CHAPTER 18 :THE MYSTERIOUS BOON

The flying hero developed a very special rapport with Aditi. She shared all her learnings for the day with him and even asked some questions which he answered to her satisfaction. Aryaman was very pleased to see the enthusiasm in her. He advised her to continue studying with such eagerness and passion. One day when they were conversing, Aditi spoke up, “Aryaman, you always give us happiness. Should any time you feel sad or let down, do come to meet this little friend of yours. I will try my level best to soothe your heart and make you happy!”

Aryaman was moved by her words. He gently stoked her head, “Thank you, Aditi! I shall remember what you said!”

Aryaman also kept a track of Shailendra whom he had saved from the wrath of the Panchayat. The lad was gradually settling down in his new life. He was getting to play his musical instruments frequently during functions and it appeared that with time his talent might gain him more recognition and fame.

Another notable event, which occurred during this period, was the re-opening of the Shiva temple to all! Finally, the kingdom of Pallava blossomed under the leadership of Ravichandran. The people had only Aryaman to thank for this dramatic change in the attitude of their ruler.

One day after he had finished his daily routine in Amlangar, Aryaman met the King and reminded him that it was now time to think about resolving the Amalnagar dispute. Ravichandran agreed and sent his emissary to Sumegha to invite King Chandrashekar for the peace talks. The representative returned with news that the King would be coming over nearly next month. However, as the day of reckoning neared news came in about the King’s inability to come owing to ill health.

Later, Ravichandran sat in conversation with Aryaman.

“Actually, I knew that Chandrashekar would not be coming!” The King stated. “He does not want any peaceful resolution but war!”

“What do you say so, Maharaj?”

“There are a couple of reasons for my gut feeling. Foremost, I know his character very well. He wants Amlanagar all for himself and therefore there is no other middle path to him other than war. I shall tell you about an incident, which occurred nearly two months before you made your presence, felt here. A very renowned sage, Ananya, decided to take Samadhi. The sage had received a boon from another rishi that he never utilized in his life. Thus, he wanted to grant this boon to someone so that it works in that person’s favour. With this purpose in mind, in a congregation of sages after performing a yagna, he declared that he would offer this boon to whomsoever who comes to his place of dwelling. Ananya resided on a very steep hill that made it very risky for anyone to reach him. My trusted aides brought the news that the first person who managed to reach the sage for receiving this boon was none other than Chandrasekhar. However, the kind of boon he asked from the sage is not known till this day. I feel that keeping our enmity in mind, he might have asked a boon that may make him militarily stronger than me. If this is indeed true, then why would he want to enter into peaceful negotiations when he can win over me in battle by virtue of that boon?”

Aryaman took a while to respond. “Did you not try to meet the sage?”