SATYAN 5
-13. Two Visitors

Abharan was one among the very few in whom Vasudev had confided with the latest developments.  Rishabd greeted him and offered him a seat.  He, thereby, shook his head in dismay.  “The thought of losing my father any moment is unbearable!”  He griped.

Abharan nodded in agreement.  “This is undeniably a very tough situation!  But then whether he is physically present with us or not in the future, we must try and continue leading a life like he wants us to.    Despondency is not what he expects from us.  We must fulfill his wish, O Rishabd!  His wish is, after all, a command for us!” 

Rishabd slightly gave a nod in the affirmative.  Abharan continued, “We must also believe that Lord Krishna would never do anything that goes against the interests of your father.    Being his most favorite devotee, the Lord would always have Maharaj Vasudev’s welfare in mind in all the Leela that he enacts.”

These words provided some solace to Rishabd’s grieving heart.  However, just like monsoon clouds deceivingly let the sun shine in all its radiance for a few moments before denuding his presence and engulfing the sky in darkness, so also Rishabd’s woes returned to haunt him and make his life miserable.  

Before leaving, Abharan gave Rishabd an amorous embrace and yet again exhorted him to not lose hope. 

Meanwhile, Sanjaya reached Somnapur and made his King Vasudev (Vasu) abreast of all the happenings in Chandrapur which left the latter aghast and grief-stricken.  He felt like immediately rushing away to meet his dear uncle.  But alas!  He could not do so for as a ruler he had some obligation to fulfill back in his kingdom.  He hoped and prayed that his father’s opinion that all this could be a test turned out to be true.

In Chandrapur, Chitralekha was in confabulation with Bharadwaj.

“Maharaj, don’t you think it is time that we informed Vasudev of what was happening in our kingdom when we came here?  In fact, we had delayed our visit here for that purpose!”

“I know what you are getting at!  No!  I cannot tell him about it!  I cannot bear the tag of hastening his exit!  This fact has the potential to do that!  Anyway, he is himself planning to visit Somnapur to accomplish his mission.  Let him find that out on his own and then take a decision.  I had even met his friends to dissuade them from taking up this matter with him.”  Bharadwaj replied sternly.

Chitralekha looked at him pensively.

As Vasudev was conversing with his wife, in come a guard and informed him that two guests, Prakash and Udhyog sought an audience with him.  Vasudev at once rose from his seat and rushed outside.  He held them closely to his arms and escorted them inside.  Vasudev observed that Prakash showed signs of ageing with his grey hairs and small wrinkles under his neck.  Udhyog appeared to be in the prime of his youth. 

“Udhyog told me that you are unwell!  What happened?”  Prakash asked alarmed.

“I am fine now.  I will tell you about all that later.  First, let us spend some pleasant moments together!  It has been such a long while since we met!” 

Foremost, Vasudev introduced Prakash to his Queen.  “This is Prakash who was my colleague when I was employed as a cook in King Bharadwaj’s palace.” 

The Queen smiled and folded her palms to which Prakash reciprocated similarly.

Looking at Udhyog he addressed the Queen, “This is Udhyog.  I have told you about him, remember?”

“Yes!” she exclaimed emphatically, “As a child, he had suffered from a serious ailment that later afflicted you too!”

Right!”  Vasudev acknowledged admiring the memory of the Queen.  He made them sit comfortably and then asked, “How did both of you come here together?” 

“I saw him only here!  It is a coincidence that we assembled here together to see you!”  Prakash clarified.

“Where have you been all this while?  The last I heard about you was that you had left the palace after I was dismissed from my services!” 

“Yes, Maharaj!  A….”  Even as Prakash was going to explain his long absence, Vasudev interrupted, “Please do not be so formal with me!  I am still your friend, Prakash!  Besides, I am no longer a King!  You can address me as ‘Vasudev’ as you used to do at that time!” 

Prakash acceded with his face reflecting happiness, “After the King had removed you from the palace, I was disinclined to work there anymore.  For quite some time, my parents who had their origins in Chada, our neighbouring kingdom, wanted to shift there where they wanted to spend the remaining part of their lives.  I, too, decided to accompany them and this is where I was all these years!  I am now a chief cook in a temple of Chada.  For a long time, I nursed a desire to see you.  However, the position that you were in now made me wary!  I was uncertain whether you would still remember this poor friend of yours!  Now after meeting you, I know how wrong I was!  I am aware about your greatness but still entertained such thoughts!  Please pardon me, Vasudev!”

  Vasudev smiled at him.  “That is alright, dear friend!  You have now come to see me and that is what matters the most now!”  Looking at Udhyog he quipped, “How’s your life progressing, young man?  How’s your daughter?”

“Fine!  She is now taking education.  Father was to accompany me but then his advanced age does not permit him any more to travel.  My family sends its warmest regards to you, uncle!” 

Vasudev gracefully accepted the wishes.