SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Misconception Dispelled

Although troubled by the senior minister’s scheming, Vasudev managed to maintain his composure.  “For the sake of your other colleagues, please explain as to how your box got richer by those extra coins!”  Vasudev told the minister. 

“Maharaj, the moment you gave me custody of this box, I lost my peace of mind.  I wondered as to what would happen to this box that would enable you to find the culprit.  Thoughts like this box could even be a divine gift offered to you by Lord Krishna himself who time and again reveals himself to you crossed my mind.   In that case, would it come as a surprise if the coins that you put inside disappeared from the box of the guilty?  This assumption made me shake the box to verify the presence of the coins inside.  Much to my chagrin, I could not hear a sound!  This made me believe in my surmise.   I shook the box again and met with no response.  I had quite a number of similar coins with me at home.  I put a couple of them inside and again shook the box.  Yet again I failed to hear clinking of the coins.  Unable to comprehend the reason behind this, I put the box up on a shelf and surrendered myself to fate.  However, I could not get an iota of sleep yesterday, Maharaj.  The feeling of satisfaction that I had got after spreading that rumour was now replaced with fear and anxiety.  Being sincere in my responsibilities all this while, such feelings were alien to me and made me miserable.  I began to regret my actions.  However I could not muster the courage to confess my wrongdoing until I was compelled to do so now. ” 

“Although I did not expect any of you to think the box as a gift of the Lord, I knew that the guilty would make a fatal mistake owing to apprehension.  After all, I am aware about the state of mind of a person in guilt!  Tell me the punishment I should accord you, Vinayatji.”  Vasudev asked his minister. 

“I am your culprit, Maharaj.  You can punish me in whatever way you deem fit.  I am ashamed at what I did.”  So saying, Vinayat hung his head down. 

“Rumours like this set a very bad precedent.  I am not bothered about my image getting maligned but then sometimes these rumours could have the potential to bring disrepute to the kingdom.  In this context what you did is highly regrettable.  However, I also see that in a few months from now you would have approached the age from where you will have to step down from your post.  Apart from this lone action of regret, you have been a loyal servant of this kingdom.  Therefore, I do not want you to step down with a bad name.  Thus, I pardon you, Vinayatji.  Let me also point out that you are also the culprit of Abharan.  I give him full liberty to punish you in the way he desires for your vile action against him.” 

“Maharaj, I believe that Vinayatji’s rumour has caused more harm to you than me.  Despite this if you are willing to forgive him, I have no regrets in following your footsteps.”  Abharan considered. 

Vasudev was very impressed to hear this mode of thinking of his young minister.  Vinayat thanked them for their magnanimity and asked his King, “I can never rest in peace till I undo the damage I have brought you.  I will tell the truth to the people.” 

“No, Vinayatji” Vasudev objected.  “In a couple of days’ I will be meeting the people wherein I will clarify matters.  If they repose faith in me, they will have to believe me.  This matter ends here.  I request all of you to keep this to yourselves.” 

Vinayat was moved to witness the profound kindheartedness of his ruler.  With teary eyes he once again sought his pardon and then all of them took their leave.  After their departure, Vasudev was confined to his chamber for some time thinking about something.  He then met Manorama who was shocked to learn that such a senior and sincere minister like Vinayat turned out to be a traitor.  She appreciated the stand taken by her Lord and Abharan.  Revealing his thoughts, Vasudev spoke with his wife, “I was certain that Abharan was not involved in this.  After all, why would he spread rumour against me in his own district and become an easy suspect in my eyes?” 

Manorama agreed and then Vasudev took his leave.

Soon as decided Vasudev called a Durbar where he put forward before everyone the precise facts that had taken place during his meeting with Sage Badrinath.  While many lauded his stand, there were some who felt that inviting the ire of a well-known sage like Badrinath may not bode well for their kingdom in the long run.  Vasudev was least bothered about such apprehensions.  For him what mattered most was to follow his virtuous principles which he knew was what his Lord Krishna expected him to do.

One evening after his rounds, an exhausted Vasudev came to his chambers and lay on his bed.  Whenever he was alone, past thoughts of the moments he had spent with his three bosom friends – Shiva, Shridhar and Hari – and that of his King Bharadwaj came flashing to his mind.  He cherished such thoughts, which was why he ensured that he got these few moments of insulation from the outside world regularly.  He felt like going to Somnapur and meeting his friends and the King alongwith his wife.  After all, Manorama had nearly recovered from her ailment and there was no longer a risk involved in going for journeys with her.  Besides, this would also give her an opportunity to meet her father.   Just then, a guard came and informed him about the arrival of a guest.  “Who’s it?”  Vasudev enquired.  “He says that you will easily recognize him after you meet him, sire.” 

Perplexed Vasudev came out of his chamber and was pleasantly surprised to see his friend, Shiva, standing in front of him.  An air of vivid excitement ran through Vasudev’s adrenaline.  He rushed towards his smiling friend and both were engaged in a tight hug for a long time.  “How handsome you look, my friend!”  Vasudev exclaimed looking at Shiva’s attire which comprised of a striking cream-coloured jute kurta and a silk dhoti.   Despite the journey his face appeared quite fresh and sprightly. 

 Vasudev led him inside his chambers and made him sit by his side.  “I was just thinking about us and here you are before me!  It is so good to see you!  You have come alone?”