SATYAN2
-11. A Soul-Stirring Speech

Bharadwaj decided to organize Vasudev’s speech in the royal hall where the singing competition had taken place.  He extended the hall by erecting a shamiana ­– a huge red canvas supported by wooden beams – and promulgated his minister’s wish among the people.  The King asked all of them to come over a week hence to hear Vasudev speak. 

During this week, Udhyog did show some improvement in his health but that was only a temporary pace.  As soon as Prahasta decreased the intake of his medicines, the illness resurfaced.  The physician himself was puzzled at this development.  Still, he was determined to succeed and he continued treating Udhyog.

 On the choosen day, the hall was replete with the palace dignitaries and the people, some of whom had come from very far-off places only to hear their beloved minister speak.  The King and the Queen took their seats in their thrones and overlooked the proceedings.  Soon, Vasudev took the permission of the King and then walked up to the raised marble platform.  He then addressed the assembly, “I thank all of you for coming along in such large numbers to hear me.  I will take some time in speaking out my mind and therefore please bear with me.”  As the people cheered him, he paused and then when silence had reigned, he spoke up with a grim face, “God has given us such excellent features to lead a noble life.  He has given us intelligence to distinguish between good and bad, a conscience to guide our actions, a heart to feel for others, ears and the power of expression to hear and impart knowledge, eyes to see the sufferings around us, legs to walk up to those in dire need of help and hands to support the distressed and embrace one another in love and brotherhood.  The Lord has also blessed us with a relatively longer life so that we get an opportunity to do as much virtuous deeds as possible that would keep the doors of heaven open for us after we embrace death. 

However, we have miserably let him down by misutilising each of these features he has offered us.  We use our intelligence only to mark our own welfare and happiness at the cost of others, meanly ignore the voice of our conscience and indulge in evil activities, use our power of expression only to show off our own prominence and deride others, use our ears to relish someone criticizing others and listening to worthless gossip, use our eyes only to see the sufferings surrounding ourselves, use our legs to crush other’s happiness for meeting our selfish ends, utilize our hands in committing atrocities and snatch away other’s properties and misuse our long life to pile up our sins!  

Why is it that despite having everything at our disposal, we are not able to lead our life the way God wants us to?  Can there be anything more unfortunate than this? 

Even when one of his children does not grow up to expectations, a father suffers unspeakable mental trauma and affliction.  We consider God to be our father.  Thus, imagine his sorrow and pain when he finds so many of his children standing on the opposite side of the path he had choosen for them! 

I was not only a thief but I even cheated my friends in robbery!  This factor will trouble me throughout but I may take solace from the fact that atleast I am trying to mend my ways and lead the rest of my life with dignity. 

I want each one of you to undergo self-introspection and honestly judge as to where you stand in your life.  If you are standing on the wrong path, it is never too late to make amends.  I had only this much to say.”  He concluded.

For some moments, there was no reaction from any quarter for everyone was stunned at this soul-stirring speech.  Slowly the hall ruptured with loud claps even as Vasudev gestured them to stop.  “I did not say all this to only gain your appreciation.  I want all of you to seriously think over what I have said and do your duty for which you have been given this precious life with honesty, sincerity and utmost dedication.” 

The King came to the raised platform and hugged his minister.  Both he and the Queen were moved by his pure thoughts and the appealing manner in which he had presented them. 

Later during the day, the couple met Vasudev in his chambers and expressed the strong hope that his words of wisdom would have a deep and everlasting impact on their subjects.  They exhorted the minister to now stop worrying and take proper care of his health.

However, much to their chagrin, the very next day Vasudev fell ill.  Significantly, his symptoms were similar to that of Manohar’s son Udhyog.  He lost his appetite and suffered from high fever at fixed intervals after dusk.   The palace physician, Prahasta, ruled out any possibility of the disease being infectious and maintained that it was just a coincidence that both Vasudev and Udhyog were suffering from the same disease. 

A pall of gloom descended on the kingdom.  People flocked to see Vasudev and wished him a speedy recovery.   Bharadwaj and the Queen took turns in looking after him.

Among his regular visitors was Dyanchand, the merchant, in whose house Vasudev had planned a robbery with his friends before his transformation.  Dyanchand, who had now become a staunch admirer of Vasudev, was filled with deep concern on seeing his somber condition.  He prayed for his recovery and spoke words of encouragement to Vasudev and his friend, King Bharadwaj, in an attempt to keep them in good spirits.

    When Hari got this disturbing news, he hurried to meet his friend.  Seeing his weak condition, a distraught Hari decided to stay with his friend for helping him in this hour of need. 

Among Vasudev’s visitors were some good physicians who fell short of recommending some other medicine under the fear that it may offend Prahasta.

Vasudev’s friends Sridhar and Shiva got permission from the King to meet their friend.  They sat beside him on the bed and could hardly suppress their tears from flowing down after witnessing the dismal state of his health.  Vasudev was resting with his eyes closed and he suddenly felt someone touching his hand.  He opened his eyes.

(To Continue)