SATYAN3
-6. Vasudev Weds Manorama

“I have already pronounced Vasudev as my successor in Chandrapur. You, too, can do the same here, Bharadwaj!” Dharmaraja stated.

“What was the reaction of everyone?” Bharadwaj wanted to know.

“I have got mixed reactions. While some do not know him, there are others who are aware of the extraordinary sacrifice he made to release you from Sage Pradayumna’s curse. Therefore, much hope has been kindled in them following my announcement. Needless to say, my ministers are a disappointed lot. However, I am sure that with time they will realize Vasudev’s greatness and the eminence of my decision.” Dharmaraja noted.

Bharadwaj nodded in understanding.

The next day just before Dharmaraja was to leave, Bharadwaj informed his subjects about this matter. People were happy for their much-loved minister was to be elevated to the post of a ruler and sad because he would be moving away from them. Some of them even came to meet the King and expressed their displeasure over this decision. Bharadwaj had a hard time convincing them that this was decided keeping in view the better interests of his father-in-law’s kingdom.

Sage Amulya met Vasudev and complimented him. He told Vasudev that Manorama was feeling very proud after hearing this news.

Vasudev’s friends visited him where they hailed King Dharmaraja’s decision. Although all of them were sad at heart that their beloved friend would be going away from them, none of them touched upon this emotive sentiment and only limited their visit in wishing Vasudev success in his future responsibility.

A few days before his marriage, Vasudev took a round in the exhibition hall that was just a few distances away from the palace.

In this hall, huge life-size portraits of past rulers of the kingdom were put on display.  Bharadwaj briefly apprised Vasudev of the history associated with the persons that the portraits depicted.  They entered another small chamber where they were a few more of these paintings.  There was a picture of a smiling lady right at the center of the wall which grabbed Vasudev’s attention. 

 “Beautiful?  Isn’t it?”  Bharadwaj asked him.

Vasudev gave a positive nod. 

“She is Maitreya, the Queen of our former ruler Gunaratna, the elder brother of my grandfather, who ruled over this kingdom for only about a year before he died.  Unable to bear the sorrow of his demise, Maitreya committed suicide by jumping into a river alongwith her infant son!” 

Vasudev was aggrieved to learn about this.  “How did Gunratnaji die?” he asked with glum eyes.

“My grandfather killed him!”  The King revealed which shocked Vasudev.

“He was indeed sick but my grandfather connived with the family physician to give him spurious medicines!  He did this to grab the throne!  No one knew this until he confessed to my father just days before his death.  He had to undergo much suffering in his ripe age owing to health related problems.  He firmly came to believe that it was the flagrant sin he committed that was the main reason for this suffering. 

He, thus, made the confession to my father and made his desire known that his predecessors must learn this truth so that they realize the futility of doing evil acts which ultimately only harms us in the long run.” 

As Vasudev nodded grimly, the King requested him to keep this matter to himself to which he readily agreed.  Vasudev was the only other person whom the King had confided upon with this news after his Queen. 

Thereafter, both of them saw the other paintings and by the time they came out Vasudev was felt enlightened at getting a brief insight into the history of the King’s ancestors.  He requested the King to make this place public so that even the subjects can get to learn about the past history. 

The King liked his suggestion and in a short time opened the doors of the gallery to the people!  When it came to Maitreya, the visitors were only informed that she was the wife of Gunaratna.

Time ticked by and soon the big day arrived when Vasudev married Manorama in the very chamber of the Laxmi-Narayan temple where his idol stood. The marriage was attended by the King, who was the chief guest, his friends and many people of the kingdom. King Dharmaraja, his wife Satyaki and Sage Pradayumna also graced the occasion. Pradayumna had moist eyes when he learnt about Vasudev’s decision to marry Manorama despite knowing about her illness. He blessed Vasudev and assured him of his best efforts to somehow find a remedy to Manorama’s illness. The noble King thanked the sage and prayed to God that he succeeded in his endeavor.

King Bharadwaj cherished this moment where he saw his beloved Vasudev in the form of a bridegroom. He prayed to God to bless the newly-wed couple with everlasting peace and happiness. All those who came to grace the occasion were offered rich gifts and treated to some delicious delicacies which made their mouths water and hungry for more! After the marriage proceedings were over, Vasudev stood before his idol with his eyes closed for a few moments. He prayed to his Lord for the happiness of his wife and to give both him and his King the strength to bear each other’s separation.

Vasudev stayed in Somnapur with his wife for nearly a month. Initially, Manorama had some difficulty to adjust herself to her new life in the palace. While she was used to do all her work without any assistance in the ashram, there was a maid ready at her disposal to help her out with her activities in the palace. She also found it uncomfortable to put on rich wears and felt strange when she looked herself in the mirror after wearing them! She never believed the maids who maintained that she was looking fine in her new attire and was convinced only when Vasudev made a similar comment for she knew that her husband told nothing but the truth! Gradually Manorama got used to the comforts offered to her in the palace. She also adhered to some self-made principles where she never ate or slept till Vasudev returned after fulfilling his administrative obligations, no matter how late it was in the night. All that Manorama expected from Vasudev was that he should be faithful to his duty and her in which he fared admirably well.

Finally, King Dharmaraja arrived to take Vasudev to Chandrapur. A day before he left, Vasudev met his people in the durbar where he exhorted them to not shed tears over his departure but help their King to keep them happy and take the kingdom to new heights of glory and prosperity. After his speech was over, many had teary eyes including King Bharadwaj. The Queen, who was watching the proceedings from the upper chamber noticed this and felt miserable. She could not bear to see her Lord in tears.

Later, Chitralekha met Bharadwaj in his chamber and sat beside him. “Maharaj, nothing is late yet. If you want, we can tell my father that we cannot send Vasudev to Chandrapur for we want his services here. If you can’t deny him, leave it to me. I shall talk to father! But please do not live in such sorrow!” she pleaded.

Bharadwaj looked at her and shook his head in the negative. “No, Chitra! I will not spoil your father’s plans only to meet my selfish ends. I know that he has made the right decision and I want to respect it. Your father’s kingdom will not get a better King than my Satyan. Do not worry about me. The realization that Satyan is the King of a kingdom would sooner or later supersede the sorrow that has now clouded my happiness. It is said that time is the greatest healer of all wounds and sorrow and therefore have patience, O Queen! With the passage of time everything would be fine!” Bharadwaj reasoned.

Feeling proud over her husband’s resilience, Chitralekha smiled and clasped his hands.

Later during the day, Shiva and Sridhar paid a visit to Vasudev. Whenever the friends met in the past the atmosphere was filled with much happiness and light moments that was conspicuous by it’s absence on that day. Although the friends had decided to not reveal their feelings before Vasudev, they were finding it very hard to show restraint in this regard. Vasudev shifted the topic to the Prince where he asked his friends to somehow make arrangements of informing him on a regular basis as to how the Prince was getting along in the ashram. Both of them promised to do so.