CHATURBHUJ
Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening. All of his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life. Suryananda smiled at his students benignly and addressed everyone in a crisp voice, “Dear students, intelligence is the greatest gift offered to mankind by God. Never misuse it. Today’s story is based on this premise. Listen!”
“Okay, Sukhdeva, it is now time to leave! I thank you for all the hospitality you have bestowed on me all these days!” a royal friend said gratefully.
“No, Narendra! You do not need to thank me for anything! There should be no scope for such words in such a closely bond friendship like ours.” Sukhdeva asserted. “Okay, dear friend! Do come to my kingdom whenever you get the time. We will have a great time out there!” Narendra requested.
King Sukhdeva agreed and accompanied Narendra till the palace gates where a chariot was waiting for him. Narendra climbed unto it, bid his friend adieu and the chariot raced off in great speed. Sukhdeva stood there waving his hand and returned to his chambers after the chariot had disappeared from his eyes. He sat on the bed thinking about the happy moments he had spent with his bosom friend.
A couple of days passed by. The King had, by now, somewhat recovered from the sorrow he was experiencing in his heart at his friend’s departure. As he was sitting in his chambers in the evening after a tiring day’s work, one of his most trusted and clever ministers, Chaturbhuj, paid a visit to him. Chaturbhuj was of medium height with a very calm and relaxed face and had very expressive eyes. On the other hand, King Sukhdeva was tall and very well built. A thick moustache matched his stout personality. The King welcomed Chaturbhuj with open arms and made the minister sit by his side. He observed that Chaturbhuj was in a pensive mood. “What’s the matter, Chaturbhuj? I see that there is an expression of concern on your face.” Sukhdeva queried.
“You are right, Maharaj!” Chaturbhuj endorsed the King’s observations, “… I wanted to tell you something two days earlier but desisted from doing so seeing you very gloomy. Now, it is high time that I tell you about it.”
As the King listened intently, the minister continued, “My spies have brought this disturbing news that King Narendra’s friendship towards you is not genuine. He has an eye on our kingdom and wants to grab the divine ring which you possess, Maharaj!”
“What nonsense!” Sukhdeva fumed in anger, “You expect me to believe this, Chaturbhuj?”
“Maharaj, I know that this piece of information is hard to believe but it is a fact. My spies are very close to the aids of one of Narendra’s top ministers and they have got this news from them.” Chaturbhuj reasoned.
“That’s okay! Still, I do not believe all this! If you take my suggestion, have such spies at your service whose information can be relied upon! This is too much!”
Even before Chaturbhuj could say anything more, the King raised his hand, “Enough about this, Chaturbhuj! If you have anything else to discuss, you are free to do so but this topic is closed!”
“Okay, Maharaj! I have told you what I wanted to. I would now take your leave.” So saying, Chaturbhuj bowed low before the King and went away. As the minister was leaving, the King looked at him perplexed. He did not believe a word of what Chaturbhuj had said.
Chaturbhuj returned to his chambers and his distraught eyes clearly reflected his feelings. Already, he was disturbed to see the arrogance that had crept into the King due to the divine ring he had with him. And now, more than the fact that Sukhdeva treated him hoarsely, he was depressed to see that the King did not believe the facts disclosed by him.
It was said that long ago, one of the ancestors of the King, Suchdeva, performed severe penance after he renounced his kingdom during old age. Finally, the Lord himself appeared before him and asked Suchdeva as to what he desired. To this, the old King replied that he has done this penance not to get any boon but only to appease God and seek his darshan. Pleased with his selfless devotion, the Lord handed him over a golden ring and told Suchdeva that as long as his successors have this divine gift at their disposal, his kingdom of Amrapali would be free from any natural calamities and enemy attacks. The Lord assured him that no matter how powerful the enemy may be, he would not be able to defeat his descendants in battle if they had this ring with them. The Lord further apprised Suchdeva that it was not necessary that the rulers of his kingdom wear this ring. It would suffice if they keep it in some safe custody but care has to be taken that the ring should be inside the kingdom and the rulers should be aware of the place where they have kept it. Earlier, the rulers of Amrapali used to wear this ring, but for the past three generations including King Sukhdeva, it became a practice to keep it in a safe place so that it was not exposed before everyone.
