SATYAN 5
-8. A Son In Grief

Rishabd continued to look down without uttering a word.  In his heart, he knew that his mother was speaking the truth but the extreme love that he possessed towards his father prevented him from accepting reality. 

“I think he should be given some moments of privacy.”  Manorama expressed her thoughts.  “Let him think about this matter and then come to a decision.”

The others agreed and urging the young King to keep his emotions at bay they left him alone. 

Yet again Rishabd’s eyes were brimmed with tears.  All of his father’s past dreams with the Lord had always proved propitious and blissful for the family!  Then how was this dream so cruel and merciless, he wondered.  He walked to the nearby window and looked skywards with such a distraught face as to ask the Almighty, “Why are you doing this to my father?  What kind of a test are you putting us through?”  He thereby began to walk around in the chamber thinking of his next course of action.  Try as he might, he failed to arrive at any decision.  Still showing exemplary commitment to his father’s principles he still managed to discharge his duties that day even when his mind was in the greatest depths of sorrow and misery.

Meanwhile, King Bharadwaj apprised his Queen about his meeting with Rishabd.  His view that all this could just be a part of some test for Vasudev left her thinking.  The fact that Lord Krishna did not explicitly tell Vasudev that he would suffer from illness for the rest of his life was already playing in her mind.  It was, in fact, Vasudev who had interpreted the Lord’s silence in that manner.  Did his silence imply something else?  It was indeed very hard for her or for anyone for that matter to make any conjecture in this regard.

Just then the King conversed with her, “Although I spoke in these terms, there is a fear in my heart of my supposition going wrong!  O Chitra, it is only you with whom I can share my true feelings in this matter.  The others are already crestfallen.  Thus, there must be someone who should make an attempt to lift their downcast spirits.  I am just trying to play that role!”  He, thereby, lamented, “How can the Lord be so heartless?  On the one hand he allows someone like me who is far elder to Satyan but less noble than him to survive.  On the other hand, he opens the gate of death to such a person who is the noblest soul on earth!  Strange and inscrutable are his ways!  How will I survive if anything…..”  The King could speak no more.  He pursed his lips and turned his face away from the Queen.

Chitralekha touched his hand softly, “There is nothing in our hands, Maharaj!  All of us are helpless against the will of God.” 

The King looked at her with teary eyes and agreed.  Later, they joined Vasudev in his chamber where he was spending time with his Queen.  Manorama had already given her consent to him to accept the boon of Lord Krishna.  Now, the old couple also lent their support!  Vasudev was jubilant!  He never expected them to agree to his wish so quickly!  Thanking them effusively, he sighed, “It is only my son who has to agree now!” 

“He will abide by your wish!  Let us give him some time.”  Manorama maintained.  “Tell us, Maharaj!  Have you thought about the person who would benefit from your boon?”  She asked.      

“I am yet to give this a serious thought.”  Vasudev confessed.  “I wanted to think about it only after you had given me the consent to accept the boon.  I know that it is not going to be easy, but I will have to take up this challenge and search extensively to find the most suitable person.  I couldn’t ask for anything more from the Lord than coming to the aid of someone even in my death!” 

All the royal members present there extolled his greatness and Bharadwaj yet again maintained that all this could just be a test which would soon come to an end once Vasudev passed it with flying colours! 

When Rishabd came back to his chambers after fulfilling his duty, Manorama paid a visit to him.  She enquired with him about his decision.  The young King could not provide any for he was still undecided.  “I made you understand that we have no other choice!  Can you see him suffer?”  She asked him in a sharp tone. 

Rishabd yet again offered no answer and hung his head down.   She shook his shoulders and raised her voice, “Tell me, Rishabd!”

The son looked at her with wet eyes.  He slightly nodded his head in disagreement. 

“Then come and tell him that you agree with his wish.  He is longing to see you!”

Rishabd was feeling bad that since morning he had not seen his father.  This had never happened before.  He, too, wanted to meet him but could not muster the courage to do so in his poignant state of mind. 

Manorama held his hand and gestured him to come along to his father’s chamber.

As Vasudev was engaged in conversation with Bharadwaj and the Queen, Manorama entered in with Rishabd.  The ailing ruler’s face glowed in happiness as he saw his son.  Rishabd moved quickly and hugged him.  “I am sorry, father.  I did not see you since morning!”  He apologized.

“That is fine, my child!  I can understand.”  So saying, he made his son sit near him and queried, “How are you feeling now?” 

“How will I feel, father?”  Rishabd asked him back in answer with a heavy voice.