SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Remorseful Sage

Chakrabhandava knew that he had wronged but his ego would not let him agree to it.  He robbed his eyes from Vasudev’s firm glance at him and looked elsewhere.  He, then, expressed the desire to return to the ashram.  Vasudev had not missed to observe the feeling of remorse in his face which made him believe that with time Chakrabandhava may repent his folly and desist from repeating it in the future.  He led the Rajguru to his chariot and they returned to the ashram without exchanging any word.  Thereby, Chakrabandhava excused himself and hurried inside his cottage.  Vasudev entered the cottage that Sage Badrinath had led him in and spent a few lonely moments praying to God that his conversation with Chakrabandhava bore positive results. 

After some time, Badrinath entered in and both exchanged greetings.  “My brother is not with you?”  The sage asked perturbed. 

“We were together for quite some time, O Sage.  In fact, I had taken him to a nearby spot where I had seen a very touching sight.”  Describing what he saw, Vasudev concluded, “…I wanted to share that scene with your brother.” 

The sage nodded and then asked his visitor the purpose behind his visit.  “Foremost, O Sage, I hope that you do not possess any grudge against me for what happened during our last meeting.” 

“Absolutely not!” The sage asserted.  “It is true that for quite a while I was very disturbed but then when I thought over it, I felt that it was not you but me who is to be blamed!  Despite knowing your devotion to your principles, I went ahead and put forward such a proposal before you!  That was clearly wrong.  It showed that I suffered from the evil quality of vanity.  I believed that no one could go against my wishes.  This realization wiped off whatever bitter feelings I had towards you.  I do owe you an apology, O King.” 

“Please do not embarrass me, O revered one.   You have shown your gracefulness by speaking in these terms.” 

“Thanks for the kind words, Maharaj.  Please tell me the reason for your visit.  If I can be of any service to you, I would gladly oblige.”  The sage offered. 

“I can only say this much that the purpose of my visit here has nearly been fulfilled.  I do not seek anything more from you.  If you permit, I would like to stay here in this ashram for some time.” 

“O Maharaj, you are free to stay here for as long as you want.”  So saying, the sage ordered some fruits to be offered to Vasudev and then left him alone for resting awhile.  It was then that Vasudev had a visitor.   He was none other than Chakrabandhava himself!  Vasudev welcomed him and after they were seated on a mat, the Rajguru intoned softly, “I am leaving for Kantipura today evening.  I just came to bid you adieu.” 

Vasudev just nodded in understanding.  He knew only too well that this was not the actual reason for Chakrabandhava’s visit.  He allowed his visitor some time to open his mind.  A long moment of silence followed where Chakrabandhava appeared quite uncomfortable and undecided.    At times he shot quick glances at Vasudev and then looked at the ground.  Finally, Vasudev broke the impasse, “I am waiting for your assurance.” 

As the Rajguru finally fixed his glance at Vasudev, he continued, “I need an assurance from you that you will leave my friend alone and never trouble him again.” 

Chakrabandhava yet again looked at the ground but this time shook his head slightly.  He closed his eyes tightly and pursed his lips.  “Alright!” he murmured.  “I am sorry for what I have done!  The pain which I saw in that deer’s eyes made me feel the pain I must have caused your friend and his family by my actions.  I am sorry!”  Once again, his gaze met the ground and he shook his head in shame.  Now that he had acknowledged his guilt, he gathered the strength to make more of a confession to Vasudev.  “I not only had anger against you but even jealousy!  When sages like us are unable to have the darshan of the Lord, you had the privilege to see him on more than an occasion!  I knew the Lord loved you for you held up to your virtuous principles in life.  I not only wanted to bow you down but also make you work against your principles….”  He now looked at Vasudev with his face red with shame and regret.  “…What more do I say?  I request you to not tell anything about this to my brother.” 

“I was going to do exactly that when I came here for, I had no other choice.  However, after meeting you I felt that there was no need to do that.”  Apprising Chakrabandhava of his meeting with his brother, Vasudev continued, “…I did not lie to him but only revealed a portion of facts.  I do not want you to fall from grace in your brother’s eyes.” 

Chakrabandhava thanked Vasudev and got up to leave.  The confession seemed to have relieved him of a huge burden he was carrying with him ever since a sense of guilt engulfed him.   He now appeared fare more relaxed and calmer. 

“O Sage, please offer me a soothing place in your heart.”  For the first time, Vasudev observed a slight grin light up his visitor’s face.   “I will, O Vasudev!  Someday, by God’s grace, I will sort out the differences my King Chandravarkar has with you and make you both friends again.” 

“I will certainly look forward to that day!”  Vasudev maintained, smiling fervidly. 

After his visitor had left, Vasudev thanked the Lord for the positive results his visit had achieved. 

While Chakrabandhava left that evening, Vasudev decided to leave the next morning.  The sage offered the King his blessings and was leading him to his chariot when Vasudev stopped midway.  His eyes rested on a group of very young children praying to a mud statue of Goddess Saraswati.  “Do your students do this daily, O Sage?” 

“Today is the first day of education for these children.  Thus, before embarking on this journey of gaining knowledge they are seeking the blessings of Saraswati, who is the goddess of learning.”  The sage explained.

“O Sage, I want to reveal my mind but fear whether it may offend you in any way.”

“O King, even if you ask me to admit girl students in my ashram, I will not feel offended.  As you have the right to express your views, I also own the liberty to agree or disagree with you.  Please go ahead.”  The sage instructed the King.

“We invoke a Goddess to guide us get proper education.  However, we deprive the female race of this very Goddess the right to get education!  Isn’t that a tragic irony?”   Vasudev reasoned.

Badrinath was shocked to hear this observation of Vasudev.  Seeing his condition, Vasudev quickly added, “O Sage, I had no intention to hurt you.  I strongly felt like voicing my feelings which I did.” 

The sage lightly shook his head in understanding and then Vasudev took his leave.  He was thoroughly pleased at the outcome of his meeting.  He had no idea how the sage had taken his last words, but he prayed to God that something good came out of it as well.

Back home, Vasudev informed Manorama all that had happened who was exhilarated at the developments.  She was sure that it was Lord Krishna himself who had silently made things work in the favour of his most cherished devotee.  Thereby, she informed Vasudev that someone was waiting for him in the visitor’s chamber.  “Who is it?” Vasudev asked her. 

“You better see that person yourself, Maharaj.”  She replied with a mischievous tinkle in her eyes. 

Perplexed Vasudev hurried to the visitor’s chamber wondering who this guest could be.