SATYAN3
-3. Strange Desire

Later Vasudev met Bharadwaj and acquainted him with all the details about his friends. Even the King recollected Vasudev telling him about the dream where Lord Krishna had prognosticated the future of his friends. He was amazed at the element of authenticity involved in his forthright minister’s dreams.
Vasudev was also witness to the release of Manohar – Udhyog’s father – from prison. The businessman who was involved in a temple fraud had thinned down considerably and even sported a beard. He held his wife who had come to receive him tightly and appreciated the wonderful manner in which she was managing the family business. Manohar greeted Vasudev who promptly acknowledged it. He promised the minister that he would adopt the righteous path and never deviate from it. Vasudev clasped his hands with a smile that reflected his happiness and satisfaction.
As days passed by, things began to shape up fast. Sridhar and Shiva became the disciples of Sage Amegha and on an auspicious day, Hari married Vasanti which was attended by Vasudev and his two friends. Vasanti appeared to be a very sweet girl and had an eternal smile on her lips.
Meanwhile, Prince Vasudev was growing into a very loveable child. His childish pranks and innocent talks made him a darling of all in the palace! While the Queen apparently spent the maximum time with him, Bharadwaj was with his child whenever he got relief from his hectic activities. Even Vasudev spent quality time with the Prince that eventually made Vasu become much attached with the noble minister. As he became older, the Prince developed a strange liking towards sages. It all began when one day the King took him in his chariot while taking a round in the kingdom. Vasu found a sage sitting under the shade of a tree with his eyes closed. He curiously asked his father as to what he was doing. The King replied that he was a sage who was praying to God, the creator. “Then is Vasudev ‘uncle’ also a sage?” The Prince asked innocently.
The King smiled and replied, “No, my child! Your uncle is dressed like this sage owing to some customs which he has to fulfill as a student.”
After that day, the little Prince became very fond of sages so much so that he would pester his father to take him for a round only to meet them! He even began to dream that he, too, would become a sage once he grew up! At first, his parents did not take his fondness towards sages seriously but when this persisted, they did become a little worried. Vasudev was also concerned about this attitude of the Prince. In an attempt to guide Vasu in the right direction, the noble minister gradually began to tell him moral stories of some famous Kings so that the Prince became aware of his future duties as a ruler. Bharadwaj and his Queen appreciated his move and they too began to narrate such similar stories to their son. All this had an impact in the impressionable mind of the young Prince but the fascination that he possessed towards sages did not completely die down.
As Vasu attained the age to get education, his parents were wary to send him to a guru for that would make him come even closer to sages which might only compound his fondness towards them! However, they also believed that the Prince could get proper education only under the aegis of a sage. Therefore, they decided to appoint Amegha as his guru for they felt that with his powerful oratorical skills, the sage would be able to impress upon the Prince to follow the footsteps of his father earnestly and become a good ruler. Vasudev was pleased at this decision for his friends were the disciples of Amegha. He decided to request them to keep an eye on the Prince and assist the sage in his endeavour to make the Prince grow into a responsible ruler.
The King and the Queen met the sage and asked him if he would take their son as his student. Amegha gladly accepted the offer! Thereby, the couple informed him of Vasu’s obsession towards sages like him. To this the sage spoke with reliance, “Do not worry, O Monarch! Leave everything to me! With age and growing wisdom, I am sure that he will realize his responsibilities and gradually lose his excess attraction towards rishis.” Thanking him for his assuring words, Bharadwaj and Chitralekha came to the palace and made this news public. Everyone felt happy to hear about this news. As far as Vasu was concerned, more than the fact that he was to step into a new chapter of his life, he was thrilled at the thought of dressing up like an ascetic and stay in the ashram in the company of sages for the next twelve years!
On a choosen day, Sage Amegha began to impart education to the Prince. His parents and Vasudev hoped and prayed that everything would turn out to be well for him. On request, Amegha gave regular updates to the couple about how Vasu was faring in the ashram. Apart from other activities, the sage laid more emphasis on teaching the Prince weaponry and always made an attempt to make him aware that he was destined to become a ruler like his father one day. Besides, Vasudev’s friends also kept a check on the activities of the Prince and lend a helping hand to the sage to inculcate in him such qualities that would prepare him for his future obligation by constantly communicating with him. However, their best efforts notwithstanding, Vasu still possessed that uncanny liking towards sages. More than showing keenness in learning weaponry which would have been otherwise of great interest to anyone of his race, the child preferred to meditate for hours together like sages. Although this caused much concern to the royal couple and Vasudev, Sage Amegha was certain that with time he would be able to bring about a change in the Prince.
Time ticked by and finally the moment arrived when Vasudev completed his education under Sage Adirath! His guru declined to take any gurudakshina and advised him to continue following the path of dharma and establish Ram Rajya in Chandrapur. He promised to do so and then after taking the blessings of the sage, took his leave. King Bharadwaj asked Vasudev to discard his ascetic wear and put on some rich silky robes that he offered. After Vasudev had done that, the King placed a glittering golden crown on his head which had been specially made for him. Bharadwaj kept looking at his minister who appeared majestic in his new attire.