SATYAN 5
-14. Tragedy In Narayanpur

Udhyog continued, “Actually, people have come to know about your illness.  But then no one has any specific details about exactly has happened to you.  With no news coming in, I decided to find out myself!”

Vasudev thanked him for his concern.  He spoke with his guests for a while and then asked Udhyog, “Do you go to the Laxmi Narayan temple?  How I long to be there!”

“Whenever I want peace of mind, I used to go there.  Of late, I have been avoiding going to the temple for the tragedy that happened in Narayanpur!” 

Vasudev and Manorama exchanged perplexed looks.  “Narayanpur?”

“You must be knowing this village that is a little far away from the temple!” 

“I know that, Udhyog!  But then what has happened over there?”  Vasudev asked alarmed.

“I suppose that King Bharadwaj is here.  Didn’t he you tell anything about it?”   Udhyog asked surprised.

“No!”  Vasudev denied.  “Please tell me the matter!”

Udhyog wavered to say anything further.

“Please do not hesitate, my child!  I promise you that I shall never take up this matter with King Bharadwaj on my own!  Don’t you trust me?”

Udhyog instantly agreed and apprised him of the events in Narayanpur.

“It is believed that some people took ill after bathing in a river of that village.  In fact, it was so serious that no physician could ensure their rehabilitation.  The symptoms were of high fever and shivering especially during evenings.  The disease slowly began to spread among the villagers.  An investigation by the administration revealed that there was nothing wrong with the river water.  It was some external source which caused this illness that is yet unknown.  Strict warning was issued that no one should spread any rumour and people were even debarred from speaking about it in public.  The reason could be to not adversely impact the thousands of devotees who throng the temple daily.  People who were victims of the disease were isolated from the rest which stemmed its spread but failed to recover those suffering from it.  Finally, Sage Pradayumna was called over and he dispatched one of his disciples, Chaitanya, to the village.  This young physician did a commendable job!  All he did was make a potion from neem leaves and give the patients!  Many recovered while those who were at an advanced stage of the illness showed marginal improvement.  The disease also stopped spreading and just when everything was turning out to be normal Chaitanya most unfortunately became a victim of that same illness!  To his misfortune, his own medicine is not having any impact on him!  It is at this juncture that I have come here.  I stopped going to that temple because the village is quite nearby to it.  As this is a contagious disease, you can understand that it is quite risky!”

Vasudev agreed.  He was very disturbed to hear about these developments.  He and the Queen could easily make out as to why King Bharadwaj may have kept all this away from them.

Udhyog insisted that he reveal the state of his health.      Acceding to his request, the noble King told both of them everything about his dream and the boon.  The duo was beset with grief when they heard all this.  Did this mean that Vasudev was now in his deathbed?  This thought sent a shiver down their spine.  Unable to restrain himself, Prakash covered his face with his palms and sobbed.  The eyes of Udhyog were also glistened with tears.  In fact, he got a feeling of guilt in his heart.  If his uncle decides to give the boon to one of the patients in Narayanpur, wouldn’t he in some way be directly amenable for leading him to his death?  This thought made him feel miserable.  He gave vent to his feelings before Vasudev who smiled at him.  “Do not think in this manner, my child!  I am now an old man who is anyway going to die.  You will be, in fact, blessed if you can aid me find a suitable person for my boon!  That would allow me to give a fresh lease of life to a young and needy person!  Isn’t that a virtue?   You will be only sharing that virtue with me!  I do feel that everyone has a right to lead a life that is at least as long as that of mine.”

Vasudev, thereby, decided to take them to the guest room wherein they could rest awhile and refresh themselves.  On the way, they met King Bharadwaj.  Vasudev knew that he liked to take a stroll in the palace during this time.  The old King recognized Udhyog and his face instantly turned a suspicious look.  As the duo greeted him, he managed to change that expression to a smile.  “When did you come, Udhyog?” 

“Just a while ago Maharaj!  He had learnt about my failing health and thus came to see me!”  Vasudev answered on his behalf.  Pointing to Prakash, he asked, “Do you recognize him?”

Bharadwaj did not take a long time to respond.  “Prakash!  He used to work as a cook in the palace!”

“Wow!  What a memory!”  Vasudev exclaimed in admiration. 

“So what if I look old physically?  I am mentally young!”  The King remarked playfully which invoked laughter from the others. They, then, parted ways and Vasudev left them in the guest room.  Before departing, he urged them to chin up!  “Please support me!  You must not make things difficult for me!”  They gave a nod and Vasudev departed. 

As both of them sat on a pouch with sullen faces, King Bharadwaj and his Queen entered the room.  The King had met Chitralekha and told her about his suspicions after seeing Udhyog.  He expressed his desire to see him and the Queen decided to accompany him.

Both Prakash and Udhyog rose to greet him.  Bharadwaj smiled and asked them to be seated.  He, thereby, asked Udhyog, “Did you tell Vasudev about Narayanpur?”