Arjun pipes up, "Speaking of police, when they mystery girl came to our rescue, she was talking about how the bow looks very different from the one used here. What kind of bows do you use here?"

Arjun's question suddenly reminds Aranya that they have not been introduced to modern-day weapons. She wonders if it would be appropriate to bring up the topic at that moment and decides for it just in case they come across any weapons.

"I am not sure how to explain the details as I am not well versed with archery and it is practiced only as a sport here. However, from what I have observed, the present-day bows look much more complicated than yours." answers Aranya.

"It must be nice to use weapons only for sport and not destruction. One remarkable thing I found in modern Aryavart  is the prevailing peace. There are comparatively very few wars fought here. I have not read any book talking of wars in the last few decades." says Yudhishtir.

The millennial couple exchange an uncomfortable glance at his words. Hridansh says, "I would not say that. The reason you haven't read such books is, we don't have any such books in our library. Wars have been fought and the destruction caused is more than you can imagine. Developing civilization also lead to advanced weapons that cause more wreckage."

"What kind of weapons?" asks Sahadev.

"Weapons that can kill you in a moment, weapons that can erase one's existence to an extent that identifying their remains would be impossible. Weapons capable of wiping cities off the maps." replies Hridansh.

An eerie silence spreads across the room as everyone processes the newly received information. Aranya glares at Hridansh wishing he would have explained it in a better and less horrific way. Yudhishtir struggles to wrap his mind around the point that a human can wish such harm on a fellow human being. What crime would warrant such horrendous punishment? How can a human be willing to create an instrument of mass destruction? Similar questions pool into his mind and a heavy feeling finds it's way to his heart engulfing it. Unable to keep the queries reined in, he asks,

"What was the need to create such weapons? Surely no invasion guaranteed such measures."

Worry grabs hold of Hridansh as his mind flips through various ways he could tell the king about the horrors people of his time are capable of. He wonders how a man who has not committed any sin or even thought of it, would take the knowledge of weapon usage in modern world. He shuts his eyes tight trying to find an easier explanation but his mind turns blank.

"Hridansh?" calls Sahadev cautiously.

"Yes. Sorry. These weapons were initially created to pave ways on the mountains for people to travel. As it is known, every coin has two sides. When people came to know about it's effects, they started using them on their enemies. Initially it was an easier way to win wars, now it is also used in crimes like murder."