CHAPTER 43: Painful Decision

As days went by, Rajaveera began to ponder upon ways to harass the Devas by adopting some deceitful means.  He wanted to take in custody some important delegates of the Devas and then do some hard bargaining for their release!  He wanted his son to chalk out a plan in this perspective and ensure its success through his men! 

It was at this time that Mrutyunjay decided to part ways with his father.  It would have otherwise become impossible for the Prince to hide his displeasure over his father’s thoughts and actions.  He met Sage Prathameshwar and apprised him of his decision. 

“My heart fills with guilt, O Prince, for it is due to your commitment to me that has compelled you to take this decision.”  The sage rued.

“No, O Guruji!  Even otherwise, father would have anyway banished me from Asurloka after learning about my thoughts!  Please do not think in these terms! 

All I want are your blessings so that I can utilize my knowledge and powers which I have gained from you and Sage Ananya for the benefit of mankind!”  So saying, the Prince touched the feet of the sage who blessed him.

Thereafter, one night he wrote a small note using a peacock feather on a red scroll, which read, “Father, I know that you dislike me and thus I think it is best that I move away from your eyes.  I am going on my will and thus please do not make any attempts to search for me.”

He handed over this scroll to the guards standing on vigil outside his chambers and gave them standing instructions to give it to his father in the morning.  Then, in the dead of the night as everyone were sleeping peacefully, he slipped out of Asurloka.  His eyes welled up with sorrow as he bid adieu to his birthplace. 

Aryaman’s heart ached to move away from his father just when he had united with him after the twelve-year long education.  He knew that he had no choice but to make this move.  Gulping down his grief, he thought of using his powers due to which he reached the kingdom of Pallava that Sage Ananya had proposed in Prithviloka well before dawn, which would otherwise have taken nearly a week! 

Mrutyunjay wanted to find out the reason Ananya had asked him to come to this place.  He decided to observe the proceedings in the kingdom for a few days and even keep a tap on how well King Ravichandran was faring as a ruler. 

This, he felt, may throw some light into the reason why the sage wanted him in Pallava.  He took the form of a crow and flew to several pockets of the kingdom.  Wherever there was a congregation of people, he would sit atop the branch of a tree and carefully listen to their conversation. 

Gradually, he realized that the subjects were a disillusioned lot under the leadership of Ravichandran.  The King had absolutely no time for them and was content in leading a cozy life enjoying all the royal luxuries at his disposal.  Mrutyunjay also learnt about Amlanagar, the province under conflict.  The somber living conditions of the people staying there aggrieved him. 

Once when he was flying over as a crow, he saw the Panchayat meeting where Shailendra and Gayatri were being reprimanded for their ‘illicit’ relationship. 

Mrutyunjay noted the day of judgment where he strongly felt something inimical happening.  At this moment, he got the feeling that it was time he revealed his true self.   He was aware about the fact that spies from his world would be around somewhere watching everything closely. 

That was how they managed to learn about Ananya’s boon which they informed his father later.  Thus, he decided to give himself a new look, don the complete attire given to him by Sage Ananya, which included the shining armor and the cape barring the divine bow.  Since he considered himself a friend of all, he changed his name to Aryaman.