SATYAN
-5. Royal Offer

Hari wavered to answer King Bharadwaj’s query.  “I asked you something, Hari.  Why are you silent?” 

Before Hari could say anything, Sridhar confessed, “All these are valuables amassed through theft, Maharaj.” 

“But you all seem to be only ‘petty’ thieves.  Then what about these ornaments?”  The King asked.

“Just a few days ago, we had stolen these ornaments from a jewellery shop early morning.  It was only after that did we get the confidence of committing a theft in a very rich man’s house. 

Till then, we were ‘petty’ thieves, Maharaj.”  Sridhar said with remorse. 

Bharadwaj reprimanded them and asked his guards to apprehend them.  The three boys, instantaneously, fell at the feet of the King.  “Please pardon us, sire. 

We lost our parents very early on in our lives and thereupon we had no one to guide us properly.  We promise you that henceforth we will mend our ways.  Please give us a chance, Maharaj!” 

Their pleas appeased Bharadwaj and he asked them to get up.  “Just because you had no one for proper guidance does not mean that you should become robbers. 

Allright!  I will give all of you a chance.  Search for a proper job from today and be honest to yourself.  Surrender all the valuables which you have robbed to me.” 

The King’s guards accompanied Sridhar and Shiva to their houses and returned with some money and jewellery.  Yet again admonishing them to lead a decent life, Bharadwaj left for his palace alongwith Vausdev. 

As they were moving along, he turned to the boy, “Now what are you going to do, Vasudev?” 

“I am waiting for your punishment, Maharaj.  I have erred and deserve to be accorded stringent punishment.” 

Bharadwaj smiled at him, “After giving that servant, Ramu, and your bosom friends a chance to mend their ways, do you think I shall punish you, Vasudev?  Tell me of something in which you have keen interest.” 

“I love to cook, Maharaj!”  Vasudev said.

“Oh!  You do?  I am a voracious eater, Vasudev.  I just love to eat delicious food!  Allright!  I shall take you to the royal kitchen of the palace where you are free to make any item of your liking!  Then we shall see!” 

Vasudev was delighted to hear these words of the King.  He thanked him effusively for giving him an opportunity to serve him.

King Bharadwaj led him to the royal kitchen and left him over to make an item of his choice.  Vasudev pondered for a while and decided to make ‘kheer’ for the King.  He got ready with all the ingredients and went ahead with the preparation of his item. 

In his mind Vasudev invoked Lord Krishna, “Oh Lord!  I am doing as per your bidding.  Please ensure that the King likes my ‘kheer’ and gets me employed somewhere as a cook!” 

In a short while, Vasudev was ready with his item.  He tasted it and found it to be delicious!  But would the King too find it to be so tasty?  This thought made him feel nervous!  He filled a bowl with the ‘kheer’ and asked the guards to take him to the King’s chambers.

Meanwhile, King Bharadwaj handed over the valuables he had recovered to his ministers.  They had a record of persons who had lost their possessions by way of theft.  “Ensure that all these valuables rightfully reach it’s owners.” he said in an imperative gesture. 

After his ministers had left, Vasudev was escorted inside the Kings’s chambers.  He bowed before the ruler and gave him the bowl of ‘kheer’.  “Aha!  You have made ‘kheer’, Vasudev!  It already smells delicious!”  Bharadwaj exclaimed.

“O King!  Please taste it.  My heart is pounding!” 

“Is it?”  Bharadwaj laughed loudly and tasted it!  “Wah! Vasudev!  This is indeed delicious!”  The King gave his compliments.

“Thank you, Maharaj!”  Vasudev closed his eyes and thanked his lord in his mind.  As the King relished his meal, Vasudev stood watching him full of anxiety.  Now what would the King do?  As this question was lingering in his mind, Bharadwaj drank the full bowl of ‘kheer’. 

“That was excellent, Vasudev.”  The King exclaimed. 

“Thank you so much, Maharaj!  Do you want more?”  asked Vasudev excitedly.

“Not now, Vasudev.  I shall certainly ask for more later.  My mother was an expert cook.  I have never had such a good ‘kheer’ ever since she passed away.  Well done, Vasudev! 

You seem to have an excellent blend in cooking.  The cooks which I now have in the palace are no doubt, good but have not been in par with my expectations.”  The King gave a pause and continued, “I am pleased by the honesty which you have displayed today, Vasudev. 

I can see determination writ large in your eyes to henceforth lead an honest and sincere life.  I shall give you an opportunity to earn a decent living.  Will you become my cook?” 

“Oh!  Maharaj!  This is incredible!  Of course!  I will be only glad to serve you as a cook!  But what about the cooks you already have in the palace?”  Vasudev asked.

Bharadwaj smiled at the concern of Vasudev, “They will cook for the other delegates in the palace.  But you will cook only for me.” 

Vasudev was filled with immense joy at the royal offer.  He fell at the feet of the King who wished him success in his new assignment.  Thereafter, he was escorted to a small chamber, which was near the royal kitchen. 

Yet again invoking Lord Krishna in his mind Vasudev closed his eyes, “Thank you, O Lord.  You may not be before me but I know that you are very much there in my heart.  I can feel your presence.” 

Amongst his excitement, Vasudev had a question for which he could not find any suitable answer.  Bharadwaj was not known to be a noble King doing anything notable for the welfare of his subjects. 

But this day he seemed so kind and generous.  What was this new side of the King which he was witnessing on that day, Vasudev wondered.