Chandradev [2]

What was also admirable about Chadradev was that he could hold his temper remarkably well. It wasn't just that it would take him longer to get angry, rather well-targeted provocations had a tough time getting in through his skin. His decisions were well considered and thought out. Going to him for advice involved critically analysing every option at hand aloud, even the unlikely ones, and evaluate them on their pros and cons with consideration on the long term implications. He judged soundly and simply, never prevaricating.

And yet. He did not make the best use of the godly powers. Those who stood to lose from his actions complained he made the gods look powerless and compromising. If the mortals were not terrified of your might, the argument went, what was to stop them for switching their loyalties and devotion in a turn? The easiest to impress gods, the ones who gave away the privileges, would always get the most devotees and undermine the check and balance of power. Underused power is power abused, they argued. And Chandradev was a perpetrator.

The inhabitants of the moon had a benevolent ruler in him. Power was more distributed than in the Swarga itself in the form of Janapals who were chosen by a population and sent to his court for their say in the matters of the court. If the Janapals were in overwhelming majority they could overrule Chandradev himself. Special abilities were granted to Janapals but not on eternal basis -- only for as long as they served. As their service ended in six years, their abilities expired and they were ineligible to run for Janapals again. Their service would also terminate when there was overwhelming desire in their constituents to get rid of them. The following selection would complete over the following two days. By setting this simple system of representation Chandradev had assured all the dissatisfaction in the realm was targeted at the Janapals and not himself.

Those from more traditional swarga background had concerns about Chandradev's treatment of moonhabitants. As it would not be sustainable to import the freedom of the moon in Swarga, the concern was that beings in Swarga would start demanding the same treatment as the moonhabitants. The power equation in swarga was a sensitive and delicate matter, and a slight disruption could throw the realm into an unheaval. Any sort of representation was out of the question, the gods had their own patron networks and no serious concerns of rebellion. Besides, the population of swarga including the service staff was much, much larger than that of the moon. What works for the moon would surely not translate well to the swarga, the sages knew.