THE SEEDS OF UPHEAVAL
-3. Two Friends Meet

“The Prince should open his eyes when his head injury starts healing.  Through my medicines I will try my best to heal that wound.  I will know the success of my treatment only when he regains consciousness.  Till that time nothing can be said.  However, let me specify something.  Just because he is unconscious does not mean that he cannot hear you.  I request you to spend as much time as possible with him and speak with him words of encouragement.  Express your love towards him and always motivate him to recover quickly.  This would be very useful in ensuring his early rehabilitation.  However, for all this to happen, you should be cheerful and face the situation bravely.  Only then would you be in a position to kindle inside him the determination and the will to recover.”  Sukhumaran concluded. 

Although the parents and Dhurjaya were concerned for the physician had not given any assurance for the Prince’s recovery, their grieving hearts took some solace from the fact that by spending time and speaking with Paramjeet he would actually be on the path to recovery. 

“Can’t you give any specific period as to when would my child open his eyes?” asked King Dhuranjaya with concern writ large over his face. 

Sukumaran nodded his head in the negative.  “I am sorry, Maharaj!  All we can do is to do our best and have trust on God!  But never lose hope!  Remember that we can keep him in good spirits only when we have control over our emotions and have a positive outlook.” 

“What about his diet?  How will you give him medicine when he is in this state?”  Queen Dayanti wanted to know. 

“One thing is certain, O Queen, that the Prince cannot have any solid food.  What I will do is to make a juice of some herbs which are very good for health.  Thereafter, we will have to open his mouth and put a few drops of the juice inside his mouth.  He may be unconscious but his senses are very much alive.  Slowly, he will suck the juice inside.  Initially, we would find it difficult to undertake this exercise but gradually things should improve in this regard.  You can also make juices from fruits and give him.  Regarding medicines, I will make a mixture of some rare herbs which are meant for such head injuries.  Thereby, I will squeeze them to get their juice which is what I will give the Prince.  The method to give him the medicine would remain the same.  I will also point out that if you make him smell flowers having a very sweet fragrance, it would be handy for that would make his senses active.  Even playing music is a good method for waking up the Prince from his slumber.”  Sukhumaran explained. 

“I will come here every evening and spend some time with the Prince!  I will tell him stories which would instil in him the strength and determination to recover.”  Sage Anantu stated. 

“That would be very helpful, O Sage!”  Sukhumaran agreed and then turned to the King, “I would now like to take your leave, Maharaj!  I will have to prepare medicines for the Prince!  The treatment should begin without any delay.” 

The King agreed and the physician left the chambers.  Dhuranjaya then went up to the sage and said, “O revered one, I thank you for all that you have done.  I know that all this happened due to my son’s mistake!  I have a request to make!  Please do not accord any punishment to those other children who accompanied my son to the jungle for collecting wood.” 

The sage smiled endearingly at the King, “So be it!  I shall now take your leave and will return tomorrow evening to meet the Prince!  Please do not worry!  Everything would be alright!”  So saying, Anantu and his disciples left the palace. 

The parents and the King’s brother, Dhurjaya, sat beside the Prince looking at him with sorrowful eyes.  The King was feeling proud that over these five years, his son had put up a reasonable height and had facial features that resembled to that of his.  However, the poignancy of this tragedy overshadowed that feeling of happiness in him.   

A couple of days passed by.  News reached King Bhupendra about the calamity which had befallen his friend.  Alarmed, he informed his Queen, Chandraki, about this who was also perturbed to hear about this incident.  They decided to keep this fact away from Aditi over the fear that she may not be able to bear the shock owing to her tender age.  As one among them had to stay back to be with Aditi, the King left his Queen behind and immediately set out to meet Paramjeet.  Aditi was told that he had gone out for some administrative work. 

On reaching Dhuranjaya’s palace, one of the guards escorted him to the King’s chamber.  Bhupendra found the King and the Queen conversing with their son who was lying unconscious on the bed.  Dhurjaya was gloomily looking at the young Prince.  On seeing his bosom friend, Dhuranjaya rose and walked up to him.  Both of them hugged each other and while doing so nearly lost their emotions.  Thereafter, Dhuranjaya made Bhupendra sit by his son’s side and then told him all that happened.  “….It is really a tough task to give him juices and medicines.  He takes a long time to imbibe them and sometimes they just flow out from his mouth.  However, Sukumaran has assured me that things would change for the better in this regard over the coming days.  Sometimes, when we speak with him, he does move his hands and legs.  Sukumaran says that even though this is a good sign, he still cannot give any assurance about Paramjeet gaining conscious.”  Dhuranjaya concluded. 

Bhupendra clasped his friend’s hands.  “Do not worry, dear!  You have done nothing wrong in your life and have always helped others.  The Lord will never do any injustice to you!  Have trust on him!  Everything would be okay!”

Dhuranjaya shook his head in understanding.