SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Proposal Rejcted

Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening.  All his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life.  The Sage glanced at his students and addressed them benignly, “Dear students, today I am going to narrate yet another prequel to the story ‘Satyan’.  Like in the earlier installments, this version would yet again show us the essence of being honest and leading a conscientious life.  Listen!”  As the students listened with rapt attention, the sage began the narration of his story.

*************

How relieved was Vasudev on witnessing the gradual improvement in the health of his Queen Manorama! The treatment for her heart ailment which she was taking under Sage Pradayumna was paying rich dividends! Not only did she appear healthy than before but even the exhaustion that used to sap her of energy after undertaking journeys had faded away. Vasudev thanked the sage and prayed to his deity, Lord Krishna, for the good health and happiness of his wife and the people.
Days began to pass by peacefully in the kingdom of Chandrapur. Vasudev often remembered his King Bharadwaj where he had reminiscence of the happy days they had spent together. He was pleased to see that Bharadwaj’s son Prince Vasudev – who was fondly referred as Vasu – had finally realized his responsibility of being the future ruler of his father’s kingdom of Somnapur.
One evening after his weekly meeting with the people in the Durbar, Vasudev retired to his chambers and was resting awhile when a guard came and informed him of the arrival of a sage by name Badrinath. Vasudev hurried to meet the sage who was well known for his profound knowledge. He had a serene face and sported a long beard. He wore a white dhoti with a scarf draped over his shoulders and held a kalash in his hand.
After they were comfortably seated, Vasudev, who looked every inch a King with his glittering crown, rich ornaments and white silky robes, enquired about the purpose of the sage’s visit. Badrinath replied, “I have heard that your kingdom accords the highest honour and respect to sages like us. As a result, ashrams are seen thriving in your land. The more the ashrams, the more the opportunity for education to be imparted to young children that would ultimately work towards the benefit of the society. O Maharaj, I would feel honoured if I get an opportunity to open an ashram in your kingdom.”
Vasudev was delighted to hear these words of the sage but he still decided to tread cautiously. “O revered one, I would be only glad if you do so. However, I would like to point out that there is no discrimination of gender and caste in my kingdom. In other words, you will have to admit students of all folds in your ashram.” The smiling face of the sage suddenly took a stern look. “I was aware about this factor which is why I dithered to come to you all this while. However, there was a gut feeling inside me that you will not reject a proposal coming from a person of my stature. No, O King! As per my principles I will only teach males. I have never and will never teach any female in my ashram.”
Dejected at this reply, Vasudev asserted, “In that case I am sorry, O Sage! I cannot fulfill your desire!” “So be it!” The sage retorted and stood from his seat. Vasudev tried to stop him as he was storming out of the chamber but to no avail. The sage walked away briskly with a sullen face.
Vasudev felt very distressed to see a visitor going away unsatisfied. He was however helpless. Nothing mattered more to him than adhering to his moral values and principles. Just then three of his royal ministers came to see him and enquired about the matter. Vasudev filled them in with the details and concluded, “…Please do not leak this event to the people. I will touch upon this issue in my next weekly durbar meeting with them.” The trio agreed and then settled down to discuss some administrative matter with their King.
Later Vasudev met Manorama, who looked beautiful in a saffron sari with a matching green blouse that had golden flower motifs and apprised her of the developments.
“Maharaj, it is indeed a tragedy to see such well renowned sages behave like this!” Manorama lamented. “Sage Badrinath is not only parochial but also suffers from self-conceit. Or else he would never have expected you to agree to his proposal despite knowing that you never serve from the path of righteousness.”
Vasudev thanked Manorama for her moral support and spent some pleasant moments with her.
A couple of days went by. During one such meeting with his trusted aides who kept him abreast of the developments in the kingdom, one of them, Vishal communicated with him, “Maharaj, I have some discerning news for you.” As Vasudev gave him a questioning glance, Vishal continued, “Some people in Somnagar are of the view that Sage Badrinath had come to see you with a request to open an ashram here in Chandrapur. However, you rejected his proposal with the reasoning that the sage was not fit to impart proper education to his students! This infuriated the sage and he walked away thoroughly disgruntled. These people are of the opinion that whatever be the reasons for you having such an opinion of Sage Badrinath, you had no right to insult him in this manner. Although you are known for your honest approach, some restraint must be exercised especially when dealing with such a reputed sage like him. There is some level of palpable discontent against you among these people, O Maharaj.”
Vasudev was taken aback to hear this. After a few moments of silence, he enquired, “Did you not try to find out the source of these rumours?”