Bullshit, even though he had said that, the reason wasn't because he actually thought they would lose, in fact, he feared they would win. If they claimed more territory under Emperor Shruti's rule and Saru's command, the Shruti Clan's position as Dharma Incarnate would be unshakeable for countless more generations.
He said a woman was unfitting to lead? He was still peddling that same nonsense?!
Years ago, when Saru was born with Indra's Faith Seed, Grand Elder Vata had kicked up a fuss, saying that it was a male's Faith Seed, so how could a woman inherit it? He even went so far as to suggest that the Faith Seed should be stripped from her and passed on to the recently born little prince of their Vata Clan who also showed outstanding talent.
Back then, the Hanu and Shruti Clan worked together to suppress the Vata Clan, forcing them into a long silence that only kicked back up when the Key was meant to be passed down…