ARYAN -
A Noble Mission

“For a long time, I had this wish in me to devote my life for educating the poor and to those who have been sidelined by the society like me.  However, I was uncertain if I could ever get an opportunity to do so for I knew that by the time my education gets completed in the ashram of Sage Shantenu, our kingdom of Siddinagar would neither have any impoverished people nor any unfortunates who are mercilessly left to their fates.  But the moment I heard from guruji that you have expanded your territory by annexing Uttamnagar, this desire in me changed into a strong will.  Guruji apprised us that Uttamnagar was in a mess with the people being very backward, poor and ignorant.  I decided to educate these people and enable them to set a clear goal for their future.  When I told guruji about this plan of mine, he was very pleased and told the others about this.  Ten of my companions agreed to help me in my mission.  You would be delighted to learn, Maharaj, that seven of them were beggars like me before you came to their rescue and send them to Sage Shantenu’s ashram for education.  Three of them come from a wealthy family and have agreed to help me financially in this mission of mine.  We plan to undertake a door-to-door campaign where we would incite the people of Uttamnagar the need to have education, set up ashrams at specific locations and thereby train them in various spheres – be it art, literature, music or the use of weaponry.  I have come here to seek your permission in this regard.” 

“What a noble mission in mind!” the King exclaimed.  “I was seriously thinking of enacting some steps to bring Uttamnagar in par with our kingdom of Siddinagar.  Your mission would only make my task easier!  Where are your friends, Aryan?” 

“They decided to meet their families and asked me to inform them immediately after I get your consent to this plan.”  Aryan replied.

“I will do whatever I can to help you accomplish your goal.  Get all your friends in the palace tomorrow.  I shall arrange for chariots for each one of you and you all can then set for Uttamnagar.”  Dharmaraja assured him.

Thereafter, Aryan was asked to rest for that day in the palace. 

The next day, Aryan met his friends and acquainted them about his conversation with the King.  All of them were confident that the King would concur to their plan and were happy to learn that he had agreed to provide his whole-hearted support in their mission.  They met the King who spent some time with each one of them and then they set out to Uttamnagar in chariots. 

For days together, Aryan and his team moved about in the kingdom of Uttamnagar and met several people.  While some of them did not have the instinct to get education, many of them had the potential to do something in life but were badly let down by the oppressive rule of their former ruler who neither cared for his subjects nor his kingdom. He did not recognise talent and grossly misutilised the taxes collected from the people for his own benefit.  He always had an eye on Siddinagar for he was envious about it’s growing name and fame.  He had attacked Siddinagar in an attempt to annex it but instead lost his kingdom to Dharmaraja.  Immediately after he had lost the war, he killed himself unable to bear the humiliation of his defeat.

At one time, many renowned sages had dwelled in this kingdom.  However, the King did not provide any aid to their ashrams whenever required and also displayed scant respect towards the sages, which had compelled them to desert the kingdom.   As a result, the people were left uneducated and were in great distress and misery. Therefore, when the people found Aryan and his friends offering to educate them, most of them pounced upon such an opportunity and agreed to join their ashrams which were soon to be set up.  

Continuing with their door-to-door campaign, Aryan and his companions reached a house.  As he was about to knock at the door, someone shouted from behind, “Sire, this is a house of mad people.  Do not knock at the door.  All of them are insane and get violent for no valid reason.” 

Aryan looked at the man with a sedate face, “Thanks for your concern.  But I would like to see their violent reactions myself.” 

He knocked at the door and soon a small boy opened it. 

“Do not go by his looks, sire.  He may attack you any time.  He is a mad boy.  I am telling you this for your own good.  Skip this house.  I know that you are here for a good cause but this house is not worth it.”  the man admonished Ayran.

Hearing the man call him a “mad boy”, the lad seethed in anger.  He barged out of the house, picked some small stones that were lying beside and was about to throw them at the man when Aryan and the others stopped him. 

“I told you that he is mad, sire.”  the man supported his views.

Aryan looked at the man and spoke softly, “Would you mind leaving us alone?” 

The man shrugged his shoulders and went away.  Aryan and his friends somehow managed to bring the boy inside his house who was still fuming in indignation.  After locking the door, the boy was made to sit on a cot. 

“Calm down, my boy!” Aryan pacified him.

“I am not mad!  I am not mad!…” the boy murmured and he broke down.

Aryan passed his hand affectionately over his head, “Do not weep, my boy.  We all can see that you are not mad!  In fact it is that man who seems to be out of his mind.”

This made the boy look up at Aryan and the others who were standing beside him.  “No one has ever spoken to me in this manner.  Who are all of you?  Why have you come here?”

Aryan told him that they were send by King Dharmaraja for educating the people of this kingdom.  “…Will you come to our ashram for learning?”

“Me?” the boy asked surprised.

“Of course! Why not?”  Aryan asked.

“That means you really do not feel that I am mad?”  the boy asked amused.

“Yes, my boy!  You appear to us like any other child of your age.  What’s your name?”  “Kirti.”  came the reply

“Where are your parents, Kirti?”  Aryan queried.

“They are all sleeping inside.  Actually, my family members, that is, my parents and elder brother are not mentally sound. Therefore, everyone has assumed that even I am insane!  Nobody gives me any opportunity to prove myself.  Wherever I go I am made fun of and referred to as a “mad” boy so much so that sometimes I myself suspect my sanity!”  he paused and then continued, “I know that I am overreacting these days.  I should not have tried to attack that man with stones.  But more than any abnormality in me it is due to frustration that I resort to such acts.  No one understands this…”    Kirti’s emotions gave away.  This plight of the boy gave Aryan reminiscence of his childhood days when everyone disregarded him only because he happened to be the son of a thief.  He wanted to lead a life of probity but no one ever gave him a chance.   Aryan found himself in Kirti and held him close to his heart.  “All your grief would now end, Kirti.  Tell me something.  Since I suppose that none of you may be working anywhere, how do you manage to survive?”

“Survival is difficult, sire.” Kirti said in a sad tone, “…There’s a huge temple of Lord Krishna not far away from here.  The authorities feed the poor on every alternate days.  Previously, they used to do it daily but now they are facing lack of funds.  All of us go there and if luck sides our way we manage to eat something.  Since so many poor people throng to the temple at that time it becomes difficult to accommodate everyone.”

“When did you last have something to eat?”  Aryan asked.

“Yesterday night god was with us, sire.  We did manage to have food at the temple.”  Aryan and his friends had food with them, which they instantaneously decided to offer Kirti and his family.

“King Dharmaraja has opened several asylums in Siddinagar which he himself monitors.  We shall take your parents to one of these asylums where they would be looked after properly and who knows?  They may even show signs of recuperation!”  Aryan said hopefully.

Kirti was about to touch the feet of Aryan but he stopped him and spoke words of encouragement, “You are now my responsibility, Kirti.  As soon as our ashrams are set up, I will see to it that your life changes for the better.  Take good care of your family till help arrives soon.”  All of them bid adieu to Kirti and took their leave.

(To Conclude)