ARYAN -  Meeting With The King

There was Aryan standing before them with a heavy bunch of wood. 

“Aryan?  You did not go to Guruji to complain about us?”  asked Suman in apprehension.

“No!  Since you were busy in some other work, I thought it best to accomplish Guruji’s work.”  said Aryan .

“Great!  Now we can breathe freely.”  Suman heaved a sign of relief.

“Did you get any gold coins?”  Aryan asked his friends.

Suman told Aryan all that had happened. 

“Good that you have realised your folly.”  Aryan observed.

“Aryan, please do not say anything about this to Guruji.” one of the boys pleaded. 

“No, I won’t.  But promise me that henceforth you will never entertain such greedy thoughts enter your mind.  Never take anything that does not belong to you.  What you did today is an insult to Guruji as it means deviating from his teachings and principles.”  “You are right, Aryan.  We told you that we are sorry for what we have done.”  Suman said remorsefully.

“Now, distribute this bunch of forest wood evenly among all of you so that guruji does not suspect anything.”  Aryan advised his friends.

The boys thanked Aryan, distributed his load among them and hurried back to the ashram. 

“What will we tell Guruji if he asks us the cause of our delay?” one of them asked.  “We’ll tell him that we lost our way in the forest for some time!” came the prompt reply from Suman. 

Luckily, Shantenu did not demand any explanation for their undue delay.  He took the woods from them and asked them to go to the cottage. 

In the night, when all of the children were asleep, Aryan felt as if someone was touching his head.  He woke up with a start and found his guruji warmly moving his hand over his head.  Before he could say anything, Shantenu hushed the boy to be silent and gestured him to come along with him.  He took him to his cottage and made him sit by his side.  “What’s the matter, Guruji?  Is something wrong?”  Aryan asked alarmed.

“No, my child.  I am very pleased with you today.  Can you tell me why?” 

As Aryan pondered for an answer, the sage smiled at him, “You did not accompany your companions who went to fetch those gold coins!  That was a very good move on your part!” 

“Guruji, you know about it!”  exclaimed Aryan bewildered.

“Yes, my child!  When you boys did not return on time, through my yogic powers I perceived what was going on and got to know everything!  I am proud of you.” 

Aryan touched the feet of his guru who blessed him.  “My child, I am sorry for waking you like this in the middle of the night.  I found this time most appropriate for conversing with you in this regard in absolute privacy without the knowledge of your friends.  Of course, no harm would befall if I told the others about this fact but there is no need to embarrass them further when they have already realised their mistakes.  As I wanted to compliment you for the remarkable austerity you displayed towards my teachings, I told you about this.” 

Aryan bowed low before the sage and retired to his cottage with his heart filled with glee after meeting his guru. 

Days passed into weeks, weeks into months and months into years.  Finally, Aryan completed his education under the guidance of his guru, Shantenu.  The sage denied taking any gurudakshina and had this to say, “You had told me about your plans, Aryan.  If you manage to implement it successfully, that would suffice.” 

After taking the blessings of the sage, Aryan met his friends and discussed with them about the mission that he had in mind.  Ten of them had volunteered to help him out in his mission.  Out of these, seven of them were beggars like Aryan whom the King had himself brought to Shantenu’s ashram for getting proper education, including Suman, while the other three came from a wealthy family. 

“You go ahead and meet the King, Aryan.  We will first return to our families and then join you after you get the King’s consent to your plan.” his friends opined to which Aryan agreed.

Aryan bid adieu to everyone with a heavy heart and set out to meet King Dharmaraja.

Before making his way to the palace, Aryan took a round in the kingdom.  Sage Shantenu had told him and the other students that the kingdom of Siddinagar was rapidly prospering under the rule of the King Dharmaraja.  He wanted to see how were things faring in his kingdom.  What he saw made him feel happy!  The roads were in excellent shape and free from filth.  There was greenery all round which swayed cheerfully in the cool breeze that blew over.  There were dispensaries and asylums at every nook and corner for the benefit of the people.  One aspect, which was conspicuous, was the absence of beggars at any place, which Aryan visited.  This made him believe that the King has succeeded in his dream of making Siddinagar free from beggars. The people appeared very happy and were in a festive mood.  Aryan knew the reason for this as Sage Shantenu had told him about it.  After taking a very long round in the kingdom, he, at last, reached the palace and asked the guard to tell the King that one of his subjects wanted to meet him.  Without asking for any further details, the guard immediately went in and informed the King.  Within moments, Dharmaraja came out and welcomed Aryan in.  It was not that he recognised Aryan but it was his practice to give his subjects a warm welcome who sought an audience with him.

After they were seated, Aryan spoke up, “Maharaj, foremost I would like to compliment you for your victory over one of your hostile neighbours recently which has allowed you to expand the territories of our kingdom. The people are still celebrating for that. I had taken a round in the kingdom.  The people are very happy under your rule, Maharaj.  I heard them praising you so much.”

“Oh! Thank you!  May I know who you are and what can I do for you?”  King Dharmaraja queried not realising who the young boy was.

Aryan looked at the King with deep reverence in his eyes.  “Maharaj!  Have you not recognised me?  I am Aryan!”

The King’s jaw fell open!  “Aryan!  That little boy whom I had sent to Sage Shantenu for education?”

“Yes, Maharaj!  That was twelve years ago!  Here I am at your services after completing my education!”  Before the King could respond, Aryan fell at his feet.  “O Maharaj!  If not for you I cannot imagine what fate would have befallen me!  I may have still been a beggar or may have died of hunger!”

The King helped him to his feet and found Aryan’s eyes glistened with tears.  He hugged Aryan affectionately.  “O King!  The society had ignored me and left me to die! Thank you for all that you have done for me!”

Dharmaraja made him sit by his side and consoled him.  “It’s alright, my child!  What has happened has happened!  Only think about the present that is before you! Tell me, how was your education under the sage?”

“Excellent, Maharaj!  I am indeed honoured to have received education under him.” said Aryan.

“The glow in your face explains everything, Aryan.  Oh, my child, I am so happy to see you!  You look so handsome with that matching beard you are sporting!”

“Thanks, Maharaj!”

“Did anyone in the ashram ask you about your father?”  asked the King.

“Some of my friends did and I told them as per your bidding.”  replied Aryan.

“Good, now after so many years even the people of your town won’t recognise you, my child.  Therefore, bury your past and never mention to anyone about who your father was.  Okay?”

Aryan nodded his head in agreement.

“Aryan, what do you intend to do now that you have completed your education?”  “That’s the main purpose behind my visit, Maharaj.  I intend to do something, which I want to discuss with you.  If you like my plan, I will be inclined to put it into action.”  “Certainly, Aryan.  Speak your mind!  I am eager to know about your plans.”

“Maharaj!”  Aryan began.

(To Continue)