SATYAN
-12. A Thorn In Marriage

“…You remember that I had been out to a neighbouring kingdom for a couple of days to attend some family occasion?”   As Vasudev nodded his head in the affirmative, Bharadwaj continued, “That was the kingdom of King Dharmaraja.  There, I met his daughter, Chitralekha, and was enraptured by her beauty!  She appeared like an ‘apsara’ who had descended to grace the earth.  The manner in which she was looking at me gave an impression that she was reciprocating my feelings towards her!  But, then, I remembered about the curse and sustained my sentiments.  I decided to tell you about this curse once I returned but as soon as I came back you told me about how Vinayak had mistuilised his powers which fully diverted my attention to the kingdom affairs.  It’s good that this matter somehow came up today.  Anyway, even had you not asked me about why I was delaying my marriage, I was going to tell you about it now.” 

Vasudev was dismayed to hear all this from the King.  “This is a matter of grave concern, my lord.  We have to get a quick solution to it.  I would like to meet Sage Pradayumna and talk with him in this regard.” 

“But would that help in solving this, Satyan?  He had clearly expressed his inability to do anything more than what he predicted through his spiritual powers.”  Bharadwaj said depressed.

“You may be right, Maharaj.  Still my heart tells me that I should go and meet him.  He might further help us in this regard!”  Vasudev felt.

“Allright!  But wait for a couple of days, Satyan.  I have heard that he is performing some yagna in his ashram, which should be over in a day or two.  He may not like to be disturbed at this time.”  the King reasoned.  Vasudev consented. 

That evening, Bharadwaj had a surprise visitor in the form of King Dharmaraja!  He was given a warm welcome and Bharadwaj made all arrangements for his comfortable stay.  When Dharmaraja was asked about the purpose of his visit, he said that while returning to his kingdom after meeting a friendly neigbour, he had to pass through Somnapur.  Therefore, he thought of paying a visit to Bharadwaj and had come there.  This pleased Bharadwaj and he requested Dharmaraja to stay there for the night to which the latter agreed.  As he appeared jaded from his journey, Dharmaraja was escorted to a chamber for resting awhile.  During this time, Bharadwaj met Vasudev.  “This is a golden opportunity for me to tell him about my feelings for his daughter.  But then, what about the curse?  If I apprise him of it, this relationship would be shattered even before it has been formed!  What should I do, Satyan?” 

“Maharaj,” spoke Satyan, “…I would ask you to tell him the truth.  Tell him that you are in love with Chitralekha and also acquaint him about the curse you suffered at the hands of Sage Pradayumna.  Then let him decide.  We should make our stand very clear so that tomorrow there is no scope for any misunderstanding.” 

The King thought for a while and gave his approbation to Vasudev’s mode of thinking.  Later, when Bharadwaj went to meet his royal guest, Vasudev sat in meditation and prayed to Lord Krishna that his King succeeds in marrying Chitralekha.

As both the Kings sat to talk, Dharmaraja began first, “Actually I have come here for a purpose, Bharadwaj.  I wanted to take up this matter after I was refreshed and hence did not tell you the actual cause of my visit here.”  As Bharadwaj listened intently, Dharmaraja continued, “A few days ago when I was discussing with my Queen about looking for a suitable bridegroom for our daughter Chitralekha, we were in for a surprise!  Chitralekha told us that she was in love with you whom she had seen in the function, which you had attended.  I and the Queen were happy to hear this and told her that if you possessed the same feelings towards her then there was no reason why both of you shouldn’t tie the knot!  Thus, I have come here to know if you are ready to marry my daughter!” 

Bharadwaj was pleased to hear this, “O King, I, too, am in love with Chitralekha!”  “That’s great!  Oh Bharadwaj!  I am so happy!  I know that you have become a very good ruler and Somnapur is prospering immensely under your rule.  I will be only glad to give my daughter’s hand to you in marriage!”  Dharmaraja said gleefully.

“But, O King, there’s something I would like to tell you.” 

Seeing the tensed face of Bharadwaj, Dharmaraja became worried, “What is it, Bharadwaj?  You don’t appear to be as happy as I am.” 

“I shall celebrate only if you give me a positive response after hearing what I have to say now.”  Thereafter, he told Dharmaraja everything about the curse of Sage Pradayumna.  “…The only glimmer of hope now is Vasudev, Maharaj.  He is the one whom the sage was referring to at that time.  But the facts as to how he shall help me to come out of this curse and how long shall he take to accomplish it remains unanswered.  This is all I had to tell you.  And it is now upto you to decide.” Bharadwaj concluded. 

Dharmaraja was perturbed to hear this.  “I appreciate your honesty, Bharadwaj.  Before I decide on this matter, I would certainly like to discuss this with my family.  In the meantime, let’s hope that Vasudev’s visit to Pradayumna’s ashram bears fruit.  Please give me some time to decide.  At this stage, I cannot assure you anything.  After all, there’s nothing greater to me than my daughter’s happiness.” 

Bharadwaj acknowledged the views of Dharmaraja and met Vasudev.  After filling him in with all that had happened, he said in despair, “…I do not feel that there’s going to be any positive outcome of all this, Satyan.  He doesn’t want to reject me at my face which is the reason as to why he has asked for some time.” 

“No, Maharaj.  Please do not lose heart.  Now I can wait no longer.  Tomorrow I am going to meet Sage Pradayumna.  If he is busy with the yagna, I’ll wait for him to complete it outside the ashram.  But tomorrow I will go, Maharaj.  I cannot bear to see you so dejected.  Please grant me permission, Maharaj.”  The King agreed.

(To Continue)